Fuber

LJ would have lost this squad by November. Everything that's come out of former players has pointed at such. I.e. Fielding, Wilbs, among others. Holden had gone on a run that barring a draw almost as bad as LJs worst run before he was sacked. People for the majority had huge sympathy for Holden. People have short memories. Our squad balance is completely ruined and still has not (and cannot) be addressed from LJ/MA due to FFP, and no recruitment setup when he arrived with MA basically having the door kiss him on his ass on his way out. The most interesting apart of this summer for me will be the coaching staff. I reckon there will be a huge overhaul which is desperately needed. Could someone have done better than NP with this squad of players - undoubtedly, he isn't the most tactically savvy of managers. Would I trust anyone else to undertake the immense reform this club needs...? The cultural enormity of this job is gigantic. Added to which if Nige leaves. Who would people want to replace him? For me, the problem is at the top. All the money doesn't make a bit of difference if there's a lack of strategy (see Everton). Added to which, it's more than slightly ironic that in the last 15 years (mid GJ), the only good appointment was Keith Dawe's.

Personally reckon in his decent wages not many CH clubs will be in for him. Never getting the wage he's on now elsewhere. Also think if Oxford get promoted he'd go back. Otherwise someone like Sheff Wed or Sunderland I could see coming in for him.

Eh. Can't say I agree with it, personally. I maintain we don't operate best with a target man and never really have. Our best football has come from pressing from the front, at least at this level - the only exception being Wilbs in League One.

With regards to the part in bold - the fact that Simpson and Downing were sacked and replaced by just Fleming so far is a point for debate. Mountain, last we heard, was in charge of defence of set pieces - whether he stays end of season will be something of note. I'd also make the parallel, that without Baker, in spite of having some tall players and signed Klose, nobody in this squad fills me with any confidence in the air. With regards to leadership, we have an inherent culture issue that appears to be apparent at all levels due to incompetent leadership. Case in point, the differing views on previous management/structure/philosophy going forward with regards to how the club should be run between our chairman and manager in a recent presser. I beleive the word I'm looking for are "completely abject and amateur from top down". Fact of the matter is, the best period of consistent improvement came from Keith Dawe. Not SL, JL, or anyone appointed by the latter two (MA). Speaks volumes IMO.

Worth pointing out re set pieces that my understanding is that this was (at least previously) under the direction of the goalkeeping coach, i.e. Pat Mountain to sort. The part of the summer I'm most interested in is backroom changes that could be made. Much of the current staff were appointed on two year contracts and /or rolling terms.

Ultimately we need 5-6 players minimum in the summer. Can see one of HNM, Semenyo, or Scott on their way out. Added to that I can't see Martin, O'Dowda among others getting new deals, and we have a small enough squad already. Will be an interesting summer I reckon. Can see us trying to shift also the likes of Kalas and Wells (wages) for smaller fees than expected. I reckon NP may try and completely clear the deck if possible, Bakinson was just the start.

I'll apologies unreservedly for any percieved slight. Short-sighted post from myself. Was more that in our case it was our esteemed (former) all knowing head of football operations that was responsible for spending our chairman's money more than anybody.

Fixed that for you.

Injuries an Injury. The issue is once you have a shit medical team, the damage is likely already done - comes down to if they're recurring (Williams) or not (Jay, touch wood).

Bear in mind he was fustrated with misidagnosis and treatment for the injury under Rolls. Scary to think, but I have a feeling Rolls' medical team may have done him in and ended his career at this level.

SL doesn't make mistakes. It's his club.

That, is an incredibly naive view.

I checked on the sky replay on rewind, he's level.

James' more area-specific looping crosses from corners are great when you have a team with height. In other words, everything we most definately do not have. Hence when it worked with Leicester with i.e. Huth, et company.

Barring a small handful of players (two of which is consistently injured) who are champ standard much of this squad are young (and the inconsistencies relating to that) or unproven/not good enough for the Championship in so far. In what universe is this squad top 10?!

If Mountain is still in charge of set piece defending, he needs sacking come end of season.

Wouldn't actually surprise me if they went Alex Neil.

He was only involved with Massengo. My understanding was that Scott and Semenyo were signed by the Academy/U23s? Think it may have been Probert?

Shouldnt have had to.

Seen them given. I can't tell whether the defender has hit Semenyos foot onto the ball or not on the angles I've seen.

We need a new defence before we need a keeper. We don't have one who can hold their ground and head a ball out from a set piece without Baker.

This.

They literally had three all but unmarked from the set piece. Not removing O'Leary from blame. However not guarenteed Bents does better with that shower in front of him.

We have two keepers who dont deal with crosses, and an overall short defence who likewise general suck aerially- especially without Nathan Baker, aside from Kalas.

Not with his injury record and our finances.