S_81

Luton's collapse continuing. New manager bounce hasn't materialised thus far.

QPR have gone from bottom three to the edge of the play offs since they beat us. Fair play to them. We need a run of 8 unbeaten.

I think it's entirely plausible that they aren't any better next season

What a great end to the weekend 🙂

As entertaining as this is to see, doubt playing Man City really governs their chances of staying up or not

His west brom loan was enough of a warning

Remains a big if though - as what we've bought thus far have hardly improved us. The fact that the likes of Onel is looking better than much around him isn't just due to injuries. And that's worrying, frankly.

I agree. Fans are lapping up JHT because he's a likeable guy, with an open communication style. But the football is ineffective too often and isn't hugely better to watch than under Smith or Wagner right now. This over possession football we play doesn't often equate to success in this league. Not without real class operators. And playing wise we don't have many of them. I really hope he finds success with us, but I do worry that Thorup may be here at the wrong time and not get enough out of any squad he has to work with. Time will tell.

The big question is where does Crnac play, when Sarge is fit, assuming the new lad plays right and Sainz plays left. Could he be of any use as a ten? His control is decent and his lack of no9 pace could suit a link man role. If we played one. Right now, given he doesn't seem much use out wide, and even less use as a 9, he looks a massive waste of our budget. And somewhat compounded by Hoff play Onel up top today.

Yeah it's getting harder year on year. Especially without spending power. And you also need one or two of the more established top flight teams to have a bad season. Ipswich, for example, I hate to say it - may capitalise on Everton's gradual demise and be an exception to the rule. But they may not. But they have far more about them than any of the current top four in the championship. And so they should with that level of investment. They'd likely walk the league if they came back down with that squad.

None right now re the latter

Unless Leeds throw the bank at it and get lucky (including with Farke in charge at that level), none of the top four has a prayer of staying up.

Perfectly legitimate to ask questions now, new signings have been poor largely, and we've also failed to strengthen in obvious places.

I think bar hopefulness, it's hard to genuinely see signs of progress beyond what we were seeing last season. Defensively we remain poor, coming forward we lack a cutting edge unless Borja is on form (and yes, Sarge is injured, I know). And tactically we have yet another coach who looks one dimensional. Opposition managers are having a very easy job of figuring out how to play against us. And in large part our only impressive wins this season have come against the poor teams of the league or those out of sorts. Have to hope that further personnel changes and pitch time improves what we are now seeing. But the rebuild in much part currently looks like groundhog day.

A long overdue departure. A good professional, who served the club well, but well past the sell by date

Sunderland v M’Boro play off final would be lively

I’m on the fence re Gunn, but I’m firmly on his side of it if the alternatives are Long or his calibre. Do keep in mind someone gave Long a 3 year contract - having seen him on the pitch. Doesn’t inspire confidence in doing better than Gunn

Yeah very true. But relegation is coming for them. Their squad has hardly been improved and they have very few goals in them. I think they’ll go this year

I think Ipswich have more about them than Everton. Albeit the latter are defensively more solid. But I think have less goals in them than the binners.

What he lacks in ability he more than makes up for in determination and passion. He always brings a lift. He’s a great impact sub and offers an outlet we don’t otherwise have on that side.

Yawn

Well, you’re wrong. I do attend games. Not every. But enough. And whether it be on tv or in the stand, I’ve watched enough to know that the football is far more entertaining than under Smith and largely Wagner, that we are clearly trying to build toward a style and squad - but especially of late we’ve been poor. And I’m glad to see Thorup searching for a plan B yesterday and it coming off. I said nothing of embarrassment in the match thread yesterday - as in recent weeks we looked too ineffective coming forward and too often cause ourselves problems defensively. One wonder strike from Forson doesn’t change that context.

Look, all credit to him. He was brave and it got us the result. I’d much prefer he tried things than let the game pass us by. But it was a moment of individual brilliance that turned it rather than tactical changes, IMO. But - he put them on the pitch so credit to him. And he explains his rationale, indeed.

He’d have been on with either Dobbin or Onel. No doubt

It paid off. Credit to him. But im not convinced. But don’t care as we got the 3 points