egg

We need to get back to basics and do the simple things. Our full backs need to pay as full backs. If one goes, the other doesn't. We need two midfielders, and one slightly ahead, or even a tighter 3. I'd even be happy with a properly drilled 442/4411. Our wide men need to tuck in and support the striker, not sit wide to cross to nobody. Sadly we have a manager wedded to his preferred kamikaze tactics, limited midfield options, and a squad with no confidence. I'd get as much experience on the pitch as possible. At the moment I'd play Bree at RB to play as an old skool RB. I'd play Charles in midfield with Manning, and Downes as well to make it tighter, if not SA. I'd play SA and AA wide of Adams, but Edozie in for SAnif he's in the midfield. Sadly Alcaraz's head's not in the game (apparently) but I'm not sure he's the answer right now anyway. Moreover, we need new management. No project. No "future star". Just an experienced manager who'll get the players doing the basics properly, give some leadership, instil some leadership and belief on the pitch, and get us winning.

Yep. I'd genuinely prefer a caretaker to this bloke.

That puts his lack of involvement onto perspective. Thank you 👍

Got a link please?

Yep. Stephens, McCarthy, or any senior pro could pick a team and set them up better. Keeping it simple but be so much more effective than we're getting.

The blokes got 4 years to run on a £10m a year contract. He's kicking back in the Caribbean for a while yet.

As in to follow orders? Discipline?

It's what we're seeing. It's a Strachan term for possession football with no obvious plan for what to do with all the possession. It's really not the last 2 weeks, and the talk of spill over is really tiresome, and simply wrong. RM has had long enough to put his stamp on things. If his way was good enough, and he was coaching it properly, and the players were buying it, we'd be doing well. At least one of those ingredients is missing.

I've got no interest in what he says, or what people think about what he says. I'm only interested in what happens on the pitch. It's perfectly understandable though that people pull apart his off field propaganda though given the dire propaganda football on it.

I think the players have adapted though. They then go rogue and do sensible stuff like try to be in positions where they can actually help the team. I do wander how much player support he has for his tactics.

Yep. Struggling to see the dislike for the bloke.

Decent press conferences don't get you 3 points, or promotion.

That would be sensible, but to answer your question, It feels like an unhappy cocktail of ego, stubbornness, stupidity, and not knowing what else to do. The sad thing is, his philosophy isn't even the Pep model, or the Arteta version. His is more renegade with both full backs tucking in, both wingers sitting wide, virtually everyone piling forward, etc. It's a mess.

That's not what I said. I reckon we'll see Charles and Downes, with one other slightly ahead. I'd like that to be Alcaraz but I think it'll be SA.

He arrived rusty imo and has been played as the DM which he isn't. His performances at this level previously have been very good. I think he'll be very good alongside Charles and a consistent midfield pairing, playing their natural games, can only help us.

I think that's pretty close to what it'll be. I'm not sure he'll play Alcaraz or Sulemana though, and I've got a feeling that SA's name is on the dice this time.

Good news re Downes. I think he'll switch it a fair bit, and be a bit more pragmatic. At least one of the full backs at full back. Charles, Downes plus one in the middle, possibly SA to give some experience and quality on the ball. AA to play wide.

Ha! He was always going when we got relegated, regardless of what people thought of him. That said, he's had a cracking start to his time there. Fair play to him, lovely lad.

Gang

Are you my mate Dave?

Yep - that's what I meant.

I have a mate who's not dissimilar. His thinking is more like other civilisations are much more advanced than us, they paid us a visit and kindly knocked up the pyramids then buggered off back home. Interesting theory.

No, never tried it. The social side, scenery, fit female skiers, foreign travel is all good, but the actual skiing part I just don't fancy for some reason.

Skiing. People love it but sliding down a hill on 2 bits of wood is so unappealing.

Derek Adams who's at Morecambe. Looks an upgrade to be fair.