5 hours ago, 19seventyone said:

There is still plenty of room for managers that had a less than sterling playing career.

Even at the elite level we’ve had Ferguson, Wenger, Klopp, Jose and even Arteta in this country none of whom had elite playing careers.

It could be argued that many elite players have more of a struggle to succeed in management because their players can’t do what is asked of them technically.

Still plenty room for a great coach to make the grade as a top manager of top players.

I think that is more yester year culture.. more and more new year players are questioning authority much more in the past ..Klopp won with a dortmund ending the barren hegemony.. arteta was a pretty accomplished player - he played for a too 4 club but also built something over 7 years.. for every fergie pep you have ex players in their era who were very successful.. but look around Hansi Flick Louis Enrique Zidane Ancelotti Pep Conte these are all Players who did it at the top..

9 hours ago, 19seventyone said:

There is still plenty of room for managers that had a less than sterling playing career.

Even at the elite level we’ve had Ferguson, Wenger, Klopp, Jose and even Arteta in this country none of whom had elite playing careers.

It could be argued that many elite players have more of a struggle to succeed in management because their players can’t do what is asked of them technically.

Still plenty room for a great coach to make the grade as a top manager of top players.

Exactly.

Credit to Xabi on picking up 2 wins for the first 2 games, especially beating Brighton, with all the Enzo stuff going on causing issues it will have been hard to keep the group fully focused.

That said he and the coaches have to get our defending, as a team, sorted. There will be games our attack does not fire. You don't win titles with a bad defence.

Attack - very good

Midfield - mishmash

Defence - horrendous

It’s been a good start. 3 wins from 3 in all competitions is very positive.

Our attacking game looks excellent, and we’re an exciting team to watch. Obviously the defensive issues are a concern and something we will need to address.

Given the lighter schedule this season without European football, hopefully Xabi has more time than usual to sort out our defensive problems.

Overall, it’s enjoyable watching us again. Looking forward to Arsenal next week.

It was enjoyable to watch.

Brighton were never that close to us - a deflected second goal hardly had me in a sweat.

Some lovely football going forward.

Better than Rosenior.

Best few games ive seen for a while.

Up the Chels.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by OTL
Even Todd Boehly would have enjoyed that game of soccer.

Really good start so far.

Defence isn’t great but thank goodness for Lacroix. Dread to think what our defence would be like without him.

I think the defence will find its feet eventually, with Colwill still behind after injury. Palestra still to come back to displace the useless Gusto. Martinez in goal. Our midfield isnt settled yet. Give it time we’ll get there.

Our attack… incredible.

No signs to panic yet but I thought we got away with it against Fulham and Brighton. Both had chances to equalise late on. You get away with it for so long but your luck will run out eventually.

Team seem happy and confident though so it’s something to build on. Arsenal will be a big test

I think when you look at other teams with new managers and how they have started, Alonso has done really well.

We're reminding me very much of Kevin Keegan's Newcastle at the moment and that's no bad thing.

Really enjoying the football which I haven't been able to say for quite a while.

Edited 17 minutes ago17 min by Nibs