How Long Will BM Last at this rate?????

[bracksroyal10]

Yeah but do you think we really could have started the season with Defoe, Sigurdsson, and/or Shane Long in our team? I don't. They've all got better job offers.

On the face of it I reckon most people though Pogrebnyak was a decent signing. I know I did. In fact even having seen him play I think he's got ability, but he barely got near the goal when he was in the team.

I (think) I agree with whoever it was who said they're not poor players, we just haven't got the best out of them. Which is the manager's job of course, no argument there, but i'd be inclined to give him more than a dozen games to work it out.

I think the criticism of Pog is harsh from a lot of fans. He took a chance on us and I think its fair to say he puts away chances when he is given them. We simply don't have enough midfield quality to get the best out of him in my eyes. Give him the service I think we will/would see a much better Pog. Ideally Arshavin behind him would provide the sort of link up play he needs.

[BR2]

I think some of our posters are deluded when they keep on about us having players who are good enough to (as some put it) easily survive.
I hear the same nonsense being spouted about QPR when probably only Taraabt,Hoillet and Granero might just get into one of the other teams towards the bottom of the Premier League-we have Shorey and a good keeper or two otherwise just who are these players that are good enough?

None of us really know what money Brian had to spend so whether he bought badly or did as well as he could with what money he had is difficult to debate as the facts are unknown.
What we do know for sure is that so few of the signings have made an impact.
I do find it worrying that (a) He started the season with Harte at left-back
(b)He still thinks Robson-Kanu has enough ability to be a Premier League player
(c)Pearce and Guthrie are not considered
(d)Bryn was given another year
(e)Church was part of the first team squad
But for me the biggest worry is that he came out recently and said that the players "are giving everything".

Big mistake-the players now have a readymade excuse that they are already giving everything so how can they be criticised when they lose again (because they are giving everything)?
Jobi also thinks that new signings will affect team spirit.
Hello,what team spirit?
That same team spirit which contributes zilch when we need to hang on to a lead or a draw?

Some of us were saying back in September that the signings weren't enough,others felt that we would comfortably make mid-table however mid-table today looks a long way off.
Like everybody else on here I really don't know whether getting rid of Brian now would make any difference and January is what so many seem to be pinning their hopes on.
I do question this "team spirit" which was a great help last season but winning matches contributes to that and it looks as though we need more than team spirit and everybody giving everything for us to survive.
Maybe we do need a less cosy atmosphere at the club and a new manager who thinks more than just playing long-ball,playing for set-pieces and moving Jobi inside somewhere around the 70th minute each week.
I reckon that if we lose to Villa and Southampton that could be the end for Brian but ,like most others,I feel that he has earned quite a bit of cred previously (same as Adkins at Saints) so the owners will not take action lightly especially if (something we don't know) his hands were tied in relation to spending last summer-if that is the case then Anton and Mr Mad ought to be men enough to take some of the rap.

[Hoop Blah]

On the Gunarsson point, I don't really have an issue with him staying on as he has, I'm sure, only be kept on and registered as a player to help the development squad. He is effectively a coach who can still use his experience with the reserves/kids to help bring them through.

I'm sure his wage reflects that too.

Does having him in the 25 stop us getting someone else in? No. I'm sure that if we had another centre midfielder lined up or signed then he wouldn't have been in the 25 but would still have been signed on the same terms as he currenlty is.

[RoyalBlue]

On the Gunarsson point, I don't really have an issue with him staying on as he has, I'm sure, only be kept on and registered as a player to help the development squad. He is effectively a coach who can still use his experience with the reserves/kids to help bring them through.

I'm sure his wage reflects that too.

Does having him in the 25 stop us getting someone else in? No. I'm sure that if we had another centre midfielder lined up or signed then he wouldn't have been in the 25 but would still have been signed on the same terms as he currenlty is.

A really bad mistake whichever way you look at it. If he is only there because we had no-one else lined up for the centre of midfield then McDermott is even more culpable. He said he had everyone he wanted when in reality he was leaving us without sufficient quality cover in the centre of midfield.

[RoyalBlue]

I think some of our posters are deluded when they keep on about us having players who are good enough to (as some put it) easily survive.
I hear the same nonsense being spouted about QPR when probably only Taraabt,Hoillet and Granero might just get into one of the other teams towards the bottom of the Premier League-we have Shorey and a good keeper or two otherwise just who are these players that are good enough?

None of us really know what money Brian had to spend so whether he bought badly or did as well as he could with what money he had is difficult to debate as the facts are unknown.
What we do know for sure is that so few of the signings have made an impact.
I do find it worrying that (a) He started the season with Harte at left-back
(b)He still thinks Robson-Kanu has enough ability to be a Premier League player
(c)Pearce and Guthrie are not considered
(d)Bryn was given another year
(e)Church was part of the first team squad
But for me the biggest worry is that he came out recently and said that the players "are giving everything".

Big mistake-the players now have a readymade excuse that they are already giving everything so how can they be criticised when they lose again (because they are giving everything)?
Jobi also thinks that new signings will affect team spirit.
Hello,what team spirit?
That same team spirit which contributes zilch when we need to hang on to a lead or a draw?

Some of us were saying back in September that the signings weren't enough,others felt that we would comfortably make mid-table however mid-table today looks a long way off.
Like everybody else on here I really don't know whether getting rid of Brian now would make any difference and January is what so many seem to be pinning their hopes on.
I do question this "team spirit" which was a great help last season but winning matches contributes to that and it looks as though we need more than team spirit and everybody giving everything for us to survive.
Maybe we do need a less cosy atmosphere at the club and a new manager who thinks more than just playing long-ball,playing for set-pieces and moving Jobi inside somewhere around the 70th minute each week.
I reckon that if we lose to Villa and Southampton that could be the end for Brian but ,like most others,I feel that he has earned quite a bit of cred previously (same as Adkins at Saints) so the owners will not take action lightly especially if (something we don't know) his hands were tied in relation to spending last summer-if that is the case then Anton and Mr Mad ought to be men enough to take some of the rap.

Agree with virtually all of this, particularly the last part.

[Hoop Blah]

On the Gunarsson point, I don't really have an issue with him staying on as he has, I'm sure, only be kept on and registered as a player to help the development squad. He is effectively a coach who can still use his experience with the reserves/kids to help bring them through.

I'm sure his wage reflects that too.

Does having him in the 25 stop us getting someone else in? No. I'm sure that if we had another centre midfielder lined up or signed then he wouldn't have been in the 25 but would still have been signed on the same terms as he currenlty is.

A really bad mistake whichever way you look at it. If he is only there because we had no-one else lined up for the centre of midfield then McDermott is even more culpable. He said he had everyone he wanted when in reality he was leaving us without sufficient quality cover in the centre of midfield.

Why is it a mistake?

It doesn't look like he's really considered part of the first team squad as he's not even been involved in the League Cup games.

His place in the 25 is because we didn't have anyone else and our younger players don't count as one of the 25. As I said, I'm sure his contract reflects the fact he's here as a coach and experienced player to train and play with the youngsters to set an example and pass on his experience.

I don't think him signing has any bearing on us not getting in another midfielder. If it did then he'd at least have been on the bench as cover for midfielder whilst Guthrie and Karacan have been unavailable.

[windermere_royal]

I think some of our posters are deluded when they keep on about us having players who are good enough to (as some put it) easily survive.
I hear the same nonsense being spouted about QPR when probably only Taraabt,Hoillet and Granero might just get into one of the other teams towards the bottom of the Premier League-we have Shorey and a good keeper or two otherwise just who are these players that are good enough?

None of us really know what money Brian had to spend so whether he bought badly or did as well as he could with what money he had is difficult to debate as the facts are unknown.
What we do know for sure is that so few of the signings have made an impact.
I do find it worrying that (a) He started the season with Harte at left-back
(b)He still thinks Robson-Kanu has enough ability to be a Premier League player
(c)Pearce and Guthrie are not considered
(d)Bryn was given another year
(e)Church was part of the first team squad
But for me the biggest worry is that he came out recently and said that the players "are giving everything".

Big mistake-the players now have a readymade excuse that they are already giving everything so how can they be criticised when they lose again (because they are giving everything)?
Jobi also thinks that new signings will affect team spirit.
Hello,what team spirit?
That same team spirit which contributes zilch when we need to hang on to a lead or a draw?

Some of us were saying back in September that the signings weren't enough,others felt that we would comfortably make mid-table however mid-table today looks a long way off.
Like everybody else on here I really don't know whether getting rid of Brian now would make any difference and January is what so many seem to be pinning their hopes on.
I do question this "team spirit" which was a great help last season but winning matches contributes to that and it looks as though we need more than team spirit and everybody giving everything for us to survive.
Maybe we do need a less cosy atmosphere at the club and a new manager who thinks more than just playing long-ball,playing for set-pieces and moving Jobi inside somewhere around the 70th minute each week.
I reckon that if we lose to Villa and Southampton that could be the end for Brian but ,like most others,I feel that he has earned quite a bit of cred previously (same as Adkins at Saints) so the owners will not take action lightly especially if (something we don't know) his hands were tied in relation to spending last summer-if that is the case then Anton and Mr Mad ought to be men enough to take some of the rap.

Agree with virtually all of this, particularly the last part.

The bottom line is Madejski is still the chairman and he has a say on transfer budgets, remember the last time?..well its happening again, only this time with a weaker team.

[RoyalBlue]

On the Gunarsson point, I don't really have an issue with him staying on as he has, I'm sure, only be kept on and registered as a player to help the development squad. He is effectively a coach who can still use his experience with the reserves/kids to help bring them through.

I'm sure his wage reflects that too.

Does having him in the 25 stop us getting someone else in? No. I'm sure that if we had another centre midfielder lined up or signed then he wouldn't have been in the 25 but would still have been signed on the same terms as he currenlty is.

A really bad mistake whichever way you look at it. If he is only there because we had no-one else lined up for the centre of midfield then McDermott is even more culpable. He said he had everyone he wanted when in reality he was leaving us without sufficient quality cover in the centre of midfield.

Why is it a mistake?

It doesn't look like he's really considered part of the first team squad as he's not even been involved in the League Cup games.

His place in the 25 is because we didn't have anyone else and our younger players don't count as one of the 25. As I said, I'm sure his contract reflects the fact he's here as a coach and experienced player to train and play with the youngsters to set an example and pass on his experience.

I don't think him signing has any bearing on us not getting in another midfielder. If it did then he'd at least have been on the bench as cover for midfielder whilst Guthrie and Karacan have been unavailable.

I'm saying the mistake was McDermott announcing that he had everyone he needed and not going out to sign another proven quality centre midfielder. I'm sure I wasn't alone in being worried about a lack of quality strength in depth in that area and that was despite the fact that I thought Bryn was there to be used as cover when needed.

[Royal Monk]

The bottom line is Madejski is still the chairman and he has a say on transfer budgets

Wrong !!!! I had an interesting discussion this morning with someone within the club and the cheque book is on the table ready for the cheques to be written.

Yeah i know what your all going to say .... blah blah friend of a friends auntie knows the cleaner etc but i know who i spoke to and i know what they said , so slag me off all you like

[Lacoste]

The bottom line is Madejski is still the chairman and he has a say on transfer budgets

Wrong !!!! I had an interesting discussion this morning with someone within the club and the cheque book is on the table ready for the cheques to be written.

Yeah i know what your all going to say .... blah blah friend of a friends auntie knows the cleaner etc but i know who i spoke to and i know what they said , so slag me off all you like

Thats what I've been told. It was very open in the summer too.

[Hoop Blah]

I'm saying the mistake was McDermott announcing that he had everyone he needed and not going out to sign another proven quality centre midfielder. I'm sure I wasn't alone in being worried about a lack of quality strength in depth in that area and that was despite the fact that I thought Bryn was there to be used as cover when needed.

Well I agree that there was a mistake in not adding another proven midfielder (may have been hard to attract the right player with Guthrie/Karaca.Leigertwood already in place), but that wasn't the point really. The point that keeps being put forward was that keeping Gunnarsson was a mistake.

I can't see where that mistake exists really.

[Royal Monk]

Thats what I've been told. It was very open in the summer too.

Yes but this time theres money for a manager and for players .... getting relegated is NOT an option for our new owner

[akranes]

Thats what I've been told. It was very open in the summer too.

Yes but this time theres money for a manager and for players .... getting relegated is NOT an option for our new owner

Nor is it for many here. Me included.

[melonhead]

We cut corners and brought in cheap players we thought could be good. That approach has failed. Again.

Swap the shite we brought in for the players we were looking at but stopped short of meeting their valuation – things would certainly be different. I doubt any of Sig, Rhodes, JCole, Defoe, Long, Bertrand, Zaha etc would be begging to make the f/cking bench.

Three players at a few million each seems like common sense after seeing our free players do little more than occupy a seat on the bus. If they are lucky.

lol - aint got the sort of money required for that sort of spending

[akranes]

We cut corners and brought in cheap players we thought could be good. That approach has failed. Again.

Swap the shite we brought in for the players we were looking at but stopped short of meeting their valuation – things would certainly be different. I doubt any of Sig, Rhodes, JCole, Defoe, Long, Bertrand, Zaha etc would be begging to make the f/cking bench.

Three players at a few million each seems like common sense after seeing our free players do little more than occupy a seat on the bus. If they are lucky.

lol - aint got the sort of money required for that sort of spending

We wouldn't even get one of those players. hah.

[melonhead]

We have players good enough but ........

1. We do not know how to use them (or BMD doesn't)

2. We didn't offload enough tack in summer (e.g Harte, Bryn, Church etc) and we couldn't face the reality that is these players are not good enough for the Prem or are not good enough to consistently perform in the PL.

3. We should have dipped into some loans (Joe Cole and Nick Powell are players that come to mind and I think realistically had we pursued it Lukaku might of happened given the location of our club in comparison to Chelsea).

4. We should have players who are just as capable as the player they are replacing in the squad if there are injuries and suspensions. Centre midfield instantly comes to mind as we just do not have any quality at all when we lose Karacan and decide not to play Guthrie.

There is an opportunity to sort this out in January so I hope unlike SSC we don't gamble on players like Marek and get known proven quality in. .

I would have thought that, as a regular Czech international, Marek was of proven quality. I think it was more of a Guthrie situation in that Coppell signed a player who didn't fit in with our style of play and couldn't/wouldn't adapt.

IMO Howard was another player falling into that category.

I see where you are coming from regarding Marek but what I mean was that he was never proven in the PL. Unless you are a top top european player, I am not really a big fan of us bringing in foreign quality unproven in the PL.

What we need is players who are proven in the PL maybe not the best technically but they get things ticking in the team. Players like Craig Gardner, Kevin Nolan, Steve Sidwell, Osman. Not outstandingly brilliant players but they quietly go about their business very well and get things flowing for the team. We don't even seem to have players who can distribute a simple 5 yard pass right now.

thats more like it, but i still doubt our ability to attract these kinds of players in terms of size of club/potential for relegation

[RobRoyal]

so slag me off all you like

Ok, you're always late and you eat all of the biscuits. And you never offer to make tea.

[melonhead]

On the Gunarsson point, I don't really have an issue with him staying on as he has, I'm sure, only be kept on and registered as a player to help the development squad. He is effectively a coach who can still use his experience with the reserves/kids to help bring them through.

I'm sure his wage reflects that too.

Does having him in the 25 stop us getting someone else in? No. I'm sure that if we had another centre midfielder lined up or signed then he wouldn't have been in the 25 but would still have been signed on the same terms as he currenlty is.

A really bad mistake whichever way you look at it. If he is only there because we had no-one else lined up for the centre of midfield then McDermott is even more culpable. He said he had everyone he wanted when in reality he was leaving us without sufficient quality cover in the centre of midfield.

how many do you want?


we got 4

2 are injured.

[melonhead]

his hands were tied in relation to spending last summer-if that is the case then Anton and Mr Mad ought to be men enough to take some of the rap.

rap for what?

AZ has put some money in, what he can afford. it was spent spread around the squad on areas that needed it as best as could be expected.
what you want to blame them for is not having enough moneyto spunk 40 million up the wall in one year.
the bastards!


he'll send a bit more in january too, trying to keep the club in the prem if he can.
but if he cant then its not really his fault, just as it isnt really brians. its just the way it is.

[Lacoste]

On the Gunarsson point, I don't really have an issue with him staying on as he has, I'm sure, only be kept on and registered as a player to help the development squad. He is effectively a coach who can still use his experience with the reserves/kids to help bring them through.

I'm sure his wage reflects that too.

Does having him in the 25 stop us getting someone else in? No. I'm sure that if we had another centre midfielder lined up or signed then he wouldn't have been in the 25 but would still have been signed on the same terms as he currenlty is.

A really bad mistake whichever way you look at it. If he is only there because we had no-one else lined up for the centre of midfield then McDermott is even more culpable. He said he had everyone he wanted when in reality he was leaving us without sufficient quality cover in the centre of midfield.

how many do you want?


we got 4

2 are injured.

It's not about quantity it's about quality Maidenhead Utd have 4 midfielders too. Would they need better ones in the prem? Of course they would.