S.A.F.C. - the future

[Sunderpitt]

Problem at the moment with the fans is that there have been so many false dawns and lots of false promises and it plays with people’s emotions, we have a loyal fan base that has been stripped of pretty much all positivity over the last 5 years, we had a glimmer of hope at the Everton game under Allardyce then that all came crumbling down.

my point I am making is that when the club makes bold statements like 100 points, we have a budget most Championship teams would envy and we will get promoted this year, then all of these false statements are broken by not backing up in actions to support the facts and filling the team with freebies.

Fast forward to the present, LJ comes in and boldly states fast flowing attacking, high pressing football, yet you saw on Tuesday the players are still in the same mindset as under PP, sideways/backwards passing, hoofing the ball up to a striker who couldn’t control a kids bike with stabilisers on. Then we go and buy a midfielder from League 2 who looks like he was picked from the local Sunday league and went missing.

I am like you a glass half full person and I am optimistic that LJ can turn us around, however I see both sides of the coin and have found myself flipped on numerous occasions and can understand how people are pessimistic at best because the club and all the false dawns have turned avid supporters to this.

KLD has a massive build on his hands to win back over the hoards and the lost generation of kids and I really think he will succeed and bring back some fun of supporting our great club and see people on these forums having a laugh and light hearted banter again, instead of this toxicity cloud that has been above us far too long.

Keep the faith, Haway the Lads

Good summary if LJ is the man to rescue this season he only has a short while to dump the deadwood and bring in a couple of bright sparks to get the team going.

 

[Sunderlad]

Donald may be able to attract his buddies but there's not a chance he could dream of bringing in a man of the calibre of Davison.

I don't care which players leave tbh, even the ones I like ...

.... we need to create a style and a real team spirit to last more than the odd match.

Agree Smug, after Tuesday nights embarrassing performance we need to get this s**t-show rolling. I have no qualms on pleasantries, a lot, if not ALL of those players know that SAFC will be the biggest club that they will ever play for. So as LJ said after the game - effectively put up and put a shift in or pi$$ off.

 

[The Redbaron]

Not so sure a goalie is high on our list of needs. Burge seems to get quite a bit of stick but he’s kept 9 clean sheets from 17 starts giving him a clean sheet % of 53%. That’s better than any keeper in the top 6 and puts him 3rd overall in the league ( the 2 above him are 2nd choice keepers who’ve only played 5 or so games )

Agree 100% about adding pace and goals.

Now, I'd disagree about a keeper being a priority.. After watching games this season its plain to see that none of our current keepers command their penalty areas well. I'd go on to say all of them are not decisive enough which eventually gives the defence the jitters leading to why we have been giving stupid goals away. there is no cohesion in the back 3,4 or 5... If you have a keeper, who should be able to read the game developing in front of him and can organise what he wants his defence to do, that is strong and dominant, it will go some way to cutting out these basic mistakes we have made in every game these past four or five seasons.

 

[Nathan Brazil]

I don’t know Davison and haven’t had any dealings with him but have asked about and he’s viewed as a major coup for us and Atkins seem to have been disappointed and surprised at his decision.

Particularly like reading this bit.

 

[Mick Sterbs]

Agree Smug, after Tuesday nights embarrassing performance we need to get this s**t-show rolling. I have no qualms on pleasantries, a lot, if not ALL of those players know that SAFC will be the biggest club that they will ever play for. So as LJ said after the game - effectively put up and put a shift in or pi$$ off.

Hit the nail on the head there. Not one of our squad will ever play for a bigger club than this. But maybe that’s where the problem lies, if they are successful on the pitch and get us promoted how many will still be with us in the Championship? Or have those that are out of contract lost interest in the cause and now concentrating on where’s next?

 

[Mick Sterbs]

Now, I'd disagree about a keeper being a priority.. After watching games this season its plain to see that none of our current keepers command their penalty areas well. I'd go on to say all of them are not decisive enough which eventually gives the defence the jitters leading to why we have been giving stupid goals away. there is no cohesion in the back 3,4 or 5... If you have a keeper, who should be able to read the game developing in front of him and can organise what he wants his defence to do, that is strong and dominant, it will go some way to cutting out these basic mistakes we have made in every game these past four or five seasons.

But Burge is stopping the opposition scoring in every other game so surely he has the basics right? No doubt there are better keepers out there but stats show he’s currently up there with the best at this level. Not sure about matthews being good enough as cover so maybe a keeper to replace him might be an idea.

 

[rooch 3]

Hit the nail on the head there. Not one of our squad will ever play for a bigger club than this. But maybe that’s where the problem lies, if they are successful on the pitch and get us promoted how many will still be with us in the Championship? Or have those that are out of contract lost interest in the cause and now concentrating on where’s next?

Why would they not pull their finger out and be training themselves everyday to be part of the future are the miserable sods that useless, can’t get my head around people like that the sky is the bloody limit for them if they want it.

 

[King Kareoke]

We really need a lift and the announcement cannot come too soon. What with the football being gloomy, the country being gloomy rays of light are essential. Like the Nissan news - that was a nice announcement

 

[Mick Sterbs]

Why would they not pull their finger out and be training themselves everyday to be part of the future are the miserable sods that useless, can’t get my head around people like that the sky is the bloody limit for them if they want it.

Mad isn’t it but maybe for some of them they’re coming towards the back end of their careers and have found their level. They’ve become comfortable plodding along for a very nice wage and know they won’t cut it in the league above so why bust a gut. Players that spring to mind are Graham, Grigg, McGeady, Maguire, Power, mcfadzean, Scowen.

The salary cap will be a challenge but it would be nice to try and recruit Championship or even younger Prem players who are willing to make the drop down and then come on the journey back up with us. We’ll see in the next week or so.

 

[Vincemac]

Donald may be able to attract his buddies but there's not a chance he could dream of bringing in a man of the calibre of Davison.

I don't care which players leave tbh, even the ones I like ...

.... we need to create a style and a real team spirit to last more than the odd match.

Yeah mate any player can leave for me
Let Johnson get the team he desires

 

[Eye Ball Paul]

Good summary if LJ is the man to rescue this season he only has a short while to dump the deadwood and bring in a couple of bright sparks to get the team going.

I am hoping the delay is down to the transfer window and a few surprises will come our way.

a good string of results will see us massively climb the table, it’s not over by a long mile

 

[Sunderpitt]

I am hoping the delay is down to the transfer window and a few surprises will come our way.

a good string of results will see us massively climb the table, it’s not over by a long mile

Unless we can some new players, I rate our chances even of making the play-offs less than 50%. New players in 50%+

 

[Iain]

The announcement on Christmas Eve was intended to chill everyone out while final arrangements were made, that's worked with some people. I've been told nothing new except what I've said before. Namely that the EFL check is done and the new appointments being made prior to the announcement. I was told, and posted, that the owner wanted a right hand man which was correct and Davison subsequently appointed. I'm told there's one more appointment desired before the official announcement. (Some would laugh and say it's the media officer who's writing the text for the official announcement ha ha.) In truth I haven't heard what role it is but the idea is that the new owner didn't want to come in and make promises about appointments, especially after the false prophets we've had before. Now for my own guesswork. The next appointment was dependant on Davison coming here which must have taken some doing. Prising a man away from a solid highly paid 35 year career is a massive achievement so the plan outlined to him must be really impressive. This is all frustrating for us but it's better than the last takeover which was all just smoke and mirrors. It looks like we're now putting in the right foundations instead of trying to put the roof on too early and seeing it all collapse.

I really don't see why everyone is getting so worked up that the announcement hasnt been made, surely anyone can see with the appointments that have been made already that it has to be already completed which yourself and others have stated on a few occasions.
I for one am certainly not worried as I don't think by the announcement not being made yet is changing anything that is being put in place by the new owners.
If we had been told 2 weeks ago that it was all done and the announcement was made does anyone actually think the club would be any further forward than we are right now. I may be wrong but it looks like KLD and his team are pulling all the strings right now anyway.
So if they have a reason why they haven't made the announcement yet then so be it, as long as we get want we want.
Just read back through that and realised how many times I said announcement but sorry I can't be arsed to change it

 

[Smug in Boots]

Smug I agree with all of that but is Davison really KLD’s “right hand man” if he reports into Rodwell? I’m not saying this because I think Rodwell is a “Methven guy”, but you’d expect KLD to bring in a right hand man with more influence.

If KLD was bringing a right hand man in I’d expect them to be above Rodwell in the hierarchy.

I’m still expecting another more senior appointment, be that immediate or perhaps in 6 months to 1 year as a phased transition with rodwell leaving

Perhaps not, I might have jumped to the wrong conclusion.

If someone comes in, above them all, I'd be quite pleased tbh. Otherwise, as you say Rodwell could be replaced. It's just good to see professionals arriving at the club ...

... in fact, in our position a billionaire owner with good appointments and a definite plan is a dream imo.

 

[Iain]

But Burge is stopping the opposition scoring in every other game so surely he has the basics right? No doubt there are better keepers out there but stats show he’s currently up there with the best at this level. Not sure about matthews being good enough as cover so maybe a keeper to replace him might be an idea.

I'm not Burges biggest fan by far but I think he's probably a half decent league one keeper, at this level unless it's a quality youngster or a 30+ that has played at a better level I don't think you'd get much better than him

 

[Smug in Boots]

I'm not Burges biggest fan by far but I think he's probably a half decent league one keeper, at this level unless it's a quality youngster or a 30+ that has played at a better level I don't think you'd get much better than him

I think he's a decent keeper and I certainly haven't seen too many blunders ...

... I'd rather we addressed other areas although we're better than Tuesday suggested imo.

If we'd won I don't think Plymouth would've had much to complain about.

 

[Essayyeffcee]

I might be in the minority but I'm not that worried that it hasn't been announced yet. Ideally it may be better if it was so we can all relax in the knowledge that Donald hasn't scuppered the deal last minute but it was publicly mentioned that KLD was talking over and all it needed was the EFL rubber-stamp but with his background can he really fail that? But just look at what is being put into place "behind the scenes". Speakman running the football side, Davison being brought in from a big business where he's spent the best part of his working life. The foundations are being put into place for the club to start to rise again. If LJ could get some backbone into these players and manage to get promoted this year - brilliant! But if we stay down, the club could wipe the slate clean and get players in that LJ actually wants and who he reckons could play the system he likes. We might not get the magic carpet ride we all would prefer but it's gonna be a bit bumpy for the rest of the season. Doubt it'll be boring though!

 

[The Redbaron]

But Burge is stopping the opposition scoring in every other game so surely he has the basics right? No doubt there are better keepers out there but stats show he’s currently up there with the best at this level. Not sure about matthews being good enough as cover so maybe a keeper to replace him might be an idea.

Don't take my word for it , just watch the games its pretty evident..

 

[Mackem74]

I'm not Burges biggest fan by far but I think he's probably a half decent league one keeper, at this level unless it's a quality youngster or a 30+ that has played at a better level I don't think you'd get much better than him

I think hes atrocious. Cost us numerous points and can barely recall him making anything other than a routine stop. Him and Wyke are reasons why we'll never get promoted. If we are a serious club with ambition those two simply arent good enough.
The team slowly gets worse and worse.

 

[Brixton Airshow]

Why would they not pull their finger out and be training themselves everyday to be part of the future are the miserable sods that useless, can’t get my head around people like that the sky is the bloody limit for them if they want it.

Difference between a Prem and L1 player? Both have talent to an extent, but only one group care enough or have the willpower to handle the pressure and improve on that basic aptitude.