Totally agree, when Roy decides to retire, it will be then a number of his critics will realise, what a fantastic job he did keeping us comfortably mid table in the best league in the world.
Unless we get taken over by a money no object owner, which is doubtful, he will be a very hard act to follow.

Having good players and putting a good team together are two very different things. 10 Ronaldos and a GK would not win the PL, probably because they wouldn’t pass to each other, but you get my point.

Everton have tried to buy their way to success but have failed. Villa have spent a fortune on promotion but look like they could be going down. Only Liverpool, Chelsea and Citeh have successfully bought their positions in the league. Spurs/Arsenal won’t spend mega bucks so are likely to always be on the fringes of the top 2 or 3 and Man U have bought poorly in recent years.

You need plenty of money, a cracking scouting network, a good academy and a decent manager to all gel together

I agree with you, though I would add that over Roy's time with us he has had periods where the balance between defence and attack is pretty much spot-on.

Percentage-wise I would say Pulis typically had the team set up 90/10 defence v attack. Allardyce was perhaps 85/15, but if everyone is fit and we have the services of a good striker Roy tends to be more like 65/35, which is about right for us. We are currently more like a Pulis team, but that's because we don't have anything like enough firepower to play another way, so Roy has adapted to great effect.

I'm not saying he's perfect, but Roy is absolutely the right man for us, and I for one hope we can nick another year out of him at least.

Edited by TheBigToePunt (17 Jan 2020 1.05pm)

Roy can only spend what's been given & Parish can only sign off on a deal if the Americans back him, SP's clearly the 'public face' of the club but as a minority shareholder he's unable to throw money at every deal if the Yanks are not willing to invest further. I'm as frustrated as everyone else but to be fair they (inc DF) have managed some really great signings on the cheap, Guiata, Cahill, Kouyate, RLC & Meyer.
The wage bill is crippling & much of that's down to Sakho & Benteke, 2 players the majority wanted but would now gladly get shot of.

Until we get shot of the Yanks I can't see any change

Red & Blue since 73'

In light of today's brilliant performance at the Ethiad perhaps some of the posters slagging off Roy and his tactics will eat some humble pie!!!

Conjunctivitis.com - A site for sore eyes.

I predicted a City win, with two late goals. Glad to say I was wrong about the result, but the late goals are a cause for concern. Roy's habit of no subs or late subs or the wrong late subs is something he should look at.
Ayew was knackered and Pierrick should have come on.
Still, a great result.