It was really disappointing to watch yesterday´s performance, and yes, I did manage to see it all, as it was live on tv here. Nothing has changed as far as I can see, we´re just as incapable still, of following up a half-decent performance, or half-decent ´half´ performance ( against Liverpool) with another one, as we were under Hughton. Going forward we lacked pace, we lacked movement, we lacked ideas, our defence is as porous as a sieve, and once we went behind, we capitulated once again. Yes, I accept it was Man U we were playing, but they could have had no more self-confidence going into the game, than we did. In fact I began to think we were playing for a draw after about ten minutes of the first half, so slow were we at taking throw-ins and goal kicks. No doubt some will argue that these are Hughton´s players and therefore Hughton´s to blame, but they´re not all Hughton´s players, and anyway I seem to remember when players like Fer, Redmond, Ricky and Hooper were brought in, just about everyone on here was raving about them. Even if one is prepared to concede that perhaps Hughton´s damaged them in some way, which is a bit harsh, now that he´s gone we´re still seeing very little from them, which considering their Premiership livelihood is at stake, is very disheartening. Whether there´s any chance they´ll be able to lift themselves for the final two games, I´ve no idea, but sad to say, this has been a miserable year, and I for one am not looking forward to life back in the Championship, if that is indeed to be our fate. Hopefully whatever the future holds, NCFC fans everywhere can unite with 100 % support around whichever manager and players are in place at the time, because for all of the so-called bonding and coming together this management change has caused, I´ve never known this board to be so split, and so hostile as it is right now. Perhaps for all our sakes we can do a bit of coming together ourselves, as we´ve lost far too many good posters over the years as it is, I know it won´t necessarily help the team play any better, but it would certainly make life on here a lot more pleasant. I don´t particularly regard myself as one of the major antagonists on either side, but for what it´s worth I´m stopping all talk of who or what is responsible for our predicament. As a ´club´ we just haven´t been good enough. rbf OTBC
No point in keep dragging up the past, its not even worth mentioning any managers name right now it just creates waves and always an argument comes off the back of it, im not a prolific poster but have tried to inject a little positivity over the last couple of weeks as have others, it is hard to feel anything other than hurt when you have to face the reality of relegation as it hits home, hence the arguments for arguments sake IMO
You only need to look at the poll results on the Hughton sacking to see how people are split,it's not 50/50 but it's not far off.My main gripe is that it was incredibly stupid to sack him with five games left.We have seen time and again how Hughton managed to set up an unlikely 0-0 draw or an odd goal win.By all means sack him on the 12th May.But then I suppose the fear was that he might just scrape 17th place and buy another season.
We will need to be united in the summer rbf should the worst happen, otherwise it wil seriously harm NEXT seasons outturn We wouldn't want that two seasons in a row would we
I think, after yesterday's display, we can all agree that it wasn't just Chris Hughton to blame, the players were woefully short yesterday, and if you want to blame Hughton for that, then I will praise him for the second half against Liverpool, you can't have it both ways!
I think one area everyone will mainly agree on is how the board have acted. They should have either changed the manger a lot earlier or given him the rest of the season. I would have liked the first option but to sack Hughton with so few games to go was a nonsense. They have created this atmosphere around the club with their poor decision making this season. This concerns me the most going in to next season, which will more than likely be the championship. We have to get rid of the dross we have got and get in an experienced manager (but you watch Adams get it if we go down).
Well RBF I'm prepared to hold out an olive branch if others are. I received a torrent of abuse from a certain poster yesterday, and yes, I bit and gave it back with both barrels. So for the last time I suggest we now all move on, forgive and forget and pull together. If there are those that are not prepared to do this then I'll do everyone a favour and just like ILD and Redruth etc before me I'll leave.
No need for that KIO! Your opinions are as valid as everyone else's so please don't leave this forum. You're a diehard fan who supports your team through thick and thin! Don't give in and stand up for what you believe! I know I'm only a Binner but you are a top poster!
KIO I don't think leaving the right answer. It's good to have people that have different opinions, that's what debate is all about. I can't remember why ILD left, but Redruth was for non footballing reasons connected with Lee Rigby etc....... It doesn't have to get personal and result in insults being traded. I told Tony Munky yesterday that I thought he views were bordering on delusion but never did it get as low a personal insults. Think it's best if we all chill out a bit. Things are crap at the moment for NCFC but I think it's best if the CH debate ends now and we all look forward to probably getting out of the championship. Unfortunately it is not one persons fault it is the players, manager and even the CEO's. I can't agree it is the fans fault though. Before people start calling for Mcnally's head just think for a minute where we would be without him. Probably in the Championship or even in L1. He has cocked up for sure by not acting sooner but he has also done a lot of good for us.
KIO We've been here before! Why would you leave when you and I have agreed in the past that we only fall out because we both love NCFC with a passion! Any more talk of you leaving and I'll change the ****ing lock on my malt cupboard! 'Scuse my French!
I'm not calling for McNallly's head.He has (IMHO) made just one major mistake over the timing of the Hughton affair.And of course it's possible that he was affected by the recent loss of his father.As I said my quibble was with the timing and the possibility of getting a better manager in.NA was handed a poisoned chalice so I am not having a pop at him either,although I do think he is out of his depth.
I´m hoping that no-one will leave KIO, in fact I´m rather hoping that some might come back, but otherwise I agree wholeheartedly with the rest of your comment.
Anyone that expected us to get a win away at Old Trafford no matter who was in charge is very very very optimistic .
There will always be disagreements and that makes for good discussion in many cases. The problem, IMO, is that some people have been so disagreeable in disagreeing. It has far too often become personal and spiteful towards other posters, the manager, the players and McNally and the Board. It's often sickened me both this year and last and if that goes on in future I for one will have had enough. Make footballing points, but leave the personal spitefulness out of it would be my request.
For me I don't think there is much point blaming anyone. We needed to do something different. We gambled that we'd get enough of a lift from new, popular manager bounce against Fulham. The gamble didn't come off. C'est la vie. I'm resigned to a season or more in the Championship now as we get ready for the next cycle. Dropping down to League one was the worst thing imaginable when it happened but that was also the start of a brilliant 3 year cycle. Dropping down to the Championship is just the start of the next adventure. What do we do this time around? What is the long term philosophy? How can we be better prepared the next time we get into the Premier a League? Hopefully a mix of youth and experience. Perhaps the championship is exactly where we need to be to bring on our youngsters. Perhaps a couple of seasons for the Murphy twins to hone their skills will get us some home grown talent that can tear up Premier defences when the time comes. If we stay up I will be amazed and delighted but if we don't there will still be good times ahead.
You and I don't agree on much, RBF, but I agree with you about this. The past is the past, we haven't been good enough, and now let's look to the future.
Wherever we play it's ok for me want to be in the highest possible league but this year we have not been good enough, reason ? Did not replace Grant Holt with a leader IMHO We are where we are get Malky in let's start again OTBC
The loss of Lambert was a big blow.I know there is bitterness towards him but the Lambert seasons were good.It doesn't wholly surprise me that the Villa project is failing though.The RvW affair has been a massive mistake too although I agree that both he and Hooper would be big assets in the lower division.
Cruyff - At the time Lambert arrived he was absolutely right for us, and we were absolutely right for him, no question, but I´m still, to this day, very doubtful as to whether he would have been able to have taken us any further than he did, even if he´d stayed. That has always been in the back of my mind as being part of the reason for him leaving anyway. I think his limitations have also been highlighted this season at Villa, and he´ll certainly need to bring them better fortune next year (if he´s given the chance) to stay in the job.
