Thomas Frank - Head Coach

[SissokoWasGood (BoL)]

That’s the problem, we’re not even that under this manager.

Exactly, I think this has to be the game where the damn breaks on the ‘it’s the players’ argument. Because whatever you think of the quality of the squad, things should not be this bad.

And for me I’m not saying Frank is a bad coach, I think the decision to hire him was weird and I think he’s walked into a weird situation and we put ourselves needlessly in a wild state of transition. But also questions have to be asked around hiring A someone so different from the previous manager and B someone whose methods hadn’t been proven at the level we aspire to be. It’s all completely mad, someone somewhere at the club completely lost their head in the summer if you ask me.

 

[DubSpur]

Exactly, I think this has to be the game where the damn breaks on the ‘it’s the players’ argument. Because whatever you think of the quality of the squad, things should not be this bad.

And for me I’m not saying Frank is a bad coach, I think the decision to hire him was weird and I think he’s walked into a weird situation and we put ourselves needlessly in a wild state of transition. But also questions have to be asked around hiring A someone so different from the previous manager and B someone whose methods hadn’t been proven at the level we aspire to be. It’s all completely mad, someone somewhere at the club completely lost their head in the summer if you ask me.

Have to wonder what the analytics were that they stated they used.

 

[Raziel]

As I said above, I expect us to be top 8 at a minimum. Absolute bare minimum. Would expect it under Ange, Frank, anyone. And under Ange, we were better than than up to the point of the City 4-0 last season (when we already had to play Dragusin and Davies at centre back).

I expect to be top 8 bare minimum barring exceptional circumstances. That’s all. You expect to be 14th because of the quality of the squad. Totally respect that, but a clear difference of opinion.

Wasted argument mate, the data is extremely clear

- Can't beat Wolves and West Ham at home
- Have just failed to win against two teams that had not won in 10+ games
- Worse home record than Leeds by 7 points
- 3 wins in 15

This isn't the squad, just looking at the tactics, the brick subs, the lack of movement, lack of intent.

If you saw any level of systems, strategy and players giving it all but just not being enough quality, that is one thing, this is just a manager way out of his depth.

 

[Bishop]

As I said above, I expect us to be top 8 at a minimum. Absolute bare minimum. Would expect it under Ange, Frank, anyone. And under Ange, we were better than than up to the point of the City 4-0 last season (when we already had to play Dragusin and Davies at centre back).

I expect to be top 8 bare minimum barring exceptional circumstances. That’s all. You expect to be 14th because of the quality of the squad. Totally respect that, but a clear difference of opinion.

I'd more so say I'd expect this squad to be top 10. With a poor coach 14th being very possible.

 

[Mikey10]

So, folks, who do we fancy for the rest of the season?

Out of the likely candidates, it’s hard to decide:

Stellini: Knows the club, probably didn’t get enough time in his previous stint, will have learned a lot from his time working with Conte, and is Italian, so he obviously must be great.

Mason: Okay, he’s been sacked by West Brom for not being good enough, but he knows the club, will have learned a lot from working with Conte, and he’s English, and they won the World Cup in 1966 - so what’s not to like?!

Sherwood: Alright, he’s been out of the game for a while, but he knows the club, occasionally talks in sentences on Sky Sports, apparently once met Conte in the tunnel at the new stadium, and he’s English (remember 1966, people!) - and he managed Ryan Mason for a short period!

Ange: It seems an unlikely return, but he did manage us to a cup win (while simultaneously overseeing a secret strategy to lose all of our league games -not even Pep worked it out, so bonus points for that!), he took over from Conte, he’s Australian (they are famous for boomerangs and they almost always make successful returns), and he’ll have gained a lot more experience from his five week stint at Forest.

Can we start a poll?

 

[billyiddo]

Where is the established, proven PL quality in our squad? The debate rages on regarding the ability we have or don't have (and tbf is by the by now, what with results how they are) but I'm left thinking that for the most part it's all hypothetical - we have a GK that most people seem to want to replace, a back four that is as close to established PL quality as our squad allows and then a midfield full of potential that has not proven anything in this league bar two senior players most are hoping leave imminently and then an attack that is either potential (not even top tier potential either despite the fees) or players from abroad that have done nothing in this league as of yet so can go either way.

Depending on which way you're camped re the manager you will take either the positive outlook or the negative, but either way surely we can all see there's not a lot of proven quality there and that any calls one way or the other are not based on any sort of tangible track record of performance at this level?

 

[elyid]

Can we start a poll?

Harry Redknapp & Stellini caretaker combo with some feel good “run around a bit” Joga Bonita football. Mason can turn up too, in fact we should start to hone a “caretaker club” consisting of fan favourites who can be brought in as a group each time we fire someone. Oldest of the group is officially the manager

Then either Alonso or wait for Poch.

Not really joking either, it would be much better than the current rubbish!!

 

[Mikey10]

Harry Redknapp & Stellini caretaker combo with some feel good “run around a bit” Joga Bonita football. Mason can turn up too, in fact we should start to hone a “caretaker club” consisting of fan favourites who can be brought in each time we fire someone.

Then either Alonso or wait for Poch.

Not really joking either, it would be much better than the current rubbish!!

I forgot Redknapp, of course!

Has still got it (on the days on which his medication is particularly effective), his son played for Liverpool (success breeds success!) and he has a lovely house on Sandanks - excellent venue for the end of season party, which will surely help to keep our brilliant squad happy. Was also alive when England won the World Cup in 1966.

 

[braineclipse]

So, folks, who do we fancy for the rest of the season?

Out of the likely candidates, it’s hard to decide:

Stellini: Knows the club, probably didn’t get enough time in his previous stint, will have learned a lot from his time working with Conte, and is Italian, so he obviously must be great.

Mason: Okay, he’s been sacked by West Brom for not being good enough, but he knows the club, will have learned a lot from working with Conte, and he’s English, and they won the World Cup in 1966 - so what’s not to like?!

Sherwood: Alright, he’s been out of the game for a while, but he knows the club, occasionally talks in sentences on Sky Sports, apparently once met Conte in the tunnel at the new stadium, and he’s English (remember 1966, people!) - and he managed Ryan Mason for a short period!

Ange: It seems an unlikely return, but he did manage us to a cup win (while simultaneously overseeing a secret strategy to lose all of our league games -not even Pep worked it out, so bonus points for that!), he took over from Conte, he’s Australian (they are famous for boomerangs and they almost always make successful returns), and he’ll have gained a lot more experience from his five week stint at Forest.

Can we start a poll?

If we keep going like this Frank is going to look a much more natural inclusion on that list than Ange in the not so distant future.

 

[SissokoWasGood (BoL)]

Where is the established, proven PL quality in our squad? The debate rages on regarding the ability we have or don't have (and tbf is by the by now, what with results how they are) but I'm left thinking that for the most part it's all hypothetical - we have a GK that most people seem to want to replace, a back four that is as close to established PL quality as our squad allows and then a midfield full of potential that has not proven anything in this league bar two senior players most are hoping leave imminently and then an attack that is either potential (not even top tier potential either despite the fees) or players from abroad that have done nothing in this league as of yet so can go either way.

Depending on which way you're camped re the manager you will take either the positive outlook or the negative, but either way surely we can all see there's not a lot of proven quality there and that any calls one way or the other are not based on any sort of tangible track record of performance at this level?

I think to be losing at home to West Ham and being 14th with things looking like they are getting worse rather than better…it’s not about where you’re camped on the manager anymore. This is just a really bad situation. Maybe we can expect a drop off this season while all these players settle. But 14th??

 

[billyiddo]

I think to be losing at home to West Ham and being 14th with things looking like they are getting worse rather than better…it’s not about where you’re camped on the manager anymore. This is just a really bad situation. Maybe we can expect a drop off this season while all these players settle. But 14th??

No, agreed - results are now at (or at least very close to) a level where there is a decision to be made

 

[braineclipse]

No, agreed - results are now at (or at least very close to) a level where there is a decision to be made

Very difficult to see how this can be turned around for Frank. Not impossible obviously, but it gets harder for every disappointing result and the fixture list will get really tough soon enough.

 

[billyiddo]

Very difficult to see how this can be turned around for Frank. Not impossible obviously, but it gets harder for every disappointing result and the fixture list will get really tough soon enough.

Results are the only way to get out of it now - doesn't look good

 

[demotw]

I hate and I mean hate sacking managers before they have had a chance of a few transfer windows to embed players and the way they want to play. I hate judging managers when their best players have been out since the beginning and expecting us to steamroll teams when the difference in the prem is about 2% from top to bottom and anyone can beat anyone.

But….Im struggling, there isn’t one part of our game I can say looks reasonable. We are not defensively sound despite 80% of our first choice playing, there is nothing to our midfield and the less said about our forward line right now is better. While most of this is on our recruitment we are also not trying different tactics in games or adapting mid game where it looks wrong

 

[Rafa87]

I’ve supported him all the way so far, not because I think he’s definitely right for us, but because I think our issues are deeper than the manager. He’s not totally to blame for this, but I can accept that this group of players, even though I don’t think the quality is as high as some state, should still be higher than we are, and dropping points to the teams we are.

I think it’s untenable from here, enough of the fan base have turned and I’ll be honest, I can’t really see the shoots of where we are headed. The club is in a dire state, and as I say, it’s not all on the manager whatsoever, our mentality is severely lacking, and the technical skills of the players is, higher than we’ve shown, but lesser than some think.

I think we start the carnival again, and I’ve no idea where we realistically turn to turn this around without wholesale change to various aspects of the club. I think we’re a long, long way off though, and if he was to be sacked, I can’t have too many complaints right now, because despite all I’ve said in mitigation, I’m not seeing the green shoots of even a minor revival. We needs someone to get us the points we need to get clear of the bottom three by a genuinely safe distance because I can see us losing every game in February.

I still think he’s a good manager, I just don’t think he’s going to make it as a good manager for our club.

 

[paxtonwolf]

I have a feeling we will see a decision made tomorrow, just before Skys Super Sunday...caretaker manager at least gets 48hrs to work with the squad.
Two big games coming up in the next 7 days

 

[suffolkspur]

Haven't seen the game but mate who watched said we were abject again and deservedly lost. I said that he needed to pick up wins in next couple of matches and argued if he did we needed to give him more time

That we not only lost, but lost deservedly to the worst team in the league makes me think he's done for. I can't see him turning it around and with the matches coming up next month it's only matter if time till the triggers pulled.

My hope and belief have gone. Think it's time.

 

[paxtonwolf]

I can see him rocking up at Selhurst Park in August

 

[parj]

Exactly, I think this has to be the game where the damn breaks on the ‘it’s the players’ argument. Because whatever you think of the quality of the squad, things should not be this bad.

And for me I’m not saying Frank is a bad coach, I think the decision to hire him was weird and I think he’s walked into a weird situation and we put ourselves needlessly in a wild state of transition. But also questions have to be asked around hiring A someone so different from the previous manager and B someone whose methods hadn’t been proven at the level we aspire to be. It’s all completely mad, someone somewhere at the club completely lost their head in the summer if you ask me.

Will not happen until every player is sold and goes on to prove the doubts wrong

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

Nope. I watched a lot of Simons in Germany, he got 10 goals and 6 assists last season in the league alone. Hes a very good technical player, and is made to look worse than he is because of this setup which does nothing for any attacking player.

Muani has also been good in the past for Juve and Frankfurt, and yet looks so poor here - hmmm what's the common denominator I wonder?

We can debate all night, if you think no manager can get a better tune out of these attacking players than Frank then we simply aren't going to agree....

Simons is a good player, but there is a reason he is being sent anywhere but to play for the top class team that plays him. We can all debate Frank all day but seeing someone who doesnt want it at all and its clear as day for me where his issues lie.

Good players have world class attitudes. His is far from it.

Turns up and puts in a proper performance against his home club to then drop 2/10s any other time

Seen that story at Spurs 100s of times over 3 decades