West Bromich Albion 2-2 Watford. Monday 1/4/24

Well Barry will be out of a job in a month,with Bayern not us!
Although we could break new ground by sacking someone before we appoint them!

 

I guess one of the main things to note, is that I don’t imagine too many of us think Ismael would have gone through those 3 games undefeated and taken 5 points.

Cleverley has managed to get something out of them, which is why I didn’t really ever accept comments saying we have a crap/relegation level squad etc. We have always (this season) had a squad that was comparable with many clubs in and around mid-table/lower playoff spots. But we have been found massively wanting when it comes to desire. There’s still some questions to be answered in that respect but we are at least moving forward.

 

With 5 points from his first three matches in charge, TC has done better so far than Ismael (4), Wilder (4) and Bilic (3).

Edwards got 7, but fat lot of use that did him.

 

Hopefully Clevs gets another offer before Gino offers him a 1 year deal over the Summer, I hate to think what sort of squad he'll be left with next season.

 

I’m in New York for Easter and following the games on X, Sky Scores and the forum. Talk about getting hopes up and getting punched in the gut with injury time equalisers by notifications. But by the sounds of it the performances were good and results wise, can’t complain about things really.

 

Would be an interesting one, he actually almost hired me when he was at Wigan but then they went into administration like a week later which scuppered any hopes of that. I'm sure he'll get a managers job of his own v soon as the clubs he's been at for his age are crazy - 37 years old and been an assistant at Chelsea, Bayern, Belgium + Portugal!

Although he's being linked with Sporting today, a slightly better job you'd feel!

 

If we want him, we’ll get him.

 

I don’t buy a lot of this (no offence) - look at Ipswich. How many of their players would we honestly have put above ours at the start of the season? Not many. On talent alone, Kone/Martins/Asprilla are better than Morsy/Broadhead/Jackson. Far better.

I’m not worried if Martins, Kone, Asprilla leave. I’m worried if we replace them with more transient players who think they can turn up and glide their way to a move elsewhere.

We must start recruiting based on character AND ability. Potential is pointless if they won’t knuckle in and get involved in EVERY game.

 

If as expected money is very tight next season, in my humble opinion it makes it even more important to try to use our homegrown players or those we’ve signed as youngsters (where they are of a sufficient ability, of course)

That should potentially made TC an even more attractive choice as Head Coach.

 

Cleverley makes a lot of sense if we had invested in our academy…

 

It's baffling isn't it?

Attitude, character, call it what you want, is essential in any walk of life but especially sport.

 

If, eh. One of the shortest words in the dictionary, one of the longest words at our club.

 

“Eh” or “if” ?

 

'If' 'eh' Onura?

 

Seeing how Clevs has quickly got us "playing" and looking "capable" my first feeling is that they should offer him the role full time.
There is a concern that it's a bit early and that there's a good chance he'd get the chop middle of next season, which would be a knock.
I guess he'd be a great assistant if a bigger name came in, but it seems likely there won't be much money next season?
I'm tempted to say that we should keep Clevs in the role and look to bring in an experienced assistant (what's Jackett doing these days?)

 

No level of investment would have meant we kept hold of the likes of Galvez and Amass.

 

I can't see we were ever a lower playoff level team.

I thought 14th / 15th or so before the season started and we aren't too much different from that despite adding Dennis.

 

Not a bad point but the usual completely predictable failure to see a game out at 2-0 and Bachmann beaten at his near post poorly for the first.

Not that any of it means anything, at this stage.

 

Bachmann looked fairly comfortable today and then let's that happen.
Shouldn't we be slagging off Asprilla? One easy pass puts Dennis one on one with the keeper.
Anyways still enjoyed it. Again we have our flaws but TC has got them working for each other.

 

Another good team performance for 70 mins … not too bad after that … we were beaten by a world or goal and the first was an error from Bachman … who was otherwise excellent. Keep this up and I would give TC the job … he has us playing with confidence, purpose, intensity and at the same time we are organised and well coached both on and off the ball … last 2 games are the best football we have played in years

 

I thought we were awful in the first half, as if Val had never left. Our first goal came against the run of play and we were lucky not to go into the break 2 down.

Like most i would have taken a point before the game, since not unhappy.

 

We aren’t. My point is that we have a squad that is very capable of being there on name alone - but we haven’t been a ‘team’ or had a coach capable of forming us into one.

 

Director of Football at Gillingham

 

Paul Robinson is back at Brum with Rowett until the end of the season, if he doesn't stay, it might be worth trying to bring him back

 

I'm not sure I understand that part.

Do you mean a squad that should be able to do it based on individual reputations?

 

Yes. On reputations, we have a good squad for this level. But we don't really have a 'team' that has been fashioned from it. Not sure what have had a sense of 'team' since Gino thought we should replace Chalobah and Hughes with Kucka and Etebo (it was probably much before then to be honest but Covid and good vibes Xisco masked it).

 

I don’t think it’s highly likely. Possible, yes, but I would think Rot, Hudd & Plym would be favourites.

 

Do you fancy the top job yourself? You're on the club's radar and you're eligible (you've never been manager before and you're not QSF).

We've certainly had people less qualified than you before.

 

Wow. You really, really hate @reids don't you ?

 

Reputations? Maybe for Lewis. Initially for Louza?

No idea who else.

TDB, Kayembe, Kone, don't have a track record of success in this division. Or the one above.

Bayo and Rajovic definitely don't.

Asprilla and Andrews were totally unproven at the start of the season.

Porteous an international but again unproven in English football.

Hoedt had never done well in England before coming here, but is relatively well known.

Bachmann doesn't have a reputation for being good even with our own fans.

I just can't look at that and think anyone vaguely in the know thought an ageing Livermore and Ince would improve us over Pedro and Sarr.

My view is a few external people fancied us for the playoffs based not on our squad but on the fact we're recently down and still receiving parachute payments.

 

Plymouth are having a torrid time and as wfc4 said, are about to sack their coach.
Sheffield Wednesday I'd include so two from 'Udders, Plymouth,Owls and Brum to join Rotherham.