Gutted to say it but it does not look good for the big man, would be surprised if something is not announced by monday
Just posted on the other thread that the figure of him with his head in his hands when then scored and his overall presence at our bench today makes me think that the end might be coming...
Martin O'Neal, he's our man, if he can't do it no one can. That the rumor the Sky sports boys were batting around.
Up to now I've been pro Jol but today he looked like a man resigned to the fact the end had come. He sat on the bench for 95% of the game. I'd be surprised if he was still in charge for the Stoke game. I still don't blame him too much for out predicament as he hasn't been back in the transfer market and has had mainly rely on free transfers and cheap signings. In probably going to get slated for this but I'd quite fancy Steve Macclaren, England aside he done a great job at MFC and Twente. He was unlucky at Forest due to their ****ed up board. He has a MASSIVE point to prove in England (as Roy did). I'd take him
Truly gutted for the team, the manager, the fans. Martin Jol is a great man and for what it is worth I think he is a humble manager that says it how it is. Not too sure what has gone wrong, when you look at the squad we have real talent but something is not right. I have been very pro Jol but you cannot get away from the fact that our form this season and at the end of last season has not been good enough. As for Martin o'neil, not for me. We need someone who has some dynamism about them, not an easy ask if and it is still if the board have to find a replacement.
If Derby can sack Nigel Clough ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24320051 ..............................................when doeas Mr Khan fly in?
Well it's reflective of the club's backing, the situation we're in. As long as Jol is our manager, I'll back him. If he does go, I want Di Matteo.
I have a soft spot for Fulham and I'm a big fan of Martin Jol, so I was very disappointed to hear of Cardiff's late winner. The players you have should be doing better so what has been going wrong other than conceding too many late goals.?
It's very often the case that a new owner equals a new manager. If the rumours about Rene Meulensteen have any substance, then bringing him in as an assistant and keeping him on in the event that Jol's sacked would at least give the new guy some stability to work from. Jol's probably on his last legs though, unfortunately.
Feeling a bit numb. But to put it all in perspective we got done by a late winner. Although Cardiff played really well and were rewarded for being positive. Jol needs to get the players playing in the right position. If it means dropping Berbatov for the good of the team then he should do it. Also our dependable defenders are playing like scared rabbits. We just need a bit of luck to come our way. Also, Man city got beat by Villa and Man U got done by WBA! There's perspective for you.
Two playes out of position from the start Hangeland (position I mean having to deal with another left-footed CB) and Kasami. Stockdale does not command his area. We have been debating this last season and is still the same. Has not developed at all despite the loans. He has good reflexes but a goalkeeper needs to help his defenders. They have no confidence at all I think... I agree on Berba.
I will continue to back Jol as long as he is our manager. But something is seriously wrong with our set up at the minute and something has to change. I don't know if it's Jol, his coaches, disharmony with the players... but whether that is a new coach, a new assistant manager or a new manager - we can't keep aimlessly ploughing on.
With the loss of Parker who was the linch-pin in the team at the moment, I think Jol might suffer even more pressure. I think Jol has been let down by players he has put a lot of faith in, players who he seems to pick even when not performing. The likes of Berbatov, Ruiz and even Kacaniklic only seem to have one good game in five and hardly in the same game, and at times seem to be passengers in the team. On his tactics he does annoy me by playing players out of their preferred position, that is a dutch way, but then Dutch players are taught that when young. I've always backed Jol even though he wasn't my choice at the time. I credit him with getting the best out of Dembele, and he has bought in skilful players, but hasn't been able to knit them into a team. But whoever is responsible for not getting a least 2 creative midfielders during the summer is partly to blame.
And with this post coming a whole 24 minutes after the start of the thread, we had so much time to make that input! Personally, as a leading member of the Jol appreciation society, I hope he's given the next couple of games. If we can't get results and performances against Stoke and Palace I think he will be on his way. I can't understand why things aren't going right, but we've all seen the potential that this group of players has, and we can all remember some of the good football we've played in Jol's time. I don't think he's quite a dead man walking yet. Not quite.
Come in Big Mart, you can do it son! I believe. He needs to be brave and not put up with players not giving 100%. Seriously though, I've said this before, but I believe Berbatov is the issue. He is too good, other players aren't on the same wavelength and all this does is put pressure on them. If they make a bad pass, or don't pick a player up or miss his run or the ball goes over his head instead of to feet he will have a go! Very unsettling. I think if he didn't play him the rest of the players would relax. In summary loan Berbatov back to Man U. Its radical but I believe he is the issue along with playing players out of position.
The problem is that there is no cohessiveness in the team, no game plan, nothing. It is the more or less the same team as last year and there has been no progress. In the team on Saturday there were only Kasami and Bent as new faces. We are facing exactly the same problems as last year... If that is not Jol's and coaching team fault then I rest my case. When people claim conceeding in the last minutes that is just a symptom of the overall problem. Unfortunately we are displaying a team from the Sanchez years.
I don't think Berbatov is the issue per se, but I do think now might be the time to bench him. The first question for solving our muddle of attacking personnel should be 'who is the best choice as the front man?'. For me, Bent gives the team a better shape and should start. If Jol wants to play some variation of 4-2-3-1 (which I think gives the best options for our players), then Berbatov is fighting for a place in the middle of the 3, along with Ruiz, Kasami and maybe Taarabt. I think an on form Ruiz is a better foil to Bent, and Kasami's current form also gives him a strong claim. I'd pick either of them ahead of Berba for that role. At least one of the other 2 members of the attacking 3, and possibly both, should be players who can provide genuine width and who have the ability to hit a good, accurate early cross to pick out the runs Bent makes. Seeing Liverpool last night, I started musing on how we would do with a 3-4-1-2 with wingbacks. Amorbieta, Hangeland and Hughes would lessen the problem of Hangeland and Amorbieta both wanting to be on the left of a two-man central pairing, and Amo and Hughes both have the necessary experience of playing as a full-back to make being the edge of 3 work. Boateng has the physical presence to drop back and become an extra centre back if one of them gets pulled out to the flank. Berba and Bent could both start up front with either Ruiz or Kasami playing behind them. As ever, the biggest unknown would be who gets the nod in the wingback roles. They would need to be picked first for their attacking ability, but their willingness to work back would also be a factor. I'm not saying that we should adopt this straightaway, but I think we've got the players to make it work. It's an option.
