Ranieri says He Will Not Resign if Relegated

[MikeW]

Chutney - I think despise is a bit harsh.

Everyone knew the focus on January was on defence.  We needed some resolve, some hard nosed, seasoned pro's and some bloody height.  We effectively got a bloke who hadn't made the grade at the hammers and arrived unfit and/or injured.

I cannot believe this was CR's fault.  We know where the fault lies - TK's bizarre criteria and - how many times have I said this - the scouting dept under Talbot.  I can only assume they are accountable to TK so effectively the blind leading the blind.

"Tony, I need a dominant centre half with lot's of Prem experience.

"But Claudio, Brian's sons best mate has found this Liverpool reject who plays mid field and he's cheap.  Mitro said when he was 14 he looked good.

"Great, sign him.  The answer to our prayers. Belissimo!

[The Rational Fan]

Great News, we don't know next years budget if we go down, but Ranieri does. And, we know Ranieri wants the job and he wouldnt want the job if we were clearing out. Rumours are Schullre and Chambers are going plus Sessegnon will be sold but possibly loaned back. If we keep everything else with minor additions we should be solid.

[bobby01]

Great News, we don't know next years budget if we go down, but Ranieri does. And, we know Ranieri wants the job and he wouldnt want the job if we were clearing out. Rumours are Schullre and Chambers are going plus Sessegnon will be sold but possibly loaned back. If we keep everything else with minor additions we should be solid.

Wow, a lot of assumptions there.

[Twig]

Raneri is not a bad manager, so far he hasn't got the best out of a poor Fulham team. However, given a transfer window with more of his input (as seemed to be the case given the reported targets in the jan window) if he's allowed to shore up the defence that will be a great start. His teams are built on Defence, SJ's team was built on possession, the 2 are incompatible

You may well be correct but personally I don't want a team built on defence anyway, so he can still do one

Neither do I but a stronger defence is essential regardless of where we are

Well thus far he has completely failed to improve our defence whilst tearing apart the more attacking side of our game.

[toshes mate]

Raneri is not a bad manager, so far he hasn't got the best out of a poor Fulham team. However, given a transfer window with more of his input (as seemed to be the case given the reported targets in the jan window) if he's allowed to shore up the defence that will be a great start. His teams are built on Defence, SJ's team was built on possession, the 2 are incompatible

You may well be correct but personally I don't want a team built on defence anyway, so he can still do one

Neither do I but a stronger defence is essential regardless of where we are

Well thus far he has completely failed to improve our defence whilst tearing apart the more attacking side of our game.

I would suggest possession and defensive resilience and solidity are important features regardless of formation and how a team is set up to play to that formation.  The sight of TC being chased down by three or four opponents suggests a number of our players were left unmarked because WHU were confident we had no working system, formation or tactics in place.  Ranieri was out of his depth the moment he arrived.  If we are going to turn this around then the required answers have to come from the players telling the manager what they think might work for them and putting in a bit of extra time in training working through a few ideas e.g. defence set piece marking regimes; making runs into space from midfield and crossing early and dangerously (which is where our goal came from on Friday). 

Ranieri appears to be going nowhere because the Khans do not have a plan C, for which we should be very thankful given what plan B has delivered.  Team power might just work in the remaining eleven games but it is all in the lap of the gods. 

[Statto]

If our owners and senior managers show ambition, leadership and sense, then next year the defenders available to a manager will be Mawson, Odoi, MLM, Nordvelt, Ream, Bryan, Christie and potentially S Sessegnon and/or even someone like Kalas back on loan. With Bettinelli behind them and a proper preseason to get to know each other.

It won't take a defensive expert to fashion a good Championship back 4 out of that lot.

The far bigger challenge will be unpicking teams that park the bus and play for a 0-0 draw.