Not only that. He also had to find out who were really dead wood and who he thought he

could kick-start. It is quite natural that he would give the likes of Martin, Wildschut, Jerome and Naismith the benefit of doubt at the start of the season. Jerome clearly didn't fit the system and despite all the complaints about selling him I think that was good business. He looked more lost than Oli and Srbeny most of his appearances this season for us. The other three just were clearly awful as they've further proved on loan, then Franke (and to a certain extent Husband) turned out to not be able to handle the Championship early on and so to all extents and purposes he had a far weaker squad than perhaps he had hoped.

Was also unlucky with Pritchard's injury although I wonder if we would have seen as much of Madders the first part of this year if Pritch had stayed healthy.

Was challenging all round really. I tell you what - I think the failure of those three loanees is going to hit us again next season. We'll either still be paying much if not all of their wages or we'll be forced to spend half the already modest transfer budget on paying them off.

Posted By: Steve in Holland, May 7, 18:24:19