The Big Bad Wolf

Dav1dson - thank you for you insights. After initially thinking "what the hell are they doing?", my gut feeling is that it might just work. I am now quite excited about the prospect of AN coming in and shaking things up. Just because he is young doesn''t mean he can''t manage older players. Perhaps there are a few he needs to get rid of. How about we get behind him (if appointed) and the team over the next few months and see where it takes us? There is always a reason to doubt a manager - how about a touch of optimism?

I was at the Derby game on December 20th. My mate is a Rams fan so I ended up in with the home fans behind the goal (opposite end to where most of you were). I couldn''t help shout and punch the air as SW smashed in our second with three minutes left - which got me a few dirty looks but I got out unscathed! We actually bossed that game in midfield which really shocked the Rams fans who were not used to that. We were unlucky not to win and given another five minutes (Derby were tense) we would have won. I was impressed and at the point of thinking perhaps we had turned a corner. It wasn''t perfect...Ruddy''s distribution was poor. Far too many diagonal long balls were hit straight out for goal-kicks. Hooper looked unfit and off the pace. Jerome looked like a handful all match. It was a good point. We followed this up by smashing six against a poor side but nevertheless this should have been good for confidence. But losses to Reading and Preston show just how inconsistent we have become. How can we go from bossing the game away at our promotion rivals to losing against second rate opposition? This may sound crazy but it''s like the players can only get up for playing the better teams! It is a frustrating season. Adams must be walking the tightrope now. I don''t buy the thought that the FA Cup doesn''t matter. Listen to the ex-pros who tell us all it''s about winning and gaining confidence. Losing yesterday was in no way helpful to our season. After the Derby match I was thinking perhaps Adams and co, just need a bit more time, but the inconsistency remains. I wouldn''t be at all surprised if the players turn it on against Bournemouth and get a positive result. I can actually understand both sides (those wanting Adams sacked and those insisting on more time). Personally I am not convinced...never have been, that he''s the right man to get us promoted.

So after a 1-0 win away at a team that are struggling, you are prepared to dismiss the past ten results - and performances? A win is a win and it''s a relief that it happened, but do you really think Adams is the right man to get us promoted? I suggest most on this board think not. We are still outside the playoffs and are really not playing convincing football. If Adams can do what Pardew has then I am sure there will be plenty more positive posts on here. Let''s hope it happens.

Did someone mention Tetley? Yes please - I fancy a brew! Although something stronger might be needed when reading this site.

Sacking a manager is a risk - but everyone knows it''s a results business. Is it more of a risk to stick or twist in any given set of circumstances? That''s the question you have to ask. Looking at our recent results, I would argue now is the time to change. It can payoff to stick with a manager - Pardew has turned things around...for now anyway - but the rot appears set-in for us. It all depends on ensuring we get someone better to fill the hotseat. Sacking Hughton was the right decision in most people''s minds, but it came too late. Appointing Adams was not a calculated risk...it was huge gamble that doesn''t appear to have paid off. It will be a risk if Adams bites the bullet but it all comes down to reducing the gamble. If we went for people like Sherwood and Phelan we are taking a big risk and probably repeating mistakes of the past. So if we want someone decent we have to stop pi$$ing about and go after them and paid a high salary to get someone with a proven record. We are still an attractive proposition but we don''t want out stock to depreciate further...with Adams that appears the way it''s going.  

It has to be all over for NA.

Not good enough.

^ Binner^

Hitman - tell Thick Mick we will be passing him sooner rather than later (sh!t always sinks in the long-term)- we look forward to three more easy points on the 28th. Then do one you pathetic little troll - back to your bins.

Hmmm...doesn''t sound much like Greek to me - more like BS. I think the Hitman drives a tractor and has an liking for bins. Nevermind, I am looking forward to a comfortable 5-1 home win on February 28th. It''s a funny old game as they say. 

This tread has been going so long that very soon, when we are searching the whole of Europe for a new manager, surely his name must be in the frame - player-manager anyone?

If we lose to Brighton, Adams will no doubt say something like this - "We have to go again. There is nothing else we can do, you don’t let it affect you. You work on the things you have to work on and make sure we put it right in the next game". And then we move on to the next game a little further down the league table. But we might win...and then what? 

Just to clarify - my personal opinion stated elsewhere is that NA has had his chance and should be replaced. I don''t see it working out and would prefer swift action to avoid what happend last season. However, with the sacking of Robson and the statements made it doesn''t appear that the decision-makers are yet ready to replace him (there are many possibilities about what is going on behind the scenes that we are not privy to). It could be, like Miggins states, that the board will be looking closely at the next two home matches. Not saying this is right, but if we win them, he probably earns a bit more time in the eyes of the board - but we don''t know what they are thinking. Always different perceptions about when the time is right (if at all) to sack a manager. Most of us agree Hughton got too much time. It also depends on who is willing and able to replace him. Last year, it appeared (if you believe them) that Delia and co. wanted Hughton out but were not convinced an appropriate replacement was available. But to answer your initial question, did I think NA would take us up - probably not. If he did would he keep us up - probably not. But then, staying in the PL, as the current new crop of clubs are finding out, in no easy task even with well respected managers.

I was pretty exited about the possible appointment of Neil - unfortunately when it turned out to be Adams and not Lennon that excitement turned to something else. I stated at the time that NA was likely to get us into the playoffs but not automatic promotion. Lots of people expected him to make mistakes - he has, but he also made a good start. He still might get us up, but it''s not looking that way right now. I am with Miggins, the next two games are massive. I don''t get to too many games, but have tickets (via a mate) for the Derby game on December 20th. Not sure that NA will be in charge for that one, but with our board, you never can tell. 

Looking more and more like time to twist. Rather than Pi$$ money up the wall on average players, it''s time to go spend decent money on an experienced manager who knows how to get a team to pull together and win. Go get Mr Pulis...

I don''t know what the answer is, but if we do change manager I just hope we don''t appoint someone to "fit in" and be a nice guy. We actually need someone to come in and shake things up a bit. For me, Pulis would be a great choice but not convinced he will come.

With regret...out. Hopefully he will retain some role at the club (but not manager).

Either 0-0 or 1-1 draw.

It''s early...I meant "spot-on" - Doh!

Stop-on, Lakey. A strange decision indeed.

First goal (if there is one - could see this as a 0-0) will be crucial. If we can nick an early goal I think we can get on top and play on their fragile confidence. However, it could work the other way given our poor form if they score first. It''s going to be interesting. Players need to step-up after Tuesday. This is an opportunity that we need to take.

That''s an interesting observation - but completely flawed I''m afraid. You see, I am a Chatered Psychologist - and I know about the evidence (not just opinion) from scientific research on passion in sport. The evidence is clear - passion in sport is related positively to psychological wellbeing. In other words there is no evidence to link passion to being miserable - in fact quite the opposite; being passionate about something is good for us. There are two types of passion - harmonious and obsessive. Your hypothesis makes some sense when linked with obsessive passion - but the evidence has not found obsessive passion to correlate with poor psychological wellbeing. For reference please see "Social Psychology in Sport" by Jowett and Lavallee. Have a nice day.   

Wow, that''s a whole lot of anger that I''m hearing. There is a big difference between being miserable and being passionate. What I get from this board is that people are so passionate about the club doing well. Sometimes these expactations are too high - sometimes not. From a personal perspective I didn''t expect us to run away with this league - it''s a long and difficult slog. However, if you look over the last five week the performance and results have not been good enough. Given the fact that most people felt we waited too long with Hughton, it''s inevitable that a run like this prompts some (me included) to have doubts about the direction we are taking and to question if we have the right people making the decisions. Whilst I didn''t expect it would be a cakewalk, and most clubs have a bad spell, I think this is something more than that. Time will tell. You can support and follow your club, and be critical at the same time. Having "blind faith" is what got the board into trouble last time. I for one want Adams to succeed - he wasn''t my first choice but I certainly support him and the club - but you don''t get long as a manager these days. We have no right to expect to walk through this league, but we should have high standards and expect better than the last five weeks. And before any nonsense comes flying my way...no I am not a binner. OTBC. 

To Dubai Mark - I completely agree with you. I really want it to work out for NA...but the last five weeks suggest it isn''t going to. A very good start, but things have stalled - badly. As for Pulis, yes please. He is someone who appears to make players feel confident - he has something about him. He has a game plan. And as for those who bemoan his style of football - what style is Adams playing? A style that looks pretty grim to me and results in too many losses. I hope the club have learnt not to wait too long.

I think that Buh pressed the wrong key. Rather than his arrow pointing up, it should have been pointing left.