I have had some conversations today apropos Mr Hodgson.

There were those who asserted that the injuries to Olise have been hugely damaging and the fact that Olise and Eze (Who has also been injured) have hardly played together has also been a signifiant factor.Furthermore the loss of Doucoure has been damaging.

In terms of team selection it was opined that with the overall depth of the squad, and our position in the table, there was an understanding as to why there has been reliance on the tried and trusted experienced heads over some of the younger players.The discussion gravitated on to the academy and some of the fringe players and the consensus was that a number have been loaned out but have not been that impressive.

Edited by Willo (21 Jan 2024 10.48am)

Without the backing of the fans that will not be pretty.

Red and Blue Army!

So if the next 10 years mirrored the last would you still be happy with just surviving as a dreary team in a division where we're just a number?

I think your missing the point. I don't think us fans are asking for much other than push the teams who are pushing for a Europer league conference spot. A little bit of ambition to push up rather than look to scrape just above the bottom teams year after year. It's annoying that other clubs are coming up and doing great things while we just stay static! Even Brentford made the teams gunning for European conference crap them selves last season and narrowly missed out on a spot by 2 points! We don't come close!

I disagree. They lacked the killer touch yes, but that's been Arsenal all over. The Trossard effort at the end of the first half sums about just how much he and Saka were a menace all game. Unlucky not to score more. So in control.

I get your point about adjustment and shots on targets, but I raise two points.
First, Richards was useless as a right sided centre back. Should have been a pivot or better in midfield. He did so well there against Manchester City. Lerma could have been pushed forwards had Richards been in the midfield.
Second, we didn't have a single shot inside the box or even an effort that I remember, so I don't think the tactics were warranted.

I ain't got nuthin' funny to say. Sorry.

I personally would take Potter without a second thought. Brighton were not a safely established Prem side before he took over. He built up a great style of play and scouted players who they've made a decent profit on.

I think the issue is Potter would want 2 or 3 players this transfer window and change the style of play which will be difficult at the present time.

Potter would be an outstanding option. Can't imagine why anybody wouldn't want him.

Because he managed Brighton? If that link is enough to put you off someone then presumably you would feel similar animosity towards Glenn Murray, Steve Coppell, Simon Rodger, Eric Young etc

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold...

You are simply wrong - Roy is not doing a pragmatic job - his making a complete pigs a@se out of getting the best of a squad that contains undoubted ability and potential.

Reason he’s doing that is that he stubbornly and more recently arrogantly sticks with proven mediocrity / substandard players over the potential and ability he has available.

Look at yesterday Hughes and Schlupp were woeful again..!!

He brings on his oldest most experienced mediocre player a centre half at that when we’re 3-0 down - who then proceeds to give away 2 further goals - Roy’s response after the game - we should have protected the result - what result we’re 3-0 down..!!

Then confounds his comments even further by saying - we bought the youngsters on but was too much for them so the result got away from us - when it was his most experienced mediocre player that he bought on for a current England centre half that gave away the 2 additional goals..!!

I just don’t get how that is down to the youngsters - that’s just plain poor game management and tactics..!!

On the youngsters Ahamada proved the potential is there by producing the best moment of the game for us with a great run - demonstrating all that Roy is missing and refusing to give a chance. That’s not to mention Franca, Ozoh etc..

Nope the likes of Hughes and Schlupp are rubbish every week - but he still stubbornly plays them - that’s why we are in this mess..!!

So how you can say Roy is doing a pragmatic job is beyond me - his stubbornness and arrogance knows no bounds and until he goes this will continue..!!

COYP

Aside from the awful boring football the most depressing thing is that it’s still January and we’re all wishing the season was over. We started with a sense of optimism after keeping Eze and Olise despite the bizarre transfer window. Accepted they’ve both been injured but it would have been nice to have enjoyed a season with them playing before their big money moves.

We will limp along with Roy in the dugout until the summer as long as he beats Sheffield United in 10 days time. We will probably survive because the 3 who came up are not PL standard and Everton and Forest are being hammered by the PL. Because we are long suffering fans we will cling to the hope that work will start on the new stand, an exciting young coach will be appointed, and the money we get from selling Olise and Guehi will be spent more wisely than was the case this past summer. COYP!

Oh and the yanks will sell to someone who is prepared to invest in the club…..

Edited by Palacesince64 (21 Jan 2024 2.51pm)

I think he looks lost and so do the players but despite that answered some tricky questions politely and eloquently. I was surprised he put himself up for it when he returned last year but as the saying goes.... football is a drug.

I don't accept that he has options and young talent to choose from. It's an absolute myth and we've been there before with all of this. None of the players he's previously been criticised for not using on these boards / social media have gone on and done anything of note or proven themselves to be more than average squad players.

It’s you who is missing the point.

The first priority must be to survive until the academy starts to deliver, either directly or as an additional income stream.

Would you be happy seeing us in the Championship, even if we were playing open attacking football and winning most games? Or showing patience until the circumstances allow for the push forward you describe? We all hoped that might be this year but we know why that has proved difficult.

It might be annoying right now but the bigger picture is more important.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.