Realistically Hodgson is not going to leave this season and it’s most unlikely he will change his ways so we have to accept more of the same going forward I.e a lack of tactical flexibility and a rigid conservatism.
There is no doubt that his approach has made a significant contribution to our appalling home record and lack of goals.
Even if we get new players in I think he will be most unlikely to involve them for a while and, if they are not his choices, even use them at all.
In fairness we always look organised and competitive but we should
pose more of a threat going forward with the players at our disposal.
Yesterday, after Watford went ahead, I never fancied our chances of getting anything out of the game which is bad as there was plenty of time left.
Why not try Zaha down the right for a spell in the game or allow the midfielders to break forward into the penalty area more frequently?
Wan Bissaka hit some good low crosses yesterday but we never looked like getting on the end of them.

I agree with the above. Watford are very physical and I thought Kouyate does a really important defensive job for us in those circumstances. Watford were definitely a cut above most of the mid and lower table teams we have played this season. But its fine margins - they have six points from our two games but there is very little between us. And much as we all dislike Deeney...what a shift he puts in, puts out strikers to shame quite frankly.

Our home record over the last few years is pretty appalling. Before Roy's arrival.

It's all very well saying set the team up to be more attack minded, however I think we are more effective playing football on the break. But then the fans expect the home team to be forcing the issue - and we then struggle to unlock defences.

I was as upset as anyone at the final whistle yesterday because having got away with a slow start and ahead through a lucky goal, we failed to get a second despite having all the chances in the first 15-20 minutes of the second half. If we had scored in that time, I think we would have won the game.

Hodgson has had to contend with a lack of both quality and quantity in the forward positions from day one. Things may improve if/when Wickham and Benteke are fully fit, but let's not forget that Wickham is not a prolific goalscorer and Benteke may have been once, but it remains to be seen if he can ever recapture that sort of form.

Yes, Roy has his faults, but I think there are mitigating circumstances behind his record this season.

If he does go at the end of the season then some of you will have got your wish. And you can see what managerial masterstroke Steve Parish comes up with this time.

Old, Ungifted and White

First he says he won’t jump.

Then a rumour surfaces that he might jump.

There is a lack of official communication about the jumping question.

Then he does a 180 and says he will jump after all.

Trump lost. Badly. Hahahahahahaha.

Agree. We are not a side whose philosophy involves a lot of possession, we are a team that likes to break.

It appeared in Max Meyer we might have a player who can unlock a resolute defense but Hodgson still doesn’t fancy him in home games vs the likes of Watford.

Speaking of one of those masterstrokes, this is why FDB didn’t quite work out.

Wickham and Benteke are pretty goal shy, but at least they can defend set pieces a lot better than someone like Ayew. Benteke is a beast in the air in our box defensively. Having shipped 2 goals from set pieces we might think about that.

Roy showed his hand with giving tekkers time and not Wickham. Benteke will be starting soon here.

Trump lost. Badly. Hahahahahahaha.

I’m no fan of Pulis but would argue that he did a better job than Hodgson is doing this season (as opposed to last season).
If you define good management as maximising the efficiency of available resources It is difficult to argue against the job that Pulis did with the squad at that time.
My main gripe with Hodgson is that he is not getting the best out of his squad and it’s too simplistic to say that it’s just the absence of a goalscorer.
We didn’t have a goalscorer last season but managed to play entertaining football and win games, in particular at the end of the season.
We’re not playing with the same pace and purpose in the final third as we did back then and the passing is much sloppier.
By all means the players have to take some responsibility for this but the buck stops with the manager and he has to also be accountable for the drop in standards.
The home form and lack of goals is that of a relegation candidate and although some will point to the absence of RLC and Cabaye this season, it’s up to Hodgson to find an effective way of playing with the available players.