|
Post by CBUFAWKIPWH on May 31, 2023 8:44:30 GMT
www.heraldscotland.com/sport/23557128.sterling-rangers-no-brainer-turned-offers/“I knew I had a lot of clubs in for me especially as I was about to become a free agent. European football was a no-brainer for me. You can’t pass that up. “Even though I loved Stoke, I would have gone back, if you get the chance to play European football so early in your career you have to take it.” "I was injured at the start so it was a bit stop start but we had a really good group and the gaffer there Alex Neil, he is really good. I really enjoyed my time there. But I thought it was toxic down Stoke? I’m confused I get the impression that if players and staff buy into what Neil is doing there isn't an issue and he is capable of building a good team spirit but if he isn't convinced about someone he's ruthless and will get rid which is bound to piss some people off. Personally I don't have a problem with that. Sterling isn't the first player to have been complimentary about Neil - the idea he's created a toxic atmosphere is way off the mark.
|
|
|
Post by gingerninja on May 31, 2023 8:56:13 GMT
I think the team spirit is fine, I think certain players bought into his philosophy, some wouldn't have, which happens..I think he will be fine and will get us firing next season, with a fair wind. It's a drastic major rebuild, but as others have said, it's not like we had built a successful model 😳.
|
|
|
Post by GeneralFaye on May 31, 2023 8:58:09 GMT
Every interview I've heard with a current squad member always mentions the "great dressing room atmosphere"... so my impression is, it's not toxic but too nice, which is just as bad when it comes to competitive sport. You want that edge and tension around the training ground but in a way that gets the best out of the team. The evidence suggests we have no real winners in the group and if there are any, they're getting dragged down by the rest of the group.
|
|
|
Post by etebojan on May 31, 2023 9:00:23 GMT
If you listen to the latest Every Step Along The Way Podcast (Ben Wilmott Interview), you'll hear Ben talking about how brilliant the camaraderie is currently and the changing room vibe amongst the squad is the best he's experienced, mentioning a core of similar age players, Brown, Tymon, Tyrese, Thompson who all get on well. I would say thats a very good place to build from and casts doubt on a toxicity at least amongst players
|
|
|
Post by gingerninja on May 31, 2023 9:09:58 GMT
I think it is more the too nicey nicey feeling the club has, which is great for a working atmosphere, but may not help garnish that never say die attitude we need to move the club forward. I for one are both excited and a little apprehensive, but the window both on & off the field, should be hectic and a real rollercoaster ride..let's see where it takes us..
|
|
|
Post by Staffsoatcake on May 31, 2023 10:48:32 GMT
For a few years now, we have been saying we need a clear out and start again, looks like AN is doing just that.
|
|
|
Post by onepara on May 31, 2023 11:05:53 GMT
The club can't win with some of you. Whether the players say that the dressing room is either too unfriendly or too nice, it gets turned around. Unfriendly becomes too hard, & friendly becomes too nice. Just so that you can criticise the club.
|
|
|
Post by FullerMagic on May 31, 2023 11:12:47 GMT
If we had a game tomorrow, presumably the team would be:
Bonham
Edwards-Taylor-Wilmot-Tymon
Laurent-Thompson-Baker
Brown-Gayle-Campbell
Subs: Fielding, DWP + some u21s
It'd be a major surprise if Bonham, Wilmot, Laurent, Brown and Campbell (although he is entering his final 12 months) weren't here come the end of the window and have a substantial role to play.
But do we think:
Edwards (entering his final year and hasn't played for us for nearly 4 years)
Taylor (who probably won't get much action, needs a loan to develop rather than sit on the bench.... and there'd be a queue to take him)
Tymon (who Neil clearly doesn't want to play in his favoured formation and will want to go somewhere where he can start - probably for a reasonable fee. It'd be a complete waste of the club's and the player's time to keep him as a back-up now. He's 24)
Thompson (entering his last year and the very definition of sub-par squad filler)
Baker (who didn't start the last 17 games and he clearly doesn't think can perform any of the 3 midfield roles in a Neil team. Specialist late sub and squad warm body isn't something he'll want to waste another season as)
Gayle (who is finished, though probably unshiftable without paying 90% of his salary)
...and DWP
will be in the 25-man squad come September 1st?
When you do the maths, you start to think is there any way we can afford to let any of them go as they've got 2 legs and a pulse, despite them not really being in Neil's plans and (at least some of them) moveable?
|
|
|
Post by gaznandi on May 31, 2023 11:21:45 GMT
|
|
|
Post by gaznandi on May 31, 2023 11:22:57 GMT
|
|
|
Post by prestwichpotter on May 31, 2023 11:24:57 GMT
Stacey at right back and De Silva at left back would have been superb signings, other teams are doing good business early........
|
|
|
Post by lordb on May 31, 2023 11:27:17 GMT
Stacey at right back and De Silva at left back would have been superb signings, other teams are doing good business early........ Stacey good signing not so sure re Da Silva tbh 01 June tomorrow, a flurry of signings across the leagues expected
|
|
|
Post by etebojan on May 31, 2023 11:29:20 GMT
Could we? should we?
|
|
|
Post by FullerMagic on May 31, 2023 11:31:52 GMT
Takes me back to the Jones summer where we were dreaming of Stacey and Justin, and ended up with Tommy Smith and Stephen Ward.
Great days
|
|
|
Post by theonlooker on May 31, 2023 11:34:52 GMT
Takes me back to the Jones summer where we were dreaming of Stacey and Justin, and ended up with Tommy Smith and Stephen Ward. Great days 😂 Smith and Ward? This summer we'll be lucky to get Smith and Jones!
|
|
|
Post by Timmy on May 31, 2023 11:39:49 GMT
Troy Deeney to be the first signing on a free.
|
|
|
Post by femark on May 31, 2023 11:58:24 GMT
Played 30 games last season for a decent prem team. I'd be happy with him on a 2 yr contract.
|
|
|
Post by etebojan on May 31, 2023 12:11:00 GMT
Troy Deeney to be the first signing on a free. I could well imagine that happening...does that come with any intel?
|
|
|
Post by shrewspotter on May 31, 2023 12:18:16 GMT
Troy Deeney to be the first signing on a free. I could well imagine that happening...does that come with any intel? someone else told me this too................ another one who is over the hill, but at east he will offer more than Gayle
|
|
|
Post by shrewspotter on May 31, 2023 12:19:30 GMT
Played 30 games last season for a decent prem team. I'd be happy with him on a 2 yr contract. 2 year deal!!!! he is 37 now. I guess id be ok with 1 year though
|
|
|
Post by LGH87 on May 31, 2023 12:21:34 GMT
Ah bugger, was quietly hoping he'd end up here. Can now see the player he's replacing here, Sam Byram.
|
|
|
Post by gingerninja on May 31, 2023 12:21:58 GMT
God not Deeney, he makes Ashley Barnes seem positively mobile 😳😳
|
|
|
Post by femark on May 31, 2023 12:50:59 GMT
Played 30 games last season for a decent prem team. I'd be happy with him on a 2 yr contract. 2 year deal!!!! he is 37 now. I guess id be ok with 1 year though If he's still playing regularly in the prem then he'll be expecting a 2 year deal wherever he signs...if he wants to carry on playing.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 31, 2023 14:00:42 GMT
Stacey at right back and De Silva at left back would have been superb signings, other teams are doing good business early........ Both are wingbacks not really fullbacks. I don't think either are good enough defensively to play in a back four. We need personnel who suit the manager's preferred system.
|
|
|
Post by prestwichpotter on May 31, 2023 14:04:49 GMT
Stacey at right back and De Silva at left back would have been superb signings, other teams are doing good business early........ Both are wingbacks not really fullbacks. I don't think either are good enough defensively to play in a back four. We need personnel who suit the manager's preferred system. I disagree, both are attacking full backs which is a different skill as their strength is running from deep. Stacey was superb for Luton in a 4-1-2-1-2 with Justin on the opposite side, you need a really good bona fide defensive midfielder to make it work though.........
|
|
|
Post by sportsman on May 31, 2023 14:18:36 GMT
Every interview I've heard with a current squad member always mentions the "great dressing room atmosphere"... so my impression is, it's not toxic but too nice, which is just as bad when it comes to competitive sport. You want that edge and tension around the training ground but in a way that gets the best out of the team. The evidence suggests we have no real winners in the group and if there are any, they're getting dragged down by the rest of the group. Funny that. I heard jack grealish say the same about the man city dressing room at the end of the season.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 31, 2023 14:35:10 GMT
Both are wingbacks not really fullbacks. I don't think either are good enough defensively to play in a back four. We need personnel who suit the manager's preferred system. I disagree, both are attacking full backs which is a different skill as their strength is running from deep. Stacey was superb for Luton in a 4-1-2-1-2 with Justin on the opposite side, you need a really good bona fide defensive midfielder to make it work though......... We definitely won't be playing a diamond system where the attacking fullbacks are probably the most important players. Neil has said countless times that he wants wingers. There is no such position in a 41212 system. The width is provided by the fullbacks. What is the point of buying players who don't fit the system you intend to use?
|
|
|
Post by The Toxic Avenger on May 31, 2023 14:38:59 GMT
I disagree, both are attacking full backs which is a different skill as their strength is running from deep. Stacey was superb for Luton in a 4-1-2-1-2 with Justin on the opposite side, you need a really good bona fide defensive midfielder to make it work though......... We definitely won't be playing a diamond system where the attacking fullbacks are probably the most important players. Neil has said countless times that he wants wingers. There is no such position in a 41212 system. The width is provided by the fullbacks. What is the point of buying players who don't fit the system you intend to use? You can still have attacking full backs in a back four though? Not all attacking full backs are automatically wing backs?
|
|
|
Post by prestwichpotter on May 31, 2023 14:41:08 GMT
I disagree, both are attacking full backs which is a different skill as their strength is running from deep. Stacey was superb for Luton in a 4-1-2-1-2 with Justin on the opposite side, you need a really good bona fide defensive midfielder to make it work though......... We definitely won't be playing a diamond system where the attacking fullbacks are probably the most important players. Neil has said countless times that he wants wingers. There is no such position in a 41212 system. The width is provided by the fullbacks. What is the point of buying players who don't fit the system you intend to use? You can easily play two attacking full backs in a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3, I would suggest your centre backs need to be mobile though, and you'll still need a proper defensive midfielder to drop into the space as and when required.......
|
|
|
Post by CBUFAWKIPWH on May 31, 2023 14:50:14 GMT
We definitely won't be playing a diamond system where the attacking fullbacks are probably the most important players. Neil has said countless times that he wants wingers. There is no such position in a 41212 system. The width is provided by the fullbacks. What is the point of buying players who don't fit the system you intend to use? You can still have attacking full backs in a back four though? Not all attacking full backs are automatically wing backs? That's true but it's incredibly difficult to do well - the teams that pull it off need the best players around to make it work. In our purple patch Hoever was playing as a very attacking fullback but Neil seemed to get cold feet and stopped playing him there. I got the impression he was happier with Sterling at fullback - a player who contributed going forward but is first and foremost a defender. Unless we unearth a Justin/Stacey I suspect our fullbacks will be more like Sterling.
|
|