Fabrice29

100% agree we are dominated physically and need to sort that out. Weak physically and weak mentally at this level. This is so funny because it implies everything has been better since despite continuing to find ways of losing games at this level, including our worst performance of the season and maybe our worst end to a game this season? At some stage people do really need to look beyond the managers and if two seasons at this level and 5 different managers isn’t the time to do so then you might need to start questioning your sanity. Probably worth remembering that Martin is the only one of our previous managers to deliver success over a season or even a win in the PL this season so far. And people can have me down as defending RM and being Lucy Pinder or whatever they want but different tactics, performances, hair or things they say in the media is all well and good but this team, led by similar players over two seasons here now continue to find ways to lose football matches at this level.

Yup, 8 of our 16 tonight here in the last relegation season. The problem transcends managers, tactics and whatever else. New CB’s and new strikers for this level please.

Feel sorry for the manager, squad is not good enough to kill off a game with goals and mentality isn’t good enough to manage the game under pressure.

Cant honestly believe if Juric wanted to see him play for us then we wouldn't have done it earlier whilst Downes was out. Now Downes and Smallbone are back I don't see the motivation being we suddenly want him to play. Maybe I'm wrong. There's also reports he's got to wait 7 days before coming back to us so will be available for Sheffield Wednesday for their next two games, which would suggest they are still being pressed to pay a fee to continue to keep him longer.

Would make some sort of sense that it was money motivated because if it was motivated by wanting him in the team then the moment Downes was not fit enough to play would have been the moment to do it. There's also reports he's got to wait 7 days before coming back to us so will be available for Sheffield Wednesday for their next two games, which would suggest they are still being pressed to pay a fee to continue to keep him longer.

He’s on the payroll until the end of the season unless someone else offers to pay him.

We could get an actual DOF instead maybe.🤔

Hahaha so no then? 😂

This struck me as well however his biggest challenge is the fans view of him come the end of the season if we continue to lose games in the manner of Brentford. Fans obsession with sticking older managers into DOF role is genuinely insane 😂. Has anyone got any evidence of it happening or being successful in the past? Let alone perfectly active managers actually wanting to do it.

Sounds like there could be some details to be revealed over that Shea Charles recall. Possible extension for a fee and 7 days for the recall to kick in both mentioned.

Both are much physically bigger than Sam

He played once in the cup I think and was 17. Manning was in the team of the season for the Championship the season prior. Lets not rewrite history that it was a straight choice between the two at any stage for a season in which we simply needed to be promoted. SAA looked decent when he came off the bench at the start of season when we were in heavy possession and he could concentrate on what he is good at. He started against QPR (I think) and was evidently swamped by the other aspects of the game and pressure of starting, which is perfectly reasonable but it does put into context where he was at last season and the qualities he could bring to the team. I repeat, they are both 18 now and their exposure to first team football is perfectly reasonably for kids their age, they have not been mistreated by the club or it's managers, other than a club being relegated, needing promotion immediately and then attempting to stay up is not a particularly great environment for young players in general (probably why Meghoma fancied the move tbh because it certainly isn't to be guaranteed much more first team football).

Oh cool, thanks for your info. You can post it in the Martin thread I reckon, it’s not really relevant here.

Because if the rumours are true that he’s got the ear of White, Souness and MLT etc I don’t think that’s particularly level headed and calm company and therefore fearful that’ll he’ll end up on Talksport giving very reactionary interviews about why changes are needed without much action behind it. I have a vague memory of him doing that before in some capacity and it’s all just a bit…for show isn’t it? Hopefully my fears are unfounded.

Considering he’s of a similar physical make up to Adam Armstrong, last year’s Championship top scorer, who every time he plays in the PL looks absolutely dwarfed and out of his depth, can you think of a reason why an 18 year old might not have the physical game for the PL just yet and that a league cup game against Cardiff probably isn’t proof to the contrary? I’m intrigued to know if there’s any other 18 year olds like like SAA getting regular game time in the league?

Fearful not critical. Clever clogs.

Because media duties and talk sport interviews are two different things clever clogs. Stick to reactions fella.

How about Meghoma and SAA were/are 17 and 18 and maybe the idea of them being ignored because they weren’t/aren’t playing every week is a bit absurd? Meghoma currently restricted to EFL cup games for Brentford right now, is he being ignored or is he taking a perfectly normal path for a young player? Kids of this age getting regular football in the Championship or PL are exceptions, and just because these two have been highlighted for a little while now doesn’t mean they should be treated exceptionally. The clubs relegation two seasons ago really set everyone back because we’ve now had to have two seasons of purely focusing on the immediate, these two and Ballard etc maybe the victims of that slightly but they are hardly being treated terribly for kids of their age. Where’s that evidence then compared to the previous manager?

Biggest fear is we are only days away from cringeworthy talksport interviews with Jim White.

The idea that two guys with just two international caps under their belts and both been available for transfer for a season and a half but not got one are highly rated internationals is a bit OTT, but yeah that’s opinion. The idea that theirs no downside to allowing someone who has quite clearly not wanted to be here for a while now and has been ignored from starting matches by two managers and had his attitude questioned by both publicly is you talking out of your arse, yes. That shit shouldn’t just be rewarded without earning it.

Would just like to remind people we still got relegated, finishing bottom with ABK at the back last time too. Rewarding someone who hasn't wanted to be here since seems a bit daft, but hey, all the managers we've had since were probably at fault and CanadaSaint knows best.

Quite a few people also didn't say that, as per my post.

Shocked that a PR piece in the German media isn't enough for people at the club who deal with him daily despite it being proof of everything they knew about ABK and Martin by people on here.

Where was that reported? I'm pretty sure the way the system works being on the past 5 years of accounts that they will be hugely benefiting from flying through the leagues and this is probably their best time to spend.

He didn’t get found out, he was a young guy making his first step in senior football on a regular basis and wasn’t really afforded the time to make mistakes because he had slightly more experienced players in front of him and we had a promotion to win. You can blame the system all you like but he was recruited due to his up bringing in a similar system and that system got us promoted and allowed others to shine. It’s just life that he’s improving and in a slightly less pressurised environment is being allowed to find his way this season. Sorry that doesn’t suit your ‘Russball was shit and should be shouted down on every topic possible’ narrative but sometimes it’s okay for some players to play bad and then play well.