rock bus

Honest question, I keep seeing this line about Smith being good at introducing and improving young players. Are there any examples other than Grealish? I think Grealish could be the anomaly and is just due to him being a highly skillful player. I think people might say Rowe and Springett here, but last season there was loads of calls for Rowe in particular to start but it didnt really happen. I also think Gibbs would've (and should've) started on Saturday if Farke was still manager - Smith didnt have the guts to do that. I'm not convinced by Smith even on this point.

Sadly, I think this is right! I’d also ditch Rashica as I don’t think he wants to be here. ironically it’s Tzolis who I’d have kept and given a chance to

It just All seems a bit ‘old school’ with him and shakey. Must admit, for some strange reason, it irked me a bit this week when he instantly referred to gibbs as gibbo in post match interviews. Football has moved on so much in recent years and I’m not convinced our coaching team has moved with the times. I’m also not sure that he has the respect of the team that Farke had but again that’s probably because he hasn’t earned it yet….problem is I dont think we can give him the time to prove me wrong,

I agree with that line up and with Hayden replacing McLean SHOULD be very good! Not convinced smith has the sense to see use it though!

Don’t disagree but needs to be a team without McLean or Sorensen (unless either HAS to play left back), dowell , Sargent or Rashica!

The weird thing is that smith doesn’t even seem like the type of manager that webber would have chosen.

We shouldn’t Bo looking at drawing these games!!

I know people don’t rate Hugil but what sort of course is it where you’d rather throw Sargent on than him? Smith has officially lost the plot

Championship is unlikely. Managing a club at the bottom of it and with a sporting director who is only answerable to his wife…never!

Agree on the farke point but results last season and this suggest Smith is a very bad manager

When I started this post I meant it but really hoped I’d end up with egg on my face. If smith isn’t gone by end of tonight then we are just a joke of a club

Worst thing about this is you know smith will use left back curse as an excuse. It’s not, he’s rubbish and so are we. Also, if you want to know n how bad rashica is…Sargent is a better option!!

Knee jerk reaction to going behind to Hulll.., maybe? But even if we come back to win today I still don’t think smith is right to for us. i don’t think he’s heart Is in it and we have no love for him. He’s still trying to get over villa and we’re just trying to get over Farke. Let’s just admit it’s not working.. he can leave with some dignity and find a league club. We can find a manager who can motivate our players and knows what style they want and at least give us a fighting chance of making the play offs. Need to do it now before it’s too late!

I’d have liked to have seen faith being shown in Gibbs. McLean just isn’t disciplined or good enough at dcm. Also can’t see why dowell starting ahead of sinani. With those 2 changes I’d have fancied a decent victory

I think Cantwell has looked decent this season. the others have been pants and I’m not that convinced they’re actually any good!!

What’s his contract position though? If it’s in final year, he might be willing to accept less for a longer deal and where he will have first team football and the chance to the move back to a top premier league team. I thought it appeared he didn’t have a future at Man U so he may need to think a bit longer term

Wonder if we could do a px of Aarons for Williams +cash. id definitely be up for that

physicality and determination? Not sure he even has these qualities. He could probably fill the gap as well as Sorenson but I'd still rather his preferred position end up being the bench!

Overall seems poor to have to go to penalties against birmingham having been 2 up. BUT the highlights at least show some decent play and much better opportunities being created. Bit of luck we couldve had 4 or more goals. Key thing Smith needs to work on appears to be our mental fragility.

Sargent the hero!! got to laugh 😂

Glad to see our defending was just as awful then as now!! Pity we havent got the forward players or style to make up for it!

I know it was only Wigan but I thought that was a much better performance. Cantwell was decent and Nunez looks like he could be special. Soon as we can ditch McLean and Sorensen I think there’s the making of a decent team, certainly miles better than last week…small steps but at least a forward one!

Controversial one from me.... Ben Godfrey! Has everything which looks perfect for the modern centre back - athletic, quick, good touch and can pick a pass BUT I honestly dont think he is that good a defender! Mainly because his reading of the game is so awful. Often commended by fans for the way he chased back to make tackles or made last minute blocks BUT that was usually because he had either made a mistake, given the ball away or was out of position in the first place! (I also think Jamal Lewis was just a decent championship full back at best!)

It's interesting what this does for Hernandez, I think he should be one of the players heading out the door...great chap but not really up to the standard we should be aspiring to. But the fact that he can probably help the new South American players settle in and is clearly a passionate and fun guy does mean he brings something else to the squad. Given Rowe is out for a while I think his value of being around the team, even when not playing, may mean he should stay.

Sadly I don't really disagree with most of this. Although, I would say Cantwell was our best player last week and was one of the few who did look like they were prepared to make an effort (and even 'put a foot in' where necessary...even though he is not blessed with naturally being the most physical a player)