There is no way that luck accounts for 50% of success at this level, more like 10%, but it certainly isn't the difference between 13th and the top 3, which with our squad, is where we should be. I say squad as well Grumpy, because we do have some players that shouldn't be in the starting line-up because they are poor, but it doesn't mean that we have a bad squad. Was United's squad bad when they had Djemba-Djemba and Kleberson in it? I think not. Clearly the likes of Richards and Oli are not good enough for this level, so Hessy should have realised that a long time ago and played King, Essam, Davies etc. I don't agree that blooding youth will stop us getting promoted, im not saying play the entire youth team, just 1 or 2 that show promise, Jack Payne is what 19, would anyone suggest that he shouldn't be there because he's young?? In my opinion he has been by far our best player this season, again! It all comes down to Hessy's decisions, and let's face it, they are bad!
I think that is some well highlighted points. Hessy should have realised long ago that Oli was not up to the mark, so cannot understand why he continued to show such faith in him, until now when things have gone badly wrong. I think Lawrence is slightly different that some fans including myself still rated him in the back four, I take Brighton as just part of that example. We all make mistakes and Hessy has certainly made his, it is now learning from those lessons and moving forward. I suppose that is why I am not on Hessy's case the same way as I was not on Stimmo's. Constantly changing managers resolves nothing, they have to be given a chance to put right what they made wrong. I suppose the biggest concern that I hear about is the tactics. So is Hessy brave enough in his convictions to change that as well, or does he honestly believe he can make it work with the squad available. The answer has to lay within the current squad because if he has to keep bringing in players then the problems are deeper and will eventually be his downfall, let alone any unknown costs to our club. So yes it comes down to decisions and Gills-man-ant-dog is right, they are bad. Last chance saloon I suppose. Back to the luck though, I think we were unlucky in the first half on Tuesday - for any other teams those early chances would have gone in, however, the opposite side of the coin could be we were lucky in the second half. Something I want to add though, just to put across to the fans that criticise Hessy. I can remember last season, praising Stevenage and Cheltenham after their visits to Priestfield, with their big league two players. Some disagree and would say how poor they were. The difference was in my opinion, they found a style that would or might get them out of this league. I say look a those teams now, maybe Hessy recognises that but has failed in his tactics and selection of players to achieve the same goal or maybe that was not his idea. I just wished someone could explain to me in the politest sense what he actually is trying to achieve. From a workhorse back four to an energetic back four, I am confused. I promise not to mention the width, oh I just did! I just hope we can now work with the new line up, otherwise what plan number will we be up to?
You make a valid point BRB and this is the problem, what are our tactics?? I can't even tell what formation we're playing sometimes therefore if it isn't obvious to the players where they are playing, then that suggests to me that the Manager doesn't really know either. It's a difficult one, and as yet i've stopped very marginally short of calling for Hessy's head, mainly because i don't see th point considering I don't think we can make the play offs now dure to so many other teams being in form. However I think Scally needs to really look at it come the end of the season as 2 years ago when Hess was appointed he said, and i quote 'anything less than promotion is a failure' now that has happened 2 seasons in a row he has to make a decision with dwindling attendances and the inevitability of a lot of players leaving again this summer.
It would be interesting to hear the opinions of any fans that watched a few games in Dover. Perhaps Hess is trying to replicate his tactics from this time as it was a very successful time. The problem, for me, is having a heavily unbalanced side. The manager has a huge squad but it is over-loaded with central defenders and central mid-fielders. From day one we have had no width going forward or at the back on either flank. In comparison, Mark Stimson had less experienced, "poorer" players but it was a balanced side. With this in mind it is utterly baffling that Hess felt he would solve the problems by signing Lee and Fortune! In regards to the "luck" debate, how many home penalties have we been awarded this season? I am far more inclined to agree with the 10% figure and there's no way we can argue that luck has been against us.
if the season is over, then now is the time to make the change. A new Manager will have a better chance of keeping the better players. it will also give him time to access the squad and make the neccesary changes in the summer. I still say give hess few more games to turn it around ( my heart ruling my head) but if he doesnt then lets use the remainder of the season for something constructive. also luck? no chance the table doesn't lie.
A bit torn here. You either get rid now, bring somebody else in on a temporary basis just to see the season out. Or you wait until the summer. If still in League 2, I think the decision will be made as opposed to Hessy walking. Then you bring in a new manager, you give him a year, maybe an 18 months deal...NOT a long term 3 year contract. Let him at it, impose his own stance on the team, mentally and tactically, and then you see how it goes. Hessy was undoubtedly the cheap option, but you still need to pay the guy off if you decide to terminate his contract.
Now that Hessenthaler has finally realised his defensive tactics needed to change, I am now willing to give him to the end of the season to see if he can either turn his beloved 4-3-3 into a winning formation, or finally realise he will have to drop/rest someone like Kedwell and play good ol' 4-4-2. What we really need is a manager who will continually get in the face of the opposition and is proven at either BSP or League 2 level... How about Steve Evans from Crawley!!?? See if he can get the best out of our 'star players'...
I would rather see us relegated then see that fat, lying, manipulative t**t managing our football club!
That's what I'm talking about... It's no good us being the nice friendly little club from Kent that lies down and takes a pounding from the opposition.. What we need is to start bullying the opposition again, both on and off the pitch.. Like back in the Pulis days...
I think that when Scally realises that the play offs are probably out of reach ( which I suspect will be after the Burton game) then he if he is going to get rid of Hess,that is the time to do it. As has been said,it will give a new man time to assess the squad before the summer,and not only that,it will generate interest from the fans who will be disgruntled at not going up and maybe give season ticket sales a boost.
I am afraid that anything less than 2 wins from the next 2 matches will probably result in a change of manager, though I am not sure who we are likely to attract who will actually be any better but the facts are that we started this season with a squad that many people thought should be challenging for automatic promotion. We also see people comparing Hess with Stimson and I think that Scally was fair with both, lets not say that Stimson wasnt backed by the chairman when we had the likes of Jackson and Barcham in the side, I know who's side I would rather watch, (even if it was only at Priestfield), but Stimsons side played in a more attractive style without question. If we compare the side Stimson took up with this team how many of the current team would get in. (Fuller, Richards, King, Weston and Oli all played at Wembley), and we have missed Fuller more than anyone would have thought at the time. King and Weston are not the same players. Richards probably is but in the run in and at Wembley he played very well as did Oli . So Royce or Flitney / Gazza, Martin or Nutter, Wright Or Lee / Jackman, Lewis or Payne, Barcham or Whelpdale, Jackson or Kuffour, Oli or Kedwell....Plus I know you all hated him but we also had Miller on the bench. So 3 years on and alot has changed but for me only Jack Payne , and probably Kedwell and Jackman for Weston would get in the side that won at Wembley, Fuller and King and probably Richards would keep their places so basically under Hess we have gone backwards...
Anyone seen Lenny on this bright sunny Sunday morning, with that feel good factor of a well earned victory yesterday - starting to feel like Spring.
He'd only moan that we didn't score more or that Hess should have rung the changes earlier. Yes, Hess has made errors.....he is a human being but ONLY being the paid manager does put him at a disadvantage compared to Lenny.........
Lets get real here, one bad result doesn't mean the end of the season the same way that this one win doesn't make promotion a certainity. Lets leave the judgement to the end of the season
