[Sanjay]

I think we have got pace out wide with Gamboa but for some reason he and others won’t ‘take a man on’ when they’ve got the opportunity to do so - the ball is constantly played backwards or sideways, why? Are the players told to do this, or is it because they’re afraid they might lose the ball and therefore play ‘safe’ by passing it anyway but towards goal? I honestly can’t fathom it out!

[Worldclassalbion]

I honestly think Irvine doesn't like them to bomb on down the wings. He sets up to contain. We were warned by owls and PNE fans. So far we have been lucky, especially last week against Leicester. Newcastle were not that good but seemed comfortable. Berahino plays the line so well so AI decides to play him behind Big Vic after an England call up.

In the premier you need width and pace, we have Gamboa who can play RM too, Varela (injured) and Ideye.

How is Ideye going to get to grips with the Prem if he doesn't play. Ron Atkinson used to give players a run of 3, 4 or 5 games and then if no good, then out. He needs a run even if hes crap for 3 games but you have to give him a chance. A £10m player not even on the bench, still no sign of Varela and Gamboa on the bench, Berahino not leading the line

Sorry but AI hasn't much of a clue IMO. No passion, no fight, wrong starting 11 and tactics. We were the home side and should have put the Toon on the back foot even though they are on a decent run. The set up was all wrong

[St Charles Owl]

Have to agree with the above, I would still be prepared to give AI a chance if he were prepared to "have a go", but that is looking increasing unlikely.

I still have the words of some of the Wednesday fans on the new606 board lingering in the back of my mind:

"Will defend if in front will, defend if drawing and will still defend if losing."

"Get used to seeing the same team because rather than change it he will try and fit a square peg in a round hole"

"Hope you like just hoofing the ball forward"

"take a book it will be more exciting than the game"

"Guaranteed he will take you down"

If fact if I remember correctly one of the posters of some of these quote  is a moderator on this forum,  St. Charles Owl.

Now I am not calling for AI's head, (yet) but he does need to get us back to playing attractive football, its not as if we have not got the players to do so. 

Those comments would be very consistent with what most Owls fans would say about Father Ted!! He is supposedly a very good coach, particularly of youngsters, but his management skills seem completely lacking!! Now of course when he was with us he had nowhere near the talent that he has with you guys, but he made our bad talent even worse!!! He will defend at all costs, particularly when you get the lead!! That may work with a talented bunch of under19s like he had at Everton but in the prem the better players will punish you if you sit back too much. We lost or drew so many games from winning positions when he was here and the football that went with it was dire!! The sideways pass will be the norm, keep the ball at all costs, but gone are the days when possession means that much, its what you do with it now, and most prem teams will know how you are set up as a rigid 442 and will conter easily without needing a lot of possession!!

As some of you have said, there are worse teams that you guys this season, but as always its going to be tight all season and it will come down to teams pulling off the shock win against a top 5 side in the run-in that will determine the relegation spots, and that means having manager who will go for it when not winning and one who will go for it even more when you do get the lead!!! That is not Father Ted's style I am afraid!!!