A big red flag for me was reading on CL this week an account by a fan / poster who went to school with Alfie May. The post was more credible for being understated. He said that Alfie May told him twice last season “Jones doesn’t like me” & “Jones won’t talk to me”. This is a complete joke of true. You can almost accept it with a member of our reserve side, but our leading striker & talisman ?? It’s Jones’ job in those circumstances to put egos aside, and make the relationship work. As I say, a big red flag regarding Nathan Jones and his ability as a manager.
About 90 years ago Jimmy Seed brought in a player called Ralph Allen. Allen scored 47 league goals from 52 starts, getting Charlton from Div 3 to the top flight in back-to-back seasons. Allen still holds the record for goals scored in a single season. Alfie May should have been our ticket to the Championship. But unlike in Seed's time there is no stability now. Seed & legendary trainer Jimmy Trotter knew how to use a goal machine. 90 years ago we played great football. Nathan Jones is utterly clueless.
All down to greed by our lenders - put very little in and hoping for a fast buck IF they can flip the club after a successful campaign- which is very unlikely looking at our lot at the moment
That post also seems credible to me. Alex Mitchell was asked why he was dropped against Blackpool and replied that the guvnor didn't tell him. The way he studiously ignored a dejected Thierry Small after hooking him (unfairly I thought) after 30 minutes was not a pretty sight. Small has not been in the squad since, even though Edwardes isn't match fit. Man-management isn't his strong point. Note that Alfie said he is a very good coach, not manager.
I thought Small deserved to come off. I have been reading about how Pep Guardiola treats his players.They have to do what he tells them to do. If they don’t they are out of the team. They will not get back into the team.
Anyway, Pep deals with established top players, Small is 19 or 20, and it was Curtis Fleming who put an arm round him. We ended up with Gillesphey at LB, Which he ain't.
Alfie and Dobbo were the two players the fans could relate to, and rely on to give their all every game. In short, players we liked. Now? Personally Mitchell for one, Tyreece when NJ decides to play him in his natural position for another and er.... that's it. Got a soft spot for Aneke I must admit.
Listening to his post match interviews l get the impression that NJ has those traits within him. Sounds a bit odd to me at times.
No question that Small has not looked the same player this season. That said, as a manager, you have got to earn your spurs. The players , certainly the non Luton ones, will be aware that Nathan Jones was quickly sacked without success at Stoke City & Southampton. A bit of modesty would not go amiss. Micheal Beale at Sunderland famously failed to shake the proffered hand of a player he had just hooked early in a match, and he was sacked within days of that.
