Valerian

You're unpopular anyway old mate so I wouldn't' worry about that

Spot on with your main point. In Reds fans thought what we produced last season was one 'one trick pony' then they might want to just go through their DVD collection. Nonsense.

 

I've realised that over recent months, old mate!
Don't forget, we played in empty stadiums and used 5 substitutes. Only Barnsley, you understand, no one else!

 

It worked for Luton taking Jones back when he failed at Stoke. It was February, we were bottom of the league. Make sure it is after next Tuesday when he comes back though!

 

Happy? No, I wasn't bothered either way and my ambivalence was regarded as dislike for Stendel (nobody could dislike Stendel, he was a lovely bloke), he gave us a great season but failed miserably in the championship regardless of the circumstances. My gripe with the Stendel sacking was the over zealous chatter on here that we'd sacked our greatest god-manager ever and we'd done him dirty.

 

What's a DVD collection?

 

Ageist!

 

Regardless of circumstances? Yeah, signing all those inexperienced youngsters after selling Lindsay, Pinnock, Moore and Davies leaving on a free played no part whatsoever in our poor start. None at all.

 

I've laid out my thoughts on Val in this thread and on Stendel in previous threads years ago, not sure what there is to be gained in going through it all again?

You're a massively influential poster on here and you have my, and many others respect, as such I'll just bow out here because arguing isn't what I want to do.

 

It's all about streaming these days...

 

Truth be told, neither do I. I have far more important issues to deal with at home than getting involved in debates on the BBS.
I thank you for your very kind comments, as well. Your respect is reciprocated. I don't believe I'm influential, though.

 

Ha, humble too it seems!

 

Liking this seasons dressage ponies. Well their droppings are good for the pitch.

 

I've a great deal to be humble about, sadly!

 

I can confirm this to be very true.

 

As I've often admitted, there's no beginning to my talents!

 

Obviously, our season under Val was amazing and nearly took us to the Promised Land, but there's no doubt in my mind that towards the end of the season Ismael's tactics had lost a lot of their effectiveness. This view is borne out by three fairly abject home performances towards the end of the season against 3 of the bottom 4 - our defeat by Wednesday, our 0-0 draw v Derby, and our extremely fortunate 1-0 win (via a goal which should have been disallowed for a foul on the keeper) against a far superior Rotherham side which missed at least half a dozen absolute sitters. I hoped for a change of tactics in the play-offs against a Swansea side whose manager had clearly got our number, but, alas, it was not to be.

 

He'd expect a win which would be a start.

 

Good point. Didn't work out for him with the prima donas at Stoke but back to the club he knew, he got them firing again.

 

He wasn't really found out it was the referees that were. I lost count of how many time opposition players would go down screaming before the pressing player had even reached them and lo and behold, a free kick to the defending team. That and shirt pulling did my nut last season.

 

Exactly, I think all the fans and management had to take a big gulp as the week before leaving he had been kissing the badge and only said he would leave to go to Barcelona! Best wishes against the taffs last - we actually beat a Welsh team yesterday, something we hardly ever do.