Eggsyblueskin
Player Valuation: £40m
Until December our defending was actually good. Playing this style of football will always leave teams vulnerable at times but I thought Silva managed it well until our recent wobble.My issue is it doesn't necessarily matter the quality of the squad. Klopp had a squad of the likes of Ricky Lambert and Borini yet took them to a cup and later Europa League Final.
Martinez had a side with the likes of Lukaku, Barkley and Stones in yet finished below garbage sides like Stoke who had the likes of Berahinho up top.
Good managers can push sides on look at Moyes taking the team we had into the top 4 that year.
My concern is regardless of who we sign in January Silva's not the man to get the best out of them.
We'll never win a league title or trophy if we cant defend or have no Plan B. Klopps Liverpool couldn't do that and they had the forwards to blow teams away which we realistically will never have.
A more balanced manager was and is still needed after Alladyce.
A dream appointment for me would be Conte
A realistic appointment would be Mancini
A wildcard appoint Nagellsman who has Hoffenheim very well balanced in attack and defence whilst still young and upcoming.
I think you’re just going to have to buckle up and try to enjoy the ride this year as there is little appetite for a return to managerial instability among the majority of supporters , and I suspect absolutely none at all at amongst Moshiri and Brands who will be determined to give the manager time to prove his worth.
Come back next Christmas for a more reasoned debate of where we are and where we are going. At this point there is too little evidence and ,some of it conflicting, to make a definitive decision.
It is unlikely that any manager however talented will be able to transform a long term established mid table club into consistent top six contenders in 4 months.
Who ever occupies the managerial seat needs at least 18 months of support before we cast judgement on their worth, whether we personally like them or not.
Barring a major collapse of course.
* ( I of course rather hypocritically exclude gravy guzzling brummie bizzies sons from the equation
