2020/21 Marcel Brands

[MACCA75]

People would have laughed last summer if you’d suggested some of the players that Villa or West Ham signed, but they are hungry players on the way up in their career and most would walk into our side.

 

[TheSecondComing]

our buddy is visionary when it comes to mr brands even on previous banned accounts.
https://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/farhad-moshirì.85442/post-6500181

Nothing to do with me that “buddy”

 

[the sniderman]

Nothing to do with me that “buddy”

this is real progress buddy if u feel shame looking at own posts.

 

[Lanolin]

I wrote something about Brands last week, and in fairness it was broadly supportive. That being said, he can probably count himself quite fortunate,especially when you consider what Steve Walsh was chased for. I really don't think Walsh was miles (or qualitatively) worse than Brands. Perception is very different though. Brands is tall, handsome, confident etc whereas Walsh didn't come across that way. I do think that has counted for a lot with Brands, as it tends to in life more generally.

Yeah I’ve just been saying similar in another thread. For me he needs to be judged on his actual performance, not his performance relative to someone who was deemed a complete failure. If he’s bought a squad full of players who aren’t capable of even competing at home to villa as some people are saying, then he’s failed. To argue that he’s succeeded because Steve Walsh was even worse is to miss the point quite spectacularly.

 

[catcherintherye]

Yeah I’ve just been saying similar in another thread. For me he needs to be judged on his actual performance, not his performance relative to someone who was deemed a complete failure. If he’s bought a squad full of players who aren’t capable of even competing at home to villa as some people are saying, then he’s failed. To argue that he’s succeeded because Steve Walsh was even worse is to miss the point quite spectacularly.

Yes.

I also think, in honesty even compared to Walsh I'm not entirely sure his record is streets ahead. We had an awful 2nd season under both DOFs, but Walsh carried the can far more. I think Walsh was more culpable, but I'm not sure hes qualitatively more culpable.

The other thing about the Villa game, is it's not a 1 off. That's the real worry. I do understand the idea fans come back in and will is resolved, but I've laughed when Liverpool fans have claimed it about their team, and being consistent I have to say the same for us.

I mean hopefully fans come in and all is resolved. I am wary if that though.

 

[Lanolin]

Yes.

I also think, in honesty even compared to Walsh I'm not entirely sure his record is streets ahead. We had an awful 2nd season under both DOFs, but Walsh carried the can far more. I think Walsh was more culpable, but I'm not sure hes qualitatively more culpable.

The other thing about the Villa game, is it's not a 1 off. That's the real worry. I do understand the idea fans come back in and will is resolved, but I've laughed when Liverpool fans have claimed it about their team, and being consistent I have to say the same for us.

I mean hopefully fans come in and all is resolved. I am wary if that though.

Yep, there’s also the concern that exactly the same would apply to the away form, and so we’d be no better off at all.

 

[kev101]

He'd have been sacked at any other job. No idea how to build a team (his job) Just surviving on the odd broken down 'superstar'. Possibly the worse thing to happen to our club for a while, and there's stiff competition for that title.

 

[Nymzee]

He'd have been sacked at any other job. No idea how to build a team (his job) Just surviving on the odd broken down 'superstar'. Possibly the worse thing to happen to our club for a while, and there's stiff competition for that title.

If you think what he’s done is worse than the damage Koeman/Walsh/Allardyce did you’ve got an insanely short memory.

 

[kev101]

If you think what he’s done is worse than the damage Koeman/Walsh/Allardyce did you’ve got an insanely short memory.

Yeah you're right, looks like those three got him beat. Well done Mr Brands, you're not quite the worst.

 

[Rooney_Tunes]

This summer will be massive for him, and us.

He HAS to get it right or we will remain mid-table mediocrity for many more seasons.

 

[hallamblue]

Yes.

I also think, in honesty even compared to Walsh I'm not entirely sure his record is streets ahead. We had an awful 2nd season under both DOFs, but Walsh carried the can far more. I think Walsh was more culpable, but I'm not sure hes qualitatively more culpable.

The other thing about the Villa game, is it's not a 1 off. That's the real worry. I do understand the idea fans come back in and will is resolved, but I've laughed when Liverpool fans have claimed it about their team, and being consistent I have to say the same for us.

I mean hopefully fans come in and all is resolved. I am wary if that though.

I think Walsh was pilloried more because he signed too many players for the same position.

 

[lungo]

I wrote something about Brands last week, and in fairness it was broadly supportive. That being said, he can probably count himself quite fortunate,especially when you consider what Steve Walsh was chased for. I really don't think Walsh was miles (or qualitatively) worse than Brands. Perception is very different though. Brands is tall, handsome, confident etc whereas Walsh didn't come across that way. I do think that has counted for a lot with Brands, as it tends to in life more generally.

He is more handsome than Walsh? My God that must something i have overseen. Both aren't Brad Pitt quality that's for sure!

 

[Efcjake]

Nothing to do with me that “buddy”

It's OK mate. No Northern rail "revenue enforcers" in the Brands thread. No need to worry.

Who would you like as Brands replacement?

I personally do not like the DOF model.

 

[Pabbers]

Are the angry super blues blaming Brands now!?!

 

[EFC_FRANCIS]

I think this thread is quite OTT with the criticism because we have a truly dire home record this season. My main criticism of Brands this season is he hasn't fully utilised the loan market. First season he patched up our defence with Zouma (the mistake being no buy option) and patched up our midfield with Gomes (the mistake here being buying him just because he was an upgrade on Schneiderlin)

Second season he patched up RB with Sidibe who would at least mean Alex Iwobi wouldn't have to play RB

This season - one loan in Olsen, that has actually worked in keeping Pickfords head from falling off. A shame he couldn't get a RB and winger in.

Hes made some pretty awful signings, hello Iwobi and Delph but other than that there's no one we are going to truly be anchored with. Iwobi was terrible business, signed without completing a medical and addressed no need in our squad but other than that his other signings at least fit a purpose. Even Delph was a replacement for Mccarthy and not supposed to be starting every week. Cant really blame Brands for Gbamin getting 3 season ending injuries in 2 years.

Our squad is unbalanced, but it's nowhere near as bad as the one inherited, we could quite easily make 3 signings this summer and have a balanced team next year.

I wouldn't say he's done strictly that well, but I also wouldn't say he's done a bad job either. Hes not been a disaster by any stretch. That's without even getting into the changes hes made to our youth sides. But seriously if you want a laugh go back and see our 17/18 side he inherited, I forgot just how bad it was, make Large Sam an Everton giant for keeping them up.