Taricco plots winning return to Ipswich (From The Argus)

It's a tough game. Ipswich are a new side under the excellent Mick McCarthy. I suggested McCarthy was just the man the Albion needed but then Ipswich cannily dumped Paul Jewell and brought McCarthy in.
Albion are on a shocking run. Ipswich are on a great run. The best I can foresee is a draw which is no good at all for us.
The reality now seems to be playing for our pride - and ensuring a comfortable mid table finish rather than being sucked down into the lower reaches of the table.

and what is the point of this story?gus laying low now?
so leave it to number 2 to take the can,nice one gus p45 in post!

i never thought I'd even contemplate this but perhaps Gus has taken us as far as he can and we should be looking for a new manager who can do something in the January transfer market (in's and out's).

I love what Gus has achieved here, but our performances are dropping and he's made some bad transfer decisions (incoming, outgoing and decisions not to keep players at the club - Wood, Murray, Noone).

If Poyet went now, I wouldn't cry about it.

Carter,

I think Gus can still be the guy to take us where we want to be but will he? Probably not... Why? Because as talented and knowledgeable as he is, he just won't accept that sometimes he is wrong. As much as I love him I think he is the most stubborn man I have ever met. It really is his way way or the highway. I fear this may be his undoing and for this reason I have to agree with some of what you have said.

I do hope though that he takes his medicine, sees the light, realises how good he's got it with us and changes things as needed.

Uta

You have to wonder if GP is on his way when you read pieces like this. If TB is concerned it wouldn't be surprising if he wanted to give the cheque book to a new man in January. GP has seemed rather disinterested and frustrated for several months and he can't be happy with some of his decisions. We really do need someone with more management experience rather than someone like Gus who is using the Albion as a training module.
I wanted Mick McCarthy a few months ago. Of the possible candidates I think Ian Dowie would toughen us up nicely - even though he has a Palace connection. Paul Jewell also has experience but then he failed at Ipswich so I wouldn't suggest him. O'Driscoll is available too. The other obvious candidate is Mark Hughes.

sussexram40 wrote:
You have to wonder if GP is on his way when you read pieces like this. If TB is concerned it wouldn't be surprising if he wanted to give the cheque book to a new man in January. GP has seemed rather disinterested and frustrated for several months and he can't be happy with some of his decisions. We really do need someone with more management experience rather than someone like Gus who is using the Albion as a training module.
I wanted Mick McCarthy a few months ago. Of the possible candidates I think Ian Dowie would toughen us up nicely - even though he has a Palace connection. Paul Jewell also has experience but then he failed at Ipswich so I wouldn't suggest him. O'Driscoll is available too. The other obvious candidate is Mark Hughes.

Ian Dowie???

I have to disagree with that, he'd be a massive step backwards. He hasn't managed for almost five years and is ex-Palace. I know he took Palace up by the playoffs but we are far more attractive a proposition than an ex-Palace manager who has achieved little in management and has been out of work.

I'd go for Alan Curbishley.

We got well stuffed there last year, struggled to a draw at home this year, and are currently playing like a one-dimensional, dispirited rabble.

So 2-0 to Albion then!

Some Brighton supporters have got to be the most fickle in the country. If the team have a bad run, 'oh dear we won't get promoted, get rid of the manager'.

We could get a new manager, get promoted and end up like Southampton and Reading. Think I'd rather stay where we are thank you.

Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit wrote:
We got well stuffed there last year, struggled to a draw at home this year, and are currently playing like a one-dimensional, dispirited rabble.

So 2-0 to Albion then!

Yeah, win tomo , then Saturday, Gus will be a genius, think the forward is rebas, loan till end of season with option to buy.

Sussex Ram
I really cannot think of three worse choices for manager,all are awful and Dowie and Hghes have absoluteley no loyalty at all. If and when Gus does go the replacement has to have a similar philosophy because the youth set up and the forthcoming training academy will be geared to the same style of football.
I personally don't think Gus will go unless we havent progressed in terms of league position.
Of the replacements you would have to look at Matteo,perhaps Zola or simialr thinking coaches.

Of course GP,s absence could be due him trying to finalise a new player deal!

Charlie Oatway for me if GP did actually go. "Loyal" is one of his middle names.
He knows every single player in the squad there strengths and weaknessess.
I hope GP dosent go though - He has got us to the highest position in years.
Keep the faith!!!!

Carter_Cooldancer wrote:

sussexram40 wrote:
You have to wonder if GP is on his way when you read pieces like this. If TB is concerned it wouldn't be surprising if he wanted to give the cheque book to a new man in January. GP has seemed rather disinterested and frustrated for several months and he can't be happy with some of his decisions. We really do need someone with more management experience rather than someone like Gus who is using the Albion as a training module.
I wanted Mick McCarthy a few months ago. Of the possible candidates I think Ian Dowie would toughen us up nicely - even though he has a Palace connection. Paul Jewell also has experience but then he failed at Ipswich so I wouldn't suggest him. O'Driscoll is available too. The other obvious candidate is Mark Hughes.

Ian Dowie???

I have to disagree with that, he'd be a massive step backwards. He hasn't managed for almost five years and is ex-Palace. I know he took Palace up by the playoffs but we are far more attractive a proposition than an ex-Palace manager who has achieved little in management and has been out of work.

I'd go for Alan Curbishley.

Note your comments about Dowie but it must surely be a few years since Curbishley last managed, which puts him in the same category?

RussinArmy wrote:
Charlie Oatway for me if GP did actually go. "Loyal" is one of his middle names.
He knows every single player in the squad there strengths and weaknessess.
I hope GP dosent go though - He has got us to the highest position in years.
Keep the faith!!!!

He knows very little about football in technically, knowing the lads is not the same as managing the players, your all very fickle to be honest, look at Wenger at arsenal, lets get behind a manager who could be in top three end of January. Not saying he not made mistakes, but for goodness sake back the manager,

Carlas mum wrote:
Some Brighton supporters have got to be the most fickle in the country. If the team have a bad run, 'oh dear we won't get promoted, get rid of the manager'.

We could get a new manager, get promoted and end up like Southampton and Reading. Think I'd rather stay where we are thank you.

why does everyone go on about doing a reading or a Southampton? why can't we do a Norwich or stoke?

sussexram40 wrote:
You have to wonder if GP is on his way when you read pieces like this. If TB is concerned it wouldn't be surprising if he wanted to give the cheque book to a new man in January. GP has seemed rather disinterested and frustrated for several months and he can't be happy with some of his decisions. We really do need someone with more management experience rather than someone like Gus who is using the Albion as a training module.
I wanted Mick McCarthy a few months ago. Of the possible candidates I think Ian Dowie would toughen us up nicely - even though he has a Palace connection. Paul Jewell also has experience but then he failed at Ipswich so I wouldn't suggest him. O'Driscoll is available too. The other obvious candidate is Mark Hughes.

The most obvious candidate is Roberto di Matteo. Champions league winer he may be but he comes from humble managerial beginnings and I don't think he would be averse to coming here when you look at the stadium and the set up.

Some other quotes on this run in line with my thoughts. GP is very inflexible, his way is the right way and if a player doesn't get it right then he doesn't get much of an opportunity to put it right. Hoskins, Sparrow, Harley, Murray, Noone, Vincelot etc etc.

I see some similarities between Wenger and Poyet, i.e. both like to play good football and keep it on the ground; both sell their best players and buy lesser players and try and develop them.
I'm the first to say thatGP has done a great job at the Albion to get us where we are (just as Wenger did a great job in his early years at Arsenal). But now I feel he has taken us as far as he can (just as Wenger has at Arsenal) and to make the next step we need a man with greater experience and a bit more tactical nous. Just my view and perhaps if we get a good performance and a good result against the Tractor Boys tomorrow then things will look a lot rosier. It just seems GP and BHA are havig a difficult period and we either get out of it and have a better 2nd half of the season or we don't - and if we don't start winning matches soon then change at the top is inevitable.

fan since 61 wrote:
Of course GP,s absence could be due him trying to finalise a new player deal!

I seem to recall Tano giving the press conference before the last meeting at Portman road,Gus tends to delegate these duties occasionally, also Charlie O has been called upon once or twice so nothing sinister there my friend keep the faith just as Gus will if he's allowed to do his job without the constant undermining by a few discontents and wums. SEAGULLS.

PS. And I should have added another similarity - both Poyet and Wenger are stubborn managers who like to do it their way.

I really don't think Gus is going anywhere soon, all this talk of replacing him is just hot air in my mind.

For the assistant coach to be giving this interview is not surprising, after all, he does have his history with Ipswich.

It would be my hope that Gus is too busy to talk to the press, maybe, as another poster suggested, he is busy putting together one or two deals, heck he might not even be in the country.

Carlas mum wrote:
Some Brighton supporters have got to be the most fickle in the country. If the team have a bad run, 'oh dear we won't get promoted, get rid of the manager'.

We could get a new manager, get promoted and end up like Southampton and Reading. Think I'd rather stay where we are thank you.

Carla's mum, all clubs have an extensive section of fans who are fickle, it comes with the territory of supporting in many cases. Looking at it from another angle, it just emphasises the passion that many have for their teams, while others are just very poor losers at any time.
It is a much overused cliche perhaps, but the expectations of the modern supporter far and away exceed those from prior to the mid 1990s. Perhaps this is all due to the Premier League's heightened popularity worldwide, and the fact that we all want to be part of it.
As far as Brighton supporters are concerned though, the club deserves success bigtime now, after all that both it and it's fans have endured in recent years.
What is more, there is a Premier League set-up already in existence here, so why would we be happy with mediocrity in the Championship?
Please don't blame our 'fickle' fans, they have earned the success that is coming their way very soon, whoever the manager will be to lead us to promotion.

Harley has gone, sparrow has had his contract paid off, two down!

CMS best set his sat nav for norwich or leeds

Carter_Cooldancer wrote:

sussexram40 wrote: You have to wonder if GP is on his way when you read pieces like this. If TB is concerned it wouldn't be surprising if he wanted to give the cheque book to a new man in January. GP has seemed rather disinterested and frustrated for several months and he can't be happy with some of his decisions. We really do need someone with more management experience rather than someone like Gus who is using the Albion as a training module. I wanted Mick McCarthy a few months ago. Of the possible candidates I think Ian Dowie would toughen us up nicely - even though he has a Palace connection. Paul Jewell also has experience but then he failed at Ipswich so I wouldn't suggest him. O'Driscoll is available too. The other obvious candidate is Mark Hughes.

Ian Dowie??? I have to disagree with that, he'd be a massive step backwards. He hasn't managed for almost five years and is ex-Palace. I know he took Palace up by the playoffs but we are far more attractive a proposition than an ex-Palace manager who has achieved little in management and has been out of work. I'd go for Alan Curbishley.

Not Hughes or Dowie for heavens sake. If anybody, Curbishley. At the moment though I'm happyish to stick with Gus for the rest of the season and then have a rethink.

Much as I have respected Gus as a player and until recently as a manager like many I am starting to question whether he can take us any further given his poor decisions both tactically and in the transfer market. His last window activity made us weaker and disrupted the side that was at the time on a good run. The midfield in particular has been non existent of late and I cannot understand his treatment of Gary Dicker who seems to have become a forgotten man. I know people say he doesn't score enough but what have Crofts,Hammond and Orlandi done in that respect - very little albeit Orlandi does look comfortable on the ball. A look at the stats makes interesting reading and is virtually a mirror image of last year when Gary got injured. In this seasons league games where GD has played (9) we have won 5, drawn 1 and lost 3. Since he hasn't played (15) we have won just 3, drawn 9 and lost 3. I am sure you can do the maths for yourselves on win percentage. He may not be the fastest midfield player but he does have the quality that is so sadly lacking right now. Poor Liam Bridcutt is trying to man the midfield on his own right now. In addition Gus insists on playing his signings - Lopez who gives the ball away too often and Bruno who he has foolishly built up as some sort of star when the guy cannot defend properly (albeit good going forward).
Anyway until we get a target man with presence, Gus drops his poor signings and last but by no means least restores Gary Dicker to central midfield I fear nothing will change.

BobbyLaverick - sorry I don't agree, how have we got a Premier league set up already in existance, agree we have a new stadium, but as yet we haven't even got our own training ground. Let's not run before we can walk. Also, I doubt the 'fickle fans'have earned the success that may be coming, as I doubt half of the moaners did not suffer going to Gillingham or Withean.

He just might as well go!

He's won only 8 games in the past 25 matches and everybody thinks it's just a striker problem. Wake up and smell the coffee.

As much as it hurts me, we won't finished in the top half, after being top of the league only a few months ago.

He just might as well go!

He's won only 8 games in the past 25 matches and everybody thinks it's just a striker problem. Wake up and smell the coffee.

As much as it hurts me, we won't finish in the top half, this after being top of the league only a few months ago.

Troll Busters can we have a new years list tomorrow please.
Can you include: Seagullkid, who sounds like Gusset and (john newman /bruce beckett HPR).


Perhaps we can give Freeloader the idiot of the year award.

I see Orlandi has spoken out now saying morale at the club is very low. Full details on BBC Sport web.
Just been studying the stats - very worrying ahead of tomorrow - Ipswich won 5 of the last 7. Albion won 1 of the last 7.
Worrying times indeed. The most worrying times for at least 3 years.

Sorry to have missed the point, but can anyone tell me what it is that Gus has actually done wrong. All I see over the last couple of years is a successful period and one rivaling our glory glory days of the late 70's, early 80's. Of course he gets it wrong on occasion just like Ferguson, Wenger and everyone else and we all have our own ideas of whats needed, who should be signed, who should be in the team etc, etc, but for goodness sake some of you, get a grip. Someone on here even suggested replacing Gus with Dowie or Jewell.Although I'm one myself, is there a less knowledgeable bunch of
supporters in the whole country? It's quite embarrassing on occasion
to read some of the rubbish on here. Have an opinion of course and disagree, that's exactly how it should be, but at least act as though you know something about the great game. Happy new year to all. UTA

I cannot believe this forum has descended to a stream of irrational negativity surrounding players and the manager. Top players "obviously" getting sold, replacements for the manager being touted as if there's a vacancy and yet we're still within striking distance of the top 6. After two or three years of outstanding success, a flat spot is inevitable - and possibly benefical in the long term. Give it up people. Get the manager the sack and you're kissing three years of foundation work goodbye. You're all getting "Football Manager" syndrome. Take a look at Villa and be careful what you wish for.

Albion In Staffs wrote:
I cannot believe this forum has descended to a stream of irrational negativity surrounding players and the manager. Top players "obviously" getting sold, replacements for the manager being touted as if there's a vacancy and yet we're still within striking distance of the top 6. After two or three years of outstanding success, a flat spot is inevitable - and possibly benefical in the long term. Give it up people. Get the manager the sack and you're kissing three years of foundation work goodbye. You're all getting "Football Manager" syndrome. Take a look at Villa and be careful what you wish for.

Great post, changing manager does nothing but cost the club money, we have a good man in charge, still learning, I am sure he is kicking himself for letting Murray go, etc etc but that's football. We all have our own ideas which makes football the greatest game on earth, so for heavens sake lets just get behind him, truth is had players put the ball in the net when missing is harder, we would be top three ... Not sure how that can be Gus fault? Up the Albion. Happy new year

I despair when I read some of the comments on here, have they all forgotten the games at Withdean and Gillingham?

Here we have a wonderful new stadium, a team within reach of the play-offs, a new management and ownership, yet still we hear of complaints regarding league position and failure of management. What complete nonsense!

It is beyond my comprehension that any fan would consider replacing our current management, which, although inexperienced, will continue to learn by its mistakes which they more than often acknowledge.

In my opinion the team is not yet ready for Premiership football, if they were by any chance promoted they would encounter significant difficulties and judging by current performance posters on here would be requesting a change in management every couple of months!

It's about time we appreciated our current position and gave support to the club rather than the significant amount of complaints being registered on this board.

I for one am very happy to hold mid-table position for the time being, giving time for those concerned to obtain the necessary experience to run a club of Premiership status.

It must be very despondent for either the management or players to read some of the postings on this board. If you cannot give support I suggest you keep your comments to yourselves, very few appear to be constructive.

UTA!

We've dropped from 1st to 10th in 4 months. We've only won 3 of the last 17 games. We've only won 1 of the last 7. GP has admitted to tactical errors. A player has today spoken out saying morae is very low at the club. Clearly, Houston, we have a problem!!
We have a great new stadium, the biggest gates in the league, and we have a declining team - doing worse than last season.
I'm sorry but to the people who think that's good enough - you must have low expectations.
The club is under performing this year. We all hope we turn the corner very soon but if we don't how long do you let the slide go on for before taking action.

dave from bexill wrote:
Sorry to have missed the point, but can anyone tell me what it is that Gus has actually done wrong. All I see over the last couple of years is a successful period and one rivaling our glory glory days of the late 70's, early 80's. Of course he gets it wrong on occasion just like Ferguson, Wenger and everyone else and we all have our own ideas of whats needed, who should be signed, who should be in the team etc, etc, but for goodness sake some of you, get a grip. Someone on here even suggested replacing Gus with Dowie or Jewell.Although I'm one myself, is there a less knowledgeable bunch of supporters in the whole country? It's quite embarrassing on occasion to read some of the rubbish on here. Have an opinion of course and disagree, that's exactly how it should be, but at least act as though you know something about the great game. Happy new year to all. UTA

Not our supporters Dave hence my call to Troll Busters.

SussexRam

I rest my case.

I think everyones disappointment stems from the way we are stubbornly persuing tactics that are blatently not working at present. This is why there are a large number of fans questioning the managers capabilities.

I would prefer to stick with Gus because he is not only heavily involved with on field events and tactics but also behind the scenes setting up the academy. He has also had massive impact in the restructuring of the club and the recruitment system plus major input on the stadium. That's an awful lot of responsibility for one man.

Attention needs to be refocused on team activities as that is where his responsibility lies. It's too early to start touting replacements for someone who has contributed massively to the progression of the club.

I do think that tactically and in the transfer market his has got one or two things wrong but I can put that down to the massive burden of responsibility on his shoulders, although some of that is down to his own making.

I still trust him and hope that he refocuses his energy on the first team and leave other issues to those who have that responsibility.

Cardiffcgull wrote:
I despair when I read some of the comments on here, have they all forgotten the games at Withdean and Gillingham?

Here we have a wonderful new stadium, a team within reach of the play-offs, a new management and ownership, yet still we hear of complaints regarding league position and failure of management. What complete nonsense!

It is beyond my comprehension that any fan would consider replacing our current management, which, although inexperienced, will continue to learn by its mistakes which they more than often acknowledge.

In my opinion the team is not yet ready for Premiership football, if they were by any chance promoted they would encounter significant difficulties and judging by current performance posters on here would be requesting a change in management every couple of months!

It's about time we appreciated our current position and gave support to the club rather than the significant amount of complaints being registered on this board.

I for one am very happy to hold mid-table position for the time being, giving time for those concerned to obtain the necessary experience to run a club of Premiership status.

It must be very despondent for either the management or players to read some of the postings on this board. If you cannot give support I suggest you keep your comments to yourselves, very few appear to be constructive.

UTA!

Here here mate. A new striker is the next stage of our development, but it is NOT the final answer. As a team we're still way short of promotion quality, let alone Premiership class. But it's all part of the process and its a process which won't happen overnight. I hated seeing us lose on TV on Saturday, but the current blip is no reason to get despondent. If we're still in this position next year, the. It becomes a different story. But not now!!

27,000 at The Albion on Saturday. A maximun of 20 moaners on here. That equates to 0.0007407% dissatisfied customers. I'm sure Gus and TB will lose very little sleep over those stats.

Carter_Cooldancer wrote:

sussexram40 wrote:
You have to wonder if GP is on his way when you read pieces like this. If TB is concerned it wouldn't be surprising if he wanted to give the cheque book to a new man in January. GP has seemed rather disinterested and frustrated for several months and he can't be happy with some of his decisions. We really do need someone with more management experience rather than someone like Gus who is using the Albion as a training module.
I wanted Mick McCarthy a few months ago. Of the possible candidates I think Ian Dowie would toughen us up nicely - even though he has a Palace connection. Paul Jewell also has experience but then he failed at Ipswich so I wouldn't suggest him. O'Driscoll is available too. The other obvious candidate is Mark Hughes.

Ian Dowie???

I have to disagree with that, he'd be a massive step backwards. He hasn't managed for almost five years and is ex-Palace. I know he took Palace up by the playoffs but we are far more attractive a proposition than an ex-Palace manager who has achieved little in management and has been out of work.

I'd go for Alan Curbishley.

Chelsea's previous Manager, yes Matteo would be my choice if (big if) Poyet were to leave.
Just how many Managers are out there who have actually won the top European club competition and also had a team promoted from the Championship to the Premier League ?

Godstone Gull wrote:
Troll Busters can we have a new years list tomorrow please.
Can you include: Seagullkid, who sounds like Gusset and (john newman /bruce beckett HPR).


Perhaps we can give Freeloader the idiot of the year award.

got that one wrong seagull kid is a true seagull who lives in Kent.
so because I say things that upset a few I am a troll??
been reading these post now for about 2 years now, some posting is top marks, some quite funny & some well not go there.
been a seagull since 1981, so been there goldstone,gills & withdean oh and our new place what's it called oh yes the Amex. 1983 final (twice) 1991 playoff final at wembley plus playoff final against Bristol city.
was there on that wet last day at the goldstone and still got the turf in my back garden to prove it.
so anyway if I want to say what I think I will, so on that yes we are going to lose a few stars but hopeful getting better in. but with the form at moment if I was tony I would look at the top to begin with and think can I trust this man again with my money?

saraman.

Accepted, but why are there more dissatisfied fans posting on here than satisfied?

By definition, the satisfied fans are content with the current position and do not feel the necessity to voice their opinions, the dissatisfied "fans" just seek to demoralise management, players and neutrals, which does post the question as to the reasons for this board.

Carlas mum wrote:
BobbyLaverick - sorry I don't agree, how have we got a Premier league set up already in existance, agree we have a new stadium, but as yet we haven't even got our own training ground. Let's not run before we can walk. Also, I doubt the 'fickle fans'have earned the success that may be coming, as I doubt half of the moaners did not suffer going to Gillingham or Withean.

I am totally gob smacked that you question the club's standing in the present football pyramid. Even top Premier League sides acknowledge our development and direction.
Having already mentioned in a recent article that I travelled to Gillingham, as well as endured the elements and conditions at the Withdean, I cannot understand why this has to be mentioned as a way of 'qualifying' for having a moan on here. There are many, many fans who have been personally unable to support the team, due to their long-term geographic location. Are you advocating that the likes of VegasSeagull does not have a right to moan about things at times?
People are entitled to their opinions, after all that is what makes football what it is. All the tribal banter creates the atmosphere at grounds, as well in pubs, clubs and websites like this.
Have a really good look at our set-up again will you, it might just surprise you.

News from the Ipswich camp ...
They are considering whether to name an unchanged side for the sixth consecutive match but Mick McCarthy says "“The dilemma is whether I think they might have run out of legs while Brighton have had a game less."
So Ipswich are worried we might be fresher because we didn't play Boxing Day. Sounds like we mayh be going into the game with a mental advantage and I wonder if McCarthy will change his winning team for that reason.

RussinArmy wrote:
Charlie Oatway for me if GP did actually go. "Loyal" is one of his middle names. He knows every single player in the squad there strengths and weaknessess. I hope GP dosent go though - He has got us to the highest position in years. Keep the faith!!!!

You really cannot be serious. In fact I wonder what he actually does bring to the coaching side of the club as he was hardly what you would describe as a creative flair player.

mark by the sea wrote:

Albion In Staffs wrote:
I cannot believe this forum has descended to a stream of irrational negativity surrounding players and the manager. Top players "obviously" getting sold, replacements for the manager being touted as if there's a vacancy and yet we're still within striking distance of the top 6. After two or three years of outstanding success, a flat spot is inevitable - and possibly benefical in the long term. Give it up people. Get the manager the sack and you're kissing three years of foundation work goodbye. You're all getting "Football Manager" syndrome. Take a look at Villa and be careful what you wish for.

Great post, changing manager does nothing but cost the club money, we have a good man in charge, still learning, I am sure he is kicking himself for letting Murray go, etc etc but that's football. We all have our own ideas which makes football the greatest game on earth, so for heavens sake lets just get behind him, truth is had players put the ball in the net when missing is harder, we would be top three ... Not sure how that can be Gus fault? Up the Albion. Happy new year

Unfortunately the problem is that GP's personality is of a man who thinks he knows it all. There's none so blind as those who don't want to see and false pride is a very disturbing trait.

As I've said before on this site - many Brighton supporters get carried away by 'big' name ex players and Gus is a classic example.

I have nothing against Gus except that I have never rated him as a man manager and football management is not rocket science - it's like any management in as much as you have to manage the people first and foremost to get the best out of them.

Surely most people can see that Gus is a fearful manager. Just look at the way we play. He got away with things at the lower level and we got promoted for one reason - we had a striker who scored 22 goals and another who scored 17 and we had a winger who did the business in supplying the ammunition.

Two of those three were allowed to leave, one for free (Murray) and Bennett went for a fee and to better himself and the third (Barnes) has hardly been played as a striker since.

I happen to believe that Gus' methods are not the greatest encouragement for players. Interesting Hoskins also scored 17 goals that season and Bennett 17 assists, Noone 13 assists and even Ryan Harley 11 assists - which is presumably why Gus paid big money for them!

We also had a vastly more experienced back room when he arrived - and he has got rid of them all for vastly more inexperienced personnel.

When I think we reached the play off final in the now Championship to go into the new Premier League in 1991 with a team put together from scraps when there wasn't the money to pay the utility bills and the manager at the time never had a word of complaint about finances. He just kept searching for players everywhere and moulding them together as best he could.

Gus has never been committed to this club. He thought he would use it as a stepping stone to a big Premier League club but as I posted many months ago - there is absolutely no chance of him getting a big premier league club - no chance. Unfortunately Tony Bloom seemed to get sucked in by the rose tinted glasses brigade and committed us to a five year deal.

I wonder what DK and Tony's uncle Ray might be really thinking? Perhaps they don't have the dosh of Tony but they certainly have a lot more life and football experience. I thought it was interesting that Andy Naylor reported that Dick Knight showed up at Gus' last press conference and asked a question about Will Hoskins - interesting he failed to come out and say what the question was. I think our local media are afraid of Gus and seem to suck up to him too much.

I've supported this club for over 60 years, home and away and it seems like a dream come true to have the stadium and future training ground that we have and now I am really desperate that we attract a top class manager and coaching and football staff who know what it's all about. I'm convinced that we are a very attractive proposition for the right team who are prepared to commit to the club's aspirations.

That's why I am not too bothered about who we buy and sell because when it's not right at the top it'll never be right on the pitch. Do the decent thing, pay him up his dues and thank him and let him go before he wastes another shed load of your money Tony.

And this post has absolutely nothing to do with the recent results - I was saying this last season when it was clear that Gus was not up to it at this level. Sometimes a few results can provide a smoke screen but eventually the truth will always out.

BobbyLavrick - it's obviously only the male species who cn hae an opinion then?

BobbyLavrick - it's obviously only the male species who cn hae an opinion then?

Carlas mum wrote:
BobbyLavrick - it's obviously only the male species who cn hae an opinion then?

Well thank you for saving the best laugh until the end.

Firstly, what has gender got to do with our exchanges?
Secondly, just because I happen to have a masculine sounding epithet, does not necessarily mean that I am a guy.

Thank you for your attempts at conversing, but your thinking has lost me

That was a pathetic long rant WS. Save all your told you so's until the end of the season you really haven't got a clue.

Let's face it if you were that successful yourself, you wouldn't be on this two bob site trying to make your voice heard. More like Norman Wisdom than Wisdom Speaks!

HNY everyone UTA

Happy new year all true fans of the blue and white.

Hovite wrote:
That was a pathetic long rant WS. Save all your told you so's until the end of the season you really haven't got a clue. Let's face it if you were that successful yourself, you wouldn't be on this two bob site trying to make your voice heard. More like Norman Wisdom than Wisdom Speaks! HNY everyone UTA

Happy new year Hovite.

VegasSeagull wrote:

Hovite wrote:
That was a pathetic long rant WS. Save all your told you so's until the end of the season you really haven't got a clue. Let's face it if you were that successful yourself, you wouldn't be on this two bob site trying to make your voice heard. More like Norman Wisdom than Wisdom Speaks! HNY everyone UTA

Happy new year Hovite.

Yes, Happy New Year Vegas, Hovite and all Albion fans, wherever they may be.

For all those hoping for a change of Manager in this New Year, please be careful what you wish for. Of those names raised earlier, which of them have a record of sustained success? No, none of them. Hoof 'em McCarthy has been sacked at least twice, as have all the others mentioned. Those Managers with fantastic records? Arsene, Sir Alex, Moyes. What is their secret? Perseverance? There are supporters of several clubs who wish that their clubs had persevered a bit longer, Blackburn, Burnley, Wolves. I fr one am happy to stick with TB and GP. They have brought our club along a huge way in a shortime. Keep going guys please.

Clean Sheet wrote:
For all those hoping for a change of Manager in this New Year, please be careful what you wish for. Of those names raised earlier, which of them have a record of sustained success? No, none of them. Hoof 'em McCarthy has been sacked at least twice, as have all the others mentioned. Those Managers with fantastic records? Arsene, Sir Alex, Moyes. What is their secret? Perseverance? There are supporters of several clubs who wish that their clubs had persevered a bit longer, Blackburn, Burnley, Wolves. I fr one am happy to stick with TB and GP. They have brought our club along a huge way in a shortime. Keep going guys please.

Spot on CS and a very happy new year to all on here, to take the trouble to make any comment about our club shows we all care (apart from the obvious wums) i even include Mr Freeloader in this as I am really not convinced he is a wind up as on some of his posts he does seem to show a degree of caring even if some of his posts do show a lot of detriment to some of our younger players who are trying to make their way in this most difficult of profession.Lets hope there is happiness and prosperity to all.SEAGULLS.

Maybe we need to just revisit what we used to do as it seems the new signings aren't doing working with the existing team. However, a good feeling about todays game, come on the Seagulls, sure we can start the New Year on a high!

Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit wrote:
We got well stuffed there last year, struggled to a draw at home this year, and are currently playing like a one-dimensional, dispirited rabble.

So 2-0 to Albion then!

Blimey, I was a goal out! "Tha's football!" as somebody once said.