rock bus

I still think we are capable of sneaking into the play offs and IF we do that i can see us winning the whole thing and being promoted. wrongly the prospect of that terrifies me, this squad would get alienated week in week out in the premier league. We’d effectively need to buy a completely new starting 11. That would be impossible unless we had HUGE investment and even then I wouldn’t trust Webber to spend it. Goes totally against the grain but I’d actually prefer us to reset the 5 year plan and give Wagner the time to gradually build a squad that are committed to the club and play in his style (in hope that may be more competitive in the premier league when (if) we get there….unlike Farkeball sadly)

I’ve tried to keep backing Webber but by God he has wasted a lot of money and this current squad is quite pathetic given the opportunities to build we have had. I’m hoping new investments brings new senior management with webber going

Sadly I agree. Keep hearing he has all the attributes to be a good player, which I agree with…he IS big, strong and quick. Sadly he doesn’t know how to use those attributes. Honestly don’t think he is a very good football player! He also seems decidedly uninterested half the time, just seems a bit dopey in his play and not particularly bothered. For the life of me I can’t understand why in earth we gave him a 5 year contract, if anything that will just make him even more complacent.

Gunn not an option today but does seem he should come back in. Mclean is ‘ok’ as CDM agains weaker teams when we press but can’t be relied upon or handle any semi decent opposition midfield. How long can we go without getting a decent CDM? Surely Webber can find someone somewhere ? in the interim I think we should just try Gibbs the chance, let’s play him for rest of season

I know this may not be well received after todays game but I honestly don’t think we are far off a having a good team who could be exciting to watch. we need changes in the old guard, ie the likes of Hanley and Krul. BUT if we can get players like Sara, Nunez, Sargent and Tzolis clicking and playing well together as a joined up unit it could be special. I honestly think Wagner can deliver that, just look at the improvement in players like Aarons and Dowell since he arrived. Too late for this season but a couple of key signings and next could be very different.

First 20 very poor and ridiculous mistake by Krul. But much better last 20. we can definitely win it! im going Tzolis for late winner and a new hero is born (we can all dream!)

Given the balls he gave away at Coventry I’m genuinely wondering if Krul is betting on us conceding 😡

Can I change my vote please!

Yep, that's exactly what I've done! Krul has now been given the shirt (mainly I think because of his experience, character and ability to organise the defence rather than being 'the better goal keeper'..if that makes sense?). But if he does start making stupid mistakes then he gets dropped and Gunn is given another go to fully claim the No1 shirt for good.

I'm far from convinced that Gunn is the better keeper and not sure stats do prove that... happy for you to show which ones do. They are both decent keepers but with weakness eg Krul's distribution is awful but he commands the area much better. Krul at his peak was a far better keeper than Gunn is now, my hope is that Gunn continues to grow and learn from Krul so we have a seamless transition to him either again this season or for next season.

It is a big show of faith...and not one I am particularly sure on if I'm honest. I just dont think he will ever be of a quality needed for top championship/premier league. Interesting that Wagner describes him as having a 'raw, natural ability' but given he is 21 surely by now some of his potential should've been realised. I still think he would benefit from time on loan (preferably in Championship) so he gets chance to play week in week out rather than a bit player like he is at moment.

That first day video is really interesting and gives some good insight into the club. He may not be popular but I like the way that Webber personally escorts them all and knows everyone in the club. Hernandez instantly likeable and McLean definitely a character. Wagner is indeed very tactile with the players and you can tell how much he wants to build a good relationship with them. In total contrast, Hanley gives a miserable hello and then just walks off....not exactly what I'd expect from our captain.

It's interesting how Wagner seems to have made very quick decisions in terms of: Liking the look of Tzolis Immediately knowing that Hugil and Sinani arent good enough Sargent plays through the middle or not at all No point giving Cantwell any more time Heck he's even managed to make a star player out of McLean!!! It could all go disastrously wrong but I certainly have faith in his opinion.

Everything’s been covered in this thread but have to say I’m gutted that he has left. Probably for the best for him and the club but I certainly wish him all the best and hope he knuckles down at rangers and eventually really fulfils his potential.

He was good but that was when we were on top and moving forward all the time. Once Coventry started having a go at us and used their own pace and strength he was clearly found wanting. He is another player where confidence is key and he let a few simple balls slip under his feet and go out of play... after that he just seemed to be struggling. I thought McCallum was much better second half and he has a better physical presence (although he also benefited from the whole team playing in a more structured and calm manner.

To be fair, they seemed to be pretty much be doing that when Smith was here!

I'm not sure OP is right. It certainly seemed like that at the weekend where the first half turned into being played like a Basket ball game. But Wagner was very clear in his post match interview that he was really unhappy with the first half and our style of play. I think the 2nd was much more what he wanted where we totally controlled the game. I think the players just got carried away in the first and it was brilliant when we were attacking but it also led to a lack of discipline and structure in our play which allowed a far inferior team to get back in to the game. The flowing football was great but I certainly feel Wagner is looking for a more controlled and organised style of play rather than the gung ho approach of Lambert.

Krul more commanding keeper and better shop stopper but his distribution is horrendous. It’s a close call but the authority of Krul is needed with our defence which can be very dopey.

Was at the game and very impressed with him today. was one point where Krul mad a mess of a kick (were far too many if them) and Sara had a right go at him. I thought that was great as demonstrated an increased level of confidence of his position in the team.

This is why it's a shame we couldnt get him to sign a contract extension last year. If he wasnt available for free this summer I think we could have got a tidy sum for him in this window from a desperate club like West Ham or Everton. I'd have been sad to see him go but probably would've risked cashing in on him with the expectation Sargent would do enough to get us a play off place.

Living in Leamington and having a few Coventry supporting mates this is one of the biggest game of the season for me so I'm praying for a win - a scrappy 1-0 would do!

It's an interesting point this. It is clear that the club are conducting a full on charm offensive with Wagner to try and reconnect with the fans (something I applaud even if it is a bit contrived). It does raise the question why they seemed to make no attempt to do this with Smith. Following a hugely popular manager like Farke was always going to be difficult (even most who agreed with the sacking still liked the guy which is quite unusual in football). The club would surely have realised this but there seemed to be no attempt to address it - is this because Smith wasnt willing or the club just didnt bother? The result was certainly that I never thought Smith was particularly attached to the club or felt any affinity with the club or the fans. The fact that the football was rubbish and he didnt appear to have a clue what he was doing didnt help either, but it would have been nice if he had at least pretended he cared about the club and fans!

Presumably Todd (his agent) may well now be thinking best thing is to just let his contract run out and then sign for a club at the end of the season where he will get a huge signing on fee (commission) in lieu of the team having to pay us any transfer fee. I wonder if there is actually any risk to this from Todd's perspective. Lets be honest he will surely find a club who are willing to take a punt on him with no transfer fee despite some concerns over his attitude/fitness. Is there any chance it could totally back fire and he effectively finds himself unemployed?

I think Max has shown unbelievable loyalty and his behaviour has been exemplary (esp compared to say Cantwell and Rashica). And for that reason, even though it is totally against our own interest, I would let him go if a really decent club came in for him with a decent offer. It would be unfair of us to again block his move and he deserves better.

Feel a bit sad about the way it has worked out so badly for Todd and really hope he can find a decent club and realise at least some of his potential. The way Deli Ali's career has fallen off the cliff is incredible and Todd should look at that as a stark warning that it has happened to far better players than him