I've been saying the same, some want instant success, it doesn't work like that. I will join in the CH bashing if we are ten games in and still losing but give CH a chance, everyone deserves that.
They will be, I agree, but I think only in terms of finalising how we approach training over the two weeks' break. Irrespective of the result against So'ton, I actually think the international break won't have come at a better time (assuming more of our players don't get injured... a hazard of having internationals in the squad!!) Ultimately, even if we win, there are some issues that need to be dealt with. The break will give us a chance to re-group, re-assess and recover. If we come away with a win against So'ton, we'll have four points from these first three. I was targeting five from these, so we won't be far off, but still still room for improvement. If we don't win or draw, further questions need to be asked, but it is a long season and there are far more than 13 winnable matches remaining.
I appreciate the humour Thai, fair comment. Being serious though and answerring your question straight, may I offer the end of October as a point to reflect. By then we should have a decent idea about the way we are shaping up and whether our hopes have been dashed or indded reinforced!
I was going to say, based on your previous comment that you must have had a time frame in mind, which makes the OP not quite as silly as you were pointing out. For me, I still say December unless we it really does go seriously south
I think there is a huge difference between 2 games and say 12 or 13 and only as you say if things have gone seriously south should that create much debate even at that point. Robbie's 3 years may be pushing it a bit but I am more in that camp and constantly changing managers (or openly questioning the incumbent) is generally unsettling and not a constructive way forward.
Some fair points there Rob, for me it's holding onto possession and not losing the ball cheaply, in a way your right about the final ball our players seem to think RVW is 6'10 his had hardly any service directly to his feet, his positioning on Saturday was superb but our midfielders were more bothered about 25 yard screamers, on paper we could be a good outfit but we let ourselves down with not being neat enough or controlling things from the outset, someone needs to step up and hold things together.
Apologies Thurnby, I was unaware last season doesn't count as part of the Managers influence and development. Everyone please take note for future debate.
My thoughts exactly - we need to get more service into the middle for RvW by Redmond etc STAYING ON THE WING and putting crosses in!!!!
It is only this year that CH has had the budget to make HIS team, prior to that it was very much inherited and keeping us up was in itself the base achievement on which to build. That needs time. I suspect however that CH will never cut it in your opinion and so pointless discussing it really. Thanks for the sarcasm though.
Exactly, last seasons team was inherited and his goal was to keep us in the PL. Not only did he do this but we finished 11th, beating some of the big clubs in the process! I think in some peoples eyes CH will never be good enough, bit unfair really but there you go. He now has his team in place, so let's give him a chance!
Just logged on for the first time in a few days and was going to start a thread along the same lines. Last year I got really pissed off with CH for his continual, boring, "let's just make sure we don't lose" football and did kick off once or twice on here to that effect. The fact that we did invariably lose made things worse, however we made it over the line and I for one was willing to give CH a chance. We have brought in some really good players over the summer but, notwithstanding the fact we've had a few injuries, two games in and there's no real improvement. CH has added real quality to the squad so unless things improve dramatically and soon the natives will be calling for his head. If these players are under performing or playing dire football it is down to one man and one man only, I can't be the only one who's hearing the rumblings of discontent among City fans already can I ? Rightly or wrongly there will be the first chants of 'Hughton Out' at Carrow Road on Saturday if we fail to beat Bury tonight and then lose to Saints with another abject display mark my words. Personally, I'm not calling for his head just yet but if results don't improve quickly I'm afraid I will. The signs are there a la Roeder that a change of direction in our overall play is needed IMO and if it is not forthcoming PDQ a similar outcome is on the cards. I pray that McNally doesn't leave it too late before he does something about it. 4 wins in the last 23 Premier League games is just not good enough !
Aaaaaaand the award for Deliberate Misconstrual of Another Poster's Comment for Hyperbolic Purposes of the Season goes to....... You guessed it, the overwhelming favourite, Caaaaarrraaaaaaabuhhhhhhhh
Although to be fair Rob it is called the Carrabuh Award which did give it away a bit, but yes, no more than one expects really! I am sure he is a binner you know.
*rounds of applause* *mutters of "never a more deserved award - glad he finally gets the recognition"*
To be fair to Carrabuh though he does have a point, surely? I don't buy this simplistic nonsense about how Hootun finally has his team this year compared to last season where he was playing with another man's (ie Lambert) squad. Did he not bring in Bassong, Turner, Whittaker, Garrido, Tettey, Becchio (cough, cough), Snodgrass last season? He didn't take over halfway through the season like Di Canio or Pochettino, he had the entire season to mould his squad and get them to play in his style and I think we were all in agreement that the football played (apart from just 2/3 out of 40 odd games) was pretty dire throughout. Two games in and both of those have been pretty dire as well. And please don't try to tell me the Everton game was a great performance, it was a slight improvement on last year, but we were still outclassed from pretty much start to finish by a club who (believe it or not) have a brand new manager with new players - so shouldn't we apply this "it's not his team" mantra to Martinez and therefore have expected to win the game? Or does it not work like that?
Indeed he does. Against Hull the team selection was 'defensive' rather than attacking. WHY - when we're away from home against a newly promoted side. I accept that we still have a few of our key players injured, but we needed a player who can split defences with a cleverly weighted pass, as opposed to taking shots from 20 yards or more!!!
To be fair, Everton had had the same team out on the opening day with the exception of young Barkley playing. Having said that, I do tend to have a good deal of sympathy with Carrabuh fighting, what is mostly, a lonely fight, as I do share a very similar opinion to him, you and KIO. I just don't voice it too often, but trust me, the frustration is there.
