Xen

working stream, anyone?

Start my new job on the 30th. Can't wait, the fresh start is much needed. However. Wanting to end on a good note at the current place. Had a project (mostly solo work) which has been rumbling on for quite a while with very little progress, partly due to the issues that bring me to this thread (and partly the cause of such issues...). Got a handover meeting for it tomorrow to present its current stage, so I've had all week to work on it to get it to a relatively presentable state (not working miracles or anything). But even when I'm feeling motivated, I just can't seem to bring myself to do anything about it. I'll stare at it for 5 minutes and it all feels utterly hopeless (the project/work, not things in general). Dreading this meeting tomorrow. But just gotta get through to next Friday and then I can completely forget about this place

Hermansen Ricardo - Faes - Vestergaard - Justin Winks Choudhury KDH Mcateer Vardy Mavididi Gk: stolarczyk Def: coady, Doyle, nelson Mid: Casadei, Praet, braybrooke Fwd: yunus, Marcal, cannon, Alves Pretty strong match day squad there, and hopefully if we're still in a similar position come January then we might be able to pre-strengthen for the prem with a couple of quality additions. We'll be just fine

If its the same as this, google suggests its some sort of infrared receiver cable.

People were singing his praises after the game against Norwich, and he has the joint-highest average match rating this season (admittedly after just 2 games) on Foxestalk. He's a local lad, wants to play for the club (more than can be said for others recently), clearly has enough talent to at least do an adequate job as a squad player in the prem, and has leadership qualities that Enzo clearly respects enough to give him the armband. He was on a high salary before so this'll be on reduced terms (with clauses for promotion, presumably) and it means he's now a sellable asset rather than another player who'll end up out of contract (as so many on here keep complaining about). Honestly don't understand why people are criticising this so much? We've seen first-hand how Enzo's coaching and system has transformed players like Ndidi and Vestergaard, and there's no reason to think Hamza isnt capable of similar improvement. Rather this than spending a transfer fee + wages on someone new who won't have as much commitment and might not be a success either.

Yeah. That's awful. Giving me migraines. I think I need to go lie down in a darkened room for a bit. Edit: Apparently its sold out already

LCFC themselves posted several times on social media that it was an issue their end that they were looking to resolve with the provider.

What's most exciting for me is that, after so few games, we seem to have fully embraced Enzo's system and are executing it more and more consistently, with noticeably fewer errors with each passing game. For such a drastic change to be bearing fruit so quickly - and bringing along previously written off players like Vestergaard and Ndidi - is a seriously impressive effort. The only real issue at the minute is the final third decision making and what to do in front of goal. But that's more about individual performances rather than tactics, so I'm confident that'll start to click more and more often as the players continue to adapt. Just look at Mcateer for instance who - out of nowhere - seems to be the most adept at getting in the right positions, making those incisive runs and causing problems for the defense. And Fatawu looks like he's going to be a real handful. Exciting times ahead...

Reckon he'll have an enforced one against Blackburn as well...

Isn't that the opposite of being on the ball?

Sounds like it was filmed last month as well - mentions Alves being ~8 months along (injury in December) and Luke Thomas at the club, so they're probably even further on now than what it seems in the video. Both seem to have their heads screwed on and not trying to rush things too much, which bodes well. 6+ months in the gym has probably done them both the world of good, anyway! Both had the technique already, and needed a bit more about them to be able to compete against senior pros. Very exciting to see how they both develop under Maresca - it seems like a formation that could suit both of them perfectly once they're both fully fit.

Congrats!

My insomnia seems to have really eased off since getting on Sertraline in July, although whilst I'm falling asleep a lot easier, I'm now waking up earlier instead. Another follow up next week with my GP so we'll see how that goes. Started applying for jobs around a similar time when I was at my lowest point, had my first interview from that last week, and found out this morning I've got the offer My boss has been really supportive since I (partially) opened up to him about the difficulties I was having so it feels a bit of a risk now that I'm starting to make progress again where I am, but I think the fresh start is what I need to really reset and go again. Gym has been a no-go the last couple weeks with things all over the place, so hopefully with one of the big things out the way I can start to get back in that routine as well.

It's a work in progress with half a new squad and a brand new system. Let us get plan A in order first before stressing too much about plan B, seeing as - Hull aside - we're still getting results. We've seen quite a bit of upheaval in our attacking midfield and several late arrivals in our wide positions, and generally a lack of experience. Maybe Iheanacho could have been better, but its a bit harsh to single him out. Harsh. He's not the level we used to expect but he's still capable, and our options during the transfer window have been limited. Managed return after consistent injury problems, and if he's being moulded into the FB-cross-CDM role then he's behind Ricardo in the pecking order. Our strikers have been less than clinical, however we've just signed another striker (Cannon) as well as two wingers who both had very lively starts in their debuts, despite having very limited time learning how the system works. It'll come in time. Not to mention the likes of Casadei who are still being integrated. We could've performed a lot better so far, yes, but after a summer with a huge amount of upheaval, contesting with a number of injuries and having to rely on inexperienced players in certain positions, I think we've done alright. Averaging 17.6 shots per game (11.6 against) is encouraging, especially as we know we can tighten things up at both ends with what we have available.

DM please?

That bench plus Cannon/Coady would more than hold its own in this division, perhaps even comfortably top 6. Perhaps a bit light in defence/heavy in attack (especially when you include Daka, Praet etc), but that's some seriously strong depth for this level. Plus youth options like Braybrooke, Alves, Maswanhise etc who could all potentially step up into the main squad. We all knew we needed a reset, and perhaps some more outgoings than we managed, but that's a huge transformation we've gone through this summer and still kept a really strong side despite losing 'key' players. It's been an impressive window. Now just back that up with 3pts today otherwise this'll look a bit silly

We'll (hopefully) be in Sheffield's position in 12 months time, so by that logic he wouldn't want to stay with us anyway. May as well get PL experience whilst he can.

He's only 19, so plenty of scope for him to develop. If he's got the drive and capacity to pick up Enzo's tactics and system, then we could have a really promising talent on our books. If not, then we have another Demarai Gray (who was pretty decent at this level, at a similar age). Not entirely a bad thing. With him, Akgun and Wanya we've got some decent options. Hopefully (at least) one of them can push on and make the step up with us.

So long as its a flexible target and if its clear its not going to happen swiftly (and thereby hamper incoming deals) then we need to drop expectations and get them moved on quickly, even if its for a sub-optimal fee. Getting promoted or not could be a 9-figure difference next season (and compounding for future seasons) - I'm not saying we should just roll over but if we're stubborn over £2-5m here and there then we could really stitch ourselves up. Unfortunately that doesn't appear to be how the club operates lately...

Imagine if it was someone completely different after all this buildup

Given that we've already played them, it would actually be to their benefit to strengthen us. Improve our squad and we're more likely to take points off the rest of the Championship, after all, but the result against them is already determined so it makes no difference there. Of course, that's incredibly marginal and assumes that Coventry are 100% going to sell to someone this window...

Well said. This style of play is going to see us concede some shockers this season, I'm sure of it. On the whole it's going to be a massive positive and we'll definitely be controlling games more, but we're not man city where every player is top of their game and 100% on it, 100% of the time. There's going to be mistakes whilst we get used to it, or concentration slips, and it's going to paint a bad light on our defenders sometimes even when not directly their fault. Thought Vestergaard did alright yesterday. Don't want him as first choice and his wages are too high for a bench option, realistically, but he's a decent passer and can hold his own in this division enough for what we need. He's definitely behind Coady when he's fit, so hopefully we can ship him (and souttar) out and bring in someone else more suitable as cover before the end of the window.

Winks probably motm, really classy on the ball and moved it around nicely. We looked a lot more dynamic with him in the side. Doyle a pretty solid debut. Mavididi was way off the pace first half but grew into it and looked a different player those last 20 mins. Will be interesting to see how he develops when he's had more time training with the squad. Ricardo had a couple iffy moments, but seems to have taken to his new role well. Links up well with Winks. Hermansen was a nice change from Ward/Iversen, it's a weird concept but he feels like a really attacking goalkeeper. Could've been quicker releasing it during our rubbish spell, but generally positive. We're gonna concede some absolute stinkers this season though, but the benefits should outweigh those. Even thought vestergaard and Ndidi did well. Mcateer will be a decent option but not a starter for me, and Vardy is finished even at this level. Room for both on the bench, but need to replace them in the XI.

Vestergaard can jump?

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