On Nathan Jones, he was that much of a slow motion air-crash that I can't help but think he wasn't well and the pressure of managing in the PL was just too much.
I really want to be on board with GON, but he feels too lightweight for this job. He might well grow into the role, but I can't see it being as bad as NJ at Saints, partly because GON at least has all of his faculties about him (damning with faint praise, I know).
I know Southgate gets pelters on here, but there is a good example of someone who is clearly respected by his players and even though he is tactically limited. How often over the years with excellent coaches (Crapello, Sven etc) have you heard players say they prefer playing for the national team? He is one of the best examples of growing into a role to the point where at least we are talked about with some credulity about winning trophies and there are so many players who really want to play in that team now.
We won't be like that, but success has to be measured properly in the context of the problems that the club is facing: mid table would be out of this world I would think, but the team (if not the squad) are good enough to achieve this. Is the manager?
If he can do even a little bit of that he will be OK, but I just feel it's too much too soon.
Also and something that has been picked up elsewhere, our away form under JL was appalling. GON had some fine away victories last year (Arsenal?!) and surely we will be seeing an improvement there. It can't get any worse. The problem is that with the home atmosphere potentially turning toxic, if we don't pick up points away, we will be in real trouble. I am minded to remember one of the seasons under McGoo where we had title winning away form, but the home form was terrible. That's the kind of effect our crowds can have, so it is good that he is calling out the fans to support as we're in it together.
I hope that he proves me (and many others) wrong.
I really want to be on board with GON, but he feels too lightweight for this job. He might well grow into the role, but I can't see it being as bad as NJ at Saints, partly because GON at least has all of his faculties about him (damning with faint praise, I know).
I know Southgate gets pelters on here, but there is a good example of someone who is clearly respected by his players and even though he is tactically limited. How often over the years with excellent coaches (Crapello, Sven etc) have you heard players say they prefer playing for the national team? He is one of the best examples of growing into a role to the point where at least we are talked about with some credulity about winning trophies and there are so many players who really want to play in that team now.
We won't be like that, but success has to be measured properly in the context of the problems that the club is facing: mid table would be out of this world I would think, but the team (if not the squad) are good enough to achieve this. Is the manager?
If he can do even a little bit of that he will be OK, but I just feel it's too much too soon.
Also and something that has been picked up elsewhere, our away form under JL was appalling. GON had some fine away victories last year (Arsenal?!) and surely we will be seeing an improvement there. It can't get any worse. The problem is that with the home atmosphere potentially turning toxic, if we don't pick up points away, we will be in real trouble. I am minded to remember one of the seasons under McGoo where we had title winning away form, but the home form was terrible. That's the kind of effect our crowds can have, so it is good that he is calling out the fans to support as we're in it together.
I hope that he proves me (and many others) wrong.