Ronald Koeman discussion

[ChrisBlue]

Look, you don't think that I expect us to win the league or even finish in the top 6 this season, right?
I am not comparing us with the likes of Chelsea, Utd, Liverpool or Tottenham. It is way to early for that and would be unrealistic. However, we have to move upwards to close the gap between us and the teams above us and so far this hasn't happened.
But I have to compare his managerial skills to those of their managers. Salary wise he is very close to Conte, Klopp or Pochetino. My concern at this moment is that he still hasn't shown that he can take the best out of what he has. "Horrendous" or not, our players are far better than those of Bornemouth, Watford or Hull, yet we constantly fail to subdue such teams. Simply hoofing the ball isn't the best strategy with the players we have.
Having said that - I really believe that Koeman must be given enough time and at least two more transfer windows to show what he has. But I expect to see signs of improvement come March and a much better team next season.

Don't think we hoofed it last night tbh

We played it along the deck and moved it very very slowly forward, Lost count the amount of times we lost the ball with a simple 5 yard pass

 

[hktoffee]

Look, you don't think that I expect us to win the league or even finish in the top 6 this season, right?
I am not comparing us with the likes of Chelsea, Utd, Liverpool or Tottenham. It is way to early for that and would be unrealistic. However, we have to move upwards to close the gap between us and the teams above us and so far this hasn't happened.
But I have to compare his managerial skills to those of their managers. Salary wise he is very close to Conte, Klopp or Pochetino. My concern at this moment is that he still hasn't shown that he can take the best out of what he has. "Horrendous" or not, our players are far better than those of Bornemouth, Watford or Hull, yet we constantly fail to subdue such teams. Simply hoofing the ball isn't the best strategy with the players we have.
Having said that - I really believe that Koeman must be given enough time and at least two more transfer windows to show what he has. But I expect to see signs of improvement come March and a much better team next season.

Tell me, please, are we in the same basket as the current top 6 in terms of quality of the squad? Do the current top 6 teams get maximum points whenever playing these so called lesser teams in PL? Direct or hoofball whatever you call it, we are still 7th and is on the right track this season.

 

[Mikeonlythebestwilldo]

Don't think we hoofed it last night tbh

We played it along the deck and moved it very very slowly forward, Lost count the amount of times we lost the ball with a simple 5 yard pass

And that's why we play hoof ball !!!

 

[bullybeef]

We were moving the ball so slowly it was completely predictable and that's why a lot of ball was lost.

I can only think a lack of confidence is making us more hesitant.

Talk is cheap about experience but I did not see any one of the older players rallying the troups or delivering any bollockings.

I hope RK brings in someone with confidence and character to motivate and lead as a true captain should.

 

[tirion]

you need to put an @ before the posters name Tirion. You'd think you'd know this by now considering you mention @The Esk in every second post.

trying not to give him the fame he so desperately craves

 

[ChrisBlue]

And that's why we play hoof ball !!!

That's what my mate has been saying for months, The players are incapable of stringing 3-4 passes together

How many times do we turn possession over on the half way with a wayward 5 yard pass, Its like we have the only footballers in the league who can't play football

 

[Hangleton]

That's what my mate has been saying for months, The players are incapable of stringing 3-4 passes together

How many times do we turn possession over on the half way with a wayward 5 yard pass, Its like we have the only footballers in the league who can't play football

Did we not string 27 passes together before Gueye's miss against Leicester?

 

[ChrisBlue]

Did we not string 27 passes together before Gueye's miss against Leicester?

We did mate, Put surely you can see how poor our passing is 90% of the time

 

[Hangleton]

We did mate, Put surely you can see how poor our passing is 90% of the time

We are lacking confidence - missing some quality - but it's not as bad as you are making out.

 

[Mikeonlythebestwilldo]

That's what my mate has been saying for months, The players are incapable of stringing 3-4 passes together

How many times do we turn possession over on the half way with a wayward 5 yard pass, Its like we have the only footballers in the league who can't play football

I said this to davek yesterday I don't care what way we play ATM if it gets us the wins mate - the best option to get a win and a clean sheet is to play hoofball at the moment - the whole squad needs a massive change

 

[ChrisBlue]

We are lacking confidence - missing some quality - but it's not as bad as you are making out.

Fair enough, Opinions and all that

 

[Prevenger17]

Fair enough, Opinions and all that

They're like @Rsoles

 

[Gwladysstreetlad]

I can't understand why anyone would seriously believe we could manage anything better then 7th with this squad, something Koeman has us on course to achieve. Look at the sides above us and tell me you can't see a canyon like gulf in quality. We're a poor mid table side that could only finish in the this current top six if one of the other six had a stinker of a season. After two bottom half finishers on the bounce 7th this season would be a very real achievement for this side. Not the club but for the side itself 7th would be an excellent return. We aren't playing well? So what else is new?! We've not been playing well for year's. The Arsenal match was the best I've seen us play in three seasons now.

 

[Blue Cheese]

Yeah, keep comparing it with 3 years ago. Are you really that stupid????

Mate you can't handle @davek, you will end up banned, he gets under your skin I can see it.

 

[Ashtonian]

Based on last night you can finally see what the issue is.

There isn't any chemistry in the team whatsoever. A bunch of individuals with no idea how to play together when asked to which is amazing considering how many of them have been together for years. Players just don't read each other, no one really trusts in each other and yet again too quick to make a decision on the pitch. The fact there is no instinct there, so many passes made hoping they reach their target with no knowledge of who will be where.

And that is the thing, you saw in flashes that when a player has confidence they can do things. Ross cross in the second half which was dangerous started from him making a good decision and pulling it off as well. The fact he ran outside rather than look for a shot suddenly made things happen.

Largely the team just isn't mobile and that kinda leads into the issue we have, the midfield covers for Barry ala slippy g except the one asked to do thst needs to be doing what Barry is doing, not doing it for him. Players do need to be moving about more and not waiting for the ball, all by instinct as well. If one has the ball, get into the space rather than wait for the pass.

Overall more signs that this squad needs to be overhauled and started again. So many players have regressed and offer very little now. Now is not the time to be sentimental anymore because this is what that gets us. Even players I have backed for years like baines and jags need to be moved on or relegated to the squad and replaced because fundamentally these are the same players who have won nothing in years, change the team change the mentality and stop hanging onto the same players because before we know it they will be retiring here and we have just hoped for the best.

This window no matter how little faith I have has to be good. We have to start rebuilding now, 3-4 players in with a couple out now or we will just he back here next season.