Christian Purslow - Resigned

[LeeB]

In all honesty I’ve been less than impressed with Digne and I’m not convinced he’s an upgrade on Matt Targett.

He absolutely is.

Well I’m yet to see it.

Yeah, me either.

[Duncan Shaw]

I think the biggest misjudgment he has made is not knowing SG would want to be a chequebook manager, wanting the finished article and having no interest/ability to develop players.  The rest of the club is being set-up to support that model (Academy, Lange's recruitment) and SG has no interest in it a first team level.  Purslow made a fan-boy appointment as he wanted a "name" and if he leaves it too long he'll have to fall on his sword too.  Accept his mistake and deal with it quickly and he gets one more go for me.

Anyone even suggesting Dean Smith was a mistake needs to give their head a wobble.  He was exactly the right man to move us from where we were to where we are now, but that was his ceiling.  Some of the football we played in the early part of the 7-2 season was the best I've seen us play since Big Ron's time.

[john e]

In all honesty I’ve been less than impressed with Digne and I’m not convinced he’s an upgrade on Matt Targett.

He absolutely is.

Well I’m yet to see it.

Yeah, me either.

I’m Still looking

[PeterWithe]

Good point that and one that may lead me toward the Gerrard out camp in time, if he can’t make what he’s got better, we need to strengthen the coaching team or make a managerial change.

[LeonW]

I think the biggest misjudgment he has made is not knowing SG would want to be a chequebook manager, wanting the finished article and having no interest/ability to develop players.  The rest of the club is being set-up to support that model (Academy, Lange's recruitment) and SG has no interest in it a first team level.  Purslow made a fan-boy appointment as he wanted a "name" and if he leaves it too long he'll have to fall on his sword too.  Accept his mistake and deal with it quickly and he gets one more go for me.

Anyone even suggesting Dean Smith was a mistake needs to give their head a wobble.  He was exactly the right man to move us from where we were to where we are now, but that was his ceiling.  Some of the football we played in the early part of the 7-2 season was the best I've seen us play since Big Ron's time.

Agree with all of this.

[Clampy]

Duncan's point is interesting where you have him saying Gerrard is a cheque book manager and some fans moaning that we haven't spent enough.

[LeonW]

Duncan's point is interesting where you have him saying Gerrard is a cheque book manager and some fans moaning that we haven't spent enough.

Is that not because of the category of players we're bringing in? 29/30 year olds with no re-sell value but are ready to go now.

[Clampy]

Duncan's point is interesting where you have him saying Gerrard is a cheque book manager and some fans moaning that we haven't spent enough.

Is that not because of the category of players we're bringing in? 29/30 year olds with no re-sell value but are ready to go now.

True,  but some fans have been asking for 'hit the ground running'  players. Fair point though. To be honest,  I haven't really got an issue with any of the players he's brought in so far.

[Risso]

The net spend under Gerrard so far is about £30m.

[LeonW]

Duncan's point is interesting where you have him saying Gerrard is a cheque book manager and some fans moaning that we haven't spent enough.

Is that not because of the category of players we're bringing in? 29/30 year olds with no re-sell value but are ready to go now.

True,  but some fans have been asking for 'hit the ground running'  players. Fair point though. To be honest,  I haven't really got an issue with any of the players he's brought in so far.

Me neither. I think if the club continue just bringing in 29/30 year olds we're going to have a problem further down the line. I think alot of agree that more experience was needed to what was a young squad he inherited. I'd like to see more work and development of the younger players we have rather than just looking to the transfer market to solve things. I think a lot of problems wouldn't necessarily just be fixed by buying more players. Dealing with set pieces, being susceptible to just a long ball over the top, creating chances, etc. Better coaching and organisation should be applied.

[ozzjim]

I think we have enough in that bracket now. We could do with a couple of genuine leaders now though, ideally mid 20s. Carlos looks like he should be one in time,  which could actually help Mings longer term,  but in midfield and going forward a couple of players that can lead on the pitch.  Mcginn just isn't a captain.

[LeonW]

I think we have enough in that bracket now. We could do with a couple of genuine leaders now though, ideally mid 20s. Carlos looks like he should be one in time,  which could actually help Mings longer term,  but in midfield and going forward a couple of players that can lead on the pitch.  Mcginn just isn't a captain.

Yes, someone to play alongside/in front of Kamara. Others have pointed this out (and I agree) that the best set up for what we've got is 4-2-3-1.

[Clampy]

He's not going to take McGinn out (who I like)  so I'm wondering if away from home at least,  Luiz might be a better shout than Ramsey. Just to tighten it up at bit. Just a thought.

[LeonW]

He's not going to take McGinn out (who I like)  so I'm wondering if away from home at least,  Luiz might be a better shout than Ramsey. Just to tighten it up at bit. Just a thought.

I had also wondered about trying that. As long as Luiz isn’t the deepest midfielder.

[OCD]

Jacob wasn't in any kind of form in the summer but has been an automatic pick. Whereas you could say the opposite about Sanson and to a lesser degree, Luiz.

When Gerrard came there were soundbites about how he liked to play possession based football and we would retain the ball a lot better. I'm still waiting. There's been glimpses of it but by and large our midfield has been invisible, failing to protect a defensive unit that just doesn't look organised or like it knows what to do against direct, physical tactics.