This page is no longer updated, and is the old forum. For new topics visit the New HOL forum.
Register | Edit Profile | Subscriptions | Forum Rules | Log In
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
---|---|
I still believe that last summer we simply gambled on Signings that didn't materialise, (Downes, Gallagher, Kouyate even) rather than go out and get your Targets. That was a mistake and we are paying for it now. When the Summer arrives, we simply MUST address the issues in the squad. Failure to do so will cement our decline, and the good work done of summer 2020 will be folly.
"It was a Team effort, I guess it took all players working together to lose this one" |
|
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
---|---|
Originally posted by Willo
I appreciate I have been a glumbucket and an 'Elijah of doom' about our prospects and accordingly villified. I suspect my sentiments below will fall into this category. To my mind where we are at present is the best we will be for the foreseeable future.Should we remain in the PL during this time, we will have to accept that we will be mid-table at best and probably much lower with relegation part of the debate amongst supporters. We will of course be hoping that some gems emerges from the academy but alas it is unlikely that there will be a steady stream of lads staking a first team place in the PL. This is of course hardly an upbeat assessment but I believe I am being realistic.I of course will be delighted if our 'Direction of travel' is at variance with my doom laden prognostication ! Edited by Willo (06 Jan 2023 10.15am) I largely agree with you. It’s probably as much to do with where I live as it is that they have become our rivals, but I can’t but help compare our club with Brighton. They have had two huge advantages over us in recent years. Bank rolled by one individual owner and able to relocate to a new stadium and training facility. Where they were getting it wrong was in the transfer market where they signed a succession of expensive flops. Now however, they seem to regularly unearth young, talented players and quickly integrate them into first team material. So now we are lagging behind them in that respect as well. Palace on the other hand have a number of players on high wages with minimal resale value. If that was the strategy, it’s a flawed one. Palace seem unable to compete financially. Now that the stadium redevelopment appears to be gaining legs, it’s hard to see any significant funds being spent on anything else ( what happened to the Harris and Blitzer ‘ ringfenced funds ? ), leaving us reliant on developing players out of the Academy. There is a further expectation that the redevelopment will also generate more income eventually, but that will only be realised if we stay in the Premier League. So yes, mid-table is probably where we will stay for the foreseeable future, perhaps with the occasional flirtation with relegation.
Old, Ungifted and White |
|
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
---|---|
Originally posted by dima1
I wonder whether Parish made the right decision by hiring Vieira. He obviously was looking for a coach who would play possession/attacking football. However, with the complete lack of funds to buy players for this type of football and Vieira having to play championship level players like Schlupp and Ward, I wonder if the team would have been better off keeping Roy as a coach or hiring someone like Sean Dyche, who would provide result based off solid defending. We hear about the desire to take that next step (eg Parish saying something along the lines of there being two types of teams in premier league, those who play in Europe or those who do not). But we see no effort to improve the squad with players to match the playing style preferred by our coach, which mixed with Vieira's stubbornness to play 4-3-3 without having the right players and a complete lack of desire to try youngsters from the academy pushes us towards relegation instead of fighting for the Conference League spot. Very curious to hear everyone's opinion. We need a manager with better experience than Vieira, it's that simple. He can't adapt.
This was once a quality forum.... |
|
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
---|---|
Originally posted by Vaibow
We need a manager with better experience than Vieira, it's that simple. He can't adapt. Well, a year ago Arsenal fans wanted Arteta out and Vieira in to replace him. Hiring and firing is not the answer.
Old, Ungifted and White |
|
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
---|---|
Originally posted by Willo
To my mind where we are at present is the best we will be for the foreseeable future.Should we remain in the PL during this time, we will have to accept that we will be mid-table at best and probably much lower with relegation part of the debate amongst supporters. We will of course be hoping that some gems emerges from the academy but alas it is unlikely that there will be a steady stream of lads staking a first team place in the PL. I'm sure that most people will agree with your assessment although there is always the hope that another Wilf or two will emerge from the academy
|
|
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
---|---|
Originally posted by Willo
I appreciate I have been a glumbucket and an 'Elijah of doom' about our prospects and accordingly villified. I suspect my sentiments below will fall into this category. To my mind where we are at present is the best we will be for the foreseeable future.Should we remain in the PL during this time, we will have to accept that we will be mid-table at best and probably much lower with relegation part of the debate amongst supporters. We will of course be hoping that some gems emerges from the academy but alas it is unlikely that there will be a steady stream of lads staking a first team place in the PL. This is of course hardly an upbeat assessment but I believe I am being realistic.I of course will be delighted if our 'Direction of travel' is at variance with my doom laden prognostication ! Edited by Willo (06 Jan 2023 10.15am) Good post Willo. 10 odd seasons and our lot is still looking over our shoulder at the prospect of a relegation battle thanks to iffy form, injuries and a sub-standard bench. Dreams of the promised land, eighth place!, are just that. We'll be treading water forevermore and hoping to avoid the drop unless sufficient funds / excellent scouting come into play.
|
|
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
---|---|
Just before the freak spending of the summer transfer window 2021 care of Mr Textor, I was largely shot down in flames for suggesting that Mr Parish was mismanaging the club, notwithstanding the fact that a large number of older players ran their contracts down at once necessitating a significant overhaul.
|
|
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
---|---|
If we were ever in a position to make a challenge for the top 6, it wouldn’t be long before those clubs sought to purchase or unsettle our players.
|
|
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
---|---|
Originally posted by NEILLO
I largely agree with you. It’s probably as much to do with where I live as it is that they have become our rivals, but I can’t but help compare our club with Brighton. They have had two huge advantages over us in recent years. Bank rolled by one individual owner and able to relocate to a new stadium and training facility. Where they were getting it wrong was in the transfer market where they signed a succession of expensive flops. Now however, they seem to regularly unearth young, talented players and quickly integrate them into first team material. So now we are lagging behind them in that respect as well. Palace on the other hand have a number of players on high wages with minimal resale value. If that was the strategy, it’s a flawed one. Palace seem unable to compete financially. Now that the stadium redevelopment appears to be gaining legs, it’s hard to see any significant funds being spent on anything else ( what happened to the Harris and Blitzer ‘ ringfenced funds ? ), leaving us reliant on developing players out of the Academy. There is a further expectation that the redevelopment will also generate more income eventually, but that will only be realised if we stay in the Premier League. So yes, mid-table is probably where we will stay for the foreseeable future, perhaps with the occasional flirtation with relegation.
|
|
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
---|---|
Originally posted by Canterbury Palace
What a mad thread. Last season we conceded our fewest ever Premier League goals, scored our second most ever and played a far better brand of football than under Roy who, at times, made hari-kari seem an attractive option. The simple fact is that we haven't backed Vieira anywhere near enough and we're being punished for it. I'd argue that we're overperforming actually. We responded to the long term injury of James McArthur and the departure of Gallagher by signing Doucoure who, although I love him, is nowhere near enough. There is no way Schlupp should be starting in our midfield after 10 years in the division. At least two additional players are required there. Then there is Ayew. Regardless of how hard he works, like Schlupp, he shouldn't be starting up front for us at this point. We haven't had a top class striker since Murray and he left 8 years ago. Two key chances in the first half came to Ayew last night. The first, when he was played through, he miscontrolled and lost the ball. The second he opted to shoot from a tight position, rather than playing a short ball to Olise who was clear and would have been favourite to score. If we'd converted either of those chances it could have been a different game. It is a disgrace that, with Mitchell injured, we have no left back cover and Joel Ward, who is a questionable choice at right back these days, has to fill in. I legitimately think we need a decent striker, two midfielders, a right back, a left back and cover in central defence. Plus their is the looming spectre of Zaha leaving for nothing who won't be cheap to replace. There's no way we're doing this business in January and I am skeptical we will in the summer either. Andersen, Guehi, Doucoure, Zaha, Eze and Olise is the core of an outstanding team but they need more support ASAP. Vieira is doing a good job with his hands tied, like most of our managers have to, and without serious investment over the next couple of windows, I imagine he'll bugger off before long. Ideal January? Gallagher back on loan and get Danny Ings who, although 30, is a year younger than Ayew and is a proven goalscorer in the Prem.
More 'bite' needed in midfield.
|
|
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
---|---|
Originally posted by Elpis
Long term we are hoping for some jems out of the academy To be honest I am beginning to give up on that happening. We seem to prefer buying in youngsters in the hope they will be good enough for the PL e.g Plange and Ebiowei, than trust in our own. Unless we have an injury crisis none of the academy hopefuls are likely to get more than a 10 minute cameo off the bench.
|
|
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
---|---|
Originally posted by Pete53
To be honest I am beginning to give up on that happening. We seem to prefer buying in youngsters in the hope they will be good enough for the PL e.g Plange and Ebiowei, than trust in our own. Unless we have an injury crisis none of the academy hopefuls are likely to get more than a 10 minute cameo off the bench. If thats the case whats the point of it ? We have a massive catchment area and with academy status can fend off any poaching of the best young talent . It may take a few years to bare fruit but Im sure it will start producing in the long term
|
|
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Registration is now on our new message board
To login with your existing username you will need to convert your account over to the new message board.
All images and text on this site are copyright © 1999-2024 The Holmesdale Online, unless otherwise stated.
Web Design by Guntrisoft Ltd.