sbfox

Tbf, newly promoted clubs are better off with massive (wise) investment in players, rather than anything particularly tactical. Maresca would have kept us up with 'his' style had the Board authorised a number of high quality signings (rather that Oliver Skipp...).

Thought Kasper was back for a minute...

Why does everyone think Alves is that good? I mean, if he was that good, he surely would have broken through by now?

No apology needed! Obviously I didn't/don't mean to scaremongering, but given that it's in the national press and other forum (fora?) are concerned, it might just be making sure we're all set come March.

Shrug It was a question. Great if we (FT) are on top of it. I'd say that clearly there's no one settled view on it - given the press coverage on the legislation - but all good.

I didn't say it definitely impacted FT, it was more whether it had been considered. And it's interesting as a 'thing' too, for the general public. Looks like this (https://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/the-end-of-the-forum-is-nigh.1646227/) Sunderland board has already taken the decision to close (for example) and suspect lots of indy or smaller forums are going to do the same. I imagine its the personal responsibility being imposed on those running the site as being the scary part?

I can't find anything, but didn't look too hard, but has the Online Safety Bill been discussed on FT? A couple of other forums I use are likely to shut down completely as they can't/won't be able to cope with the compliance burden introduced by this new legislation. Not sure if anyone else has seen similar?

Someone else said it, but it was the feeling of apathy that sealed it for me. I just couldn't be bothered with my club of nearly four decades. Obviously its never nice when anyone loses a job and he seems like a nice? person, but please, gives us someone exciting. Anyone but Moyes (the ABM movement, if you will).

Didn't realise that only Southampton played with a particular 'style'?

Loads of people have said this, but you can't be a Steve Cooper manager in this era of the PL. It's relatively scary how much modern football has moved on and whilst people might not have liked Enzo's coaching of 'styles' of play, that's what it takes to win nowadays.

So... Having listened to his post match interview round, I'm getting the impression that he's very, very good at bringing young players through and developing their mentality (see his comments on Abdul and it not being a straight path to becoming a Premier league footballer). If, big if, we can stay up, I think we might be well placed to kick on next year.

It would be churlish to be upset on a day where we've shown great character to come back and win against relegation rivals, but man that was a tough watch. Cooper is a transitional manager, so as long as us up and allows us to build for next season, I won't complain. Not having that this brand of football is better than Enzo ball though!!

I haven't read the whole thread, but has anyone gone back and watched some of the 'big' matches from 10-20 years ago? They're a really, really horrible watch and yes, whilst money and sport-washing has undoubtedly soured modern football, from a technical perspective, I'd much rather football in 2024. Edit: I'd add, whilst it's easy to romanticise non-league, or lower league football, the reality is that the quality is bang average and you still pay a decent wedge to go and watch. The inverse snobbery in "I'm going to watch Hinckley Town" does make me smile though.

Cooper in!!!! Too soon?

I can accept the result but not the performance

It's even more painful seeing Maresca succeeding at Chelsea...

We're going to have some fans who back Cooper for far, far longer than they should, because he will keep putting us in situations where we have to throw caution to the wind to try and salvage a result. Let's not kid ourselves that we saw anything other than 70 minutes of clueless was and then 20 minutes of recklessness. What I would give for Maresca (or any other manager that has a defined system of play). Under Cooper we play, tactically at least, like a Sunday league side. Players thrown together with no real instruction - it's painful to watch. We saw it with Southgate in the Euros - passing for the sake of passing. One positive - our season won't be defined by games against the top 6.

I'm not sure how anyone could disagree with this statement given the dross we've seen so far

Ehh? Dismantled the club? How?

You must be doing parody at this point?

I don't think this is controversial at all. Poch left Chelsea in a good place and Enzo will carry this on to a top 4/5 finish.

Can't wait for the rest of the season. Not only do we get analysis of our games, but we also get minute by minute breakdowns of Chelsea (and more particularly, how the crowd feels about Maresca)

I don't think that's why our fans don't like him

It's so funny how much Enzo lives rent free in some of your heads.

Am I the only one that doesn't think this squad is quite as bad as the doom-mongers are making out? Yes, it won't win the league, but aside from a striker, I don't think we're that far behind everyone else.