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Post by saddletramp on Nov 8, 2017 10:34:49 GMT
I haven’t seen as many games this season in comparison to the last two years due to my own playing commitments but what I have are so far has been completely contrasting performances (Cheltenham, Bradford and Rotherham) one very bad two decent enough. What’s worth mentioning though is that a change of manager can often lead to a difficult period, we need to look no further than the start of Micheal Appleton’s reign where we struggled, badly at times, to string results and performances together. He took over in similar circumstances as Clotet where it was reasonably late in the summer and had a squad of players that were not his own, he brought in a few players to give us numbers late in the day. Clotet has also brought in a number of players but it remains to be seen if these players will be here beyond the end of the season in the same way that many of the loans appleton brought in were surplus to requirements come January. Calling for a change in manager, as many were during the difficult first few months of Appleton’s time in charge, seems crazy when there is no real threat of relegation as things stand. Constant changing of managers does not very often lead to successful teams, of course keeping the same one for a long period also does not guarantee success but it does give you a greater chance of it. Of course we all want to kick on this season and get into the play offs after a great first season back at this level but the reality is, given the change in manager and players being sold, it was always likely to be tougher. If this time next season the team are still showing the same inconsistencies and one dimensional playing style it may (and even thn may be not) be time to start asking difficult questions but the last few seasons have shown that patience with a manager can lead to positive things. No, he did not take over in similar circumstances to appleton. The latter inherited a demoralised, ageing squad, no scouting system, Mickey Lewis as a coach etc. Pep inherited a young, up and coming squad a scouting system renowned up and down the country and a quality coaching team of Faz and Chrissy. So he had literally everything in his favour, even including a month of pre season and a tour. Have a think about when most managers take over. It is because the players have been failing and they take over mid season. Pep took over because the players had done so well that his predecessor was poached in off season. Our League position is decent, as it should be, but the Cup competitions have been disastrous. I'd say that it is a 6 out of 10 thus far, with a Timeform 'squiggle ' because of the pronounced tendency of the side to produce horror shows, something that almost never happened under Appleton post the infamous Cambridge game. Pep made a lot in September of the team being 'ahead of schedule' and of 'building something special. For that to be the case, we will want to see continuous progress. With an occasional backwards step, for sure, but a clear overall direction of travel. I think the reason some are uneasy is because that progress is not crystal clear (yet). Since the opening two wins, both against teams is some turmoil, we have garnered 17 points in 14 games. That is bottom quartile form. Having inherited 90 per cent of a top 6 side, and been allowed to add 14 new players, clearly things need to improve, or the 6 out of 10 will slide towards a 5. What a load of bollox. "a scouting system renowned up and down the country" ? Can just see it now,a hot prospect is playing for Bury under 17s,30 scouts are attendance. The Liverpool scout says to the Man City scout before the game starts, "This lad can't be much cop,the scout from the renowned Oxford academy aint here"
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Post by slimjim on Nov 8, 2017 10:36:49 GMT
I think we stand a chance of making the PO spots. We have enough quality. My only worry is that there is that doesn’t seem to be the spark around the Club there has been in previous years. I can’t put my finger on it but members sat next to and around me seem a little deflated
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Post by charliesghost on Nov 8, 2017 11:00:07 GMT
No, he did not take over in similar circumstances to appleton. The latter inherited a demoralised, ageing squad, no scouting system, Mickey Lewis as a coach etc. Pep inherited a young, up and coming squad a scouting system renowned up and down the country and a quality coaching team of Faz and Chrissy. So he had literally everything in his favour, even including a month of pre season and a tour. Have a think about when most managers take over. It is because the players have been failing and they take over mid season. Pep took over because the players had done so well that his predecessor was poached in off season. Our League position is decent, as it should be, but the Cup competitions have been disastrous. I'd say that it is a 6 out of 10 thus far, with a Timeform 'squiggle ' because of the pronounced tendency of the side to produce horror shows, something that almost never happened under Appleton post the infamous Cambridge game. Pep made a lot in September of the team being 'ahead of schedule' and of 'building something special. For that to be the case, we will want to see continuous progress. With an occasional backwards step, for sure, but a clear overall direction of travel. I think the reason some are uneasy is because that progress is not crystal clear (yet). Since the opening two wins, both against teams is some turmoil, we have garnered 17 points in 14 games. That is bottom quartile form. Having inherited 90 per cent of a top 6 side, and been allowed to add 14 new players, clearly things need to improve, or the 6 out of 10 will slide towards a 5. What a load of bollox. "a scouting system renowned up and down the country" ? Can just see it now,a hot prospect is playing for Bury under 17s,30 scouts are attendance. The Liverpool scout says to the Man City scout before the game starts, "This lad can't be much cop,the scout from the renowned Oxford academy aint here" I think that that is possibly one of the most ignorant posts I have ever seen on this site. It's like saying that Crewe never had a renowned youth system because they weren't in the Premier League. Or that Peterborough weren't renowned for recruiting non-league players because - oooooh - Chelsea didn't compete for the same players. Really dire stuff. Our chief scout has just been poached by Leeds. There are scouts from tons of clubs at every home game. We have sold Roofe, O'Dowda, Lundstram and Johnson to Championship clubs for big money in the space of 18 months. To anyone who knows anything in the football industry, our scouting system is currently renowned compared to the vast majority of lower league clubs.
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Post by horseman on Nov 8, 2017 11:01:43 GMT
I haven’t seen as many games this season in comparison to the last two years due to my own playing commitments but what I have are so far has been completely contrasting performances (Cheltenham, Bradford and Rotherham) one very bad two decent enough. What’s worth mentioning though is that a change of manager can often lead to a difficult period, we need to look no further than the start of Micheal Appleton’s reign where we struggled, badly at times, to string results and performances together. He took over in similar circumstances as Clotet where it was reasonably late in the summer and had a squad of players that were not his own, he brought in a few players to give us numbers late in the day. Clotet has also brought in a number of players but it remains to be seen if these players will be here beyond the end of the season in the same way that many of the loans appleton brought in were surplus to requirements come January. Calling for a change in manager, as many were during the difficult first few months of Appleton’s time in charge, seems crazy when there is no real threat of relegation as things stand. Constant changing of managers does not very often lead to successful teams, of course keeping the same one for a long period also does not guarantee success but it does give you a greater chance of it. Of course we all want to kick on this season and get into the play offs after a great first season back at this level but the reality is, given the change in manager and players being sold, it was always likely to be tougher. If this time next season the team are still showing the same inconsistencies and one dimensional playing style it may (and even thn may be not) be time to start asking difficult questions but the last few seasons have shown that patience with a manager can lead to positive things. No, he did not take over in similar circumstances to appleton. The latter inherited a demoralised, ageing squad, no scouting system, Mickey Lewis as a coach etc. Pep inherited a young, up and coming squad a scouting system renowned up and down the country and a quality coaching team of Faz and Chrissy. So he had literally everything in his favour, even including a month of pre season and a tour. Have a think about when most managers take over. It is because the players have been failing and they take over mid season. Pep took over because the players had done so well that his predecessor was poached in off season. Our League position is decent, as it should be, but the Cup competitions have been disastrous. I'd say that it is a 6 out of 10 thus far, with a Timeform 'squiggle ' because of the pronounced tendency of the side to produce horror shows, something that almost never happened under Appleton post the infamous Cambridge game. Pep made a lot in September of the team being 'ahead of schedule' and of 'building something special. For that to be the case, we will want to see continuous progress. With an occasional backwards step, for sure, but a clear overall direction of travel. I think the reason some are uneasy is because that progress is not crystal clear (yet). Since the opening two wins, both against teams is some turmoil, we have garnered 17 points in 14 games. That is bottom quartile form. Having inherited 90 per cent of a top 6 side, and been allowed to add 14 new players, clearly things need to improve, or the 6 out of 10 will slide towards a 5. Perhaps being laid out for a seller !
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Post by charliesghost on Nov 8, 2017 14:39:32 GMT
No, he did not take over in similar circumstances to appleton. The latter inherited a demoralised, ageing squad, no scouting system, Mickey Lewis as a coach etc. Pep inherited a young, up and coming squad a scouting system renowned up and down the country and a quality coaching team of Faz and Chrissy. So he had literally everything in his favour, even including a month of pre season and a tour. Have a think about when most managers take over. It is because the players have been failing and they take over mid season. Pep took over because the players had done so well that his predecessor was poached in off season. Our League position is decent, as it should be, but the Cup competitions have been disastrous. I'd say that it is a 6 out of 10 thus far, with a Timeform 'squiggle ' because of the pronounced tendency of the side to produce horror shows, something that almost never happened under Appleton post the infamous Cambridge game. Pep made a lot in September of the team being 'ahead of schedule' and of 'building something special. For that to be the case, we will want to see continuous progress. With an occasional backwards step, for sure, but a clear overall direction of travel. I think the reason some are uneasy is because that progress is not crystal clear (yet). Since the opening two wins, both against teams is some turmoil, we have garnered 17 points in 14 games. That is bottom quartile form. Having inherited 90 per cent of a top 6 side, and been allowed to add 14 new players, clearly things need to improve, or the 6 out of 10 will slide towards a 5. Perhaps being laid out for a seller ! That does involve winning something in the end! The squiggle denotes unreliability/ unpredictability of effort. For all their constant rather boastful self-assessments - and I have never heard a group of players big themselves up so much - I'm not sure our current lot always prick their ears and gallop to the line. May need the odd 'reminder' or two to stop them turning in sub-par efforts. Sad to say, having seen Blackpool and Fleetwood I rather expected the Port Vale result and had a quiet bet to soften the blow!
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Post by charliesghost on Nov 8, 2017 14:39:44 GMT
No, he did not take over in similar circumstances to appleton. The latter inherited a demoralised, ageing squad, no scouting system, Mickey Lewis as a coach etc. Pep inherited a young, up and coming squad a scouting system renowned up and down the country and a quality coaching team of Faz and Chrissy. So he had literally everything in his favour, even including a month of pre season and a tour. Have a think about when most managers take over. It is because the players have been failing and they take over mid season. Pep took over because the players had done so well that his predecessor was poached in off season. Our League position is decent, as it should be, but the Cup competitions have been disastrous. I'd say that it is a 6 out of 10 thus far, with a Timeform 'squiggle ' because of the pronounced tendency of the side to produce horror shows, something that almost never happened under Appleton post the infamous Cambridge game. Pep made a lot in September of the team being 'ahead of schedule' and of 'building something special. For that to be the case, we will want to see continuous progress. With an occasional backwards step, for sure, but a clear overall direction of travel. I think the reason some are uneasy is because that progress is not crystal clear (yet). Since the opening two wins, both against teams is some turmoil, we have garnered 17 points in 14 games. That is bottom quartile form. Having inherited 90 per cent of a top 6 side, and been allowed to add 14 new players, clearly things need to improve, or the 6 out of 10 will slide towards a 5. Perhaps being laid out for a seller ! That does involve winning something in the end! The squiggle denotes unreliability/ unpredictability of effort. For all their constant rather boastful self-assessments - and I have never heard a group of players big themselves up so much - I'm not sure our current lot always prick their ears and gallop to the line. May need the odd 'reminder' or two to stop them turning in sub-par efforts. Sad to say, having seen Blackpool and Fleetwood I rather expected the Port Vale result and had a quiet bet to soften the blow!
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Post by upthecowboys on Nov 8, 2017 18:42:38 GMT
My concern is not that we won't make the play offs but in the Summer we'll see another huge clear out / incomings. Then we'll need those players to bed in next season etc.
Ruffels may have signed a contract extension but do you think some of our other prize assets will? Don't think so myself. We might take up some automatic extensions but then we'll end up with more Sercombe situations. I reckon this combined with those signed on 1 year deals will mean we'll see 10 ish leave in the summer. Another rebuild on the cards..
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Post by concretebob on Nov 9, 2017 13:32:19 GMT
I think looking at the bigger picture would help a bit.
We don't own the stadium. Can you imagine us surviving a season in the championship whilst we have you know who leeching off us? (No doubt the rent would go up too)
Personally I feel like League One is probably a natural level for us at the moment. If we want to make the step up, we really need to own the stadium.
I will be happy with a top half finish this season. I know it's setting your goals a bit low - but there's too much going off the pitch to look any further.
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