(Media Wales) ' Solskjaer Must Go This Season '

7 reasons why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must go, by Cardiff City season ticket holder Brian Davies
Tuesday May 06th, 2014 By WalesOnline


Despite Solskjaer’s abysmal record as Cardiff’s manager, I for one do not hold him totally responsible for the club’s demise.

However, I would certainly not want him to continue in charge next season, and I say that for the following reasons...




1) PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD

P:17 W:3 D:3 L:11 Goals scored:16 Goals against:40 Pts:12.

This equates to a total points tally of 27 in a 38 game season.

Very poor when you consider that eight of these games were played at home, of which seven were against bottom half opposition.

From these eight home games we’ve picked up a measly eight points.



2) TEAM SELECTION

Impossible to understand. That’s all you can say about using 24 different players in always-changing and badly prepared formations.

Ole has continued to defy logic by reinstating players after major absences. Don Cowie and Aaron Gunnarsson to name just two.

Cardiff City's Don Cowie

He also dropped Ben Turner after a man of the match performance against Aston Villa, played Fraizer Campbell, his main striker, up and down the left hand touchline in a home match, promised Peter Whittingham a six match run in the team after substituting him after just 30 minutes against Norwich.

And he completely neglected Kevin McNaughton when the team cried out for a full back who could defend.




3) PLAYER PATTERNS

Ole made the age old mistake of trying to fit players into a preferred system rather than vice -versa.

Most supporters knew that we did not have enough quality of staff to play a passing game or out score, in the main, superior opposition but he continued with this philosophy for far too many games and forfeited winnable points on the way.

Strangely, he has recently reverted to a far more defensive set- up with 10 players behind the ball as soon as it is lost, but once again without success because he continues to select players who cannot defend in defensive positions.

He has persevered with his favoured slow and sidewards passing game, where it takes us an eternity to get the ball forward, whenever we are fortunate enough to regain possession.




4) MOTIVATIONAL SKILLS

I’ve tried to identify players signed by Malky Mackay who have improved under Solskjaer.

Craig Noone stands out in this respect, possibly because he’s played more often, but players who have gone backwards since the Norwegian has arrived are plentiful.

Gary Medel is certainly the biggest example of this, with Ben Turner a close second.

In my view the same can be said of Steven Caulker, Kevin Theophile Catherine, Peter Whittingham and even Declan John, a young first year professional, who Solskjaer played for an hour before substituting him after he was run ragged by Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson and Glenn Johnson with only Kim Bo Kyung for help.




5) SIGNINGS

Whilst I accept that Solskjaer had limited funds available in the January transfer window the quality of the players that he brought to the Club seems to indicate that he grossly underestimated the playing strength at the bottom of the Premier League.

To protect our Premier League status, should we really have signed players with no English League experience like Berget, Eikrem, Daehli (highly promising as he is) and Cala?

And can anyone say Kenwyne Jones has strengthened the team?





6) PRE-MATCH PREPARATION

Solskjaer has a habit of saying, usually after a heavy defeat: “I didn’t see that coming, we’d prepared very well throughout the week”.

Whenever I watch a match, at any level, I’m often impressed when I see a well organised team where every player knows his responsibility – with or without the ball (see Crystal Palace), or attempts something different from free kicks, corners or throw-ins.

That type of approach indicates someone has found time, after the more mundane fitness work, to improve the team.

Mackay used Whittingham’s set piece ability to great effect, whilst, like it or not, everyone could see that the team always defended free-kicks and corners in a structured manner.

I’ve seen nearly every game since Solskjaer was appointed and I’ve yet to see anything that convinces me that this City side have been well prepared either in open play or from set pieces.



7) DEVELOPMENT SIDE

During the last couple of seasons I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching the very successful Development side, so you can imagine my disappointment when recently they were well beaten at home by Crewe in a play-off semi-final.

Whilst I accept that Simon Moore, Ben Nugent, Adedeji Oshilaja and Joe Ralls, the core of the team are out on loan, while Kadeem Harris is injured and Declan John has progressed to the first team squad, I was really frustrated to see our promising youngsters apparently devoid of confidence in such an important match.

As you’ve probably gathered I’m very concerned about what the future holds for our club.

Not simply because we’ve been relegated, but because we could be starting a new season in a very competitive Championship with too many ordinary players.

Plus a manager and coaching staff who have shown nothing to date that suggests with any confidence they’ll be any more successful in the Championship than they were in the Premier League.

Rather than put the source in the title wouldn't it just be easier to put a link at the bottom?

It happens with all of Carl's articles...

Agree with all plus there's more points too like him chatting complete nonsense in interviews like 'we didn't deserve to lose'. At least have some decency like Martinez and say 'we weren't good enough' and then give the lads an absolute lashing in the dressing room.

I just dont think a lot of the players respect him. He looks like a boy or the type of school teacher you'd mug off.

Oh would you look at that, the Eggo are following what seems to be the general fan census

f**k off Eggo, fed up of your crap, Ole should stay

Agree with all plus there's more points too like him chatting complete nonsense in interviews like 'we didn't deserve to lose'. At least have some decency like Martinez and say 'we weren't good enough' and then give the lads an absolute lashing in the dressing room.

I just dont think a lot of the players respect him. He looks like a boy or the type of school teacher you'd mug off.

Brilliant. He's owned up plenty of times and said we're not good enough. Martinez is a moaning little bitch himself so stop wanking off neutral managers because they're not Dave Jones

Lazy lazy journalism...

Excellent article. 100% spot on.

Agree with all plus there's more points too like him chatting complete nonsense in interviews like 'we didn't deserve to lose'. At least have some decency like Martinez and say 'we weren't good enough' and then give the lads an absolute lashing in the dressing room.

I just dont think a lot of the players respect him. He looks like a boy or the type of school teacher you'd mug off.

Brilliant. He's owned up plenty of times and said we're not good enough. Martinez is a moaning little bitch himself so stop wanking off neutral managers because they're not Dave Jones

Ill do what I like regardless of what you say.

Agree with all plus there's more points too like him chatting complete nonsense in interviews like 'we didn't deserve to lose'. At least have some decency like Martinez and say 'we weren't good enough' and then give the lads an absolute lashing in the dressing room.

I just dont think a lot of the players respect him. He looks like a boy or the type of school teacher you'd mug off.

Yet two weeks ago you were willing to give him time. Fickle.

Agree with all plus there's more points too like him chatting complete nonsense in interviews like 'we didn't deserve to lose'. At least have some decency like Martinez and say 'we weren't good enough' and then give the lads an absolute lashing in the dressing room.

I just dont think a lot of the players respect him. He looks like a boy or the type of school teacher you'd mug off.

Yet two weeks ago you were willing to give him time. Fickle.

Two weeks ago he hadn't come out with that utter tripe after the match. Anyone could see we deserved to lose that game except him. He's living in his own world. Things change that triggers people to change their opinion. Its called reassessing the situation. If you stick with the same viewpoint forever and change don't trigger a reaction in you etc. then God help you. You must be dull as frigging dishwater. Also the irony of you calling someone fickle when you're basically Tan's shoe cleaner is hilarious. Do go on...

Agree with all plus there's more points too like him chatting complete nonsense in interviews like 'we didn't deserve to lose'. At least have some decency like Martinez and say 'we weren't good enough' and then give the lads an absolute lashing in the dressing room.

I just dont think a lot of the players respect him. He looks like a boy or the type of school teacher you'd mug off.

Do you really think that is the way to motivate a poor skilled squad in a relegation battle? Telling them they are not good enough in public? Only way to motivate is telling them they can do it ( even if you think they can't ) Poor written article with some truth and pointers off course. But completely leaving out the need for filling the gap between midfield and attack. Deliberate or negligent leaving out that some of the best football seen this year is under Solskjaer, and the absolute need for trying everything to score goals. Critical at signing a player for almost free I can't debate, I don't see the logic.
Adding comments like mugging of teachers and agreeing with the article just prove my point. Second hand work..

Oh would you look at that, the Eggo are following what seems to be the general fan census

f**k off Eggo, fed up of your crap, Ole should stay

Echo = shitrag that i wouldn't buy for 5p

Agree with all plus there's more points too like him chatting complete nonsense in interviews like 'we didn't deserve to lose'. At least have some decency like Martinez and say 'we weren't good enough' and then give the lads an absolute lashing in the dressing room.

I just dont think a lot of the players respect him. He looks like a boy or the type of school teacher you'd mug off.

Yet two weeks ago you were willing to give him time. Fickle.

Two weeks ago he hadn't come out with that utter tripe after the match. Anyone could see we deserved to lose that game except him. He's living in his own world. Things change that triggers people to change their opinion. Its called reassessing the situation. If you stick with the same viewpoint forever and change don't trigger a reaction in you etc. then God help you. You must be dull as frigging dishwater. Also the irony of you calling someone fickle when you're basically Tan's shoe cleaner is hilarious. Do go on...

He's owned up to not being good enough plenty of times, Palace and Hull an example. He also said himself he's not been good enough, honest as ever and a realist. Fickle as f**k you

Agree with all plus there's more points too like him chatting complete nonsense in interviews like 'we didn't deserve to lose'. At least have some decency like Martinez and say 'we weren't good enough' and then give the lads an absolute lashing in the dressing room.

I just dont think a lot of the players respect him. He looks like a boy or the type of school teacher you'd mug off.

Yet two weeks ago you were willing to give him time. Fickle.

Two weeks ago he hadn't come out with that utter tripe after the match. Anyone could see we deserved to lose that game except him. He's living in his own world. Things change that triggers people to change their opinion. Its called reassessing the situation. If you stick with the same viewpoint forever and change don't trigger a reaction in you etc. then God help you. You must be dull as frigging dishwater. Also the irony of you calling someone fickle when you're basically Tan's shoe cleaner is hilarious. Do go on...

So one press conference makes you want a manager out? Most managers tell the players what they think in the dressing room. So why do press conferences matter? Plenty of managers lie to save face and let their true emotions out in the dressing room where it matters.

Of course opinions change but yours FAR too much. I've already given examples in the past and again, you do it again after ONE press conference. Despite praising him for his "smooth passing" style at Molde now you want DJ back who I liked but he failed at getting us over the final hurdle.


What? I don't even talk about Tan on this board, I stay away from that discussion because it is like beating a dead horse. My opinion is I want Tan out, so how is that being his "shoe cleaner" Do go on attention seeker...

Do they let anyone write an articles nowadays ???? (I will leave it for someone else)

I can't see Tan sacking Ole, less chance than us going back to blue. So I hope whoever speaks on behalf of CCFC to tell the world that Ole stays and he can only spend half of what he sells. This stops the fire sale mentality as we want a good deal fro all out transfers.....

To me Taylor and Cowie are the face of the old team and need to go

Do you really think that is the way to motivate a poor skilled squad in a relegation battle? Telling them they are not good enough in public?

These comments were after the Newcastle game when we were already relegated mathematically. I think the battle is pretty much over yet instead he still said 'we didn't deserve to lose' when we did because apart from one spell in the game and a Zaha burst and effort we were completely rubbish. How is that going to effect the players when we're already relegated?

Oh would you look at that, the Eggo are following what seems to be the general fan census

f**k off Eggo, fed up of your crap, Ole should stay

Echo = shitrag that i wouldn't buy for 5p

Fully agree I never buy it, more opinions than genuine facts really

He's owned up to not being good enough plenty of times, Palace and Hull an example. He also said himself he's not been good enough, honest as ever and a realist. Fickle as f**k you

Not at all. You will find out when we struggle next year. Then lets see who is calling for an experienced Championship manager. He's not good enough and he knows it. After the Newcastle game in which the vast majority of players were utter tripe he said we didn't deserve to lose and they gave their all. Only someone tripping would say such rubbish.

So one press conference makes you want a manager out? Most managers tell the players what they think in the dressing room. So why do press conferences matter? Plenty of managers lie to save face and let their true emotions out in the dressing room where it matters.

A combination of things.

1) terrible performances
2) squad rotation constantly which is leaving the team with a lack of understanding
3) players looking unmotivated
4) Ole chatting crap in interviews

Numerous reasons all together contributing to me wanting him replaced with a PROVEN Championship level manager.

Of course opinions change but yours FAR too much.

In your opinion. Your opinion has no more value than Terry Venables or Tom Jones so whats your point?

I've already given examples in the past and again, you do it again after ONE press conference.

No. See above. Its a combination of things yet you dont possess the intellectual capacity to comprehend such.

Despite praising him for his "smooth passing" style at Molde

...and it was but have we seen it executed here well? No. Its a completely different level. Ole is the managerial Cornelius. You'll find out in due course.

now you want DJ back who I liked but he failed at getting us over the final hurdle.

Numerous reasons for that like a lack of funds due to financial issues that were no fault of his own.

What? I don't even talk about Tan on this board, I stay away from that discussion because it is like beating a dead horse.

Yet you felt more than compelled to stick your nose in here. How funny.

Do you really think that is the way to motivate a poor skilled squad in a relegation battle? Telling them they are not good enough in public?

These comments were after the Newcastle game when we were already relegated mathematically. I think the battle is pretty much over yet instead he still said 'we didn't deserve to lose' when we did because apart from one spell in the game and a Zaha burst and effort we were completely rubbish. How is that going to effect the players when we're already relegated?

And I agree with him 100%! We did not deserve to loose. We deserved to get level in the game. He has absolutely no reason to go out in public to slate players after that game, and you never will hear him do that. Sit down with players and be constructive. I'm sad to be the one to tell you, but motivating players have changed from 1990. I'll listen to some fair pointers of criticism. But the bullshit spout around Cary next to nothing for me.

He's owned up to not being good enough plenty of times, Palace and Hull an example. He also said himself he's not been good enough, honest as ever and a realist. Fickle as f**k you

Not at all. You will find out when we struggle next year. Then lets see who is calling for an experienced Championship manager. He's not good enough and he knows it. After the Newcastle game in which the vast majority of players were utter tripe he said we didn't deserve to lose and they gave their all. Only someone tripping would say such rubbish.

We didn't deserve to lose against Newcastle in reality, I heard on SSN that Charlie Nicholas said it wasn't a 3-0 game, defensive lapses in concentration yet again which has been evident under both managers made the scoreline look flattering. We actually matched them for a large part of the game

All this articles and topics anti OGS...

Not being able to see behind the result against t.ex. Newcastle is shocking. With a proper striker and awake defense we would've won. So wheres all the articles/topics about those players who really let us down.

OGS is a step up for us IMHO

We didn't deserve to lose against Newcastle in reality, I heard on SSN that Charlie Nicholas said it wasn't a 3-0 game, defensive lapses in concentration yet again which has been evident under both managers made the scoreline look flattering. We actually matched them for a large part of the game

And I agree with him 100%! We did not deserve to loose. We deserved to get level in the game. He has absolutely no reason to go out in public to slate players after that game, and you never will hear him do that. Sit down with players and be constructive. I'm sad to be the one to tell you, but motivating players have changed from 1990. I'll listen to some fair pointers of criticism. But the bullshit spout around Cary next to nothing for me.

Wow just wow. We did deserve to lose and we did lose.

We didn't deserve to lose against Newcastle in reality, I heard on SSN that Charlie Nicholas said it wasn't a 3-0 game, defensive lapses in concentration yet again which has been evident under both managers made the scoreline look flattering. We actually matched them for a large part of the game

And I agree with him 100%! We did not deserve to loose. We deserved to get level in the game. He has absolutely no reason to go out in public to slate players after that game, and you never will hear him do that. Sit down with players and be constructive. I'm sad to be the one to tell you, but motivating players have changed from 1990. I'll listen to some fair pointers of criticism. But the bullshit spout around Cary next to nothing for me.

Wow just wow. We did deserve to lose and we did lose.

I am lost for words!

So one press conference makes you want a manager out? Most managers tell the players what they think in the dressing room. So why do press conferences matter? Plenty of managers lie to save face and let their true emotions out in the dressing room where it matters.

A combination of things.

1) terrible performances (Inherited a poor squad. So why were you happy to give him time prior to Newcastle?
2) squad rotation constantly which is leaving the team with a lack of understanding (You have a point
3) players looking unmotivated (Only two players have looked motivated this season, Campbell and Marshall
4) Ole chatting crap in interviews(So does Jose, so does Rodgers so has the second coming Martinez. Every manager leaves their thoughts in the dressing room. If they were not obligated to do interviews and conferences they wouldn't because it is a waste of time.

Numerous reasons all together contributing to me wanting him replaced with a PROVEN Championship level manager.

Of course opinions change but yours FAR too much.

In your opinion. Your opinion has no more value than Terry Venables or Tom Jones so whats your point?

Why bother replying then? You think you're some god on this forum, you really aren't.

I've already given examples in the past and again, you do it again after ONE press conference.

No. See above. Its a combination of things yet you dont possess the intellectual capacity to comprehend such.

So why were you so willing to give him time? Why not so critical before Newcastle?

Despite praising him for his "smooth passing" style at Molde

...and it was but have we seen it executed here well? No. Its a completely different level. Ole is the managerial Cornelius. You'll find out in due course.

Well no but you said and I will quote:

Its partly the reason why Im willing to give Solskjaer time to bring his players in, in the summer and build his team playing the smooth passing game that Molde FK played. It doesn't happen overnight, it takes time, but its amazing when it pays off.
Of course we weren't going to see it straight away but you said to give him time to implement it now moan that he hasn't? How does that even make sense?

now you want DJ back who I liked but he failed at getting us over the final hurdle.

Numerous reasons for that like a lack of funds due to financial issues that were no fault of his own.

He was stubborn and stuck to 4-4-2 all the time. He had no plan B and was poor at getting us back into games. If he tried something different then maybe we might have done it.

What? I don't even talk about Tan on this board, I stay away from that discussion because it is like beating a dead horse.

Yet you felt more than compelled to stick your nose in here. How funny.

Because it is an open forum. I will comment on what I like. One thing I won't do is lie about other posters to prove a point. Back up your shoe cleaner remark then you'll have some credibility. But oh no, you will just make false accusations

We didn't deserve to lose against Newcastle in reality, I heard on SSN that Charlie Nicholas said it wasn't a 3-0 game, defensive lapses in concentration yet again which has been evident under both managers made the scoreline look flattering. We actually matched them for a large part of the game

And I agree with him 100%! We did not deserve to loose. We deserved to get level in the game. He has absolutely no reason to go out in public to slate players after that game, and you never will hear him do that. Sit down with players and be constructive. I'm sad to be the one to tell you, but motivating players have changed from 1990. I'll listen to some fair pointers of criticism. But the bullshit spout around Cary next to nothing for me.

Wow just wow. We did deserve to lose and we did lose.

We lost due to defensive lapse of concentration and incapability to put away the easiest of chances

We didn't deserve to lose against Newcastle in reality, I heard on SSN that Charlie Nicholas said it wasn't a 3-0 game, defensive lapses in concentration yet again which has been evident under both managers made the scoreline look flattering. We actually matched them for a large part of the game

And I agree with him 100%! We did not deserve to loose. We deserved to get level in the game. He has absolutely no reason to go out in public to slate players after that game, and you never will hear him do that. Sit down with players and be constructive. I'm sad to be the one to tell you, but motivating players have changed from 1990. I'll listen to some fair pointers of criticism. But the bullshit spout around Cary next to nothing for me.

Wow just wow. We did deserve to lose and we did lose.

We lost due to defensive lapse of concentration and incapability to put away the easiest of chances

Don't make it to complicated! They scored, we didn't. We deserve to loose. Proof is in the pudding

Excellent article . 100% spot on.

Well well well Tonteg you do make me laugh

["llandaffbluebird1"]
1) terrible performances (Inherited a poor squad. So why were you happy to give him time prior to Newcastle? [/quote]
Things build up and that was ridiculous what he said. That performance just summed up everything when it should have been our most passionate performance to fight and stay in the division. Instead we rolled over.

2) squad rotation constantly which is leaving the team with a lack of understanding (You have a point

okay.

3) players looking unmotivated (Only two players have looked motivated this season, Campbell and Marshall

That's not true. Others have as well under Malky. That I will admit and i wanted Malky gone. Ole does not even motivate them to the levels Malky did.

4) Ole chatting crap in interviews(So does Jose, so does Rodgers so has the second coming Martinez. Every manager leaves their thoughts in the dressing room. If they were not obligated to do interviews and conferences they wouldn't because it is a waste of time.

All of them are getting results so can afford to chat rubbish. Its kind of like Mayweather can trash talk because he's doing the business in the ring. Ole on the other hand is chatting crap and getting crap results.

Why bother replying then? You think you're some god on this forum, you really aren't.
[\quote]
No I dont. This is hilarious though that you've stated this after crying for calling you a shoe cleaner earlier on. Hypocrisy alert.

So why were you so willing to give him time? Why not so critical before Newcastle?
[\quote]
See above.

Well no but you said and I will quote:

Its partly the reason why Im willing to give Solskjaer time to bring his players in, in the summer and build his team playing the smooth passing game that Molde FK played. It doesn't happen overnight, it takes time, but its amazing when it pays off.
Of course we weren't going to see it straight away but you said to give him time to implement it now moan that he hasn't? How does that even make sense?

Absolute dire in a very important game. If Ole cant get the team pumped up for that what can he get them pumped up for? It was an important game to survive yet we just went down with a whimper. Even the media have said as much. It was embarrassing.

He was stubborn and stuck to 4-4-2 all the time. He had no plan B and was poor at getting us back into games. If he tried something different then maybe we might have done it.

Ferguson stuck to a 442 too and rarely changed things up. Of course Jones aint Ferguson but your tactical argument is nonsense. Ole has tried several formations and we've still been beat. Whats the issue?

Because it is an open forum. I will comment on what I like. One thing I won't do is lie about other posters to prove a point. Back up your shoe cleaner remark then you'll have some credibility. But oh no, you will just make false accusations

This coming from a poster who just put 'you think you're god on this forum dont you?'. Its hilarious and just shows your double standards. Fine for you to have a pop but then cry the red sea when others say things to you.

Last edited by Green Arrow on Tue May 06, 2014 6:50 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Agree with all plus there's more points too like him chatting complete nonsense in interviews like 'we didn't deserve to lose'. At least have some decency like Martinez and say 'we weren't good enough' and then give the lads an absolute lashing in the dressing room.

I just dont think a lot of the players respect him. He looks like a boy or the type of school teacher you'd mug off.

Yet two weeks ago you were willing to give him time. Fickle.

Two weeks ago he hadn't come out with that utter tripe after the match. Anyone could see we deserved to lose that game except him. He's living in his own world. Things change that triggers people to change their opinion. Its called reassessing the situation. If you stick with the same viewpoint forever and change don't trigger a reaction in you etc. then God help you. You must be dull as frigging dishwater. Also the irony of you calling someone fickle when you're basically Tan's shoe cleaner is hilarious. Do go on...

He's owned up to not being good enough plenty of times, Palace and Hull an example. He also said himself he's not been good enough, honest as ever and a realist. Fickle as f**k you

There you are then...there's the answer as to whether or not he should go...I've come round to the conclusion that keeping him on will only delay the inevitable, after previously thinking it was only fair to give him a chance in the Championship.