Releasing Martin and selling Vincelot so we could buy Turnbull is incompetence at the highest order. Turnbull took several months to adjust and even then only had a couple of half decent games. Martin wasn't brilliant but 9/10 times he did what was asked of him. Vincelot was probably our best player. It was a ludicrous decision and one that is partly to blame for our relegation.
Mowbray had his targets lined up then his budget was slashed. He went from his first or second choices to his last choices which as we know weren't up to it. Turnbull was a disappointment, but Southampton fans were unhappy he was released as they thought he would be pushing for the first team.
Mowbray gave us six months of hope and excellent football. If he had been given a bit more support maybe we would of signed a better calibre of player than Henderson, Damage and Hunt. He was also incredibly unlucky in that every centre half we had got a long term injury.
Martin played last night against Brentford. Seemed off the pace and dragged around, but the Oxford fans realise he's returning from a serious injury and seem pretty supportive.
It's a theory without any evidential proof, but I agree with you CJ in terms of what TM did do with his budget was wasted.
Someone summed it up perfectly earlier in the thread with the shopping analogy, Mowbray wanted players that realistically we couldn't afford or attract and had no back-up when it didn't come off.
According to Crowley (think he said it on a Nii Lamptey podcast) that Vincelot wasn't the direction TM wanted to go in his midfield. So not sure he did want to leave.
According to Crowley (think he said it on a Nii Lamptey podcast) that Vincelot wasn't the direction TM wanted to go in his midfield. So not sure he did want to leave.
Martin improved no end in his final season here. I was disappointed he was let go (but I wouldn't have been if he left the season before). I think turnbull has been ok...not great but has improved in last dozen games. I think he could do a job for us this season. But like Thomas he has to demonstrate he is committed or not.
Martin improved no end in his final season here. I was disappointed he was let go (but I wouldn't have been if he left the season before). I think turnbull has been ok...not great but has improved in last dozen games. I think he could do a job for us this season. But like Thomas he has to demonstrate he is committed or not.
Who didnt improve the last 10 games or so?
From MR`s first game in charge there was improvement right across the pitch from front to back, poor players and poorer management made everything look bad, poor players better management didnt look anywhere near as bad, MR could of made last seasons squad look like contenders if how they ended the season was anything to go by. Piss poor management from the first day of the season set the tone and negativity towards the entire squad because for all intense and purposes they looked and played shit from match day 1 to about match day 36, if they had played the first 36 the way they were playing the final 10, ignoring his first three games the change was obvious the results wernt, under Robins i think opinion of the team and squad would be vastly different........