In your opinion. Managers contracts don’t get renewed until closer to the time theirs run out, or when other clubs are sniffing around. SL choose Nige, no one else put him up to it. Nige has done what SL has asked of him. So why do you think (other than not handing over money of sales) SL wants shot of him?
I echo this sentiment , I’d also add in, not backing GJ with a decent striker in the Jan window in 2008, cost us a real shot at automatic promotion
I didn’t want him in the first place However when he came I supported him and thought he did ok It was right he went when he did I don’t want him back, for the sake of the club and the fans - but also for his own sanity.
Then SL don’t want me to buy a season ticket. Not that I have anything against LJ but I’m not sitting through that again.
It’s not based on his contract not being renewed, it’s based on how SL is treating NP, it’s clear to see we are short on numbers in terms of playing staff, as I said up to the sale of Scott it kinda made sense. Since then something changed, Nige is very careful about the words he uses, it’s his way. Listen to the interview where he said, to paraphrase , he’s no idea why money wasn’t released from the Scott sale, he added if you want the answer to that question you need to ask someone else. He also stated the owner decides the figures I just work within them, he’s never been so candid before, he’s always towed the line that we need to save money on the wage bill blah de blah, he’s clearly saying he thinks part of the Scott money should be used to bolster the squad and he’s really not very subtle about it. Part of his remit when he was taken on was to cut costs, the wage bill specifically, but we were always led to believe once that was achieved. After 2 years Nige would be given scope to strengthen the squad with a view to push on up the table, promotion was obviously the ultimate goal. I’m not suggesting they could have foreseen a sale as big as Scott’s, but even until recently SL was saying any money raised could be used on the team. Now it seems SL has changed tact mid stream, Nige has been dropped right in it. Imo NP has broken ranks in a very clever way, by pointing out it’s the owner who sets the limits and has tied his hands he’s letting everyone know if it goes belly up don’t look at him look at SL for not sticking to his end of the bargain. It reminds me of the SC scenario, only Nige is much better at it, he’ll stick to his job of trying to do the best he can with the restraints he has, but has let everyone know his hands are tied. Whether SL gets rid now or when his contract ends is to be decided, but he doesn’t like managers that question his decisions, so one way or another NP won’t imo be offered another contract. If things go belly up over the next few weeks i think it could get interesting.
What, challenging for the play offs, and a League Cup semi- final run. How terrible vs where we are today, fighting relegation….
I’ve always had the impression that Nige distances himself from the transfers in or out.. I’ve said many a time, I believe he would rather build a side with players coming through and then dropping in experience when required..I still think if he had an open cheque book it wouldn’t be big time players coming in..I just don’t think it’s his style..I actually believe that’s the right way and not to spend money for the sake of.. Players that fit the agenda rather than big time Charlie’s that is only here for the wedge.. just my opinion!!
I agree, which is why I find it odd he’s not been given scope to add a couple more, he’s not going to spend for the sake of it, so why not, our squad is too small, we need a couple more championship quality signings imo
Last 8 seasons final positions ~ 2015/16 - 18......SC/LJ 2016/17 - 17......LJ 2017/18 - 11......LJ 2018/19 - 8.......LJ 2019/20-12.......LJ/DH 2020/21-19.......DH/NP 2021/22- 17......NP 2023/23-14......NP Not a great 8 years of progress to be proud of.
Generally not, not no, although I can't remember a time in my life were we lasted 8 consecutive years in the second tier. Worthy of note is though, that 2 of these seasons we went to the last day of the season with a chance of the play-off's albeit slim, and when COVID hit in early 2020 we were also right in the play-off mix until we fell away after the restart, I think we had dropped to 9th when LJ got the bullet, and dropped a further 3 places under DH. I think this just shows that really we are a mid-second tier club. Perhaps we should just be happy with that and accept it?
That is the problem, personally I don't accept it, massive debt,broken promises, continually selling our best players, all eminating from the top, also, if you are happy with nearly seasons fair enough, judgement is made on results, if managers fail to achieve they are sacked, 2 have failed, the third is walking a tightrope and I don't think he is a happy chappie but at least he is a realist.
All of that sits with SL, not the 4 managers he has employed since we returned to the Championship. I was certainly happier with the nearly play-off seasons than I have been with the nearly relegated seasons over the last 2 years. Are you not? it's also 3 that have failed, SC, LJ and DH.
Our opinions are miles apart on this subject as I'm sure you anticipated, I still say the last 8 years has shown little progress on field and little to be proud of. Personally I have always rated Cotts, thought LJ was a disaster area, liked Deano very much as a man and think Nige is working very hard within difficult circumstances, I think the large majority of our fanbase are supporting him and I'm one of them.
We’ve at least stayed in the championship which is something, SL has done well off the pitch, ie stadium, HPC, which when all said and done is his domain. For the amount of investment in the playing staff let’s be honest we’ve underachieved under SL. I think I’ve reached the point where I’ve accepted we’ve probably come as far as we can under his stewardship, which is sad because I think he wanted the prize of the PL and deserved a pop at it as his heart was in the right place. My impression is he’s getting tired of trying now and would like a way out. We need to be careful for what we wish for though as there are a lot worse owners out there than SL.
How do you know he's not been given scope or even asked for it? I agree with you, we need to at least cover positions like for like when becoming injured or banned etc.. The problem with the tag "championship quality" they come at a cost and normally over inflated...It's why we are normally linked to League1 players etc!!
Pretty much agree, think your summary of LJ a bit harsh , although I think it may be somewhat tongue in cheek, I’m sure if NP was given as much backing as LJ was we’d have a chance, but probably now it’s too late.
But Nige has never asked for backing, most of his interviews around transfer windows is we won't by for the sake of
If you listen to NP’s recent interviews it’s obvious he hasn’t been given scope for use of Scott money, also SL said the same on his Guernsey interview, to paraphrase, keep it for a nest egg, squad good enough for top 10 finish, with a bit of luck top 6, quoted Luton. He’s becoming delusional imo We are fishing in L1 because wage demands of championship quality players are too high for our wage structure. It’s a catch 22 though if we keep buying L1 players we’ll find ourselves playing in L1
