notnowcato

Actually it does

Er no, the strategy makes sense, the application of the strategy and the appointment of pish poor managers is what has us in the Championship. See Brighton for how to apply the strategy correctly. You're welcome.

Not wanting to nitpick but there's about £2 billion difference between now and then

As a vegetarian; yes, as a vegan; no.

Unfortunately, I think our strikers performed as well as the keepers did last season.

As did many of the players and managers for that matter. We were appalling last season from keeper to striker.

Good luck to Brighton if they get £100m for Caicedo, crazy price.

Good, pleased the bin dippers can't afford Lavia.

If shot stopping is shot stopping no matter the league, you have to wonder why on earth he was on City's books, how he progressed since a youngster, why he had a stellar league 1 season when so inexperienced. The reasons for Bazunu's performances last season is clearly more colourful than the black and white observation you make. On many points he wasn't ready for the EPL, simple as, I don't think that's entirely his fault.

So shooting is shooting at any level too...

If we weren't linked with City youngsters no doubt that would get spun as... "Wilcox must be really shit if no City player is being linked with us."

They are? Determine good. Are we talking Champions League level? Or is it relative to the level being played?

You're right, in isolation the stat gives no context. Were we relegated because of Bazunu? Obviously not. Our stats at the other end of the pitch were equally piss poor. The stat that would give some concern would be the expected save stats, which I seem to remember there was some scope for improvement for Gavin. Many were concerned at the start of last season that the step up from League 1 to EPL for such a young keeper was a huge risk. Hopefully a reset for Gavin and the chance to prove himself in the Championship is what he needs.

If you haven’t done so already I’d recommend watching Russell’s Coaches Voice video on YouTube; where he talks about a win v Cardiff. I genuinely don’t think his style is “possession for possession sake” not that I think any coach genuinely intends that to happen, but it is a much trotted out phrase to undermine teams that dominate the ball. I’m hoping the first thing he sorts out is the huge gap we constantly showed between our pivots and the attacking midfielders. I’m looking forward to seeing the team develop this season and like all fans want us to be successful.

Yeah you’re right, he was caught out a few times but that can be rectified.

I want to put the like or laugh emoji response to your post but that doesn’t seem appropriate

Just checking…. You don’t see JWP leaving?

I wouldn’t assume that we will play wing backs with 3 at the back.

Full backs will be very important in the Russell team when we play 4 at the back. Tino would be ideal, technically strong on the ball and excellent defensively. Not certain Bree has the technical ability to play the advanced inverted role. Funnily enough, when we play 3 at the back this could fit very nicely with a ball playing CB like Jack Stephens, particularly in the Championship. (Applies tin hat 😂 )

Agreed. Prepare for a bumpy ride to begin with, if things go to plan I hope we come with a wet sail to snatch a play off spot. Hitting the plays bang in form would be sweet.

I haven’t seen anywhere enough of Larios to make that call.

Nothing?? I take it you don’t rely on your scouting ability to make a living

I’m not sure you do know how City play or have played this treble winning season. One of the key tactics they did employ, particularly against a packed midfield, was to keep the ball at the back, wait until a midfielder lost patience and broke rank to which City would exploit the space the midfielder left. Case in point was the demolishing of Arsenal where Odegaard was tempted out again and again.

Edit

Fuck me, many on here are forgetting to add the “hope to be proven wrong” ending to their Paxman like questioning of SR and the credentials of RM. Truth is no one really knows, the success or failure of this coming season won’t just be down to RM.