melonhead Schards#2 Had a long drive this morning and a chance to collect my thoughts after last nights atrocity. IMHO, the situation is..
- Currently Brian isn't good enough/experienced enough to be a Premier League manager
- The squad isn't good enough to stay up
- Among the reasons the squad isn't good enough are Brian's dealings in the summer and his decisions to weaken the squad further by excluding members from it
Having said that...
- There have been times when Brian has looked cluless at Championship level, but found a solution and prevailed
- Had we lost in the play-offs last year and were currently 4th or 5th in the Championship, no one would be calling for Brian's head so it seems harsh to penalise his over achievement
- Could another manager succeed with this squad? I would say no.
The club owes a huge debt of gratitude to Brian, he took over when we were in a world of shit and has performed miracles on a shoestring. I really like the guy and it pains me to see him looking and sounding as shattered as he did last night. I really would love him to turn it around starting Sunday but think it's highly unlikely.
It comes down to this, if TSI is intent on staying in the prem are are going to throw money at it in January, then, with a heavy heart,I think Brian will have to go as since the summer has transfer moves and the handling of big transfer egos suggest he isn't the man for that job. If they aren't going to throw money at it, then he should stay unless it becomes apparent he has totally lost the dressing room. I think we would go down but I think we would under any manager and Brian deserves the support of the fans and the board in making the best of this season, seeing it as a learning curve and preparing for the longer term of trying to get back up better equipped.
I would love it, love it he could get that squad mentality back, and get the fans behind him and the boys with a heroic result on Sunday.
agree with much of your post
but i disagree about the transfer dealings.
TSI always said they difference would be that where JM had no money, and had to sell, they would have "some" money, and wouldnt need to sell, plus be able to supplement the squad when needed.
we saw that with 10 million outlay this summer- more than ive ever seen before at this club-but still probably not enough at this level
looking at what we did do-
shorey- all round big improvement on harte, and looks very solid/good on the ball/good set pieces
pog- scores goals, works hard, good with ball to feet, supplements nhunt and roberts and alf to make a half decent pool of four strikers-gives us options
Mcleary- everyone raved about him for the first few matches, dipped a little, but is looking good again now-looks as good as/different to kebe
guthrie- everyone raved about him after first few games,definitely the passing influence we need in the middle, and if we are to play 4-5-1 away from home, but has had a tiff with brian after some below par performances, where perhaps we didnt play to his strengths(not sure hes good enough to rebuild a side around as he seems to want)
gunter- good experienced full back- good for cummings to learn from and as back up/competiton
mariappa- good CB- strong, quick and experienced
he strengthened all the areas that needed strengthening,
with good, young championship players, and added a little prem experience.
given that it was the percieved wisom after norwich and swansea lst year that the way to stay up and propser is to keep doing what you were doing, but add a little here and there with hungry/championship palyers, it seems a little odd to criticise him for going along that route- especuially given that AZ wasnt likely to invest 60 million in building a whole new team in one summer.
sorry mate
