| 3 big challenges for McKenna 10:15 - Sep 2 with 2595 views | Chris_ITFC |
1. Our left-hand side. It should be our strongest threat, given the calibre of players available. However, it’s clear that Philogene and Clarke love being in the same space that Davis needs vacant. Can Davis still be as effective inverting? How do you get our two £20m widemen to flourish?
2. The #10 connection. In the promotion season, we had 2 proper #10s in Chaplin and Broadhead, who were all about getting on the ball, linking play and gelling the team together. We’ve seemingly moved away from that, with width on the left and a #10 being more of a second striker type. How do we adapt to that? How do we avoid the team losing its creativity and lacking a playmaker to link midfield and attack?
3. How to manage the RB situation. There will soon be 4 options, with no seriously standout player. I’m sure Furlong will get a run, but how does he get a settled defence and keep all 4 happy? If Furlong hits a bad patch, there’s 3 guys of a similar-ish level queueing up, but none seem certain to nail down that spot.
I have every faith in McKenna. I just see those as 3 tactical points that will go along way to deciding our season - including how quickly we can sort them. |  |
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| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 10:37 - Sep 2 with 2252 views | TheGentlemanViking |
3 really interesting challenges for KM.
I'm not sure the Davis inversion tactic will stick long term, it just doesn't seem that the players we have are suited to that, it reminds me of watching England in the Euros, too many players trying to occupy the same space. Davis is far better suited to the game he played in L1 and our last Championship season. It might not have worked in the Prem, but we're not in the Prem, so why limit our attacking options. If Jack wants to cut in, Leif has to stay wide and overlap. And if Jaden wants to stay wide, he actually needs to run the line and take on his man occasionally!
I'm keen to know how KM plans to navigate the #10 dilemma. Who does he actually plan on playing there? Is it SS, CA or maybe MN pushed forward? All 3 have very different qualities and I honestly have no opinion on what the best strategy is. But it's a crucial position and one he needs to get right quickly.
Whichever way you look at it, there's going to be an unhappy RB or 2! I'm not sure they intended to have HC as part of the team this season, and I'm not sure we'll see much of him between now and January, when I assume he'll be off. That said, he's maybe the most forward thinking of our options and could be useful. I imagine Johnson and Young will rotate and Furlong will offer Davis some relief in the closing stages and cover injuries, much like Townsend did last season.
This is where KM really has to work his magic, he's got an amazing group of players here, in many ways even stronger than last season. He needs to find a way to make them click. He's taken a mismatched selection of players and turned them into a formidable team before, I have no doubts he'll do it again! |  | | |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 10:42 - Sep 2 with 2186 views | FrimleyBlue |
if this was FM
4 3 2 1
palmer
furlong
oshea
kipre
Davis
Cajuste
Azor
Nunez
Akpom
Szmodics
Azon |  |
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| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 10:45 - Sep 2 with 2168 views | Swansea_Blue |
Yep, all issues. Summarised by ‘how does he embed the patterns of play that help us move up the pitch and create?’. That involves your first 2 points directly and third indirectly through familiarisation through regular playing partnerships on the pitch.
He’s got some work to do on team spirit and never say die attitude too, although that doesn’t look too far away given how we’ve rescued a couple of games already. But we’re a long way off having the swagger/confidence needed by a top side. |  |
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| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 10:52 - Sep 2 with 2109 views | BlacknGoldnBlue |
I think if Clarke plays on the left then his natural game is to cut in, which works with Leif. We started to see that last season but the Clarke was sacrificed when we picked up red cards and Leif missed games.
This season, due to options, KM has played Clarke our right and it hasnt worked.
I think now we have McAteer and Egeli we'll see Clarke starting on the right .
The difficulty is then integrating Philogene into the system as he wants the same space as Leif, whereas Szmodics -when on the left- also wants to drift in
I think getting Philogene into the system is the biggest headache and an expensive one that KM has to solve
Edited to correct my right from left or vice versa [Post edited 2 Sep 11:31]
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| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 10:54 - Sep 2 with 2099 views | Denny32 |
The only 3 challenges I see .Is .1 .getting back to playing the good flowing football. 2.getting us promoted..3..keeping us there .. |  | | |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 11:00 - Sep 2 with 2051 views | Chris_ITFC |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 10:42 - Sep 2 by FrimleyBlue |
if this was FM
4 3 2 1
palmer
furlong
oshea
kipre
Davis
Cajuste
Azor
Nunez
Akpom
Szmodics
Azon |
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| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 11:01 - Sep 2 with 2018 views | FrimleyBlue |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 11:00 - Sep 2 by Chris_ITFC |
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I did say IF | |
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| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 11:03 - Sep 2 with 2027 views | mellowblue |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 10:52 - Sep 2 by BlacknGoldnBlue |
I think if Clarke plays on the left then his natural game is to cut in, which works with Leif. We started to see that last season but the Clarke was sacrificed when we picked up red cards and Leif missed games.
This season, due to options, KM has played Clarke our right and it hasnt worked.
I think now we have McAteer and Egeli we'll see Clarke starting on the right .
The difficulty is then integrating Philogene into the system as he wants the same space as Leif, whereas Szmodics -when on the left- also wants to drift in
I think getting Philogene into the system is the biggest headache and an expensive one that KM has to solve
Edited to correct my right from left or vice versa [Post edited 2 Sep 11:31]
|
"I think if Clarke plays on the right then his natural game is to cut in, which works with Leif. We started to see that last season but the Clarke was sacrificed when we picked up red cards and Leif missed games.
This season, due to options, KM has played Clarke our right and it hasnt worked.
I think now we have McAteer and Egeli we'll see Clarke starting on the right ."
Do you mean Clarke playing on the left, first and third sentence otherwise it does not make sense to me. | | | |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 11:05 - Sep 2 with 2010 views | Chris_ITFC |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 10:37 - Sep 2 by TheGentlemanViking |
3 really interesting challenges for KM.
I'm not sure the Davis inversion tactic will stick long term, it just doesn't seem that the players we have are suited to that, it reminds me of watching England in the Euros, too many players trying to occupy the same space. Davis is far better suited to the game he played in L1 and our last Championship season. It might not have worked in the Prem, but we're not in the Prem, so why limit our attacking options. If Jack wants to cut in, Leif has to stay wide and overlap. And if Jaden wants to stay wide, he actually needs to run the line and take on his man occasionally!
I'm keen to know how KM plans to navigate the #10 dilemma. Who does he actually plan on playing there? Is it SS, CA or maybe MN pushed forward? All 3 have very different qualities and I honestly have no opinion on what the best strategy is. But it's a crucial position and one he needs to get right quickly.
Whichever way you look at it, there's going to be an unhappy RB or 2! I'm not sure they intended to have HC as part of the team this season, and I'm not sure we'll see much of him between now and January, when I assume he'll be off. That said, he's maybe the most forward thinking of our options and could be useful. I imagine Johnson and Young will rotate and Furlong will offer Davis some relief in the closing stages and cover injuries, much like Townsend did last season.
This is where KM really has to work his magic, he's got an amazing group of players here, in many ways even stronger than last season. He needs to find a way to make them click. He's taken a mismatched selection of players and turned them into a formidable team before, I have no doubts he'll do it again! |
Yeah, the Davis one bugs me most. He was THE system last time. Just as Clarke started to look like he was playing a L10 role (rather than LW) towards the end of last season, it’s Philogene now getting the game time and needing to learn the role / relationship with Leif.
I’m not sure Nunez was signed for it, but I can absolutely see him playing 10 now that Chaplin is gone… not straight away, but there will be games where he does. Maybe it’s even part of the plan in tougher games, to make the midfield more of a 3, rather than the strikeforce more of a 2. | |
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| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 13:21 - Sep 2 with 1739 views | darkhorse28 |
None of his challenges are around coaching and the squad, he’s good at that stuff, that’s the whole problem.
He gets in his own way, and thinks coaching is always the answer.
His big three challenges.
Talent ID - he’s really poor at it, it’s essential to be elite, to be about three times better than he is, there are too many failures, Muric, Clarke, Philogene, Sammie, Ogbenne, Johnson.
We can’t waste 100’s of millions and be successful, and you can’t coach your way out of that.
Motivation. We’ve replaced an entire squad TWICE in 18 months .
Many players he’s coached don’t want to be here, and remarkably few say nice things about him in their leaving…., it’s clear his voice hasn’t worked after a while for many.
Many clubs would change the voice. We changed the squad. Twice. He needs to know why he’s turning the group off, because he 100% is, Greaves, Hutchinson, Johnson, Clarke, Philogene, they’ve been here a year and gone massively backwards. They don’t respond to him, and neither did the ones who have left.
Man management. He’s struggling to do the ‘stick’ he could motivate with a carrot when we were successful, he can’t turn around a sinking ship though.
It’s 44 games and counting now…, that’s not form…, that’s a problem.
I don’t think he has the self awareness to see his own failures, this window has been even more chaotic …., the last actions of a drowning man.
It’s a shame…, he hasn’t had the right structure around him, but he also hasn’t been capable of refinishing that, and that’s on him.
He’s so far off elite.
This isn’t how elite people operate.
Short term results didn’t matter,, the red flags are so big now, it’s all you can see, if you can be objective and actually look. | | | |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 13:28 - Sep 2 with 1691 views | surreyblue |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 10:52 - Sep 2 by BlacknGoldnBlue |
I think if Clarke plays on the left then his natural game is to cut in, which works with Leif. We started to see that last season but the Clarke was sacrificed when we picked up red cards and Leif missed games.
This season, due to options, KM has played Clarke our right and it hasnt worked.
I think now we have McAteer and Egeli we'll see Clarke starting on the right .
The difficulty is then integrating Philogene into the system as he wants the same space as Leif, whereas Szmodics -when on the left- also wants to drift in
I think getting Philogene into the system is the biggest headache and an expensive one that KM has to solve
Edited to correct my right from left or vice versa [Post edited 2 Sep 11:31]
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I think the difference (and potentially the problem) with Clarke is that he likes to stay wide until he gets the ball and then drive inside, whereas Broadhead would drift inside without the ball to free up room for Davis at an earlier stage. It feels like Szmodics might be the best option to sit in that inside left position, or even a slightly more fluid approach where Szmodics and Akpom switch between L10 and R10 throughout the game?
A problem that can presumably worked through, but needs to be done sooner rather than later | | | |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 13:31 - Sep 2 with 1669 views | Chris_ITFC |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 13:21 - Sep 2 by darkhorse28 |
None of his challenges are around coaching and the squad, he’s good at that stuff, that’s the whole problem.
He gets in his own way, and thinks coaching is always the answer.
His big three challenges.
Talent ID - he’s really poor at it, it’s essential to be elite, to be about three times better than he is, there are too many failures, Muric, Clarke, Philogene, Sammie, Ogbenne, Johnson.
We can’t waste 100’s of millions and be successful, and you can’t coach your way out of that.
Motivation. We’ve replaced an entire squad TWICE in 18 months .
Many players he’s coached don’t want to be here, and remarkably few say nice things about him in their leaving…., it’s clear his voice hasn’t worked after a while for many.
Many clubs would change the voice. We changed the squad. Twice. He needs to know why he’s turning the group off, because he 100% is, Greaves, Hutchinson, Johnson, Clarke, Philogene, they’ve been here a year and gone massively backwards. They don’t respond to him, and neither did the ones who have left.
Man management. He’s struggling to do the ‘stick’ he could motivate with a carrot when we were successful, he can’t turn around a sinking ship though.
It’s 44 games and counting now…, that’s not form…, that’s a problem.
I don’t think he has the self awareness to see his own failures, this window has been even more chaotic …., the last actions of a drowning man.
It’s a shame…, he hasn’t had the right structure around him, but he also hasn’t been capable of refinishing that, and that’s on him.
He’s so far off elite.
This isn’t how elite people operate.
Short term results didn’t matter,, the red flags are so big now, it’s all you can see, if you can be objective and actually look. |
Hutchinson gone backwards? A drowning man? 
Your posting history is hilarious. To be THAT dedicated to trolling, you’ll write an essay every time.
3 big challenges for you:
1. Stop making it so obvious.
2. Stop trying so hard.
3. Get a job or something. | |
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| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 13:32 - Sep 2 with 1657 views | Chris_ITFC |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 13:28 - Sep 2 by surreyblue |
I think the difference (and potentially the problem) with Clarke is that he likes to stay wide until he gets the ball and then drive inside, whereas Broadhead would drift inside without the ball to free up room for Davis at an earlier stage. It feels like Szmodics might be the best option to sit in that inside left position, or even a slightly more fluid approach where Szmodics and Akpom switch between L10 and R10 throughout the game?
A problem that can presumably worked through, but needs to be done sooner rather than later |
Yeah, I agree on Szmodics. He’ll drift away from the left, in a different style to Broady, but with the same result.
I maintain though - Clarke was starting to get there. His sub appearances towards the end of last season were a lot narrower - but he’s been scuppered by Philogene returning to fitness and the lack of RW options. | |
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| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 13:34 - Sep 2 with 1646 views | _clive_baker_ |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 13:21 - Sep 2 by darkhorse28 |
None of his challenges are around coaching and the squad, he’s good at that stuff, that’s the whole problem.
He gets in his own way, and thinks coaching is always the answer.
His big three challenges.
Talent ID - he’s really poor at it, it’s essential to be elite, to be about three times better than he is, there are too many failures, Muric, Clarke, Philogene, Sammie, Ogbenne, Johnson.
We can’t waste 100’s of millions and be successful, and you can’t coach your way out of that.
Motivation. We’ve replaced an entire squad TWICE in 18 months .
Many players he’s coached don’t want to be here, and remarkably few say nice things about him in their leaving…., it’s clear his voice hasn’t worked after a while for many.
Many clubs would change the voice. We changed the squad. Twice. He needs to know why he’s turning the group off, because he 100% is, Greaves, Hutchinson, Johnson, Clarke, Philogene, they’ve been here a year and gone massively backwards. They don’t respond to him, and neither did the ones who have left.
Man management. He’s struggling to do the ‘stick’ he could motivate with a carrot when we were successful, he can’t turn around a sinking ship though.
It’s 44 games and counting now…, that’s not form…, that’s a problem.
I don’t think he has the self awareness to see his own failures, this window has been even more chaotic …., the last actions of a drowning man.
It’s a shame…, he hasn’t had the right structure around him, but he also hasn’t been capable of refinishing that, and that’s on him.
He’s so far off elite.
This isn’t how elite people operate.
Short term results didn’t matter,, the red flags are so big now, it’s all you can see, if you can be objective and actually look. |
Posting the same long winded bobbins over and over on every thread doesn't make it any more legitimate.
McKenna transformed a downbeat squad in the space of a few months to the extent the green shoots were very evident towards the end of his 1st half season. We lost 4 in 24. He then got us to 98 points the following season losing 4 in 46. He then got largely the same group to automatic promotion in the Championship with 96 points, 6 defeats in 46 in a year we had no right to finish above Leeds and Southampton, among others.
Last season was disappointing for everyone, personally I prescribe to the fact it was a step too far by way of quality, not necessarily indicative of McKenna's ability to manage at that level. All 3 promoted clubs got slapped straight back down and the other 2 were probably better placed than we were to handle it.
There's been a huge amount of change, but McKenna hasn't become a bad manager overnight. We're lucky to have him, and given what he's achieved here he should have credit in the bank and our supporters should give him the chance to go again with a new look squad. There's a risk he becomes a victim of his own success with overly negative rhetoric like you've been posting. Perhaps judge where we are in a few months, its the very least he deserves. |  | | |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 13:52 - Sep 2 with 1556 views | surreyblue |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 13:32 - Sep 2 by Chris_ITFC |
Yeah, I agree on Szmodics. He’ll drift away from the left, in a different style to Broady, but with the same result.
I maintain though - Clarke was starting to get there. His sub appearances towards the end of last season were a lot narrower - but he’s been scuppered by Philogene returning to fitness and the lack of RW options. |
I ended up switching off towards the end of last season but from what I did see I thought he was getting there. If Philogene and Clarke are both going to play, I'd actually prefer to see them on opposite wings - Philly on the right and Clarke on the left.
It's going to be an interesting few weeks as a first choice team gets fleshed out. If we can get that consist 12-14 players starting game after game, with known quantities reinforcing from the bench, that period between the October international break and Christmas starts to look pretty tasty. | | | |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 14:19 - Sep 2 with 1488 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 13:21 - Sep 2 by darkhorse28 |
None of his challenges are around coaching and the squad, he’s good at that stuff, that’s the whole problem.
He gets in his own way, and thinks coaching is always the answer.
His big three challenges.
Talent ID - he’s really poor at it, it’s essential to be elite, to be about three times better than he is, there are too many failures, Muric, Clarke, Philogene, Sammie, Ogbenne, Johnson.
We can’t waste 100’s of millions and be successful, and you can’t coach your way out of that.
Motivation. We’ve replaced an entire squad TWICE in 18 months .
Many players he’s coached don’t want to be here, and remarkably few say nice things about him in their leaving…., it’s clear his voice hasn’t worked after a while for many.
Many clubs would change the voice. We changed the squad. Twice. He needs to know why he’s turning the group off, because he 100% is, Greaves, Hutchinson, Johnson, Clarke, Philogene, they’ve been here a year and gone massively backwards. They don’t respond to him, and neither did the ones who have left.
Man management. He’s struggling to do the ‘stick’ he could motivate with a carrot when we were successful, he can’t turn around a sinking ship though.
It’s 44 games and counting now…, that’s not form…, that’s a problem.
I don’t think he has the self awareness to see his own failures, this window has been even more chaotic …., the last actions of a drowning man.
It’s a shame…, he hasn’t had the right structure around him, but he also hasn’t been capable of refinishing that, and that’s on him.
He’s so far off elite.
This isn’t how elite people operate.
Short term results didn’t matter,, the red flags are so big now, it’s all you can see, if you can be objective and actually look. |
I don't usually bother reading your nonsense, I usually just give it a down arrow and move on. Saves time. But I decided to read this one to see if was still the same old carp, and I wasn't wrong.
The funniest bit is when you suggest Hutchinson has gone massively backwards under McKenna. So much so that we sold him back to the Prem for £37m.
You really are a tool. |  |
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| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 14:23 - Sep 2 with 1453 views | Steve_M |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 13:34 - Sep 2 by _clive_baker_ |
Posting the same long winded bobbins over and over on every thread doesn't make it any more legitimate.
McKenna transformed a downbeat squad in the space of a few months to the extent the green shoots were very evident towards the end of his 1st half season. We lost 4 in 24. He then got us to 98 points the following season losing 4 in 46. He then got largely the same group to automatic promotion in the Championship with 96 points, 6 defeats in 46 in a year we had no right to finish above Leeds and Southampton, among others.
Last season was disappointing for everyone, personally I prescribe to the fact it was a step too far by way of quality, not necessarily indicative of McKenna's ability to manage at that level. All 3 promoted clubs got slapped straight back down and the other 2 were probably better placed than we were to handle it.
There's been a huge amount of change, but McKenna hasn't become a bad manager overnight. We're lucky to have him, and given what he's achieved here he should have credit in the bank and our supporters should give him the chance to go again with a new look squad. There's a risk he becomes a victim of his own success with overly negative rhetoric like you've been posting. Perhaps judge where we are in a few months, its the very least he deserves. |
There are, rightly, many views on where the club is at the moment but those fans who refuse to accept just how much of a step-up in terms of the level of opposition last season was aren't being entirely honest. |  |
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| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 14:24 - Sep 2 with 1442 views | braveblue |
Let Davis do what he does best and others fit in around him. We know he can be outstanding at this level.
Smodz scored for fun playing as a 10. Think he will be the man.
Surely Furlong will be our go to right back. Young is very good but won’t play the amount of games required. I wouldn’t let Johnson anywhere near the team! | | | |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 16:20 - Sep 2 with 1284 views | muccletonjoe |
I dont think any of those 3 come anywhere near his biggest challenge. Team selection really doesnt come into it. |  | | |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 18:18 - Sep 2 with 1123 views | FBI |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 13:21 - Sep 2 by darkhorse28 |
None of his challenges are around coaching and the squad, he’s good at that stuff, that’s the whole problem.
He gets in his own way, and thinks coaching is always the answer.
His big three challenges.
Talent ID - he’s really poor at it, it’s essential to be elite, to be about three times better than he is, there are too many failures, Muric, Clarke, Philogene, Sammie, Ogbenne, Johnson.
We can’t waste 100’s of millions and be successful, and you can’t coach your way out of that.
Motivation. We’ve replaced an entire squad TWICE in 18 months .
Many players he’s coached don’t want to be here, and remarkably few say nice things about him in their leaving…., it’s clear his voice hasn’t worked after a while for many.
Many clubs would change the voice. We changed the squad. Twice. He needs to know why he’s turning the group off, because he 100% is, Greaves, Hutchinson, Johnson, Clarke, Philogene, they’ve been here a year and gone massively backwards. They don’t respond to him, and neither did the ones who have left.
Man management. He’s struggling to do the ‘stick’ he could motivate with a carrot when we were successful, he can’t turn around a sinking ship though.
It’s 44 games and counting now…, that’s not form…, that’s a problem.
I don’t think he has the self awareness to see his own failures, this window has been even more chaotic …., the last actions of a drowning man.
It’s a shame…, he hasn’t had the right structure around him, but he also hasn’t been capable of refinishing that, and that’s on him.
He’s so far off elite.
This isn’t how elite people operate.
Short term results didn’t matter,, the red flags are so big now, it’s all you can see, if you can be objective and actually look. |
You are Robin Revell and I claim my £5 |  |
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| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 23:17 - Sep 2 with 840 views | reusersfreekicks |
Why spend £40m on Philogene and Carke for the same position. Surely a back up to the first choice could have been cheaper |  | | |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 07:39 - Sep 3 with 595 views | wkj |
These men will struggle and sacrifice so that we might live better.
COYB |  |
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| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 07:59 - Sep 3 with 544 views | RIPbobby |
I think the key to our season is beating the low block. I get the feeling that Nunez is going to sit on the edge of the opponents box and pull the strings. Get it into him 25 yards out and let him pull the teams apart. He will either take them on, shoot or put a killer pass into the box. He is the key. We don't have many players who like the ball at their feet now that Broady has gone. Dying trade players with skill. These days it is mainly big, quick athletes.
On my January list I would want another skillful player to sit in a position and essentially not run. Just dictate the play and bring defenders out. What we are seeing with the low block is defenders marking zones and eliminating the space we pass into. It will also take a season for us to be figured out. |  | | |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 09:09 - Sep 3 with 450 views | Exiled2Surrey |
| 3 big challenges for McKenna on 07:59 - Sep 3 by RIPbobby |
I think the key to our season is beating the low block. I get the feeling that Nunez is going to sit on the edge of the opponents box and pull the strings. Get it into him 25 yards out and let him pull the teams apart. He will either take them on, shoot or put a killer pass into the box. He is the key. We don't have many players who like the ball at their feet now that Broady has gone. Dying trade players with skill. These days it is mainly big, quick athletes.
On my January list I would want another skillful player to sit in a position and essentially not run. Just dictate the play and bring defenders out. What we are seeing with the low block is defenders marking zones and eliminating the space we pass into. It will also take a season for us to be figured out. |
It's interesting - I haven't seen the stats but the sense I got from those who are familiar with Nunez's play is that he runs all day. No question he has the skills and the eye for the pass, but he is not going to stand statuesque and just spray the ball around. Really looking forward to seeing him in action | | | |
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