Relegationometer

[AyeDubbleYoo]

The last few games, it has become pretty clear to me that we are going down.

 

I still believe in what Lambert is trying to do, but it's too much, too soon. It's like the Tories and the economy. I can see they need to do something with spending, but the rapidity of it is doing huge damage.

 

I fear we will have to go down before we really start to improve.

 

Too many youngsters, heads drop too easily, and they're nigh on impossible to lift after a bad sequence of results.

 

Have you any idea what he's thinking, doing it so drastically, and sticking with it when he's losing every week? From the outside it seems mental.

[brummie]

He doesn't know what he's doing.

 

Admittedly, we've been let down by higher paid players who haven't delivered under this manager as they didn't under the last, but it's way too much too soon.

 

The concept is sound enough. It's the execution of it that is wrong.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

The freezing out of Bent seems wilfully self-destructive as well. If Lambert did whatever it took to keep him happy he would surely get a vital 10-15 goals for you this season, and be worth more when he's sold.

[Lotus]

The last few games, it has become pretty clear to me that we are going down.

 

I still believe in what Lambert is trying to do, but it's too much, too soon. It's like the Tories and the economy. I can see they need to do something with spending, but the rapidity of it is doing huge damage.

 

I fear we will have to go down before we really start to improve.

 

Too many youngsters, heads drop too easily, and they're nigh on impossible to lift after a bad sequence of results.

 

Think you'll manage to hold on to Benteke and Weiss?

[brummie]

The last few games, it has become pretty clear to me that we are going down.

 

I still believe in what Lambert is trying to do, but it's too much, too soon. It's like the Tories and the economy. I can see they need to do something with spending, but the rapidity of it is doing huge damage.

 

I fear we will have to go down before we really start to improve.

 

Too many youngsters, heads drop too easily, and they're nigh on impossible to lift after a bad sequence of results.

 

Think you'll manage to hold on to Benteke and Weiss?

 

Weimann you mean? Yes. Not Benteke, though.

[oldtype]

At the end of the day I suppose the best way of avoiding the two poles of suicidal tendencies and apathy is to remind yourself that regardless of what happens to the overall fortunes of the club, you'll always have 11 lads in the shirt to support on a Saturday morning.

 

This year is more painful for me because last year made me hope that we might actually be going places. Need to condition myself to take my eyes off the big picture and focus on each game again.

[brummie]

The freezing out of Bent seems wilfully self-destructive as well. If Lambert did whatever it took to keep him happy he would surely get a vital 10-15 goals for you this season, and be worth more when he's sold.

 

I can see why he prefers Weimann and Benteke, but people go on about that freezing out, whilst forgetting Lambert actually made him captain at one point, and that he's been out with a couple of injuries, too.

 

Bent not playing isn't our problem. Our major problem is a dreadfully lightweight midfield, which allows pressure to be put on the defence, which is also lightweight and inexperienced.

 

If in this window we sign at least a tough central midfielder, a left back and maybe a CB too, we'll stay up.

 

If we don't, we are done for.

[brummie]

 

This year is more painful for me because last year made me hope that we might actually be going places.

 

As a casual observer, I really do not get what happened there. How did such a good side go to being so mediocre, so quickly?

[oldtype]

 

This year is more painful for me because last year made me hope that we might actually be going places.

 

As a casual observer, I really do not get what happened there. How did such a good side go to being so mediocre, so quickly?

 

I don't either.

 

From the first day of the season you could tell very quickly that things weren't going to click like they did last year. Didn't think it was going to crash to this extent though.

 

Also, calling us "mediocre" is excessively charitable.

[ExiledGeordie]

As a casual observer, I really do not get what happened there. How did such a good side go to being so mediocre, so quickly?

 

 

Board failed to strengthen with players from a point of strength to keep the momentum going. Been very unlucky with injuries whereas last season apart from Taylor we were very lucky. Too many players playing poorly and a manager who even at times with the better players in the side has seemed clueless this season and lacking ideas.........let alone when we're reduced to all the backups.

[NG32]

 

This year is more painful for me because last year made me hope that we might actually be going places.

 

As a casual observer, I really do not get what happened there. How did such a good side go to being so mediocre, so quickly?

 

 

 

Plus no Summer investment etc etc

 

 

Early season injuries, I think losing Ryan Taylor so early really fucked with Pardews plans. 

 

[brummie]

As a casual observer, I really do not get what happened there. How did such a good side go to being so mediocre, so quickly?

 

 

Board failed to strengthen with players from a point of strength to keep the momentum going. Been very unlucky with injuries whereas last season apart from Taylor we were very lucky. Too many players playing poorly and a manager who even at times with the better players in the side has seemed clueless this season and lacking ideas.........let alone when we're reduced to all the backups.

 

Hmm. Still, strange to see such a swing, even given things like injuries

[oldtype]

As a casual observer, I really do not get what happened there. How did such a good side go to being so mediocre, so quickly?

 

 

Board failed to strengthen with players from a point of strength to keep the momentum going. Been very unlucky with injuries whereas last season apart from Taylor we were very lucky. Too many players playing poorly and a manager who even at times with the better players in the side has seemed clueless this season and lacking ideas.........let alone when we're reduced to all the backups.

 

Hmm. Still, strange to see such a swing, even given things like injuries

 

Our biggest problem isn't not strengthening. We should still be comfortably mid table even with last year's squad and the horrific injury list.

 

The problem is that players who played fantastically well last season are now playing like they belong in the Championship and are doing their best to get the team there.

[ExiledGeordie]

Hmm. Still, strange to see such a swing, even given things like injuries

 

Still say it's the lack of strengthening. The club finished the season on a high.....fans, players eagerly anticipating the next season with excitement. There was a buzz about the place again. The complete lack of ambition in the summer to push on even with a moderate number of signings seems to have affected the players too. If ever there was something to sum up this regime it was last summer.......absolutely zero ambition and now they've backed themselves into a corner to make signings and stay in the league for the mega bucks next season. Absolutely clueless way to run a club.

 

I agree though the application of some of the players has been piss poor performance wise.

[NG32]

Hmm. Still, strange to see such a swing, even given things like injuries

 

Still say it's the lack of strengthening. The club finished the season on a high.....fans, players eagerly anticipating the next season with excitement. There was a buzz about the place again. The complete lack of ambition in the summer to push on even with a moderate number of signings seems to have affected the players too. If ever there was something to sum up this regime it was last summer.......absolutely zero ambition and now they've backed themselves into a corner to make signings and stay in the league for the mega bucks next season. Absolutely clueless way to run a club.

 

I agree though the application of some of the players has been p*ss poor performance wise.

 

They seem to want to make their own mistakes and wont listen to advice from experienced football people, Im sure Keegan offered a plan for a way foward, totally ignored to the point where he quit.  Not sure what plan Kinnear had mind and we all know Shearer offered a plan for starting life in the championship which was ignored to the point where they didn't even get back to him.  God knows what else has been advised and said behind closed doors. 

 

In 20 years time they will have not listned to any advice from experienced people and will have made all the mistakes possible in football. 

[merlin]

I have absolutely no doubt that we would end up with someone worse than Ashley.

 

Why ?

[Dave]

I have absolutely no doubt that we would end up with someone worse than Ashley.

 

Why ?

 

Because there are a hell of a lot of shite owners out there. Plus I'd imagine if it got to the point at which Ashley felt forced out (I don't think he'd get what he wants for it otherwise), he'd actively sell us to the biggest cunts he could find.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I have absolutely no doubt that we would end up with someone worse than Ashley.

 

Why ?

 

Because there are a hell of a lot of shite owners out there. Plus I'd imagine if it got to the point at which Ashley felt forced out (I don't think he'd get what he wants for it otherwise), he'd actively sell us to the biggest cunts he could find.

 

There aren't many good owners in the PL really. Man City maybe, because they have bought success. Everton for sticking with Moyes, but even they are skint. QPR fans might end up thanking the owners eventually, but they might also go bust. Even the Man Utd and Liverpool owners are disliked for various reasons.

[brummie]

I have absolutely no doubt that we would end up with someone worse than Ashley.

 

Why ?

 

Because there are a hell of a lot of shite owners out there. Plus I'd imagine if it got to the point at which Ashley felt forced out (I don't think he'd get what he wants for it otherwise), he'd actively sell us to the biggest cunts he could find.

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/01/19/article-0-07ECCB36000005DC-951_468x327.jpg

 

Imagine winding up with PornoDwarf and Mr Tumnus.

[Guest Shorty]

I have absolutely no doubt that we would end up with someone worse than Ashley.

 

Why ?

 

Because there are a hell of a lot of s**** owners out there. Plus I'd imagine if it got to the point at which Ashley felt forced out (I don't think he'd get what he wants for it otherwise), he'd actively sell us to the biggest c***s he could find.

 

Agree with Dave tbh besides which the last few times we have been up for sale we have not exactly been inundated with billionaires falling over themselves to snap us up. Like it our not ours and Ashleys fortunes are intertwined for the foreseeable future.

 

As for the op i reckon we will stay up HWTL

[jdckelly]

I have absolutely no doubt that we would end up with someone worse than Ashley.

 

Why ?

 

Because there are a hell of a lot of shite owners out there. Plus I'd imagine if it got to the point at which Ashley felt forced out (I don't think he'd get what he wants for it otherwise), he'd actively sell us to the biggest cunts he could find.

 

There aren't many good owners in the PL really. Man City maybe, because they have bought success. Everton for sticking with Moyes, but even they are skint. QPR fans might end up thanking the owners eventually, but they might also go bust. Even the Man Utd and Liverpool owners are disliked for various reasons.

Swansea's board are good, gotten all their management appointments in last few years bang on the money and doing it all within a sensible budget. Norwich also seem to have their head screwed on right

[Guest neesy111]

West Brom.  They've had 3 managers in the last 2 1/2 years as well and are going in the right direction.

[brummie]

I have absolutely no doubt that we would end up with someone worse than Ashley.

 

Why ?

 

Because there are a hell of a lot of shite owners out there. Plus I'd imagine if it got to the point at which Ashley felt forced out (I don't think he'd get what he wants for it otherwise), he'd actively sell us to the biggest cunts he could find.

 

There aren't many good owners in the PL really. Man City maybe, because they have bought success. Everton for sticking with Moyes, but even they are skint. QPR fans might end up thanking the owners eventually, but they might also go bust. Even the Man Utd and Liverpool owners are disliked for various reasons.

Swansea's board are good, gotten all their management appointments in last few years bang on the money and doing it all within a sensible budget. Norwich also seem to have their head screwed on right

 

Yes, but how much does it take for "good" owners to start looking like bad ones.

 

For four years, Lerner was hailed by all and sundry as a good owner, one of the best, but a series of terrible decisions, and he's not looking quite so great.

[Guest Shorty]

I have absolutely no doubt that we would end up with someone worse than Ashley.

 

Why ?

 

Because there are a hell of a lot of s**** owners out there. Plus I'd imagine if it got to the point at which Ashley felt forced out (I don't think he'd get what he wants for it otherwise), he'd actively sell us to the biggest c***s he could find.

 

There aren't many good owners in the PL really. Man City maybe, because they have bought success. Everton for sticking with Moyes, but even they are skint. QPR fans might end up thanking the owners eventually, but they might also go bust. Even the Man Utd and Liverpool owners are disliked for various reasons.

Swansea's board are good, gotten all their management appointments in last few years bang on the money and doing it all within a sensible budget. Norwich also seem to have their head screwed on right

 

West Brom too

[brummie]

West Brom.  They've had 3 managers in the last 2 1/2 years as well and are going in the right direction.

 

Ask an Albion fan what they think of their board.

 

If you think Ashley is tightfisted and doesn't see the need to invest, Albion's lot are way, way worse.

 

Isn't this really about picking a club doing well and saying they must have good owners. What about the fact that until very recently, Albion were a yo-yo club? How good were their owners then?