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A few thoughts on what’s going on - from being present at the supporters forum on Tuesday & from having conversations and just listening.
The club are fully behind MA & it shows with the comments that they have planned what they want to in the market in Jan & Summer.
The club are fully behind MA & it shows with the comments that they have planned what they want to in the market in Jan & Summer.
I raised the subject of experience / inexperience at the forum. I’m fully behind MA (even though there is a big struggle - but more on that shortly) BUT he is in his first job as manager (previously head coach). Edu has some experience but new in England.
Huss Fahmy has left and will be replaced - he has quite an important job in football ops, contracts! Especially in a window.
Replacing him is very important. Usually you want a handover / overlap which from the outside (to me) seems strange.
Replacing him is very important. Usually you want a handover / overlap which from the outside (to me) seems strange.
So we’re at a stage where MA has identified players he wants/wants to move on & is focusing on the field. Edu is focused on the window; but who is his support? There is a legal team & a board but very limited football knowledge but perhaps you don’t need that as planning is done?
But the lack of experience does worry me - I back MA & perhaps need to give Edu a chance but do they have enough support or help? Time will tell me but it makes me nervous. I have no doubt they all are working day & night for the club. But is that enough? I hope so!
Recruitment has to be spot on - in a pandemic where we’ll make a loss of over £100m / 25% of annual turnover, every signing / decision is huge. Gabriel & Partey give you optimism - but Willian, ‘to date’, has been a costly error. The next one or two must be right - pressure!
Short term, AFC & MA need to win a game. Somehow! They need some confidence back. Gabriel back and Partey (hopefully soon) will help but it’s as bad as it’s been for a while. If we lose the next one in PL & then lose at Birghton & WBA then surely even internally there is question
At the moment, the club are trying to plan long-term which is what’s needed - so much was short term (look at the players who we signed in 2018/19 and how many are gone / on their way out). Change of structure hasn’t helped but the club need stability.
But the issue is, no one expected this level of performance / league position. There was hope we would kick on, MA would develop the young players & begin to implement his style, while working to have the squad he needs.
The club are very invested in this project - they are planning ahead, and only a genuine relegation possibility will change that. I pray MA & Edu can turn it around short term & have good windows in Jan & the summer because we need it.
Sorry for a bit of a pointless thread!
Sorry for a bit of a pointless thread!
