rock bus

It’s just depressing. I look at the manager and the team and I’m just uninspired. No player for the fans to love. don’t understand why gibbs isn’t being used and at least build team around the future not rubbish like McLean and sinani. I’d also give Sargent the place upfront as Pukki is clearly off

Worst thing is if we lose smith will just bang on about how we didn’t give them many clear chances.. so depressing

I would’ve been happy with Kompany and Bellamy. One clearly has a bit of class about him and hugely respected in the game and Bellamy knows our club.. Mind you I’d also take Martin or Parker over smith.

surely you mean Croatia, Argentina and ENGLAND!?!

FFS

I thought he'd gone on a season long loan deal? I quite like the idea of having him back in Jan and give him a fair chance in the Championship. None of the current wide players have nailed their position so far this season.

Pathetic how we have just backed down and agreed not to wear it. I appreciate it wont 'change' anything and may be just 'virtual signaling' but at least that is better than doing absolutely nothing.

When do they actually fly to the States? Sadly, if he hasn't gone by then I expect we are stuck with him until the end of the season whatever happens 😞

Blows any chance of getting Robins

This is a really good point. Gibbs is clearly a class player and cant understand why Smith isn't utilising him more. I rate Hayden and when fully fit we may be able to solely rely on him to protect the defence. But in the meantime I don't understand why we don't a) start Hayden and Gibbs against the better teams to give us a good defensive platform which we can then switch to attack in the later stages of the game b) against weaker opposition when Hayden inevitably tires during the game - bring Gibbs on to support him and save him having to run all over the place or alternatively replace him with Gibbs. Seems obvious to me but is perhaps just another example of why Smith just isn't getting the basic tactics/team structure right.

I think this is probably correct and to independent observers and a minority of fans it would be considered harsh. But the most important thing is the world cup presents us with a unique opportunity. We now have the chance to appoint a new manager and give them 4 weeks to work with the squad. That only normally happens at the end of the season. There is still time for us to change things and achieve promotion but board/Webber need to do it now and not wait.

No, that’s not what I’m saying. but time moves on and so has the game. Just because he was successful once at a different time doesn’t mean that he is still as good. Are you saying he is showing ANY signs of turning our players into premier league winners?!?

I’ve made it clear that I have never thought Smith was the right man for the job and think most fans are probably having to face same conclusion now. but I do also wonder what responsibility Shakespeare has to play in the current rubbish performances. Presumably he is a big influence on style of play, fitness and tactics.must admit, It may just be down to his appearance but he strikes me as a very old school coach and not particularly inspiring. Certainly him and Smith appear a terrible pairing who I can’t see inspiring our players. if you look at how some brilliant current coaches have learnt the ropes from being a number two, Arteta and kompany being two great examples perhaps we should be looking at this. I also note how well Gary oneil and Craig Bellamy are doing as well. Maybe just getting someone in with some fresh ideas and enthusiasm might help Smith (although I’d still rather get rid of both!)

And to think we use to think Peter grant was a rubbish manager without a clue. Better performance than Smith and he had the decency to put his hand up and walk away

I haven’t really followed either career but surely Parker with a couple of championship promotions has a record at least equal to Robins? Seems quite a lot if negative feelings towards Parker on here and not sure why? id have either of them over Smith (mind you I’d have my Nan over smith and she’s been dead for years!)

I’d prefer it to be a case of a whole month for the new manager to get to know the squad and decide who he is shipping out in January and who he needs….we can dream!

We need to hurry up or we will be no more appealing than Coventry. They may have no ground and could go out if business any day but at least they appear to have a team who can play football, string some wins together and possibly get a play off place.

Surely with the World Cup coming we have to sack smith and get someone decent in? isnt his son in the states? Happy to let him keep flight out to tampa and then he can stay there!

Must admit his selection is almost having me cheer them more than England (cant stand southgates negative approach). Hope USA go through with us so can keep cheering Sarge on. Remarkable how he has gone from someone who looked like he’d hardly played football before last year to being so good this season.

I'd say definitely yes but with a decent sell on clause just in case another club gets duped into spending big on him in the future (or in case he realises his potential if you have a more positive opinion of him!)

That’s one of those goals that looks really messy but actually has some good play in it. Fantastic direct direct run by Sargent with a decent shot, great determination by Pukki and Ramsey does really well to follow the play and make sure he is in the right place at the right time.

People have questioned Hayden but thought he was very good today. Gave us the strength we needed in the middle and just kept breaking up the play

He s goal is your friend

Ffs no way Cantwell will be signing a new contract when treated like this. Gore does McLean do it?? I must be wrong because every manager sees something in him I clearly don’t

Well, having played it all my life, obtained level 2 coaching and coached my daughters and son's team I would consider myself as knowledgeable as at least the 'average' supporter! I appreciate it is difficult for a player to shine in a poorly performing team but as you say it's not impossible. Struggling with last year but I'd say Pukki, Krul, Hanley and Williams all made reasonable accounts of themselves in a rubbish team. Also many a rubbish team has still had players who have shined and demonstrated their own personal ability. You might have a better argument that I know nothing about psychology but it still seemed obvious to me that at the start of this season he wasn't committed to the club or giving his all in games. Something he was being paid a huge amount of money to do regardless of what division he is in.