10 Dec 2024 16:53:23
I agree that Fosun are doing all they can to ensure the manager is not back and that is the reason Lopetegui left.

Let's rewind a bit. Lopetegui came in when we were in direct straits and was allowed to sign Dawson, Gomes, Cunha, Lemina and Sarabia. The following summer he discovered that the money he thought would be there wasn't and do he walked.

Gary O'Neil came in and steadied the ship even though Neves, Mouthinho, Adama and Raul had all left prior to him arriving and Nunes going soon after.

So the thought process seems to be that had these players remained, we would not be where we currently are but what us forgotten is that prior to Lopetegui coming in, all of these players were at the club and with them, we were bottom of the league.

Gary knew the state of the finances and still took the job. Up until February it looked like Shi and Hobbs were geniuses and we were riding the crest of a wave. Then the injuries struck and we fell off a cliff but GON was given the benefit of the doubt as he had built up enough credit and we could all see how much the injuries were impacting team selection.

Then we move onto this season. Yes, granted we were handed the most difficult start in football history. But the last 5 games were deemed winnable. Now we beat Southampton and Fulham but the last 3 were so much more than just defeats. The performances just aren't there. There is no vigour and we just look lethargic.

I agree that Fosun should have backed GON but it seems to been forgotten that GON was happy not to sign an experienced CB as his plan was for Mosquera to replace Kilman and Meupiyou would be developed. OK, he never came out and said he didn't need a CB but he did say that he thought he had adequate cover and would only sign an experienced one if they could improve the squad. It's seems that none of those available would have.

Fosun, Hobbs and GON are all equally culpable of this mess.

What grates me is that GON has come out and asked what did the fans expect when they sold £200m of players when the fact is that most of them never played for him and we were doing OK. Pedro Neto is a miss for us as is Kilman but GON should have insisted on a replacement or that he wasn't sold.

The whole club is a mess. Ideally GON, Hobbs and Shi should all go and a clean slate arrived at.

I guess we'll never know who the biggest culprit is or what the end game is. Everyone of us will have our own opinions.

1.) 12 Dec 2024
12 Dec 2024 17:22:04
Rob Edwards or Steve Cooper! Now that's a club with ambitions!! This is a massive club and surely can attract some decent faces even if working under Fosun!

2.) 12 Dec 2024
12 Dec 2024 17:42:17
If that's the level of manager we can look forward to, we might aswell get comfy and settled for championship football for the foreseeable future.
Fosun have dropped the ball and messed up big style.
Invest in the team and management now Guo' or look a bit more lively finding us investment from outside or new owners.

3.) 12 Dec 2024
12 Dec 2024 19:53:37
Some good points Wandering but just to say that Gary never said that. Your completely changing the context of what he said, he didn't aim anything at the fans and he never so much as insinuated they were his players (sold). He simply stated facts 'the season before I arrived the club finished on 39 points, since then we've sold £200m worth of Prem talent' (followed by a coy smile). At no point did he say what do the fans expect. Not trying to be a pedant here but the context in which he said it is VERY different to what your suggesting. He wasn't having a go at the fans more pointing out that when a club's already hovering above relagation then continuing to sell your best players has a consequence and can anyone look at this squad and honestly say he's wrong on that?!
I agree with you though it is all three of their faults (Hobbs, Shi and O'Niel) it is worth noting though that at no point have two of those names come out and defended there position in keeping said jobs! I know it's just the way of it but I do think Gary is the easiest target in all this whilst apparently being the least experienced, go figure! I would also love to know whos choice the set piece hire was (not that we ever will) because getting that hire wrong has been truly catastrophic, especially if Gary initially asked for the help!
As someone said the other day I also think Hobbs is getting off VERY lightly in all this! It's not enough for him just to find raw talent, he's not a scout any more. He should be helping build a team whereas it feels like he's just building a portfolio, waiting for the right time to cash each players in! ?

4.) 12 Dec 2024
12 Dec 2024 20:49:26
Bullysboy, I wrote this a few days ago but for some reason it wasn't posted. It seems that over the last 47 hours, Fosun have come out and shouldered some of the responsibility.