I just find this sort of tolerance of stagnation totally bizarre. Genuinely do not for the life of me understand why Ole should be given a bumper pay rise and an extension at this point in the season. I think he's done a tremendous job to get you out of the post-Jose hangover, I just also think that the skillset to do that is distinct from that required to take a team to the top level.
He's totally exceeded any expectations in recovering us post Jose, he's done an outstanding job in this respect. He's a talented man manager. The team spirit feels the highest since SAF. He's shaped the squad well, offloading players who didn't want to be here, with a young squad full of future potential.
On the pitch though it's different, the fact he's very much hands off & not a trainer shows. We're very inconsistent, when we're on form we're exciting, but we're mostly a dull watch. We lack a plan B, changes are late (he has improved) and we have developed a mental block when it matters most. The multiple semi's defeats last season, CL groups this, are huge alarm bells.
We're consistently poor facing a deep defense. We struggle to build up and keep possession properly, moving the ball around far too slowly, whilst relying on Bruno's genius far too much.
We performed very well last season vs. Top 6, but since they clearly adjusted this season, so far we're totally out of answers. We cannot impose ourselves on them whatsoever. Another huge concern.
His squad management has also been poor imo this season. Choosing to run key players into the ground, using the bench minimally. We dominate the top minutes played by PL players list; with Bruno, Maguire, AWB all in top 5. With our build-up/creation issues, why he hasn't used Van de Beek has been mystifying.
If looking at it from a footballing perspective, you're totally right it doesn't make any sense for him to be given an extension yet... But we are currently 2nd, and all our owners actually care about is securing top 4 (& top 4 is looking secure), so everything else is inconsequential really.
We're in this strange state, of achieving just enough to survive, without winning anything, but not poor enough to get sacked.
That sums us up I think.