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Reply | Defensive frailties
at 13:41 28 May 2024
Which reminds me - we are going to have to adapt to VAR pretty quickly (if it stays) to avoid giving silly pens away (especially defending corners/long throws), on the plus side I am hoping that we get more calls in our favour at the other end - it feels we had very little go for us last season in the opposition box.
Lucky Ipswich? |
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Thread | Defensive frailties
at 13:20 28 May 2024
I think we all agree that one of the key areas to focus on ahead of next season is the defence. The opportunity to outscore opponents to get us out of jail will be far more restricted next season, so we need to reduce the "avoidable" goals we gave away, such as the 2 injury time goals against Cardiff etc.
My question is how best to strengthen - I think we need at least one prem quality central defender and ideally a skilled right back, better coverage in holding midfield for Luongo, where I think the lack of his pace will get found out more.
Do we go for an experienced (older) player together with a couple of younger ones with ability to quickly develop - while not throwing out the balance of the team.
I am very interested to see how KM looks to strengthen, and the type of player he goes in for . . . |
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Reply | Dan James...
at 13:11 28 May 2024
I said structure not caps/limits - obviously we will have to increase wages and bring players in on higher wages, but maintain control and prepare for the worst financially. We have not achieved success by splashing cash unnecessarily and I would not expect the board to release the purse strings significantly on players who are not going to significantly improve the team. [Post edited 28 May 13:13]
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Reply | Dan James...
at 13:05 28 May 2024
. . . not to mention the fact he is on £50K per week, the existing wage structure has to be managed effectively. [Post edited 28 May 13:06]
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Reply | Dan James...
at 12:43 28 May 2024
Be interesting to see if KM does go there, assume he would have coached him at United . . . |
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Reply | Media Speculation
at 11:45 28 May 2024
I think the simple fact is that there is an element of truth from all parties - and then the demand to fill media web pages and TV screens 24x7 drives a need to sensationalize facts into headlines, which others read and derive more headlines.
It's basically like throwing the chum of factual rumours into the water of media hungry sharks and then having to deal with the feeding frenzy.
At least it's filled the first couple of weeks of post season malaise, let's now move on to which players we are going to sign, based upon someone seeing a personalized plate near PR. |
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Reply | I wonder if Kompany to Bayern had anything to do with it
at 19:30 27 May 2024
VK also did well at Anderlecht in his first managerial role, he was only with Pep for 3 seasons. Prior to this season he had finished 1st with Burnley and 3rd twice with Anderlecht. Be interesting to see how he manages the egos at Bayern. |
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Reply | 1-0 United (n/t)
at 15:46 25 May 2024
2nd goal was Ipswich’esque. ETH been watching our highlights reel? |
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Reply | Professsional football club trials.... thoughts?!
at 12:15 24 May 2024
Yes - most decent scouts and coaches can spot what they want to see in a player within a a few minutes during a game - combination of player touch and movement. They then bring these potential players to Academy training. These academy's are just football factiories taking raw ability and seeing how much they can further develop it, as players develop they stay and if they don't, they fall by the wayside..
I remember when I was doing an FA badge (15+ years ago at a sports centre) the FA coaches running the course suddenly stopped our session, went over to a kick-around and spoke to the dad of one of the kids playing as they had liked what they had seen - kids were about 8-9 years old.
Turns out the kid was already attending one of the Arsenal academy nights, but had caught the coaches eyes while we were running our drill sessions.
One thing I would say is to stay open minded about positions when developing youngsters, as they grow and learn more about the game they often find other roles suit them better. Back when I coached I used to have many a discussion with parents about why little Johnny or Sarah were playing in defence when they are a "midfielder" or a "forward". [Post edited 24 May 12:16]
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Thread | I hate to add to the drama, but I will . . .
at 08:58 24 May 2024
Imagine you get the chance to manage the club you have always supported, taking the team over while it is in "crisis" and at it's lowest position for 30+ years, but have new ownership in place and you have the opportunity to be the saviour, turn things around and build a team for the future. What would you do?
Obviously all the above is assuming Ten Haag is no longer in charge come end of May. |
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Reply | Do we still want him?
at 08:32 24 May 2024
Dear god, I know all clubs have fans like this but still . . . . |
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Reply | The Silence is Deafening.
at 08:29 24 May 2024
Until there is something concrete to announce there is no benefit saying anything - I'd be curious to know what you think they should say . . . none of the clubs involved have said anything, it is all press and fan generated noise. |
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Reply | I think it is fair to say ...
at 08:20 24 May 2024
No way this was "accidentally" leaked and McKenna's agent did not want people to know? For McKenna the more clubs that are interested in him strengthens his position to negotiate, not just for him personally but whatever he wants to change at his new club, transfer budgets, backroom staff, training setups etc etc
If Town did not know that other clubs were sniffing round, do you think they would have gone straight to a £5M new contract offer? |
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Reply | I have to say
at 13:46 23 May 2024
We're owed nothing - it is his ability which has got him to this point supported by the board, and he has given us everything and more that we could have hoped/asked for.
While I would be disappointed to lose him, I imagine he will find it hard to turn down a big job at Chelsea and possibly United as you never know when the chance will next offer itself.
One thing I would not understand a move to Brighton, that seems almost sideways, but again who knows.
He does not have the same emotional ties to the club that we do, he is being offered potentially his dream job, or something very close - what would you do? |
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Reply | Announcement coming soon
at 13:28 22 May 2024
Ha ha ha - love this as obviously ticket office staff are privy to all deal information, that's how these things leak out, ticket office staff, milkman, window cleaners etc . . . |
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Thread | Last night . . .
at 10:20 22 May 2024
"McKenna was sat alongside Blues CEO Mark Ashton at the LMA (League Managers Association) Awards, which are voted on by league bosses."
I like to think that McKenna was handcuffed to Blues CEO Mark Ashton :-) |
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Thread | This merry go round is mental . . .
at 19:23 21 May 2024
. . . ideally Poch to Brighton and Tuchel back in at Chelsea, but I think Ten Haag may go and Poch ends up at Man Utd, which still leaves Brighton on the hunt although I wonder whether they may go back to Graham Potter as he knows the club . . .
This is fun isn't it. |
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Site Scores| Forum Votes: | 33 | | Comment Votes: | 8 | | Prediction League: | 0 | | TOTAL: | 41 |
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