A very interesting and revealing article. Sounds to me like we had a pretty sound scouting system and recruitment plan, a combination of spotting talent early for development and combining them with experienced pros who could keep the club ticking over. The scouts are reasonably vindicated by the fact both the recommendations we did sign, and many of those we didn't, have gone on to become top level performers. Sadly the person choosing the experienced pros seems to have been Sherwood and they turned out to be crocks, past-its and ne'er do wells like Richards and Lescott or out of their depth like Gestede. His other preferences don't reflect well on him either although one or two (Townsend?) may well have improved us. Not duds like Lennon and Cleverly though who would have just drained the coffers even further. Little wonder we ended up with a rift between the young foreign players and a clique of British "pros". It was never going to work if Sherwood wasn't bought in to the process. I get the feeling that even if we'd signed Gomez, Vardy, Kante, Praet and some of the others mentioned Sherwood would still have found a way to fuck it up - like telling the scouts he wanted wingbacks for 3-5-2 and then never using it. The fucking moron.
Quote from: ktvillan on April 02, 2020, 10:15:04 AMA very interesting and revealing article. Sounds to me like we had a pretty sound scouting system and recruitment plan, a combination of spotting talent early for development and combining them with experienced pros who could keep the club ticking over. The scouts are reasonably vindicated by the fact both the recommendations we did sign, and many of those we didn't, have gone on to become top level performers. Sadly the person choosing the experienced pros seems to have been Sherwood and they turned out to be crocks, past-its and ne'er do wells like Richards and Lescott or out of their depth like Gestede. His other preferences don't reflect well on him either although one or two (Townsend?) may well have improved us. Not duds like Lennon and Cleverly though who would have just drained the coffers even further. Little wonder we ended up with a rift between the young foreign players and a clique of British "pros". It was never going to work if Sherwood wasn't bought in to the process. I get the feeling that even if we'd signed Gomez, Vardy, Kante, Praet and some of the others mentioned Sherwood would still have found a way to fuck it up - like telling the scouts he wanted wingbacks for 3-5-2 and then never using it. The fucking moron. Is there any chance Smith/Suso got in a similar muddle on a proposed formation last summer? We ended up with five senior centre backs, two right backs and two left backs. Both newly signed full backs are far more comfortable as wing backs than regular full backs. Targett in particular is miles out of his depth as a left back in a 4 at this level. Recruitment at the back seemed more aligned to 352, exception being Hause for whom that formation is not his friend.
Quote from: Dante Lavelli on March 31, 2020, 08:09:33 PMSlight tangent, but there are similarities with this year’s recruitment. A few young players who look to have potential but would benefit massively if they were joining more established sides..... I dont see much potential in the likes of Wesley, Targett, Trez and Konsa unfortunately.
Slight tangent, but there are similarities with this year’s recruitment. A few young players who look to have potential but would benefit massively if they were joining more established sides.
0-2 up. Coasting. Makes the most ridiculous substitution. You could see it coming.
Quote from: Legion on April 02, 2020, 12:08:35 PM0-2 up. Coasting. Makes the most ridiculous substitution. You could see it coming.This game was the start of our troubles for me.