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Post by Staffsoatcake on Sept 12, 2022 16:20:01 GMT
I think everyone understands and knows that it's not been an easy job for anyone for the last five or six years. It's been a difficult job. But what I will say is that we are arguably in the best position we have been in for the past five or six years. I think a lot of work has been ongoing behind the scenes to get to this point. That doesn't seem like a terrible reference for MON. I think it's obvious to everyone except that in some ways MoN did a great job, equally it should be obvious that in other ways he didn't (which is why he was sacked) Good job off the pitch, poor on it.
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Post by leesandfordstoupe on Sept 12, 2022 16:25:17 GMT
If the games become fit to watch any time in the near future that will be progress, anything else is a bonus. Recruitment has left the squad short on quality and numbers in some positions(wide defensive positions) and players in other positions not suited to the different ethos (central midfield). Returns from injury will improve this but we're always going to be vulnerable in those areas until AN gets a chance to balance the squad better. It's going to be interesting how much scope he has to change things in January. Shopping list GK, mobile CB, Physical CM. Get rid of as many as possible from Bursik/Bonham, Fox, Jagielka, Flint, Clucas plus explore the possibility of ending loans early Kilkenny, Smallbone or any other loans not making much impact. The January window is a terrible time to make wholesale changes - it was one of the reasons we lost momentum last season. I agree about getting a new goalkeeper and maybe replace Jagielka given his contract will be up but we can't ditch 3 central defenders especially at a time the market is pretty rubbish. Both Kilkenny and Smallbone have shown some promise - its way too early to assume they will make no impact and anyway whether they go back has to be agreed with the parent club and any replacement loan would just be another punt. It would make far more sense to make a couple of changes at Xmas and leave any significant squad building until the summer when Neil will be in a better position to shape the squad the way he wants it. Whether the football will be a better watch depends on what you are looking for. Neil's teams tend to be high tempo and aggressive but not renowned for pretty football. If he gets results most supporters will put up with a lack of quality but if this season is going to be transitional I suspect Neil will have to ride out the inevitable grumbles. I wouldn't say what I suggested bringing in were wholesale changes. GK one out one in. New No1 either of the others out remainer back up. CB one in 1 or 2 out. Hopefully a fit Souttar Wilmot with preferably a mobile LCB in, Taylor back up. CM 1 in 1 to 3 out. At least 1 physical CM in more if possible on a 1 out 1 in basis. I don't think that's changing the team too much he needs players more suited to his style. I'd love the football to be flowing but high tempo and aggressive will have to do many of us just need an antidote to MON's borefest. I certaily wasn't blown away by the Swansea game I'm not sure whether to call it confusing or confused but there was a bit more going on than what we've become painfully used to.
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Post by leesandfordstoupe on Sept 12, 2022 16:28:33 GMT
Baker has played DM plenty including nearly an entire season on loan. Brown came to us as a Right Winger, We don't have any options to provide width from the Left who is he supposed to pick? and Fosu has some experience of playing on the Left. He’s paid handsomely the least to be expected idrnifynthebkey players brown and baker vlestiy are right now so playing both out of position is to be blunt nonsense from a bloke who likes to appear no nonsense It's almost imposible to put a team out at the moment with everyone in their best position. What's he meant to do?
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Post by benjaminbiscuit on Sept 12, 2022 20:19:46 GMT
He’s paid handsomely the least to be expected idrnifynthebkey players brown and baker vlestiy are right now so playing both out of position is to be blunt nonsense from a bloke who likes to appear no nonsense It's almost imposible to put a team out at the moment with everyone in their best position. What's he meant to do? Play the big players in their right positions
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Post by CBUFAWKIPWH on Sept 12, 2022 21:36:15 GMT
The January window is a terrible time to make wholesale changes - it was one of the reasons we lost momentum last season. I agree about getting a new goalkeeper and maybe replace Jagielka given his contract will be up but we can't ditch 3 central defenders especially at a time the market is pretty rubbish. Both Kilkenny and Smallbone have shown some promise - its way too early to assume they will make no impact and anyway whether they go back has to be agreed with the parent club and any replacement loan would just be another punt. It would make far more sense to make a couple of changes at Xmas and leave any significant squad building until the summer when Neil will be in a better position to shape the squad the way he wants it. Whether the football will be a better watch depends on what you are looking for. Neil's teams tend to be high tempo and aggressive but not renowned for pretty football. If he gets results most supporters will put up with a lack of quality but if this season is going to be transitional I suspect Neil will have to ride out the inevitable grumbles. I wouldn't say what I suggested bringing in were wholesale changes. GK one out one in. New No1 either of the others out remainer back up. CB one in 1 or 2 out. Hopefully a fit Souttar Wilmot with preferably a mobile LCB in, Taylor back up. CM 1 in 1 to 3 out. At least 1 physical CM in more if possible on a 1 out 1 in basis. I don't think that's changing the team too much he needs players more suited to his style. I'd love the football to be flowing but high tempo and aggressive will have to do many of us just need an antidote to MON's borefest. I certaily wasn't blown away by the Swansea game I'm not sure whether to call it confusing or confused but there was a bit more going on than what we've become painfully used to. That sounds so vague as to be meaningless and the idea of getting rid of more than we bring in doesn't make any sense. A decent goalkeeper, replacement for Jagielka and cover for any long term injuries would be plenty. If we win games Neil will avoid criticism apart from those like yourself that put entertainment before winning. If we lose games Neil will get flak regardless of the performance - his teams tend to be pragmatic and aren't pretty for its own sake. In terms of job security he'll get a bit more slack than MoN but unless we make the playoffs the usual suspects will be lining up to put the knife in. He's going to need a summer transfer window to properly shape his team and providing we aren't genuine relegation candidates he'll get it despite any whinging about the style of play.
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Post by Glory Hunter on Sept 12, 2022 21:49:17 GMT
It's almost imposible to put a team out at the moment with everyone in their best position. What's he meant to do? Play the big players in their right positions I totally get the personnel challenges while various players are still out. What concerns me is that he felt we played well at Reading and said we controlled the game. The fact is we played in a shocking pedestrian fashion, and had no control over the game throughout, the only blessing is that Powell played and that Clucas is now out, otherwise it was a horrendous, shocking display of players who looked unfit and if fit, were out of position. The treatment of Brown worries me. Our top scorer last season and this so far made to fulfill a role he cannot do. If I were him, I would seek a club who might play to his strengths. Neil has an awful lot of proving to do.
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Post by lordb on Sept 12, 2022 21:57:48 GMT
Play the big players in their right positions I totally get the personnel challenges while various players are still out. What concerns me is that he felt we played well at Reading and said we controlled the game. The fact is we played in a shocking pedestrian fashion, and had no control over the game throughout, the only blessing is that Powell played and that Clucas is now out, otherwise it was a horrendous, shocking display of players who looked unfit and if fit, were out of position. The treatment of Brown worries me. Our top scorer last season and this so far made to fulfill a role he cannot do. If I were him, I would seek a club who might play to his strengths. Neil has an awful lot of proving to do. That's not quite right We dominated the ball first half, the game was essentially played in their half However we did fuck all with it and gave away a comedy goal An has, rightly, bemoaned the poor crossing
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Post by owdestokie2 on Sept 12, 2022 22:08:01 GMT
He’s paid handsomely the least to be expected idrnifynthebkey players brown and baker vlestiy are right now so playing both out of position is to be blunt nonsense from a bloke who likes to appear no nonsense It's almost imposible to put a team out at the moment with everyone in their best position. What's he meant to do? Same problems as the previous manager
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Post by owdestokie2 on Sept 12, 2022 22:11:02 GMT
I wouldn't say what I suggested bringing in were wholesale changes. GK one out one in. New No1 either of the others out remainer back up. CB one in 1 or 2 out. Hopefully a fit Souttar Wilmot with preferably a mobile LCB in, Taylor back up. CM 1 in 1 to 3 out. At least 1 physical CM in more if possible on a 1 out 1 in basis. I don't think that's changing the team too much he needs players more suited to his style. I'd love the football to be flowing but high tempo and aggressive will have to do many of us just need an antidote to MON's borefest. I certaily wasn't blown away by the Swansea game I'm not sure whether to call it confusing or confused but there was a bit more going on than what we've become painfully used to. That sounds so vague as to be meaningless and the idea of getting rid of more than we bring in doesn't make any sense. A decent goalkeeper, replacement for Jagielka and cover for any long term injuries would be plenty. If we win games Neil will avoid criticism apart from those like yourself that put entertainment before winning. If we lose games Neil will get flak regardless of the performance - his teams tend to be pragmatic and aren't pretty for its own sake. In terms of job security he'll get a bit more slack than MoN but unless we make the playoffs the usual suspects will be lining up to put the knife in. He's going to need a summer transfer window to properly shape his team and providing we aren't genuine relegation candidates he'll get it despite any whinging about the style of play. He certainly have a big transfer window. 6 loan players leaving and potentially 7 squad players leaving
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Post by davethebass on Sept 12, 2022 22:27:39 GMT
We’ve won 1 of our last 26 away games in the league on a Tuesday….. Can we do it not in Stoke on a wet Tuesday night?
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Post by pistol on Sept 12, 2022 23:58:20 GMT
It's almost imposible to put a team out at the moment with everyone in their best position. What's he meant to do? Same problems as the previous manager Except the previous manager bought those players
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Post by senojbor on Sept 13, 2022 0:12:19 GMT
Bonham Sterling Wilmott Taylor Fox Baker Thompson Brown Powell Wright-Phillips Delap Subs: Bursik, Flint, Jagielka, Fosu, Smallbone, Gayle, Campbell 2-1 Stoke (Delap, Gayle) We're not going to beat anyone with that defence
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Post by kustokie on Sept 13, 2022 0:42:54 GMT
I’ve no idea what formation he’s going to play but I’m sick of seeing Baker stifled as a defensive mid. I’d bring Kilkenny in and start Baker in the Powell position and bring Powell off the bench later. Apart from that I agree. He has to play there because there’s nobody else. Hopefully Powell is well enough to start as a number 10 because that will make a huge difference. In fact Powell at 80% is probably better than anyone else available.
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Post by LphPotter on Sept 13, 2022 0:53:44 GMT
Hopefully Sterling is fit as Neil didn’t give much away but it was said when he signed that this was the game they were targeting so:
Bonham Sterling Wilmot Flint Fox Baker Thompson Brown Powell Campbell Delap
Bursik Taylor Fosu Sparrow Smallbone Wright-Phillips Gayle
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Post by JoeinOz on Sept 13, 2022 6:03:56 GMT
Let's hope the dead cat starts bouncing
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Post by potter1989 on Sept 13, 2022 6:43:16 GMT
Not what I want, but think it’ll be..
Bonham
Wilmot Flint Taylor Fox
Thompson Baker Smallbone
Gayle Delap Brown
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Post by CBUFAWKIPWH on Sept 13, 2022 6:43:38 GMT
I’ve no idea what formation he’s going to play but I’m sick of seeing Baker stifled as a defensive mid. I’d bring Kilkenny in and start Baker in the Powell position and bring Powell off the bench later. Apart from that I agree. He has to play there because there’s nobody else.  Hopefully Powell is well enough to start as a number 10 because that will make a huge difference.  In fact Powell at 80% is probably better than anyone else available. Powell's cameo against Reading won't have helped his claim to a place in the starting 11 - he slowed the game right down every time he got the ball. Given the way Neil wants to play and his stated belief that quality will only make a difference after the players have put in the graft Powell at 80% isn't going to get a game under Neil - he's going to have to get fitter, quicker and sharper to play.
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Post by Gods on Sept 13, 2022 6:59:08 GMT
Alex Neil could certainly use a win to kick start his tenure.
We've not won one since Dean Holden was in charge.
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Post by owdestokie2 on Sept 13, 2022 7:15:36 GMT
Same problems as the previous manager Except the previous manager bought those players Injuries 🙄
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Post by leesandfordstoupe on Sept 13, 2022 7:39:42 GMT
Alex Neil could certainly use a win to kick start his tenure. We've not won one since Dean Holden was in charge. That was by the skin of our teeth. Won’t win many games playing like that.
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Post by leesandfordstoupe on Sept 13, 2022 7:42:04 GMT
It's almost imposible to put a team out at the moment with everyone in their best position. What's he meant to do? Same problems as the previous manager Same problems created by the previous manager’s poor squad building.
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Post by owdestokie2 on Sept 13, 2022 8:05:37 GMT
Same problems as the previous manager Same problems created by the previous manager’s poor squad building. Injuries 🙄
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Post by leesandfordstoupe on Sept 13, 2022 8:46:17 GMT
Same problems created by the previous manager’s poor squad building. Injuries 🙄 That’s why you have a squad not a team. Lack of cover in wide areas and lack of physicality in midfield were very poor choices highlighted by plenty of folk not being payed £1.5M pa to see that.
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Post by stokecitydom on Sept 13, 2022 9:11:01 GMT
Bonham
Sterling Taylor Wilmott Fox
Thompson Baker
Campbell Powell Fosu
Delap
Not convinced about the defence at all, but it’s the best we’ve got.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2022 9:39:30 GMT
I think 1-1 tonight. Hopefully Delap gets a goal and is then up and running.
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Post by Gods on Sept 13, 2022 10:04:01 GMT
It seems we will be bedecked in that unlikely costume with the court jesters sash across the front of the shirt, hopefully this will befuddle the opposition!
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Post by scfc75 on Sept 13, 2022 10:54:15 GMT
We’ll win this
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Post by J-Roar on Sept 13, 2022 12:14:17 GMT
Just over 400 sold for tomorrow, poor following that although I understand people may be unable to go for a number of reasons........ Probably will end up about 500, we normally take at least 1000 to Hull. The uncertainty about whether the game would even go ahead can’t have helped at all. I imagine away followings and attendance in general will be down this week and for the games that are on at the weekend. Or we just aren't that well supported?
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Post by wakefieldstokie on Sept 13, 2022 12:25:14 GMT
I expect another pissed up team selection tonight having read Neil’s comments in the sentinel about players in their wrong positions.
Ffs why do some managers play system over players in their usual positions! It never bloody works
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Post by prestwichpotter on Sept 13, 2022 13:20:57 GMT
Probably will end up about 500, we normally take at least 1000 to Hull. The uncertainty about whether the game would even go ahead can’t have helped at all. I imagine away followings and attendance in general will be down this week and for the games that are on at the weekend. Or we just aren't that well supported? We certainly have a fickle fan base capable of taking a really good following one season and a poor one the next, but cost must come in to it especially midweek when games are on the red button. Same with QPR, we have a consistent following for a Saturday London games of around 1,500 or so and the £36 entrance fee will rightly be beyond many people currently........
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