Season 2019/20 Can We Finally Go Up?

[GaribaldiRED]

I understand and share your frustration TPL but my conclusion isn't that the squad isn't good enough.

I believe most teams would have struggled if you suddenly introduce 5 "new" players that haven't played much recently and where 3 of them are new to the formation/team/club. It really was a big big gamble from Sabri and it didn't pay off at all. Hopefully this will be the last time he tries this stunt without being forced to do it.

I furthermore believe that if we had introduced just one of the of the 5 "new" players we would have been fine.

With Grabban, Ameobi and Sow being injured that wasn't an option.

I'm sure they will be available for the game on Saturday.

[TrentEnd]

I understand and share your frustration TPL but my conclusion isn't that the squad isn't good enough.

I believe most teams would have struggled if you suddenly introduce 5 "new" players that haven't played much recently and where 3 of them are new to the formation/team/club. It really was a big big gamble from Sabri and it didn't pay off at all. Hopefully this will be the last time he tries this stunt without being forced to do it.

I furthermore believe that if we had introduced just one of the of the 5 "new" players we would have been fine.

Spot on!

[ThePromisedLand]

I understand and share your frustration TPL but my conclusion isn't that the squad isn't good enough.

I believe most teams would have struggled if you suddenly introduce 5 "new" players that haven't played much recently and where 3 of them are new to the formation/team/club. It really was a big big gamble from Sabri and it didn't pay off at all. Hopefully this will be the last time he tries this stunt without being forced to do it.

I furthermore believe that if we had introduced just one of the of the 5 "new" players we would have been fine.

With Grabban, Ameobi and Sow being injured that wasn't an option.

I'm sure they will be available for the game on Saturday.

Exactly!
And - even if true - didn’t stop him playing Cash & Ribeiro ( he may just have got away with it if they had started ).

[wassy04]

The promotion challenge is over.
SQUAD clearly not good enough.
Hoping for some investment in the Summer.

Please tell me that you are taking the piss TPL?

Seriously, you have thrown in the towel?

Afraid so Sniff.
I am absolutely gutted this morning ( my disappointment / anger has not abated ).
The unnecessary ‘resting’ of players together with the realisation that the squad is plainly not fit for purpose.
Not sure where to apportion blame:
- coaching staff have vastly overrated the fringe players ( promised I wouldn’t mention Yates again )?
- our scouting network appears unfit for purpose ( Diakhaby, Bong, Da Costa, Walker best we can do )?
- the big man unwilling to finance a promotion push?
I seriously believe this squad NOT to be of promotion standard.
I desperately hope I’m wrong!
I will be yelling encouragement home & away ( but with a heavy, resigned heart ).

Bit unfair throwing Da Costa in there, no chance to contribute. Diakhaby is the terrible one though, looks awful.

[ThePromisedLand]

We all hoped that the January window would reinforce the squad and - even if marquee signings were too expensive for our budget - decent squad players would be acquired to allow us to remain competitive.
What do we see ( admittedly it is early days - but the signs are not at all promising )?

- A replacement striker should Grabbs get injured? Fail ( Walker & Da Costa not fit for purpose )
- Winger? Fail ( Diakhaby of dubious quality )
- DMF should anything happen to Sow / Watson? Fail ( Yates given golden opportunity last night but appeared unable to take his chance. No replacement despite Sow’s apparent inability to play every game )
- Second choice full back should anything happen to Cash / Ribeiro? Fail ( Jenkinson / Bong quite dreadful last night )
- Number 10? Fail ( Silva substituted but Carvalho still ignored & no new acquisition )

As I said at the outset - early days. But the signs are distinctly dodgy.
Is this down to the acquisition team, is it down to availability of funds or is Sabri doing a Bielsa ( & demanding a limited squad )?
In the circumstances why did we allow both Robbo & Chema to leave?
Was it sensible to release Albert?
None of the above 3 were starters - but all capable of doing a job off the bench.
We appear to have gone backwards.

[TheGreenMan]

I wonder if Sow, Grabban & Ameobi would’ve been injured if we’d faced Leeds, West Brom or any other top six team last night.

Mmmmmm I think not!!!

[wassy04]

We all hoped that the January window would reinforce the squad and - even if marquee signings were too expensive for our budget - decent squad players would be acquired to allow us to remain competitive.
What do we see ( admittedly it is early days - but the signs are not at all promising )?

- A replacement striker should Grabbs get injured? Fail ( Walker & Da Costa not fit for purpose )
- Winger? Fail ( Diakhaby of dubious quality )
- DMF should anything happen to Sow / Watson? Fail ( Yates given golden opportunity last night but appeared unable to take his chance. No replacement despite Sow’s apparent inability to play every game )
- Second choice full back should anything happen to Cash / Ribeiro? Fail ( Jenkinson / Bong quite dreadful last night )
-  Number 10? Fail ( Silva substituted but Carvalho still ignored & no new acquisition )

As I said at the outset - early days. But the signs are distinctly dodgy.
Is this down to the acquisition team, is it down to availability of funds or is Sabri doing a Bielsa ( & demanding a limited squad )?
In the circumstances why did we allow both Robbo & Chema to leave?
Was it sensible to release Albert?
None of the above 3 were starters - but all capable of doing a job off the bench.
We appear to have gone backwards.

Way too early to write off walker & Da Costa.

[ThePromisedLand]

It may be - but we needed someone to hit the ground running if Grabbs got an injury.
IE last night.

[wassy04]

It may be - but we needed someone to hit the ground running if Grabbs got an injury.
IE last night.

Fair point, personally thought Walker was ok although did miss our only two good chances. Doesn't offer the same off the ball work as Grabban though.

The man opposite would've been perfect Lyle Taylor, would we have got him for same fee as Da Costa?

[Username]

We all hoped that the January window would reinforce the squad and - even if marquee signings were too expensive for our budget - decent squad players would be acquired to allow us to remain competitive.
What do we see ( admittedly it is early days - but the signs are not at all promising )?

- A replacement striker should Grabbs get injured? Fail ( Walker & Da Costa not fit for purpose )
- Winger? Fail ( Diakhaby of dubious quality )
- DMF should anything happen to Sow / Watson? Fail ( Yates given golden opportunity last night but appeared unable to take his chance. No replacement despite Sow’s apparent inability to play every game )
- Second choice full back should anything happen to Cash / Ribeiro? Fail ( Jenkinson / Bong quite dreadful last night )
-  Number 10? Fail ( Silva substituted but Carvalho still ignored & no new acquisition )

As I said at the outset - early days. But the signs are distinctly dodgy.
Is this down to the acquisition team, is it down to availability of funds or is Sabri doing a Bielsa ( & demanding a limited squad )?
In the circumstances why did we allow both Robbo & Chema to leave?
Was it sensible to release Albert?
None of the above 3 were starters - but all capable of doing a job off the bench.
We appear to have gone backwards.

All very balanced and difficult to dispute if you look at it without rose tinted specs.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

I wonder if Sow, Grabban & Ameobi would’ve been injured if we’d faced Leeds, West Brom or any other top six team last night.

Mmmmmm I think not!!!

Perhaps not but then they probably would have been missing for the next 6 weeks.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

I wonder what the mood would be had the games been played in reverse order.
ie we played Charlton on Saturday and lost.
We played Leeds last night and won.

Suspect everyone would be buzzing, back up to 5th place, 2pts off auto, bring on West Brom.
I think we have the same shortcomings as most teams, need to look from the outside in sometimes.