Bring it on Scotty

[Stan Tastic]

The Mike Tresor video.
[url]https://youtu.be/NSVNw3xA0J4/url]

[KRBFC]

I do like Parker, I wasn’t convinced but that first interview he did was very impressive. The results have been good and the bits we see does seem to indicate he’s built a happy cohesive hungry dressing room. I actually think he’s dealt with the upheaval very professionally, something I didn’t expect given his prior outburst at Bournemouth. Very cool and calm.

I got shouted down for this the other day (and will again but I stick by it), I don’t quite know exactly what he wants us to become yet, was the plan to have 20% of the ball against Leeds? Are we a direct side? Can we break down a side who’s coming to sit in? I know we won at Leeds but I do think long term we need to be a lot better and we have superior players to expect better. or can we win ugly every week? Is the football quite dull and negative by design?

I guess we will see in time, I fully support Parker so far though and the mismatch in styles is expected with the sheer turnover in the squad and new manager, it will take time for us to gel but it’s great to keep winning in the mean time.

[agreenwood]

I’ve been impressed by Parker so far. He’s navigated a difficult period very well and nobody can argue with the points return in these circumstances.

Like others though I’m interested to see what the next half dozen games bring as the theoretical difficulty of the fixtures eases and the squad has more time to gel. I certainly want us to find a good balance between attacking threat and defensive solidity. Not sure my blood pressure can take a reversion to backs to the wall football.

[Notsosuperstevedavis]

Fully expect to be shouted down but I'm not impressed. The results are good and you can't argue with them but as an attacking unit we are poor and seem to have little idea what to do in possession and create chances for ourselves as a team.

We are 23rd in the league for % of passes played forwards and 2nd in the league for % of passes played sideways. I'm steering clear of xG because that just gets pelters regardless of what it shows but we're 22nd in the league for shots on goal.

You can point to the results but I don't think they're sustainable if this doesn't change.

You can point to the disruption of the transfer window and that's fair but I didn't see any improvement in our chance creation or build up off the back of 2 uninterrupted weeks of training between Rovers and Leeds.

I hope to be proven wrong and guilty of judging too soon. I really do, but personally I'm not jumping on the Parker bandwagon and hyping him up until I see improvement in that respect.

I wont ‘shout you down’ but I think your looking at it from a statistical POV way way too early.

I’ll ask you to re watch the Leeds post match comments from SP

He’s acknowledged we arent what he wants going foward. Our attacking play right now cannot be attributed to anything he’s brought to the table so far.

I’ll echo two comments from Coolclaret and Tsar, in as much that the Sunderland game was a funeral for the old team. An absolute abomination.

He’s been pragmatic. He’s had to have x2 first XI’s while we transitioned and had to perform the equivalent of titanic doing a 360 on a sixpence in terms of attitude, culture and work ethic.

We’ve seen comparisons with VK’s league table 10 games in before we saw VK’s vision for the team and the blueprint of how he wanted the team to play.

As far as Im concerned, scotty’s ten games to get his ides across probably started from the Leeds game given the turnover of players.

So, given the deficit he’s had to start with, and acknowledging he’s ahead of VK’s 101pts;

I’d respectfully say that whilst your stats may be accurate, they dont get anywhere near telling the full story.

[Mattster]

I wont ‘shout you down’ but I think your looking at it from a statistical POV way way too early.

I’ll ask you to re watch the Leeds post match comments from SP

He’s acknowledged we arent what he wants going foward. Our attacking play right now cannot be attributed to anything he’s brought to the table so far.

I’ll echo two comments from Coolclaret and Tsar, in as much that the Sunderland game was a funeral for the old team. An absolute abomination.

He’s been pragmatic. He’s had to have x2 first XI’s while we transitioned and had to perform the equivalent of titanic doing a 360 on a sixpence in terms of attitude, culture and work ethic.

We’ve seen comparisons with VK’s league table 10 games in before we saw VK’s vision for the team and the blueprint of how he wanted the team to play.

As far as Im concerned, scotty’s ten games to get his ides across probably started from the Leeds game given the turnover of players.

So, given the deficit he’s had to start with, and acknowledging he’s ahead of VK’s 101pts;

I’d respectfully say that whilst your stats may be accurate, they dont get anywhere near telling the full story.

I purposely made no comparison to Kompany originally because, like xG, simply mentioning the name instantly triggers those a significant section of the board. I don't want to compare to Kompany because you get accused of yearning for him if you compare him favourably to Parker, yet I was happy to move on from him in the Summer.

The difference for me between Kompany's first 5 and Parker's is that you could see what the plan was with Kompany but the team was more confident in it's ability to play out from the back than it was competent and we had a weak underbelly early on. I can't see what Parker wants us to be, every game has been different. Counter attacking vs Luton. Attritional vs Cardiff. Nothing vs Sunderland (understandably). Aimless possession vs Rovers. Park the bus vs. Leeds. The only constant has been our inability to create a good number of chances.

But I'm starting to repeat myself so I'm going to stop here.

[Stalbansclaret]

Kompany"s first five league game's P5 W1 D3 L1 PTS 6

Parker's first five league game's P5 W3 D1 L1 PTS 10

Just saying

Trur..but we got 5 wins last time out under Kompany from the 5 fixtures we've played so far this season..

[Notsosuperstevedavis]

I think the red card killed the derby. They didnt want to play and we couldnt find a way through.
Overriding point I think Im making is that we havent seen a SP Style as he’s not implemented one yet which is what he’s eluded to in his interview.

I think, like all good managers, you have to set realistic targets and being hard to beat through a culture change and personnel change has been as much as he could do. It would be fair to say he knew he was coming in to fill big shoes and was asked about the fans being indifferent to his appointment.

The sheer fact that he’s been astute enough to make us hard to beat while weathering the storm has given the fans a bit of belief (and likely the owners too) and managing the change has meant he’s pretty much got an ‘A’ grade so far.

I think the rest will come and we’ll see what ‘parkerball’ looks like in a month or two. Then fans can judge a tangible product and decide if they like it or not.

[KRBFC]

I purposely made no comparison to Kompany originally because, like xG, simply mentioning the name instantly triggers those a significant section of the board. I don't want to compare to Kompany because you get accused of yearning for him if you compare him favourably to Parker, yet I was happy to move on from him in the Summer.

The difference for me between Kompany's first 5 and Parker's is that you could see what the plan was with Kompany but the team was more confident in it's ability to play out from the back than it was competent and we had a weak underbelly early on. I can't see what Parker wants us to be, every game has been different. Counter attacking vs Luton. Attritional vs Cardiff. Nothing vs Sunderland (understandably). Aimless possession vs Rovers. Park the bus vs. Leeds. The only constant has been our inability to create a good number of chances.

But I'm starting to repeat myself so I'm going to stop here.

Fully agree with this, we saw a clear style from Kompany from game one and we haven’t seen a similar pattern of play just yet or a clear style. Very much a bit of everything so far.

I think we’ll improve as time goes on and we finally get to see our first 11 on the pitch together. Winning ugly so far is a positive though.

[Hibsclaret]

Trur..but we got 5 wins last time out under Kompany from the 5 fixtures we've played so far this season..

Whilst understanding what you mean, we didn’t play Leeds under Kompany.

[Swizzlestick]

I do get where Mattster is coming from, though I also agree some of the stats are somewhat selective. There’s been a lot of disruption. I was a Parker doubter but he’s started well. We have a run of games coming up now with a settled squad where Parker should be able to implement a more defined style and we’ll get a better idea of where we’re at.

[mybloodisclaret]

They didnt want to play and we couldnt find a way through.

Re comments on the derby. They didn't want to play full stop. Their goal, as good a strike as it was was a lump knock down and smash.

They are not a good side. We'll be streets ahead of them next time we play.... hopefully with Remond, Ramsey and Tressor available. Flemming bedded in..... Doesn't bare thinking about for them. Each one of those players walks straight into their starting 11.

[AGENT_CLARET]

I was watching a highlights video of Mike Tresor playing in Belgium two seasons ago and he looked absolute class in their league. If SP can get him firing he could be this season's Nathan Tella.
There's also Ramsey, Redmond and Beyer to return, who should be quality at this level.

He needs to be played on the left and if that happens and Koleosho is on the right add to that Foster upfront and Flemming behind him..... WOW

[Jakubclaret]

Benson and Zaroury started 1 game each in the Prem, I believe. Similar shoddy treatment for Roberts, Cullen, Cork, Rodriguez, Muric. Brownhill started the season on the bench. Taylor told to leave then asked to be depended on. Barnes moved on.

Let’s not kid ourselves. The team was ripped up for no good reason. Kompany to blame.

I'll never get/understand the argument that when people are literally getting paid thousands of pounds week in & week out that they are somehow shoddily treat or hard done by. Of course everybody wants to play but everybody can't play not all at once even still everybody gets rewarded handsomely.

[Guller Bull]

It’s all fairly pointless arguments. Stats are only as good as the time period they fall in. The only time to do a meaningful “who was best/worst between Vinny or Scotty” will be at the end of the 25/26 season (if SP gets us promoted this season.)

Even then it will pointless apart from proving a point (which is pointless).

[IWOODLOVETT]

I’m sorry if this has become a “mine’s bigger than yours” argument. My original post was intended to give early recognition of the hard work and team bonding success that the new manager has achieved in turning around our club from the shambles it had become.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Fully expect to be shouted down but I'm not impressed. The results are good and you can't argue with them but as an attacking unit we are poor and seem to have little idea what to do in possession and create chances for ourselves as a team.

We are 23rd in the league for % of passes played forwards and 2nd in the league for % of passes played sideways. I'm steering clear of xG because that just gets pelters regardless of what it shows but we're 22nd in the league for shots on goal.

You can point to the results but I don't think they're sustainable if this doesn't change.

You can point to the disruption of the transfer window and that's fair but I didn't see any improvement in our chance creation or build up off the back of 2 uninterrupted weeks of training between Rovers and Leeds.

I hope to be proven wrong and guilty of judging too soon. I really do, but personally I'm not jumping on the Parker bandwagon and hyping him up until I see improvement in that respect.

You were against the appointment from day 1, it is no surprise you then use some stupid stats to continue your stance.

Some other stats you could use were 3rd highest scorers in the league, averaging 2 points a game or 6 points from 3 tough away fixtures.

But you focus on sideways passes

[Stalbansclaret]

Whilst understanding what you mean, we didn’t play Leeds under Kompany.

You’re right !! Not sure what I was thinking ! Four wins from the same fixtures as our first four games then. Apologies.

[clarets1978]

You’re right !! Not sure what I was thinking ! Four wins from the same fixtures as our first four games then. Apologies.

Thats not really comparible in any way though is it? None of those were close to being the first 4 fixtures:-
Luton away was February just after the 10 in a row run
Cardif home was the final game of the season
Sunderland away was in October
Blackburn home was November and at the start of the 10 in a row run

So all played when we had an established side, lots of work on the training ground and with Kompanys vision well and truly executed. Could argue the other way and say the wins against Luton (4-1 compared with 1-0) and Cardiff (5-0 compared with 3-0) were more comprehensive this season

[Hipper]

I was mighty impressed with the way we played at Luton after a relatively short time to prepare. Luton may turn out to be poor - only getting their first win on Saturday - but we played really well and knew how to create chances.

Cardiff was an odd game but we had already lost the quality of Odobert. Yet we scored five with some quality finishes.

Sunderland of course must be written off, our defence missing O'Shea yet we only lost by one goal.

Blackburn was a restart and we did struggle to break them down but they were good defensively.

Leeds of course was a tough challenge too and, despite a new forward line we did actually create some opportunities. What of course was most impressive was the defending by all the players. Another really impressive display for different reasons.

Sean Dyche used to say that there are different ways of winning. Parker rightly agrees with this by the look of it. VK would have gone out with whatever team he could put together and played his way, and likely lost. We clearly have a more pragmatic manager.

It looks like being a different season then the last Championship one but from what I have seen on TV of some of the other teams there are quite a few poor ones some reasonably competent ones but the only team that look like they could be outstanding is Leeds. We have a good chance of success with our players and manager. Bring it on!

[claretspice]

I purposely made no comparison to Kompany originally because, like xG, simply mentioning the name instantly triggers those a significant section of the board. I don't want to compare to Kompany because you get accused of yearning for him if you compare him favourably to Parker, yet I was happy to move on from him in the Summer.

The difference for me between Kompany's first 5 and Parker's is that you could see what the plan was with Kompany but the team was more confident in it's ability to play out from the back than it was competent and we had a weak underbelly early on. I can't see what Parker wants us to be, every game has been different. Counter attacking vs Luton. Attritional vs Cardiff. Nothing vs Sunderland (understandably). Aimless possession vs Rovers. Park the bus vs. Leeds. The only constant has been our inability to create a good number of chances.

But I'm starting to repeat myself so I'm going to stop here.

I don't think anyone would sensibly disagree with the contention that our possession play will need to improve significantly to maintain a promotion challenge nor with the idea that a clear aim in possession was evident early under Kompany even if the execution took some time.

However, the 5 games in vs 5 games in comparison is misleading and a bit disingenuous. Of the outfield players selected by Kompany for his opening game at Huddersfield, the most recent arrival was Ian Maatsen who had been with us a clear fortnight during pre season. Of that XI, 8 ended up regulars during the first half of the season and the 9th was Charlie Taylor who was vastly capable. Muric joined us a week before the season started. Sure, his squad was short out wide but the core of his team was together and cohesive. That's clearly not comparable to the position Parker has been in since Millwall and even before then there was uncertainty around the squad. The comparison just isn't valid.

[Blyclaret]

Under the circumstances and all the turmoil Scott Parker had done amazingly well.
I for one think the football will improve with the quality players we have and to come back from injury
Im 100% behind him. And wish him the very best this season.

[Goliath]

I don't think anyone would sensibly disagree with the contention that our possession play will need to improve significantly to maintain a promotion challenge nor with the idea that a clear aim in possession was evident early under Kompany even if the execution took some time.

However, the 5 games in vs 5 games in comparison is misleading and a bit disingenuous. Of the outfield players selected by Kompany for his opening game at Huddersfield, the most recent arrival was Ian Maatsen who had been with us a clear fortnight during pre season. If that XI, 8 ended up regulars during the first half of the season and the 9th was Charlie Taylor who was vastly capable. Muric joined us a week before the season started. Sure, his squad was short out wide but the core of his team was together and cohesive. That's clearly not comparable to the position Parker has been in since Millwall and even before then there was uncertainty around the squad. The comparison just isn't valid.

My concern is they had just had a 2 week international break to work on the patterns of play and I didn't see any evidence of it. As I've said on other threads, I wait to see how much of it is a personnel issue rather than tactical.

[BurnleyFC]

He’s done well results wise after the massive upheaval we’ve had.

Luton was terrific, and Cardiff at home we were great in the second half after a fairly poor first half, albeit with a vasty different team.

Sunderland away was dreadful, and I thought we were just about OK against Bastards and Leeds, with good results.

I hope we can replicate the Luton performance and second half against Cardiff as the season wears on.

[claretspice]

My concern is they had just had a 2 week international break to work on the patterns of play and I didn't see any evidence of it. As I've said on other threads, I wait to see how much of it is a personnel issue rather than tactical.

Two weeks that didn't include (off the top of my head) the first choice right back or centre forward given international commitments, or we can fairly assume, defensive midfielder or left sided centre half owing to injury. That's why it's not comparable to the fortnight Kompany had with Maatsen and the whole back four and midfield pivot that was critical to the way he wanted to build up.

[Mattster]

Two weeks that didn't include (off the top of my head) the first choice right back or centre forward given international commitments, or we can fairly assume, defensive midfielder or left sided centre half owing to injury. That's why it's not comparable to the fortnight Kompany had with Maatsen and the whole back four and midfield pivot that was critical to the way he wanted to build up.

The entire starting outfield at Leeds was at training for the 2 weeks between Rovers and Leeds, none of them were on international duty.

[Goliath]

Two weeks that didn't include (off the top of my head) the first choice right back or centre forward given international commitments, or we can fairly assume, defensive midfielder or left sided centre half owing to injury. That's why it's not comparable to the fortnight Kompany had with Maatsen and the whole back four and midfield pivot that was critical to the way he wanted to build up.

As previous poster stated. The whole first 11 had 2 weeks training to work on patterns of play which is what we have been saying we needed but there wasn't much sign of progression in that regard.

I do think that VK Huddersfield game is going to be a problem for a lot of Burnley managers in the future to be fair.

[quoonbeatz]

All a bit weird comparing different managers with different squads playing different games in different situations at different stages of the season. Better to judge them on their own merits and definitely not after just 5 league games.

[agreenwood]

I get the feeling some will be harking back to Kompany’s second season (but never mentioning his first) in 20 years.

[Guller Bull]

I get the feeling some will be harking back to Kompany’s second season (but never mentioning his first) in 20 years.

Yup that's why I said higher up if you have to compare and contrast then do it at the end next season if/and when SP has had a season at Prem level with us.

Even then it's not worth the hassle. Some people are still rattling on about Cotterill and Dyche ffs

[TsarBomba]

The entire starting outfield at Leeds was at training for the 2 weeks between Rovers and Leeds, none of them were on international duty.

I think you are being a tad dismissive of the quality we played at the weekend. That Leeds first 11 is head and shoulders above anything we played 2 years ago.

We were never going to see patterns of play against the best side in the league. Leeds were always going to have the lions share of possession, and our game plan was to play on the counter.

Had we played say Oxford or Portsmouth at home, and perhaps put in another display (with the ball) like we did against Cardiff, then your argument may have been a little more reasonable.

[claretspice]

The entire starting outfield at Leeds was at training for the 2 weeks between Rovers and Leeds, none of them were on international duty.

Firstly, I'm not sure if that's true (Esteve went of injured against Blackburn so may well not have trained much or at full tilt) and it'd be overly simplistic even if it were. For a start Parker may have hoped or expected any or all of Roberts, Cullen or Foster to be fit to be in the eleven.

Parker has had to manage international absences, injuries and so on that Kompany did not in the run up to the Huddersfield match and by the time we'd played 5 games he'd had his team together nearly 6 weeks. This weekend represented the first time Parker had had a tract of training time with his new players, it was disrupted for the reasons set out above, and Leeds are at a level miles above Huddersfield.

Leaving aside the fact the comparison is miles premature, if you're not acknowledging all that fully and making allowance for it, you're not making a valid comparison.

[Raconteur]

I think you are being a tad dismissive of the quality we played at the weekend. That Leeds first 11 is head and shoulders above anything we played 2 years ago.

We were never going to see patterns of play against the best side in the league

Bloody hell you make it sound like we have just played Peps prime Barca from years back.

Do you honestly believe we shouldn't have any patterns of play against Leeds, a team that is 9th in the league, failed to win 3 of the 5 games they have played in the league. They conceded 3 goals at home to Portsmouth and then followed that up by conceding another 3 to Boro in the cup.

[Row x]

I think you are being a tad dismissive of the quality we played at the weekend. That Leeds first 11 is head and shoulders above anything we played 2 years ago.

We were never going to see patterns of play against the best side in the league. Leeds were always going to have the lions share of possession, and our game plan was to play on the counter.

Had we played say Oxford or Portsmouth at home, and perhaps put in another display (with the ball) like we did against Cardiff, then your argument may have been a little more reasonable.

I'd say Middlesbrough and Sheffield United were better 2 yrs ago, than Leeds are at the moment, and I think Luton currently are better

[TsarBomba]

Bloody hell you make it sound like we have just played Peps prime Barca from years back.

Do you honestly believe we shouldn't have any patterns of play against Leeds, a team that is 9th in the league, failed to win 3 of the 5 games they have played in the league. They conceded 3 goals at home to Portsmouth and then followed that up by conceding another 3 to Boro in the cup.

I’m not making out Leeds out to be anything other than a very good side at this level.

As it stands, they have the best starting 11 in the league, partly because it’s largely a settled 11, and they have a manager that’s been in post for a period of time.

They have the best possession stats in the league.

On Saturday, we had 7 new players in the first team, 9 players still out injured, including 2 at the last minute.

We were never going to rock up at Elland Road and dominate possession. We have a manger that has specific tactics for each game.

There needs to be a little bit of realism of where we are at considering the turmoil of the transfer window.

[RVclaret]

I'd say Middlesbrough and Sheffield United were better 2 yrs ago, than Leeds are at the moment, and I think Luton currently are better

Not for me. Leeds have invested £140m into this squad and got more points last season than all mentioned teams, in what was a tougher league.

[Raconteur]

I’m not making out Leeds out to be anything other than a very good side at this level.

As it stands, they have the best starting 11 in the league, partly because it’s largely a settled 11, and they have a manager that’s been in post for a period of time.

They have the best possession stats in the league.

On Saturday, we had 7 new players in the first team, 9 players still out injured, including 2 at the last minute.

We were never going to rock up at Elland Road and dominate possession. We have a manger that has specific tactics for each game.

There needs to be a little bit of realism of where we are at considering the turmoil of the transfer window.

But you said you can't expect a team to have patterns of play against Leeds which is a ludicrous comment.
Leeds having the best possession stats is irrelevant, as like RV says.
3 teams have now stopped Leeds from winning this season, so obviously there is patterns of play happening against Leeds. There was patterns of play on show on Saturday in abundance.
What do you think the low block is

[burnley007]

Irrelevant of how you see the team playing atm, I have to admit that I have been impressed with how Scott has handled the last few weeks. He seems a decent guy, with a good relationship with the players. The players look to want to play for him, which is big.

Let's see if he can get us playing some nice, attacking football over the next few games where we can expect to have more possession.

Onwards and upwards...

[Row x]

Not for me. Leeds have invested £140m into this squad and got more points last season than all mentioned teams, in what was a tougher league.

They can invest as much as they want, and get as many points last year as they did, at this moment, they are not the best team in the league, as was suggested.

[Mattster]

Not for me. Leeds have invested £140m into this squad and got more points last season than all mentioned teams, in what was a tougher league.

And since then lost their two best players who were responsible for 49 goal contributions last season.

Context is important.

[RVclaret]

And since then lost their two best players who were responsible for 49 goal contributions last season.

Context is important.

And replaced with a £25m player in Aaronson, a PL winger in Solomon and spent £11m on Ramazani.

[Mattster]

And replaced with a £25m player in Aaronson, a PL winger in Solomon and spent £11m on Ramazani.

Aaronson got 2 goals and 2 assists in his entire season out on loan last year. His best ever season record is 10 goal contributions, in the Austrian Bundesliga.

Solomon has only started 6 PL games across his 2 seasons there, calling him a PL winger is a stretch. His best ever season record is 10 goal contributions. In the Ukranian Premier League.

Ramazani's best ever season record is 9 goal contributions, in the Spanish second tier.

All three will have to have their best ever seasons to replace the goals from the 2 that have left.

[mybloodisclaret]

Leeds will be in top 4 come May. I think anyone who believes otherwise is kidding themselves on.

[jrgbfc]

I don't think Leeds are that great this year. They look really weak upfront.

[mybloodisclaret]

Disagree JR. We perhaps arguably.... although we don't realise it have an extremely strong defence by EFL standards....of course we will miss Dara and Beyer until he returns.... but we are going to be one of the stronger defensive units. Gnonto should have scored 1 v 1. I think it was from him who Traff tipped over the bar in the second half. Yes, they didn't trouble us enough.... because the defensive unit including Cullen when he came on all protected our goal so well. They will be up there and score plenty.

[Anonymous Claret]

Maybe Parker's style is to adapt to the team we are playing. We sat back and played counter attacking football against Luton and Leeds whilst we were on the front foot against Rovers where we played some excellent stuff especially in the first half.
I have wrote Sunderland off as the reaction of the manager and players at the end of that game told me their heads were all over the place possibly due to all the transfer speculation or even the WhatsApp message?
I like it that sometimes SP mixes it up by playing out from the back or sometimes Trafford goes long.
If VK had been a little more pragmatic earlier in the PL season maybe we wouldn't have been spanked so easily off Villa, Spurs and Chelsea etc.
However when VK has the best players in a particular league, we are now witnessing again what his teams are capable of. I think Bayern will probably win the Bundesliga at a canter.
As for Scotty P, he has had 2 full seasons in the Championship and been successful on both occasions.
If he continues with that record, I don't really care about his football style.. He seems to know what style of football is needed to get out of tjis league even if the UTC analysists don't.

[n_ero]

Maybe Parker's style is to adapt to the team we are playing. We sat back and played counter attacking football against Luton and Leeds whilst we were on the front foot against Rovers where we played some excellent stuff especially in the first half.
I have wrote Sunderland off as the reaction of the manager and players at the end of that game told me their heads were all over the place possibly due to all the transfer speculation or even the WhatsApp message?
I like it that sometimes SP mixes it up by playing out from the back or sometimes Trafford goes long.
If VK had been a little more pragmatic earlier in the PL season maybe we wouldn't have been spanked so easily off Villa, Spurs and Chelsea etc.
However when VK has the best players in a particular league, we are now witnessing again what his teams are capable of. I think Bayern will probably win the Bundesliga at a canter.
As for Scotty P, he has had 2 full seasons in the Championship and been successful on both occasions.
If he continues with that record, I don't really care about his football style.. He seems to know what style of football is needed to get out of tjis league even if the UTC analysists don't.

I think this pretty much nails it.

Last season I think most people would look at some games and say ‘why the actual f@*k are you playing this way’ against say Man City when we played exactly the same way against Sheffield United. There was no adapting to the opponent and the frustration of watching a team trying to play in a certain way against teams and players that were clearly miles beyond anything we were capable of was headache inducing.

However, I’m still not sure about Parker. I’m hoping that he will be one of those managers who excels despite his mediocre playing career (let’s face it, it was mediocre). BUT, he doesn’t seem so arrogant that he sticks to ideas even though they’re not working. It’s all good when you have the players to play your system and it works. It’s when it doesn’t immediately work with those same players that shows how good you are. I have my opinion on what I watched last season. I’m actually quite surprised and happy with what I’ve seen so far this season. I hope it’s because he knows what he’s doing and he can adapt to tactics and instil that in the players.

Whatever it is, I’m pretty sure he knows more than me, I just hope he can gain the trust of the players.

[Hibsclaret]

I’m not sure I would describe a playing career with a football writers player of the year award as mediocre. He was a full international and a damn good player. I think mediocre playing career would describe most of our managers with a few notable exceptions being the last two and one in the late nineties.

[mybloodisclaret]

I think this pretty much nails it.

Last season I think most people would look at some games and say ‘why the actual f@*k are you playing this way’ against say Man City when we played exactly the same way against Sheffield United. There was no adapting to the opponent and the frustration of watching a team trying to play in a certain way against teams and players that were clearly miles beyond anything we were capable of was headache inducing.

However, I’m still not sure about Parker. I’m hoping that he will be one of those managers who excels despite his mediocre playing career (let’s face it, it was mediocre). BUT, he doesn’t seem so arrogant that he sticks to ideas even though they’re not working. It’s all good when you have the players to play your system and it works. It’s when it doesn’t immediately work with those same players that shows how good you are. I have my opinion on what I watched last season. I’m actually quite surprised and happy with what I’ve seen so far this season. I hope it’s because he knows what he’s doing and he can adapt to tactics and instil that in the players.

Whatever it is, I’m pretty sure he knows more than me, I just hope he can gain the trust of the players.

Agree with all of that apart from Mediocre career.... OK it wasn't VK's, but I always remember him playing at the Turf and thinking he was one of the best players on the pitch. He was a very good footballer. Let's hope he is as good a manager and stays with us for a number of years.

[kentonclaret]

I’m not sure I would describe a playing career with a football writers player of the year award as mediocre. He was a full international and a damn good player. I think mediocre playing career would describe most of our managers with a few notable exceptions being the last two and one in the late nineties.

Ironically, Scott Parker won the football writers player of the year award during a season in which West Ham were relegated. That season he almost kept them up single handedly. Scott Parker is also the only player to have won the title of Hammer Of The Year on 3 separate occasions.

[beeholeclaret]

The entire starting outfield at Leeds was at training for the 2 weeks between Rovers and Leeds, none of them were on international duty.

And we won 1-0 against ‘the Champions of Europe’ in their own back yard.