Humble Pie Weight Gain

[Bat Fastard]

4 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

A big factor has been signings. I think that when Holden was appointed, no one would’ve predicted we’d sign players of the quality of Alfie Mawson. Even Chris Martin to an extent.

When he was appointed most seemed to believe we were accepting mediocrity. 

I’m impressed he’s signed players for a set system - something which I feel LJ didn’t do. He’s definitely been backed too, like LJ was. The board needed to back him as they’d have known he was a gamble.

I really like him as a man so I hope the good form carries on. Obviously we won’t win every single game, so it’ll be intriguing to see whether he’s able to respond better than LJ did during times of poor form.

Very true, and the covid complications make predictions difficult.  I think that we are building for a sustainable future and the number of young players coming through shows how well the plan is working. The choice of DH and the experienced coaches, both specialists at developing young players, shows that everything is "as described on the tin"!

[bpexile]

12 hours ago, Leveller said:

We seem to be getting a lot more box entries under DH - ironically a much mocked phrase that is a far better measure than possession stats.

Deano has been taking advise from Rudolph 

[Spike]

I'm sure there isn't a fan who isn't enjoying such a strong start but I still think it'll take a couple of defeats to really see what Deano has, it's far too easy to call any manager the right man when he's not lost but I'll wait and see how he motivates the team when they're struggling or where we are after playing some of the stronger teams in the league, no disrespect to our opponents so far, or to this league as it's one of the toughest but we've beaten a newly promoted Coventry, a poor Stoke team who don't look like they're up for it, Sheffield Wednesday who have been hit hard by a points deduction and a Forest team who are yet to gain a point this season.

I think we'll really see how good Deano is as the man in charge when the sh*t hits the fan or we've had some real challenging games or losses. I know people will dismiss my opinion as we're currently riding a high but we've been here with Johnson, looking like nothing can stop us, and then the loss streak comes and the next season it's a whole new plan that requires the club to rebuild the squad bit by bit again.

I'm happy that the players are reacting well to Deano and co, I'm loving the results too, I'm just not getting caught up in the hype until there's a realistic chance that we could push for promotion come the end of the season.

[mozo]

2 hours ago, JonDolman said:

Once 100%, Dasilva, Kalas and Williams into the side.

Yeah that's what I'd do too.

Harsh on Rowe, but DaSilva is always first choice.

Kalas in, Vyner out.

Williams might need to be patient because I don't see Holden changing up the 8s until he has to. Maybe if we're defending a lead with 30 to go, Pato comes off and Williams comes in for a more solid option (although he might be tempted to do the Brunt thing).

[Davefevs]

4 hours ago, Spike said:

I'm sure there isn't a fan who isn't enjoying such a strong start but I still think it'll take a couple of defeats to really see what Deano has, it's far too easy to call any manager the right man when he's not lost but I'll wait and see how he motivates the team when they're struggling or where we are after playing some of the stronger teams in the league, no disrespect to our opponents so far, or to this league as it's one of the toughest but we've beaten a newly promoted Coventry, a poor Stoke team who don't look like they're up for it, Sheffield Wednesday who have been hit hard by a points deduction and a Forest team who are yet to gain a point this season.

I think we'll really see how good Deano is as the man in charge when the sh*t hits the fan or we've had some real challenging games or losses. I know people will dismiss my opinion as we're currently riding a high but we've been here with Johnson, looking like nothing can stop us, and then the loss streak comes and the next season it's a whole new plan that requires the club to rebuild the squad bit by bit again.

I'm happy that the players are reacting well to Deano and co, I'm loving the results too, I'm just not getting caught up in the hype until there's a realistic chance that we could push for promotion come the end of the season.

I think most posters, including the ones really enjoying the start, would agree with you.  It’s a common-sense post from someone who grasps the ups and downs of football.

My only comment is about the level of teams we have played so far.  Of course we need to wait until 10-12 games in to see the table, but I don’t think our fixtures so far have been generous, nor have they been hugely testing either.  I think we’ve played teams who were more than capable of taking points off of us...and they haven’t (for whatever reasons).  We’ve shown a bit of backbone in each game, we’ve shown an ability to resolve problems without fundamental changes.  That is the thing that stands out for me.  We can only guess at things like team spirit, happiness etc.

[spudski]

Imo it's the collective effect of three coaches, with a high level of experience that could improve us.

Collectively imo, they are better than say a bigger profile coach with less experienced assistants.

On the playing side, time will tell when it comes to game management and having plans b and c.

Our style of play is more entertaining and pleasing on the eye, but imo, is far more open to mistake.

We are looking to play quickly through the lines, which is great when it works, but needs pin point passing and control. We've been lucky on a few occasions where interceptions have been made and we've struggled to get back and re shape.

Other than that...it's been enjoyable.

[Sturny]

1 minute ago, spudski said:

Imo it's the collective effect of three coaches, with a high level of experience that could improve us.

Collectively imo, they are better than say a bigger profile coach with less experienced assistants.

On the playing side, time will tell when it comes to game management and having plans b and c.

Our style of play is more entertaining and pleasing on the eye, but imo, is far more open to mistake.

We are looking to play quickly through the lines, which is great when it works, but needs pin point passing and control. We've been lucky on a few occasions where interceptions have been made and we've struggled to get back and re shape.

Other than that...it's been enjoyable.

Indeed, but I would 100% take this football and lose over what we had under LJ in those last couple of seasons

[Spike]

19 hours ago, Davefevs said:

I think most posters, including the ones really enjoying the start, would agree with you.  It’s a common-sense post from someone who grasps the ups and downs of football.

My only comment is about the level of teams we have played so far.  Of course we need to wait until 10-12 games in to see the table, but I don’t think our fixtures so far have been generous, nor have they been hugely testing either.  I think we’ve played teams who were more than capable of taking points off of us...and they haven’t (for whatever reasons).  We’ve shown a bit of backbone in each game, we’ve shown an ability to resolve problems without fundamental changes.  That is the thing that stands out for me.  We can only guess at things like team spirit, happiness etc.

I agree but we've seen the team show this kind of unity in the past when winning, it's like I said, we'll see just how much backbone and unity we have when the results aren't going our way, that's the real test.