rock bus

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

I think he's been a decent bit part player and also played a needed role within the squad as class joker. We paid a lot for him but he scored a few goals when Pukki was out that kept the momentum going and earnt us some vital points in the last championship campaign. Not sure why he gets such a hard time on here and I certainly hope he goes to a decent club where I'm sure he will score some goals and could become a fan favourite.

Yes please

He has liked class in this division for Brentford and better than anyone else we have at moment so I’d be interested

The issue we have is that Webber has spent our premiership money so purely we dont have the players to generate £50m of transfer profit. We now have a group of expensive, highly paid flops and clubs wont be willing to pay premium money for them. We need a rebuild but again it will have to be on a budget and with the hope we strike lucky and find another miracle like Maddison, Buendia or Pukki.

Really good post and I agree with almost all of it with the exception of the last point. A better system will certainly help the team but we also need defenders being switched on for the entire game and not making so many stupid mistakes (which I think is often due to complacency in terms of Hanley and confidence for Gibson - Mcallum and Giannoulis are just erratic). The system played no part in Blackburns goal.....it was just Hanley making an idiotic mistake.

I really rate Cantwell (or at least when he is ‘fit’ to play) but surely Rangers won’t be paying anywhere near £10m for a player out of contract at end of year and currently not even playing for us!? if they are we should grab it and see how genuine their interest for McLean is if they’re throwing silly money about!

Id go with this for now but ideally I'd like a fully fit Hayden or a new CDM to replace Kenny. Pukki is a clever player and can still make great runs in the position. If it isnt working in a game or when he tires can use Mclean, Dowell or Cantwell(?!?) to try something different. Similarly if need pace in game replace Sara/Nunez with Hernandez or a recalled Mumba/Tzolis or if were really desperate Placheta.

I agree with this, I am sure he is acting as the mouthpiece of the club but his comments went far beyond the usual we’ve let 5he old manger down but now looking forward to working with the new boss. It was a very clear message to the supporters that it’s acknowledged didn’t work with Smith and this is a deliberate change (and ironically is also a move back to the Farke days to at least trying to establish a set style and approach). we all know max can seem quite downbeat but here he seemed genuinely pleased to have seen a change in approach already.

He is not slow at all pace wise, he’s actually quick (exceptionally for his size) but he is very slow in his thinking and that’s the problem.

I think it is too late for Hernandez to learn but as one last throw of the dice I’d employ Huckerby to work one on one with him day in and day out for the rest of the season.

I agree, I just think he is tired and fed up. Been a fantastic signing for our club but we should let him go now and look to the future (Sargent + a.n. Other - definitely NOT Hugill or Idah!!)

Let’s be honest, we’re just not very good. Although I do think Smith made us even worse rather than any improvement. Reality is we need totally rebuild our team. I’d forget about this season in terms of promotion but instead start to build a team for the future. Forget players like Krul, Hanley. Hernandez, Cantwell, Gibson and even Pukki. Let’s build a team playing the Wagner way with players like Omo, Tomkinson, McCallum, Gibbs, Nunez and Sargent.

Both fullbacks look decent but other than that can’t see Wagner being impressed

Don’t tempt fate…always a mistake in him! But yes he is!

I really wish someone would come clean on Cantwell seemed to feature heavily in training video so to be totally omitted from squad is very odd. why havent any journalists found out what’s going on?

Todd skinning Mclean.....all you need to know for now Mr Wagner!