DownUnderToff

Lucien Favre is high on mine. Out of Work. Trilingual (at least). Known for being tactically astute, and imparting that on players. Good man manager (see Balotelli). Teams are good defensively and play attractive attacking football. Players improve under him and he has notably done well with a number of young players, he's supposedly very big on really smashing them on the training pitch. Biggest selling point for mine is that he's turned lower half and even relegation teams into champs league spot contenders. He won't win us the league, but think he'll hopefully turn us around and stabilise us for a couple of years.

No idea what we do for the rest of the year but hopefully Lucien Favre is high on the list for next year.

Very different type of player for mine, can't see Dobbin ever leading the line one out. Rondon should never be getting minutes ahead of Simms. Agree on the move though, given he's not getting any chances.

Defensive according to my reading.

Hoping Gordon, Simms, and Dobbin all playing from the off. Rondon parked on the bench for a late run.

Removing initial unconstructive comment... I fail to see anything beneficial that Benitez has done or brought as manager. Only improvements I've seen have been through the "forced" playing of young players.

I fucking knew it. Rondon! FFS!

He's just short a goal at the minute, reckon it's weighing on him.

He may have said more but from all that's quoted in the article... On his own maturing: “The manager has played a big role in that. He is very demanding. He would never let me relax or get too far ahead of myself - he is constantly on me to improve and I’m thankful for that because I share that mentality and it's great to have that pressure.” On the team being higher up/competing: “The manager's record speaks for itself and he's come here to win more. I’d love to be part of a winning team here." Hardly effusive praise or requiring the player to lie.

Were you really expecting them to come out and publicly pot him? Even Digne hasn't done that and look what internal disagreement got him. That said, not surprising at all that Gordon (for 1) would be reasonably positive. Career's just starting to take off, getting game time, good manager attention, and visibly growing. Doesn't mean that Benitez is the right manager for us but he's what we've got...

Good reasons why we shouldn't be/have been chasing a "name" manager. We need a manager who is used to the challenge of building with limited resources. Graham Potter probably a great fit, has a mentality of improving players and people as well. Doubtful we've got the pull to pry him right now though.

Anyone explain why Gordon got hooked over Iwobi? Gordon was better on 1 leg

It's impressive how bad Iwobi is. How does he miss Doucoure then?

I'd argue that it's been ever since we started "chasing" managers, Koeman was first.

There's a distinct lack of courage in the EPL to blooding of young players. Largely driven from the expectation of instant results and just buying new players. We're not getting results and we're unlikely to be able buy decent players anytime soon. The idea that they're "not ready" is also BS. Young players develop most through actual game time, put them on and play them. We're not winning anyway, Rondon and Tosun are rubbish and soon gone. Play for the future, show the kids some faith, and maybe give the fans some hope.

Then play the kids. Game time to Rondon and Tosun in this situation is worthless.

Completely agree and can't answer as to (if he is being sidelined) why he wouldn't have left. I certainly would have and think he should have. He was initially hamstrung by Walsh's profligacy and then the new managers and them selecting their own targets. Clearly hasn't been a case of a singular direction for the club's vision and player selection. It also seems to be considered fact that the manager selections came down to other people's preferences. If you're going to hire a DoF, then leave them to do the job. Maybe he needs to go but his biggest failing seems to be allowing himself to get sidelined. So I can't see any improvement coming from him leaving. Club will still be in the same crappy financial position with the same shit decision makers still making decisions and the manager merry-go-round likely to continue. I'd rather see Moshiri and Kenwright f*off to the background and full responsibility left to a DoF. Rangnick was the one I always wanted, maybe at the end of the season.

We need a young coach, willing to take risks on exciting football and developing kids. Rondon and Tosun should be nowhere near the squad. Has to be clear now that buying success is not an option.

Disappointed that he dived. Looked to be through on goal, if he kept his feet.

He should have quit as soon as it was clear he wouldn't get a chance to implement his own vision. Now he's just providing coverage for Moshiri's bad decisions.

Tosun!?! What the actual fuck?

Anyone know what his current injury status is? Would much rather see him get a chance than play Rondon.

Not entirely sold on that interpretation (quote before yours sorry). He's been a DOF, and managed at clubs where he implemented the DOF. Seems like he enjoys projects and he likes building the structure, I can see how he might be sold on a partnership with Brands.

Rangnick, Conceicao, Favre, or Fonseca I could all get on board with. Rangnick seems more about setting up Org. wide structures and team identity, but if Brands and he can work together then great. Talent selection wouldn't be a problem.

With Emerson returning to Barcelona and them still having Sergi Roberto, wonder if Sergino Dest is worth a cheeky bid. Long term buy and US marketing.