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Reply | Rest of the Championship thread 25/26
at 09:05 14 Sep 2025
Yeah, very strange league. Lots of interesting sub plots.
Lampard doing well at Cov, but Robins is doing even better at Stoke! Doubt many had them second after 5 games. Fascinated to see what they are like next weekend. Hoping it’s somewhat of a fluke and they’re due a defeat.
Liam Manning also left City for bigger and better things and finds City above him in the table in 3rd.
Sheffield as a city is having a nightmare. Was Selles the whole problem there?
Neither Ipswich nor Leicester look wholly convincing. Southampton too.
Boro outperforming expectations. Preston massively so.
Not plain sailing at all for Brum and Wrexham.
And a whole host of sides who look a bit odd.
At first glance you’d say the league looks very even. |
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Reply | Wrex-iting for all the wrong reasons, its a Deadpool...Wrexham Vs QPR thread
at 18:39 13 Sep 2025
Exactly. Great to be playing a take on 442. Fair play to Nourry and Belk for signing Kone and Burrell who look like two proper strikers. But massive chops to Stephan for dictating the game model and changing to this. So much a better team for it and it gets the best from Kone and Burrell. Not sure where Poku and Chair fit in when they return, mind. |
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Reply | Wrex-iting for all the wrong reasons, its a Deadpool...Wrexham Vs QPR thread
at 13:56 13 Sep 2025
Can’t believe Burrell is playing on the wing. Could have had Kolli and Saito as per the last 30 mins against Charlton.
Feels like a 442. Saito and Vale wide. No idea which side. If Burrell is playing on the wing, that’s an interesting dynamic.
Big call on Nardi…
Interesting call to keep the midfield pair for this away game against a physical side. Could have made a case to play Hayden AND Field, let alone one. Hopefully it works out. |
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Reply | Julien Stéphan talks dreams, transfers, and that Coventry game – Interview
at 22:00 12 Sep 2025
Agree with you. My point is that, having realised that, he’s been allowed to change it. 442 and direct is palpably not the game model we played at the start of this season or the start of last season. And Stephan didn’t really play our game model in his previous roles. I’m surprised if he just changed things without there being some form of discussion about it with his boss. That he did change it, and is being quite clear and assertive about it, makes we thing he has been empowered. That is a good thing. Why and how he was empowered, I was speculating. It doesn’t say much for the original game model but let’s focus on the positives. Having Stephan have the power to change shape and approach is good for the club. |
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Reply | Rest of the Championship thread 25/26
at 21:38 12 Sep 2025
Was backing off so far for that Philogene goal it was a surprise he wasn’t in the net with the ball. Woeful defending.
What is going on at Sheff Utd?! |
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Reply | Kieran Morgan
at 17:12 12 Sep 2025
Brilliant. Presume that was his family there too? Good job to keep that all secret. Also love that his locker is next to Sam Field. |
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Reply | Julien Stéphan talks dreams, transfers, and that Coventry game – Interview
at 16:24 12 Sep 2025
Again. I agree with that. I don’t understand where I indicate I disagree with that. Have said repeatedly above that the interview made me feel something had gone down before the Charlton game, such as a frank exchange of views…just as you’re suggesting.
I do think some of the comments are potentially aimed at the CEO. However, I fully expect they were things he’s discussed directly with him too. It’s a chance for Stephan to get across his thoughts to the fans (and take credit for the change in approach that led to 3 points) - and I think he was impressively deliberate with his wording - and reinforce anything he might have said pre-Charlton to his boss. That’s not surprising or unusual, is it? He knows full well, Nourry will listen to it!
As I said in my first post. Loved a lot of what he said and it made me feel like some form of frank exchange between certain people, likely involving Stephan, had gone down before Charlton, and Stephan has come out stronger and more empowered from it. [Post edited 12 Sep 16:30]
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Reply | Julien Stéphan talks dreams, transfers, and that Coventry game – Interview
at 13:51 12 Sep 2025
I probably didn’t explain myself well enough.
That post wasn’t suggesting anything nefarious. I was actually trying to persuade L Block that Stephan did not come across like anyone’s puppet in that interview.
But you can’t ignore what he said versus what he said when he joined (“brought into play a set way”) and what Nourry has said around the game model. I’m sure Stephan has worked it all out for himself, but I would expect a conversation took place about the change in approach and formation for Charlton. That isn’t far fetched or nefarious. I’d expect the Head Coach to communicate with those above. All I was doing was speculating how such an exchange occurred and went down. I hope it was as simple as Nourry saying “you’re the head coach, change/do what you think is right.” That would be Nourry empowering him and a sign of leadership growth. I would hope it was nothing more than that. |
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Reply | Julien Stéphan talks dreams, transfers, and that Coventry game – Interview
at 10:11 12 Sep 2025
It’s worth listening to, L Block. As you know, I am hugely sceptical and critical of the overbearing nature of our rather under qualified CEO/DOF. I absolutely feared he would appoint a puppet into the first team coaching role. And I am very sceptical about our organisational structure (on the playing side of things).
Listening to the interview though, Stephan talks quite assertively. The way he quite carefully phrased a number of things felt more like a message to his boss than to Clive or the fans. Indeed, he talked as if he was coming from a position of strength. Yes, he won his last game, but prior to that we were bummed in the gob 7-1. It came across like he has been empowered and any game model has been put firmly in a draw for now. That’s good.
Whether that is Nourry empowering him - would show real growth in his maturity and the first sign of good leadership behaviour I have seen from him - or Ruben has once again had to get involved (he was here for the Charlton game) and empower Stephan, I do not know. Hopefully the former. But it does feel like something has happened behind then scenes. Perhaps Stephan’s personal pride was hit by the Coventry game and he had it out with Nourry, and Nourry, knowing Stephan walking 3 games into the season would be a disastrous look for him and kill his career, agreed to give Stephan the reins. That would show remarkable balls from Stephan. But, equally, you can see how he would have had a fair bit of leverage there.
Anyway, I’m speculating. But Stephan’s tone and wording in this interview is VERY different to his first few for the official club channels, so I doubt nothing has happened. |
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Reply | Julien Stéphan talks dreams, transfers, and that Coventry game – Interview
at 17:52 11 Sep 2025
Great interview. Well done, Clive. Well done the club for allowing it too. Finally.
I found that REALLY encouraging. Whether something has happened behind the scenes or not, reading between the lines, I felt it was quite clear they are hugely softening the game model theory and Stephan has a lot more control over the first team. Perhaps that is just him exercising power he already had. However it felt that some of what he said was a coded message to the CEO about the need to be flexible, adapt, and have options. “‘Playing Principles’ are set…but things like playing style, shape, moves, etc, need to be flexible and adapted”, is basically saying the opposite! Otherwise what “Principles” are we talking about? It’s good news though; Stephan should be in charge of the first team and change the tactics, shape, style, etc. He should know more about those things than anyone else at the club. That is what he is employed for. This is a good change in approach from the club. Some common sense employed.
It’s clear he believes the game is getting more direct and physical. Encouraging he believes this because I think it is too, and this will mean we are better prepared for that change in approach from oppositions. Very happy to hear we will continue with a more direct style in the main. I also loved his focus on “duels”. He is completely right. You cannot win football matches unless you win your fair share of duels. Again, possibly a coded message.
Didn’t buy/agree with him on the fitness. You can explain Charlton away on this point as it was 3-4 players without a pre season for QPR who won it for us! Remarkable coincidence. But like one or two areas I think he was toeing the line there, which is understandable.
Overall, thought he came across very well. I like him. [Post edited 12 Sep 10:02]
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Reply | Rest of the Championship thread 25/26
at 10:11 8 Sep 2025
Well, exactly, Terry. Just shows how big player sales each season allow you to be much more competitive on salary and in building a better team (if you can sign the right players).
We’ve been lucky in that we have sold Eze twice effectively. Nourry has done well to eke out some value from Dykes, Armstrong, and Kelman, but we’re talking 6m in total there. It is imperative - to make this club stronger and the team better season on season - that we start selling someone for 10m plus each year. Our first few gambles (Celar, Madsen, Dembele) don’t look like delivering that at the end of their second year, which is a poor result from Nourry. Varane, however, might become worth north of £5m, in which case you probably need to cash in. Of the 2nd summer’s intake, you would hope one of Poku or Kone will be worth £10-20 after two seasons.
Tells me Varane plus a couple of existing players need to be shifted on this summer. Chair? JCS (if we can get him fit enough for someone to be interested!)? |
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Reply | Rest of the Championship thread 25/26
at 09:38 8 Sep 2025
So, if everything else being the same, that 19m loss turns into a 7m loss, then a 5m loss (not to mention the increased TV revenue they will take), which is only a rolling 31m loss over 3 years, without any disallowance costs taken into consideration. Comfortably under FFP, to the extent they could presumably spend if they need to this season. |
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Reply | Celar
at 09:07 6 Sep 2025
All impressive strikes, but it’s a friendly so is the intensity and pace what it is in the Championship or will be in Bundesliga 2? Also, what formation to Fortuna play? I doubt it’s 4231. He might be a decent forward, but not as a lone striker, IMO. Begs the question why we signed him for that role.
And FWIW, Bundesliga 2 is weaker than the Championship. |
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Reply | Summer Transfer Window - Patreon Podcast
at 13:40 5 Sep 2025
Belk is not leading the game model side of things. Like I said, Williams is closer to being the DOF than Belk, which is a concern. Ultimately, I think the whole structure is designed to give Nourry complete control…if everything. He may want that but it’s very difficult to execute well on all theee responsibilities. As I said, it strikes me of naivety or arrogance. Hoos was a much more experienced operator and he had Les.
Of course, if you believe Hoos is still very actively involved then you have Hoos and Nourry. Not much different to Hoos and Ferdinand. Does beg the question what Ben Williams does and whether you need a Head of Sporting Operations too. We only play one sport. Strikes me it’s too look after the fitness and conditioning side, to free Nourry to focus on the signings and player trading. But still a big ask to do that AND a genuine CEO role, if indeed he’s doing that and not Hoos in part still. Accountability stems from clarity. |
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Reply | Summer Transfer Window - Patreon Podcast
at 11:52 5 Sep 2025
Sounds like I’m moaning about everything here. I’m not.
But I just think there is so much more the club can do to unite the fanbase and unite it with the club and players (through openness, transparency, collaboration, and access). |
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Reply | Summer Transfer Window - Patreon Podcast
at 11:49 5 Sep 2025
Failing to communicate it is still with the club though. Would have taken 30 mins of someone’s time on Monday to stick something on the website and twitter. |
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