That was fine, my only negative spin on the whole interview was didn't we beat Arsenal 4-0? If the players couldn't get confident and feel great after that, then we do have a problem. We lost three on the bounce since that fantastic result and that is disappointing.
Better from Ron, but I think he's been consistent in what he's said despite the results. Just that everything comes under greater focus when we are losing. However, even when everything was hunky dory (RIP DB) he's consistently not been impressed with the U21 & U18's and how they are coached. I did hear a rumour back in the summer that he wanted a dutch or Belgium coach added to the U21 coaching team but it never happened.
Interesting, if there was a nation is want to listen to about coaching kids, it would be the Dutch. Koeman spent a lot of time at Ajax, possibly the best at it. This could ring true about how they are coached as I believe coaching here is still a long way behind other countries.
I did not know whether to post on this thread or the other RK thread and thought this mote appropriate. I have not posted at all for past couple of weeks but have followed the evolving arguments. Listening to everything that Ron has said over the past few weeks it is hard to argue with anything he has said. He is correct in stating how we won several matches last year in which we created very few chances - the reverse being true this year. Despite how badly we have been perceived to be playing this year we are creating a lot of chances. It would be much more worrying if we were not creating any chances. We have suffered as a result of individual errors at both ends of the pitch, which is often linked to lack of confidence and can be a difficult thing to eradicate when going through a slump. General play has been ok at times and we have shown, albeit inconsistently, the ability to compete with every team we have come against (let's conveniently ignore Spurs match). We were on the end of a freak result in cup against Liverpool - I cannot remember seeing a team play as well as we did and get absolutely stuffed as a result of unbelievable finishing and errors. I watch some of the U21 matches via you tube, which I know does not show everything you need to see, and it is evident there are very few players ready to make the massive step up to the Premier League. On Monday night's evidence only Stephens, Seager and the best player on the pitch by a country mile - Reed - appear anywhere near ready. Stephens is an interesting one, because he shows incredible ability at times, reads the game well but also makes a lot of errors which would be punished at a higher level. He definitely needs the support and coaching of a world class centre back to help him develop - I wonder where we could find one? The next two matches will go a long way to deciding how nervous we will be for the remainder of the season. The same is true of Everton who are perceived to be doing well, but are within touching distance. I remember thinking last season how we could easily have finished in the bottom half had other teams been more consistent in the run in. We got lucky, they didn't. I will stick my neck out and say how much safer I feel in the hands of a logical and thoughtful manager, rather than a panicky knee jerk reactionary. I don't see what happens on the training ground in the build up to matches but trust a man who has the background and experience and means he has forgotten more than I will ever know about how to set up a team to play. I am not a 'happy clapper' but I do know that clubs do better with long term stability and there are many teams in the lower divisions who regret decisions to sack managers when doing relatively well in an attempt to reach the next level. (Charlton and Bolton are the obvious examples - but do not forget Saints getting rid of Chris Nicholl after a couple of semi finals and a decent league position and what that led to). Whilst like every other Saints I am frustrated at the current run I am also confident that if we hold our nerve the players will learn a lot and we will be a better team as a result. COYR - let's pull together and start the renaissance tomorrow!
I think is the point though isn't it. We do have one but he isn't doing what our former International defender or Former Physio were doing with all levels and age groups. Maybe that is why he wants a Dutch coach added, to do what he should be doing.
Very well put. In answer to your question about finding a world class CB: we've just sent one to join our old one at Anfield.
DTLW said: There are lessons to learn, but let's not throw the baby out with the bath water. No you said dish water which was wrong. (Bugger should read the rest of the posts before responding.)
I think RK is a pretty straight bat and it's obvious that he has trust with Adam Blackmore. Good interview.
