Vast improvement since the sacking of Jackett

[Newcy Wolf]

Yeah, right.

[WOODLANDSWOLF]

Yeah, right.

Fair comment, but if we still had Jackett it would be just the same. We have basically stood still as a team in terms of development.

Sad innit!

[MichiganWolf]

As they say, it's about the Jimmies and Joes, not the Xs and Os. Can change managers all we want, but if we don't have good players, we're not going to succeed. We had a good team with a healthy Dicko, Sako and Afobe leading the front line with McDonald feeding them the ball. Three of those four are gone now. And the lone remaining has not been the same since getting injured last season.

Only Costa and Edwards and Doherty have consistently shown they belong at this level IMO. And Edwards only because he gives 100% every time he puts on a shirt. Cavaleiro, Saiss, Dicko, Hause and Bod have put in some good performances this year, but not doing it weekly. As for the rest of the squad, the less said, the better.

[WOODLANDSWOLF]

As they say, it's about the Jimmies and Joes, not the Xs and Os. Can change managers all we want, but if we don't have good players, we're not going to succeed. We had a good team with a healthy Dicko, Sako and Afobe leading the front line with McDonald feeding them the ball. Three of those four are gone now. And the lone remaining has not been the same since getting injured last season.

Only Costa and Edwards and Doherty have consistently shown they belong at this level IMO. And Edwards only because he gives 100% every time he puts on a shirt. Cavaleiro, Saiss, Dicko, Hause and Bod have put in some good performances this year, but not doing it weekly. As for the rest of the squad, the less said, the better.

"the Jimmies and Joes, not the Xs and Os."

Mich, this must be an Americanisn but we certainley don't get it down here in Texas!

[Acido]

"the Jimmies and Joes, not the Xs and Os."
Mich, this must be an Americanisn but we certainley don't get it down here in Texas!

I thought all things were meant to be bigger and better way down in Texas Woody kid

[WOODLANDSWOLF]

I thought all things were meant to be bigger and better way down in Texas Woody kid

Oh they are mate, even the bull$hit!

[MichiganWolf]

"the Jimmies and Joes, not the Xs and Os."

Mich, this must be an Americanisn but we certainley don't get it down here in Texas!

When American football or basketball coaches draw up plays, they signify the players of each team using X's and O's. So that refers to strategy and tactics. Jimmies and Joes refers to the actual players. In short, talent trumps tactics. We have been mediocre the last two seasons because we haven't had good talent. Did well in League One because we had more talent than other teams. First season back in the Championship went well because we had one of the most talented attacks in the league.

[WOODLANDSWOLF]

Thanks for the explanation Mitch.

[Newcy Wolf]

Talent trumps tactics?

The current Premier League champions seemed to quash that theory.

[MichiganWolf]

Talent trumps tactics?

The current Premier League champions seemed to quash that theory.

All the teams at the top of the Prem have starting XIs that cost them ~100million+ in the transfer market. With talent being relatively equal, that's when tactics and execution of tactics make an even bigger difference.

It's not a hard rule and obviously there will be exceptions (Huddersfield and Reading above clubs like Derby and Norwich). But I think it's true in our case. Other than Costa, Saiss, Maybe Cav and a few of our youngsters, how many players do other clubs in our league want? I wouldn't imagine very many