2020/21 Marcel Brands

[Nymzee]

We dont need a DOF, we need an exec who is given a list of players from Ancelotti and they do the financial side and the administration.

What if Ancelotti leaves and we’re left with a squad of players built for one manager we’re then replacing?

 

[maccavennie]

I think Brands has done a terrible job but .....what if we are skint .....I mean really skint?

We'll all chip in so we have £350pw and bring Niasse back.

 

[jazzy]

We'll all chip in so we have £350pw and bring Niasse back.

I won't!

 

[billyblue80]

Big few days for Marcel seems he is cutting the squad but we need one or two ins too

 

[LABlue2]

Big overreaction I think, yes you need depth in the squad and we are badly lacking in strikers and competent right backs... but you want to optimize your transfer budget into the best XI who are going to play the vast majority of minutes. Reality is that today we had players like Digne, Doucoure, James, DCL, Richarlison, Keane all starting and we lost because our starting XI wasn't good enough or up for the fight, but I think you'd say the starting XI appeared to be top 6 quality.

 

[ToffeeTim]

What if Ancelotti leaves and we’re left with a squad of players built for one manager we’re then replacing?

We'll be in the same place we are now, but we'll have given the best manager we're ever likely to have a good opportunity at building his own squad.

I only want Ancelotti players. Brands signings have been far too up and down. We can only judge him on his 2.5 years so far and the improvement is fairly small and due to us recruiting a top manager.

I dont see the point of the long term DOF strategy where managers become less important. That doesnt work in British football and the manager will always be crucial. The difference between a good and bad manager is enormous in the PL.

 

[Nymzee]

We'll be in the same place we are now, but we'll have given the best manager we're ever likely to have a good opportunity at building his own squad.

I only want Ancelotti players. Brands signings have been far too up and down. We can only judge him on his 2.5 years so far and the improvement is fairly small and due to us recruiting a top manager.

I dont see the point of the long term DOF strategy where managers become less important. That doesnt work in British football and the manager will always be crucial. The difference between a good and bad manager is enormous in the PL.

The reason the squad has been naff for so long is precisely because we’ve been buying players for specific managers. It’s the complete wrong way to grow a football club.

 

[nsno-chris]

The reason the squad has been naff for so long is precisely because we’ve been buying players for specific managers. It’s the complete wrong way to grow a football club.

this is exactly it. Koeman and Walsh bought for one way, they sacked him and Fat Sam came in had a totally opposite way of playing. All of that bloated the squad with utter gash

Then Silva bounces up, buys for a 4-3-3 and never plays it.

Absolute aids of a squad, bought for different formations and types of setup

 

[ToffeeTim]

The reason the squad has been naff for so long is precisely because we’ve been buying players for specific managers. It’s the complete wrong way to grow a football club.

Yes it is wrong when you hire average or inept managers but its not right when you have the right manager. Now is our window of opportunity but we've had another winter window with zero effort to improve the squad.

Our DOF let our back up striker and winger leave and got no replacement. That is a failure to carry out his duties. I look at that bench today and wonder where it all went wrong.

 

[Nymzee]

this is exactly it. Koeman and Walsh bought for one way, they sacked him and Fat Sam came in had a totally opposite way of playing. All of that bloated the squad with utter gash

Then Silva bounces up, buys for a 4-3-3 and never plays it.

Absolute aids of a squad, bought for different formations and types of setup

Yup. I understand the desire for instant success with Ancelotti and arming him with all the tools he wants to try win a cup or finish 4th or whatever but we’ll only be sat here in a few years time moaning we have too many of X, why can’t we get rid of X, ffs we’ve need an X for 3 years.

 

[Nymzee]

Yes it is wrong when you hire average or inept managers but its not right when you have the right manager. Now is our window of opportunity but we've had another winter window with zero effort to improve the squad.

Our DOF let our back up striker and winger leave and got no replacement. That is a failure to carry out his duties. I look at that bench today and wonder where it all went wrong.

We shouldn’t need to look to the bench to beat Newcastle at home.

 

[TheNinja]

We shouldn’t need to look to the bench to beat Newcastle at home.

We should if 5 or 6 of the 11 on the pitch don't fancy it. We have no right to beat anyone if we don't match them for effort.

 

[ToffeeTim]

We shouldn’t need to look to the bench to beat Newcastle at home.

Any game in this league can require a sub to change it up. We didnt have 1 attacker on the bench. Where is the squad depth after almost 3 years?

Its not so much to do with Brands, but the fact we've only given 60m to Ancelotti so far shows we arent that serious about giving him what he needs. You don't even get a guaranteed quality player for 60m anymore, nevermind overhaul an underachieving squad.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Yup. I understand the desire for instant success with Ancelotti and arming him with all the tools he wants to try win a cup or finish 4th or whatever but we’ll only be sat here in a few years time moaning we have too many of X, why can’t we get rid of X, ffs we’ve need an X for 3 years.

Ancelotti wouldnt recruit badly though. We would have good players and far better than any DOF will find for us.

 

[Nymzee]

We should if 5 or 6 of the 11 on the pitch don't fancy it. We have no right to beat anyone if we don't match them for effort.

Which I agree with but I’m talking XI vs XI quality we shouldn’t need the bench to beat Shelvey’s Newcastle. (Twice in a season I might add)