11 Oct 2024 14:02:26
Well done Enzo Maresca for being named Manager of the month. I think he is proving to be a very smart appointment by the sporting directors. A huge upgrade on Poch.
11 Oct 2024 23:02:00
Well said.
12 Oct 2024 14:34:02
It's good news but also bad as it is the kiss of death going into a tough run of fixtures.
12 Oct 2024 22:33:16
Bill, true, a tough run of fixtures but the coach and team must prove themselves against better opponents, then we can see where we are.
14 Oct 2024 13:37:20
Huge upgrade is a bit strong, considering we have Liverpool, Newcastle x 2, united and arsenal coming up, our defence will need to be better than it has and this will be where maresca will earn the plaudits.
15 Oct 2024 08:56:26
Under Poch last season we won just one of those 4 premier league fixtures including a 4-1 loss at Liverpool. I repeat, Maresca is a huge upgrade and time for fans to get behind him and the team.
15 Oct 2024 13:08:09
West Side
I think the fans are behind the coach as the team are playing good football however, the defence is a disaster waiting to happen and I believe when we play the top teams in the coming weeks, if our defence let's in a large number of goals, mind sets will possibly change.
Also, the coach does not have a plan to defeat the low block when we are playing at the Bridge.
15 Oct 2024 15:15:49
Too early to judge imo, we could easily be benefitting from an easier than anticipated start to the season, a lack of injuries that we had last season or something as simple as these players already having had a year playing with one another.
To my eye, Maresca seems to have already abandoned a lot of what we were doing in pre-season and has us playing very similarly to how Poch did at the end of last season.
The same frailties remain, despite putting an extra man in the middle of the park we are prone to being scythed through. As much as Nkunku or Felix should have won us the game against Forest, to let a 10 man team create that much against us in the last 15 mins isn't something to celebrate. The two goals conceded against Gent were incredibly poor.
We're trending in the right direction though, so let's see how we navigate these next 5 games which look much tricker than the previous 6.
15 Oct 2024 16:00:34
In my opinion its fine to assess progress but is far to early to make definite judgements.
I’m happy enough with the way we are playing and 2pts per game is ok but there are another 93pts to play for and I personally will wait until we are much deeper into this season before I get carried away.
15 Oct 2024 19:56:19
Thanks Nathswindon, the guy wins Manager of the month and we are in a good place. Good times. The likes of you and me are 100% glass half full. Others will always see it the other way.
16 Oct 2024 08:35:15
West Dide
It's best to be half empty until we see how we do against the top sides also as I have previously said, he still has mo answer to the low block.
16 Oct 2024 16:11:47
Maresca will only be an upgrade on Poch if he wins a cup of some description and we finish 4th.
And he has the advantage of a more settled group with PL experience and a stronger squad it's worth remembering.
16 Oct 2024 17:08:07
It could be that 5th spot is a champions league qualification and that would also be an improvement on last season’s sixth place finish. It would be nice to get some silverware as well.
I’m also enjoying our football this season far more than I did at any stage last season. I’m actually looking forward to going to the bridge.
16 Oct 2024 18:35:33
A 5th place finish would be a poor result given the stronger and more experienced squad.
Of course we are better this season than last at the same point Poch worked hard to establish a squad mentality and a lot of new players are now playing near there potential with a seasons experience.
We aren't playing any better than the last quarter of last season and are still defensively fragile despite new recruits and a mostly fit squad.
So the jury is most definitely out on Maresca and the signings we have made this season.
16 Oct 2024 19:21:38
With the exception of two games at the end of last season our football “so far” is a lot more enjoyable on the eye.
Our squad has improved this season and having fewer injuries has helped but other teams that were in the top four last season have also improved. That’s the problem, teams are not going to stand still and wait for us to catch up. We have to improve at a faster rate than our competitors and that ain’t easy. Hence why I have gone for 3rd-5th place for this season.
I certainly haven’t drawn any “conclusions” on our manager but so far the signs are good in my opinion.
17 Oct 2024 06:43:50
Some so called fans never happy we have the best team in the league and the best player in palmer the best defensive mid in caicedo shall I go on maresca is a great manager and we would be first if it wasn't for some questionable refereeing decisions and unlucky moments in games which we drew also man *hitty got lucky because they versed us on marescas first game and now we would play a lot better sorry for long reply.
17 Oct 2024 08:07:07
Blimey, even by my historic optimistic standards that is way more than a cup half full. Good on ya!
17 Oct 2024 09:20:16
Dealing
Not sure why people who point out the short comings of the squad, coach should be happy.
If you want to be the best team club then you need to rectify the short comings otherwise there is no improvement.
Just out of curiosity, how many of pur players would be first teamers at the Man City, Arsenal.
17 Oct 2024 10:07:32
Think Palmer Cacaido make Arsenals starting 11 and maybe one of the wingers
Less sure about city maybe Colwill.
17 Oct 2024 18:55:28
Bill, you use words like "a disaster waiting to happen" in response to a post about a coach winning manager of the month. Do you also honestly think our head coach has no answer to a low block? Come on fella, get real. Banter is fun of course and I respect all opinions but at least keep it half sensible. In response to the second part of your comment who do you think from the Arsenal side get into our starting 11?
17 Oct 2024 21:30:19
West Side,
The way our defence is so open, when we play top sides what else do you think will happen apart from us shipping goals
With regards to the low block, we have dropped points against City, Palace and Forest all at home. dp you not think that is us having an issue with the low block. It's no coincidence that we are having more joy away from the Bridge.
18 Oct 2024 06:03:39
Bill, Man City do not play with a low block.
18 Oct 2024 09:09:06
West Side
Agreed but Palace and Forest did.
It's no coincidence that we play better away than at home.
18 Oct 2024 10:03:18
Bill, we cut through Palace and Forest numerous times but in both of those games our finishing was poor. As a striker you often only get one good chance in a game and you have to take it.
18 Oct 2024 13:32:01
West Side
How is it we have scored mire away from home and gained more points.
? .