05-10-2021, 08:10 AM
(05-10-2021, 07:09 AM)Cheshire East Baggie Wrote: What concerns me is that the squad members who are "ours" rather than on loan have shown little or no collective spirit, bottle, confidence or nous for well over twelve months. Even with the positive influence of a good and respected coach (do they respect Sam, have they ever, has that been part of the problem?), these players will not be able to up their game for a new and difficult challenge - especially without the loan players who have made such a difference to both quality and attitude.
I keep reading about the players who "would be good enough for the Championship". Without listing names, I reckon a lot of them just "aren't good enough". I think we need a major clear-out and and a new spine for the team. Yes that includes centre back where we like to think we could be OK. I'd like to see at least 5 new, better players in the starting XI next season. Let's put the Bilic era completely behind us.
Thing is though, a lot of those players ARE good enough for the Championship. Personally I would bin off the likes of Livermore, HRK and Gibbs (already leaving I know) but players like Sawyers, Grant, Diangana, Ajayi and Furlong have all demonstrated, either with us or with other clubs, that they are good players at Championship level. We can’t replace everyone so we’ll need to work with what we have to a degree.
The mental aspects you mention are concerned I’ll agree, but a new manager coming in (I’m assuming Allardyce will go) needs to bring a clean slate and instill a better mentality into these players than was previously there. New season, new manager, new attitude. If they can’t get on board then by all means fuck them off.