04 Apr 2024 19:22:55
Whilst this team is distinctly average, there are still enough players who should be able to execute a style of play and game plan, should they be prepared and setup correctly to do so.
When you compare our 11 to the bottom half of the Prem, whilst they may not be any better, they arguably aren't any worse. To read some people say that we can't compete to win football matches in this league because of the players we have at our disposal just doesn't wash with me.
Pickford - International
Branthwaite - Future International and top defender
Tark - PL veteran
Myko - International
Gueye - International
Garner - Tidy enough
Onana - International with top clubs after him
Doucoure - PL veteran
McNeil - 7 seasons in the PL at 24
Harrison - 24 PL goals in 4 seasons
DCL - PL goalscorer and International goalscorer
Whilst I don't rate most of these players, much like I don't rate the players of the teams around us. To act like we cannot compete with them to win football matches is absolutely ridiculous.
If you compare Luton's experience and player level to ours, to see them within a few points of us is frightening.
12 games without a win is obscene. In these last few years it seems like we are setting PL records for all the wrong reasons. This club has become a laughing stock and the only thing that remains of a high standard around it, are it's fans.
04 Apr 2024 19:35:57
Agree BN, well said,
04 Apr 2024 20:24:03
We have played well with that group, but we’re not currently. It’s not as simple as a list of names. You can be an international player for Luxembourg.
04 Apr 2024 20:35:26
Think most fans know we have the backbone of a team, TBF they is a lot of "international player's" in the premier, not really the benchmark for much nowadays.
The big problem we have is a lack of pace especially out wide and the lack of a decent ball playing creative number 10, our strength is size and power yet we struggle beat the 1st man nowadays from dead balls.
Wasn't so long ago our stats were up there with the best in terms of chances created.
I've backed Dyche and if we do stay up then he has done his job in difficult circumstances and without deductions we would be comfortable so hard to truly gage. Not sure under his guidance we will kick on as a club, think it will be pretty much the same season in season outcome, think he goes eventually especially when take over finally happens. I'd like to have seen what he could have done under better circumstances and being backed, do fear a more "appealing manager" being appointed and us being in exact same position in 12months crying out for a Dyche type to save us from the drop (again! ) .
Things ain't changing anytime soon and expect the same next few seasons at best, not sure which manager would want to come into this with the experience who is available and be cheap enough to get, to work with a aging slow paced squad with little to no money available and our "prized assets" being auctioned off in the summer.
Yes Dyche isn't everyone's cup of tea but some realism of the situation we in is very much needed.
04 Apr 2024 22:26:41
I will never be crying out for Dyche. Even without the points deduction we would still be bottom half, and still playing hoofball.
04 Apr 2024 23:01:46
6 points from a possible 39!
04 Apr 2024 23:49:11
The clubs with pace have a handful of rapid players but playing faster football is not always only about having a nos9 who can run 100m in 10 seconds. It's about moving the ball faster. Our players aren't exactly slouches. DCL has pace to burn but he isn't used in a way to let him run onto through balls. The few times we look good is when we play 1 and 2 touch and that's all I'm personally asking to see a lot more. I'm not asking for a prim Giggs on the left a prime Limpar on the right and a Vardy Owen Johnson type through the middle. Just asking our more than capable current squad to be allowed to play something more progressive. Our attacking coaching is a joke. The only player who looks like he's running through treacle is Gomes but he doesn't need pace as he's class with the ball. Our squad is more than good enough to play something different to this prehistoric hoof and hope and blast the ball across the box in volume tosh. We'd not threaten the top 6 but definitely should be in and around the top ten.
05 Apr 2024 06:46:04
I tend to agree FBS and you make valid points, but you need to be realistic and see we severely lack pace in the middle of the park both with and without the ball and as you rightly say moving the ball, imo we don't have the midfielders to play the desired football and is ultimately why we go hoofball, this is down to the misfit squad we have of various managers and no clear strategy or identity of club or style of play, also why Dyche came in as wether you like him or not under our circumstances and his past record and availability at the time was a ideal candidate, Bielsa never wanted us as knew the squad wasn't his cup of tea or able to implement his ethos.
I don't like the play we have atm but I also seen in a lot of matches this season some good solid stuff without a run of luck, hard to implement expansive football in mn these circumstances when the club are not just fighting for their premiership survival but ultimately the survival of the club, that can't be labelled at Dyche, they is no guarantee that under anyone else we would be better off maybe just ABIT more pleasing on the eye but with what's at our disposal and the money available not sure about that, we ain't a top ten squad but before the season started been happy with in and around 12th something without the PTS reduction and no question a momentum stopper I believe we would be which then shines a totally different light on our season.
Just my opinion anyway more for realism than fantasy.
05 Apr 2024 09:02:14
After PTS we played some good football. Then for some reason we went back to hoofball. Pickford must go through a pair of boots a week.
05 Apr 2024 13:18:05
Whilst your point is valid JB, we aren't talking about Luxembourg are we. They are English, Irish, Ukrainian, Belgian, Senegalese, Portuguese internationals, hardly fodder nations.
Mocker, as I said mate, I don't rate these players but we are kidding ourselves if we feel that as professional PL footballers, with their ability, they aren't good enough to implement a more positive style of play, as opposed to the dross being served up at the moment.
I am not expecting us to finish high up the table, but my point is we aren't even competing with the lower teams in the league around us. You are correct that we don't have pace and are lacking quality through the middle, but neither do some of the other sides and the ones that do are lacking in other areas like their defence. The main difference between us for me is that they have players who care and who want to fight. Our players aren't arsed. Bar Pickford and Jared, I never see any anger at the mistakes we make. Just some pathetic feel sorry for ourselves look, or head down into the ground going into a sulk. Zero pride in themselves and zero fight for us and this club.
05 Apr 2024 14:49:37
Majority of that I agree with Bluenose. The lack of fight -& pride is at it's lowest and said numerous times we lack a spark on the match. It's a easy cop out for the players but do think the off field is draining them, certainly drained me, that's why with a clear slate I'd like see what Dyche could do, not going to happen as will be gone soon
enough.
I would expect us with or without Dyche to be in similar dogfight relegation next season until we get stability on and off the pitch.
05 Apr 2024 15:27:21
It is a disgrace Mocker. It isn't as if you can excuse them for not being local lads, as every club has to contend with this factor now, yet they still seem to put a shift in.
I just think it is a case of weak mentality mate. If it were me, it would make me want to p*** off the powers that be even more by staying up and getting results.
I suspect big clubs will be after him but I would love us to go after a new breed of manager like Motta. He is at Bologna so I doubt he is on huge money which suits us and as bad a situation as we are in and how far we have fallen, we are still a far bigger club than them, all due respect.
05 Apr 2024 16:20:16
Yeah agree pal, we do have some honest hardworking lads and am with you with the 2 fingers up to the powers that be attitude but not everyone is cut from the same cloth.
Not sure who or what the answer is TBH, but until all the rubbish storm around the club lifts then we ain't a attractive proposition to anyone, Motta having great season at Bologna he gives up CL next season for us albeit yes our history and size you would like to think we could entice but unless we chuck money at him or had a decent war chest sadly the reality is the hand we have, potentially we are going to be weaker next season once Onana and Jarrod go, just hope we can get some decent freebies in and not freeloaders.