Holmes_and_Watson

Bruno fallen down twice already with horrendous facial injuries, caused by any touch whatsoever. That, and the thought of Postecoglou sticking his fingers up at the collective IQ point of the hacks, makes me hope Spurs get the win.

I remember all those times I was shouting "No! Don't change so much! Stick to your principles, Russ." 🙂 He made tweaks, well within what he held firmly to. He had commented that to change more, would have undermined everything he had been repeatedly trying to instill in the team. In a way, I'm glad he did that. It made it all the clearer what the outcome had to be.

Smallbone key for linking up the play. Bazunu key for icey coolness under pressure, and being the foundation of pinging the ball across the defence. Downes was our key player for RussBall and loved working for Martin. Pricier than the rest though. Armstrong - High work rate, versatility, and getting key goals from cut backs.

Still seems to be taking ages to get over the line, like watching our team attack.

Still nothing.

The point about him being here since Jan 2024 was what had caught my eye. How many recruits was he involved in if not in that January window, then in the summer leading into this season? Good to hear that his winter window was better. Even better, that there's improved oversight across the group, as per Nolan's post. Of course, the SR wider recruitment strategy for VA has now resulted in "Frenchfying" it. So, a combination is probably best.

I take it I'm missing a step. The head of scouts gets a promotion? The scouting network that's resulting in most of the squad leaving, as not being remotely good enough? I can only imagine it's an operational role, rather than being part of any of the actual recruitment shambles?

>raises hand< I know this one! No, they really don't.

Just one of those nice thoughts to keep separate for a moment, before you have to remember we'd be with them. But you are correct that the worse the teams we compete against next, or any season, is better for our chances.

Yup. SR counting each penny they put in their purse, without noticing the large hole in the bottom of it, and the trail of wasted money behind them. 🙂

I pop in to catch up with the thread and there's a shocking bit of sog racism. Given the frequency and history, I don't put it down to bad timing on my part. It's unintentional, in that sog once again unintentionally gives his real views. Very disappointing to see that on this board.

Not a surprise, but comes with the usual mitigating factors SR provides all it's managers. Interesting on French football, that he took a step down in order to have the better facilities with VA. Not to mention the "project" would have been a big draw too. They may have sent Rasmus over to hypnotise him into believing in it. He took over midway. So, SR will have left him with an assorted collection of transfer duds, mapped to a plan they've since abandoned, and very possibly with big gaps in it (as they did for us). He said that 4 of the 5 brought in under him worked out. And there's where it gets tricky. As soon as VA were in with a shout of showing their mettle, they folded. With promotion then gone, they gave up. Is that down to SR's squad? Or is that also down to a manager who couldn't get a tune out of them? Instead of a promotion push, Hognon was of the opinion that they were already at their peak, and that he helped save the season from being much worse. While there were a few exceptions, the teams that limped their way through the end of the season didn't show they were fighting for their manager, or the club. Would have allowing the manager to be key in clearing out the deadwood have allowed for a better next season? Hognon clearly knew what he wanted. We'll see how much of his views are taken up by the new manager. Like ourselves, VA could do with a manager who drives SR, not one who is beholden to their ever changing, crashing and burning, ideas.

Your cruise mates are keeping tight lipped about Trump, as he sent them as an advance force ahead of the Alaskan invasion. Try not to spoil it for them by pointing out the obvious flaws in their plan.🙂

Martin, Juric, Rusk and Lallana have achieved exceptional things in the PL, bettered only by Derby. I would expect a special SR light show as well for them.

Wrexham. Getting my hipster credentials in early, before they take Premeerr Sahccer by storm soon.

What a shame. Silver linings, clouds etc. 🙂

No, we are unable to do anything cleverly. So, that's a non starter. 🙂

Bloomin' kids with their new fangled remake remixed reimaginings...

To celebrate Everton's last Goodison game, they managed to arrange an in-season friendly. Everyone involved in analysing our opponents, tactics, coaching and sending out our side to play like that should hang their heads in shame. That was as gutless a performance from a team of professionals as I can recall, even by our very low standards. We had an option of actually pushing Everton today. They are not Manchester City. But we're so scared and spineless now, that we preferred to let them dictate every aspect of the game. We were second best across the park, to a team that is looking a lot better than they were because they have a proper football manager in charge of their club. Something that SR run away screaming from, because they would get found out. Instead, they allow our team to get found out every week. Our bright spot was Robinson coming on. A player who hasn't spent enough time with the first team squad to have his desire and effort worn down.

Someone has to take the penalties. Mind you, we'll have to be in an opponent's box to get one. 🙂

A very, very belated bit of effort. Mainly from Robinson shaming some of the others.

Good from Robinson. Would have expected Archer to put that in (had he not been one of our players).

There are more of them gathering... ... the stadium might get pinched before the final whistle.

Good run back by Archer. More useful as a centre half than a striker? 🙂

'Tator: "Long throws definitely back in fashion"... as we throw it short. Like we would risk getting a ball into the box.