Woody1000

I think it depends on what the ambition/aim of CP and the owners for this season is, if it’s European football or at least the challenge of that then I actually wouldn’t be surprised if Dean went this week, otherwise I can see him being given at least the next 3 games to turn things around. Things are not right at the moment, I’m genuinely unsure if Dean can come back from this.

If I’m honest, Ezri has rode his luck a few times and unfortunately today his luck ran out. Could’ve easily seen red against Everton back in September and I seem to recall him getting quite fortunate last season against Arsenal for a challenge on Saka I believe.

Something is not right. This is more than just a poor run of form, I really think CP may act as this has been a rotten 2021 and we can’t allow ourselves to be sucked into a relegation battle. 8 wins in our last 29 league games does not make for pleasant reading, and now we’re leaking goals - we’ve conceded 3 goals in 4 of the 10 games this season and obviously 4 today.

Haha us in the Targett fan club came to his rescue almost simultaneously!

I’ve been willing to give him a bit of leeway as he’s clearly not a wing back, or at least not a good one! I feel a little bit like the season starts today, it needs to anyway!

It was a difficult one with Barkley, Barkley was so key in that great run we had at the start of last season but he just never recaptured that form after the hamstring injury picked up against Brighton. Only my opinion, but in general I don’t think we look anywhere near as good when we play with a 10, which is being proven recently with Buendia in that role. Today Dean has to make a choice if he’s going to start Bailey, it’s got to be 4-3-3 for me whatever he does but does he play Bailey on the left, Buendia on the right and one of Ings or Watkins in the middle? Or does he go Bailey on the right, Watkins on the left and Ings in the middle? He might keep Bailey on the bench and go with Watkins left, Buendia right and Ings in the centre to start.

I’m staying optimistic that as he hasn’t thanked Aston Villa in the post that it means he will be back for Sunday barring any deterioration of his father. That said I wish his father all the best, some things are more important than football!

Wow! If looking at Villa objectively (which you post quite regularly as if it’s some badge of honour) means you look to discredit a lot of what we achieve or do, then I’m glad I don’t look at my club that way.

Would Hamish McKiltface be a better choice?

I think the only fair critique of Targett this season came after the s***show at Watford on the opening day, he’s clearly not a very good wingback but it’s not his natural position.

2 goals?

It is a big ‘What if’ isn’t it? You wonder if we had gone for a definite backup striker like a Josh King, if we would’ve stuck with a 4-3-3 regardless of our injury problems we’ve had then would Ollie be on 4-5 goals by now or is his form just suffering in general?

It’s an interesting one, as I said in my earlier post it would be Watkins to be on the bench for me and I never imagined I’d be saying that back in August. That said, by the same argument that we seem to agree on with Buendia playing in his natural position, perhaps I’m being a little harsh on Ollie as he hasn’t played in the middle of a front 3 where he was so successful for us last season.

I know what you’re saying, it’s just difficult as I think Traore will be chomping at the bit to get back in the side. I’m willing to give him 3 games there to at least show some improvement even if it is probably going to take until Xmas before we start seeing why he’s out record transfer.

I agree, but Buendia really needs to put in a performance as he’s really struggled. I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt so far as I don’t think he’s had the opportunity in his best position yet.

See I think it should be one of Ings or Watkins to make way for Buendia to go on the right with Bailey on the left. If it were up to me, I would drop Watkins which is something I never thought I’d be saying at the start of the season. I would possibly go with a midfield of McGinn, Luis and Sanson but I’m happy with Ramsey to come into the side instead of Sanson.

Sorry, was a lighthearted post about his JG stance. I think Dean is covered quite fairly by all the local journalists tbf.

Where is that Tro? I had a look on his Twitter feed but couldn’t see anything. I’ve probably scrolled past it! As far as Dean getting on top of it, it’s a difficult subject and depends on the context as well as the dynamic of the group I think. Some managers/coaches like players to do this, some don’t. If this is not the sort of thing Dean encourages then I agree it needs to be quashed, but I know he has said in interviews before that he likes his coaching staff and his players to challenge him, so he seems all about empowering people. It’s always difficult to properly assess when we only know snippets of information . I will wait to read before I give my opinion properly on it…..

Judging from how the rest of the youngsters are slowing being introduced to the first team, I don’t have any worries that he will be rushed in to try and aid our inconsistent start to the season. His future looks bright, hopefully in the next 12-18 months he will start to see more minutes for the first team. If we go out of the cup in the 3rd or 4th round, I could definitely see him going out on loan. I’d rather he went to league 1 than the championship if it will mean he gets more game time.

I hate these sort of links, they have no manager or DOF in place but they are looking at players to sign. Sure……

I really wasn’t comparing the 2, I was just pointing out the similarities in circumstances.

I see you didn’t get a smug retort to this post then?….

I didn’t say he was like him, I was talking about the circumstances.

It’s actually quite alarming how many similarities there are as far as circumstances from MON’s last season, deflating sale of best player, emergence of new financial superpower in the league, and as you rightly mentioned a small but growing group of the fan base having doubts. I’m not saying things will work out anything like the same as that season, but it does indeed feel a bit like that. Lets just hope that if things don’t go to plan this year that NSWE don’t lose interest like Lerner did, I know Dean wouldn’t leave us on the eve of a new season as MON did.