Ten games in, a review

[degsy]

1 point of second after 10 games....I like that stat

What about these stats;

i) 3pts cover 2nd to 8th

ii) we have a $h1te GD

 

[ilikecheese]

What about these stats;

i) 3pts cover 2nd to 8th

ii) we have a $h1te GD

Yeah...I think it's clear who the top seven are (can't see Southampton staying in the mix)...will be interesting to see the order of those seven on Jan 1.

 

[degsy]

Nice timing, Jock, needing doing this 'anniversary' thread.

Just to echo what Del said in the match thread regarding players Martinez inherited: I reckon he's had a good shufty at them now and maybe he's begining to show - at least some - signs of frustration at the limits to his 'inheritance', as it were (in particular his stated aim of having flexible players at his disposal that he can switch things around dramatically in-game formation-wise, rather than just rely on tactical substitute changes). I detect from his last few post match interviews after the defeat to City, the win against Villa and today's draw he's beginning to realise that certain players aren't going to be in it for the long haul with him and that he's going to have to make do and mend and think creatively to get whatever they do have to offer. I dont now who those players are, only he does, but I'd say that would be at the forefront of his mind now and that he'll act dramatically in the next two winndows...maybe with some surprise (to us) punts out of the club.

you have the key point of the whole 10 game revue in those words of wisdom

we may have been a tad optimistic on this whole... we go 2nd thing

 

[davek]

you have the key point of the whole 10 game revue in those words of wisdom

we may have been a tad optimistic on this whole... we go 2nd thing

It's definitely unwise to think what we've see is what we get with Martinez. This feller (allowing for half-way decent resources) is intent on taking us on an altogether different path than the one we've been walking down. It's just the opening moves from RM we're seeing here.

 

[evertony]

Roberto is a genuine football man.....he loves football and understands football. That's the kind of fella I want bossing my Club.

I think it's clear that the players want him managing them too....and thats very important.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Great read Jock

Enjoyed it immensely

 

[bicycleheader]

I like a comment somebody made on here a few weeks ago. That we are not as amazing as some people think on here when we win and nor are we as terrible as some negatrons think we are when we lose/draw.

Another thing is being realistic about the levels/abilities of our players. So far you would have to say only Howard, Jags, McCarthy and Barry have kept to a consistenly high performance level without being outstanding. The rest have fluctuated with some doing a job up to a point but also lacking quality in large parts of games.

I would include Lukaku in this because of his failings in his touch/overall game but obviously he has made up for this by doing that party trick of his where he kicks or heads the football past the keeper and into the net. Barkley I'll mention here as he is getting bigged up along with Romelu. Love them both but they are young and I don't expect them to be amazing every game like some seem to.

In Baines/Coleman we have two fullbacks that at their best could be considered possibly the best in the league but you would have to say they havent reached that level in most of the games so far this season. Distins looked ropier in possession than Jags so far also despite me thinking it would be the opposite.

Then with the likes of Osman, Mirallas, Naismith who have played quite a bit but don't add a lot or at least not consistently. Obvious the key man here is Mirallas who I like but......would anybody else think that its getting to a point in his time with us where the average/poor/ok performances are outweighing the very good/excellent/game winning ones? I don't think that he is a bad player just that we overrate him a bit and talk about him as if he is lethal and a big threat but then it comes to the game and he is very rarely showing that.

Pienaar, Kone and Deulo I don't want to say much on as they've not played too much. Lets see after another ten games if they have played much more and what theyve contributed.

Anyways I am not being negative here just more of a realistic stepback and look at what we have got right now. The other big thing is Bobbys tactics and what he thinks he needs for this. As mentioned above he will know going forward who does and doesn't suit this type of game and rather than a review after ten games this would need to be reviewed after probably two more transfer windows when hopefully we can see the future up front and the replacements for the likes of Pienaar and Barry going forward.

Overall I would say we have been a mixed bag across all the games but what is great is obviously that we are picking up the points whilst being so and whilst adapting to possession football. That, and despite what I say about the general performances of our attacking players, we still carry a threat and seem we can score with today being the exception.

Sorry I kind of rambled on a bit there...hopefully it makes some kind of point.

 

[Elong]

We're doing alright like. Could have been 2nd today, that's a good start for me.

 

[Allezfan]

It's a great start, if Martinez can keep it up this team can do great things.

 

[Bilko]

It's been great having a manager who is positive and enthusiastic about our club . It's clear we're a long way from where roberto wants to take us and that's exciting given our start already

I like his ideas of developing our club through our youth set up. Bringing players from there into our first team , if he can get us to the next level by nullifying our dis advantage financially then that would be one hell of an achievement .

Only thing is , I hope he doesn't turn into Harry melt face and becomes addicted to giving opinions and interviews , reckon he is in danger of that !.

 

[Jags]

Who does Gareth Barry remind me of ffs?

Mathew Horne?
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=m...OR0QXQnIHwBw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=643

 

[nigelcoyb]

Been a massive advocate of Martinez for yonks his humility belies a fierce courage to succeed, he knows he's good he knows his way is best and doesn't need sulks, strops or nobead shouting of the sort universal among British coaches.

In the midst of the foot soldier managers of the Prem he is "special forces" - intelligent, effective and one step ahead.

Admittedly I didn't think he would have us a point off second with Barkley transformed into a major star and a rampaging quality striker filling us with joy ..... but I did hope.

 

[bluemeanie]

The only thing bothering me is we've had a few games now where we've not started well at all. We've rode our luck at times and that won't be an option against the likes of Arsenal, Utd and even the Sh*te. But overall I'm really happy with RM- loads more positive and decisive than Moyes.

 

[tsubaki]

The key match isnt against the ****e, it will be Palace the game before. We should go into that game as massive favourites and will have to perform.

 

[Marco Rossi]

I have two points.
1. Barry, Delefeu and Barkley are handsome/fit.
2. we have 19 points after 10 games, so if we keep it up we will have 72 points by the end of the season. *Champions league beckons for the blues*.