Well, no surprises to see Man City win today but Leicester did well to keep it to 0-1 and put in another respectable performance.
I think looking at where we are in the table, we have to accept that it is going to take a monumental effort to avoid relegation. I would say that its probably gone past the point of appointing Pulis or another miracle worker, doing so would only bring about a Dave Basset type situation back in 2001 - ultimately pointless considering the position we are in.
5 points from safety and bottom is not where you want to be leading up to Christmas where only 2 teams who were bottom have ever avoided relegation in the premier leagues history. And one of those teams had an italian lunatic in charge.
Looking at back at Pearsons pretty honest and downhearted interview after the Villa game I think he knew that we just don't have the squad to compete. We have no choice but to keep working hard and applying ourselves and hope for something miraculous to happen as it did for Fulham once, Sunderland and West Brom, and indeed Palace. That will require something special happening in a very difficult January window.
The owners are now faced with the prospect of thinking about next season, even in their consideration of Pearsons job this season. I believe Pearson will stay in his role, however he must accept that fundamental mistakes were made in the transfer window and indeed in his approach to games such as Palace, Burnley, QPR and West Brom.
Regarding the window - Cambiasso (a player I championed at the time) now looks an expensive luxury. Yes he is the best player on the pitch, but the priority was defensively, not an ex serie A midfielder. The long term signing of Schmeichel looks to be a confusing decision looking at Hamers performances and keeping players like Nugent on the books is naive considering what he realistically has to offer.
Its a shame to be writing this, perhaps not everyone will agree, but personally I saw this as an opportunity to really start a new chapter in the clubs history. I knew we wouldn't finish any higher than 16th/17th but it could have been a building block to be the next swansea. Of course I wouldn't want this at any cost, financial stability is key, but I think we could have had both.
Those content with accepting relegation to the championship in the sure belief we will re-bound next season need only to look at clubs like Blackburn, Norwich, Cardiff, Wigan and Fulham to see it just isn't that easy. I'm gutted that an opportunity looks to have been missed but I'll continue getting behind the team, both this season and the next - wherever that may be.
Thoughts on our Season...
posted on 13/12/14
Good debate guys with very reasonable arguments being presented by all.
Good to have you back BS - stay chilled, it looks good on you
posted on 13/12/14
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 8 minutes ago
Good debate guys with very reasonable arguments being presented by all.
Good to have you back BS - stay chilled, it looks good on you
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Completely agree, this forum is a weaker place without BS
posted on 13/12/14
The reason I think he is stubborn has been very clearly articulated by other posts above.
The excuse that we couldn't attract players in the summer is ridiculous. Newly promoted with huge points tally, wealthy backers and premier league set-up - surely that should have yielded more than we brought in? We managed to attract a legend in Cambiasso! However, we nearly messed that up and got him in too late.
Why sign Albrighton, Simpson and Powell? I feel that stubbornness to change 'his team' is the reason.
Fair enough not blowing £12 on Deeney but McCarther would have been a solid signing.
There was also chronic negligence in the summer with the Defence-With Upson out, a loan defender should have a priority rather than Powell. Thinking Konchesky would be good enough after 3 years in the Championship was a poor decision and not getting in a LB criminal.
I just think that NP gives out the wrong impression. It's all very noble not discussing transfers but the premier league is hyperbole and, as I said above, in the summer NP came across as stubborn and not wanting to do business.
Yes the club didn't want to be held to ransom, but look where our moral crusade has got us - staring relegation in the face. It's correct that we are not down yet but to be only on 10 points at this stage is pitiful considering the position we started at and with backing. Also, to answer the FFP question-if that was so much of a concern, why are we handing out 4 yr deals to players before we know whether they are PL standard.
As I said, I'm a huge NP fan, eternally grateful for last year but desperately disappointed this year.
Please Santa, let us have a win!
posted on 13/12/14
comment by OooTommyWright (U20202)
posted 46 minutes ago
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 8 minutes ago
Good debate guys with very reasonable arguments being presented by all.
Good to have you back BS - stay chilled, it looks good on you
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Completely agree, this forum is a weaker place without BS
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Ah thanks guys - I'm aiming to remain more levelheaded this time around, less emotion, more thinking!! Should last about an hour...
posted on 13/12/14
Excellent points Donington in my view
posted on 13/12/14
I think what is a really damming sign for NP is what is going on up the road in Burnley. A squad who we are apparently better than on every level, a team who finished a fair bit behind us last season and who strengthened even less than us are now 5 points ahead of us. For me I think that shows just how much our manager is struggling in this division, some players are not good enough for the premier league and some managers aren't either.
Of course we had to keep him and give him a chance because he earnt it but its rapidly becoming clear Pearson isn't good enough. Better on every level that Burnley apart from points won
posted on 14/12/14
BS by far one of your best articles agree with you.
Guys is it a good idea stop posting in total every article you are responding to its getting like war and peace.
Mersey i ask you a questions Do you think his loyalty and long term contracts to Championship quality players has helped us this season.
I think the owners would be stupid if they aren't not making plans for any eventuality and planning not planning for relagation (especially now) would be lunacy or is Nigel stubbornly telling the owners that he will keep us up (joke)
posted on 14/12/14
I'm not going to go in to detail but I'm more on the Mersey/OTW side than the BS/Donington approach.
posted on 14/12/14
No Nev - I lost a bit of faith the second he have De Laet a long term contract.
I still think that 60% of the squad can step up if surrounded by a bit more quality.
Ulloa, Vardy, DD, Mahrez, Schlupp, Moore, Schmeichel, Albrighton are all players that I think can step up if given the right support.
As you know, De Laet, Konch, James, Nugent are all players that, for me, should not have wen given deals.
posted on 14/12/14
Nuneaton - I'm absolutely not anti-NP, if you look through my previous posts over the years on here you'll see that I'm a big supporter and defender of him. BUT im telling it like I see it - mistakes have been made and the big question is whether NP gets the chance to put it right.
After years, months and weeks of 100% support I'll be honest enough to say that I'm no longer sure.