scoobos

He's not shit at all. Hot headed and a numpty at times, but he's a pretty good CB and not afraid to carry the ball either. personally, I'd pick him over Colo if he continues to play like this over 3 games. Colo can be great but more often than not now his physical ability is letting him down.

Funny how this thread goes quiet after a convincing performance! I'll resurrect my defence of the guy - I thought we watched a match where the team played more attractive football than we've seen since pre Pardew days and this does nothing but bolster my support of the guy. yep, they can't put chances away, but I noticed he'd given instructions to hold the ball, put in safer looping balls to the box and retain possession. I could be totally wrong, but in previous games we've been very quick to break and throwing in high speed low balls to the box, which is very exciting but no one could put them away. It's like he's teaching these "children" step by step - ok here's how to pass, here's fast crossing and now lets do controlled attacks. Once he's happy with all 3 maybe our players will be able to effectively use all three. Could be complete tosh, but I definitely see progression, shame the results are so poor - but even bloody Mourinho or Ferguson would have trouble with this team as it was when Steve took over.

I can't access that link, is that serious?

No truer statement made on this forum!

80 mil less is a harsh comment - its only been 1 week since we spent 50 hasn't it?

I'll keep biting Whos a "better" player then, since McLaren joined - the preseason games I watched we were visibly passing the ball no more hoof ball. Lets not count January as we've no time to see but Shelvey is fucking shocking apart from the first game. Thauvin > Cabella? Colback > Tiote ? Elliot > Krul? (perhaps so)

A bit like getting sold a job that's nothing like it was advertised as, the only way to motivate our players seems to be to make them think they've a chance of leaving! performances from Sissoko are always mentioned but I think the same could be said for most of our squad, coming up to a transfer window - with the exception of Perez, Colo, Janmaat, Anita and Dummett who do seem consistent at least. (consistently shite in some cases). I think we'll lose , as its a "low ranked" team.

I really believe it, our reputation is fucked - no manager can be successful at this club or have integrity and be successful. McLaren has had a positive impact for me, but we're just too far gone. Fans, including people on this forum seem to think that buying a few more midfielders is going to improve the results the first match they play in. Not the mention the fact that the clear majority have been foreigners looking to make an impact to be sold onto other Premiership clubs. (I think they're all shite btw, the only good signings we've made are Mitro and Gino imo) Not saying you're wrong, just I think so. Time will tell. We've got progressively worse since Keegan - I spunked my pants when McLaren came because it was the first "improvement" I've seen since then.

We will never pay it though, will we? He is the best we're going to get and I'm not bloody surprised its the worst season, because we get worse year on year under Ashley with 1 year that bucked the trend. My view is that Keegan should still be here - every single element of failure in the club is down to Ashley's ownership - changing managers is like putting a new dressing on a gangrenous wound and we're going through older , dirtier dressings every time .. (heh I like that analogy, you might not, but I do so fuck you all !) If we did fire him, we'd be looking at someone with an even more distant successful past - George Graham still alive? Most clubs that get new managers for relegation battles haven't changed 3 times in 1 seasons worth of games - if I had a new boss every quarter with a different strategy I'm pretty sure I'd switch off too. From my perspective the playstyle is BETTER than its been in years, we just don't (still) have the squad. Who the fuck thinks we can get results when we've got 3 good defenders in the entire squad, one of which is at the end of his career.

And I can't wait! I love the mental bastard and eagerly look forward to the 3 games he plays before he knacks himself. Jumping in front of keepers , abusing soft lads and goal line heroic clearances ahoy! My prediction for his next injury - knackers in the goal post, out for 3 months. edit. with the way things have been going, I wouldn't be surprised if he breaks down with an injury after 8 minutes or something shite like that.

Ok, results haven't got better - but the playstyle is so much better (for much of the time) - I really mean the saying "I'd rather play football and lose" than play pardews tripe. Well, I'm getting better football and they are losing.... I've still got faith that things will improve in time, changing the manager is not going to help us avoid relegation, if anything it will guarantee it further. Our club is a shitshow now, run by a pack of feral fucking tory boys - whoever is boss seems mostly irrelevant, but changing them means them needing to bed in and try and convince the players to change training AGAIN. its all fucked, but Mclarens got us playing confident passing football at least 20% of the time, which is more than Pardew did in years. Wow, end rant - step back son.

I don't believe he's really got the say in who they buy in though, I think he's been appeased in the short term with Gino, Townsend , Shelvey - but other than that its the same policy and he's peddling the same Ashley friendly shit they all do, until they leave. Even Pardew has had some sideswipe comments about being able to buy who he wants.

@@Howay hit the nail on the head with that one, that's exactly what it is. Same mentality of running the football club as his retail business.

I really don't want us relegated, it could turn out to be the end of NUFC. But, looks very likely we will go down.

well, I'm the black sheep again - I really think the teams improved since Carver / Pardew and it's going to take time (that we don't have). The expectation on the new signings is very alarming. All that said, yep his team selection and sub on Wednesday were just baffling.

Embarrasing - but someones posted on the Palace forums the same patter I was back when he was appointed, about needing to stick with a long term manager and not getting rid after 6 defeats.

spot on MF.

I've never seen them play like that - the thing that stood out to me was the invisible 2 foot circle they seemed unable to pass around every opposition player. They'd run to close down and then everytime stop 2 foot away , and Jonjo was actually turning and running off on a tangent! "Ricochet ?"

I've heard it all before though, and they don't come. I mentioned it before, so forgive me if you've heard it already. Keegan was in Cayman last year and one of the questions was about NUFC managers, he was saying that anyone who sits with Ashley, especially as a foreign manager would run a mile. I think our choice of managers kind of backs that up. Pardew - no chance of a decent premiership job Carver - only opportunity he was ever going to get McLaren - surprised he said yes, but the fact we asked him numerous times shows we had very little choice - again he's not had any recent premiership experience.

We're back here again though aren't we. I can't buy into getting rid of him, because we're just going to get worse. he's the pinnacle of who will work under Ashley. That said, today's setup, strategy and attitude absolutely baffle me.

Not sure about the no pride - Elliot was visibly crying at the end of the match there. I fucking would be too with the performances he's putting in and the scorelines we're getting.

wow, well that was nasty. Such an awful shame on the goals conceded for Elliot, he's been outstanding.

Fuckin hell , Elliot is playing out of his skin - if there's one positive for this year its that he's really stepped up. This isn't a one off like.

Ok, so at least my appraisal of Jonjo doesn't look as shite as it did after his first game. He's been absolutely woeful today. Our entire team is being compressed by 4 players into a 20 yard area, how is that even possible - great save there by Elliot btw. Colo just let him run into the centre of the box

very very lucky to be only 1 down. Mitro and Perez should always be selected as a pair, there's chemistry there.