Multi quotes! How is the SW corner coming on? If we go down , will we still have a new pitch laid next summer?
I have spent some time going through the posts and have attempted to cover the questions raised, not necessarily in your words exactly, but to try and cover as many people queries as possible. The following is what I have come up with, but if anyone thinks that I should include something additional I will try to incorporate it. I have doubts as to how much serious debate there might be, but we can only try. I will need to send the questions off before much longer as I think that similar ones will come up from the fans at the forum and my suspicion is that Mr B might well want to know what he is likely to be asked before the forum. Questions for Mr. Bassini. 1. Are the finances in place to make the next payments to the bondholders, or does it rely on the club selling players? 2. Every club has to assume the worst case, i.e. relegation. Has a business plan been drawn up to cover that eventuality? Linked to that, would the club still invest in a new pitch? 3. What is the current situation regarding the South West corner and The Red Lion? 4. Who apart from yourself is involved in the day to day financial management of the club since the departures of Mr. Winter and Mr Jones? Do you anticipate replacing either of them? 5. What is your vision as to where you and the club will be in two years time? 6. Has the playing staff wage bill increased, a little, a significant amount or a lot more? 7. Having renewed the planning permission for the East Stand, has there been any way in which the development on that side of the ground has moved forward? Questions for Sean Dyche. 1. Do the principals for player recruitment instigated by John Stephenson still apply, i.e. a multi-stage process? 2. What reasons can you give to such a poor start to the season? 3. Why have many of our young players who made some appearances last season been denied the opportunity to have further first team experience by the introduction of players brought in, and how do you continue to tell them that Watford is the club to be at as they will progress more quickly to first team football if they stay with us? 4. How do you see the new rules regarding academies impacting on the club? 5. Do you believe that current squad of players is as good as last year, and are you still trying to find a style of playing that suits their abilities? 6. Why as a former defender yourself do think that the defence seems to fail us so frequently?
Is it fair to ask Dyche "What is a reasonable number of games to give to a manager to allow him to demonstrate that he has an aptitude for successful football management at Championship level"?
I am not sure if it is fair Roger as you are asking him to state how long he should be given when there are many things going on behind the scenes that we don't know about, and in some ways asking him if he will resign after a set number of games if things don't get better. A more generalised question about how difficult has he found the transition from coach to manager could produce some thoughts from him leading along the same path.
On the other hand, ofh, it must be something that is in/has been in his mind, and he would be able to respond without too much thought. Unless of course, either: 1) He has been assured tenure, or 2) He hasn't thought about it at all - in which case he may not deserve to be there. Fair question, I'd say.
Normally, when we have these we're not doing too badly and lose. Now we're doing poorly, could it have the opposite effect? (here's hoping)
I agree that it is an awkward question to put to an incumbent manager who has got off to a poor start results-wise, but who can also point to some performances that might have deserved a better reward. BUT managers are accountable---to fans as well as owners-- and should expect tough questions when they put themselves up for questioning. So after a bit of thought I think it IS a fair question; but would I be brave enough to ask it in person, rather than from the safety of the internet?
I agree with you Roger. What I was trying to avoid was questioning that immediately looked too hostile and was simply put in the bin. I have been thinking about it while doing other things this morning, and wonder if something along those lines could be asked of GT. What do you think?
What about putting it to SD direct and ask him something like "With only a dozen or so games under your belt you are clearly still learning as a manager but at what point might you decide that the position may not yet be right for you and cause you to step bak perhaps to assistant?"
Yes, it might have to be a more general question---"Fans always get impatient with a manager when a bad run of results goes on for a long period of time; in your opinion Graham, at what point--I mean after how many games--does a "bad run" become an "unacceptably bad run", and need "Chairman's action".?
I dont think we should aim for the heart so directly. It is obvious SD is struggling, but having the people who are meant to be supporting the club shoot him down and snipe at him will only hurt him. I am not saying we should sugar coat everything, but we need to show we believe in him and give him the support he needs! We are not trigger happy and we are not a club who sacks the manager when the going gets tough!! We knew this year would be tough when we lost half the club in the summer!! When the going gets tough the tough get going!!
There seem to be too many people wanting to ask hostile questions which are rather akin to asking a turkey if it is looking forward to Christmas. I do not think such questions will get any answer, let alone an interesting or revealing reply. I would much prefer questions such as: why are the academy graduates not being given a chance in the first team? and why are we reverting to hoofball? I ask the latter because as one who reluctantly gave up his season ticket this year and have not seen us play except for Notts Forest on tv, there seem to be many comments here about reverting to hoofball.
Thank you Leo, as usual you have come up with a good suggestion. I think it covers the point that some wanted, so the final question to Sean will be. "With only a dozen or so games under your belt you are clearly still learning as a manager, but at what point might you decide that the position may not yet be right for you and cause you to step back, perhaps to assistant?"
Which member of the panel might know Zen? Right the questions have been sent, so now we wait to see if any of them are put to the team.
