30 Oct 2024 14:31:44
You can blame the players to some extent, you can blame injuries, you can blame the circumstances inherited, the poor management and structure, the absence of a modern recruitment structure, unlucky events like players unable to take easy chances, crap refereeing decisions, but in the end it's a results business. Almost a 1/ 3rd of the way into the season, did ETH look like a man who was finally going to turn it around? Clearly the answer was no.
Fortunately, it would appear that Berrada and his team had a Plan B if, as was quite possible, ETH failed to generate an overall team improvement. I was one of those who thought he deserved a chance after garnering two trophies eve though I thought it fairly likely he would not last even as early as pre-season. My guess is that the powers that be were already seeing the same thing and starting to think ahead as early as August if not before.
Let's hope that they don't need a Plan C. Either way, these guys are behaving like a professional Board.
30 Oct 2024 16:24:24
We need a couple of knock-out signings. Not necessarily marquee or mega-expensive, just a player or two that comes in and really makes a solid impact. I mean when's the last time that happened? Fernandes? Maybe Martinez to a lesser extent.
30 Oct 2024 18:22:59
Agree spenno.
Hopefully it will be clear what the jigsaw looks like. Once that us established then it's a lot easier to identify the pieces that need priority attention. Those players that come in then need to have that desired impact quickly.
Lwb is the position that I'm most interested in seeing how amorim approaches immediately.
I've seen people talk about Antony playing there. That would cause me a lot more concern than playing garnacho there temporarily.
I think garnacho is tenacious enough quick enough and understands the game well enough to fill in there for a few games if required.
I don't know how much defensive onus the manager puts on his wing backs but I think garnacho would be a more productive and a safer pair of hands than Antony.
Amass was deemed not ready a new coaching team might think differently. Also the job spec has changed and he might benefit from that lwb role as opposed to lb.
He will Penally stock with dalot and maz but they can play every min of every game with so much running involved.
I'd be less sure of amad turning into the next frimpong on the right as a rotation option as rwb.