SKD

If you had to pick 1, what would it be? For me, it would be a new manager. I think we have got a decent enough squad (individually), we do lack a few key aspects: - A focal point to our attacks. so a target man. - Pace out wide. - A commanding right sided CB who can bring some leadership on the pitch. 3 things we have lost and not replaced. With our squad, we should be nowhere near where we are now. I'd argue with the current state of the PL, we have a squad comfortably good enough for top 10, maybe even 8 (after the big 6 then Everton and Leicester I'd say). I'm convinced that a competent manager would be able to get more out the squad we have and would keep us up, for this season at the very least. For me, it seems like we lack leadership and respect on the sideline and over the past 2 seasons have had managers who have a fear of losing, rather than an appetite to win. I've not seen anything from Pellegrino to suggest he has the ability to turn things around. We can't defend, can't score and recently seem unable to keep the ball for any period of time. I'm not sure a new player or 2 will help that. Knowing us at the moment, we'll probably end up with neither.

So what are you saying? Les got lucky with Koeman? Id agree with that.

In fairness to the board they thought they had, with Tuchel. However, I'd imagine it was down to money, that fell through. You can argue if it's right or wrong until the cows come home, but the club lack ambition and the owner(s) only want to make as much money, with a little investment, as possible.

Idiotic comment. If you don't think that any business keeps an eye on its customer base you are well and truly deluded. FWIW, it's not just people on the internet who are unhappy, regular attendees are showing their discontent at games as well.

All scouted and brought to the club by Paul Mitchell (perhaps with the exception of Cedric), who was appointed by Cortese......

Correct, but a concern about Pellegrino’s judgement is relevant and probably justified.....

If that is truly the case then why sign Carrillo? Just wait until the inevitable happens and let the new manager pick (surely having £70m to spend would be one of the biggest attractions to the club at the moment).

You seem to be completely ignoring the fact that Walcott appeared to be our main / top target for this window - someone at the club clearly rates him - £100k a week or not (FWIW that's not that much any more) it's very concerning that our competitors are more attractive than us on a 'top target'. Especially when it at one point it was pretty much in the bag. If he kept us in the league, that extra £20k a week (guessing) would be peanuts to what we would gain in income. We just sold our highest earner (who was apparently already on c£100k) anyway FFS. The reality is, if we wanted him enough we should have and would have got him.

I really don't want to write the bloke off before he's had a chance to prove himself, but is anyone really that bothered about this signing? Seems very underwhelming on the face of it. Also it's concerning that he appears to be handpicked by MP as well. would point to the fact that we don't plan on pulling the trigger any time soon.

Who were 2 losses off 17th and a side with 1 win in there last 8 fixtures..... Fortunately Gabbi hit the ground running otherwise it could have been a very different story.

This is the problem - If he could stay fit (and improve on his general fitness), he'd be a top 10 PL CF. Unfortunately for us, and him, he can't. He is guaranteed at least 1 injury a season and his general fitness is not good enough (he's far too heavy imo). If managed correctly, he could be a vital player for us in the coming years - similar to Lambert if he can sort out his lifestyle. I think a player like Walcott would play well off him.

I think this is a good sensible post and completely agree about the need to appoint a CEO, ASAP.

To be fair, one of the people I know who worked (pretty high up so knew bits and bobs, but kept a lot close to their chest) at the club had nothing to do with accounting, but even they knew that spending was becoming out of control. Personally I'm stuck in 2 minds with Cortese. He was a nasty bloke and horrible to work for to the point where it would put people in edge around the training ground when he turned up, but you cannot question his on field results. We need someone who is a happy medium of Cortese and Ralph, i'm sure such person exists.

Is there any point in asking these questions as you will only lie anyway

Yep - the start of the end. We had an excellent chance to push on instead the owner just wanted to continue milking the £'s and at board room level they just wanted to appease her. We lost our manager and 3 best players (Wanyama, Pelle & Mane) and went for the cheap option who had 'potential'.

I'm just waiting for a token loan offer for Nathan Dyer on deadline day

Given that we are signing a striker hand picked by MP it doesn’t look like we are planning on / close to replacing him any time soon. Pathetic.

This would also be my choice, Pay him whatever it takes. We can bin off wee Ross as well, so we’d bound to save a bit for the owners pocket as well.

I agree, however he is ruthless. No way would MP still be in charge, he’d have had a replacement lined up and sorted months ago. We don’t need Cortese but we do need someone similar to him.

If this current board remains in place, let’s see what happens in 5 years shall we.

It’s the clubs preferred formation. All teams will play the same way and any new coaches / managers will come in to play that way. Koeman and Les fell out over him playing 3 at the back during our poor run of form. It’s not working, at any level, but Les has final say in these things so it doesn’t matter.

Unfortunately there are a number of naive / idiotic posters on here who fully believe the clubs PR. A few really need to get their head out of the sand. We have become awfully run and we still have a number of people making excuses for them. The only positive I can see about going down is that it will lose Kat and Mr Gao a lot of money. Greedy ****s.

Basically Shane Long then....

No he couldn't. Terrible keeper, we've got enough of those.

Couldn't have put it better myself. Absolute disgrace how far, and quickly, we've fallen. #wemarchon