Another poor season in the premiership so far this season. I guess if we come 17th or above it might just not have been to bad. Unfortunately that is going to be difficult. Tony should have paid Harry and his cronies off at the end of last season and certainly after the West Ham game. We should have brought in a young manager. That was mistake number one. They should never have assumed Remy was going to stay and replaced him so Austin had support. That was mistake number two. The old guard should have been released including Zamora, Hill and Dunne. You need speed in this division. That was mistake number three. Southampton brought in five of their new players for 12 million in total so it is possible to replace with sensible money. We should never have given Rio a contract. That was mistake number four, I heard on the radio today that Stoke under Hughes has never had so many points at this stage of the season. Makes you wonder if there is something wrong at the top? I thought after last time in the premiership we would have learnt. Tony needs to learn this time whether we go down or stay up.
Remember the debate after the play off final? Stay with Harry or get a new man in. At the time I felt the dirge served up last season didn't warrant Harry staying. Yes rose tinted & all that but I think that's when Swiss Tony should have pulled the trigger. Most of our problems this season spring from that
I would agree with most of that apart from Dunne who has been immense on occasion yes he's had a couple of iffy moments but I think we would have shipped more without him. The thought of Rio and Caulker at the back gives me nightmares.
Another mistake: going through two transfer windows without adding to our grand total of ONE qualified full back. If we'd had the additions of one good, fast RB and one good, fast LB we wouldn't have to worry so much about slow centre halves and we'd have conceded a lot less. For me, that is THE biggest mistake With regards to playing personnel this season.
Biggest mistake why did TF change his mind about signing Rio? If he let Harry talk him into it he's an even bigger idiot than I know he is...
Sad reading. The tragedy to me is that many on here saw this coming. Why didn't those who are paid shed loads to avoid such disasters also see it?
1. Sacking HR after getting us straight back up would have once again left us a laughing stock with the revolving manager door, was never going to happen! 2. The Remy situation couldn't be helped, he was going to stay and so any player coming in was going to be at least third choice behind him and Austin, not many players who would fancy that! 3. Dunne has been mentioned above and I'll add Zamora to that who has often in games linked up excellently with Austin, also raises the spirits in the crowd to sing the song about him, would have also been harsh after scoring that goal. 4. I might give you that one, although in theory his experience should help the younger players to develop and having him helped to get Chaulker who wanted to play with him, just a shame that Chaulker hasn't lived up to the hype! There is still 14 games left and maybe the Austin scare is a sign that our luck is changing, we are a long way from going down yet!
1. Harry wasn't very good last year. I certainly didn't enjoy many games and he was lucky we won the play off final. We are more a laughing stock now, so would of best we got rid. 2. There was no certainty Remy was going to stay. I didn't think he would, his body language seemed all wrong. If I could see it why couldn't they? They left it in his hands, they should of got a commitment from him or told him to go. 3. Dunne has done well considering his age and he does give his all. However he has lost us a number of goals throughout the season due to his speed. He isn't good enough anymore for the premiership. Zamora is a striker, that means not only should he provide, he score goals. How many has he scored this season? 4. Rio was the old player after one more payday, which Tony said he wouldn't tolerate anymore. Problem is he gave in to Harry. 5. Your right 14 games left and the bottom teams are so poor if we can get a motivated manager we might just have a chance, but it is going to be hard with the home games we have left, and getting the players to believe they can get something out of an away game. Obviously I understand these are your views and that is what makes this site a good place to discuss issues. However my views are different in point 1 to 3.
We're all more intelligent in hindsight, but there's been some valid points made. Here's mine. 1. The intention to play 3-5-2 on the back of team's doing so in the World Cup shaped our entire transfer policy. Redknapp, knowing the league, and knowing survival was the aim, should have recognised that it's not a system suited to the Premiership. 4-5-1 away, and 4-4-2 at home. 2. As a result of Point 1, We foolishly let go of Danny Simpson for a small fee, where he seemed genuinely committed and happy to be at the club. 3. Keeping possession has been troublesome for us this season, and has caused us to lose points (Liverpool, Swansea, Southampton all at Home being good examples). Faurlin getting injured was rotten luck, but deciding to sell Granero who was our next best passer of the ball didn't seem to make much sense. Perhaps a deeper lying role could have been the answer? 4. Failing to land another forward to play alongside Austin was criminal. 2 realistic options could have been Dwight Gayle from Palace or Brit Assomobolonga who is now at Forest. Both capable of scoring goals and both offer a threat in behind defences with their pace. 5. We desperatley needed a wide player, and one with a bit of hunger. We were linked with Tom Ince and should really have secured that signing. We could have also have signed Jordon Ibe on loan but he instead went to Derby and is now in Liverpool's Starting 11. 6. We signed/already had too many number 10's (Fer, Kranjcar, Mutch, Taarabt). The money would have been better spent more aggressive ball winners (Coquelin perhaps? He was on loan at Charlton!) 7. Signing a CB that wasn't Rio Ferdinand. Caulker was a good signing and I do believe he's a good player but having different partners every game can't be easy. Perhaps scouting the best London based Championship defender would have been a start.
