I was with you, then I gave it a thought. In terms of names, maybe. In terms of success in the game, maybe. However, in terms of currently ability and effectiveness? Not so sure. Take Tom Cleverley for example, I don’t think there’s a midfielder in this division who’s won what he’s won or played where he’s played. Take that away though and he’s no better than most average midfielders. Just look at how Hogg performed today in a similar role. How many of our players are in their prime right now? Capoue, Deeney, Cathcart, Foster, Cleverly all passed their prime at a minimum. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Even so, take Naarch, Muff and Brentford out of the equation. Look at any other squad in the league. It shouldn't even be close.
Things are looking up. A parcel for which I have been waiting for 4 weeks arrived at 5:45 and Bill Bailey is looking good to win Strictly. Have forgotten those tossers already.
Don’t worry, I’ve not given too much away. He’s only done two of three dances. Second one was fab-ulous though. He’s our age @Lloyd. I must admit to being slightly embarrassed.
Haha, I'm nothing if not fickle! Still maintain the squad is the main problem, it's just not good enough. However, inexplicable decisions today, totally indefensible.
Toxic from top to bottom. I was optimistic when Vlad came in, and he made all the right noises early on. That said, he’s clearly failed to win the players over with his style of play, and there hasn’t been any sign of progression as an attacking side for weeks now. That’s on him. Despite his failings as a coach, I can’t ignore the fact he’s been working with a squad that consists of players who lack the mentality required to be winners, and have run numerous coaches out of their jobs in the last few years. As I said, toxic. We need a total reset, and to gut the club from top to bottom. @Burnsy was spot on when he said earlier that the regeneration of the playing squad should have been happening over the last couple of seasons, but the recruitment has been terrible, and our record when it comes to developing players who come here of any age is abysmal. We have a squad of misfits, signed to plug holes rather than as part of a philosophy or culture. We are an aging team, aimlessly put together, and have allowed players not fit for purpose to fester and continue picking up sizable wages without delivering. The lack of intensity during the first half was a disgrace. The lack of a coherent tactical plan was a disgrace. Allowing Deeney to continually wield undue influence over EVERYTHING in the club is a disgrace. Our only hope for this season is finding somebody to come in and do a job, get us promoted, though I have no hope it would lead to anything enjoyable because without a total change in culture and mentality, we’d only be setting ourselves us for further abject failure. Ivic needs to go. Most of the players need to go. That’s really all there is to it. Progress isn’t going to happen until we purge the toxic elements from the squad.
https://twitter.com/telefootball/status/1340380945262784512?s=21 Telegraph reporting that he’s set to be sacked.
We can still get promoted with a new manager in, sure, but Deeney will have to play. Else there will be a player strop. Oh yeah, and the other players have to be bothered which is another obstacle.
If the players don't want to play for the coach then any ideas or tactical nouse on his part won't come about. That's down to the players. I largely agree with your post but this bunch seem to want to coast to promotion this season just as they coasted to relegation last season. I personally don't think we'll ever truly know if Ivic was a good appointment or not because some players have too much influence over others.
I think that we’ve gradually seen an erosion of belief in Ivic. I seem to recall feeling optimistic early on, because though our football wasn’t as fluid as I’d have liked, the effort and intensity was correct. I remember us forcing Luton for example, into several mistakes at the back because of intelligent, well-coordinated pressing. As we failed to progress with our style of play, I can’t help but feel as though he began gradually losing a grip on the dressing room. This may have been accelerated by the return of other players who hold influence in the dressing room, but I can’t help but think the likes of Sarr, JP and others may have been more inclined to continue supporting Ivic had we been playing attacking, exciting football. I suppose I think Ivic would have done himself more favors had he been willing to build upon the excellent effort and work-rate we started with, and gradually taken the brakes off in terms of our attacking play.
It's AL trying to get as many followers or whatever it's called and string it out as long as he can. You'd have to be a member of the cabinet not to realise Ivic is in Tier 27.
He was burned at the start of the season by the sale of players he was clearly intending to incorporate in Estupinan and Suarez and then Gray got injured. He attempted to make the best of things by switching to a defensive formation which didn't go down well after time past. He then almost belligerently switched to his preferred style with players incapable of playing in it or not aware of what was required. Sarr being the most obvious failure. Then today, he switched back and the players were not happy and reacted as such. And it was clear in person last week that there was no belief in what they were doing. It's almost like we've witnessed a war between Ivic and the owners about recruitment and this is the result.
More chance of Arsenal actually being a decent team than Howe coming here. Appointing Howe would ruin his career, he'll bide his time well and eventually an established PL side will come in for him
I had hoped for better with Ivic. It was a massive step up for him. He simply seems stuck in this defensive mode and can't break free of this style of play. The players were not interested at the beginning of the season. They appear not to be playing for him now. This Championship is incredibly weak. Norwich are putting a run together and look like pulling away. Happy? No. Surprised at our form? No. We are currently a poor side riding our luck. Disenchanted like many fans at the plight of the club. Ivic could be gone by Boxing Day. Defeat against Norwich and he will not be with us for 2021.
