MDG at right back will be his downfall. It's normally when Coaches are under pressure they start losing the plot not in pre season.
He spoke well and if the players show as much passion and commitment as Connor then we'll be OK. Didn't promise the earth but I feel more confident than recently and once we settle down to a new style we will be OK. Patience is required but I for one gave not got alot.. COYReds!
My only modicum of concern is his statement that if the transfer window shut tonight and he had to go with what he had, he'd be happy with that. I get that'd be good as we'd lost no big names and I get he's not gonna say "No, cos that numpty Mladen has known we need a right back since he gave all ours away and we still dont have one", I get he has to tow the line. But MDG there really..........?
Impressive interview and if he’s doesn’t succeed it won’t be for the lack of trying. I’m like you, my only concern is him being happy with MDG at right back. We need a proper right back in ASAP. Suspect he knows this really. Like that he didn’t offer any indication of where he expects us to finish the season. He knows it’s a period of transition but if we can all see what he’s trying to do it’ll be a start. Think it’s going to be entertaining anyway. We need to show some patience and give the bloke time to build something.
He was asked, given the rate we get through managers, if he was 10-12 at xmas, would he be looking over his shoulder. He said he accepted that part of the game but hoped we'd be higher than that.
I think you answered it yourself- if he had a choice of a. We can shut the window now, you get to keep DKD, Phillips and Connell but you have to wait for a right back. b. Window stays open, we might get a right back, but we might also lose any one or more of those 3 as well. I'd probably go for (a).
He also said he didn't expect much to happen now before the season starts but did expect a couple in and a couple out before end of window.
Mladen didn't give "ours away" he got rid of players Conor didn't want he said so himself.He doesn't want to play with wing backs.
Enjoyed listening to that on the train back from London (Apart from Steven and his opinions on recruiting by “watching ‘em on’t computer” who didn’t want to listen to Conor explain we do both traditional scouting and looking at data ).
I told em you can’t buy players on t’internet , I told em before they even knew it were a thing he’s brilliant - like a Fast Show character
Exactly . Based on that interview and his recent history in the game I would hope he has the respect of the players. I do love that his success has been underpinned by hard work. Was he the most talented player we had? No (he was bloody good btw ) but he found a way to get himself to the very top. That should be truly inspiring to any young player coming in who dreams of playing football in the premier league. it’s also a good sign that anyone who has stepped out of line discipline wise has been shown the exit door. That should set the standard and boundaries. I dunno perhaps I’m just getting giddy for the new season and there’s no doubt the squad needs work but I feel more confident after listening to that interview than I did before. regarding MDV it seems obvious to me that we don’t have the player in that we want but MDV is back up. What else can Conor say about that? He throw him under the bus. Much better to back him and see how he does. He’s made clear we need another player in. COYR 3-0 opening defeat incoming
I wouldn’t expect him to say MDG is no good and of course will show trust and support. Maybe MDG is a better coldplay camera man than full back? However I'm sure there will be a desire to fill that position with a new signing. My worry is the defensive side of our game was very poor - not just from the defenders. There has to be a big improvement to even be competitive let alone be in the top six.
he did make a good point on this around the 72 goals shipped not just being down to the back 4/5 ie lack of protection and keeper I think there’s some substance to that . organisation massive - hope Keogh has an impact in this regard but I do agree, I remain nervous