Ronald Koeman discussion

[Tommy F]

We always knew the beginning of the season would be tough, 4 points from 15 would not be too much of a shock for a team that needs to gel still. Fans need patience, we knee jerk too much, if it's like this in November, fair enough.

It's poor but not terminal

 

[Connor]

Do you have a link, Connor?

 

[dannyboy]

All of them to some extent but Koeman must shoulder the most blame for me. He knew Lukaku wanted out, and he was given £70m by Moshiri that he decided to spend on Klaassen and Sigurdsson instead. The Pickford and Keane signings have strengthened us in the long term in those positions and Rooney and Sandro were brought in on the cheap so I have no issues there. Surely Rooney and Vlasic were adequate for the attacking midfield role, particularly as we actually have Barkley too? The absolute must was a striker and he's failed to bring one in.

Does anyone seriously think that any of the other top 6 sides would sell their star man (the 2nd top scorer in the league) and expect a 20 year old inexperienced striker who started off at a lower league club to fill that role? Calvert Lewin has shown no sign of being a goalscorer either with just 1 goal in 14 Premier League games. He has something to offer as a squad player until he works on his weaknesses. He is so far off being a dependable starter and it's ridiculous to place that expectation on him.

I'm in complete agreement, mate. I'd say it was laughable but I wasn't laughing at half time.

The thing is, we are where we are and things can be done to address the situation. We've gone through seasons not too long ago without a striker and managed to reach a cup final as well as finish 5th. I don't have the answers but Koeman is going to have to quickly find them.

As I stated in my first post I believe we will get better over the coming weeks/months. If we can mill around the top ten until Christmas and stay in the Europa League then I think we're well placed for a good second half to the season.

 

[Khalekan]

Cheers, Con

 

[carolinablue232]

We're never going to score another goal are we? Still nothing since City first half. Figure it out Ron, or just go away.

 

[dannyboy]

We always knew the beginning of the season would be tough, 4 points from 15 would not be too much of a shock for a team that needs to gel still. Fans need patience, we knee jerk too much, if it's like this in November, fair enough.

It's poor but not terminal

As football fans we only think in the immediate. Three losses and any manager is on the verge of being sacked... I see Unsworth is the popular choice now - given a run of bad results and we'd all want him sacked too.

Hopefully the manager will be given the time to sort this out. If I thought there was someone waiting in the wings who could transform our fortunes and get us into the Champions League then I'd be all for change. I just don't think there isn't.

 

[Papa Shango]

We always knew the beginning of the season would be tough, 4 points from 15 would not be too much of a shock for a team that needs to gel still. Fans need patience, we knee jerk too much, if it's like this in November, fair enough.

It's poor but not terminal

This makes sense of course but I don't think the issue is that we are losing games. That happens, its the manner of the defeats that are concerning. Players, manager, fans, I don't think anyone has a clue whats going on on the pitch. There is no fight, no effort, no gameplan seemingly which is worrying.

The problem is how we get out of the rut. I don't care if its Manchester United or Bournemouth we are facing, if we don't change how we approach games pretty sharpish there it's going to be a struggle. We have a good bunch of individual players but we have no team there. No partnerships are forming or anything, resulting in rubbish link up play and no unity.

 

[orly]

Is he still here?

BUM HIM WITH HIS OWN FIVE IRON AND SACK HIM FOR CHRIST SAKE

 

[carolinablue232]

As football fans we only think in the immediate. Three losses and any manager is on the verge of being sacked... I see Unsworth is the popular choice now - given a run of bad results and we'd all want him sacked too.

Hopefully the manager will be given the time to sort this out. If I thought there was someone waiting in the wings who could transform our fortunes and get us into the Champions League then I'd be all for change. I just don't think there isn't.

So you think there is then?

 

[dannyboy]

So you think there is then?

Haha been a long day...

 

[Darth Toffeeman]

As football fans we only think in the immediate. Three losses and any manager is on the verge of being sacked... I see Unsworth is the popular choice now - given a run of bad results and we'd all want him sacked too.

Hopefully the manager will be given the time to sort this out. If I thought there was someone waiting in the wings who could transform our fortunes and get us into the Champions League then I'd be all for change. I just don't think there isn't.

Not just that though.
Let's be honest we have been rubbish for ages. We had a good Jan/Feb though still got dumped from cup at home to Leicesters reserves. Prior to that we witnessed 3 months of garbage and a cup exit to Norwich.

Lukaku and Barkley created enough to see us 7th in a poor league.

In 12 months he has fell out with anyone with any craft and turned us into an under 8s school team of individuals just knocking about where they feel on the pitch.

It's a disgrace. Slow, unimaginative and predictable trash having spent £140m.

It's like Homer Simpsons dream car creation.

 

[Osamabindiesel]

As football fans we only think in the immediate. Three losses and any manager is on the verge of being sacked... I see Unsworth is the popular choice now - given a run of bad results and we'd all want him sacked too.

Hopefully the manager will be given the time to sort this out. If I thought there was someone waiting in the wings who could transform our fortunes and get us into the Champions League then I'd be all for change. I just don't think there isn't.

Fans also want to see blood as a result of the football on display. I think it's a little early to be firing anyone, but Martinez went for results at the very least. We are playing incredibly negative football and still being pounded into submission. If you can't play either side of the ball, you may as well not even show up. We have to find some sort of balance and I don't want it to be Coleman that saves his ass. I want him to figure something out before then.

 

[dannyboy]

Not just that though.
Let's be honest we have been rubbish for ages. We had a good Jan/Feb though still got dumped from cup at home to Leicesters reserves. Prior to that we witnessed 3 months of garbage and a cup exit to Norwich.

Lukaku and Barkley created enough to see us 7th in a poor league.

In 12 months he has fell out with anyone with any craft and turned us into an under 8s school team of individuals just knocking about where they feel on the pitch.

It's a disgrace. Slow, unimaginative and predictable trash having spent £140m.

It's like Homer Simpsons dream car creation.

Got to remember what he inherited from Martinez. It wasn't exactly mission impossible but it was a squad bereft of confidence that was unable to defend properly. There was a marked improvement last season.

Maybe we'll all be sitting here in January saying we have a boss team. It's just so early on for so many new players. Football can very quickly turn, I'm only 27 but I've seen it all before. You can look crap then fluke a win and things start to change.

 

[RomanReigns]

We play with a system that exposes the full backs and causes pandemonium with the defenders. Rooney is playing left back cover half the game and is the too tired to get up the pitch when we have possession.

We play slow possession based football which leads to nowhere

There is no urgency on the ball in possession to get forward

Instead of whipping crosses in first time we play it backwards

Kenny should be given the chance to play right back

We need to change the system to include pace with actual wingers like lookman and mirallas

We don't need to start Rooney in every match

Gueye should never be dropped

Davies needs to be given more first team opportunities one of the shining beacons of last season

As it stands the way we play is so predictable, slow and boring to watch

What are we doing in training? The whole system needs a rejig

 

[dannyboy]

Fans also want to see blood as a result of the football on display. I think it's a little early to be firing anyone, but Martinez went for results at the very least. We are playing incredibly negative football and still being pounded into submission. If you can't play either side of the ball, you may as well not even show up. We have to find some sort of balance and I don't want it to be Coleman that saves his ass. I want him to figure something out before then.

I personally thought there was no hope with Martinez. The bloke had zero pragmatism and from what I could tell absolutely no control over the dressing room. The writing was on the wall for him.

I don't really see it as negative football - it's just terrible football right now. There's issues all over the pitch but as I've stated time and time again, I always expected that given the turnover in playing staff. Hopefully in a couple months we can look back at this poor start and put it in perspective. Difficult games, new players etc.