S25/26 | The MATCHDAY Thread | West Bromwich Albion vs Swansea City | 3pm | The EFL Championship l The Hawthorns

[Londonlisa2001]

I just can't believe we are where we are after such a (seemingly) positive summer

It goes to show that young players from frankly second rate leagues together with people brought in from league 1 isn’t the answer for the championship unless they’re going into a team that has solidity and consistency. Adding one or two is one thing, building a new team around them is a recipe for what we are seeing at the moment.

 

[NWJack]

First 20mins demonstrated the coaching is correct. The other 70 showed that the players have neither the fitness or determination to enact it.
That these defeats don't translate into better determination is very worrying.
Matos not fixing fitness in season, so it's hard to see how we avoid relegation. We are easily bottom 3 team, probably bottom 2.
Moneyball didn't work. Our squad is awful

 

[Muteswan]

Oh well, I’m going to forget that and go to see the Australian Pink Floyd tonight. I should enjoy that.

 

[Gors Buster]

Well I listened to the first half and in my head I was in Laudrup land.
Watched the second half and it was like watching us away at Portsmouth last year.
Ffs mun

 

[monmouth]

Our only hope is that we have two very favourable games up next.

Pray to god we don’t hall behind. There is zero character or fight in this team.

 

[Michu78]

It’s such a shame, it really is.

I feel sorry for Matos.

The poor guy needs a miracle. This team is looking like the worst team we have had in twenty plus years.

Midfield and wingers is a massive problem for this team, bigger problem than replacing Key at right back. I am not sure how we are going to get a functioning midfield out the current squad members.

 

[SwanseaBoy123]

Genuine question if we lose both Pompey and Oxford, do we gamble and get a Rowatt type appointment (idk if there is any of those about) we cannot mess around here we need results.

Giving it to a guy who has managed 12 games in the 2nd Portugese division without his backroom staff is just shows a complete lack of appreciation for the position we are in.

 

[magicdaps10]

I just can't believe we are where we are after such a (seemingly) positive summer

It was positive, positivity from a board who were willing to be proactive but they put their money on the wrong horse.
It couldn't get any worse even if they tried.

 

[Swans Jack]

Genuine question if we lose both Pompey and Oxford, do we gamble and get a Rowatt type appointment (idk if there is any of those about) we cannot mess around here we need results.

Giving it to a guy who has managed 12 games in the 2nd Portugese division without his backroom staff is just shows a complete lack of appreciation for the position we are in.

I just can't see it happening. We won't change a me manager again this season. For all the praise Leon and Allen got joining us, did anyone see if they even stood up once? This team needs a clear out maybe league one will do that. But when we go down, we will keep declining. I'm depressed even saying that.

 

[magicdaps10]

Genuine question if we lose both Pompey and Oxford, do we gamble and get a Rowatt type appointment (idk if there is any of those about) we cannot mess around here we need results.

Giving it to a guy who has managed 12 games in the 2nd Portugese division without his backroom staff is just shows a complete lack of appreciation for the position we are in.

You can't put any blame on Matos, he is here now and he needs to be given time.

The appointment was made in arrogance, it was made because the decision makers thought they could pull another Martinez or Rodgers out of the bag. The timing of it just highlights their arrogance and Naivety.

 

[ARQS]

Our only hope is that we have two very favourable games up next.

Alternatively these two games may have come at the worst possible time

 

[Bluenile]

Defence: Cabango is not only NOT a captain, he's not even a good enough player to keep his place. Key is so bad (why can't he stay in the fullback position all game and forget attacking), Burgess is a very good player but his form is going down the pan playing with those two. Midfield needs players who don't fall down, play-acting every 10 minutes. Full backs need to learn that the tighter you are to your man, without fouling, stops the crosses in the first place. Also, the obvious one, every player fights for every ball for 90+ minutes, no arguments. We're in the shit, and need a team with fight, forget trying to play fancy football out from the back, we're incapable of doing that. It's survive or die from here on in.

 

[Cooperman]

It’s such a shame, it really is.

I feel sorry for Matos.

If he hasn’t got his desired backroom team due to lack of due diligence during the recruitment process, then this is the biggest stain of the whole lot.

 

[Londonlisa2001]

If he hasn’t got his desired backroom team due to lack of due diligence during the recruitment process, then this is the biggest stain of the whole lot.

Well let’s hope that isn’t the case.

Albeit I remember saying in the days leading up to it that I couldn’t see how the coaches would get permits. But I hope it’s just a delay. As we need a break.

 

[monmouth]

There was a tiny glimmer of hope in the first half, make no doubt about it, Matos is going to have to earn his crust this week.

They can’t get fit in a week. There is no point starting like a train if you fall apart after 20 minutes. I know this personally and painfully as it’s what I do every week at Parkrun, and every week I think I’ll do different. I hope Matos is brighter than me.