I think had we had Klose at the start of the season we would have not only stayed up but perhaps thrived a little. Alex Neil started the season knowing how he wanted us to play. It was at times naive but it was entertaining and serving us well but for the individual errors. With Klose we'd have had less of those errors, hopefully maintained some sort of attacking threat and been OK. The Newcastle game is credited with being the straw that broke the camels back where our naivity was fully and cruelly exposed. But what if Tim had been playing? Maybe instead of 3-2 at halftime it might have been 2-1 to us, we could have gone on to win? we may then have continued to believe. Trouble is we didn't have Tim and he lost faith in the only system he knew. What we have seen is a number of attempts to find another way, but none particularly successful. On the plus side I genuinely think he has learnt how to make us tougher to beat. Now he needs to ally that to carrying a threat. My hope is that Neil can return to the football that he believed in with players more able to perform it. Of course most of the lads are championship quality so that should be possible even if we lose the stars, but we must build and be more ready for the PL next time. I hope more than believe that that can happen so he should get a bit of time. That said he has to hit the ground running, because lower half and 12 points off the pace won't cut it. Bah!
The Chairman has made clear that AN's position is not under discussion, so much of the ranting on here seems likely to fall on stony ground.
I think the majority of us are still just about behind him still. I think he's gone from the new messiah to a guy with potential who the juries out on. Better start the season strong the Alex, cause the locals are getting restless. Bah!
If we lose heavily tonight and put in another piss poor performance, it wouldn't surprise me if he were to resign after the comments he made yesterday. I don't think he's the type of guy to wait around to be sacked anyhow.
I think that's a pretty fair shout. Although I think he was looking at this job as a long term project.
.. and if he were to do so we should be straight on the 'phone to Nigel Pearson IMO, before he's snapped up by Villa
No offence boys but is this not a bit knee jerk? Yea he hasn't performed miracles this season but he came in when you guys were mid table, turned you guys round for promotion and has had a good crack at keeping you guys up. His buys have been a mixed bag but hes had you guys competing but unfortunately you guys have some right cack defenders who couldn't hold a lead (you could say some of that is down to him). You were one of the relegation favourites and unfortunately, you don't really have any superstars in your team to pull you out of the ****. He's a pretty young manager too and if you stick with him he could lead you guys for many years. I don't think he's done anything wrong. If he kept you up he'd have over achieved frankly. He needs to start strong next year but i don't think what hes done is sackable really. If you said he would have got you relegated in the prem league last year when he took over you'd have probably said he'd have done brilliantly.
If AN were to resign before the start of next season I would have serious concerns about what is happening behind the scenes. Even with relegation, why would he leave a club with a strong squad that should be fighting it out at the top end of the Championship?!?! He's still learning but I believe that if he is supported by the board correctly in the transfer market we should be in the top couple of sides next season. If we arent, then AN will have a lot to answer for. Despite it looking likely that we will be relegated I think most on here would agree that if we had a CB in during the summer and a better striker that we would have stayed up. Those aren't things in AN's control. I bet he's as miffed as us!
Let's face it, if Jerome could hit a cows ass with a banjo and Bassong could manage not to drift off at least once every 90mins we would be in a very different position than we currently face. Similarly with Mbokani and Martin. I want Neil to stay and build in the championship with a squad refreshed with youth and a couple of quality signings in key areas - CB and ST. There is only one thing that has concerned me about him, which is his persistence in using Jerome. Why sell Hooper? He and Mbokani up front surely could have produced a great partnership. With the defence I feel like his hand has been ultimately forced into playing Bassong and Martin at times, he made no secret about targets that we tried and failed to sign in that position.
Does anyone remember another Scot caled Alex who came from Scotland (Aberdeen) to manage one of the big clubs in England, didn't have a good start to his managerial career, fans even wanted him sacked, wonder what happened to him? This has been AN's first season in the PL, I'm sure he'll have learnt from his mistakes & will be a stronger manager in the PL the next time he manages in the PL
