Farke

[norfolk white]

He?s been criticised by many, not me, his substitutions have been literally game changing in the last two games, he is humble, honest and gets his teams playing for each other, look at the way the subs come off the bench and celebrate instead of sulking cos they?re not playing, gnonto is now a team player, as are all the rest, a great attitude and commitment by all,farke rebuilt a sinking ship last season and took us close, he rebuilt a desolate squad again this season and is doing even better, let?s all give him the credit he deserves.

[CalverleyBoy]

The boy done good

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

I have not been his greatest fan over the last two seasons but as I said about a week ago he is winning me round and the way he has got the players to grow this year has been great.

He even made early subs yesterday.

At this level, he is very very good not sure how it will translate to the prem but I guess we will see.

Still have nagging doubts about his rotations and ability to develop young players (all of them not just one per season). His subs seem to be being made earlier in the last few games so we will see.

The football in some of the games this season has been sensational and whilst we started slow yesterday he made the right subs clearly and we battered them second half even if the goals came late.

[ozleeds]

So he has won you over because he brings on subs that changes the game and we win late. Doesn't that tell you those subs perhaps should be in the starting line up? Meslier crap again firpo apart from the easy header missed pass every time and his crosses were straight at keeper or opposition player. Aaronson once again showed how crap he is and Gruev another fantasized superstar. The players are winning us the games not his master class skills.
Anyway each to there own beliefs but you lot change like a yoyo lol

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Nope won me over because we are playing cohesively as a team and he is getting results. We have 30 points from the last 12 games and the worst we have done over a 12 game period is 23 points.

That is some achievement in this league. It is one thing having a good squad altogether another getting a tune out of it and we?ve had a few injuries in key positions and he doesn?t moan about but gets in with it.

It seems noticeable that he is making more subs recently and often earlier.

I nearly fell off the sofa when he made two subs at about the 50 mins mark yesterday.

[spaldy]

Oz, a little harsh. Some players, I was one of those, are better off the bench. They use the time to analyze the tactics and opponents as well as pitch and crowd. Might not make sense but it's the reality for some. In addition some players (me) would get so focused and pumped to get out on the pitch.

The team is better than any team since the early 2000's.

I was a farke nay sayer but he's steady as an ox and he's guided this team through a tremendous amount of changes. I also believe that this team is better prepared for the prem that our last promotion team was. we won't be contenders but we also won't be auto relegation. It's a solid squad to start with to build a prem squad. Not sure Farke's the man but he's earned it. I think he's a lot like Moyes. He knows the squad and gets the best out of them. wish he was a little more tactically adventurous but then he wouldn't be the steady force he is.

Been harsh on Meslier as well but I'm glad to see him going out after balls. He messed up yesterday but he's trying to learn and grow. That's the first time I can recall where he's gone after catching some balls in traffic. He's trying to take control of his box. If you watch the replays you'll see he made some very, very good saves as well. One in particular that went through a sea of legs and he had very little time to react and did. In fact, he made it look easy. I think he has a fair amount of saves that are more difficult than they appear. He makes them look too easy with his height and reaction time.

The blades have an excellent team and are well coached (even if he is a dick) and some of the players you referenced as so-so did very, very well against their marks. Gruev saved a ball off the line and firpo caused them fits all game. Aaronson's work rate is incredible. it cause opponents some issues on tactics. It took us 80 minutes to break them down.

[ozleeds]

Come on Spaldy Rothwell should never be out of that side his the only creator we have and has proven it time after time. Tanaka compliments him as he is a super defending mid with awareness the best in this team. The fact he keeps picking Ambadu and gruev ahead of them and Pat says it all. I have also stated this league is nowhere near the quality off past even last year. You have teams like Blackburn looked unstoppable 9 win straight than can hardly win a game and even teams like Portsmouth and Plymouth beating or drawing against so called top sides. Sure you can only beat what's in front of you. Last season arguably we had more quality and yet failed shows how weak this league is and watching the ones going up last season and seen how they're travelling me thinks this side would be lucky to win a game in the premier league. Anyway like Always what do farken know lol

[spaldy]

I think they score at least one more in the first half with Rothwell in. Great player but his expertise is attacking and free kicks. However, he's much, much better against a tired opponent. They were exhausted the last 20 minutes. He excels in those situations

I don't think the league is as weak as you do. I think the top 4 teams could play against the bottom 5 in the prem. I also think the physical nature of the league seperates it from many others around the world. Skill, physical play, strict financial rules , and poor officiating make for a very competitive and challenging league.

However, the ref yesterday was pretty solid. He was a non factor in the game and that's all you ask for. A very good game on the eyes to the supporters. Fast paced and exciting

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Some of the players we have whilst good for this level are also not without their faults. Farke seems to know how to manage that better too as he has got to know the squad.

Sam Byram is possibly the best defender at reading the game but his body is weak.

Rodon and Struijk both good but can be caught out by pace.

Bogle quick and technically good but at times seems to either switch off or not so good at reading where he needs to be so can get caught out.

Firpo is an enigma wrapped in a puzzle. Made some great defensive challenges last night but also a few heart in mouth moments. Missed the easier header but then turns into Gus Poyet for his goal and attacking wise in the last 30 minutes was playing as the most advanced full back in world football.

Gruev good defensively but hurts us on creativity.

Etc etc etc - Farke seems to understand how to mitigate the weaknesses and amplify the strengths more since the new year.

Away from home we seem to want to play defensively for 50 mins and then bring on more creative players with fresh legs like Rothwell.

If it keeps earning us results fair enough.

[norfolk white]

5 points clear with 12 games left, scored the most goals, best goal difference, let the 2nd least goals in, superb team spirit, how many would have grasped this with both hands at the start of the season, most I assume.