Don't worry, this isn't a dewy-eyed call for his return. He's gone and I recognise he seems nowhere like the player he used to be and I realise that. But when he went, something went with him. He led the team. And they followed. We were a unit and since he has gone we have felt like a collection of individuals. There was a togetherness about the squad, and particularly Holt and Hoolahan, which we've never recaptured. This season the strikers and forwards have played as if they don't like each other. When I've watched a game with Redmond, Snodgrass, RvW (and/or Hooper), it's as if they were all playing in a different game. They hardly ever pass to each other or work together. (In my opinion - and this will be controversial - it's looked a bit better when Elmander has been on the pitch because at least he tried to link the play.) Building up that togetherness again must be the first task of any new manager for me - whoever he is. Losing it has cost us our place in the Prem.
I couldn't agree more. I just want this season to end, sort out new manager and try and bounce back. I am confident we can if McNally is still here, despite his criticism for the Hughton sacking, I still think he is one of the better CEO's in the business.
Plenty of us have been saying exactly the same thing throughout the season, vietnam, so I doubt many will disagree with you. He was the one focal point and leading light, of the last 4 years´ campaigns, he lead by example and lifted the rest when they needed it, both those qualities have been sadly lacking this year. Wouldn´t want him back, but we shouldn´t underestimate what he brought.
fully agree lack of leadership since he went, was probably CH's undoing in the end that he did not see this, had he persuaded Mr H to stay and guide the young incoming generation we would have had a better season no doubt. If Wolfy or Hooper had had Holty playing beside them he could have taken the heat and allowed them to manage the situation much better still not to late to get him back, if we had him here for next season as a part time player and consultant to help us climb up the CCC this would make a lot of sense and may help to forge the squad ready for the challange I would be making that call now Mr McNally!
Don't you remember all the furore about him wanting to move back to Cumbria to be nearer to his wife and three young daughters? I'd suggest wild horses wouldn't get him too far from them, now they've re-settled and got schools sorted out, etc.
I have to say I agree about Elmander and the sad truth is that I would put him in the lineup ahead of Ricky. I don't think either is going to score a great deal of goals before the season's out but at least Elmander offers a notable contribution to them which I sadly don't feel the Wolf does. Although I was initially critical of the signing, if we are to be in the Championship next season I would happily have Johan back and I feel I could a useful player for us.
I disagree with you there, actually, even though I accept now that I underestimated just how much Holt gave to the club as a whole. I think we need a complete new start, which is the main reason why I'm not personally in favour of Adams getting the job. I have a feeling that cliques have built up among the players, and animosities between them, which may be why we fall apart as soon as we concede, and I just think we need a totally new start with a totally new man who has nothing to do with Norwich City. Just my feeling and my personal opinion, of course. I could be totally wrong about that.
What we've really missed is his leadership, or in fact any kind of leadership on the pitch. One of the biggest mistakes we made this season was not signing anyone (apart from Olsson) with any Premiership experience. None of our big signings - RVW, Hoops, Fer, Redmond - had played in the top flight which was a hell of a gamble that any of them would hit the ground running and take the league by the scruff of the neck. Compare this with Hull who brought in players with proven Premiership quality in Huddlestone, Long and Jelavic and to a lesser extent Curtis Davies who has been the best signing of the lot for them.
Honest Question, would you swap one (or all) of Fer, Hooper and RvW for Huddlestone, Long and Jelavic? Personally I would swap 2 happily. Long is a great player, very quick and he knows where the goal is (Couldn't believe WBA sold him) and Huddlestone is a player I really like. Very controlled in the middle of the park with an eye for goal. Fer might have more potential but he has been pretty inconsistent this season. I'd probably keep Hooper over Jelavic, though it's a close run thing.
i wouldnt put it down to one player personally although i fully agree with the leadership issue (bassong certainly isnt one) , i would say we made to many changes to the core team end of last season, along with squad rotation i dont think we have got back to playing properly as a team. The top clubs never really change more than 2-3 players, we changed many more and left out the young hungry up and coming replacing them with players untested at PL level and on high wages, along with the clubs expectation announcements has been a recipe for disater IMO, the perfect storm.
I said earlier in the season that it was no coincidence that his departure came at the same time as our demise. I don't think he'd want to come back but if he was interested I wouldn't say no.
A striker who can hold the ball up - something we've really missed (although Elmander could do if he played).
I don't agree with this. We just signed too many players who could not pass a football, of all of Hughtons signings, not a single one was a playmaker or a possession based. Too many physical traits getting in the way.
carra agreed sometimes it can work and you get lucky and the team bonds quickly, whether that is down to good management or just something clicks i dont know but the law of averages tells you that to many changes just makes it harder and less chance of finding the flow. We seemd to have a hunger in previous seasons that was not at all present this year with expection to a few players, snoddy tec
