Is it just me or does it not seem rather strange that there has been no announcement of Phelan joining? With the way it was handled before he was due to start and the apparent silence now, it's as if we're intentionally trying to keep it low key for some reason but I can't really imagine what that might be. I was also wondering if the fact that we dropped the offer to loan Lennon might have had something to do with Phelan rather than us just getting fed up of waiting. It just occurred to me that he might have suggested, having watched last Saturday's game, that he feels reverting to 3-5-2 might be the answer to get the best out of the players we have and that bringing Lennon in would be a waste. It just does seem odd that we would agree to letting Ince go out on loan without a replacement sorted when Bruce said at the weekend that we couldn't really afford to let him go out at the moment (presumably with the injury situation as it is even though it has improved a bit recently).
I don't quite get the Ince situation, his best position from what I have gathered is on the left, on Saturday he was played on the right. When he plays for England U21 he apparently plays behind the strikers. So what is his position. Left we have Brady, Robbo, Quinn & Aluko. Right we have Elmo, maybe Sagbo?, behind the front 2 we have quite a few apparently, but not on Saturday? I'm confused.
That's the thing, everyone's confused including the players and Bruce himself. We've lost our way completely and everyone's confidence is shot, so hopefully Phelan can bring a fresh pair of eyes and the right manner to get everyone believing in themselves and each other again, assuming he has taken the job!
I know he wasnt available then but it wouldve been infinitely better to have Phelan in place during the 2 week break and trip to Portugal.
He wasn't allowed to work for anyone else until after the 1st/2nd February, it was one of the conditions when leaving Norwich. Presumably he had to give notice upon leaving? I'm presuming that's why.
Yeah I know why, I'm just saying it's a massive shame.That was the perfect time to have a new assistant in leaving Bruce to concentrate on recruitment. When's our next 2 week gap?
After the Villa game on the 10th February, our next game isn't until the 21st February against QPR. We need 6 points from them two games or we will go down.
We have a 11 day gap between Villa and QPR and Sunderland and Leicester games. Other then that unless we get a game called off because of the FA Cup then it's playing every weekend(and the odd Tuesday) until the end of the season.
Bruce did say in his after match interview that Phelan would be starting Monday morning, so yes very strange
I'm concerned that it hasn't been announced yet, he was supposed to start work a couple of days back and with so little happening in the transfer window, you'd think we'd have announced him arriving.
The club never really make a fuss over the good news stuff though do they. If it's not a dig at the fans, it isn't that important. We're small time as **** in that respect.
His dirty weekend is stretching out a bit. Must have got the taste for the high life. Mouldy cheese, snails, garlic, horse meat who would'nt want to stay longer ?
Mike White @mikewhitesport @origlambman @bbcburnsy @mattdeanradio I wonder if events of last night took precedence. He was due in yesterday according to SB.
Correct he did. Dont see an issue atm. Maybe both Phelan and N'Doye will be shown to the media at the same time. As for Aaron Lennon why has he rejected Stoke City for Everton ? Everton wanted Januzaj and AL was only considered after LVG said no to Januzaj leaving. Strange but that is football. Not as if Lennon can even play for Everton in the UEL. He has already played for Spurs. Now cup-tied.
David Burns @bbcburnsy @origlambman @PJBuckingham @mikewhitesport @mattdeanradio Paperwork hadn't been done at lunchtime. Suspect to do with pay-off from Norwich.
