Yes we were, but we had to sacrifice the exciting Eze mainly because as today highlighted we cannot as a team pass and move in order to include him, against less strong sides and ones with less confidence then Liverpool, Villa and the likes of Leicester we can have probably more chance of getting somewhere with a little bit of attraction, hopefully during the window we can bring in some more quality for our manager to play with.

Agree. But we all know the difficulty in getting those sort of players over the line. Best signing since Cabaye IMO

Who said that he '' melted into the background '' ? - well only you - so I have to assume you were in the dressing room.

Ray Lew is a big voice and he's Roy's trusted right hand man. Of course he's got a contribution to make.

And what is this '' tactical genius '' bulls*** you are spouting ?

Have a go at Hodgson all you like, but at least stick to the facts and not just play to your own agenda.

Old, Ungifted and White

It's not a question of 'hating the manager', more whether someone else could do better with the squad. It's a results-driven business and, in this country at least, Roy Hodgson's record is that he did very well with Fulham, well with West Brom and was out of his depth with Liverpool and England. He is indeed 'statesmanlike' and admirable in the way he conducts himself with the media.
But it should be possible for criticisms to be made and for people to ask whether he makes the right selections, chooses the right tactics and improves the players. It's all opinion: nobody at the club gives a toss about what posters think.
Roy Hodgson's thoughts as stated in the programme were very revealing. The powers that be don't give him much to spend and when new players are brought in he may or may not rate them (Sorloch, Jach, Meyer). He works for a Board that seems to be happy that we survive in the Premiership. Steve Parish saved the club in 2010 so he has our eternal gratitude for that. But it should be possible to dare to ask whether things can't be better and for how long RH should be in charge.

Agreed.

As I have posted many times on here, Hodgson is doing the job he's paid to do under the conditions imposed on him by Parish and Co.

The question as to whether someone else can get more out of the current squad is the main issue I think.

There's only one way to find out !

Old, Ungifted and White

Reminiscent of the second Alan Smith era where Houghton regularly had to give the players a kick up the arse at half time.

After Liverpool and Villa they should be chomping at the bit.

Saved by Zaha again.