Hourihane

And doesn't that mean he's in the same position as Devaney always has been, tainted by association, part of the problem?

 

It’s hard to argue he should feature more when it’s the most stacked position in the team.

If he was of the same ability & played as a left back, centre back, goalie or forward then I’d presume he would feature more but central midfield & right back are probably the only two positions we’re solid in.

 

I know it’s a really outdated concept, but in years gone by the manager would build a team, almost like putting a jigsaw together, and if a player was sold, a direct replacement would be sought (think Danny Wilson first time round). These days we change head coach every season (at least once) and endow him with a set of players that, presumably, have been signed primarily on the basis of potential resale value, rather than on how they might fit into a cohesive team (other than some vague notion of employing a pressing game, and an addiction to wing backs and definitely no wide attacking players). He is also, allegedly, landed with young loan player(s) he is compelled to select regardless of how they perform (time will tell on that one I guess). I wonder why we never seem to progress.

 

It doesn’t take long. I’ve just watched his presser and he’s had to remind Doug and Co that the defeat on Tuesday was at Man United, and we’re 3 points off top spot.