1st reason why McDermott should go - No Guthrie

[Ian Royal]

A simple question : Could any other manager get more out of this group of players?

Maybe.

[Snowball]

For those saying we need Guthrie back, how many were saying we'd missed him when he got dropped?

We lost 4 and drew 1 in the Prem with him starting )and scraped a win at home versus a pathetic bottom of the Championship Peterboro)

We have drawn 5 Prem games (undefeated) when he hasn't played. We also beat Premiership QPR away in the cup and drew 4-4 with Arsenal in 96 minutes.

So that looks like DDDDD (WD) versus DLLLL(W)


Yup, obvious we are missing Guthrie

[Ian Royal]

Not sure what I expected, but when we signed Pog and Guthrie I thought we might at least try and play it about on the ground, create chances and look like a team who can play football.

Nail. on. head.

This is the crux of it for me - it shouldn't be out sticking our heads in the sand and saying 'but we play like this', it should be about adapting to the league we are in in order to stay up.

Yes, but unless we can make that change almost instantly, then in the short-term we won't even be picking up draws. Every game will be like the Spurs one.

Things might get better as we play the new system better, but just how far adrift would we be before it got to that point - and how far would moral have sunk? (And would the person who has to decide to make that choice still have a job?)

There's really not that much of a transition required. And if every game would be like Spurs, how come Stoke, Chelsea and West Brom weren't?

[Hoop Blah]

Not sure what I expected, but when we signed Pog and Guthrie I thought we might at least try and play it about on the ground, create chances and look like a team who can play football.

Nail. on. head.

This is the crux of it for me - it shouldn't be out sticking our heads in the sand and saying 'but we play like this', it should be about adapting to the league we are in in order to stay up.

Yes, but unless we can make that change almost instantly, then in the short-term we won't even be picking up draws. Every game will be like the Spurs one.

Things might get better as we play the new system better, but just how far adrift would we be before it got to that point - and how far would moral have sunk? (And would the person who has to decide to make that choice still have a job?)

Still seems odd to buy players that probably don't suit the way you want, or can, play.

On the other hand, it doesn't need to be an overnight conversion to a slightly different style of play. We won promotion 6 months ago. I'm not saying we should get rid, but this season does feel like we don't really know where we are, where we're trying to get to or how we're going to get there.

[Alexander Litvinenko]

Still seems odd to buy players that probably don't suit the way you want, or can, play.

On the other hand, it doesn't need to be an overnight conversion to a slightly different style of play. We won promotion 6 months ago. I'm not saying we should get rid, but this season does feel like we don't really know where we are, where we're trying to get to or how we're going to get there.

No arguments with that.

FWIW I think the transition to a different, more PL-savvy style of play, has proved to be a whole lot more difficult than it was initially expected. And I also believe that it's more to do with the wingers and how they play than the midfielders and how they play.

[Snowball]

I forget which TV pundit (ex-pro) said it but he made the point
that getting loads of draws is a plus and the wins will come.

It was racking up DEFEATS that was the problem

and we've now drawn six, had two 1-0 defeats, and we were very unlucky to lose at Chelsea

8 (7) Losses Saints
7 (6) Losses QPR
6 (6) Losses Villa
6 (6) Losses Wigan
5 (4) Losses RFC

and note 3 of our 4 Prem defeats were in the first 4 games

[Hoop Blah]

Poyet: No thanks - Brighton have done nothing to set the world alight. And Brighton get 100,000,000 at every home game, so he'd never leave them.
Di-Canio: Yes, what we need, is a hot headed arrogant little prick at the helm, who believes his own bullshit. Perfect match....for some of the morons here.
Dolan: Really?
Parky: Not interested - Whilst I'd LOVE to see him as our manager one day, he has ZERO top flight experience, and hasn't exactly set the world alight in the divisions he has managed in.
Keane: No. He has SO much baggage, he has NO sense of decorum, or when to just STFU. He also has a proven record of acheiving absolutely Sweet F.A.
Redknapp: When we need to send the club bust, then yes. Until then not on your nelly. Look at the clubs he has left, and the state he left them in. Saints, Pompey, Tottenham - two of whom ended up in Administration, partially because of him.

So in summary. What we should really do, is KEEP HOLD OF the man who got us here, and has got us to within 3 points of our target position, with one game less than expected.

That wasn't my short list, just a few names that sprung to mind in response to Dirks question.

Just to pick up on a few points though, Poyet has done a great job turning Brighton round from relegation contenders to league winners and a side certainly capable of getting a play off spot in the Championship. They do it by passing the ball as well.

Dolan is probably the next internal contender, and Madejski ha had great success appointing unknowns (not that I think it's what the club would need now).

Di Canio might be a hot head, but so are a lot of good managers. Like Redknapp I probably wouldn't want him at the club, but do I think he could get better results from these players? Quite possibly yes.

[mr_number]

Poyet: No thanks - Brighton have done nothing to set the world alight. And Brighton get 100,000,000 at every home game, so he'd never leave them.
Di-Canio: Yes, what we need, is a hot headed arrogant little prick at the helm, who believes his own bullshit. Perfect match....for some of the morons here.
Dolan: Really?
Parky: Not interested - Whilst I'd LOVE to see him as our manager one day, he has ZERO top flight experience, and hasn't exactly set the world alight in the divisions he has managed in.
Keane: No. He has SO much baggage, he has NO sense of decorum, or when to just STFU. He also has a proven record of acheiving absolutely Sweet F.A.
Redknapp: When we need to send the club bust, then yes. Until then not on your nelly. Look at the clubs he has left, and the state he left them in. Saints, Pompey, Tottenham - two of whom ended up in Administration, partially because of him.

So in summary. What we should really do, is KEEP HOLD OF the man who got us here, and has got us to within 3 points of our target position, with one game less than expected.

That wasn't my short list, just a few names that sprung to mind in response to Dirks question.

Just to pick up on a few points though, Poyet has done a great job turning Brighton round from relegation contenders to league winners and a side certainly capable of getting a play off spot in the Championship. They do it by passing the ball as well.

Dolan is probably the next internal contender, and Madejski ha had great success appointing unknowns (not that I think it's what the club would need now).

Di Canio might be a hot head, but so are a lot of good managers. Like Redknapp I probably wouldn't want him at the club, but do I think he could get better results from these players? Quite possibly yes.

So you reckon Redknapp's tactic of not having tactics, just telling them to 'go out and play football' would be better than what we have now?

[No Fixed Abode]

of course he's joking. he's just trying to get a reaction which unfortunately you gave him.

I was joking on the Steve Kean part. McDonut saying he wants to manage Ireland while under contract at Reading is out of order IMO.

[sandman]

of course he's joking. he's just trying to get a reaction which unfortunately you gave him.

I was joking on the Steve Kean part. McDonut saying he wants to manage Ireland while under contract at Reading is out of order IMO.

[Hoop Blah]

So you reckon Redknapp's tactic of not having tactics, just telling them to 'go out and play football' would be better than what we have now?

If you seriously believe that's the limit of what Redknapp and his coaching team do then I'd suggest you're a little naive to be honest mr number.

He's proven to be an excellent manager at getting the best out of players across a number of teams and at all different levels. His motivation and team set up is excellent and his sides are generally a joy to watch.

Could be do more with these players? Most probably yes. Would I want him anywhere near the club? No.

[SydenhamRoyal]

Poyet: No thanks - Brighton have done nothing to set the world alight. And Brighton get 100,000,000 at every home game, so he'd never leave them.
Di-Canio: Yes, what we need, is a hot headed arrogant little prick at the helm, who believes his own bullshit. Perfect match....for some of the morons here.
Dolan: Really?
Parky: Not interested - Whilst I'd LOVE to see him as our manager one day, he has ZERO top flight experience, and hasn't exactly set the world alight in the divisions he has managed in.
Keane: No. He has SO much baggage, he has NO sense of decorum, or when to just STFU. He also has a proven record of acheiving absolutely Sweet F.A.
Redknapp: When we need to send the club bust, then yes. Until then not on your nelly. Look at the clubs he has left, and the state he left them in. Saints, Pompey, Tottenham - two of whom ended up in Administration, partially because of him.

So in summary. What we should really do, is KEEP HOLD OF the man who got us here, and has got us to within 3 points of our target position, with one game less than expected.

That wasn't my short list, just a few names that sprung to mind in response to Dirks question.

Just to pick up on a few points though, Poyet has done a great job turning Brighton round from relegation contenders to league winners and a side certainly capable of getting a play off spot in the Championship. They do it by passing the ball as well.

Dolan is probably the next internal contender, and Madejski ha had great success appointing unknowns (not that I think it's what the club would need now).

Di Canio might be a hot head, but so are a lot of good managers. Like Redknapp I probably wouldn't want him at the club, but do I think he could get better results from these players? Quite possibly yes.

So you reckon Redknapp's tactic of not having tactics, just telling them to 'go out and play football' would be better than what we have now?

Redknapp does have one tactic, upon whihc he bases the above game plan: spend far too much on players, preferably via dodgy deals, putting the club on a one way trip to extinction when it all goes wrong. I'd rather go down and play well in the championship next year, then implode and be lucky to survive with perhaps the Conference looming a la Portsmouth

[Royal Lady]

Yeah Redknapp would be football suicide for this club. We'll probably get some bloke who manages a Russian team.

[Stuboo]

I forget which TV pundit (ex-pro) said it but he made the point
that getting loads of draws is a plus and the wins will come.

It was racking up DEFEATS that was the problem

and we've now drawn six, had two 1-0 defeats, and we were very unlucky to lose at Chelsea

8 (7) Losses Saints
7 (6) Losses QPR
6 (6) Losses Villa
6 (6) Losses Wigan
5 (4) Losses RFC

and note 3 of our 4 Prem defeats were in the first 4 games

I'm with you Snowball. The facts show there is genuine reason for confidence (although I'm fully aware other people will accuse me of being an RTG and burrying my head in the sand).

[Stuboo]

of course he's joking. he's just trying to get a reaction which unfortunately you gave him.

I was joking on the Steve Kean part. McDonut saying he wants to manage Ireland while under contract at Reading is out of order IMO.

I'll give you some credit. You are consistant. A consistant WUM.

[RoyalBlue]

I forget which TV pundit (ex-pro) said it but he made the point
that getting loads of draws is a plus and the wins will come.

It was racking up DEFEATS that was the problem

and we've now drawn six, had two 1-0 defeats, and we were very unlucky to lose at Chelsea

8 (7) Losses Saints
7 (6) Losses QPR
6 (6) Losses Villa
6 (6) Losses Wigan
5 (4) Losses RFC

and note 3 of our 4 Prem defeats were in the first 4 games

I'm with you Snowball. The facts show there is genuine reason for confidence (although I'm fully aware other people will accuse me of being an RTG and burrying my head in the sand).

What a shame they give three points for a win and just one for a draw. That means you're far better off getting the wins and putting up with some losses. The gap is opening up and we will not close it with just one point a game (not that we will even achieve that).

[grey_squirrel]

I forget which TV pundit (ex-pro) said it but he made the point
that getting loads of draws is a plus and the wins will come.

It was racking up DEFEATS that was the problem

and we've now drawn six, had two 1-0 defeats, and we were very unlucky to lose at Chelsea

8 (7) Losses Saints
7 (6) Losses QPR
6 (6) Losses Villa
6 (6) Losses Wigan
5 (4) Losses RFC

and note 3 of our 4 Prem defeats were in the first 4 games

I'm with you Snowball. The facts show there is genuine reason for confidence (although I'm fully aware other people will accuse me of being an RTG and burrying my head in the sand).

Agree with this in the main but just how were we unlucky to lose against Chelsea?! A draw was absolutely there for the taking had McDermott crazily not gone for the win against the European Champions on their own patch by changing formation and putting an extra striker on! Even a foolish man knows the difference between bravery and stupidity.

[Stuboo]

We are three points behind Villa who are in 17th. That's one win. A week ago I believe we were four points behind. The play is getting better. We will start to win games. Panic not!

[Ian Royal]

We are three points behind Villa who are in 17th. That's one win. A week ago I believe we were four points behind. The play is getting better. We will start to win games. Panic not!

As long as we can keep within at worst 6 points of 17th through to March, we're still in with a chance to survive.

[Optimist]

We'll probably get some bloke who manages a Russian team.

Guus Hiddink anyone?

Fabio Capello?