woodsaint1

Good to see Ankersen talking about aims to break back into the top half. A change from Semmens suggesting that we should be thankful to be in the PL

Which is it? Do you need experienced or 'proven' PL players or not? I would agree that having a good core of experienced PL players can assist with avoiding relegation, but the more important matters are the quality of players and the quality of the management. There have been examples of teams with little to no PL or 'top flight' experience who have navigated multiple seasons in the PL - Brentford, Bournemouth's first stint in the PL, Leeds's first season back in the PL. Similarly there have been teams who have had plenty of experience but were relegated due to the quality of the players or coaching, especially when a rot sets in - Sunderland, Burnley etc. Surviving in the PL following promotion is becoming less common, but the similarity with the teams above were their excellent coaching under Frank, Howe and Bielsa. They were also incredibly well drilled and organised, something we've definitely lacked in the last two seasons. You just have to look at the amount of goals we concede from set pieces. Yes experience will help, but the players have to be good in their own right. Crucially, a good coach and identity is what can make the biggest difference. I think we have a big enough core of PL or top flight experienced players - but it is becoming more apparent that they're either not good enough or the coaching of them hasnt been good enough. Time will tell under Jones.

Still a long way to go. An injury to Mitrovic or a dip in form could bring Fulham back into the mix too. January window will be interesting as pretty much all those teams listed will be in the market for a striker

If Michael Dawson says we're in big big trouble, then I'm even more confident that we'll stay up. Stealing a living as a pundit. Says 'Luton punched well above their weight', but this is a completely different job. Well obviously Michael but yet you give no reason why NJ wouldnt be up to the task. That Soccer Saturday panel is an embarrassment now

Brutally honest, which is refreshing after Ralph continuously making excuses for piss poor performances/tactics. Did he say he hasn't slept in a month? What's that about?

Didnt expect to get anything, but Forest and Bournemouth winning has made it a really crap saturday. Thank god we've a 6 week break from this now. We need to hit the ground running on our return or we're in danger of being cut adrift

As much as Southgate selecting the likes of Phillips and Henderson is a head scratcher given their lack of games and poor form, JWP cant feel too hard done by. His form just hasnt been good enough this season (coinciding with our poor form). Maddison has played his way in and is the alternative dead ball specialist that JWP offers. Still think he could get in with injuries.

Martin Caceres off to another WC at the age of 35

Welcome Nathan and good luck. I've no doubt that he will get an improvement out of this squad as it had become really stagnant under Ralph and some of the players had lost faith in him. Better work rate, better organisation, being stronger defensively are things we're definitely capable of improving on, but It's clear that we're lacking the firepower/creativity which will tie the hands of any new manager. This change of manager will matter little if we dont back him in the January window. We badly need a goalscorer and somebody who can create chances at the very minimum. Other struggling clubs like Wolves, Forest, Everton etc will likely be shopping in the same market, so hopefully like our managerial recruitment, we've got our targets identified and can move quickly

According to some on this forum. Selles had 'intervened' when Ralph wasnt willing to do so during the Leeds comeback and other games this season. Though tbf this was based purely on body language and speculation

Based on that performance, he doesnt appear to have been in the brains in the background

It sounds horrific

So the equivalent of what Jones has achieved at Luton. Cheers for that

Because then hopefully they wont get on their high horse and judge a manager on what hes achieved in his playing career or early managing career. What had Graham Potter or Eddie Howe achieved when they took their first job in the PL? All that matters is his coaching on the training ground, his man management, his game management and ultimately results. Get those things right and the players will not care a jot about his experience or lack of

Well isnt it a good thing we have a group of players who have achieved next to fuck all in their careers (with the exception of Walcott who doesnt seem like he'll rock the boat)

Great post 👍🏻

You'll be desperately missed

Do you have to create a new thread every time you get angry, which seems to be every couple of hours?

While I do feel a bit underwhelmed by the links to Jones, he could just be one name on a long shortlist. Realistically who else would we expect to be on there who would be interested in coming to us (leaving aside the River Plate guy as 99% of posters didnt know who he was until a few days ago)

You do realise that Villa have a much, much bigger appeal than us. Also pretty sure that Che's goals in previous seasons, while not big numbers, have helped keep us in the PL. Apart from that you may have a point

Given that Jack Stephens knocks about with Fat Charlie, I would be inclined to say alot of these 'stories' have come from him, not Redmond like some have suggested online

Bizarre take of the day goes to..... Did Semmens run off with your bird?

Well the rumours are that was Semmens fuck up and nothing to do with Rasmus

Look forward to Selles being relieved of his duties later this week then. Any incoming manager would be wary of requests to keep x, y and z in the coaching set up

Lets be honest about 99% of this forum didnt know who this was until a quick google search this evening. I dont know much about him so what makes him the best candidate? Why would he want to leave competing for titles to come here for a relegation fight?