If GON thought our defence was as paper thin as it's been shown to be then he was in the best position to demand funds to improve it - who else is responsible on the training side?
The 'dealt a bad hand' is just total bullshit. He's either overestimated the squad capability or his own ability to coach its deficiency.
I think this is unfair, as are all the comments about not being dealt a bad hand. Ignore GON for a moment and look at the end of the last transfer window thread. Common themes are:
It's a joke we don't have any true left back cover,
We are a quality, commanding centre half short
Opinions on Johnstone ranged from a marginal upgrade to worse than Sa.
Andre was a signing for financial not football reasons
How has that played out?
Next week we need Toti to play both left back and centre half
We don't have a fit PL quality centre half at the club and are playing Semedo as one despite him being bullied off the ball when he's been put there in the past
Neither Sa and Johnstone are fit for purpose
Andre looks lost and frequently gets bullied
Outside of those mentioned above our Summer recruitment consisted of 2 kids, one of which was only fit enough to make the bench yesterday, the other is behind where they expected, hence trying to extend Semedo
A centre forward who I like
2 young wingers, who if they are ever going to be PL players aren't now.
That's shocking recruitment and the definition of a bad hand when he was very vocal on wanting a centre half and they failed to provide the upgrade he wanted from Sa. A stronger manager would have got them, but he's in place for a reason.
I'd have sacked GON after Villa. There are countless reasons why he's not fit to be our head coach, a good one would have coached around those deficiencies and had us lower mid table, however that recruitment would leave anyone with one hand tied behind his back.