Post by Millman on Nov 22, 2017 15:17:57 GMT
I don't think its a fair comparison between when Appleton took over and when Pep took over because that ignores the state the club was in when they took over. Without doubt we were in much better shape both with what we had and how we were organised when Pep took over. Appleton without doubt to me had the harder job.
That said what is going on at the club as Pep took over and since is a little more concerning. I do not know why Appleton left but when or just before he did our recruitment policy this summer seemed to go something of a complete change. Gone were the hungry young players from higher divisions, instead we had ageing (often injury prone) players and a lot of untried foreign imports. I know we needed to add experience but was this the full reason we shopped as we did? For the second season running a couple of our best players were sold for big cash, but this year no one similar was bought in to replace them. Something just doesn't add up. Whats even more concerning was the loss of our chief scout (has he even been replaced?).
I have no idea of what else is going on behind the scenes but investment in the club seems to be falling at this time. I wonder if Appleton could see this coming and this was a factor in him and other backroom staff moving on? This is just a feeling I am getting but we currently seem to be treading water as a club and while not at a Lenegan level of neglect yet things are not what they were last season.
Pep for me so far has not impressed in either the players he has had a part in bringing in or in how he has dealt with the issues on the pitch. It is as some say early days but given the core of the squad he inherited I was hoping for more. My main concern is that there is absolutely no evidence in terms on consistency that we are improving. We hear a lot about building this season but with an aging or loaned squad that rings hollow. Even worse week on week there is no sign of an upward trend in performances. We do the same thing week on week, we score loads for sure but we also ship goals, and overall it is the luck of the draw if we either thrash someone or get completely thrashed.
This inconsistency and lack of improvement is a worry. I think we do need to buy and buy well in January to avoid a difficult run in. People keep comparing us to last season but it is worth remembering that before Jan we weren't so great then (but at least we had the cup runs). My problem with the need to buy well in Jan is the fact we bought so badly over the summer. What is going to change to improve this (I hope to heavens we go back to looking for talented youngsters from above or established players from this level, and stop the foreigners or journeyman signings). Come Jan if we have not bought well and we are still so inconsistent things may not look so rosey. For me Pep has had an ok start but he simply has to improve.
That said what is going on at the club as Pep took over and since is a little more concerning. I do not know why Appleton left but when or just before he did our recruitment policy this summer seemed to go something of a complete change. Gone were the hungry young players from higher divisions, instead we had ageing (often injury prone) players and a lot of untried foreign imports. I know we needed to add experience but was this the full reason we shopped as we did? For the second season running a couple of our best players were sold for big cash, but this year no one similar was bought in to replace them. Something just doesn't add up. Whats even more concerning was the loss of our chief scout (has he even been replaced?).
I have no idea of what else is going on behind the scenes but investment in the club seems to be falling at this time. I wonder if Appleton could see this coming and this was a factor in him and other backroom staff moving on? This is just a feeling I am getting but we currently seem to be treading water as a club and while not at a Lenegan level of neglect yet things are not what they were last season.
Pep for me so far has not impressed in either the players he has had a part in bringing in or in how he has dealt with the issues on the pitch. It is as some say early days but given the core of the squad he inherited I was hoping for more. My main concern is that there is absolutely no evidence in terms on consistency that we are improving. We hear a lot about building this season but with an aging or loaned squad that rings hollow. Even worse week on week there is no sign of an upward trend in performances. We do the same thing week on week, we score loads for sure but we also ship goals, and overall it is the luck of the draw if we either thrash someone or get completely thrashed.
This inconsistency and lack of improvement is a worry. I think we do need to buy and buy well in January to avoid a difficult run in. People keep comparing us to last season but it is worth remembering that before Jan we weren't so great then (but at least we had the cup runs). My problem with the need to buy well in Jan is the fact we bought so badly over the summer. What is going to change to improve this (I hope to heavens we go back to looking for talented youngsters from above or established players from this level, and stop the foreigners or journeyman signings). Come Jan if we have not bought well and we are still so inconsistent things may not look so rosey. For me Pep has had an ok start but he simply has to improve.