What happened? The euphoria of the away win at Watford to the gloom of the home debacle against Rotherham? How things can change. Is it right to throw doubt on Slade in that short space of time, or have the doubts been there for many long before that? A totally different proposition from the boyish Solskjaer, and seems to command the respect of at least the players he favours, if not that of a fairly hefty chunk of the squad that he doesn't. He cuts an avuncular figure that talks a very good fight to the media and comes across as the steadying influence that we needed, but is he the right guy to manage this club back to the top tier? We've all argued that the guy needs time, but for me it's not just been that cringeworthy performance last Saturday - it's something I've felt for a while. I expected more by now from a guy who was virtually headhunted and pursued by Tan from another club rather than going for readily available option like Pulis. I've said on this forum earlier this week that I haven't seen a decent half hour of football from City since he's been here and I stand by that. Our much vaunted 4 home wins since he arrived were scrappy in the extreme and not gained through good football. What has been evident so far is that whatever stability he's brought to the club has been offset by the lack of ambition he's shown in taking the staid approach every time - in fact stabilty to him seems to revolve around the boring mark. It's all been said before - the persistent use of 4-4-2, the dropping of Fabio (even for home games), the constant ommission of the likes of Daehli and Morrison to change things around - all these things and more have perplexed a lot of supporters. I suppose it's much about the fickleness of fans to the extent that a win at Bournemouth would raise him the the rank of Messiah again, whereas a defeat would condemn him to stoning. Is it still too early to judge Slade or are we trying to hold on the the old KTF mantra?
As I've said previously the brand of football being played since Slade's arrival is as bad as I've seen in my many years of watching Cardiff City. The win against Watford with only 28% possession, and saved from defeat by excellent goalkeeping, was not a great result for me. And the draw against Rotherham with 49% possession was even worse as was the earlier home game against Reading. I would have hoped that performances would improve game on game but this has not happened. If anything things are getting worse. The sheer ineptitude of the displays I've seen and the manager's inability to adjust tactics, suggests that Slade's appointment so far cannot be judged as a success. While the points tally has been decent the performances and tactics have not. Some say that the players are not Slade's but my view is that a manager's job is to get the best out of players at his disposal and to adopt appropriate tactics. Neither is happening so we have ended up with a rigid tactician who seems unable to adjust the method of play when it is clear to everyone else that different formations are required. I also believe the squad is one of the strongest in the Division and arguably is better that that which got us promoted under MM. If there were signs of improvement I would say the appointment has been a success. But given the evidence so far I remain pessimistic.
I feel a bit sorry for the guy Spark to be honest. He's not proven at this level and he's come in as a stand alone figure. More often than not managers come with an entourage of trusted staff. I think Kev Nugent may of been his chosen sidekick and would have had his ear when it came to important tactical changes. How Slade gets on with Scott is anyones guess, but I don't honestly see a former Port Talbot Town manager having the appropriate nous to be working on the technical side of things during training, former hero or not. Passion won't see you get out of the Championship. Slade was chosen because he was a cheap option and virtually out of a job. Tan is trying to do things based on the early Swanc model (cheap purchases on low wages) and many of our players will leave the club based on their salaries. I'm expecting League 1 standard signings in future in the hope of finding a gem. Hold tight Spark the rest of the season is going to be a rollercoaster.
he seemed a fking crazy appointment at the time>>>>>>>>>>and from what ive watched on vipbox it still doesnt make sense>>>......none of this is his fault if you ask me, its above him (the job that is) but who could blame him for taking a job on the wages he`s offered compared 2that of lower league football club......the ones who said fk aye this fella is da bomb, its he that needs the rocket up his arse hole. i blame tan for not having a fking clue about the game he bought into>>>>>>but tiz just my opinion init i wanted pulis from the start but hey ho tan knows best coz he iz worth billions
He needs to show he can be flexible, and not be a one eyed dinosaur. He should also play players who may improve what is his perceived first X1. The team needs to be more rotated especially in the middle and top third of the pitch. His position needs to be reviewed after the January window IMO.
I was one of those to at least give Slade a chance but I can't see anything special about him. I think he's a poor mans Dave Jones.
Slade is just a Dave Jones who can converse with the media without throwing a strop. The same football dogma when it comes the game, with a more ambivalent face.
He has to have the time to put his mark on the team. He clearly does not rate quite a few in the squad, hence the open door outwards in January. I don't believe we have the top quality squad many say. There are a number of below average players on our books. As fans we think we are experts but he has plenty of experience and knows who can do a job and who can't. I agree his tactics are too rigid but I don't think he has the right players to perform in the style he wants so he is making do in the short term. I will judge him after the January window when I hope he can bring in the players with the physicality, fitness and skill to enable us to play higher up the pitch and push the opposition back - as has been done to us a few times this season.
He trots out most of the 'manager speak' that Jones used after games. The only one he hasn't used so far is ...................... 'we dust ourselves down and go again'
He also hasn't used Malky's "on another day we'd have scored" line yet. I used to get so pissed off with that "on another day" comment......
In any new job I'd want at least six months to build and develop my team and my way before I was judged. Why should it be different here.
I think Slade has done rather well since turning up at the front door, he must have walked in and thought, blinking ek this place needs a good clean out, but the cleaners cant get here til January and ive only got half a bottle of CIF to be going on with til then. when the barrel load of Flash arrives in January i'll have this place sparkling again. He must obviously need some Vanish to get rid of the many Stains that needs removing. Best of luck Russ i am on your side.
Isaw - everything is relative, and to say Slade has done "rather well" is not as great a compliment as it sounds. On the back of the Solskjaer era and the joke old player double act for a few games, Slade couldn't have done much worse by comparison. The "new manager effect" is a well known phenomena at football clubs and I would have expected Slade's appointment to produce an upturn in the results. That has happened to a certain extent but nothing like the way it should have in relation to the squad he has to choose from. Rowatt at Brum has done a much better job in a shorter space of time and with a much inferior squad. Slade watched us for a fortnight before he was officially appointed and after 3 or 4 games under his belt he should have had this side buzzing - but he hasn't. In fact I can see hardly any difference to the performances under his now discredited predecessor. Young and Gabbs were a waste of time and I still can't understand Young still being so heavily involved in what should have been a revolution not just a transition. The jury is still well and truly out on Slade for me.
As I said yesterday, I question the quality of the squad. Slade knows it and those likely to go know it and that can have a negative effect on the squad as a while. Cala stuck his head above the parapet and was exited pronto Tonto. I suspect the others are content to hang around, do the minimum to get by, draw their pay and then move on when and if a reasonable opportunity comes in January. Are they that bothered they are not getting regular football? Eikrem, Velikonja, Guerra and Burgstaller to name a few. Notice none of those are British. Slade will be dusting off his broom on New Year's Eve and we will quickly see those heading in the direction marked exit with 3 or 4 to come in to bring what Slade wants to the team. I just hope that is energy, pace, commitment, a desire to win and a bit of skill wouldn't go amiss either.
