clintdempsey

I still think we can escape the drop to be honest. There’s enough in this squad and management team to see us through it. Considering the circumstances a point is OK of course but I do think that we started a bit slow today to be honest (before Clark’s brain fart). Was expecting to be at them from the off, pressing and hassling. IMO we were a bit too cautious, even after the red card to be honest. Norwich didn’t threaten much and I felt like we were way too deep kicking it long too often to no one. Actually thought there was a shade of Darlow to Dubravka’s game today which did worry me a bit. Didn’t cover himself in glory for the moment leading up to their goal and kicked a few balls straight out of play. Redeemed himself after Schär’s howler though. A bitter pill to swallow this though. We would’ve won 11 v 11 I feel, and probably could have won had we been a bit more adventurous 10 v 11. Two points lost at a stage where we really can’t lose them. I have faith that Eddie’s a fast learner though and we will beat Burnley this weekend and have a shock result or three before January.

Get Almiron on for Willock and up the intensity a bit and we’ll be fine. These are shit. Go for a 3-4-1-1.

Felix Magath at Fulham?

As I said yesterday in the match thread I’d have hope that we would have been a bit more aggressive and adventurous yesterday. Obviously I have faith in Eddie and the staff to sort us out and it is early days. There were a lot of encouraging aspects of our game vs. Brentford and a few yesterday as well hopefully we’ll beat Norwich on Tuesday and get this train moving.

Of course not. But I expected more than thistbh. A higher press and just a bit more of an adventurous outlook. Especially after Tindall’s words in the presser about going there to score and win.

Actually a bit disappointed after last weeks attack-fest. We’ve been way too conservative and passive today. Weird way to go for a win.

I’m loving all this communication sorcery the club is doing at the moment. Great interview with Staveley. She seems very authentic and sincere so far. Like she takes great pride in being involved as a custodian of the club.

Good video I think. Love Shearer me. ? Of course there’s a couple of cliches in there but on the whole it was good. I don’t think his words around the Rafa/Bruce bit were that bad either. Didn’t say anything about performances, style just kept it to points/position. Sticking up for a friend is probably about right. Love it when he talks about signing for us and returning home and also the parts about Sir Bobby.

Suffice to say he aced both the interview with NUFCtv and the press conference. I’m totally onboard the Howe train now. The transformation is complete. Very well-spoken, seems highly intelligent and projects an aura of calmness and professionalism akin to Rafa but with the passion of KK or Sir Bobby. I have a feeling this is going to be a great ride.

As a Swede I’m not having that. He’s every bit as awful as he is for NUFC tbh. One of the few players I’ve no hope at all for. ?

Would be interesting to see Hjulmand in the Premier League. There's no doubt he's done a great job with Denmark but he falls into the same bracket as Southgate for me. He hasn't really done anything of note in club football has he outside of a league title in Denmark 9 years ago? Could be somewhat of a risky hire for Villa at the moment?

Nah, they're reporting that we have three games (away) at stadiums that are part of the trial?

Two separate Spurs fans I think.

I miss Martin Jol and his faux ITK persona. Happy times.

At this point in time, after the dust has settled from the Emery fall-out (who I don’t particularly ‘like’ anyway but have respect for his record), I’m actually quite happy if it is Howe. Been watching a few interviews and reading a few articles and it’s an obvious step-up from most of the managers over the last 14 years. He seems like a really switched-on guy who lives and breathes football and always looks to better himself and learn more about being a manager. He is also evidently a highly articulate guy with a great football philosophy. He’s not the big name most of us would have wanted at the start of this process but looking at it from a different point of view it seems like he really wants a project and he has loads of potential to grow with the club. My first reaction was disappointment but after reading up on him I’ve got a better feeling about this. 100% behind him and it will be so nice just to not have our manager embarrass and belittle us in the press and on the pitch anymore. Howe actually strives for betterment through positive football as well, how about that?

If Charnley is leading that side with the consortium's blessing that doesn't bode well either tbh.

Surely we can't have taken three weeks to talk to a host of candidates, narrow them down to a shortlist and NOT have spoken about contract, transfers, structure and so on? Reading between the lines in regards to Emery we seemingly haven't talked to Villareal, haven't offered him a contract or given him the assurances needed to make the move. It sounds an awful lot like amateur hour in my opinion. I mean even in my profession you get the framework for the deal done early in the process and then pick and choose from a number of candidates. Surely we can't be that bad? Or can we?

No. Just no.

Of course he's having some doubts. We haven't got a structure in place that is fit for purpose for a Premier League club. I wouldn't expect a manager with the CV of Emery to sign a contract with NUFC without knowing exactly what the plans are. He could sign a contract today thinking that he's got the final say on transfers for example and we then hire a DOF/SD in two weeks time who's the opposite of Emery. We'll have a nice little KK/Wise/Jimenez situation on our hands again. Except that it would be played out in public, live on Twitter and streamed on Prime. We NEED to get the structure in place or at least an idea of what it'll look like before any elite-ish manager will sign. It will only end in tears otherwise.

I don't think the wages are an issue here tbh. I can totally understand the doubts Emery have (if true). Who is the incoming DOF/Sporting Director, will there be one at all, how much power will he wield transfer-wise and so-on? He's leaving a great job at Villareal, at the top of their group in the CL, to take over a club in 19th in the PL, with an unbalanced (poor) squad. Surely he would like some assurances as to what his and NUFC's future looks like? The DOF/Sporting Director really should be in place first. And then let them hire the manager. Otherwise this has every chance of failing badly. But I don't really think anyone in the media knows for sure as of now. Maybe there'll be a triple presentation tomorrow with a CEO, a DOF/SD and a new manager? Wouldn't bet on it though.

Norwich will probably have time to sack Farke and bring in Howe before Charner's gets there anyways.

Seems like the mistake here has been not making an official approach in the first place? If they decided that Emery was the one, they should have went to Villareal and matched his release clause. Now we're being made out to look like fools. (Not that Emery himself has covered himself in glory so far with his comments). It's all a bit mishmash atm unfortunately. Hopefully we'll get it done though.

Well, it was a bit weird that the leaks happened yesterday tbh. Disrespectful towards both Emery and Villareal before a huge game. It's almost like someone's trying to fuck us over. Hopefully we can get him in anyway since he really would be perfect for where we are right now. If he doesn't want to come, fine, get another man in. Not Howe or Martinez though. Would be disastrous IMO. (Still want Fonseca me ). Would be a bit miffed tbh if Villa get Fonseca, Spurs Conte and we'd settle with Howe or Martinez.

Would be a great coup tbh. He's a proven winner and seems to be perfect for where we are and what we need right now. Probably also tells us that there will be some huge investments in the squad and infrastructure to even be able to lure him from a Champions League-team at this point in time.