Ref watch v Bluenoses (A)

[macstheman]

How much of the improvement is down to Rooney or Macca though?

Most Managers need someone who they can respect and trust, someone whose opinions and thoughts they can accept and take on board in a positive way and who they can bounce ideas off. Wayne and Steve go back along way and that long standing relationship can only be beneficial for a rookie Manager.
After the Preston disappointment a good result and performance today keeps us on an upward curve. All round very good, more for 2021 please.

[ramAnag]

Most Managers need someone who they can respect and trust, someone whose opinions and thoughts they can accept and take on board in a positive way and who they can bounce ideas off. Wayne and Steve go back along way and that long standing relationship can only be beneficial for a rookie Manager.
After the Preston disappointment a good result and performance today keeps us on an upward curve. All round very good, more for 2021 please.

100% agree with that. Rooney has taken a great deal of stick for some decisions and hesitancy during his post match interviews but the facts suggest otherwise. Results have improved massively but more importantly so have performances and the willingness of this squad to suddenly start working for each other.
It could, of course, still all go to hell in a handcart again and, imo, we are heavily dependent on the presence and form of Bielik and the example of CKR. For the first time in a while this side looks to have a proper ‘spine’ and whether this new attitude is more down to Rooney or McClaren doesn’t really matter as long as it works.
As for Rooney’s post match comments...I’ve been increasingly impressed. He’s no worse than many others - Clough and McClaren included - and although it must be relatively easy to be interviewed immediately after a 4-0 away win it was his comments in the light of the enormously disappointing defeat by Preston that really surprised and impressed.
Time to get behind him and see where this season goes imo.

[Andy_Faber]

100% agree with that. Rooney has taken a great deal of stick for some decisions and hesitancy during his post match interviews but the facts suggest otherwise. Results have improved massively but more importantly so have performances and the willingness of this squad to suddenly start working for each other.
It could, of course, still all go to hell in a handcart again and, imo, we are heavily dependent on the presence and form of Bielik and the example of CKR. For the first time in a while this side looks to have a proper ‘spine’ and whether this new attitude is more down to Rooney or McClaren doesn’t really matter as long as it works.
As for Rooney’s post match comments...I’ve been increasingly impressed. He’s no worse than many others - Clough and McClaren included - and although it must be relatively easy to be interviewed immediately after a 4-0 away win it was his comments in the light of the enormously disappointing defeat by Preston that really surprised and impressed.
Time to get behind him and see where this season goes imo.

The big conundrum is what to do about a new striker. My guess is there are better goalscorers about than CKR but who would dare to discard the other aspects, especially his infectious enthusiasm, and drop him to the bench?

Edit yes Rooney and the team esp Schteeve have my vote for the season at least, and I think the last two months show just how adrift Cocu had steered us

[ramAnag]

The big conundrum is what to do about a new striker. My guess is there are better goalscorers about than CKR but who would dare to discard the other aspects, especially his infectious enthusiasm, and drop him to the bench?

Edit yes Rooney and the team esp Schteeve have my vote for the season at least, and I think the last two months show just how adrift Cocu had steered us

Although I defended him, I have to agree with that comment about Cocu, Andy. Maybe he just never really understood the English/ Championship game. He did make some surprisingly good signings in the circumstances though.

Still be interested to see Marriott alongside CKR and suspect we need some cover for Bielik. He does have a history of being injury prone and I do think we’d have seriously struggled without him.

[swaledale]

Although I defended him, I have to agree with that comment about Cocu, Andy. Maybe he just never really understood the English/ Championship game. He did make some surprisingly good signings in the circumstances though.

Still be interested to see Marriott alongside CKR and suspect we need some cover for Bielik. He does have a history of being injury prone and I do think we’d have seriously struggled without him.

But wasn't it you who said Cocu was hamstrung by Lampard in not being able to sign players?

[ramAnag]

But wasn't it you who said Cocu was hamstrung by Lampard in not being able to sign players?

Lampard’s slow departure certainly made things harder for Cocu in summer 2019. He still managed Bielik and Clark and try as I might I can’t see what Lampard had to do with such signings as Jozwiak, CKR, Byrne and Marshall.

I think only Jason Knight of last night’s side was in the Wembley squad (unused sub) for Lampard’s last match. Seeing as Rooney hasn’t yet been able to sign anyone last night’s side owed a lot to Cocu’s signings which was my point.

Pity he didn’t seem to be able to get them to play together.

[Andy_Faber]

Lampard’s slow departure certainly made things harder for Cocu in summer 2019. He still managed Bielik and Clark and try as I might I can’t see what Lampard had to do with such signings as Jozwiak, CKR, Byrne and Marshall.

I think only Jason Knight of last night’s side was in the Wembley squad (unused sub) for Lampard’s last match. Seeing as Rooney hasn’t yet been able to sign anyone last night’s side owed a lot to Cocu’s signings which was my point.

Pity he didn’t seem to be able to get them to play together.

Perhaps we should have retained him (or only employed him from minute 1) as a scout

[swaledale]

Lampard’s slow departure certainly made things harder for Cocu in summer 2019. He still managed Bielik and Clark and try as I might I can’t see what Lampard had to do with such signings as Jozwiak, CKR, Byrne and Marshall.

I think only Jason Knight of last night’s side was in the Wembley squad (unused sub) for Lampard’s last match. Seeing as Rooney hasn’t yet been able to sign anyone last night’s side owed a lot to Cocu’s signings which was my point.

Pity he didn’t seem to be able to get them to play together.

I didn't suggest Lampard had anything to do with the signings, it was more your defence of Cocu, at least until most had come to the conclusion that he was useless, referred to the fact he had been hampered in signing players to build a squad due to Lampard. When now it seems, the players are good enough and it was Cocu's management that was at fault.

[swaledale]

The big conundrum is what to do about a new striker. My guess is there are better goalscorers about than CKR but who would dare to discard the other aspects, especially his infectious enthusiasm, and drop him to the bench?

Edit yes Rooney and the team esp Schteeve have my vote for the season at least, and I think the last two months show just how adrift Cocu had steered us

CKR won't IMO be able to play every game in what is a packed season, so another striker is required, but good management will find a way I'm sure.