Not me...!!

Todays game just reinforces what I have been saying all season - stop playing square pegs in round holes and let the players express themselves in their best positions rather trying to fit them into Roy's preferred rigid defensive formations.

It's no coincidence today, Zaha playing on the the left never a striker, Eze playing central in the 10 role, run the show and looked a different class to anyone on else on the pitch and Townsend on the Right.

Then beyond that we looked more solid when Kouyate moved into central midfield with Tomkins and Cahill in central defence.

Low and behold we look a different team..!!

But it's taken until today to do what many of us have been saying for weeks.

Yes you can argue injuries - especially with Kouyate having to play central defence, due to the long list of injuries in the central defence and clearly Roy doesn't fancy Kelly.

But if that's true why not buy/get in another central defender in January instead of Mateta who has made what 3 appearances..??, To release Kouyate to play in midfield, where we have been seriously missing legs and physicality.

That aside all the others have been consistently available, but played in the wrong positions to suit Roy's rigid formations.

So given all Roy's experience it's taken him until today - even then only in the second half to see what some of us have been saying all season - put the players in their best positions and let them play..!!

This is why it's time to say thanks Roy for all you have done, but it's time to move on..!!

COYP

We went eight games without winning at the end of last season and many blamed it on Roy's "obseession" with 433.

Start of this season we go 442 with Zaha up front. Surprise the opposition a bit Zaha finds his scoring boots again and six points from two games.

Tomkins has barely been available all season.

Parish and Freedman sign the players not Roy as has been well documented.

It was 3 holding midfielders being far too negative that was the issue.

Unfortunately, the ‘Roy Out’ brigade will never credit Roy when he wins. You just have to look back at the comments. When we lose, it’s Roy’s fault. When we win, it’s something he should have done weeks ago or down to luck.

Given what the players ‘can’ play like and how far up the table we ‘should’ be, it should be a doddle for the next guy coming in.

I hope I am proved wrong, but I think of all the managers currently available, Roy is by far the best equipped to go again next season.

Great point about the transfers. Roy has no say in transfers. You can tell because he would never have agreed to Meyer. It’s the same when FdB was given Sakho. Our managers are given the players to play, if they don’t fit in the system, then tough. Something the new guy will need to get used to.

Unfortunately, the ‘Roy Out’ brigade will never credit Roy when he wins. You just have to look back at the comments. When we lose, it’s Roy’s fault. When we win, it’s something he should have done weeks ago or down to luck.

Given what the players ‘can’ play like and how far up the table we ‘should’ be, it should be a doddle for the next guy coming in.

I hope I am proved wrong, but I think of all the managers currently available, Roy is by far the best equipped to go again next season.

Great point about the transfers. Roy has no say in transfers. You can tell because he would never have agreed to Meyer. It’s the same when FdB was given Sakho. Our managers are given the players to play, if they don’t fit in the system, then tough. Something the new guy will need to get used to.

Hodgson literally could not be clearer on his limited role regarding transfers. He says that same thing every summer and every January.