Stumpy in one hand we say its the players, but not Guidolin, He puts them on a field set up to play a way he wants them to. If we can all see how bad Rangel has been defensively and we have a perfectly good replacement, whose fault is it for him playing week in week out. Whilst the players were the ones on the pitch as you say the buck always stops with the manager and as Kiff and Dai have said what did we see the manager do in an attempt to put it right. I am not convinced he can get over to the players what he actually wants and on the other hand I am not convinced he knows how he wants to play. For all the points he has gained I just think if we go into next season with him in charge w will be in exactly the same position next season and I don't think I could stomach another season like this.
Whatever it is the players are not responding to him and look to be doing their own thing instead of following a game plan and playing as a team....If we want to beat teams at a constant level then watch two teams i have been impressed with that should be at our level...Leicester and West ham. Their players look like a team in tune with each other and don't even have to look up as they know where their team mates will be........We use to play like that and can again with the right manager .
Not sure we'd be in exactly the same position but I do get what your saying TLF. I've not enjoyed this season at all and another one like this would just drive me insane. This year we've been all over the place with managerial changes, boardroom in-fighting, players playing crap one week, superb the next, us scraping through games, just beating Villa, losing to Newcastle yet beating Arsenal away, taking 4 from 6 off Chelsea, beating Man Utd. One week we're cruising at the top, the next we're fighting relegation. We've seen everything this season and imo Guidolins not to blame for any of it yet seems to be copping flack for most of our woes. The problems we've had this year are not Guidolins fault at all but, because of the emotional roller coaster we've been on, I simply can't work out in my head whether he is the answer for us next season or not. He hasn't done anything wrong imo, but also he hasn't done enough for me to get all exited about for next season either? It is very easy to dismiss him and talk about others like Rodgers or Beisla, but is it easier for us to think of another manager next year because we've harnessed Guidolin to our cart of discontent. Wow I like that one All I know is I want this season to end so I can give my brains a rest and let someone else who's getting paid for it make a tough decision that will be right for our club.
"This year we've been all over the place with managerial changes, boardroom in-fighting, players playing crap one week, superb the next......we've harnessed Guidolin to our cart of discontent." You missed out 'bedroom antics'. Also, Stumpy....you do realise what sometimes gets itself harnessed to a cart don't you?
Agree stump, our players have not been consistent at all, very poor after last season's 8th finish, and you cannot blame Franco, you could see after the Newcastle game he was very disappointed with the cheap goals given away at set pieces, he was as frustrated with the team as we were, need a clear out this summer, and the first one that gets my boot out the door is Go-miss...........
****ing right he should be upset, it is his job to set them up defensively and his job to motivate them and his job to get the tactics right and ultimately if it all fails the buck stops with him. When we played badly under Monk it was down to him, when we played badly under Laudrup, he was blamed and many on here were only to quick to do so.. So why all of a sudden is in not Guidolins fault. I agree the players need to look at themselves, ultimately the buck stops with the manager. he is happy to take the credit so when we play well has to accept responsibility when we play sh1te.
I would tend to agree with you TLF. The only caveat is that under both Laudrup and Monk, when they were blamed, the teams were "theirs" - whereas FG inherited this group of players, apart of course from Paloschi.
Yes that's true - allegedly. Would appear to be the strongest squad on paper - trouble is they play on grass..... (The old ones are the best) In all seriousness, whilst the squad could well be the best overall that we've ever had, it doesn't necessarily follow that it comprises the players/type of players that FG needs to play his type of game. Please note that I'm not advocating keeping FG - far from it, but I am trying to see the "argument" from both sides.
I understand that. But we have a VERY strong squad AND a very strong U21 team. Whether it's the best ever is up for debate maybe. The question as to how they can put in a performance like last Saturday can only be answered by the Manager imo. Buck stops and all that. For me he either got it wrong or couldn't motivate them.
I think its the mangers job to inspire not motivate at the top level of sport. Top of the range sportsmen/women don't need motivation, they should already have it, what they need is inspiration. The players didn't play like they were inspired on Saturday, on the contrary. Someone one here has already suggested this, can't remember who, sorry, but could it be that the players don't want Guidolin to be their manager next year? I wonder too if all this take-over talk has effected them?. Its been one thing after another all season long and it could be that they're just as sick of it all as we are?
If someone is inspired they tend to be motivated. But I know what you mean, despite semantics. Not sure about the takeover theory. It probably wouldn't have an effect on them.
Inspiration is hard to find with regular 1st team players when you reach " 40 points " as a smaller club It's why it's a good time to expierment with non regular players or players that have been out for a while . Their lack of minutes is all the inspiration they need .
They (and you) should realise that 40 points doesn't make us mathematically safe. Is it probable we'll go down? No. Is it possible? Oh yes! If that doesn't motivate them (if not inspire) then what will? We need our strongest team possible for this run-in. Experimentation has its place but not now imo. Remember, we have some very tricky games before this awful season is behind us.
Two of three teams basically have to win all their games and even if that happens , we can nullify with one win . The players know that and are not playing with a " fighting " spirit . Great time to play players that haven't played much . They will be more hungry to play , manager gets a look at other players
A phrase involving fire and playing springs to mind. I can see the logic in dropping the dreadful Go Miss and bringing in Gorre but that's all imo.
