We will be all right

You didn't think Sat was good? We were a rebound away from a point and were in the game, particularly 2nd half for most of it. Yes they are a much better side than us but I'd expect that from a team like Sunderland but many, especially on here thought we'd be lucky to walk away from 4/5 nil defeat and a battering - we didn't get that and looked like a much better solid team who worked hard and created chances. We just aren't taking our chances.

 

0 points though and points are the bit that matters. Where are the goals in open play? There's precious few. This isn't about Hopkin or even Collins. This is all due to the summer fiasco and I'm afraid the blame can only ever be laid on one person. Whatever happened to the real people in charge actually taking responsibility for their actions? We are seeing the aftermath, trying to play catch up without the ability to sign any players.

 

The goal scored on Sat was from open play.

 

Wow. Good luck hunting down the rest of them.

 

I understand what you're saying.

But the fact remains, Collins didn't mess up our transfers.

He didn't organise our disastrous pre season.

He wasn't at fault for spreading our budget far too thin.

There are far, far, FAR bigger concerns than Collins.

 

You said it's not about Collins but it is.

Yes there are far bigger issues but Collins was part of the problem which we are still trying to rectify. The fitness, tactics, training, diet, pre season team selections, leadership are all partly his problem. Unfortunately 2 of the other men partly responsible are still here which is still baffles me but hopefully that will be sorted sooner rather than later.

 

Plus the first bit of pressure he came under he snapped straight back at the fans. His arrogance was unbelievable really. Way out of his depth. Good riddance.

 

This was my concern at the time of Hopkin's appointment, he needed to be able to bring his own team in but Abbott & Drury are still there. Obviously that still may yet change what with people still under contract at Livingston. But all that said, surely Hopkin wouldn't have accepted the job if he wasn't happy with the set up on offer.

 

Abbott must go, don't know anything about Drury, and clearly Rahic must also go.

 

This is probably a very unpopular opinion, but as ever, I'll stick my neck out...I'm not convinced by Hopkin - yes we work harder, and yes we're a bit more solid in defence - but beyond that I don't see much to get our hopes up over. I don't think we look particularly dangerous or like scoring very often. and although we have injuries - the players that are out are already proven as being a bit crap so I can't see what improves. I hope they and he prove me wrong, because relegation would be a disaster.


we need to grind out whatever we can between now and January to avoid getting cut adrift, and then numerous reinforcements will be needed because Greg and Edin made a right mess of recruitment in the summer, and hope with better players at his disposal Hopkin can turn this around.

 

Yes well he is not a miracle worker, he is definitely trying hard without results. There is only a certain amount he can do. He needs to get the best out of what we have, not ideal, but I am not sure an alternative manager would do any better.

 

Judge him on his own players/squad. He's currently cuckolded with the current lot. What a shambles, don't know whether to laugh or cry

 

I agree there is nothing on current form to foster any sort of optimism but don't think Guardiola or Klopp would do any better with this lot..!!

 

Not beating Bristol Rovers was a big warning sign.

At home.

I haven't seen a single good performance this season, I've seen some okay ones, but even then we tend to have lost or drawn.

Like Parkinson though, he probably needs his own players, which is ironically probably also the case for Collins.

This 'work with what I sign' mentality can piss right off.

 

Its the way forward I'm told, every team do it this way according to Edin & Abbott at the fans forum.

 

I don't think it's an unpopular opinion Ricc. Hopkin has got the players fitter, got some fire in their bellies and made the game plan simpler and more consistent but I think even I could have done that.

We really can't judge him at the moment because of the absolute disaster he has taken on.

If this was an established team that had taken a dip in form I would have hoped for and expected a bounce.

He has started from such a low base that he is trying to fight on so many fronts with regards to fitness, systems, inadequate player quality and squad depth.

Rahic stated that the appointment of the head coach in the summer was the most important decision of his time at the club. And then appoints Collins who even from the distance I am from Valley Parade looked totally wrong.

If Rahic can get his most important decision so spectacularly wrong, it is no surprise that he gets so many others wrong too.

All the time he insists on occupying the DOF role we will remain a club in crisis, regardless of whether Hopkin can perform a miracle this season.

 

Think he's cracked it now he has a goalscorer, JB.

 

Loz - nearly spat my out, thanks for that.

 

Beer is the missing word.