Sage is sage

Be interesting to see if and when Sarr recovers from whatever !!! He goes on
Others working in different industries would simply face gross misconduct charges for being in breach of contract.
Both this pair of prima donnas,should grow up and honour their contracts.
 
There was always plenty of pressure on our defence under Glasner. But it contained two of the best defenders in Europe. The clubs response to losing them has been two loans, one a player that couldn’t get a game for Chelsea, and the other an Eigheen year old might be. So what is Sage supposed to do about that? It is what is , the rest of the set up is much as it has been, the system relied heavily on the back three being solid even under Glasner. How do you turn pigs ears into silk purses? Is Sages problem.
 
Others working in different industries would simply face gross misconduct charges for being in breach of contract.
Both this pair of prima donnas,should grow up and honour their contracts.
Agreed .They are happy to sign contracts but don't seem happy with the inclusion of bits that they don’t agree with ? When the club rightly points them out and upholds them ?
 
There was always plenty of pressure on our defence under Glasner. But it contained two of the best defenders in Europe. The clubs response to losing them has been two loans, one a player that couldn’t get a game for Chelsea, and the other an Eigheen year old might be. So what is Sage supposed to do about that? It is what is , the rest of the set up is much as it has been, the system relied heavily on the back three being solid even under Glasner. How do you turn pigs ears into silk purses? Is Sages problem.
Sage,s,problem for the next month or two before he is relieved of his duties,which given anticipated losses against Leeds and Forest,is likely to happen sooner than later.
 
I think Sage is worth persevering with, especially after so many personnel changes. His potential ceiling is far higher than the alternative, probably Dyche.

Looking at our results, we were never going to beat Everton or City. We did beat Fulham and Boro. And the Ipswich game we should have won with 10 men and would have won if Disasi wasn't a tit.

That result was the difference between our league position looking precarious and healthy.

He needs to get a grip on the defence but, attacking wise, not many teams have outscored us.
I agree, it's too early to change the manager.
We are not the only team who has made significant changes to the playing staff and coaching team. At the moment, there are a few of them who seem to be struggling to get any sort of consistency. This may well give Sage a bit more time to sort things out.
However, we are starting our European campaign this week and that means more games and maybe more chopping and changing for a team that has not yet settled.
 
What else would it be?!

We are transitioning from a low block to a high press team. It feels a bit of a mess, but we need to give it time. He's show that he can make us more attacking (without out our 2 biggest goal threats).

Now he just needs to play with the balance. Since Fulham we've made steps to look less open every game. So it feels like the balance is comming.
Which is exactly what he said himself after the last game. The attacking side is progressing, the defending isn't and I fully expect Sage to have been addressing the need for balance during training and team talks this week. I still expect it to take time and I doubt Parish will be pressing Sage's ejector seat just yet. Parish knows things don't change overnight.
 
This for me is the key thing. If we’d lost three highly competitive games 1-0 and looked organised at the back I’d be more encouraged. As it is we’ve been and utter shambles defensively. No organisation, naive tactics, seemingly random selections and just a mess. It really does echo de Boer.

If that carries on over the next two or three games then I can’t see any other choice but to move on from sage.

Yes he has been dealt a difficult hand but he’s played it badly so far.
 
On Sage, I’ll nail my colours to the flag now and say I’d like to keep him.

He did well with both Lyon & RC Lens and I like a lot of what I see him trying to do with us.

I’d genuinely give him time to sort things out.

Now I may get lambasted for this and believe me I don’t want it to happen but I don’t view relegation as the end of the world. I hate VAR with a passion and The Championship is living proof that football can be both exciting and enjoyable.
 
There was always plenty of pressure on our defence under Glasner. But it contained two of the best defenders in Europe. The clubs response to losing them has been two loans, one a player that couldn’t get a game for Chelsea, and the other an Eigheen year old might be. So what is Sage supposed to do about that? It is what is , the rest of the set up is much as it has been, the system relied heavily on the back three being solid even under Glasner. How do you turn pigs ears into silk purses? Is Sages problem.
You’re correct of course, but no better players are replacing them anytime soon. We’re heading for a park the bus hit ‘em on the break manager. Some away wins and many more crap days at Selhurst.
 
His replacement at Lens is about to be sacked already after only 6 games.

I don't think Parish will get rid of Sage in the near future. Aside from de Boer, he has always shown incredible patience, and unless Sage is acting like an idiot (which there are no signs that he is) then I can't see him being let go. The best thing Sage can do is adopt a siege mentality for the next two league games and then use the three-week break to work with the squad on how he really wants to play. What matters is that the players get behind him, but in a Catch-22-type situation, that probably depends on the results!
 
I think it depends on what Sage is saying to Parish in private.

At one extreme, if Sage is saying 'Steve, I play pressing football because God told me to and I'd rather drink paint than change. That's what we are doing. If these idiots can't get it right then that's their fault' then I imagine Parish will be nudging Hobbs and whispering 'See if Dychey still wants the job...'. If the word 'Philosophy' has left Sage's mouth then all bets are off.

At the other extreme, if Sage says 'Steve, I'm trying to get on the front foot and have a go, but if it keeps coming unstuck like this then, after a few more goes at it, I'll have to change to a far more risk-averse method, if only for now' then I'd guess Sage is as safe as safe can be, as that change in approach is all Parish would achieve by replacing him with Dyche anyway.

More realistically, if Sage is saying 'Listen Steve, you hired me knowing I play pressing football. That's how I did so well in France. I believe it can be effective but it takes time to implement, and I haven't had that time given how late the squad was actually together and at my disposal. Give it time, it'll work' then Parish will have serious food for thought.

Basically, I think a lot will turn on whether Parish is convinced by how Sage explains his thinking.
 
Even the great Arseteta struggled in his first 2 seasons. If we want to get off the rollercoaster of managerial changes we need to stick with Sage and give him time to develop the squad he needs. This was always going to be a tough season even without the drama of Sarr’s sulking and selling our best centre back.

I’m feeling positive about Sage. He turned Edouard into a striker and if were looking for some comfort currently he seems to have worked his magic on Strand-Larsen. We just need to find a back three capable of playing as a unit and we’ll be fine.
 
This for me is the key thing. If we’d lost three highly competitive games 1-0 and looked organised at the back I’d be more encouraged. As it is we’ve been and utter shambles defensively. No organisation, naive tactics, seemingly random selections and just a mess. It really does echo de Boer.

If that carries on over the next two or three games then I can’t see any other choice but to move on from sage.

Yes he has been dealt a difficult hand but he’s played it badly so far.

Defensively, were we, or were we not most open against Fulham? I'll answer, Yes!

Defensively, were we, or were we not significantly more organised vs Ipswich? Yes.

Direction of travel - we are starting to figure out the balance.

Offensively, are we better or worse than we were last season? Clearly!

Offensively are we managing to still create, and score, without our 2 best offensive players? Yes!

Look I do understand some concern, but IMO we've immediately fixed the major issue from last season (unable to fashion many chances), and are starting to to move in the right direction defensively. Albeit slowly. Clearly having mostly a new defence, and JP and Sarr on strike haven't helped things.

Be positive.

We're 16th in the league, ahead of suprs, fulham, and villa, who have also had lots of turnover. A period of turmoil was and is to be expected.

Anyone whose done their research on Sage knew what we were going to get. And that includes Parish. Its almost the polar opposite way to how the team was set up previously. And a hell of a load more exciting. Remember Larnaca or KuPS last season? If this style is the antithesis of that, I'll all for it!
 

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