I think the catalyst for a change of Manager could be the FA Cup game. If we go out with a whimper it could end as it did with Sir Chris. A couple of people I have spoken to say that a number of senior players have fallen out with him.
In my book Roland has to take the blame for getting rid of Riga after he saved us from relegation, and taking a punt on an unknown quantity in Bob. There was no reason given, it just looked to me like RD showing who was boss, just like when Abramovic sacked Mourinho first time round.
I could understand that but that all depends on how influential the senior pros (ie remnants of Powells teams) actually are. There's not as many of them now but I imagine the treatment of Morro would have very much agitated them! The rest of the squad (ie the Network lot) probably don't envisage hanging around at Charlton so I doubt the managers performance will worry them so long as they are getting games.
It seems Bob may be dividing the players with the 'Charlton' players upset about how Morrow was treated.... it seems he went to Bob to ask him why he wasn't being considered as a starter...... Bob turned round and sais "OK... because I don't ferking rate you!" and when Brum showed some interest he was told that it was in his own best interests to go. There are some very unhappy senior 'Charlton' players in the dressing room but the 'Network' players presumably don't care as long as they get paid.
This sort of thing invariably spills over on to the pitch. You look at whether players are supporting each other or not, and recently, apart from the second half against Cardiff, other teams have been helping the man on the ball more than us. Watch for this on Saturday and see what you think. It's also clear that Bob doesn't rate Wilson, who was runner-up for POTY last season. About a month ago Vol wondered whether the wheels were starting to come off, and it is starting to look that way.
That would make sense in theory but how many senior pros left from Powell's day are there actually, and do they have any influence at all? There's Jackson, Solly, Wiggins, and Wilson. Jackson is obviously well in with the current management who rate him and keep on playing him. Wiggins is injured and Solly half-fit, which reduces their prestige and ability to throw their weight around, and poor Wilson is treated like a dog. I would guess the only players whom Bob listens to are Buyens, Ben Haim and Jackson, maybe in that order. I have never considered Jackson a "Powell player". He was established in the team before Powell arrived as manager, and I wouldn't expect him to stick his neck out for any of the Powell recruits and risk entering the doghouse alongside Wilson, because he is very expendable and unlikely to get another well-paid playing contract at 32 with a history of injuries.. This is not a criticism. They are all grown men earning a wage most of us would envy and they should know that professional football is like any other section of showbiz, often cruel, unfair, unpredictable, where the loyal and conscientious do not always get their just reward and where mediocrities can sometimes enjoy a spell of undeserved spotlight..
What really naffs me off is the fact that Bob had given up after 70 minutes. Bulot replaced the knackered Jacko, but after that there were no signs of further changes and no one was sent to warm up. Ahearne-Grant and Wilson could have come on and added some sort of impetus, yet Bob had thrown in the towel. He may not rate the subs on the bench, but we who sat in the cold were looking for the merest scintilla of hope. It was a poor display from the team, the manager and anyone who has the power to halt this slide.
For those there - Gomez seems to have come in for criticism pretty much everywhere. What was so bad about the performance?
Gomez started the match as a left back in a four four two. Then he was moved to the right of a 3-5-2. In both positions he looked all at sea. Being messed about by Peeters is affecting his form and it is not fair on a young player. His best position is Centre Half and he hasn't been played there yet. Perhaps we will see him there in the Cup game.
Gomez seemed unable to pass, head and control the ball. It was an abject display and only served to highlight how wafer-thin our squad is. Are Bikey and Ben Haim not mentoring the lad?
I'm pretty shocked to read this, Ponders. I suppose if Poyet had been told to play as a striker or winger the same thing would have happened to him. You don't need to take my word for it, you can ask anyone who has seen Joe progress through the ranks as a CB that he has been an exceptional prospect, and we were all pleasantly amazed when he signed a 3-year deal with us, after excelling with the England U-19's and mixing with the youngsters from the "Big" clubs. It's worth remembering that a lot of people wrote Solly off when he first came into the team out of position and had a difficult time (under Parky I think)
I certainly haven't written the lad off, FHB, and I bow to your knowledge of his progress through the ranks, and I have seen him play well, but it's obvious his confidence is wrecked at the moment. Whether Joe is played out of position or not, he should still be able to get the basics right, yet he looked liked Bambi on ice, and we all know he is better than that. On conclusion, poor management is to blame. The kid needs nurturing.
Don't fall over, but I agree with you for once Eddie. It is like giving Peeters a Lada and expecting him to win the Formula one Championship.What is that expression about silk purse and sows ear?
