I think we had the squad last season to achieve 3rd. Bale? Modric? VdV? Adebayor? Parker? And a vastly improved goalkeeper in Friedel? I could go on. With our squad and especially with developments with competitors, I have not changed my mind.
I just believe in giving people time to turn it around ESPECIALLY if they've proved for a period of time that they can deliver.
I think there were three massive factors
1) Lennon injury was the biggest reason, and I do blame Redknapp AND Levy equally for not having a suitable back up.
2) Ade's form went to brick. First 10 or so games with us he was immense, leading the line. Then he went through about half a season where he couldn't trap a bag of cement and missed a stream of sitters......
3) Partly, actually mainly, due to point two the ball broke a lot more up top and came back at us quicker. Because of that our defence was a bit more exposed to opposition attacks and was found wanting way too often.
No mention of the England distraction?
so, we are good enough to be the 3rd best team then???? only an exterior factor, not on the pitch related, prevented us from fulfilling our mission
Been spending way beyond their means for years and are finacially fudged. Coyle shown up as an average manager. Hopefully they won't be back for a while.
fudge off taco. A blip maybe...one or two games. Not a collapse of 9.
Don't EVER tell me who to support.
Has any manager who has come out and railed at officialdom, ever achieved anything, apart from high blood pressure from doing what you asked for?Understood...BTW, had he
(Harry) shown he gave more of a brick, then maybe the players would've too during the elongated wobble. Has he ever, and I mean, EVER, come out and fudging HAMMERED officials after any one of the travesties of reefing we had to tolerate this seasons? Get in there, tell the WORLD how fudged it is, TAKE the 3 match ban and SHOW our players he's prepared to go out on a limb for them...but let's face it, he wanted no part of anything potentially unfancyful and has always put Harry first...
#-o#-o#-o#-o Managers are judged on results. Its the bad patch that needs dissecting. The good patch takes care of itself.
2/3 games are a blip. 9 games are a collapse. Big difference. A blip is recoverable, whereas a collapse......