wiseowl

14 hours ago, yarddog73 said:

I'm not convinced we are getting anything different at the minute, of course we'll get a bounce with the new man... 

I often agree with the points you make, yarddog; you say it as you see it. However, I can't agree that we're not getting anything different. With regard to your observation in bold, we certainly didn't get any new manager bounce when DU came in, he won 1 in his first 11 - and lost 7!

Therein lies the problem. We had such a poor previous manager, drilling Lord knows what into the players, that there is a legacy that needs eradicating as quickly as possible. It doesn't happen overnight; cautious, nervous players need to unlearn the nonsense they have been taught previously before feeling confident in developing a new way of playing (ST's "identity"). 

Personally, I think ST is doing very well with the whole of what he inherited. Above anyone else, he should be free of criticism for a while in my book. Let him carry on the good job he is presently doing and let's not rush anything appointment wise.

It's been just 2 weeks since ST was handed the reins and he has guided us to 3 victories and a draw from 2 home/2 away, which has kick-started our season and given us some hope of a decent showing this time around.

He's had the same players at his disposal as DU and is getting a lot more from them; which is a positive sign regarding his ability to "manage".  Whilst accepting that yesterday's performance was not good, ST is finding a way to grind out results; again a positive.

What's evident (apart from the oft mentioned problems in key positions) is that something was wrong with the previous training regime. Several players looked "end of season" leggy yesterday and that should not be the case. Such legacy issues will take time to address but you cannot help but admire ST's interviews; he recognises what is needed and you can tell he wants to make the changes required. 

IF the board are prepared to back him even half as much as they backed DU, then the results could be very fruitful. There is no need to rush into any new manager recruitment; steady as she goes. We are unbeaten under ST; that'll do for me and look forward to the 2 home games coming up. Keep it up ST - you're doing a very good job so far.

I managed 2 - and even if I get hospitalised before the game no _uckers having them - they'll go to the grave with me you grabbing bar stewards. 

12 hours ago, Bobledgersheart said:

It begs the question why haven't you took advantage of a season ticket ?

 

Hi Bob, one of the primary reasons is that I like to sit in different places throughout the season. Sometimes, I enjoy sitting near the Athleticos and taking in the exuberant atmosphere, others I`ll go in the JR to sample the facilities etc. It's a bit like my pubs, I don't do "a local", I like to wander around them all.

Oddly (in today's money-obsessed world) I`ve never been really bothered about constantly seeking a bargain either. I`ve earned my money and I`m happy to pay my way on the day. I have had a season ticket a couple of times but got sick and tired of the same bleating from the person sat next to me tbh! Variety is the spice of life, as they say.

4 minutes ago, mcfluff1985 said:

 

That last comment. Just weird. Attention seeking behaviour. Bet you film yourself giving chips to tramps and post it online

Ah right - was just an honest offer if I fall ill or something, seeing as so many haven't got a ticket. I don't do anything online (other than this) so sorry to disappoint. As for weird, take a long, hard look in the mirror mcfluff. You're a poisonous individual.

39 minutes ago, mcfluff1985 said:

Always good to see @wiseowl showing he's better than everyone else.

??? lol 

You really do have a strange fixation don't you? Give it a bloody rest please.

14 minutes ago, Bobledgersheart said:

It makes me laugh when people who don't buy a season ticket come on here and somehow think they're doing the club a favour by turning up when they feel like it and forking out a few quid extra.

 

Same as a few years back when I was arguing with someone who only went to away games and insisting that  they were putting something into the club.

 

Buy a season ticket and commit to the club !!

 

Jeez - decades of support - and Lord knows how much money spent (and during one period went to every game home and away for nigh on 10 years running). I`ve never bothered much with season tickets - but I've not been committed to the club? There's only one reason why people buy "early bird" season tickets - and that's to save themselves a pile of dosh, Bob.

6 minutes ago, League one forever said:

But the club doesn’t lose out. 

 

 

Correct - I know this won't be popular in some quarters but here's what I posted in May :-

From a financial perspective (and IF cash-flow isn't seen as an absolute necessity in the "close season") then season tickets (and early bird offers particularly) are not actually very good business. To illustrate, let's take a stable "home" attendance every game of 6,000 fans and let's split the fanbase 30%, 20%, 25% and 25% across the various ages/price bands.

If all 6,000 fans had an early bird season ticket, then the equivalent matchday turnstile income from home attendance would be £38,031, which extrapolates to £874,713 per season.

If all 6,000 fans turned up and paid on the day, matchday turnstile income more than doubles to £77,100, which extrapolates to £1,773,300 per season. Even accepting higher overheads for handling some cash etc, it's a massive difference and would provide much more room for better wages/players etc.

So, all things being equal, there is a strong argument to be made that the best way to financially support your club is to attend every game and pay on the day. That's the most beneficial support of all in financial terms.

It's a difficult one, the Rochdale away, as everyone wants to go. I didn't buy a season ticket but will now (i.e. under new management) probably go to the majority of away games (including the distant ones). Should I be deprived of a Rochdale ticket behind a ST holder who rarely goes away but wants to do Rochdale? Simple fact is we need more tickets, there will be plenty of room at the ground, so Dale should sort it out.

What did surprise me was how little notice there was of the tickets going on sale. It was only thanks to my good mate Monty's post that I even realised they were on sale. A promise too - if I can't go for any reason I`ll give my 2 tickets away to a deserving person/s for nothing in return.

Agree - scunny fans are generally a great bunch. Bloody awful situation for them.

We`ll get more - subject to GMP's approval!

34 minutes ago, Wardie said:

All I will say is that playing not particularly well and getting 3pts is much preferable to playing like Real Madrid and getting nothing. I didn't go, so my view is skewed somewhat. 

It wasn't a polished performance by any means but, to put it into context, no team has scored more than one goal against Kidderminster at their place this season (and only 2 have managed the one goal). We are the first to put more than 1 goal past them and only the second team to have won there. Job very well done.

Just bought 2 online 

He's doing himself no harm. On the plus side, giving him at least until the end of the season (with a promise that he returns to his previous role/contract if things don't work out) gives us a degree of continuity, with a man who knows all the players' strengths/weaknesses etc. He's certainly got the fans enthused again too.

The down side, of course, is that things don't work out and we languish down in non-league for longer.

I don't see any need to rush things presently. Interview all candidates, including ST, and let's see how the team/squad develop over the next few games. It's a results business and if he continues with this "winning machine", it's going to be very difficult not to appoint him. Can you imagine the meltdown if say, we win 6 on the bounce, appoint a new face anyway... and he loses the next 2!

6 hours ago, Fervid said:

For me it was feckin rank rotten,  we got the run around most of that game.  Only the Southend game was worse.  Shelton should be shipped out the door at the nearest opportunity absolutely awful. But fuck it a wins a win. 

Agree regarding Shelton BUT - we'd have lost that game previously.

5 hours ago, Bobledgersheart said:

let it go........................................

You're right - edited - I was a little tiddled when I wrote it! 

Edit - just glad we won!

Just back from the game. We`ve just won our 3rd game on the bounce. Brilliant - well done Mr. T !

3 hours ago, nzlatic said:

I think you're doing the board and it's motives a massive disservice here.

 

He had a bad start and a lot wanted rid at the end of 2022 as a result. But after Christmas we were one of the best teams in the division when it came to points and goals scored. That was enough justification for them to give him more time. Especially as they'd clearly invested in him.

 

Unsworth's failure came this season. Other than one great result and some decent performances the results weren't coming. Performances and results then got worse the longer it went. Mainly because despite a full pre season he didn't seem to know what players he should start or how they should play. It took 9 games for them to act. I don't think there's anything to criticise there.

You hold a different view than me, nzlatic. I think the onus on any owner is to do the best for the club as a whole. That has now happened; just a matter of people's opinions on whether the timing was right or not. I have always maintained that anyone with a reasonable knowledge of football could see that DU was way out of his depth pretty early on. He's gone now - which is good and I trust that the next managerial appointment is made purely on objective merit, without the possibility of any personal friendships influencing proceedings.

2 hours ago, mcfluff1985 said:

Simply not true. He pointed out he should have tracked back. I'm sure Vaughan didn't cry about it

I`ll concede "slagging off" was rather melodramatic. Poor form by a manager, though, to reference a perceived weakness (via the press) about a very talented young player. Good managers do those things in the dressing room or on the training pitch The last sentence says it all though really i.e. good manager -  DU never was one, in my opinion.

1 hour ago, tGWB said:

Our supporters who 'Howl at the Moon' will be out in full force soon

 

2 Home Wins and 6pts against a bottom end of the table York City and Oxford City a recent addition to the National League 

 

Our next 3 games are against the current bottom 3 teams in the Form Table Kidderminster (A) Wealdstone (A)  Maidenhead (H), all winnable you would think

 

Steve Thompson has done a good job of stopping the rot and looks to be getting a tune out of the squad and the addition of Neil Redfearn should help keep the momentum going

 

For me, Frank and the Board need to complete the search for a new manager and not be taken in by what will be a noisy section of support to appoint Steve and / or Neil if we win the next three games

 

If after due process Steve Thompson / Neil Redfearn is the standout candidate then so be it 

To be fair, I suspect FR was (thankfully) influenced by fans' opinions regarding the sacking of DU. Fans aren't always right, of course, but what worried me was the number of supporters backing FR's initial stance of standing by his man. That position was foolhardy and probably influenced via some vested-interest views from the board.

Had we got rid of DU when we should have done (last season for me), I think we would have been pressing towards the top of the league with a regular 7,000 plus home support now. Unsworth held us back terribly - no doubt about that.

Presently, Thompson has restored a little bit of pride and put smiles back on faces. He comes across as humble, grounded (no big ego on show) and speaks common sense. He keeps things simple and trusts his players (don't think you would have heard him slagging off Harry Vaughan publicly, for example, as DU did). Early days but a very competent start indeed from Thompson; so well done!

If he carries on getting results and improving the players at his disposal (something DU was totally incapable of), he will become a serious candidate, for sure. 

15 minutes ago, yarddog73 said:

Wasn't on a par with Tuesday but Oxford were shite, I said we'd score 3 or 4 but we really should of slotted them for a dozen, awful football team.

Let's not forget, though, these have recently stuck 5 past Hartlepool, 4 past Borehamwood and scored 3 away at Solihull in a 3-3 draw. Yes the same Solihull who beat Unsworth's side at BP recently.

17 minutes ago, Careca9 said:

In hindsight we should have got shot after n county at new year when it was clear he had no clue. We’ve treaded water for 9 months but now our season starts. Chesterfield got 15 point start now ffs 

In truth it was staring everyone in the face pretty much from the off. I went to the first 11 games with him in charge... and I`d seen enough. For the record during his first 11 games, we lost 7, drew 3 and won 1. A blind man with a stick could see he simply wasn't cut out for management.

Ah well... upwards and onwards. A great start by Thompson - can't complain at 2 clean sheets, 6 goals and 6 points. Keep it up Mr T - it's a welcome and refreshing change from the utter garbage served up prior.

9 minutes ago, Can Neil Redfearn Do It said:

Norwood surely has to start and Willoughby is the obvious one to make way. I thought for all Willoughby's endeavour on Tuesday he was light on quality and our weakest link on the day. I'm sure he's got more in his locker and look forward to seeing him progress - but not with Norwood sat on the bench! 

 

Otherwise same team as Tuesday.

As Sir Alf Ramsey famously said, "Never change a winning team."

It's nice to be able to say, at last, "I`ll trust the manager to pick the correct starting line-up - and trust him to make the right changes, at the right time, if things aren't going to plan."

That's partly what managers are paid to do.

Just basking in the fact that we got a win - desperately needed to start to instill confidence into a group of players bereft of it recently. Well done to the players for their response - and to Thompson for taking the shackles off. Not going to comment on individual performances - just delighted with a very much needed 3 points.