Hobsons Choice

I'm sure we all will. I will for sure, but at the moment we've not appointed anyone, and we're in the debating new managers phase. There seems to have been a trend this morning of people warming to Gerrard. Which is fine. There also seems to have been a trend of people (not including yourself in this) suggesting that others are in some way deluded, ungrateful or moronic for wanting someone else. Which is not. Point is we're still debating future appointments here. Defending them against criticism probably comes later.

Agreed.

Plus we'd kind of hit rock bottom at the time. We have more to lose this time around.

Some interesting points. I'd mainly add that it's easy for us as fans to talk about systems, but probably much harder to implement. Which is why managers earn big bucks. I appreciate what you mean about the indefinable, but the closest thing I can get to rationalising it is that sometimes you get the right man in the right role at the right time. Unless all three are right, you don't get this....magic. For me Gerrard is (possibly) right man, right role, wrong time.

Right, ok. So firstly we’ve all said our piece regarding Smith, so as of right now let’s draw a line under that. New era etc. The question now is who is the best appointment to sort out midfield, and how the hell will they do it. I think the midfield balance has to change, but even before that the key is getting the players you mentioned fit and firing. In the medium term (until Jan) I think we have to look at formation. Three in midfield will be tricky. I don’t think anyone could come in and get success with that, so we’d be looking at someone who can adapt to the short term, not necessarily playing the system they want to implement in the long term. This is going to require a really adept tactician, AND a great motivator. And then in February, after we make changes we can see what they are about. Would Gerrard fit those criteria, and would the fans give him time to do it? I have no idea, and the data available does not help, but my gut says let’s go for an experienced pro.

What has any of that got to do with 18 games we lost last year with a different midfield? You’ve lost me entirely.

Is it not just playing better than your opponents and scoring at least one or possibly more goals than them? Winning is not a skill. It’s the outcome of a process, as unsexy as that sounds.

Fair play, understandable, but there are a few genuinely decent candidates out there. Of which Gerrard may turn out to be one, I don’t know, no-one does.

Elaborate, please. Change my mind.

Eh? Did you make up an argument in your head and then try and counter it? That’s not in the same postcode as what I said.

I think that he may have been comparing the ‘winning mentality’ of SG with Keane, and then saying that he didn’t want SG. At least that’s how I read it. I think this ‘winning mentality’ thing is just a thinly veiled cover for being aggressive tbh. No manager settles for losses. Management is not about throwing your toys out of the pram every time something goes wrong, because that sets out a ‘do as I say’ culture. Good managers get all of their staff/players to buy into what they are doing and to perpetuate it.

Well yeah, we should not have sacked Smith.

So first game in charge, what’s his midfield 3 gonna be, and will they be good enough to win?

Saying you don’t want a manager, and saying you wont get behind them are two very different things, and I think that most would support SG if appointed. That’s not to say that I don't think it’s a massive gamble, and a wasted opportunity to appoint a proven manager. No one is saying SG is a bad manager. Ok a minority maybe, but it’s mainly that he is unproven. That’s the point. Whilst you make a good point about Purslow’s recruitment criteria, I cannot agree about Brighton and Potter. He has done a great job to build a squad snd culture there, and they impress pretty much every time I see them. They have been a quality striker away from being a top, top side for a year or so.

I think it’s only a minority who are questioning his character. Most including myself are questioning his experience and credentials.

Emojis are weird on here. Was supposed to be a mic drop

I don’t disagree, but In fairness we missed the boat a bit with our shite off-season. We’ll be playing catch up for a while yet on that score.

Relax, his first Managerial job in football will not be premier league. Besides, he’s probably studying for badges etc. I think like Gerrard he could be a good future manager. Got a decent football brain, but he needs to pay his dues, and right now he shouldn’t be considered for a PL job

Red AND blue draughts.

Yeah, that’s what’s worrying me. If they can’t get him in before Brighton it’s more likely to be Gerrard.

Delaney probably.

We have to, have to get him. That video was great. Plus I can see some of our players fitting that model. Ollie for instance, and Mcginn. Quick counter and overload. Most of the best teams employ that to some degree.

I kind of feel sorry for Onomah. He’s going to be cleaning Conte’s patio at this rate.

I don’t think any manager worth his salt would take on the job without a reasonable war chest. It’s pretty obvious our midfield problem can’t be fixed from within the existing squad.