I'm not going to slaughter him either, but without wanting to keep repeating myself in different threads, let's not make out like we've set up for a long term project here. We've signed a lot of players at their peak on relatively short contracts, the idea that we need to give it 3 years to see it come to fruition just doesn't stack up. If that was the plan we should have invested in younger players, be playing the younger players we have, and to be perfectly honest, probably have employed a manager with a track record of improving teams in that way. We appear to have done things as if we're trying to accelerate the process, so if we don't then it's a failure. It doesn't mean he'll have to be sacked or whatever, but it will still be a failure.
I agree entirely with the sentiment of that really. I wouldn't use "failure" as the term but I'm completely on board with the concept that not kicking on lies someone between acceptability and worthy of being sacked/slaughtered. I'd say underwhelming.
You are right to point out we haven't gone down the long term route. If you do that, you could get Hassunhuttl or Nagelsman or maybe even Simeone or whatever and give them time to build. I do wonder if that was what we weresupposed to be doing with Koeman then particularly Silva, but each in their own way didn't do that (particularly Koeman). For me what we do with Ancelotti at least feels a bit closer to what the chairman wants to do.
There are things he's done that have worked too. Allan has been good and James has been sensational. Calvert Lewin has really kicked on and I do think Richarlinson will kick into gear. I have no real worries about us going that way.
The flip is, the other way is a bit of a horrorshow. It's not made easier by losing our fullbacks, but it is what it is. We seem a way off. I want to see more of Fulham Doucoure (not necessarily the goal) but the guy who stands in front of the defence and protects it, he does it one game and you think "wow" then does nothing of the sort and I really struggle to work it all out.
Back to point though, we aren't going the long term route, but we have only had 1 window going the short term route. I think we will be open to loans at the very least in January. It's stupid for the club to just assume Ancelotti is going to Hassanhuttl these into shape. I have no idea whats happened to Cheilini, but I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of mad loans came in like that. Older players, in defensive positions looking to keep their spot for the Euro's.
Again it doesn't solve your long term issue, but it helps players kick on. DCL is kicking on because of James. I watch Thiago Silva at Chelsea and think if he was here, he goes a long way to sorting our defence. You hav to work with what youve got and Ancelotti's contact book is a big asset.
I do also think it's worth noting, even though we are not trying to go the long term route, 1 year, or 1 window will not be enough either. We need to see we are going in the right direction. Some of that might be we end the season better than the first half. Even with the relative short termism though, I still think patience will be important.
