Random football thoughts thread.

[danielcufc]

Oct 11, 2024 8:18:04 GMT imp566 said:

Oct 11, 2024 7:58:55 GMT cufctheparrot said:

It was a strange comment after the match where Carsley said they worked on the change of formation for 20 minutes in training before the match.

I realise they didn’t have much time as a squad before the match, especially for Thursday matches, but to acknowledge they only work on the plan for 20 minutes was a stupid thing to say, and do.

He has almost resigned himself to going back to the U21s. Sometimes a job is too big for the man; deep inside he may already be acknowledging that.

Monk has managed more PL games than Carsley. The job is to big for him. I have no issue with him holding the fort whilst the FA try and find the best person for the job, but he's not the long term answer. It worked with Southgate stepping up from the U21's as he had managed in the PL and had been a good player for England in his day. He was also younger than Allerdyce & Hodgson. I don't care if the next manager is foreign just as long as they go and try and get the best. They are not short of resources.

[danboyb]

Can only guess the 20 minutes working on it was due to them expecting Kane to be fit. Solanke wasn’t a realistic option to start and although they’ll never admit it we prob come to some pre agreement about how many minutes Watkins would get over the 2 games.

No excuses, Greece were deserving of their win, but I do have sympathy with the players, not sure we really need an international break in October and then again November. Nations league will always seem like glorified friendlies to most. If it means those that matter have learnt that Carsley isn’t the answer then it’s a good thing.

[imp566]

Oct 11, 2024 9:31:25 GMT danboyb said:

Can only guess the 20 minutes working on it was due to them expecting Kane to be fit. Solanki wasn’t a realistic option to start and although they’ll never admit it we prob come to some pre agreement about how many minutes Watkins would get over the 2 games.

No excuses, Greece were deserving of their win, but I do have sympathy with the players, not sure we really need an international break in October and then again November. Nations league will always seem like glorified friendlies to most. If it means those that matter have learnt that Carsley isn’t the answer then it’s a good thing.

One of the factors behind the argument for them playing too much football!

[danboyb]

Yes, it’s an argument that’s not going to go away anytime soon.

[Van Field Tilt]

Oct 9, 2024 19:10:11 GMT flouncingarburyboy said:

Seems to be a fair reflection of our season that the 'Random football thoughts' thread is now discussing players that we did/didn't/nearly signed.

Can we discuss managers we nearly appointed instead? Like say Chris Wilder? Some people say the club offered him the job on two separate occasions while others say it was actually three times....🤷

[squeeze.]

Oct 11, 2024 15:19:45 GMT Van Field Tilt said:

Oct 9, 2024 19:10:11 GMT flouncingarburyboy said:

Seems to be a fair reflection of our season that the 'Random football thoughts' thread is now discussing players that we did/didn't/nearly signed.

Can we discuss managers we nearly appointed instead? Like say Chris Wilder? Some people say the club offered him the job on two separate occasions while others say it was actually three times....🤷

Can’t remember when but he definitely verbally agreed once, went home and changed his mind.

[Andrewlang]

That was when he was at Halifax I think.

Andrew

[Funky Monk]

Yup, that was it.

On the subject of Wilder, touching stuff about Baldock who obviously played against us several times (as did his brother). Don't even mind Greece getting to do such poignant tributes.

[danielcufc]

Oct 11, 2024 16:06:36 GMT Andrewlang said:

That was when he was at Halifax I think.

Andrew

Didn’t he allegedly except it as well when Money left. Northampton were in trouble financially and in danger of administration. Then decided to stay where he was.

[Wingco's Boy]

Oct 11, 2024 8:33:03 GMT Mike Osbourn said:

Yeah, the Bellingham thing is something I was pondering back during the Euros. He seems to be playing where he wants, not necessarily where he's best for the team. He's still scored some goals, but just doesn't seem to be influencing the games in the way I'd expected/hoped. He's much more peripheral than he really should be - I see him as setting the tempo of the game from deep, but he's generally been at the end phase of moves more often than not recently, and I'm not sure that's his strength.

Bellingham does have an arrogance about him, and he can be petulant, something I hope he grows out of. But he’s always involved, and let’s not forget that he had our only two shots on target, both well-hit, and of course got us back into the game. How revealing that nobody mentions Foden. Not surprising really, he was totally anonymous. Again. He’s not cut out for a starting place, and simply gets in the way. Such a shame, because he’s brimful of talent, and footballer of the year.

[fatherjhackett]

This is rather charming:

www.theguardian.com/football/2024/oct/13/score-draws-how-collection-of-stars-sketches-celebrates-footballs-joy

Not that the idea need apply to us this season.

[Andrewlang]

England making heavy work of this again.

Andrew

[cufctheparrot]

Better formation today and good to see a change of keeper, even if I think Pickford should still be the number one when it comes to the bigger matches.

[danboyb]

Much more sensible team selection tonight. The chances of Henderson being needed in goal for a game in a major tournament are far higher than starting without a recognised striker.

Felt we got better as the game went on. Grealish becoming a Dad for the first time should help him mature as a person and that can only be a good thing. He was very good. Whoever takes over has a decent pool of players to pick from, just need to find a way to get the right balance when it comes to selection and formation.

[Wingco's Boy]

Three really lovely goals tonight. The three Gs, Guehi, Gomes and Grealish were all an improvement. Foden rightly benched, but Palmer had his first ordinary game for club and country seemingly for months. The only negatives: a bad goal to wreck the clean sheet, and Sam bloody Matterface’s commentary. Why he has resurrected the ghastly phrase “at this moment in time” is just beyond reason. It was supposed to have been buried with Murray Walker. I don’t think Matterface should be shot, but perhaps the producers could arrange for a non-lethal electric shock whenever he says it?