14 Jan 2018 00:13:33
Martinez inherited Moyes's sound defence, recruited some good players - but also a lot of dross - and thereby got 5th his first season. He then tried to get the players doing what they couldn't (in terms of playing style) and got found out.
Koeman inherited Lukaku, Barkley and Barry, each of whom contributed to his 7th-place first-season finish He then (or was it Walsh? ) splurged on players that left the squad unbalanced and lacking in key areas. Without Lukaku, Barkley and Barry - and with the side disorganised and demotivated - he also got found out.
Allardyce inherited a shambles (no offence to Unsworth, who was on a hiding to nothing, poor lad) and, despite some early hard-earned results, is seeing that the squad is just not good enough - neither to play the ultra-defensive style most fans expected of him nor the more offensive style we've dabbled in (unsuccessfully! ) recently.
This January's transfer window - plus the time he'll get on the training ground (now we've just one match a week) - will be crucial in determining not only our Premier League survival (most important) , but also his prospects of keeping his job beyond this Summer.
14 Jan 2018 01:05:20
It's been a difficult period undoubtedly BobbyC and one that's proving just as difficult to get out of. I may come across as a Big Sam and Martina apologist at times, Sam inheriting an unbalanced squad with little to no confidence and Martina tasked with doing a job he clearly isn't qualified to do, but even I have to admit I'm having serious doubts about how long both of them can carry on. A LB has to be a priority if Sam is going to survive until the end of the season. As for today/ yesterday, Spurs are a decent team who know how to attack and defend but we made them look better by being so poor in the same areas.
{Ed0333's Note - do you really believe Allardyce will be sacked before the end of the season BigH? I can only see that happening if he loses the next 7 or 8 games. Surely they’ll give him time for his signings to get into their groove. I would guess that unless you guys on a catostrophic run of bad results Allardyce is there till the end of the season.
14 Jan 2018 02:48:38
What signings? Only Tosun so far.
14 Jan 2018 01:21:55
I sincerely hope he doesn't and I pray we don't lose those games Ed0333 but you never know. One thing is certain, results and performances need to improve quickly.
{Ed0333's Note - I honestly think his appointment was knee jerk and it would have made sense to get someone to steady the ship till the end of the season and start again. Now you have an expensive stop gap who will stay longer than which is ideal or he will go at the end of the season and you have to pay him a kings ransom. I truly hope you don’t get relegated because the Merseyside Derby is something the whole world revels in.
14 Jan 2018 10:28:55
BigH78 - I find it extraordinary to defend Martina. Yes he is playing out of position and can't kick a ball with his left foot which contributes to his ineptitude going forward. But that is no excuse for consistently making dreadful mistakes defensively and such poor decision making. Chuck in the fact that he doesn't look remotely bothered and is just going through the motions. New left back absolutely imperative.
14 Jan 2018 12:54:03
Toffee he hasn't even got a right foot, the bloke is clueless. Played both there players onside for the first two goals, when all he had to do was take a step forward. Shocking player.
14 Jan 2018 13:28:11
I really hope we get rid of Allardyce in the summer, he moans about us attacking Spurs and Man Utd.
But then goes and parks the bus against Bournemouth and West Brom, fun fact we lost 3 of those 4 games and drew the other, sports science football genius.
14 Jan 2018 14:45:20
Agree Aswan. I wouldn't give this guy anymore money to spend. Need to keep it for the next manager.
14 Jan 2018 14:52:31
Maybe I have defended him a bit in other posts Toffee, but maybe you should get your eyes tested before you pass comments. I wasn't defending him at all this time. Quite the opposite in fact.
14 Jan 2018 15:38:11
Martina sucks but 3 managers have all selected him. He is the only option but I'm sure B. S. (can't believe I'm defending BS) knows he's a changer waiting to happen.
You can't do better so stop saying that the u23s left back should be playing. if he was good enough he would be.
Lb a Cb and 2 fast midfielders please. Yesterday I was annoyed at our performance and irrate at B. S. interview on MOTD last night. Today I acknowledge the problems are bigger than coaching.
Let B. S. have 2 more signings (SW claims to have to agree and sign off so we shouldn't get stuck. with a couple of B. S. lumps)
PAY him off in the summer and get a progressive coach for next season.
B. s. is not the way forward. He should be getting the Stoke job.
14 Jan 2018 07:07:23
ED0333 was he not given a 18 month deal incase it didn't work out as that way if he is sacked in the summer he gets a thank you for keeping us up and we don't have to pay as much as we did to Koeman or Martinez I never wanted him but once appointed he had my support but that support is sliding we play the worst football in the league in our last 5 premiership gameswe have won 0 conceded 8 scored 1 and had 4 SHOTS on target now that is scary.
{Ed0333's Note - my point still stands mate he will prove to be an expensive mistake. You truly didn’t need to make this type of appointment evidence of this was your pursuit of Silva. If you couldn’t get the man you wanted just get in someone who would have done taken it on till the end of the season like Bayern did. Gus Hiddink May have been a good shout?
14 Jan 2018 23:03:43
I wanted Hiddink as a short term appointment people thought I was mad for saying it, glad I was not alone.