Almost feels like there's been two seasons. Up to the Chelsea game we were a decent midtable team. We won some we lost some. Then we went stratospheric.
I’ll assume that was an honest question. I reckon I’ve probably seen him play as many times as you have. None this season though. That’s kinda my point. In a squad that makes so many subs, I’m just surprised he hasn’t had a kick. He’s made the bench enough times, so he obviously wasn’t completely out of the picture. He has lots to offer going forward for me, and it’s a shame if graft alone is the key measure. I agree it might be though, which probably explains how Adeboyejo starts a play-off game we have to win.
I do agree with you. I find a consolation when I watch us play is that I haven't got a 100 mile round trip, setting off at 1pm and getting back home at 7. It shouldn't be like that. I've lost the excitement factor with Val and that is no criticism of him.
All this Mowatt likely gone. Wait and see for me. 1. Where do folk see him going. Premier or Championship. ? 2. With the realisation some clubs are now cutting their cloths knowing you can't just buy success. 3. Wages will not be the issue for me. The signing on payment will be. We will be losing him for nothing. I believe that will be the crunch decision. 4. Those who have been prudent in the Premier with parachute payments may be the ones with the upper hand. Val has his reasons for playing Styles at LWB. I don't think for one minute he doesn't feel he can play the midfield role. As for James. No thank you.
I’m surprised with Clarke’s omission, however, I don’t see what goes off in training, so perhaps he isn’t applying himself in a way that Val feels he can’t ignore him?
Upper Champ for me. I don't think he's PL level. Maybe he would be with different players around him. Dunno. Games like the play-offs are the chance to shine, and in both legs I thought he was very average. That won't have been lost on the PL clubs watching him. Which did surprise me a lot tbh. I was expecting him to use those two games to put him in the shop window. I genuinely don't think he's 'too good' for us. We're upper champ. Not sure I agree on the wages though. I think that will be the issue. Even if we put him on 15k a week, other Champ teams can double that without blinking. I do wonder if it's a style thing for him. It can't be too much fun being a CM in our squad.
Let’s be honest, Styles never really kicked in in midfield under Stendal & Struber, he was selected there a couple of times but failed to impress. Too lightweight.
Not just graft. Awareness and focus was what I mentioned alongside that trust part. In this system the wing backs are often the key to how well we play and positionally so important for the balls over the top and down the channels. It was an honest question. I think Oduor has talent I just wouldn’t call him solid. Flashes of brilliance (like the assist for the Woodrow goal at Oakwell last season) but ultimately that’s hidden amongst some generally poor performances - in my opinion. I still think he can get there but he needs to go and play 30 games in a row for someone.
The wages are becoming an issue. There will always be clubs pushing the boat out so to speak. But I believe a lot fewer. Which in turn leads to looking at more established better targets. If you look at what clubs like us were paying years gone by. We competed. And look at some of those we signed. I'm not saying those days will return but I also believe we can't continue. the buy success at all costs mentality. Clubs will go to the wall that continue with that. Chansiri for me will never be able to sell Wednesday unless he cuts his losses. ( Which he seems hell bent on not doing) They may even well go into Administration.
He’s scored eight league goals this season. That must be fun? And as captain. Probably his best ever season at Championship level and only one goal less than he got in his breakthrough year with Leeds. My gut feeling is he’s wanting reassurances we won’t sell too many players and he goes back to being the captain of a struggling Championship side again. That’s what I take from the ‘Alex wants to stay’ sound bites we get. I believe we can satisfy him financially, but are we willing to offer him the number of years other clubs can? There’ll be four year deals kicking around this Summer from established Championship clubs and this next contract is likely to be his last big one.
Have you noticed how we have better games against teams who want to play from the back. Norwich for example. They were quite happy to be pressed by our front 3 . They were confident that they would be able to use the space beyond the press, which they did to good effect. Our press was also effective. It was a game that I enjoyed because the comparison of tactics was interesting. However, fewer and fewer teams are willing to take us on at football. They match our long ball game with a long ball game of their own. When that happens, the press is pointless. There is no-one to press. Our front 3-4-3 becomes 3-4-2-1 as 2 of the from 3 drop deeper to try to cover mid-field in front of the wing backs. I notice a lot of criticism of the opposition when they play the long ball game, but honestly, I see it as the use of our own tactics against us as a form of defense. It has gradually got more prevalent as the season has progressed, and more opposition coaches saw it as a viable defense, particularly away from home. When the opposition play that way, the long ball becomes less effective, and after many games, I have read criticism of the way that we have played. Home games toward the end of the season have become turgid affairs as both teams have constantly hit long balls, giving away valuable possession.
I’ve said this before, as good a season Styles has had he is no wing back. He is creative going forward but IMO gets caught out positionally on many occasions with the defensive side of the role. We need a combative central midfielder & let Styles be the creator if he was to move in the middle.
I don't blame Alex one bit for holding out. I'd do the same if I was in his shoes. Obviously no idea what we can or have offered him financially, or what he's willing to accept. I just know we can't compete with many Champ clubs financially - and shouldn't try. And as you say, it's his last big contract, so I do think money will come into it. I imagine there's teams out there prepared to offer him a signing fee and 20k/wk. I doubt we'll match that. Fair play to him.
A run of games..!! Done absolutely nothing for Palmer who hasn't improved a jot since day one.. in fact it goes to show how bad our CM options are that he's played so much. Not righting the lad off yet but definitely not up to it at present. And whether or not Mowatt stays or not, it's area that needs addressing in the summer..
Harsh. Palmer has acquitted himself well, for a young lad in a tough division. In an ideal world we could have done a bit more rotation in the midfield and given him (and even Mowatt) an occasional breather. Anyway, we got to the play-off semis with Palmer playing his part. Not sure what else could have been expected.
