completely agree well said
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I think Duff will be in trouble if the form continues into the season like it finished the last. He’s clearly had more of a say in the type of players we’re signing than previous head coaches so if they don’t work that’ll be on him. He’s also moved the style of play far away from what Dan Rice said he wanted when he came in - that’s risky if you’re not winning matches. If he continues not to select players from the academy except in dead rubbers that’ll likely be another black mark against his name. Duff is gambling on being his own man paying off. It’s a risky gamble given the form we finished with. Let’s see if it works - for him and the club.
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Im not giving him 10 games. But, i reckon he’d be under pressure, especially if the aim is promotion, as per Cook.
At present he isnt in danger. But, i reckon they wouldn’t hesitate sacking him if he starts of badly.
The injuries to Anders/Casey and some dreadful Norris performances played a big part in the poor finish.
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Every club has player injuries, good management is having back up plans in place. Duff sent Skura on loan to Yeovil - in hindsight that was a mistake. Maybe he should’ve been played instead of Taylor, though the latter came good(ISH) at the end.
Norris is entirely on Duff. He dropped van Sas and refused to bring him back into the team despite the impact Norris was having, both on performance and morale. I think Duff’s stubbornness in that decision, almost willfulness, was hugely detrimental to our play off hopes.
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Have to say I have some mixed views right now. I’m a bit disappointed we’ve not sorted out most of our business by now. Successful teams often do most of their business early.
That said we have the core of the side: Hazard; Grimmer, Casey, Cook, Harvie; Morley, Boyd-Munce; Onyedinma.
Plus a good back up: Macey; Skura, Taylor, Hagelskjaer, Allen; Scowen, Leahy, Henderson, Mullins; Junior, Fink.
It’s just the attack that clearly needs sorting and I really hope we add another four in next week or so.
Last pre-season was all over the place and important that there is no repeat of that.
What if our quiet approach in the transfer market isn’t a lack of ambition, but a deliberate investment in the next generation?
I can’t help wondering whether our absence of new attacking signings is directly tied to the opportunities lined up for the academy graduates this season. It’s a gamble, no doubt—but it’s also something that sets us apart. While other clubs stockpile expensive talent, we can offer first-team football to promising youngsters.
The long-term vision is to turn these young prospects into the club’s biggest assets. Flood the squad with new signings, and that pathway disappears.
That’s why I think any attacking addition now would have to be an undeniable upgrade- not just another body. Otherwise, why block the future you’re trying to build?
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I don’t think it has anything to do with the academy. I can’t see any of that academy will be starting games on a regular basis this season.
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Last season pre season was designed by a head coach totally not fit for the role. Playing completely different teams every game and often each 45 minutes. No defensive understanding was built up, especially with a new keeper and many recent arrivals.
It was no surprise the early performances were so disorganised. Especially the never to be forgotten Stockport fiasco. When Dodds left the entire right defensive side vacant for 75 minutes. Poor old Dan Casey getting woefully exposed. Dodds should have been sacked after that game. As it clearly exposed his sheer incompetence .
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What do people think about the right back role? Certainly hard to recruit when there is very limited chance of displacing club captain Grimmer. Scowen was used there a little bit at the end of last season. Could we see that more commonly this season?
I’m also going to do that classic thing by starting an ex player conversation on Al Hamadi. A Wycombe comeback? Doubt it, but he needs a big season now. 6 month purple patch is all he’s had and he’s 24 now.
I doubt Skura would have made the difference. Also it is very likely that had Casey not gone off injured against Bolton we would have held on and won that game. The game changed at that moment. The poor form then unsued after this game.
Yes all teams get injuries but losing both of your first choice centre backs is going to have a negative effect on any team.
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I just don’t understand why people are writing off Anders? He proved himself as a very good centre back at this level
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Looks like Wimbledon have paid money to take Tilley back from us.
https://x.com/sportspeteo/status/2075535194258329674?s=46&t=1RBEO4WBqGcRsvgU2yU85Q
Quite funny.
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Agreed. He is our best defender when fit .
It seems the narrative is we became rubbish because we lost our centre backs but those centre backs are also not good enough anyway.
We must have been very reliant on them if we were flying until they got injured abd rubbish afterwards.
I wonder if we have enquired about getting Will Lankshear from Spurs on loan ?
Looked good for PNL last season, old fashion type of battering ram centre forward.
Is this an “i wonder” wink wink, or just a random name of a footballer?
Apparently he’s no good in the air and can’t tackle. I don’t agree by the way.
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Twitter has Tilley off.
Alas poor Tilley I (barely) knew him…to misquote