rock bus

Very good point...although not really sure that Dowell has actually been given the opportunity to prove what he can do in that position. Always been in and out of the team and more often than not played out wide which really doesnt suit him. I'd also love Tzolis to come good and be the man for the role - be nice if they (and maybe even Cantwell) were in a battle for that position so it brings out the best in one of them.

In the championship I think we can handle 9 of the players pressing (esp given Pukki presses a lot more than any kind of traditional striker) and then Dowell can have more of a 'floating' role within the main aim to be being a provider and creating some magic. It's pretty much what Hoolahan did for most of his time with us. Our overall quality in the championship should allow us the bonus of having a 'luxury' player... totally different story if we are promoted.

I don't understand the fatigue point - haven't the players for Hungary, Italy and Germany also played full seasons (or is it just the argument the premier league is 'tougher' than any other league?... it's not as hard as the championship!) Southgate is such a negative and drab manager and is not getting the best out of a potentially great squad. Given the favourable draw in euros and the early lead taken in the final we should have won it - possible best chance England will have to win a trophy in my life and I'm convinced that with a more positive and tactically astute manager we would've done. I'd sack him now so new manager has 2 game warm up for world cup. No chance FA will do that though as they have a nice yes man which is perfect for them.

There really are some embarrassing comments and opinions already on this thread. Having coached my young daughters team up to the age of 15 I've seen the great impact football can have on their lives (as can many sports). So I'm really pleased to see my team making the effort to support the womens game. Sadly the comments on this and the 'this language is not OK' thread show that some people (thankfully a minority) are ignorant and have no real understanding of the importance of some of these issues,

Wow, it’s like the Essex reunion! had some wonderful nights in pink toothbrush on indie night. Remember hearing suede# “drowners” there for first time after it had just been released and thinking it was greatest song I’d ever heard (dj must’ve agreed as played it twice in the night!)

I’ve slept with a former girlfriend of Sutton…. Apparently I was bigger and better (honestly her words!)

Dukes nightclub that brings back memories...didnt think there'd be another poster on here who had enjoyed that 'pleasure'!

It was certainly a huge gap in Farke's game plan. I remember panicking every time we conceded a corner that they were bound to score if Hanley wasnt in the team. The whole partial man/zonal marking never seemed to work.

I'm losing track with this (and apologies if covered already) - surely Amercians buying Foulgers shares doesnt mean more money actually being invested in the club- doesn't he just get his money out? I was quite excited about this and thought we could be getting the significant investment to help us ensure promotion next year and have a squad with a fighting chance of actually staying up - have I wrongly got my hopes up?!?

I must admit I think the PinkUn has been a bit sneaky here (perhaps understandably) the quotes in the article do not reflect the overall tone of the interview at all. I'm not blaming them for that, they're perfectly entitled to do that having been snubbed. But everyone on here needs to listen to the full interview and not just read the selected quotes before making a judgement. Having previously been really impressed by Webber I was firmly in the get him out group after the poor performance this season and in particular some of his own ill judged decisions and quotes (see Times interview). This interview has brought me back on side to some degree. There are still some idiotic comments in there but I suppose he is just being honest. Most importantly I do think he genuinely wants to do what is best for the club (even if that is just to secure his own longer term career). I also think we need strong characters to run the club and to at least some extent ignore the fans passionate but knee jerk reactions (just beacuasre we love the club more doesnt mean we are best informed). I'm now back to being willing to give him a chance - he has this transfer window to establish a team that is fighting for promotiion and to prove that the appointment of Smith was the right decision. If that isnt the case after 10 games he should leave and his replacement should in turn be choosing the next manager.

I know there have been lots of calls for Webber's head - and I don't disagree with it. But trying to be level headed this may not be the time to sack our Sporting Director. We are going to need a major overhaul of the squad and have a much smaller window in which to achieve it. Webber has always spoke of the importance of planning and having a selection of targets so SHOULD be able to react quickly (although he also said that about the manager and I don't see that adds up with the appointment of Smith!) If we sacked him the only replacement we could look at would be Adams as a totally new sporting director wouldn't have the time to assess the position and make the changes needed. It risks Webber p' ing more money up the wall but if we were to replace him I think we should be aiming higher than Adams or we really will be going backwards.

I'm not a fan of Smith and I dont think he is the right man for us but I cant agree with this. As a manager he should be playing what he (not the fans) considers the best team for each and every game. We got hammered and embarrassed playing what I presume he thought was the best team and i also presume he thought it would have been even worse if he had played younger/less experienced players - although I'm not entirely sure this is the case!!

I agree, best thing he could do to try and unify the club again is to say he has put his personal mountaineering goal on hold as he wants to give 100% to the club to make sure he leaves us in the best possible position - financially and on the pitch. Not going to happen though as he is far more concerned about himself than the club.

Too soon!

I get the money behind them but look at the way Pep motivated Man City in the second half yesterday and made tactical substitutions to change the way his team play and indeed the game. Cant remember Smith doing this once during his spell with us to date/ The absence of any pride or fight amongst the team is one of my biggest concerns. Smith had no chance of giving the players better skill or ability BUT he should have been able to have an influence on their approach and commitment.

If he was telling the truth this would be a concern but I expect the reality is very different. I'm sure Angus was told that as Krul is leaving then Smith wanted to give him a final run out. Sure that is something Angus would have been more than happy with.

The 30 mins after the Brentford win, when could actually celebrate and think just maybe we could do something. Sadly Webber managed to screw that up as well 😡

Sadly I agree. and same could be said about the squad. Other than Pukki and Hanley (who ironically will leave) I couldn’t care less if any of the players went as well. we are in an absolute mess and it’s just embarrassing

One of my concerns with bringing Gunn in for Krul is that he just doesn’t have the same level of command/presence over the box or other players. With the additional potential loss of Hanley this could be a big issue for us. We need someone in the back 4 to be vocal and to instruct and organise the defence.

Swap deal with max + bit of cash our way!?

I’d definitely want him if we could make it happen. I think a year in the championship will make him as a player. Last year was too soon for him to be a regular premier league player (another mistake by Webber!). a year in the championship will give him an opportunity to continue to learn from his mistakes (which won’t be so ruthlessly punished in the championship) and he will continue to grow his tactical capability. He’s exactly the sort of player we should be getting as I’m sure in a year or so he will be a very capable premier league quality player.

It's a bit pathetic really, Lampard has scraped avoiding relegation and being hailed as a brilliant manager. Kind of sums up how the press have always reacted to his managerial performance (and I'd even argue much of his playing career!)

Sadly I think that is the case. When I originally posted I was going off the pink un twitter post. Having read the press conference summary does indeed look like they can go ahead with purchase. I'd be surprised if they don't which is a bit of a shame. So turning my post full circle let's hope Cantwell does come good!!

This is a good point - we need him to show us some commitment. If not, it's all in his own hands - he can sulk and then just leave on a free (and there will be decent champ clubs interested in him) or he can have a blinding season and still leave on a free - so it's almost win win for him. Much better to say we are happy to give him a chance but to do that he needs to sign a contract so retains value for us.

I agree you'd have thought that Huddersfield would take up option but quote today suggests there is no commitment on our part to sell so his fate is in our hands.