Whilst I agree with a number of your points Johny I have to declare I have come to hate the ground that Shi / Hobbs / And O’Neil walk on has anyone actually considered that The initial wins during The manager’s early tenure had more to do with the coaching and training of JLO and it took ONeil 6 months to Coach it out of them. As For Mr Hobbs this was the gentleman that assured us 16 months ago we would always have the next potential managerial targets continually under review for whatever eventuality. Then we have Mr Shi who has consistently proved that without the input of initially Laurie Dalrymple and the talent pool of Mendes is totally inept ( with the exception of churning money back to Fosun) 68 years of age driving 400 mile round trip every home match I thought I had witnessed all the lows of Football……… However Yet again we are stuck on the escalator of shit.
Spot on Johnny. Gary O'Neil has been told to carry on drinking from his poisoned chalice but for how much longer? I honestly can't see anything other than a defeat to Ipswich, given the aerial prowess of Delap. Wolves continue to be way too emotional and need a calmer approach on the pitch. This emotional aspect no doubt has some input into why we have conceded 35 penalties in 4 and a bit seasons (12 gained for us).
He goes under the radar but the player we have missed most this season is Boubacar Traore, as we get bullied by 'big lumps' in midfield every game, as our other midfielders, Lemina apart, are the size of Airfix 1/32 scale models from the 1970s.
Interesting thoughts, Bobby, had not really taken Traore’s absence into consideration. There’s a number of films I could have gone for but as Carry on Regardless was based around a job agency and some bizarre job offers it felt appropriate.
Your last paragraph in particular is key, for it feels like there is no plan, just the gradual slide into failure, chaos, mediocrity and relegation. It just feels like 2011-2013 all over again.
I just hope Fosun see the light, do the right thing and put the club up for sale.
The media praise for Gary baffles me, certainly its not backed up by statistical data. The fans have seen constant tactical errors that prove otherwise. I have seen no players improve since he has been at the club; a sign of a good manager. I would also ask where the statement 'the players back the manager' comes from, is it fact or guesswork? The evidence at Everton did not prove this to be true - these players are quailty professionals, they would play for any manager. They would give even more for someone they respected. Gary lost the fans because he is self-centred (he claims every victory as a training ground master-class), a career coach and a yes man. If hes like this I fail to see him connecting with the players. But he may grow as a result of this so lets give him chance, and Hobbs influence is at least morally the correct thing to do, its self reflecting and considered; the best sign of true leadership I have seen from the club in a long time. I hope Hobbs is right & I will back him.
Another well written summary Johnny, as ever. There does seem to be a need in the media generally to blame either O’Neill or the club. The truth is both are at fault to varying degrees (although I have more sympathy for O’Neill). We’ve been living the learning curve of an inexperienced manager for a while, and tactically things have been unravelling. When we have got results it’s been through moments of individual talent and not through our structure and set up. We haven’t ’out coached’ a team for a long time and a more experienced coach could get a better tune from this side. On the flip side the ownership has lost ambition and screwed over the manager and the fans as a result - particularly on investment. It’s a self inflicted mess that could have been avoided and will result in championship football. Such a shame.
Yes, in many ways it’s a perfect storm with several of the factors you outline coming together. So it’s easy to see how it can be regarded as self-inflicted.
Whilst I agree with a number of your points Johny I have to declare I have come to hate the ground that Shi / Hobbs / And O’Neil walk on has anyone actually considered that The initial wins during The manager’s early tenure had more to do with the coaching and training of JLO and it took ONeil 6 months to Coach it out of them. As For Mr Hobbs this was the gentleman that assured us 16 months ago we would always have the next potential managerial targets continually under review for whatever eventuality. Then we have Mr Shi who has consistently proved that without the input of initially Laurie Dalrymple and the talent pool of Mendes is totally inept ( with the exception of churning money back to Fosun) 68 years of age driving 400 mile round trip every home match I thought I had witnessed all the lows of Football……… However Yet again we are stuck on the escalator of shit.
I think there a lot of learnings to take from the past 18 months. It will
take a lot to turn it around.
Excellent point. I had never thought of that before about the first six months.
Spot on Johnny. Gary O'Neil has been told to carry on drinking from his poisoned chalice but for how much longer? I honestly can't see anything other than a defeat to Ipswich, given the aerial prowess of Delap. Wolves continue to be way too emotional and need a calmer approach on the pitch. This emotional aspect no doubt has some input into why we have conceded 35 penalties in 4 and a bit seasons (12 gained for us).
He goes under the radar but the player we have missed most this season is Boubacar Traore, as we get bullied by 'big lumps' in midfield every game, as our other midfielders, Lemina apart, are the size of Airfix 1/32 scale models from the 1970s.
Carry On Regardless?
More like Carry On Up The Khyber.
Interesting thoughts, Bobby, had not really taken Traore’s absence into consideration. There’s a number of films I could have gone for but as Carry on Regardless was based around a job agency and some bizarre job offers it felt appropriate.
Carry on Regardless is certainly more appropriate but Carry On Up The Khyber just sounds ruder and more visceral.
Your last paragraph in particular is key, for it feels like there is no plan, just the gradual slide into failure, chaos, mediocrity and relegation. It just feels like 2011-2013 all over again.
I just hope Fosun see the light, do the right thing and put the club up for sale.
I hope there’s time to turn it around before a sale.
The media praise for Gary baffles me, certainly its not backed up by statistical data. The fans have seen constant tactical errors that prove otherwise. I have seen no players improve since he has been at the club; a sign of a good manager. I would also ask where the statement 'the players back the manager' comes from, is it fact or guesswork? The evidence at Everton did not prove this to be true - these players are quailty professionals, they would play for any manager. They would give even more for someone they respected. Gary lost the fans because he is self-centred (he claims every victory as a training ground master-class), a career coach and a yes man. If hes like this I fail to see him connecting with the players. But he may grow as a result of this so lets give him chance, and Hobbs influence is at least morally the correct thing to do, its self reflecting and considered; the best sign of true leadership I have seen from the club in a long time. I hope Hobbs is right & I will back him.
Huge game on Saturday for him. It’s a week-to-week challenge for O’Neil now and it will be some achievement if he comes through.
Another well written summary Johnny, as ever. There does seem to be a need in the media generally to blame either O’Neill or the club. The truth is both are at fault to varying degrees (although I have more sympathy for O’Neill). We’ve been living the learning curve of an inexperienced manager for a while, and tactically things have been unravelling. When we have got results it’s been through moments of individual talent and not through our structure and set up. We haven’t ’out coached’ a team for a long time and a more experienced coach could get a better tune from this side. On the flip side the ownership has lost ambition and screwed over the manager and the fans as a result - particularly on investment. It’s a self inflicted mess that could have been avoided and will result in championship football. Such a shame.
Yes, in many ways it’s a perfect storm with several of the factors you outline coming together. So it’s easy to see how it can be regarded as self-inflicted.