Our Next Manager

[RonnieTodger]

The problem with Benitez is that you’re subjected to more Darren Farley impressions. 
 

We’ve just escaped him.

Edited 6 April 2023 by RonnieTodger

[Dames]

9 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

 

They're obviously getting Bournemouth anyway, it's in a couple of days. Even if we hire someone as an interim manager they'll have done all the prep and I'd expect their team selection to take precedent unless we bring in someone ENORMOUSLY strong willed with a VERY specific vision.

 

But to answer your question - yes, it was pretty awful.

 

I'm not actually in the "PANIC DOOM AND GLOOM" camp, watching Villa on Tuesday was actually the first time all season I've entertained the possibility we might get relegated and even then I shrugged it off as "we'll see after Bournemouth" because we've got a very kind remaining fixture list and a much better squad than we're credited with.

 

But come on, it was baaaad. The people coming out with "it wasn't really, we had a man sent off, the players at least looked like they cared!" are really clutching at straws. We made appalling tactical choices, surrendered all initiative and declined all opportunity to do what Palace did and use the occasion as a rousing springboard.

 

What really did it for me is that Sadler showed so much consistency with the bad decision making that actually got Rodgers sacked. When he goes and someone else steps in you're hoping for them to correct the mistakes of their predecessor. Instead he immediately returns Maddison to the right wing, persists with ignoring Iheanacho, doubles down on stacking defensive players and has us play a passive stand-off block. It was painful to watch long before the red card.

 

And Villa did nothing to deserve that respect, they were extremely average and only scored when we made silly mistakes. 

 

If they learn from it then I'm happy for them to stay. The players definitely did look mildly lifted, sure. But you've got to get Maddison back in the middle of the park, you've got to trust one of Tete or Praet to stretch the game on the right, you've got to make the hard choice between Ndidi OR Mendy and as much as we all love him, they've got to drop Vardy and pick one of Daka or Iheanacho to really commit to and build the team around because they're vastly different strikers and the build up play needs to match their skill set.

 

To me, all Adler represented against Villa was... no actual change. It was just business as usual, it was a bizarre Brendan Rodgers team selection, it was poor Brendan Rodgers substitutes. He was even stood on the side-lines clapping pointlessly. 

Can see where you're coming from here. The line up was too safe, starting Vardy seemed like a punt and didnt pay off and the tactical changes came way too late when it was clear KDH needed to be hooked. 

 

However there were some subtle positive changes too, we were more willing to press the ball and go direct if needed. If these things are improved upon we stand a far better chance of staying up than we did doing the same old thing as before. I could of seen us winning that game if we had 11 men on the pitch but the problem was we resorted to the tried and tested as soon as we were down. I expect there will be further improvements on Saturday too. 

[Finnegan]

2 minutes ago, Dahnsouff said:

Not so sure, there seemed to be more oomph, more willingness to press cohesively, two things that may make all the difference.

 

But we did this for about the first five minutes and then dropped off them. There was the odd moment when the crowd GENUINELY roared them on where the players went a bit mad trying to uber-press but it was largely driven by the crowd and we backed off shortly afterwards.

 

The main tactical plan was to sit in a similar block to how we played Brighton under Rodgers at home earlier in the year. Combining a block with a high line, so you bring the defensive line really high but then you have your midfield not far in front of it so that you really condense the pitch and its ultimately a challenge, you say "ok then, pass through us." But Brighton have zero pace so you can recover if they DO get through. Unfortunately Villa have Watkins and - oops. 

 

It wasn't an intelligent tactical choice. Nor was the lineup. Maddison shouldn't really ever be on the wing but if it Tielemans is ever injured, Maddison MUST play at 8, there's absolutely no alternative to this unless Soumare is going to magically transform himself in to his Ligue 1 best overnight. Someone has to take the ball off the centre backs and start building play.

 

Tuesday we were right back to watching the CBs pass it back and forth between themselves with everyone getting frustrated at them but it wasn't their fault. Mendy had inexplicably fvcked off up the pitch, KDH was doing the same and they'd left Wilf who clearly didn't want to receive a pass standing pretty much marked by Villa players. Someone HAD to come and drop back, pick up the ball and start building. It's got to be Maddison, he's our best footballer, he's got to be there running the game. What did they do? Fvcked him off up on the wing.

 

Maddison on the wing got Puel sacked, Maddison on the wing got Rodgers sacked. At this point, Gareth Southgate should be feeling pretty fvcking nervous. 

[Jack1993]

I didn't think we were quite as bad as some people are making out against Villa, there was definitely more effort and determination but ultimately I think we just set up quite negatively and will hopefully learn not to do that again. We aren't great but there's 7 other teams that also aren't great, therefore it is much easier to get ourselves out of this situation than most other years, if we pick up points then it's guaranteed that not everyone can pull away from us, it'll go on for many more weeks just because of the sheer amount of teams down and around us. A good positive, motivating appointment is paramount to us staying up cause we ain't down yet, nowhere near it! Beat Bournemouth, appoint a manager and ride a positive wave, we can bloody do it. 

Edited 6 April 2023 by Jack1993

[Ric Flair]

Kjetil Knutsen 

 

Let's appoint someone who's progressive enough that should we not stay up, would be the exact manager we'd want to lead us back to the PL and kick on.

[Tielemans63]

Not my ideal choice, but I believe Benitez is the best of the options available. He may be dull but he's an organiser and we need that badly.

[weller54]

4 minutes ago, Jack1993 said:

I didn't think we were quite as bad as some people are making out against Villa, there was definitely more effort and determination but ultimately I think we just set up quite negatively and will hopefully learn not to do that again. We aren't great but there's 7 other teams that also aren't great, therefore it is much easier to get ourselves out of this situation than most other years, if we pick up points then it's guaranteed that not everyone can pull away from us, it'll go on for many more weeks just because of the sheer amount of teams down and around us. A good positive, motivating appointment is paramount to us staying up cause we ain't down yet, nowhere near it! Beat Bournemouth, appoint a manager and ride a positive wave, we can bloody do it. 

On current form we're the worst team by a country mile!!

Anything less than a win against Bournemouth and we're as good as down.

[Finnegan]

3 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Kjetil Knutsen 

 

Let's appoint someone who's progressive enough that should we not stay up, would be the exact manager we'd want to lead us back to the PL and kick on.

 

Do this just to hear the average bloke in L1 try and pronounce Kjetil. 

[Tielemans63]

9 minutes ago, RonnieTodger said:

The problem with Benitez is that you’re subjected to more Darren Farley impressions. 
 

We’ve just escaped him.

'Impressions'

[Tielemans63]

Just now, Finnegan said:

 

Do this just to hear the average bloke in L1 try and pronounce Kjetil. 

"They've give it some bloke called Kettle

[HankMarvin]

10 minutes ago, RonnieTodger said:

The problem with Benitez is that you’re subjected to more Darren Farley impressions. 
 

We’ve just escaped him.

Have you seen his Simon Jordon 🤮

[Beachyboy]

15 minutes ago, MalletFox said:

Agreed, if it wasn’t for KDH’s stupidity we get something out of the game. People are hitting panic stations now because our position is becoming pretty desperate!

 

Saturday is literally the definition of a 6 pointer, and we have a few of those coming up at home, it’s a double edged sword because we need to win them, if we lose any of them then it’s going to look pretty dire.

You could say something like that though for the other 10 games this season we have lost by 1 goal. If we get draws in half of them never mind also the 7 games we were leading and dropped points. 2 players Ndidi and KDH have made mistakes unfortunately that's 20 per cent of the outfield players. Makes it all the remarkable how strong the mentality was both in the great escape and in winning the league.

[Dahnsouff]

11 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

 

But we did this for about the first five minutes and then dropped off them. There was the odd moment when the crowd GENUINELY roared them on where the players went a bit mad trying to uber-press but it was largely driven by the crowd and we backed off shortly afterwards.

 

The main tactical plan was to sit in a similar block to how we played Brighton under Rodgers at home earlier in the year. Combining a block with a high line, so you bring the defensive line really high but then you have your midfield not far in front of it so that you really condense the pitch and its ultimately a challenge, you say "ok then, pass through us." But Brighton have zero pace so you can recover if they DO get through. Unfortunately Villa have Watkins and - oops. 

 

It wasn't an intelligent tactical choice. Nor was the lineup. Maddison shouldn't really ever be on the wing but if it Tielemans is ever injured, Maddison MUST play at 8, there's absolutely no alternative to this unless Soumare is going to magically transform himself in to his Ligue 1 best overnight. Someone has to take the ball off the centre backs and start building play.

 

Tuesday we were right back to watching the CBs pass it back and forth between themselves with everyone getting frustrated at them but it wasn't their fault. Mendy had inexplicably fvcked off up the pitch, KDH was doing the same and they'd left Wilf who clearly didn't want to receive a pass standing pretty much marked by Villa players. Someone HAD to come and drop back, pick up the ball and start building. It's got to be Maddison, he's our best footballer, he's got to be there running the game. What did they do? Fvcked him off up on the wing.

 

Maddison on the wing got Puel sacked, Maddison on the wing got Rodgers sacked. At this point, Gareth Southgate should be feeling pretty fvcking nervous. 

There was a bit of Rodgers-ball, absolutely no doubt about that, but that was be expected surely? I realise there was a whole ‘we will be transformed once he is gone’ belief amongst some on here, but this was never going to be true in reality, it takes time. Maybe it’s best to get someone in as a cauterising action, to draw the line under all current staff, giving a new manager carte Blanche for the remaining games, I can see this could help, just not sure these two are a total right off.

[Jack1993]

3 minutes ago, weller54 said:

On current form we're the worst team by a country mile!!

Anything less than a win against Bournemouth and we're as good as down.

That's just not true though, we could draw against Bournemouth, lose to Man City and beat Wolves and there would still be teams close to us points wise. It'll be close for the next 4 or 5 games unless we lose every single one of them. If we set up the same as Tuesday then I don't think we'll pick up many points but if we draw at the weekend then get a new manager in then I think we've still got a fighting chance. 

[Brainy]

1 hour ago, Ely fox said:

Classic. Is he still alive?

Saw him on SSN the other weekly oddly enough

[Spudulike]

10 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

 

Do this just to hear the average bloke in L1 try and pronounce Kjetil. 

Just as well that we don't appoint Adolf Hutter then  

[CosbehFox]

19 minutes ago, Dames said:

Can see where you're coming from here. The line up was too safe, starting Vardy seemed like a punt and didnt pay off and the tactical changes came way too late when it was clear KDH needed to be hooked. 

 

However there were some subtle positive changes too, we were more willing to press the ball and go direct if needed. If these things are improved upon we stand a far better chance of staying up than we did doing the same old thing as before. I could of seen us winning that game if we had 11 men on the pitch but the problem was we resorted to the tried and tested as soon as we were down. I expect there will be further improvements on Saturday too. 

KDH was going to come off. 

 

They had a day to prepare; was clear that a lot of the training was defensive shape which is exactly where I'd expect a new manager to start. 

[CosbehFox]

16 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Kjetil Knutsen 

 

Let's appoint someone who's progressive enough that should we not stay up, would be the exact manager we'd want to lead us back to the PL and kick on.

Like that Ric

[indierich06]

4 minutes ago, Dahnsouff said:

There was a bit of Rodgers-ball, absolutely no doubt about that, but that was be expected surely? I realise there was a whole ‘we will be transformed once he is gone’ belief amongst some on here, but this was never going to be true in reality, it takes time. Maybe it’s best to get someone in as a cauterising action, to draw the line under all current staff, giving a new manager carte Blanche for the remaining games, I can see this could help, just not sure these two are a total right off.

This is my issue - if we stick with Stowell and Sadler, we've essentially swapped Rodgers for a less good Rodgers.

[Matt]

53 minutes ago, Bluetintedspecs said:

The amount posting on here , "we're doomed", "down anyway" is showing a very weak mentality, I wouldn't want those with this defeatist attitude going into a battle with me! 

We're very far from down.

Now the trigger has been pulled the petulant impatience is starting this is only the 4th day since the bullet was fired and surely it makes sense to do due diligence and ensure the appointment is the right fit for the task they are given!

Agree with this.

 

Some of the comments I’m seeing on here making me look positive!  
 

I think for me personally it’s just the relief of Rodgers going. 
 

The only thing I would say is the only acceptable reason for taking so long removing Rodgers was that they were preparing some kind of plan, this doesn’t seem to be the case however.

[ClaphamFox]

2 minutes ago, Matt said:

Agree with this.

 

Some of the comments I’m seeing on here making me look positive!  
 

I think for me personally it’s just the relief of Rodgers going. 
 

The only thing I would say is the only acceptable reason for taking so long removing Rodgers was that they were preparing some kind of plan, this doesn’t seem to be the case however.

Judging from reports, prior to the Palace game they weren't planning to get rid of Rodgers. It was that horror show that changed their minds, hence the lack of an action plan.

Edited 6 April 2023 by ClaphamFox

[funkyrobot]

29 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

 

They're obviously getting Bournemouth anyway, it's in a couple of days. Even if we hire someone as an interim manager they'll have done all the prep and I'd expect their team selection to take precedent unless we bring in someone ENORMOUSLY strong willed with a VERY specific vision.

 

But to answer your question - yes, it was pretty awful.

 

I'm not actually in the "PANIC DOOM AND GLOOM" camp, watching Villa on Tuesday was actually the first time all season I've entertained the possibility we might get relegated and even then I shrugged it off as "we'll see after Bournemouth" because we've got a very kind remaining fixture list and a much better squad than we're credited with.

 

But come on, it was baaaad. The people coming out with "it wasn't really, we had a man sent off, the players at least looked like they cared!" are really clutching at straws. We made appalling tactical choices, surrendered all initiative and declined all opportunity to do what Palace did and use the occasion as a rousing springboard.

 

What really did it for me is that Sadler showed so much consistency with the bad decision making that actually got Rodgers sacked. When he goes and someone else steps in you're hoping for them to correct the mistakes of their predecessor. Instead he immediately returns Maddison to the right wing, persists with ignoring Iheanacho, doubles down on stacking defensive players and has us play a passive stand-off block. It was painful to watch long before the red card.

 

And Villa did nothing to deserve that respect, they were extremely average and only scored when we made silly mistakes. 

 

If they learn from it then I'm happy for them to stay. The players definitely did look mildly lifted, sure. But you've got to get Maddison back in the middle of the park, you've got to trust one of Tete or Praet to stretch the game on the right, you've got to make the hard choice between Ndidi OR Mendy and as much as we all love him, they've got to drop Vardy and pick one of Daka or Iheanacho to really commit to and build the team around because they're vastly different strikers and the build up play needs to match their skill set.

 

To me, all Adler represented against Villa was... no actual change. It was just business as usual, it was a bizarre Brendan Rodgers team selection, it was poor Brendan Rodgers substitutes. He was even stood on the side-lines clapping pointlessly. 

I agree with this but I’d go further and say the team selection and negative set up was far worse than a Rodgers team selection. BR wouldn’t’ve gone with Mendy and Ndidi and I don’t think he would’ve set up as a deep block against Villa.The subs were even later and the deliberating took so long that the KDH one could never happen. The Vardy selection was based on sentiment rather than the evidence we’ve all seen this season and it failed completely - Iheanacho is our only dangerous striker. Rodgers needed to go but on first evidence Sadler and Stowell are even worse. We needed 3 points and played with a bizarre set up with absolutely no creativity in the middle of the park. Sadler et al set up to show they were happy with a draw from the 1st minute of the game. Reap what you sow. 

[Claudio Fannieri]

16 minutes ago, Tielemans63 said:

Not my ideal choice, but I believe Benitez is the best of the options available. He may be dull but he's an organiser and we need that badly.

Disagree, if we appoint Benitez we are committing to a multi year contract and him being in charge as we enter our rebuild, he may well keep us up but guaranteed he will be being hounded out the club by October and we will be in a right old mess. For me it’s an interim to get us though the rest of this season of that is O’Neill or Sadler and Stowell then so be it, we have to back the players to be good enough to get us out of this mess, then reasses once the season concludes, if we stay up then we go for a progressive coach to take us forward, if we go down, we again look for an exciting progressive coach who can bring us back stronger. 

[ROB-THE-BLUE]

17 minutes ago, HankMarvin said:

Have you seen his Simon Jordon 🤮

I like Farley's impersonations generally, but the Simon Jordan one is terrible.

[Ian S]

1 hour ago, 5waller5 said:

Bournemouth is a true 6 pointer, and here we are, another day of players training without a new manager. 
 

A day Bournemouth are using to prepare for the game, focussing on the details of their next opponents.

 

The only hope we have is that we are so disorganised we’re impossible to predict!! 

So we won’t be focussed on the details of our opponents then, just sitting in the canteen playing cards.

Dont be so daft.