Its interesting that already he has got rid of 2 players but my worry is like Zola does the bloke have any say over transfers.
After the Forest game his reputation as a "tactician" must have taken a bit of a blow. He could not organise the team to hold on to a (rather fortuitous) 2-0 lead. Bringing on Abdi was not a master stroke. Davies clearly anticipated that we would be strong in defence and provided himself with lots of attacking options on the bench --he found the key with his second half substitutions, outwitting our man. Sannino now has to completely rebuild the team , since so many of the players provided by the Pozzo's in the summer are proving inadequate /too lightweight for this division , and even some of last years stars have gone backwards in fitness or performance. Having to build a new team halfway through a season is hardly the sign of progress-- but if he gets things right we might win enough games in the last quarter to avoid relegation. I think the approach from now on will be more physical and old fashioned. As for our new signing--remember how Ronnie Rosenthal brought a touch of class to a relegated side in 1997, and inspired a promotion? Of course the manager then was a certain GT.....
You've probably mirrored the thoughts of the majority there Roger. We most certainly have been far too lightweight and need to apply a bit more muscle on the pitch - would like to think that Beppe must be aware of this. His team selections from Sunday on will be interesting - I can't see him doing a Zola and making too many changes against Brighton, but something certainly needs to change. I suspect that One Size will be playing at the back again - possibly at the expense of Doyley - and Bellerin may replace Pudil, but who he picks from Park, Toszer, Diakite, Ranegie and Merkel is anyone's guess, as is who makes way to accommodate them. I'd be very surprised if we saw much of Abdi, Cassetti, Faraoni and even Forestieri again this season....
It appears with Ranegie, Toszer, Diakite and Chu-Young, we have a bit more heavyweight players. let's hope they can fill the gap.
Can't agree i'm afraid, i think our front line will end up as par and fesser, deeney needs to pull his socks up, top scorer but not good for the team atm
Until we get a leader on the pitch, we are stuffed. I see no leaders there. I didn't have too many complaints when Eustace went. That he was our glue is patently obvious, has been for some time. That we are into February and those that are paid good coin for sorting these things out have patently not done so is pretty shoddy work I'd say. I was wrong about Eustace but only in as much as our abject failure to replace him. Disappointed. Maybe next season... though if the worst happens we'll have an even bigger battle on our hands.
Still thinking we wont see much of Forestieri again this season? I would take him over Deeney every time, would be interesting to see him and Park up front.
Answer to the question - no When he arrived I thought his previous record was a bit middling - nothing to show the passion and desire of a true winner - someone who hates to get defeated and builds a team of passion who will not lay down. After his comments yesterday apologising for his team "not turning up" I feel it reinforced my opinion. He is not hungry enough and that transmits to players. We have no natural leader on the pitch and do not appear "up" for the whole of any game. We have just gained one point out of six from two sides in the bottom six who have two of the worst defences in the division. We did not score. Yes defensively our embarrassing habit of conceding two goal leads has ended - but is that a great achievement? This is a caretaker manager - not one to lead us to better things. Good enough for us - maybe - likely to inspire us to greater glory - doubtful. He has the chance now to build towards next season. We are not going up and unless we enter freefall we should be safe from relegation so this is the time to work out exactly what formation and style and players he needs. Having said all that two years ago the mid table security we have probably achieved would have been fairly welcome and maybe Watford are just a mid second tier club and we should accept it.
