Have to say that I've had worse days.... Brilliant performance 2nd half we're not a bad side you know... Up the R's.
Feeling good after a couple of good team performances which makes me confident in our base group of players; no doubt we need to upgrade (or replace those that are not given new contracts). However, when it comes to the manager, I remain as I have done all season - he’s scraped through this season and done all he can to get us to where we are. I believe there is a better manager out there to take the team, and club, forward and improve the players we have. Who? Would have to look at who is available - but do feel that if we are still rebuilding, then Gareth Ainsworth is a good shout, as well as bringing in Shaun Derry on the coaching staff, both have been learning their craft. Ainsworth has managed well under a tight budget and will have a good knowledge of players that could be worth investing in. As to others, would be a case of seeing who is in the marketplace at the end of the season.
No chickens being counted here, was just observing the last time we had a good finish to a poor season. Confidence grew etc... would be nice to go on a run now, it’s 4 games unbeaten since Florist I believe and the usual pessimism is receding.
You have indeed been very vocal in your stance. At times you've persuaded me you might be right. I guess you still might be in the very long term. Respect for admitting he's proved you wrong for this season at least.
My point was a good manager would have figured this out sooner, not with 8 games to go. You say where did I expect to finish, but I wonder where we could have finished under a competent manager. With regards to who I'd bring in, I don't know. But I'm not paid to know.
Fair enough. Your earlier post when you stated that the Board were clueless suggested that you did know. You still make the same mistake of not accepting that there really was no other choice 18 months ago. Until someone tells us that there was and that those candidates were rejected in favour of Holloway it really is pointless banging on about how we' d have done better with a competent manager. As for that comment about where we would have finished if......... were you one of those who predicted promotion or play offs at the start of the season? Remind us.
It would be very interesting to know what the strategy is for the remaining games of the season. I am with a few here that believe a strong finish is vital for us. We need to be seen by other players as a team worth coming to; a club where you can develop; a club with a good spirit; where you can enjoy your craft and win games. That might make us a stepping stone for a few years. But we’ve been there before, so no change there. So while I hear commentators saying we are mid-table with nothing to play for, that is rubbish. We have everything to play for if we are not to be seen as next seasons relegation battlers again. I’d much rather us seen as a team on the up, even if that incline is less steep than we would all like.
You are right I think. At our best we have shown by beating so many of the top Clubs in the Division this season that we could be a top 6 side next season, if we can keep the player quality we have and develop some consistency at our best level. It's a big ask with our financial situation, but a good finish and a top half position this season will make us more attractive to players, both the ambitious ones we already have and others.
How do you know there was no other choice 18 months ago? I think we all accept that Holloway's appointment was designed to be a crowd pleaser and I'm sure I read that Ferdinand and Hoos were actually against it. As to our finishing place, we are about where I expected, I wasn't naive enough to think we'd be fighting for promotion. We are where we are in some part due to luck and the poor standard of the teams below us. Do you honestly believe Holloway has done a good job playing the wrong system and players out of position for most of the season?
I agree with this . There have been games and still large parts of games where tactics and formations have not worked . For months we endured the five at the back scenario giving space up in midfield and making us weak going forwards . The crowd had been calling for that change in formation for ages , finally he changed it and we get results . Also playing players in their natural positions , again we have all seen it for months why couldn’t the management team . I believe we have a half decent set of players and have proved that over last 4 games . It’s team formations tactics and positions that have cost us this year , especially needing to chase games . Suddenly we look a decent side .
It would be interesting to hear views and opinions from those that think keeping Holloway is the right decision for us for next season and what he would offer the coming success of our club in the coming seasons. Just interested to hear some different viewpoints.
Unfortunately for the paying customers it has taken 35 games for the penny to drop, we actually have, at times, looked half decent but the intransigence of sticking with the 3-5-2 as a starting line-up which was often rejigged when we were chasing the game makes you wonder why it was overlooked for so long. Furlong, Eze and Oteh have all looked decent now they have been given game time, I don't know how many others would be in with a chance of being brought into the team but perhaps sticking with those that have done well for the rest of the season would be better than just changing things for the sake of it like he did at the end of last season. We need to look at adding a decent central defender and a goalscorer to compliment the squad and we should have the chance to be in the top half next season. My only concern is that the current good form may attract offers and we end up losing some key players, it's a 'damned if we do' and a 'damned if we don't' scenario...
I think it offers continuity... we appear to have turned a corner and found a system that works, and the players look like they have bought in to the project. Historically changing manager has done little for us and there is no reason to think another manager (and all of the accompanying upheavals, sackings and inevitable demands for new player acquisitions) will be any different. We seem to be in a good place and are where we thought we should be. I feel we have made progress - not always a straightforward upward trajectory, but progress nevertheless - my vote is don't rock the boat and let's see what progress next season brings.
To be honest it was never really a 3 5 2 though . Bidwell was never in midfield . We often had moments the five at the back were in a flat line . Bidwell is a great example of getting more out of a player who looked lost for most of the season . He has got more forward as a full back in a back four than playing as a “wing back” . Second half against Fulham was as good as I’ve seen him play for us . If we don’t get over run the fullbacks can see more of the ball. I’m a football coach , done my badges and can see that simple thing. That’s why I don’t get the current establishment constantly ignoring something so blatant .
I wouldn't argue vociferously that Ollie is the right man but if we finish higher than we did last season that would in itself be quite an achievement. To amass a higher points total and gain a higher league position whilst under such spending restrictions and blooding so many youngsters I'd say that's a job bloody well done. Not heard Ollie complain once about not being able to bring in new players either.
