As poor a refereeing decision as it was, that penalty award to Brum has been used. It's too easy to say we lost a game because of it - the truth is we were incapable of winning it anyway. Playing the sympathy card is an understandable stance to take, but it's being milked. Yes, the facts say we lost the game to a bad decision but there was far more to the game than that. Mowett has a relatively poor squad at Brum when compared to other sides in this division and they probably overperformed for the first dozen games of the season. Their current league position has far more to do with the manager than the squad. Without the injured Donaldson and Cotterill they've lost the edge this past half dozen games and have looked distinctly average. We should be able to take advantage and beat "average" sides if we are going to win anything this season. The current top 6 are all performing better than us and are up there for that reason. You'll always get the odd upset result like Hull losing to Rotherham yesterday, but by in large those 6 are in control - but it doesn't have to be that way. Although I see Boro and Derby as the best up there and clear favourites for the autos, there's half a season left yet and a playoff spot is there for the taking. Can we do it? It's too hit and miss for my liking. Pushing the line that a bad penalty decision cost us the game won't do it. Only some radical thinking and decisions from Tan and the board will make it happen. That to me means some quality players brought in in January for our current manager, OR another manager to do it with what we've already got. There's no guarantee but either will do for me. We need to see something positive from those controlling the club rather than bumble on with more of the same and miss out because of it.
Have to agree with that Sparks. We are distinctly average and (Marshall apart) have no stand out players. It could be argued that was the case when we got promoted but there was a unity and intensity to the squad which isn't there now. We also had players who would work their socks off for the team and, as a result, an ethos was bred which helped us get up. Malky must take some credit for that - but certainly not what followed. We had a squad that could grind out results and concede few cheap goals. It might only take a couple of players with more quality brought in, in January, to take us up another level but is Slade the manager to attract them and could he mould all the parts into an effective unit? I have my doubts.
I still have major doubts about Slades ability to attract quality players. I don't have any doubts about his tactical knowledge, he hasn't got any. Even with a different manager there are still players in the squad that are not good enough and need to be replaced. Ameoba must be sent back as soon as possible. Macheda, Mason, O'Keefe, Jones and Noone all need replacing for us to have a serious chance of promotion. Also time to assess the players out on loan. Decide who we are keeping and unload the rest.
What about Watt I thought he ran his heart out ,a few more like that, players with a passion to get this club into the playoffs
Definitely potential William. I like him, Fabio and Pilks and despite the recent aberrations the defence is okay. However beyond that there is not the quality needed. 2 or 3 good acquisitions could make a positive difference but will Tan spend and will quality players sign for Slade?
Bluey - I think Slade being here would be a side issue for most prospective quality players coming here - they'd come for the money on offer and the opportunity to play some regular football if bench warming elsewhere. It's a question as to whether Tan will stump up the necessary cash. Either that or we'll find ourselves with long shots from the lower reaches in the hope rather than expectation that they'll come good. That would be a disaster for this season, and unless very very lucky would probably deny the club the chance to compete in that top 6. Watt is just the sort we want. Players with the ambition (as well as ability) to succeed and not amble around the pitch picking up a hefty pay cheque like Jones.
Don't they let you have auto promotion for breaking the world record for number of average or worse strikers on the books at any one time?!? The 'good' news is despite all our flaws we're within touching distance of that 6th place. TBH hand on heart I don't think we'll make the play offs. The season so far has worked out a lot nearer my prediction than bottom end/relegation scrap we were apparently doomed for before we'd kicked a ball. Now though I can't disagree with the overall opinion Russ is the limiting factor and we'll come up short. As an aside I've seen various managers mentioned as better than Slade on here so far this season. Steve Clarke, Jackett, Rowett and others. If we could find another Alex Neil then it would be a no brainer to sack Slade but as plenty of other sides have shown once you get past the little bounce a new manager causes most squads return to the performance level shown under the last guy. Forrest are an obvious example of a side with a squad that just should do better. What I'm rambling towards is - We've shown progress this season, it's not the immediate promotion type progress we want, but it's challenging the right end of the table. Should we have the patience to see if the current management can continue to progress or tear it down and start again? Middlesborough have taken 7 years and a fair few near misses to get to the stage where they look good enough to get 'back' to the PL.
Fair points Stevo, but the difference with Middlesbrough is that they've been owned for the last 30 years by local life long fan and multi millionare Steve Gibson, not some foriegn ****er with far more money than interest in the club. When you've got the sort of commitment and backing that Gibson's provided you have time to build in that fashion - I would suggest our current ownership/commitment package would have a far shorter lifespan. If we do not make a reasonable challenge at the top this season, I can see Tan somehow pulling back even further from the club. You could argue that Tan has no obvious way out, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's got a withdrawal strategy already in place. If he hasn't and is totally commited into the future to provide the club whatever it needs to succeed like Gibson, I'd be delighted but also very surprised.
There is a significant difference on paper in ownership but I stand by Tan having 1 and only 1 option that makes any sense. We've done the argument to death about whether he is sensible and imo from a business point of view he very much is. He needs to try and get us back into the PL on the without increasing the level of debt the club has to him. Russ and co. still have a glimmer of that dream alive therefore I'd be very surprised to see any knee jerk reactions for a minute. I don't expect us to get promoted, but I wouldn't be surprised to see us grab 6th spot in the league. If that happens anything can happen after that. We're a long way off the finished article but we are progressing in some ways. The football has definitely improved. Watt looks a quality addition, which is the first decent attacking player added under Slade's watch. Our attacking 4 of Watt, KWJ, Noone, Pilks is definitely good enough to challenge the playoffs. I agree that Derby and Boro are the 2 class sides in the division, I think Brighton will end up in the playoffs. After that it's all about who can hold some sort of consistency and grabs those other places. We are capable of that with the current structure. I think the Morrison injury could actually be a blessing in disguise by forcing the return of Manga. His aggression defensive style coupled with his confidence on the ball will make us a better side. Him and Connolly are as good as it gets from a footballing pov in this division. I don't know what's happened to Dika but I'd love to see him back as an option. Hopefully Slade and Trollope have learnt some lessons from the leads we're squandered recently and we'll avoid being quite as fragile in the future. The throwing away of the lead v Boro is what's remembered, it's sad because it's resulted in the fact we were the better side and 2-0 up for the majority of the match being forgotten. I know results are all that ultimately matters but we've all watched the game long enough to know that it's a lot easier to start getting good results when you're playing well and scoring goals than when you're not, even if a few don't go your way for a bit.
What!!! Boro nicked a draw off us? Did I leave early or is my memory going? Lol!!! Think you mean Burnley Steve. You'very got your half full glass out again. I admire your positive approach but as I'm a miserable old git I just can't see us making top 6 unless we can get in another 2 or 3 players better than we have now in January. In addition to Watt.
Does anyone actually know? He would have been ideal when attempting to hold on to leads in recent games.
Losing to an incorrect penalty decision is only half the story. City should have put away the worst team I have seen all season, comfortably by 2-3 clear goals. Problem for me is the management and coaching staff. A half decent manager would motivate this team, and a half decent coaching staff would get them fitter, quicker and sharper. Jones should have been hooked after 10 minutes, he was that bad but there is no replacement for him. Only Watt has the drive and ability to run at the opposition. With whom is in charge of the football club seemingly oblivious to the fact City have the worst backroom staff in the league, it is highly unlikely that we will see a change to the personnel in charge of the football team, and the ponderous, dull, and blunt football being played. This is a distinctly average league. Next season it is likely there will be at least 2 big clubs coming down to bully the championship next season (Villa, Sunderland?) whereas this season the top 6 as it stands are nothing special. A wasted opportunity beckons..............and it is all self inflicted..................like the disastrous Premiership campaign.
Mid table finish guys and Russ will be here to see us in that position, after that there may be a clear-out and then the carousel starts again. To be honest I've followed this team for over 46 years and Div 4 matches on a wet and windy Friday evening at NP with 3500- 4000 PASSIONATE supporters was a far better draw ( to me) than the dreadful garbage we are being fed by overpaid, pampered pre-Madonna players and a totally clueless management team. Like it or lump it people, it will be a few seasons before we become a competitive and committed football team in this league and don't be surprised if we become involved in relegation battles, at least that type of disaster sorts the men from the boys on and off the pitch. Its not all doom and gloom tho people, we will possibly bring in and disregard a few little gems and we will be able to admire their skills, commitment, pace and desire with their new teams and scratch our heads as to why they couldn't produce the same for us, and why we gave them away? We need to drop to mid table and then and only then will our management team look at their in inadequacies and the players can have a good long look at themselves. We as supporters can then concentrate on our demise and demand answers, not on the preconceived idea that we have a good squad and are play off challengers...time to wake up and smell the coffee guys!!
I suspect you're right Banana, but it doesn't have to be that way by a long chalk. Tan has the money which gives him and the club serious financial clout. It wouldn't take that much to assemble a bunch of players, many of whom are already at the club to take this poor division apart. Certainly top 6 is easy meat and an auto spot not out of the question - Boro and Derby must really think it's Christmas. The massive, MASSIVE problem is we do not have the management capability to make it happen - and deep down I think Tan knows that as well.
Totally agree that VT is well aware of our managerial inadequacies, the issue is ( I believe ) that he is a very honorable and honest individual who unfortunately believes his own press? What I mean is besides the commitment he shows to his team, he is also loath to admit he could have made a mistake with so much placed loyalty to Russ etc unfortunately he has to show faith and I believe he,s hoping things will turn out ok. I feel this is the way in his culture. However, in not flashing the cash he may well be demonstrating (despite his beliefs ) his disapproval of how things are panning out, who really knows? I just read an article that suggests RS said " we must not let things slip." He then goes on to explain what needs to be done, however there is no inkling in the report to suggest he could have made a few mistakes and what HE needs to do to change things, which in my mind suggests he hasn,t got a clue what HE needs to do? Oh well back to the drawing board...bet you any money that when he eventually goes he will blame the lack of funds for the demise of our team!! Same old my friends, same old. In case I dont get on here ( because of work commitments ) I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year and of course for the coming Year.
