Appointing Roy - A huge mistake

[BigChief]

Roy Hodgson was never going to be an improvement on Rafa anyway, he's arguably more defensive and his teams were never attacking in the first place. The appointment wasn't progressive and was never going to be under our current ownership.

Hodgson deserves time to imprint his methods but the worrying thing is that he doesn't seem to assert himself enough during matches. That said, 0-0 away from home against Brum under the circumstances isn't that bad.

This thread only serves to highlight what a poor situation Rafa left us in, specially over the last year. Kuyt and Lucas became household favourites for Rafa much like Diouf/Diao did for Houllier. Not out of talent, but out of sheer stubbornness. Unfortunately, to our detriment.

If anything I think Roy is giving ample playing time to Rafa's 'favourites' to show he holds no grudges. He just wants proof of ability. And today, after Jovanovic, Lucas showed yet again how poor at this soccerball business he really is. A not so PL experienced Poulson and Miereless showed him how to support Gerrard/Torres while keeping the ball under control.

And what a relief Kuyt finally got injured. I think most people on this forum share this sentiment, rightly or wrongly. Roll on the next game with Poulson/Miereles in the middle, Konchesky on the left showing suitable guile and promise and no more Jovanoic/Lucas/Kuyt!!

[DannyMan2006]

The mistake was sacking Rafa, the mistake wasn't then appointing Roy. IMO.

The club has made a significant downgrade in where its pitching itself in the league, this is the situation we're in. Roy fits this thinking.

I agree with people who say Rafa is a better manager than Roy. But given our current situation and his out spoken ways I think we had to let him go and hope for a fresh impetus.

Roy wasn't my first choice to takeover (far from it) and I am sure only a small minority would have chosen him as their number 1 target, even when taking into consideration we could not target the big fish.

We are **** and thats down to over 2 years with zero real investment into the playing staff. We have turned a profit in the transfer window again and you cant do that. Rafa or Roy it doesn't make a difference with those two cunts running the club into the ground. Don't blame Roy.

Very true. The squad is inadequate and needs serious investment. I think had Rafa got the signings of Keane and Aquilani right then we may still be challenging, but it is tough to expect a manager to get every signing right.

[DannyMan2006]

And what a relief Kuyt finally got injured. I think most people on this forum share this sentiment, rightly or wrongly. Roll on the next game with Poulson/Miereles in the middle, Konchesky on the left showing suitable guile and promise and no more Jovanoic/Lucas/Kuyt!!

I'm no fan of Kuyt myself but I don't think his understudy did himself any favours today. Maxi was not involved and why I put this down to other factors I also have to be fair to Kuyt as he's had to put up with the same midfield and tactics.

Let's see how he does in a more forward thinking midfield once we get Poulsen or Lucas paired up with the more attacking gerrard or Meireles.

[Kenneth]

The mistake was sacking Rafa, the mistake wasn't then appointing Roy. IMO.

The club has made a significant downgrade in where its pitching itself in the league, this is the situation we're in. Roy fits this thinking.

A downgrade which is pretty realistically hing our resources. Rafa, Roy, whoever, it's not the issue imo. The club is a top 8 club with gerrard and a crocker Torres. You can have top four or title thinking, but it would be delusional at the moment.

[Rich]

A downgrade which is pretty realistically hing our resources. Rafa, Roy, whoever, it's not the issue imo. The club is a top 8 club with gerrard and a crocker Torres. You can have top four or title thinking, but it would be delusional at the moment.

Roy will not make life as uncomfortable for the owners, CEO and Chairman as Rafa obviously was.

[IN_RAFA_WE_TRUST]

Roy will not make life as uncomfortable for the owners, CEO and Chairman as Rafa obviously was.

He was one of us,he was on our side,he fought for us.Some on here say he was difficult and had to go.

[danperkins]

I like Roy and am happy to give him a chance unlike some of the knee jerking going on, but he did show a lack of urgency again and his team selection left a few question marks. Lucas/Jovo/Maxi should be nowhere near our first team, same goes for Skrtel. All liabilities that IMO should be considered part of the dead wood.

Lucas - lovers must be hiding in the shadows, this lad is ****ing woeful
Jovo - Headless chicken, zero productivity and gutless
Maxi - What exactly does he do ? Hasn't played well in years
Skrtel - Braindead,rash, useless in the air, playing him is asking for trouble.

I won't judge Roy until Cole/Gerrard & Torres all play together for a few games, i am disapointed that Roy keeps playing 2 DM's in Lucas & Poulsen, i thought Poulsen actually looks a decent buy, still slightly off the pace but comfortable and composed on the ball and seems to be able to pick a pass and unlike Lucas he looks for the positive ball and can link the play upfront, but Poulsen needs to be beside Gerrard/Merieles, Lucas/Poulsen partnership just nullfies our midfield.

The positive side for me is that Cole has hardly played and him in our starting 11 will make a massive difference, already Konchesky looks better than Insua, was bit nervy in first half but seemed to really come into in the second, Jovo didn't do him any favours either. Merieles looked busy, made some smart runs and looked to open the play up which was a breath of fresh air. Hopefully we can bed these 3 in, get Agger in for the shocker that is Martin Skrtel and get that link up between Torres/Cole/Gerrard and IMO we will look like a different team.

At the moment it just isn't good enough and Roy should take some responsiblity for that with his lack of urgency,questionable team selection and negative approach, if we wanted that we would have kept Rafa, get the finger out Roy and stop ****ing about.

P.S. Torres was embarrassing today and we really need to get Kelly in at RB as Johnson is putrid at defending

[malg]

I think most fans knew Hodgeson was a bad choice of manager, but wanted to support him, but after seeing today I cannot see him getting past Xmas as the manager.

[Rich]

I'd agree that I think Poulsen will be a decent buy, just needs a good partner by his side to pull the strings.

[Exiled_red]

Like I said earlier, it's too early for this discussion to judge what Roy now.

I will say this though: what has worried me so far this season is that after all the critisism Rafa got for playing this system last year it's something we seem to be sticking with and now arguably have a weaker set of players to play it with. All the critisism of Rafa that we and the pundits had last season could be thrown at Roy today (and in previous games). Now I'm not sure what difference he'll make off the field, but on it there doesn't seem much of a difference ...so far.

Obviously things haven't been ideal with Cole (who must be a big part of the set up) being suspended for almost all the league campaign, I feel that if Roy is to be a success he has to change the way we play, as last season was bad, and replicating the way we played last year with the players we had last season won't do him or us any favours.

[danperkins]

I don't think he's had the easiest of starts, what with the Masch fiasco, Torres coming back from injury, Internationals and opening games agains Arse and City.

4 or so new signings expected to slot straight in, Joe Cole out for three games..


A bit early to judge to be honest and given all of the above, that would be a massive challenge, for any new manager coming into the club.

Apart from United away, we have a nice run, right through till the end of October.

I think we'll have a better idea of his ideas by then..

Spot on

[DannyMan2006]

Like I said earlier, it's too early for this discussion to judge what Roy now.

I will say this though: what has worried me so far this season is that after all the critisism Rafa got for playing this system last year it's something we seem to be sticking with and now arguably have a weaker set of players to play it with. All the critisism of Rafa that we and the pundits had last season could be thrown at Roy today (and in previous games). Now I'm not sure what difference he'll make off the field, but on it there doesn't seem much of a difference ...so far.

Obviously things haven't been ideal with Cole (who must be a big part of the set up) being suspended for almost all the league campaign, I feel that if Roy is to be a success he has to change the way we play, as last season was bad, and replicating the way we played last year with the players we had last season won't do him or us any favours.

Rafa was let down last season by a bad summer in the transfer market. Much to blame are the Yanks as they didn't support him, as they haven't Roy, but the money Rafa did spend was not spent wisely as we all now know.

Again the budget has been tight but Roy has had a bit to spend and he will be judged by how well those signings do - particularly the four ones he made - Poulsen, Konchesky, Meireles and Cole.

If those four signings adapt and do well we will have a good season and will finish minimum top 6, but more likely than not top 4. IF they do well.

If they don't we'll be looking at 7th/8th.

[Armchairkopite]

Roy is not doing it for me, from his tactics to his defeatest attitute.

I hope I'm wrong but comments like 'a draw was always going to be a good result' when you have Reina, Carra, Gerrard and Torres on the pitch is just plain wrong.

[DannyMan2006]

Roy is not doing it for me, from his tactics to his defeatest attitute.

I hope I'm wrong but comments like 'a draw was always going to be a good result' when you have Reina, Carra, Gerrard and Torres on the pitch is just plain wrong.

Yeah but in fairness Brum are 17 Premier League games unbeaten at home now. And Torres is not exactly pulling up trees at the moment.

[Chewbacca]

Sorry, Roy has wasted £100m? Wow, when did that happen?

I was talking about £80-100m of net waste over the years. Glen Johnson, Aquilani, Babel, Riera, Cisse and many more who we simply will or have made massive losses on over the years. It'll probably be more if someone can be bothered adding it up.

Yes, Roy hasn't been financially backed but in the 8 competitive games inc. UEFA we've been poor and have better players than the team performance produces. That's not good enough.

I've not seen anything from Roy to suggest it'll improve and I for one wouldn't give him a penny until he gets more out of his present team first. He needs to earn his cheque book.

The manager motivates and picks the team/tactics/subs etc... and so far Roy has under produced hence my thread.

I like the guy as a person, he's just not good enough. Same goes for Johnson, Kuyt, Jovanovic and Babel who add nothing to our team except misery and mistakes. Kuyt does add hard work but that means jack if you don't score, don't assist, can't beat a man and have no first touch.

Also, for all you people who slate our current owners, the club would haven't been where it is if "market stall business equivalent", David Moores, hadn't done such a terrible job with our club in the first place. It's funny how people how forget who he appointed as managers and what a dreadful job he did of turning us into a global business (Man Utd being the comparative from 1990+).