The, he's finally GONE! Tell us your thoughts Thread

[Shillzz]

We're currently 'Best of the rest' sitting in 8th place, so we're not doing too badly at all.

With some players improving (Herd, Bannan, NZogbia) and a good partnership developing upfront, I believe we could go on to secure a solid top half finish.

All in all, McLeish has had 1 unacceptable game, which was heavily influenced by a poor linesmans decision. Ergo, I have no reason to criticise.

[makouns_grin]

People seem to forget that if he was a manager that wasn't hated so much and pre-empted as being so shit that he would be given time.

But because of his past record he is not allowed any time, same with players really.

Plenty of other managers have been poor in the past but come good with some support and time, Partridge Pardew at the Barcodes springs to mind.

[Mantis]

We're currently 'Best of the rest' sitting in 8th place, so we're not doing too badly at all.

With some players improving (Herd, Bannan, NZogbia) and a good partnership developing upfront, I believe we could go on to secure a solid top half finish.

All in all, McLeish has had 1 unacceptable game, which was heavily influenced by a poor linesmans decision. Ergo, I have no reason to criticise.

Yep. Still don't think I'll ever my head round why he was appointed but he's doing an adequate job at the moment.

[villa_shere]

We're currently 'Best of the rest' sitting in 8th place, so we're not doing too badly at all.

With some players improving (Herd, Bannan, NZogbia) and a good partnership developing upfront, I believe we could go on to secure a solid top half finish.

All in all, McLeish has had 1 unacceptable game, which was heavily influenced by a poor linesmans decision. Ergo, I have no reason to criticise.

He has had more than one bad game.

QPR was a poor performance good in spells but a game we should have easily won but were lucky to get a point, as was Baggies at home albeit we were with 10men for most of the time the goals conceeded were from set pieces and we looked like we had 10men, absolutely no Plan B in that game. Man City away we didnt even try. Bolton in the Carling cup was shocking.

Im not in the Eck out category yet but i think he isnt doing a good job thus far.

His real test will come over the next 8 weeks.

[kidlewis]

if 'Eck has us in the top 10 by the new year he has done very well. December looks worryingly tough.

I cannot remember which month it is in 2012 but one is a really good month for fixtures where we could put a good run together. momentum means a lot in the second part of the season.

[Shillzz]

Ah yes, Bolton in the Carling Cup I forget (despite drudging up from Wales to watch it), that was indeed woefull.

What I mean Villa Shere is that the West Brom game represents our only "boo-worthy" performance as far as I'm concerned. Drawing to Wolves was disappointing, as was losing to City, but these results all fell within the realms of reasonable expectation. A little disappointing, but if we achieved all the results we (as fans) think we should do, then we'd comfortably be challenging the top 6. Given the utter pillaging that our squad experienced over the summer, competing in the top 8 represents a solid 8 out of 10 performance from the manager (so far).

[villa_shere]

Ah yes, Bolton in the Carling Cup I forget (despite drudging up from Wales to watch it), that was indeed woefull.

What I mean Villa Shere is that the West Brom game represents our only "boo-worthy" performance as far as I'm concerned. Drawing to Wolves was disappointing, as was losing to City, but these results all fell within the realms of reasonable expectation. A little disappointing, but if we achieved all the results we (as fans) think we should do, then we'd comfortably be challenging the top 6. Given the utter pillaging that our squad experienced over the summer, competing in the top 8 represents a solid 8 out of 10 performance from the manager (so far).

The thing is not many people are going to boo a draw but when you draw 6 games and yet to win on the road there is not much to cheer about.

I would give Eck and 6/10 so far, should have seen out a win against QPR and Sunderland. Dropped points to Wolves and Baggies too....and also the early cup exit against a weakend Bolton team.

[Shillzz]

In a world where football is played on paper, I agree, we should have pulled in a few extra points from the games you mention. But eradicating the inconcistency that prevents us from getting these results is something that will be achieved over a longer period of time and is the thing that will ultimately make us a top 6 club again (I hope). Given the financial restrictions imposed on him and the number of youngsters in our squad, I dont think its reasonable to expect McLeish to take a club like ours back into the top 6 through motivational team talks and tactics alone. What your asking is for us to replicate our Oneill form, minus Milner, Young, Barry, Reo Coker, Downing etc. It would frankly take some kind of magician to pull that out of the hat.

[Mantis]

Ah yes, Bolton in the Carling Cup I forget (despite drudging up from Wales to watch it), that was indeed woefull.

What I mean Villa Shere is that the West Brom game represents our only "boo-worthy" performance as far as I'm concerned. Drawing to Wolves was disappointing, as was losing to City, but these results all fell within the realms of reasonable expectation. A little disappointing, but if we achieved all the results we (as fans) think we should do, then we'd comfortably be challenging the top 6. Given the utter pillaging that our squad experienced over the summer, competing in the top 8 represents a solid 8 out of 10 performance from the manager (so far).

I don't think the West Brom game was boo-worthy at all. Sure, McLeish had no plan once we went down to 10 men but the people I blame most for that defeat are the linesman and the ref.

[Shillzz]

Well no, I personally dont boo at any game, but that's the only performance that sticks out as being unacceptable, but as you say, it was due more to going down to 10 men than McLeish's tactics.

[Super-Villan]

I'll judge McLeish results-wise in Jan. If we are still 8th-10th and have got more points than I expect from a tough set of matches, maybe I'll start to warm to him a touch. Especially if the football becomes a bit more inspiring. I'm not entirely confident that this will happen though.

[macandally]

We may have only lost 2 in a 11, but if my memory serves, despite playing the lower table teams, we have only won 2.

OLeary said we were fickle and he wasnt wrong, one win against a promoted team and all of a sudden we are doing well. Sorry, dont believe it for a minute. Not everyone will give us the space Norwich afforded us, Gabby will not play like that every week and our front 6 are not suddently developing an understanding. We are not best of the rest considering Newcastle are sitting in the top four with a weaker squad but playing better football.

We are on the slide and no matter how well you squint to see the bright side, McLeish is not leading us anywhere except mid table obscurity at best, relegation at worst.

[villa_shere]

What your asking is for us to replicate our Oneill form.

Not at all, its obvious that we will not be the team we were 2 seasons ago.

But The reason I have marked him down is due to the nature of our football.

How many games have we played in this season and the fans have walked away impressed?

The 3 games we have won, Wigan, Blackburn and Norwich we should be winning anyhow (even though Wigan are our bogey team @ VP)

Fulham was an uninspiring game, but i understand Eck needed to get points on the board for the first game to try win the fans over.

Everton game we were very fortunate to get a point.

QPR away terrible first half, better the 2nd but should have been 3points but lucky to get 1 given their chances.

Sunderland game I did not see so i will reserve judgement.

Playing Hesky in midfield is a awful decision, not adressing the defence for the past 4 games is also worrying.

That is why i think he is on a 6/10

I'll give him credit for giving Herd a run and dropping N'Zog when he isnt performing. He also is getting the best out of Gab is great too.

[Houlston]

We may have only lost 2 in a 11, but if my memory serves, despite playing the lower table teams, we have only won 2.

Your memory serves you wrong

Gabby will not play like that every week and our front 6 are not suddently developing an understanding.

Your right he probably wont but theres no reason he cant play well week in week out either. Nzogbia, Gabby, Bent and Petrov all gelled well and Herd covered well too. So whilst a front six might not be happening 5 of our players do have a good undertsanding.

We are on the slide and no matter how well you squint to see the bright side, McLeish is not leading us anywhere except mid table obscurity at best, relegation at worst.

How very over the top, we arent the side of two years ago but we've lost some good players and we are hardly on the slide. Top 8 at best, lower midtable at worst.

[wiggyrichard]

We may have only lost 2 in a 11, but if my memory serves, despite playing the lower table teams, we have only won 2.

OLeary said we were fickle and he wasnt wrong, one win against a promoted team and all of a sudden we are doing well. Sorry, dont believe it for a minute. Not everyone will give us the space Norwich afforded us, Gabby will not play like that every week and our front 6 are not suddently developing an understanding. We are not best of the rest considering Newcastle are sitting in the top four with a weaker squad but playing better football.

We are on the slide and no matter how well you squint to see the bright side, McLeish is not leading us anywhere except mid table obscurity at best, relegation at worst.

And if my auntie had a cock she'd be my uncle.....

[Woodytom]

We may have only lost 2 in a 11, but if my memory serves, despite playing the lower table teams, we have only won 2.

OLeary said we were fickle and he wasnt wrong, one win against a promoted team and all of a sudden we are doing well. Sorry, dont believe it for a minute. Not everyone will give us the space Norwich afforded us, Gabby will not play like that every week and our front 6 are not suddently developing an understanding. We are not best of the rest considering Newcastle are sitting in the top four with a weaker squad but playing better football.

We are on the slide and no matter how well you squint to see the bright side, McLeish is not leading us anywhere except mid table obscurity at best, relegation at worst.

I dont think were on the slide at all.

We were last season no doubt but I think that slide has been halted, and I see improvements throughout the club.

[claret75]

I don't particularly like watching us play, but I think Mcleish has steadied the ship well. We lost Downing and Young and our CM and defense were a mess last season, so considering that I dont' think he's done too badly. Jenas might prove to be a very good signing, reckon he'll make a difference. I wouldn't be unhappy with finishing mid-table which doesn't sound great, but when you look at it we were a team in trouble last season, lost our best 2 players and haven't come anywhere near replacing them. Hopefully we can build on this and push on next year.

[AValon]

I'd say it was all going pretty much as we expected (well some of us). Not very inspiring, but defensively improving and 'safe'. The rot needed to be stopped and, I would say, AM has done that to some extent. Its just unfortunate that in doing that, we seem to have become the draw specialists of the Prem.

Maybe, once McLeish has realised that he has inherited a far more talented bunch of individuals than there were at his last post, then he might begin to play more to our strengths than our weaknesses.

[Woodytom]

lost our best 2 players and haven't come anywhere near replacing them.

I disagree with that.

Last Season - Had Downing and basically no Gabby

This Season - Have got Gabby who has nearly equalled Downing stats from last season.

Of course wed prefer an on form Gabby and Downing but I think people put too much emphasis on spending money as being the only way to replace folk.

I would argue that we will perform better this season without Young & Downing based purely on there being 'a lack of chaos' this year. Not that those two caused chaos by any means.

[claret75]

lost our best 2 players and haven't come anywhere near replacing them.

I disagree with that.

Last Season - Had Downing and basically no Gabby

This Season - Have got Gabby who has nearly equalled Downing stats from last season.

Of course wed prefer an on form Gabby and Downing but I think people put too much emphasis on spending money as being the only way to replace folk.

I would argue that we will perform better this season without Young & Downing based purely on there being 'a lack of chaos' this year. Not that those two caused chaos by any means.

I think your right, we are a better team this season, but without Downing and Young (especially Downing) last season we might be in the Championship.

I thought about Gabby and I agree he's been almost as good as Downing was last season, but losing those 2 players alters the set-up of the team and takes 2 very experienced players away, which effects dressing room, training and needs players to adjust to a different game.

I don't think people put too much emphasis on spending money to replace players, where would we be without Bent? The Championship probably. Although I don't like the amount of money in the game, it's the way it is and it's necessary to spend that sort of money to compete.