24 Feb 2021 20:07:51
Reading the latest posts, now matter how claret and blue blinkered, glass half full, be grateful camp think, they would have to accept standards, individual performances and quality are markedly down from the start of the season and unacceptable . So instead of accepting what's happening and giving Deano an easy ride, let's hope he and his coaching staff earn their vast salaries We know we can't strengthen the side with purchaseses, however they should certainly be able to address the decline with current assets. Players out of form are still being selected, this should not be happening. Firstly it doesn't help the player and secondly it doesn't help players on the fringe who must be thinking what's the point of working hard in practice only to be bench warmers. I agree with Dave regarding final position and I would go further, if we hadn't had a good start and based on our current form, we would be in the same group as Newcastle, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Southampton. Not relegation fodder but not entirely comfortable. Some may think this is rubbish but just reflect on the performances against Brighton twice, West Ham, Southampton twice, Leeds, recently Leicester.
What about Liverpool, Arsenal away Chelsea away I hear you say, that's why we are in the position we are, just imagine if these results were reversed where we would be. Of course the season has been a vast improvement on last season, (not difficult though considering where we ended up) and we have had a taste of what it's like to compete with the best, let's not go and spoil it now.

1.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 09:35:40
Hi Scott, I think there's a big difference between giving Smith an 'easy ride' and not overreacting to a poor run of form. There have been similar conversations on hear over the last few weeks and in the end most seem to end in broad agreement that a change in a few positions might help and its fair enough to question some of the logic of only making late subs etc. but that's a long way from suggesting Smith and the coaches aren't up to the job or ask some bigger questions.
I don't quite follow the logic of imagining if we'd lost certain games - that thinking can be applied equally to disprove the doom and gloom. We're in a bit of bad form, it happens. Bad form will continue to happen in patches until we're hopefully title challengers one day.

2.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 11:02:03
I roughly agree with you DBS, I think this weekend we could really do with at least 2 changes but maybe 3. I’ve seen people mention talk of 5 or 6 changes but I think that would be a bit ridiculous, you don’t replace over half the team, not in this situation anyway, it would be mental and most likely put us on the wrong end of a pasting. I’d like to see Nakamba in for mcginn, hopefully Ramsey for Barkley but Sanson would do aswell and then Trez for El Ghazi.

As DBS has mentioned Scotty you’ve mentioned your doubts about Smith a few times, which is fair enough that’s your prerogative, but I can’t help but feel that talk of Smiths credit with the fans falling, and a few other things you’ve mentioned, are way too premature. That coaching set up has took us from championship no hopers, to top half of the Prem. I really can’t understand your point around if results had been flipped, we’ve earnt the points we have to this point so why would we ever consider if we hadn’t got them? If my aunt had balls she’d be my uncle etc etc.

3.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 15:15:18
I fear we could be on the wrong end of a pasting anyway chris, that is my worry against Leeds.
Once they get the measure of the opposition, they get a hold and don`t let go, I hope I am wrong and we get it right, nothing would please me more that beating them mate.
I am not asking for 5 or 6 changes in one game, I would be pressing for Sanson for McGinn, Nakamba for Luiz, Ramsey for Barkley, and Trez in a loose roll in midfield.
Hopefully that would partially counter the absence of Jack.

4.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 16:39:56
Would you really change the whole midfield 3, going into a game against team like Leeds? With the 3 your swapping to rarely playing together? I just can’t see how that would help at all.

5.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 17:52:25
Yes I would chris, it won`t happen I know.
I am a bit like that mate, if I see a problem anywhere I don`t think about it, I try and fix it, if it fails I will hold my hand up and go again, our family are all the same.
I think our problem is a bit deeper than 1 player, and it lies in midfield, nobody would argue that point, so I would change the lot.
Leeds would be a tough game before our problems, and that would be with Jack onboard, its a darn site harder now, and to be honest I think we will lose, and it could be bad.
Like I say mate, I hope I am wrong, but unless we try we will never know. "get in there" 😉.