Next Manager Speculation/Hopes

[Rigadon]

Letting this season be a write off - and keeping Gerrard in place is a sign that's what they're doing - is not a good look for a club who were talking about the big time a few months ago.  We are a million miles off top 6 let alone top 4.  We've signed players who aren't performing (e.g. Bailey) and have been really unlucky with injuries.  But the vibes are all wrong at the moment.  Momentum gone. 

A club with genuine ambition would've sacked Gerrard by now. 

[Rigadon]

In fact, at this point, I'd probably take a boring mid-table write off of a season.  That's not good enough.

[N'ZMAV]

maybe all that ambition for on the pitch success is dwindling out from the owners? maybe they know if we can just stay up then the cash keeps coming in?

I'm not sure that is the case, just putting it out there.

[ez]

Another possibility is that they've had a timetable in place for when they would stop bankrolling the club and that time has now passed. Maybe in their opinion we should be established in the top half of the league by now.

[N'ZMAV]

or maybe they've got a timetable in place, that is slower development than us fighting for europe yet,  believing it will be more sustainable, and they're ok with Gerrard's current performance?

[Mister E]

I don't think Gerrard is going to get the sack at any point before the World Cup, and probably not for the rest of the season to be honest

Well, we're done and dusted in this scenario. Rotherham here we come.

I'm not convinced they've lost interest though, I'm sure I remember reading a comment not long after they started stating that their plan was for long-term sustainable success. At the time I saw that as a plan to increase the commercial revenue, invest heavily in infrastructure and, in the long term, reduce the amount of cash they were putting in on transfers and wages. I've tried to find that statement on it but I just can't remember when it came or who it was from (NSWE or Purslow)

I think Paul is closer to the reality, here. I think Edens will be all over the ponderous football and crap results...

[ozzjim]

They are at the game this weekend apparently. Go 2-3 nil down, it will be open season on the manager.

[Lastfootstamper]

I don't think Gerrard is going to get the sack at any point before the World Cup, and probably not for the rest of the season to be honest.

I share this opinion. Whilst I am far, far from being a fan of the tedious pedestrian game we're being served on a regular basis (and deep down miss Dean Smith's Aston Villa), I do think the injuries to Carlos and Kamara have been a massive blow that would've knocked sideways anybody managing our squad. However, most observers would probably agree that a major attraction for getting him in in the first place was a sense that as a 'name' he'd be a fairly big pull in the transfer market and he should have done more business that could have softened the impact, but for whatever reasons that doesn't seem to have been the case.

Make no mistake, I'd gladly pay for his taxi, but I don't think one's going to be called any time soon.

[LeonW]

I don't think Gerrard is going to get the sack at any point before the World Cup, and probably not for the rest of the season to be honest.

I share this opinion. Whilst I am far, far from being a fan of the tedious pedestrian game we're being served on a regular basis (and deep down miss Dean Smith's Aston Villa), I do think the injuries to Carlos and Kamara have been a massive blow that would've knocked sideways anybody managing our squad. However, most observers would probably agree that a major attraction for getting him in in the first place was a sense that as a 'name' he'd be a fairly big pull in the transfer market and he should have done more business that could have softened the impact, but for whatever reasons that doesn't seem to have been the case.

Make no mistake, I'd gladly pay for his taxi, but I don't think one's going to be called any time soon.

Whilst the injuries we've had to our new signings are unlucky, I don't think they're relevant to our problems. The injuries we've had are defensive (where we have decent back up) and our problems are in attack. Our XG quite frankly, is pathetic, especially considering the teams we've faced so far this season. Goals conceded from shots faced is also poor, both of which make for a toxic combination. We've wasted games against sides we should have picked up more points from and as this is highly likely to continue with Gerrard in charge, it makes the reality that we are indeed, in a relegation battle this season. If the owners don't realise this and act, they're asleep at the wheel.

[Mister E]

I don't think Gerrard is going to get the sack at any point before the World Cup, and probably not for the rest of the season to be honest.

I share this opinion. Whilst I am far, far from being a fan of the tedious pedestrian game we're being served on a regular basis (and deep down miss Dean Smith's Aston Villa), I do think the injuries to Carlos and Kamara have been a massive blow that would've knocked sideways anybody managing our squad. However, most observers would probably agree that a major attraction for getting him in in the first place was a sense that as a 'name' he'd be a fairly big pull in the transfer market and he should have done more business that could have softened the impact, but for whatever reasons that doesn't seem to have been the case.

Make no mistake, I'd gladly pay for his taxi, but I don't think one's going to be called any time soon.

all of what you say is for the birds. Gerrard is clearly not up to the job and needs to be removed pronto. His 'system' is flawed and the players are clearly not bought-in to it. We're sinking fast, and the owners need to act fast.

[chrisw1]

When you get the likes of Dan Bardell, the most positive and measured fan / podcaster out there, showing his frustration and saying he just can't see a way forward with Gerrard then you know it's getting bad.

[pauliewalnuts]

maybe all that ambition for on the pitch success is dwindling out from the owners? maybe they know if we can just stay up then the cash keeps coming in?

I'm not sure that is the case, just putting it out there.

The cash doesn't just keep coming in, though, they've spent an immense amount of money and are still doing so.

[brontebilly]

No to Postecoglou.

He's a very good coach but Villa Park is too early for him at this point of his career. The handful of teams I've seen his team play, including last night, they do look very well drilled. You can see evidence of proper coaching and tactical instruction. But he's one for Southampton or someone else right now.

[eamonn]

Re Diego Carlos...we're barely missing him. Mings has come in and been generally excellent and our defensive record is fine. Kamara is classy but not at the stage where he would dictate games for us. Digne has been mostly shite for us too so I don't think any of the injuries are really halting any progress.

How we're coached and set-up in games are the biggest obstacles.

[TonyD]

Letting this season be a write off - and keeping Gerrard in place is a sign that's what they're doing - is not a good look for a club who were talking about the big time a few months ago.  We are a million miles off top 6 let alone top 4.  We've signed players who aren't performing (e.g. Bailey) and have been really unlucky with injuries.  But the vibes are all wrong at the moment.  Momentum gone. 

A club with genuine ambition would've sacked Gerrard by now. 

This. They should have binned him months ago.  It’s been obvious for a long time he is a dreadful manager. You have to ask why haven’t they binned him yet…?