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Post by cousindupree on Jun 23, 2019 15:20:23 GMT
If you looked at the quality/strength of our squad and our performance last season you would be thinking 10/12th. But for me the opposition are a bit ordinary bar 2 or 3 and we have the hindsight of one season to look at the opposition.
Leeds...I can't see Bielsa not getting things right at the end of the season again and they only need to marginally improve their first xi to go up this time
Cardiff..seriously experienced manager who knows exactly how to get out of this league and it's unlikely they will be weaker than last season.
Fulham...probably have the best squad on paper but with a rookie manager. They also have potentially the highest scorer in Mitrovic.
The rest including us are underwhelming ....maybe its Bristol City's time and Sheff Weds under Bruce will be around, But Derby could look very different, so too WBA and M'boro.
So if we keep Allen and Etebo and add at least 2 quality players who knows.
The big conundrum for me is whether the manager can really get us winning 20+ games? His record so far of just 3 wins in 21 games with a squad at the moment that looks marginally better than last season doesn't inspire confidence.
Lets see where all the teams are when the window closes and loans have been done.
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 23, 2019 11:14:14 GMT
To be fair to Scholes he is only repeating what Jones has already said i.e he prefers UK /Irish players rather than overseas. Also of course he doesn't fancy the loan market.
I would be interested in understanding his stance against foreign and loans. It rather flies in the face of many of the more successful clubs recruitment strategy.
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 23, 2019 10:18:24 GMT
I am expecting one win a few draws. I think we will continue to be hard to beat without much creativity going forward. In fact very similar to last season.
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 23, 2019 9:58:38 GMT
It is a bit surprising that our obvious stand out weakness is at left back and as people have said this is a crucial position for jones. maybe he thinks he already has a solution in house...step forward James McClean  |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 23, 2019 9:48:56 GMT
Well 0-0 served me pretty well last season and we have only won 1 in the last 10 games so...
0-0
0-0
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 23, 2019 9:32:16 GMT
I’m not arguing about the rationale behind a change in direction, policy, process etc. IMHO Cartwright was not the person to manage that change. Mark Hughes was the architect of, or fully complicit in every transfer during his tenure at the club. If you want a further comment on Mark Hughes check out his previous at QPR. Was there no recruitment “red flag” on his appointment? Gary Rowett? Why not add Nathan Jones? Both of whom had/have supposedly benefited from “hindsight” and very costly “lessons learned” The mistake wasn’t appointing Hughes, who actually did very well for 2-3 seasons. It was in not getting rid sooner. I didn’t add Jones because he’s only been here five minutes and hasn’t had a full window yet. If he is set on ignoring the foreign market completely however, I think that’s very narrow and short sighted. When Jones was appointed Rob i suggested that he wouldn't go near the foreign market, you weren't convinced. That now seems to be the case. Let's face it he only knows champ div 1 and div 2 and I would expect him to have quickly sussed out that the recruitment team isn't fit for purpose. It's a bit of naivety from him because at this level and of course the Premier League overseas recruits are very much part of the make up of a good squad. In the championship a sprinkling of foreign talent, coupled with some hungry ambitious lower league players and some astute loans delivers promotion. It's more than a bit worrying that Jones has decided that 2 of the above are not for him. |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 22, 2019 12:30:10 GMT
If we have £10m to spend on a striker, there has to be better value abroad. This argument that he guarantees goals was used for Afobe...that worked well. Also as mentioned, if he did sign and we got promoted, he’s proven not to be able cut it in the PL so we’d need to buy another striker anyway. At the age of 29, there’s better value out there. I doubt we would pay big bucks. Don't believe the club are looking for a big promotion push anymore more a steady consolidation. As for overseas striker not a cat in hells chance. Our recruitment and scouting team are not fit for purpose and Jones doesn't have a recruitment vision beyond lower champ and league 1 status. In fact hes stated that he prefers uk and ireland players. |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 20, 2019 8:39:47 GMT
So another promotion party in Nottingham 41 yrs on  !! |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 18, 2019 19:33:54 GMT
69 games in 3 years 5106 minutes played in those years 1 goal 1 assist Surely those stats are incorrect. A midfield player with one assist in 69 games? If true....holy shit! |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 18, 2019 18:58:27 GMT
Anyone else completely underwhelmed by the players we’re being linked with?! There’s quite a step change in the transfer budget available to Jones compared to the previous incumbents Yep not looking promising for our big promotion push next season is it. I think any thoughts from the club about a big promotion push and a quick return to the Prem disappeared when we sacked Rowett and appointed Jones. Jones himself thinks it will take 3 years under his management. The calibre of potential signings indicate a season of midtable consolidation. |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 18, 2019 18:10:03 GMT
England v France tonight should be a good watch. I guess many on here though will be glued to Jamaica v Australia  |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 18, 2019 11:27:02 GMT
Ipshit Twatford Dull Blunderland Arseholes preferred to Arsnil Palarse I’m sure there are more cringeworthy ones out there to add. Yeah "SJOKE"....... They're all cringeworthy, but it's part and parcel of football banter!!! I think my favourite is uddersfelt chance to bring it out again next season 😀 |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 17, 2019 19:55:14 GMT
I doubt many on here will be watching as you seem engrossed in women's football . But this proper footie tournament should be interesting and decent quality. I hope we have some scouts watching the games (do we actually still have any?) as there could be some gems to be had. Would make a change from Barnsley and Charlton 'gems'. |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 12, 2019 19:51:23 GMT
It's ultimately his job to decide between the 4 or 5 options though, isn't it? But he can't drive the scouting operation. That's what the scouts are there for. I don’t buy that the process is that cut and dry at all. They’ve interfered, offered the same players up to different managers, signed two players in January who don’t really match what Jones has said he wants etc. And it’ll be amusing if the scouting comes back to another Luton player. He sounds good though and Jones knows him so I can live with that. One in the eye for the process mind: Justin - Luton Ruddock - Luton Davies - Beswicks Whelan - player we had for nearly a decade Gregory - same agent as Vokes and a few others that have allegedly been on a list Powell - from the next town The German player that it sounds like we have no chance of signing is intriguing! Its not surprising that our net is cast so narrowly. The manager clearly has few contacts beyond Luton. Carto has a few agent contacts and a list of out of contract champ and div 1 players. 10yrs in the top league earning mega bucks and our recruitment seemingly could be done actually by even me over in Atlanta with a laptop! |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 9, 2019 15:35:14 GMT
Me too about time football got up to date Those moaning about celebrating a goal. well with VAR you can celebrate twice.Important issue here is getting the right decision.....its here to stay embrace change |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 7, 2019 19:31:38 GMT
One way traffic ....have RoI been in there half yet? Wild challenge by McClean yes and he nearly got our new defensive midfielder killed  Ha ha indeed though it was a great pincer movement by the two of them...maybe a taste of things to come |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 7, 2019 17:29:53 GMT
Trust me Erik looked very stylish. Him and me chatting in Mykonos baggage claim drew quite a few admiring glances not sure though if they were for Erik or me 😀 Neither. His wife is one of the most beautiful women on this planet. You might be right but her travel look doesn't quite equate with some stunning pics taken on social events. Credit to her for her no make up, hair simply tied up on top look. Not sure she upstaged myself and Erik in the sartorial stakes though 😀 |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 7, 2019 14:33:23 GMT
Something I've wondered for a while now. Is there a maximum age limit on skinny, ripped jeans that come up 4 inches short of your ankles without being some kind of laughing stock? I think I can carry off the ripped bit still and even the skinny part provided it's not too extreme but 4 inches of bare ankle I'd just feel very exposed and more thsn a little awkward ! I think it's somewhere around 22 or 23 maximum ? Trust me Erik looked very stylish. Him and me chatting in Mykonos baggage claim drew quite a few admiring glances not sure though if they were for Erik or me 😀 |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 7, 2019 9:25:33 GMT
Dogshit way to treat a long serving player. You can’t run a football club like it’s Bet365. I agree that he was treated badly. Talking to him he seems a decent bloke and has no animosity towards the club. He said 'new manager new ideas thats football'. I hope he finds the club he wants. |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 7, 2019 8:45:40 GMT
Attachment DeletedAttachment DeletedMet this dude at Mykonos baggage claim. Had a quick chat unfortunately can't throw anymore light on why he went to Amiens. Maintains no falling out with manager just am opportunity to play regularly and took it. 'Will you be at Stoke next season?'....'who knows,I love the club but its unlikely'. The wife said her and Erik would like to stay in the UK. Both very pleasant. So remains a mystery as to why Jones allowed him to go when we had no alternative. Surely he's a better option at LB than Clucas and the woeful McClean.
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 6, 2019 10:40:06 GMT
NJ is a country mile away from what happened at Norwich - Farley is one of a growing cluster of managers without being experience of elite clubs, within a structure created by Webber based on analytics and using pan European scouting. (Similar to Wagner, Espirito Santos, Karanka, the Dof at Villa, Lampard even, Biesla). We appointed a guy with nothing of that experience. NJ was what they call a punt So what you're saying is that nobody who hasn't worked for an elite club can be a success? And that Lampard, who wasn't even a coach at an elite club but has played for a couple, is a better bet than any manager who drags himself up by the bootstraps of the lower leagues? I think you underestimate what knowledge comes from being involved in an elite club. Farke would have learnt a hell of a lot about structure and process and of course knowledge of the european market with significant contacts. I am not surprised he has succeeded just like Wagner did at Huddersfield similar backgrounds of course. I wouldn't understimate Lampards knowledge of coaching gained over many years at an elite club. Jones of course has knowledge of Luton Town and league 2 and half a season in league 1 in his locker. He is vastly inexperienced and has limited knowledge of implementing a successful new process. I genuinely hope he succeeds as he has a lot of attributes and is driven. Alas i think it may take a good few years before he gets us anywhere near promotion. Meanwhile with the rumoured signings he wants he seems to me to be trying to turn us into Luton Town. Many on here will be happy with that but for me a 10 yr legacy of premier league and the richest owners in the Championship we really should be aiming higher and bringing in people with some serious knowledge and experience gained from being in an elite club. |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 4, 2019 20:00:16 GMT
What actually is a watching brief? Is this Carto checking out the lads undies? If so this is detailed due diligence...top man Carto going the extra Y front.
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 4, 2019 13:03:51 GMT
As others have said the wedge is unlikely to tempt Arnie and his brother. But looked at purely on footballing terms...Conte's Inter in the Champs League v A West Ham team going nowhere in the prem and Milan v the cesspit that is East London would be a no brainer for me. I'm sure he doesn't live in East London Sure I have seen him in Aldi in Ilford. Could have been mistaken though. He still has to drive through the cesspit and that's bad enough just ask team mate Andy. Anyhow more importantly are Barnton going up next year. |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 4, 2019 10:56:27 GMT
As others have said the wedge is unlikely to tempt Arnie and his brother. But looked at purely on footballing terms...Conte's Inter in the Champs League v A West Ham team going nowhere in the prem and Milan v the cesspit that is East London would be a no brainer for me.
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 4, 2019 10:48:33 GMT
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 3, 2019 20:06:06 GMT
28k (if its true) seems a high wage even without any transfer fee foe a lower championship level player. Any reports of anyone else interested in him to force this sort of wage? Or is Scholes just feeling generous with the contract...as usual?
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 3, 2019 8:13:39 GMT
I really liked Whelan, an unsung hero, bizarrely derided by many who couldn't see his value. But Christ this would be a lazy signing, even as back up, from a recruitment team who can't be arsed to cast their net further. Surely even as bit part player there is better and younger out there.
As a potential coach? Why? Why not look for the best we can find to enhance the coaching team? This if it happens is systematic of the clubs 'make do lazy attitude' that seems to have infested the club over the last few years.
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 2, 2019 9:58:42 GMT
It's a school boy footballer mentality - name your best player as captain regardless as to whether they actually have the skills and leadership qualities to make a good captain. When someone donates a percentage of his wages to charitable causes among the poor in Burundi he is deemed worthy of captaining his country. I am genuinely intrigued to understand where the facts are that he donates a percentage of his wage to charity. Can you enlighten me? Ta Certainly not Wateraid..... www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39510588 |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 1, 2019 16:47:31 GMT
Tomas Kalas would be my guess, seems to be available for a permanent transfer. You would think so, lots of championship experience seems to have been a regular while on loan at Brizzle and Fulham. Such serious interest must mean a CB going surely. |
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 1, 2019 11:49:48 GMT
We need to pull out all the stops to get Glen Whelan back. He would make a great player coach and long term would be a great manager I’m sure Good tune its Jethro Tull/ Ian Anderson 50th anniversary tour this year have booked tickets for one of my fav venues, The Mountain Winery in July |
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