Tbh it's probably a good round to draw one of the remaining big clubs at home as they'll likely have lots not available still.
Great pic from the Echo: I imagine that's the same face Lyanco pulls every morning straight after he wakes up.
Their goal looked like piss poor defending from us. Highlights only show 3 seconds of the goal though. Who was at fault? Looked like Salisu out of position.
It is quite revealing to reflect on some of the commonly held mantras on this board in light of last night's performance. The first is that Ralph was let down by his players. I am wondering if watching how we performed under Selles whether this statement is perhaps more applicable to the coaching staff and perhaps even the scouts who we employed. Having gone from five to four at the back, it seemed that playing three did not work either. Granted that 9 changes were made last night, it struck me as pretty obvious that there is little quality in the depth of squad and that we might be in the same position as two years ago when Ralph had to make do with a lot of dross. It struck me that players like Adam Armstrong, Diallo, Djnepo and Aribo all look markedly short of the quality we need. I would be minded to off load all of them. Not sure why we pursued Mara as his development is well short of where it should be and he seems totally lightweight. Not sure why we brought him in when Nathan Tella now looks a re far better option. I would tend to look to recall him after the World Cup. Larius also seems a curious purchase. There seems to be an implacable faith n this board that Sports Republic know what they are doing. I am beginning to wonder. The summer signings no longer look so hot and whilst we are missing some key players (including Livramentio who seems to have been forgotten as an addition we have to come back from injury), they failed to nail someone who could bang the goals in. I think the appointment of Nathan Jones is generally underwhelming and unpopular amongst the fans. It would not surprise me if this backfires and we are then in a situation where the trust in SR evaporates. I am beginning to question some of their decisions. We need to give Jones a chance but SR's assessment with regards to the new coaches brought in during the summer appears to have been wide of the mark too. The second mantra that Adam Armstrong might eventually come good now seems to be dead and buried. He ran all over the place last night but never into positions where he looked dangerous. If you like, he was busy for no good purpose. The final generalisation that I have also been guilty of is believing that we are a good striker away from a good team. I thought that last night demonstrated how poor we looked. Players who were given a chance to shine failed to step up to the plate. I cannot see Adam Armstrong making the grade and I would even contemplate selling JWP to bring someone in who knows what a goal looks like. Aseverm Perraud looked good and I thought Walcott showed his professionalism - even if he missed two sitters in quick succession. Not a good night and plenty to ponder ......
Oddly, I suspect the opposite. The people who get behind one manager seem to me to get behind the next one pretty smoothly. I strongly suspect that the people who seem to hate everything about the football club and who were vocal about previous managers will be the ones soonest onto Jones's back. Time will tell but that's been my impression over the years.
I'm with you on this. Most of the vitriol poured at the appointment of Nathan Jones is by those wanting Ralph out.
Armstrong was awful last night, kept giving the ball away and just cut about looking like he didn't have a clue what was going on. To be fair he wasn't alone in being ****e. The only one who played anything like a PL player was Edozie. This job is to big for NJ
You should get a job as a primary school art teacher. "You call that a house? The windows are too big and the roof is lopsided. Don't get me started on the chimney. That is nursery-level painting."
