I really didn’t want Roy back, it was dreadful to watch the last full season in charge, we were even shipping goals which was unusual for Roy’s team. I still had my doubts even after the good finish to the season because of our easier run in which he definitely benefited from.
BUT I’m of the feeling now that it’s better the devil you know, it really does shine through when players are interviewed how much they respect him and enjoy working with him. With a couple more signings we can hopefully be better prepared for the start of the season than we would be with a new manager coming in and having to get used to the club and the players.
We’ve seen other clubs bringing in foreign managers untried and inexperienced at premier league level and sacking them a few months later leaving that club in turmoil

So basically much as I didn’t want Roy back, it does sort of feel like the right move now, and let’s face it, the man’s a gent, you just can’t dislike him. But It will be interesting to see how he and the team gets on when the going gets a bit tougher than we had it the last 10 games of last season and whether Roy will go back to type, I hope not, I’d sooner lose attacking than game after game of dull defensive stuff just sitting back watching the other team pass it around before they eventually open us up

Edited by monkey (04 Jul 2023 9.40am)

Edited by monkey (04 Jul 2023 9.40am)

As has been said numerous times on other threads, PL management is short term these days.

The big clubs sack their managers if it looks like the club will fail to make Champions or Europa League. The rest sack them if there's been a bad run of results and relegation may be on the cards - last season took the biscuit on that score.

I don't see the appointing of Roy as kicking the can down the road. What struck me about yesterday's announcement was the publicly stated aim of trying to make the top 10 this year. For a club like us, that's a big challenge given the clubs we're competing against, but it's a positive one and if we achieve it, it will make us more attractive to prospective new managers should Roy leave next summer.

The other aspect of yesterday's announcement that I found of interest was Roy saying how good a bunch of youngsters we have. That says to me - "I'm not expecting much in the way of inward transfers". If there really is little or know money available for transfers then Roy becomes the safest option - he knows the first team squad members that remain from last season and clearly has their respect.

Finally, it was good to see a number of the better academy players in the first training session yesterday. They will undoubtedly get their chance in pre-season games and it will be interesting to see which ones step up to the plate.

You are correct, would you sell Guehi for 60m, as long as it is used only for transfers? only 59 days until the transfer window closes

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

A percentage of it anyway since his replacement will have to be paid.

So would i, if Richards can stay fit i think he could be very good, and who knows what O´Brien, but i wouldnt like to be left with just Tomkins

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

Very Underwhelming appointment, and one which I don;t think Parish would have made lightly. It suggests many of the other 'targets' that he may have had when PV had gone were no-goers, for whatever reason. so defaulted to Roy & Ray.
I think they'll do alright. kinda depends on what type of start we get. I can see us starting to play the expansive, fluent stuff we ended playing last year. but it thay goes wrong, we'll shut up shop and go Hard to beat again.

"It was a Team effort, I guess it took all players working together to lose this one"