Vals got the sack at Watford

Different time, Different players, and very very unique circumstances.

There's no way finishing 5th happens without the above, WBA, Besiktas and Watford since without any success

 

Imo. That's what cost us promotion. We were worked out b4 the season end. Wendy sat back and hitting us on the counter. proved that, and a couple of others followed. Then Swansea included.

 

I think the fact Ayew was offside when scoring at Oakwell, and then them getting a free-kick at their place for shoving Helik over were more pertinent than tactics. It was a very close contest, over both games, settled by two outstanding - but questionable - goals.

 

Imo A. Wendy sat back and invited us on. and counter attacked at every opportunity taking advantage of the shortage of defence. Offside I can't remember tbh. But I stand by the point.
What happened at their place I don't remember either. But I'm guessing our tactics at that time were still difficult to combat not knowing what hit them. They learned from it. It was close that I agree. But we were caught out. Several other teams took note.
I actually enjoyed the football under Val. But Wycombe at home. (Head tennis) Was one of the worst games I've ever seen.
And Rotherham 2 of the luckiest wins. Played us off the park in both games. Glad of the wins though.

 

I don't care what he's done since, that was easily the best season of management since Wilson.

 

Maybe, but maybe Val & his tactics are more suited to smaller clubs, the underdogs, than the clubs listed above where success is expected from the off.

 

Post Val

Styles Sibbick Mowatt Frieser Woodrow Chaplin all had to learn how to play actual football again, some are still struggling

Val put our footballing progression as a club back years for one COVID ridden bit of semi success.

 

You mean Styles, Chaplin and Mowatt who are all playing Championship football, Woodrow who has just scored in the Premier League, Frieser who is playing in the Austrian top flight and Sibbick who is playing in the Scottish Prem.

Yeah, Val really fcked up their careers.

 

This must be a joke.

 

All players mentioned had a significant dip in form after Val and took time to adjust back to playing in a team that passed the ball to each other. Fortunately for them most have got their careers back on track now but it certainly took time for them all to re adjust

You have to remember it's just my opinions posted not fact that everyone agrees with.

 

Easily? I don’t think so. We were a penalty conversion away from going 2-0 up shortly before half time in the Wembley play off final under Basset, unless of course you mean Wilson’s second spell at Oakwell

 

I’m sure there were a few teams who got the better of us. Just as a few did in the 96/97 season. But by and large, Valérien - like Danny - got a group of players tipped for relegation playing football that suited their skill sets and led us to a memorable campaign. A shame we fell in the play-offs because I would have loved to have seen that manager and that group play together in the big league.

A truly wonderful bloke and I wish him well.

 

But they didn't though.

Mowatt went to West Brom and has been am almost every present in their midfield.

Chaplin went to Ipswich and fired them to promotion and is now scoring goals in the Championship.

Woodrow went to Luton, and played a part in their promotion to the Premier League. He's now playing more minutes for them off the bench.

Styles struggled in a central midfield role for us admittedly, but has had two loan moves back to the Championship.

Frieser left to play back home, and is playing top flight football.

Sibbick was never really anything more than a very good athlete that Val got the best out of - he's now playing top flight football in Scotland.

You can't say "but that's my opinion", when you're ignoring all the facts that are available.

It's like me saying I've just been outside and the weather is not raining - and you can't challenge me on that because its my opinion.

 

Woodrows scored 3 goals in over 40 Luton appearances.
The spl is a poor league and styles will more than likely be back at oakwell next season. Right about the others though.

 

Woodrow is playing Premier League football - and was used as an impact sub for Luton last year in their promotion push. I'd say he's doing OK.

The SPL may be a poor league, but it's better than League One. Which isn't bad for someone like Sibbick.

Styles hasn't progressed as we'd hope I'll admit, but he's still playing a higher level than we are.

 

I remember us passing to each other under Ismael.

Isn't the players looking much worse after he left just a reflection of how good he was in getting the results he did from the squad?

 

So would I have wanted to see us in the championship (would he have stayed regardless ?).and wish him well. But I believe it's what cost us in the end. Is it any coincidence that those tactics or lack of changing em at WBA and Watford in the end have seen his teams struggle.
Best manager we've ever had, imo and gave us a dream team to watch. Ended up with the sack. Big Norm.
It's a results game.

 

Looks like I've got it wrong again. Best apologise. Sorry

 

With all due respect, better than the ‘Just like Watching Brazil’ side? Really?