Fuber

Not if his position on disparaging the club with regards to the NDA that Allardyce raised is to keep himself above it all. "Ask me in 12 months" etc. He's just enjoying his time off - no reason to risk his pay-off over it I'd assume.

Its slightly vague - as it could also be barbed to insinuate that JL had spoken to BT, thereby that BT should or would have backed NP. The latter didn't happen; and I'd be shocked if, as appointed technical director, that BT hadn't known NP was going to be sacked before it was announced.

Depends on the viewpoint of whether you're convinced by Manning, surely? I'm not such myself, neither I assume is WSM; there arent many things to cheer about for LM in the context of the overall season (and not just the context of the last 5) - he's only just recovered to the position we were in the league at the point he came in (having just had an injury crisis), so I myself am undecided on Manning for example. Depends on what context the double standard marker is being applied. It also depends on by what metric we're rating Liam insofar - i.e. personal view, or by the metric of the (unrealistic) targets set by the hierarchy, including those aside of league position such as player and academy development.

How would they find out if they werent even communicating with him? They'd already decided to part terms by that point imo. Its just an excuse made up after the fact.

Mods please delete.

Yet still not above where we were when he (himself, or those he put in place) were sacked or left just as we were coming out the other end of an injury crisis. At least keep things in context or at least how about addressing that point? For this season, Manning has only just effectively recovered from his own hapless management (props for finally adjusting his 'process' eventually to be more direct and quicker) from being way too strict in adhering to his own philosphies with no flexibility. Perhaps understandable in view of his own inexperience as a manager with this being effectively, what, his third season as a manager with regards to number of games managed? You cheapen what already nonexistent foundation for your argument when you merely belittle others when your apparent counter argument is to simply blame the forum at large as some sort of insult. Ultimately, the jury will be out until next season and seeing how the squad shapes up over the window - we're under no pressure at the moment, momentum now means naught unless its carried through the summer. We still have to navigate what will be nothing fixtures against Stoke and Rotherham - I'd like to see one or two academy players be given an opportunity to start. My one major concern so far under Manning is the sheer lack of academy throughput, which understandable early in his reign is now gone due to the same lack of pressure mentioned - i.e. was surprised to see Tanner at CB instead of Knight-Lebel for instance. The integration (and man-management) of academy players was one of the areas Nige undoubtedly got correct, would be a shame if thats pushed to the wayside the same way it was under LJ.

No matter any single persons opinion on the NP sacking and irrespective of whether we improve going forward and the decision being right or wrong - you cannot defend the manner in which he was sacked and the boards actions in the summer window (timing of the Scott sale, lack of reasonable replacement, etc) and later (lack thereof) communication with him. There was no common sense or courtesy in the clubs actions at the time, nor was it a footballing decision - we've only just got back to one position off where we were when he was sacked. Just like your chip-on-shoulder comment in the context of common sense, the club deserve said criticism - I'd be surprised if NP airs it however. Has more class than JL or BT. You seem to think we're being vindictive - there's a difference between the former and valid genuine criticism(s).

I'd trust the man who couldn't hack it as a manager in League One to judge player development in the Championship nearly 20 years later. That's basically what you've just said. As for Manning, he's had a couple of opportunities with injuries to trust academy players. He hasn't once trusted any with a start. He didn't bring through any at Oxford that were not already established. Neither of them have any track record with recruitment so far, of which January was a complete utter farce, and Tinnion cucked NP with the timing and replacement for Scott. Not disputing that you could be right - but this summer is huge for them, with all of James, King, Williams, Conway, and possibly Pring at likely to leave.

We need an attacking midfielder mobile enough to beat his man and create space - similar to what Scott did last season from deep but higher up the pitch. We really lack someone who can act as a pivot higher up the pitch in the pockets. Twine isn't that player. In the same vein, as when he got through on goal - I was surprised how slow he actually in over any distance not the first 10ft the more I've seen of him.

Could go 3atb - puts Webster in the picture. Ie. Bentley - £2m. Kalas - £8m, Webster - £3.6m, Baker - £3.8m; Weimann - £2.25m, Palmer - £4m, Massengo - £4.6m, DaSilva - £2.2m; Tomlin - £3.5m, Wells - £4m, Diedhiou- £5m. McCorie, and I could be wrong, according the Aberdeen side was £1.8m initial.

No. Highlighted yesterday was the fact we have no real threat in behind - I.e. completely lack of pace. Even our options off the bench (Cornick, Mehmeti) fail to help in this regard. Twine is no better than the latter on current showing, on double the wages, and four times the fee. First half, if he was Cornick and losing the ball that often, he'd be crucified on here.

Happened multiple times under the end of LJs tenure to be fair.

Speaking personally - it's end of the season and I'd just rather get food sorted for the family as live round the corner from the ground - so I'm in an advantageous position. If anyone saw us creating jack shite up until the penalty, then fair play to them. Ultimately consider today, in context of the last few games , as two steps forward (Leicester, Blackburn) one step back back (Today). Excusing the CB situation, going forward we were poor, perhaps highlighting how a differing approach- ie.e. pressing lanes against us - does a very good job of nullifying us. Something for Manning to prep for with regards to next season, imo.

I'm loath to infer much too much from today in general to be honest. After the first, Hyams confidence was gone as the rest of the match proved. I was boggled when Eustace kept Hyam on with Carter on the bench, and then subbing Wharton.

Correct me if I'm wrong - but are we not in the same league position now as we were after Sheff Wed under Fleming? So... we'd be in exactly the same place?

I take the general point. However would point out that Hyam playing suicide ball for the first, and MacFadzean pretending to be a basketball player, were not 'forced' by us - that was their own unforced errors. 2nd and 3rd - 100%, good pressuring. By the 5th they'd already capitulated.

Difference being Long had played something like 8 matches in the previous 12 months.

My only caveat is that Hyam and MacFadzean have gifted us all five goals. Aside from that, solid, organised, nice 'patterns'. Strong performances across the pitch. Would be more bouyed if Knight takes that Pring full back and smashes it in when 2-0 up. As would then be an open play goal not directly from an error or penalty, but that's obviously nitpicking.

Well. I've seen some poor opposition individual performances. That tonight is the first time I felt pity for an opposition player that they played that poorly. Dear Lord.

Right so - to be honest. Pretty heavy pressure on Manning (and the leadership) for us to improve upon this season considering the complete spiel they shat out after sacking NP. We were barely positioned higher in the league after NPs staff's final game, (Fleming in charge at Sheff Wed - after a cataclysmic injury crisis) than we are now. Up to Tinns to nail the summer window with regards to recruitment - as the last three have been pretty poor aside from Dickie, Roberts, and Knight. Less said about January the better.

*Shivers in end-of-LJ tenure remembrance.*

Was about to say probably Szmodics over Armstrong. For me I'd also have Sheaf over Fatawu (moving Sara wide right in the 4-4-2 as specified), otherwise Jack Clarke has been indispensable for Sunderland. With regards to Keepers - this season there haven't been many strong ones. I'd actually have O'Leary on sheer shot stopping ability - him and Hermansen on 74.5 and 74.8% respectively, but Max making more saves, 117 vs 104. Really puts his performances in context to the rest of the division.

It can be - it depends on the source of the errors in said game management, it could be as simple as an experience issue. I think Manning has clocked that he can set up a team, and for reasons, it may not always work - the problem for me has been ego (his stubborness re processes); and now he's started making subs much earlier, as needed, instead of reacting like he was in earlier matches. As per my original post - hopefully it continues and he doesn't revert to older habits.

Credit where its due - much better the last two. Some, myself included, previously criticised him for it. Hope Manning keeps it up, being more proactive when it isnt working - that is.

That bodes well.