woodsaint1

Thats Goncalo Ramos out of our reach now too 😂

100% agree there has to be a balance and why it would probably make sense to target more experienced players in the window, provided they add quality to our squad in key areas. Tbf I think Mara and Larios were signed for future development, but as a consequence of the failure to sign another striker and injuries at full back, they've both been thrown in at the deep end. They havent diagraced themselves but we need better right now.

Aye because its working out well for Forest and has worked out well for the likes of Fulham in the past hasn't it? Established players, whatever that actually is, means very little if they're not good enough. Some of the five year olds we've signed - Lavia, ABK, Edozie are actually putting some our 'established' players to shame from what we've seen of them. The likes of Broja done pretty well last season too. Its not hard to see that the biggest issue has been the failure to sign a striker and possibly also a creative midfielder in the summer. If we address that in January then we've a good chance of staying up - but they have to be good enough at this level, established or not

Yep. After years of racking up caps for Poland due to a lack of competition at CB, Bednarek has now been ousted by Jakub Kiwior (plays for Spezia). Maybe hes regretting his loan move. Likely would have gotten more minutes at us, especially with ABKs injury and us playing 3 at the back some games

Sad thing is, there will be some on here that will be itching to dig out their posts from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 to tell us all that they warned us and they saw relegation coming. Weirdos

The same Rashford who has been missing chances galore for United this season? I wouldnt get carried away with his performance, especially with Danny Ward giving him a helping hand for both goals

Its not hard to comprehend, its all about money

Its £1 per month for the next year. Almost as cheap as what you would pay for the expert analysis on here

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