lcfc_forever

Fully agree, it's the big issue at the club that it's so reliant on the manager rather than a strategy from the DoF who then picks the head coach based on this to avoid constant turnover of players and style. Also, agree on giving the academy talent time - we need a coach that can develop them as well. Seems to suggest an experienced, top-level assistant coach hungry to be a manager might be the best of both worlds, like Enzo.

The big difference I've noticed this season is the quality of coaching and tactics in the PL. It's gone up a level, especially when you think a club like Palace has Glasner as their manager. That's why RVN has struggled, he doesn't have the nous and experience at this level (yet). I don't think it's a coincidence that Enzo and Hurzeler have arguably been the poorest performing managers outside of the bottom 3 based on the investments their clubs made as it's their first seasons as this level as well (Slot is the exception I know). McKenna has been found wanting tactically as well, his set up for the Championship just hasn't worked for the PL. It seems either extensive European experience, if not PL experience, is key now to thrive in this league. That makes me a bit concerned about going for someone less proven (it's why I'm open to Dyche although his lack of progressing young players is worrying but there are some positives like Branthwaite, McNeil and Tarkowski) but guess that's an issue for if we get promoted. Chat GPT suggested Carsley initially but he seems to have ruled himself out. I asked for some other options based on our current season, and it automatically focused on managers to develop young players - Will Still, Carlos Cuesta, Davide Ancelotti, Rene Maric and Eric Ramsay were some of the names. Don't know much about Maric or Ramsay, except know the latter has been linked with other roles.

Fichajes is such a bad source, but very likely he's going and seems like it's Man City.

Loved Northcroft's book about us so looking forward to this podcast! Well done to the BSLB team for getting him on.

Romano posted that Fabregas is set to stay at Como so can rule him out. Seemed like a non-starter anyway given their position vs. ours. ChatGPT said Carsley should be the manager, probably a better judge than Rudkin!

What was he thinking playing Faes and Reid? The former wants out, and the latter doesn’t have enough pace for this system, and looks like they were two of the poorest performers today. How does Okoli feel after getting his chance and scoring but not playing the next game? Yet another contradictory decision when he talked about playing players who want to play and have a future at the club. So disappointed, his decision-making has been so bad.

I think the thing that Guy hinted at but couldn't quite say as it would undermine his defence of Rudkin was his inference that we simply haven't kept up with the progress of the PL, it's evolving so quickly and the standards are so high.

Here is the link, worth a listen as a very good summary of the issues:

Try to be objective, especially when something has such a negative reaction so my take is: 1. Fully agree with what people are saying about his defence of Rudkin. Vichai's ambition was Europe for the club, that should be our aim. We're one of the few sides to have completed the domestic treble - history is not destiny, and we had been a yo-yo club before the 90s but now, we have the platform to be far bigger. For example, in social following, we’re in the top 10 in the league so gives a flavour of our reach. Really disliked what he said about that, although I think it's fair enough that Rudkin should get some credit for our most successful years as much as being criticised for the previous few years. The buck stops with Rudkin - you can't simply keep blaming the managers as he chooses them - and losing £150m worth of talent for free is horrible mismanagement. 2. I think the references to what level the likes of Alves and Braybrooke are currently does not reflect their ceiling - no one can argue Alves is a PL-ready player yet so think that's been misconstrued. 3. He's right, we can't simply assume these young players can step in and we need to have that experience as well. But we do need a manager that will embrace the talent coming through Seagrave. 4. I don't mind his language - he's been a player and reflects how and what they think. A bit of directness was refreshing, and sadly it makes clear that the football system is full of sharks as we expected. 5. It's a shame he wasn't challenged more during the interview. Overall thoughts are I think BSLB did good to have him - it's created controversy and insightful to hear from someone directly who’s worked at the club. It’s created healthy debate here, but wish there had been more of the same during the discussion itself.

Alex Crook just said they're impressed with Lampard as well so let's hope!

Would have been a far better signing than Skipp

Makes sense from a PSR view as well.

Agree,there needs to be accountability throughout the club - only person who seems to have been punished for underperformance are the managers. How can you keep you job when you allow around £150m of talent to go for no money?

The dog story is not the main thing here - the more concerning issues are Jannik’s lack of respect for RVN by not shaking his hand, the players having issues with training and tactical changes too late in the week confusing players. All of them are serious problems.

Also means it’s unlikely BBM takes over if Ruud leaves given the issues outlined. What a shambles. We need to change it now, can’t imagine the difference between letting Ruud go now instead of the summer is significant, unless they’re waiting for the next PSR reporting year.

And yet RVN still picked Vestergaard vs West Ham, what signal does that send the players? The whole thing is a joke.

Fair point, but that was one defeat with caretakers and limited time to train a new formation. RVN has tried 4-2-3-1 and lost 11 out of 12.

Agree on 3 atb but would go slightly different in the attacking positions. Also, I don't want Faes anywhere near this team GK Mads RWB Coulibaly CB Okoli CB Coady CB Justin LWB Kristiansen CM Ndidi CM Ricardo AMC Bilal AMC Facu ST Daka (with Vardy as the impact sub) Alternatively, swap Bilal with Ricardo, and play Mavididi and Facu behind the striker - Mavidid looked good in the friendlies as a no.10.

I wouldn't mind seeing Coady is a back 3 - he was decent there for Wolves and Everton. But yeah, it's the same issue if you play with a back four and don't surround Coady or Vestergaard with pace.

Pace and physicality are now crucial assets to being successful in the modern PL. He has neither, should never start for the club at this level. The 3-year extension was something Enzo wanted, shows why we're in this mess as we give managers too much power.

I think Benitez would be more open to just taking the role to the end of the season this time compared to when we previously approached him as his stock is lower. If he keeps us up, amazing and he gets a new contract. This is horrible at the moment, and our choices are limited.

Agree. Separately, don't get why so many fans were unhappy with the thought of Moyes in the first place, even though he wouldn't come. We needed to stabilise, and if that meant pragmatism in the short-term, then we had to do it. If that pisses off the likes of Winks, then get them out.

Someone needs to pin this - Moyes was holding out for Everton and didn't want to join, Collomosse from the Daily Mail suggsted we approached him.

He just won't change it, he's far too stubborn. The team is better suited to a 3-5-2 given our defensive issues, it's clear to see. Get rid of Faes and Vestergaard (Justin, Coady and Okoli instead as the 3 CBs), and play individuals who care for the club.