Interesting times now that Bolton are looking for a manager too. If we aren't already far down the line, then the two clubs are likely to be fishing in the same pool.
Strongly disagree. I watched his Southampton side in a Championship game last year. It was possession for possession's sake. Absolutely tedious. And their suicidal playing out from the back led to them conceding two calamitous goals. All the Saints fans around me were furious. I would hate to watch us play like that
I imagine Schumacher will go to Bolton, but I'd be very happy with Buckingham. Otherwise, I feel like it'll be a mysterious continental coach with expensive trainers.
They had a budget and quality of players far greater than every team other than Leeds and Leicester. Playing possession football can work if given that advantage. But for the vast majority of EFL teams it fails miserably. And it is truly awful to watch
Do we have the quality to try and have 75% possession every week? I'm not convinced. Watching CBs pass it to each other all day is boring, it's boring when teams do it against us and it would be boring if we did it
Where/when has that style of play worked in the EFL? Genuinely. Remember how we laughed at Rochdale, Forest Green, Carlisle, etc, when they tried these tactics and looked comical. And even Oxford under Robbo, when they would spend all game against us knocking the ball around their back four, barely get near our goal, and then concede a couple on the counter attack.
It is terrible to watch, and it is a ticking time bomb for lower league defenders who don't have the quality on the ball of a John Stones or Nathan Ake
Tough job for the lads. One game is emergency stations, operating on fumes, but if it's Saturday you'd imagine it's the Saturday/Tue combo and all of a sudden it's a different level of pressure.
It is good we're taking our time with it though. Nothing worse than a rash appointment, as the scrutiny levels would be huge.
Possession, as Gaz brilliantly said, can do one. I would amend that to "possession without purpose can do one". At the moment, we seem to have got the balance about right.
Btw, going back to this, you could argue that every tactic fails "if not properly implemented". Whether it's long-ball, high press, tika taka, low-block. It doesn't matter. Each has it's purpose and would be effective if done well.
Surely we should think about how easy it actually is to implement the tactics with the quality of our players relative to the opposition and also - to a lesser extent - how good it is to watch. I'd argue that Russell Martin's way of playing would fall down on both of those criteria
I would love us to get Schumacher, but suspect we won't.
If we don't we have to find a progressive, methodical, adventurous young coach, Buckingham sort of fits the bill, but the PNL connection may not sit well with many of our fans.
I suspect, like others, we will appoint a lesser known young European coach.
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But in all seriousness, I just hope we get a possession-focused coach with a strong identity, someone who fervently believes in their philosophy.
Anyone who believes in their philosophy may not be a good call. We need someone to believe in Dan Rice’s philosophy!
Claus Norgaard returns to the number one spot with the bookies
Well that too
Interesting times now that Bolton are looking for a manager too. If we aren't already far down the line, then the two clubs are likely to be fishing in the same pool.
Burnt out pashun monster? No thanks ;)
All my work colleagues up in Bolton are saying Schumacher is who they want.
I can imagine that would be of interest to him as close to home, big team and great support.
Strongly disagree. I watched his Southampton side in a Championship game last year. It was possession for possession's sake. Absolutely tedious. And their suicidal playing out from the back led to them conceding two calamitous goals. All the Saints fans around me were furious. I would hate to watch us play like that
That's going to happen occasionally when you're bedding a system like that in - he got them promoted...
I don't think we'd get him, but I get the feeling some fans are going to be impossible to please
I imagine Schumacher will go to Bolton, but I'd be very happy with Buckingham. Otherwise, I feel like it'll be a mysterious continental coach with expensive trainers.
They had a budget and quality of players far greater than every team other than Leeds and Leicester. Playing possession football can work if given that advantage. But for the vast majority of EFL teams it fails miserably. And it is truly awful to watch
It fails if not properly implemented, but we've got the quality to do it. Agree to disagree on it being awful to watch.
Do we have the quality to try and have 75% possession every week? I'm not convinced. Watching CBs pass it to each other all day is boring, it's boring when teams do it against us and it would be boring if we did it
75% would be some feat - even Birmingham only average 67!
We're currently a touch above 50%, which can't have happened for yeaaars
Where/when has that style of play worked in the EFL? Genuinely. Remember how we laughed at Rochdale, Forest Green, Carlisle, etc, when they tried these tactics and looked comical. And even Oxford under Robbo, when they would spend all game against us knocking the ball around their back four, barely get near our goal, and then concede a couple on the counter attack.
It is terrible to watch, and it is a ticking time bomb for lower league defenders who don't have the quality on the ball of a John Stones or Nathan Ake
Southampton under Martin 😉
Very nearly worked for Oxford in 2020 as well
It would be soulless and we would have the opposition supporters uttering "i couldn't watch that every week" again. Please not Russell Martin.
Any word @kipper ?
If we don't have someone in tomorrow, I'd imagine it'll be Grace, Vokes and the academy gang again on Saturday!
Tough job for the lads. One game is emergency stations, operating on fumes, but if it's Saturday you'd imagine it's the Saturday/Tue combo and all of a sudden it's a different level of pressure.
It is good we're taking our time with it though. Nothing worse than a rash appointment, as the scrutiny levels would be huge.
Possession, as Gaz brilliantly said, can do one. I would amend that to "possession without purpose can do one". At the moment, we seem to have got the balance about right.
Btw, going back to this, you could argue that every tactic fails "if not properly implemented". Whether it's long-ball, high press, tika taka, low-block. It doesn't matter. Each has it's purpose and would be effective if done well.
Surely we should think about how easy it actually is to implement the tactics with the quality of our players relative to the opposition and also - to a lesser extent - how good it is to watch. I'd argue that Russell Martin's way of playing would fall down on both of those criteria
Yeah agreed - and ultra-possession wouldn't be my number 1 approach, but I don't really think the Martin criticism is fair.
I want someone who is good at winning football matches. Philosophies can do one.......
I would love us to get Schumacher, but suspect we won't.
If we don't we have to find a progressive, methodical, adventurous young coach, Buckingham sort of fits the bill, but the PNL connection may not sit well with many of our fans.
I suspect, like others, we will appoint a lesser known young European coach.
Well the club has a clear philosophy now, so the new HC will have to align with that.
I'm guessing that's any remote chance we had of getting Schumacher gone now, will surely be favourite for Bolton.
If we end up with Evatt I won't be happy, please Dan don't even consider it !
Any half decent manager who does their due diligence wouldn’t touch this job with a bargepole.