Sack him now

[DCWat]

I’m sort of on board with the give him the January window.

The caveat might be, between now and then, there needs to be good weight of evidence that he’s able to improve the style of play / start using all of our possession to create decent goal scoring opportunities.

If we don’t see that, I worry that we could be throwing good money after bad, with more signings that don’t meet the standards required / the values paid would merit.

[TsarBomba]

I think we’ll see that pressure both in how Alan Pace responds now to any continued under performance and also how the club approach the January window.

The January window is going to be very telling about our finances, especially if we’re drifting.

[NewClaret]

Newclaret-some very valid points, and I am sure many others share our thinking and fears, or should I say reality. Its very much a CATCH-22 situation in terms of the club's financial viability

I agree.

I would say our smartest move if we go up is, unfortunately, not to spend a penny, take the money and relegation. Hopefully, we’d be able to pay a good chunk of the debt off and then have a sounder footing to build on.

[NewClaret]

The January window is going to be very telling about our finances, especially if we’re drifting.

I think last summer told you everything you need to know about our finances. We sold £100m+ but most of our signings were loans with options. I don’t see January being any different but I do expect some big moves to try and get the job done at the first time of asking because I think Pace will know it becomes a lot harder if we don’t get promoted this year.

[BigChaCha]

by TsarBomba » Mon Nov 04, 2024 5:53 pm

Despite being relegated, VK inherited a club that had the solid foundation of 6 straight years of PL football behind it. Barnes, Taylor, Brownhill, and JBG were integral, with Cork and J-Rod also playing their part. The standards that Dyche set were still running through the playing squad and club as a whole.

Parker inherited the complete opposite. A hugely imbalanced squad, a host of players wanting away, and a transfer window that was utterly shambolic.

And Parker inherited an actual recognised goalkeeper, a central defender who is far better than anything VK inherited and a player who is worth more than his entire inherited defence...

Brownhill and Cullen who are a far better partnership in midfield, a striker that is worth more than all the strikers VK inherited put together, about 6 more defenders than VK inherited, more midfielders and a squad that is worth more than VK's inherited squad by an absolute mile!...

In fact, tens of millions more!... The value of our potential sales of the squad Parker inherited compared to VK's is far higher... That is not even up for debate, why do you think that is lol?

[bumba]

And Parker inherited an actual recognised goalkeeper, a central defender who is far better than anything VK inherited and a player who is worth more than his entire inherited defence...

Brownhill and Cullen who are a far better partnership in midfield, a striker that is worth more than all the strikers VK inherited put together, about 6 more defenders than VK inherited, more midfielders and a squad that is worth more than VK's inherited squad by an absolute mile!...

In fact, tens of millions more!... The value of our potential sales of the squad Parker inherited compared to VK's is far higher... That is not even up for debate, why do you think that is lol?

Parker inherited two goalkeepers that wanted away and one who's confidence had been destroyed by the previous manager.
VK inherited Nathan Collins who was more proven than Esteve.
None of the current back 4 spent the whole of last season with us, the rest are injured so can't be used.
Cullen is made for a VK system he hasn't looked the same this season.
The rest of the midfield Parker/Pace have brought in, a striker worth so much? Two strikers one brought in by VK who can't hit a barn door and one who was signed by VK or Pace.
Parker inherited a broken squad that he seemed to have repaired until the chairman stripped the squad bare to late in the window to find the 1st choice replacements

[KRBFC]

Parker inherited two goalkeepers that wanted away and one who's confidence had been destroyed by the previous manager.
VK inherited Nathan Collins who was more proven than Esteve.
None of the current back 4 spent the whole of last season with us, the rest are injured so can't be used.
Cullen is made for a VK system he hasn't looked the same this season.
The rest of the midfield Parker/Pace have brought in, a striker worth so much? Two strikers one brought in by VK who can't hit a barn door and one who was signed by VK or Pace.
Parker inherited a broken squad that he seemed to have repaired until the chairman stripped the squad bare to late in the window to find the 1st choice replacements

I’m glad you are enjoying this anyway, you deserve to suffer for your childish entitlement whilst in the PL last year.

[BurnleyFC]

He’s got to be given the season, unless our form falls off an absolute cliff and we’re closer to the relegation zone than the play offs, but I dread to think what the atmosphere will be like if we lose on the 4th January.

[NewClaret]

And Parker inherited an actual recognised goalkeeper, a central defender who is far better than anything VK inherited and a player who is worth more than his entire inherited defence...

Brownhill and Cullen who are a far better partnership in midfield, a striker that is worth more than all the strikers VK inherited put together, about 6 more defenders than VK inherited, more midfielders and a squad that is worth more than VK's inherited squad by an absolute mile!...

In fact, tens of millions more!... The value of our potential sales of the squad Parker inherited compared to VK's is far higher... That is not even up for debate, why do you think that is lol?

I agree with this. Even despite the outgoings, which evened it up a lot, I think Parker inherited a better, more valuable squad. I don’t see how that can be debated too much.

The other side of the coin though is that Kompany got to build his squad pretty much from scratch. Parker hasn’t had that luxury and is working to a large extent with the tools provided, which I think is a disadvantage. He’s also been incredibly unlucky with injuries.

[colner]

Bad look sacking him now given what he's had to contend with at the start of the season and we occupy a play off spot. In....for now

[bumba]

I’m glad you are enjoying this anyway, you deserve to suffer for your childish entitlement whilst in the PL last year.

Entitlement last year?? Really??
Why because I was watching a manager spend all that money, bag a championship winning team off then lose week in week out for his own benefit ahead of the clubs??

Go and cry to your VK poster some more

[Steve1956]

Can't decide whether I want him gone or not the one thing which is certain is there isn't going to be a pub in Burnley named after him is there?

[Aclaret]

Can't decide whether I want him gone or not the one thing which is certain is there isn't going to be a pub in Burnley named after him is there?

There's Scott Park in Burnley....that might have to be enough pal !

[KRBFC]

Entitlement last year?? Really??
Why because I was watching a manager spend all that money, bag a championship winning team off then lose week in week out for his own benefit ahead of the clubs??

Go and cry to your VK poster some more

Like I said, I’m glad you’re enjoying this absolute dross.

[Big Vinny K]

The only positive is that compared to last season we are now watching the Brazil 1970 World Cup winners

Not only was last season worse than dross but VK and the Yankee elf between them managed to ruin this season and very possibly the next few years too.

[ChorltonCharlie]

Sorry, but wanting 2 years to turn things around is just really naïve. I think people forget how much this club changed under Dyche. We've got used to going to games and seeing the Turf full because the many years in the PL which made us an attractive proposition for the floating fans. We can outspend all the teams in this division because of parachute payments and most importantly the huge profits we made on players bought during Dyche's time with the knock on effect being the same for many players bought during VK's time. If we're still in the Championship in 2 years time we'll be back to being one of the poorest teams in the division alongside the likes of our local rivals and teams like Millwall and Oxford. Our sellable players will be used to cover debts, and even then we might not have enough to cover them. Promotion this season isn't quite a must, but by the end of next season it is. Our best chance is this year, and that's why Parker's position could be under serious threat in the next few weeks, regardless of whether it's something the fans want or not.

[TheFamilyCat]

Parker inherited two goalkeepers that wanted away and one who's confidence had been destroyed by the previous manager. That's your opinion. The fact is that Parker inherited the England U21 keeper
VK inherited Nathan Collins who was more proven than Esteve. Poor comparison. If you're using Collins, you also need to include O'Shea, who actually played for Parker.
None of the current back 4 spent the whole of last season with us, the rest are injured so can't be used. Roberts had been at the club for 2.5 years before being loaned out, so another poor comparison. Esteve is clearly a class act, s the time he has been at the club is irrelevant
Cullen is made for a VK system he hasn't looked the same this season. Parker keeps picking him. Is that somehow Kompany's fault?
The rest of the midfield Parker/Pace have brought in, and what is your opinion on SP's signings? You have plenty to say on what he inherited but not much about what he has brought in himself a striker worth so much? Two strikers one brought in by VK who can't hit a barn door and one who was signed by VK or Pace. Our striker options aren't great but Parker knew what he had and could have brought in another striker
Parker inherited a broken squad that he seemed to have repaired until the chairman stripped the squad bare to late in the window to find the 1st choice replacements

You've obviously got your reasons for defending Parker at all costs, but your arguments don't hold water.

[bumba]

Like I said, I’m glad you’re enjoying this absolute dross.

I'm enjoying being 4th in the league, not conceding many and not losing many after 12 months of shipping goals for fun and losing most weeks.
The fact your crying about it so much does add a tiny bit more satisfaction to it too.

[bumba]

You've obviously got your reasons for defending Parker at all costs, but your arguments don't hold water.

Ok we'll VK inherited an English international midfielder and England international striker if we're going down that route add to a full international goalkeeper and centre back he inherited.
Roberts was loaned out in January so read what I put none of the current back 4 were here for the full season. Roberts had half a season each at separate times.
I'm not defending him at all costs we are 4th in the league and there is a long way to go give the bloke a chance.
Who are 'his' signings? Some are VK or Pace signings.
Anthony I think has the ability to be a good squad player for us, Worrall it's hard to say so far but seems a solid signing on paper.
Egan on a free is good business, Flemming is a good signing, Hannibal definitely has potential, Laurent has been out best player so far.
I don't believe any of the signings were our first choice though and more just a case of getting players through the door because we'd left it so late.

[beeholeclaret]

I’ve avoided this board since Saturday but without reading all that’s gone before on this thread I can’t believe that people are talking about sacking our new manager after just 13 league games. The club needs stability after VK’s whirlwind 2 years. VK’s recruitment was unprecedented in the clubs history and whilst we had some quality brought in there were too many players to build a tight knit squad and too many players left on the sidelines which n turn has led to a drop in morale. Many of the players subsequently wanted to leave when VK left and the new manager has to deal with all this and the uncertainty that must’ve followed. Injuries have continued to affect the quality of squad available on match day and the new manager is having to patch up his squad each week. It’s not ideal and it’s been horrible to watch but I think Parker’s approach has been to calm down the players and settle into a framework which he believes will be successful. He too will be fully aware (having been in the game for 30 years or so) that his team are struggling but wholesale changes and panic are the last thing we need. We had that only a matter of weeks ago as the transfer window came to a close. Let’s hope that the injuries clear up soon and that he can finally pick what he considers to be his best team. He may well have targets for the January window now that he has had chance to look at players in our books. Only my thoughts.

[GDK]

That's a key point about needing some stability. We are a very young, inexperienced team with a huge injury list. Confidence is clearly lacking among our more creative players but that can soon change with a couple of decent results. There's no lack of effort, Parker seems popular with the players, and though people are complaining about it we do already have a clear structure and pattern of play.

Cries to sack the manager after a first loss in 10 games are not helpful and don't reflect well on us as fans.

[Goliath]

I agree with this. Even despite the outgoings, which evened it up a lot, I think Parker inherited a better, more valuable squad. I don’t see how that can be debated too much.

The other side of the coin though is that Kompany got to build his squad pretty much from scratch. Parker hasn’t had that luxury and is working to a large extent with the tools provided, which I think is a disadvantage. He’s also been incredibly unlucky with injuries.

Look at our signings since Parker arrived. I think it's probably a bonus that he hasn't been able to build his own squad.
Our best players are Kompany's players.

[Silkyskills1]

'settle into a framework which he believes will be successful'

Really?

[warksclaret]

I’ve avoided this board since Saturday but without reading all that’s gone before on this thread I can’t believe that people are talking about sacking our new manager after just 13 league games. The club needs stability after VK’s whirlwind 2 years. VK’s recruitment was unprecedented in the clubs history and whilst we had some quality brought in there were too many players to build a tight knit squad and too many players left on the sidelines which n turn has led to a drop in morale. Many of the players subsequently wanted to leave when VK left and the new manager has to deal with all this and the uncertainty that must’ve followed. Injuries have continued to affect the quality of squad available on match day and the new manager is having to patch up his squad each week. It’s not ideal and it’s been horrible to watch but I think Parker’s approach has been to calm down the players and settle into a framework which he believes will be successful. He too will be fully aware (having been in the game for 30 years or so) that his team are struggling but wholesale changes and panic are the last thing we need. We had that only a matter of weeks ago as the transfer window came to a close. Let’s hope that the injuries clear up soon and that he can finally pick what he considers to be his best team. He may well have targets for the January window now that he has had chance to look at players in our books. Only my thoughts.

A good and constructive summary Beehole. Fans have very short memories. I felt worse 7-10 days before the window closing than I do right now

[NewClaret]

Look at our signings since Parker arrived. I think it's probably a bonus that he hasn't been able to build his own squad.
Our best players are Kompany's players.

I am assuming Worrall, Humphreys, Flemming, Anthony and Sarmiento were all his, the earlier ones “club” signings.

Worrall - mainly injured, looked assured but slow moving the ball

Humphreys - not a LB, being played out of position

Flemming - best signing, also being played out of position

Anthony - not convinced

Sarmiento - not played

So yeah, hard to be convinced by any of them at the moment. It’d be interesting to know who he wants in January.

[CoolClaret]

Ok we'll VK inherited an English international midfielder and England international striker if we're going down that route add to a full international goalkeeper and centre back he inherited.
Roberts was loaned out in January so read what I put none of the current back 4 were here for the full season. Roberts had half a season each at separate times.
I'm not defending him at all costs we are 4th in the league and there is a long way to go give the bloke a chance.
Who are 'his' signings? Some are VK or Pace signings.
Anthony I think has the ability to be a good squad player for us, Worrall it's hard to say so far but seems a solid signing on paper.
Egan on a free is good business, Flemming is a good signing, Hannibal definitely has potential, Laurent has been out best player so far.
I don't believe any of the signings were our first choice though and more just a case of getting players through the door because we'd left it so late.

This

It's bizarre how so many are losing the context around the window - to get business done like we did was unprecedented, it was an absolute mess.

[Goliath]

I am assuming Worrall, Humphreys, Flemming, Anthony and Sarmiento were all his, the earlier ones “club” signings.

Worrall - mainly injured, looked assured but slow moving the ball

Humphreys - not a LB, being played out of position

Flemming - best signing, also being played out of position

Anthony - not convinced

Sarmiento - not played

So yeah, hard to be convinced by any of them at the moment. It’d be interesting to know who he wants in January.

Yep. I've not been convinced by any. I was really surprised by how slow and cumbersome Worrall looked.
Fleming has looked the best but he doesn't look anything more than a good Championship player.

[Quickenthetempo]

I am assuming Worrall, Humphreys, Flemming, Anthony and Sarmiento were all his, the earlier ones “club” signings.

Worrall - mainly injured, looked assured but slow moving the ball

Humphreys - not a LB, being played out of position

Flemming - best signing, also being played out of position

Anthony - not convinced

Sarmiento - not played

So yeah, hard to be convinced by any of them at the moment. It’d be interesting to know who he wants in January.

Hannibal was Parkers and although the club picked Pires, they delayed the signing to get the o.k off the manager.

[burnley007]

Whether you are Parker IN or OUT, it looks like he's here till the weekend at least.

If we lose/play as badly at West Brom, the atmosphere on the Turf this weekend will be dreadful.

[bumba]

Look at our signings since Parker arrived. I think it's probably a bonus that he hasn't been able to build his own squad.
Our best players are Kompany's players.

Really?
Hountondji, Pires, Koleosho, Cullen, Foster have all been below par so far.
Laurent been out best player and a parker signing.
If VK signed Laurent his UTC fan club would be shouting from the rooftops about how special he is.

[TheFamilyCat]

Really?
Hountondji, Pires, Koleosho, Cullen, Foster have all been below par so far.
Laurent been out best player and a parker signing.
If VK signed Laurent his UTC fan club would be shouting from the rooftops about how special he is.

You need to let this obsession with Vincent Kompany go.

[Spijed]

If we do sack Parker how many games would you give the next manager?

[Row x]

Whether you are Parker IN or OUT, it looks like he's here till the weekend at least.

If we lose/play as badly at West Brom, the atmosphere on the Turf this weekend will be dreadful.

No it won't

[Goliath]

Really?
Hountondji, Pires, Koleosho, Cullen, Foster have all been below par so far.
Laurent been out best player and a parker signing.
If VK signed Laurent his UTC fan club would be shouting from the rooftops about how special he is.

Koleosho has been our biggest attacking threat regardless of whether he has been below par. I know who I'd rather have between him and Anthony.

Our best players have been Esteve, Roberts, Egan Riley (who I don't really rate) and probably Trafford. I definitely wouldn't be including Laurent in there, he's extremely limited talent wise as are Anthony and Worrall.

[bumba]

Koleosho has been our biggest attacking threat regardless of whether he has been below par. I know who I'd rather have between him and Anthony.

Our best players have been Esteve, Roberts, Egan Riley (who I don't really rate) and probably Trafford. I definitely wouldn't be including Laurent in there, he's extremely limited talent wise as are Anthony and Worrall.

You wouldn't include Laurent?? He's been out best midfielder by some distance, he's also performed levels above Koleosho and Trafford.
Egan-Riley has grown in confidence but still a long way to go, Koleosho's attacking threat must have happened when I blinked.....0 assists so far and never puts a decent ball in

[redcloud203]

get Riid

get Ruud

[ClaretPete001]

I agree with this. Even despite the outgoings, which evened it up a lot, I think Parker inherited a better, more valuable squad. I don’t see how that can be debated too much.

The other side of the coin though is that Kompany got to build his squad pretty much from scratch. Parker hasn’t had that luxury and is working to a large extent with the tools provided, which I think is a disadvantage. He’s also been incredibly unlucky with injuries.

VK inherited 7 experienced PL players albeit Roberts is stretching it a bit.

Other than Brownhill which of those players on Saturday would remotely make a PL side? VK inherited 7/11ths of a decent PL side. Added 4 PL quality players on loan and bought a couple of good Championship players.

Parker inherited two decent Championship sides but not a single PL player other than Brownhill.

[ClaretPete001]

This

It's bizarre how so many are losing the context around the window - to get business done like we did was unprecedented, it was an absolute mess.

Agreed it was a mess. We have a squad of two top ten Championship sides with possibly only Brownhill having the experience of the PL to interest PL clubs.

I'll rephrase we have the making of two top 10 Championship sides up to the last third and on current evidence 1 decent (ish) forward who has scored 2 goals in 19 Championship appearances.

[Goliath]

You wouldn't include Laurent?? He's been out best midfielder by some distance, he's also performed levels above Koleosho and Trafford.
Egan-Riley has grown in confidence but still a long way to go, Koleosho's attacking threat must have happened when I blinked.....0 assists so far and never puts a decent ball in

Laurent? We are watching different games I think. He's done OK but he's not good enough for a team that wants to be finishing in the top 2. He is incapable of receiving the ball unless he's facing play, a pretty vital asset for a midfielder

[BigJay]

Think the 'sack him now' mentality is just a gut reaction after one our worst performances of the season. I don't think we can, or should, get rid of a manager after just 13 games, when we're still (for now at least) in the top 4 and the manager hasn't had chance to pick the best players we have, largely due to injuries and outgoings beyond his control. Parker had the rug pulled from under him with the likelihood our best players would be sold. And we're now a weaker team than in those first 2 matches when those same players played in our only 2 convincing wins. He's also inherited a squad low on morale and clearly impacted from players wanting to leave before the summer window closed. Success doesn't come from potting a manager after just 13 League matches, it comes from bringing the right people in AND giving them time. Whether Parker is the right man for us in the first place, I had my doubts and still do, but surely the best thing to do is give him chance, and to get behind the team. I'm as frustrated as most are with the dire quality of the football, but we have to give it time and hopefully things will improve once we can get some of the key injured players back to give us more balance and attacking threat. And lets be realistic, unless we go until the end of January without a win, there's zero chance our board will sack him anyway. What really concerns me is why we have so many players injured in the first place, why we've a supposed £15m player who can't get in the squad, what the hell we're going to do with all the centre halves we have when they're all fit again and how we address the balance of the squad in January. We desperately need a striker...where on earth are we going to find one in January who ticks all the boxes, will be fit and hit the ground running?

[Nonayforever]

I don't think sacking Parker is an option at the moment.
What's he going to be sacked for ? Playing unattractive football ?
He has probably told his players and bosses this is how it is until we get players and confidence back.
Every new manager starts from the back. That is evident from the summer signings.
Get the defence organised then work on the midfield then the forward line.
It isn't good to watch but it's going more or less to the management plan which I'm sure is in place.
Parker & Pace will be as miffed as the fans that it's not pure entertainment but needs must.

[NewClaret]

VK inherited 7 experienced PL players albeit Roberts is stretching it a bit.

Other than Brownhill which of those players on Saturday would remotely make a PL side? VK inherited 7/11ths of a decent PL side. Added 4 PL quality players on loan and bought a couple of good Championship players.

Parker inherited two decent Championship sides but not a single PL player other than Brownhill.

To be honest, after the moves away I’m not sure VK was left with any PL players. None of them would have got game time at other PL clubs, anyway. The PL players got moves to the PL.

Same as Parker, really, but he inherited a lot of players that have been promoted from this division - Beyer, Ekdal, Benson, Cullen, Brownhill, Roberts, Hladky (signed very early), which Kompany didn’t.

[Swizzlestick]

Of the ‘4 PL quality players on loan’, Tella was nowhere near a struggling Saints first team - they weren’t even interested in recalling him, Harwood - Bellis had a middling season at Stoke the year before while Maatsen had a good season at Coventry. If the fourth is a ref to Beyer, surely more of an unknown quantity? It wasn’t like we were getting seasoned PL players, they were just very good signings that fit the system VK wanted to play.

[Silkyskills1]

It isn't good to watch but it's going more or less to the management plan which I'm sure is in place.
Parker & Pace will be as miffed as the fans that it's not pure entertainment but needs must.

I just don't know where to start with that?

[Jakubclaret]

Of the ‘4 PL quality players on loan’, Tella was nowhere near a struggling Saints first team - they weren’t even interested in recalling him, Harwood - Bellis had a middling season at Stoke the year before while Maatsen had a good season at Coventry. If the fourth is a ref to Beyer, surely more of an unknown quantity? It wasn’t like we were getting seasoned PL players, they were just very good signings that fit the system VK wanted to play.

A sharp reminder of nathan jones acumen who subsequently lost his job shortly after for not recalling him (& other reasons) & savaged on saints web by their fans when they all wanted him back. A smart move who dropped down 2 division currently presiding for the middling addicks. Elbow & butt could be word mixups regarding NA & not a reflection on tellas ability.

[Swizzlestick]

A sharp reminder of nathan jones acumen who subsequently lost his job shortly after for not recalling him (& other reasons) & savaged on saints web by their fans when they all wanted him back. A smart move who dropped down 2 division currently presiding for the middling addicks. Elbow & butt could be word mixups regarding NA & not a reflection on tellas ability.

Silly decision by Jones and agree was amazed they didn’t recall him, but he didn’t pull up any trees under previous managers. I think with how well he played for us and subsequent big move some believe Tella was some in demand forward but it was a bit of a surprise one.

[Jakubclaret]

Silly decision by Jones and agree was amazed they didn’t recall him, but he didn’t pull up any trees under previous managers. I think with how well he played for us and subsequent big move some believe Tella was some in demand forward but it was a bit of a surprise one.

Kompany was good at identifying talent & tella before his spell with us wasn't that rated but kompany picked up on the untapped potential.

[boyyanno]

I agree with this. Even despite the outgoings, which evened it up a lot, I think Parker inherited a better, more valuable squad. I don’t see how that can be debated too much.

The other side of the coin though is that Kompany got to build his squad pretty much from scratch. Parker hasn’t had that luxury and is working to a large extent with the tools provided, which I think is a disadvantage. He’s also been incredibly unlucky with injuries.

I'd probably agree with that, but I'd also say that I think Kompany's team was better than this one by the end of the window.

We've regressed since then in my opinion. We might have a more valuable team but I'm not sure it's better. Players like Anthony and Koleosho are probably better players than a Gudmundsson but are they as effective?

I think we've been left with a very imbalanced squad that is erratic on the ball. Cullen feels like the only man who suits the passing system Parker wants to play but as he's the only one he is wasted. Neither full back is up to the job of dominating the line with the wingers and I think wide play is absolutely massive in this division.

People will laugh but Vitinho would be starting week in week out in this side and would be one of the better players imo.

I don't know if I think Parker should be trying to play differently (only fair as I said the same thing about VK) but I do think a lot of the problems is because we've got a total mismatch of styles and personal. I'd like to see what a Parker team actually looks like but I'm not sure we will ever get the chance, I think once the fan base turns it's short lived- and I feel like a few are definitely starting to turn.

[NewClaret]

I'd probably agree with that, but I'd also say that I think Kompany's team was better than this one by the end of the window.

We've regressed since then in my opinion. We might have a more valuable team but I'm not sure it's better. Players like Anthony and Koleosho are probably better players than a Gudmundsson but are they as effective?

I think we've been left with a very imbalanced squad that is erratic on the ball. Cullen feels like the only man who suits the passing system Parker wants to play but as he's the only one he is wasted. Neither full back is up to the job of dominating the line with the wingers and I think wide play is absolutely massive in this division.

People will laugh but Vitinho would be starting week in week out in this side and would be one of the better players imo.

I don't know if I think Parker should be trying to play differently (only fair as I said the same thing about VK) but I do think a lot of the problems is because we've got a total mismatch of styles and personal. I'd like to see what a Parker team actually looks like but I'm not sure we will ever get the chance, I think once the fan base turns it's short lived- and I feel like a few are definitely starting to turn.

I’d agree he ended up with a stronger squad. Muric (distribution), Maatsen, Tella, Anass, Vitinho, JBG would all walk in to this side.

That said, we’ve still not seen a lot of Ramsey, Redmond, Tresor, etc. There’s every chance they’d even things up if we discussed this at the end of the season.

VK had a brilliant ability to find and attract talent. Then mould them in to his system. It was a much overlooked attribute of his.

I agree about Vitinho. Missing him and JBG hugely. Why we let them go is beyond me. I think Pires is okay but FB definitely a big area if weakness.

If I’m honest, I want Parker in but equally don’t really want to see him given a load of money in January. If we bring in players of the quality of Anthony and Flemming (so far), maybe Hannibal deserves to be in that list too, I’m not sure I want to see the squad padded out with more Parker signings. Has to be done if we’re backing him though, I suppose.

Unbelievable to think Kompany was finding Anass, Benson, AAD, Ekdal, Vitinho, etc for a few million £ each.

[boyyanno]

I’d agree he ended up with a stronger squad. Muric (distribution), Maatsen, Tella, Anass, Vitinho, JBG would all walk in to this side.

That said, we’ve still not seen a lot of Ramsey, Redmond, Tresor, etc. There’s every chance they’d even things up if we discussed this at the end of the season.

VK had a brilliant ability to find and attract talent. Then mould them in to his system. It was a much overlooked attribute of his.

I agree about Vitinho. Missing him and JBG hugely. Why we let them go is beyond me. I think Pires is okay but FB definitely a big area if weakness.

If I’m honest, I want Parker in but equally don’t really want to see him given a load of money in January. If we bring in players of the quality of Anthony and Flemming (so far), maybe Hannibal deserves to be in that list too, I’m not sure I want to see the squad padded out with more Parker signings. Has to be done if we’re backing him though, I suppose.

Unbelievable to think Kompany was finding Anass, Benson, AAD, Ekdal, Vitinho, etc for a few million £ each.

The thing is I'm only sure 3 of them were Parker signings- Anthony, Worrall and Laurent. I was with you on Anthony before he signed but I think the other two aren't bad (if uninspiring) signings to have made. Flemming we had previously targeted but Humphries and Hannibal I could see being two that fit a slightly changed ALK approach, young, decent potential, Humphries in particular rings of the club not wanting to repeat the Maatsen deal to me.

Agreed though that we certainly identified good talent under Kompany and at least in that first season he and the club seemed very well aligned allowing him to get a group in that played his way.