Luton vs Derby

[ramAnag]

Most of those mitigations applied to all/most teams, ok the EFL one was unique - my issues are around apparent lack of fitness, a style of play that even ignoring the fact it’s boring is beyond our players to achieve (Joe public twigged that 12 months ago) and lack of consistency in team selection. One positive is that the two new boys looked a step forward. I actually wouldn’t pay to see my team winning with that style of play at the moment...

Not just the EFL one, Andy...the late joining because Lampard took so long to make his mind up, and the ‘JoinersGate’ fiasco which discredited at least four players and saw the ruination of our leader and defensive ‘rock’. Actually the only one that wasn’t ‘unique’ was the pandemic one, and as mista rightly says, the EFL matter continues to cause uncertainty.

I think we are close to signing Ibe...and possibly (just a rumour, no certainty) Bobby Duncan. If signings like that happen and come off it’ll make a difference.

There was absolutely nothing ‘boring’ in performances like the home ones against Stoke and Blackburn last season but each time we seemed to make a move forward move something seemed to happen to derail us again. I don’t think Cocu is blameless but he’s had a hell of a lot to contend with in his first season in England.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Bobby Duncan? Gerrard Lite?

[Ram59]

The football hasn't been inspiring, but as RA points out, Cocu hasn't been dealt a fair hand.

Hopefully, by the middle of October, he will have something like a full, fit squad to choose from and we'll be able to eee what he's made of.

[AdiSalisbury]

Not just the EFL one, Andy...the late joining because Lampard took so long to make his mind up, and the ‘JoinersGate’ fiasco which discredited at least four players and saw the ruination of our leader and defensive ‘rock’. Actually the only one that wasn’t ‘unique’ was the pandemic one, and as mista rightly says, the EFL matter continues to cause uncertainty.

I think we are close to signing Ibe...and possibly (just a rumour, no certainty) Bobby Duncan. If signings like that happen and come off it’ll make a difference.

There was absolutely nothing ‘boring’ in performances like the home ones against Stoke and Blackburn last season but each time we seemed to make a move forward move something seemed to happen to derail us again. I don’t think Cocu is blameless but he’s had a hell of a lot to contend with in his first season in England.

Polite.

He's had a ****storm to contend with, Lampard absolutely gutted us, and that's before Keoghgate / Covid. I thought we were relegation candidates last year but he managed to get us mid table, even threatened playoffs. Just give the bloke a chance to build a squad in his mould. We've had about 6 years of half teams and changes in philosophy, and it's left us right in the crap. Let Cocu build a side, complimented with youth, and see where we are. Change and we'll just be another 18 months away.... again.

With regard to style, that's simply the modern game. It's boring, but we're not alone. At least Cocu is up to date.