Midsblue Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 That article sounds forced I’m afraid. Feels more like the club has forced DU into doing the interview in reaction to the increasing fan unhappiness & majority now wanting him gone. No contrition at all of his actions (or lack of) to date, his recruitment failure, his selection & tactics leading to relegation form etc. That said I don’t think he’s the type to genuinely apologise or openly admit to his mistakes. He’s admitted he’s not a chest-thumping manager (excluding Chester ) nor one who’s animated on the touchline. However, he could have engaged with the fans more, acknowledged them after each game or even volunteer to a forum in the first 100 days. DU is the most “distant” manager to fanbase I’ve seen aside from ALs appointments where English not being first language was more a barrier (or that toxic atmosphere at time). If we’re assessing his first 100 days then it’s an F or U (in grading terms but both letters rather apt). Would have expected at least a strong C with signs of working towards a B+ …. 1. We’re yet to be convinced where his initial statement that he preferred an attacking and exciting 443 yet his recruitment, selection & tactics have been the opposite. 2. We’re crying out for a DM and RB, which both would support his objective of 433 yet he’s adding more strikers despite having little or no creativity to create opportunities for those strikers 3. Of the 2 strikers signed, both were leading scorers in our league and he’s fast neutralising both through his formation and tactics. Reid is a shadow of who arrived from Solihull - isolated and frustrated. Of the striker he inherited that was our leading scorer he’s dropped him (admittedly was injured too) and destroyed that threat too. 4. I’m still to be convinced that all these signings so far are DUs signings. Carragher was clearly DR. The link between him and Clarke is tenuous to say the least and more likely DR again based on PC being here before plus surplus to requirements at Walsall. Again, Reid & Nuttall are Championship Manager tactics ie signing the leading scorers in your league to nullify opposition. Not saying DU isn’t in charge but this “been tracking them for a while” seems disingenuous too. 5. He’s referencing the off-field changes but are these all down to DU or in fact DR and the Rothwells … where anyone could see what was needed. Fact remains, if DU left now would we be worse off? Clearly no. We’d have just as much chance against Notts County if Clarke did the training and one of the fans selected their best 11. Do I think we’d be in a much stronger position in the league had we a different manager in the last 100 days? 100% yes! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlemoor Lad Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 He isn't here to be liked or disliked, his sole purpose is to get the player's up for the fight and win, but yes, I can now see why some are moving towards the latter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBosch Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 Why is he lying that he cares more about Oldham than anything else in his career? Nobody wants/expects him to feel like that after so many years at Everton and time at other clubs. Why say it? Just further cements his coming across as a disingenuous bullshitter constantly attempting to insult peoples intelligence. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Sinnott Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 10 minutes ago, HarryBosch said: Why is he lying that he cares more about Oldham than anything else in his career? Nobody wants/expects him to feel like that after so many years at Everton and time at other clubs. Why say it? Just further cements his coming across as a disingenuous bullshitter constantly attempting to insult peoples intelligence. Yep, a PR driven interview to try and win fans round. The only way for him to win the fans round is by winning football matches, not feeding Suzanne Geldhart more bullshit... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcfluff1985 Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 20 minutes ago, Midsblue said: 3. Of the 2 strikers signed, both were leading scorers in our league and he’s fast neutralising both through his formation and tactics. Reid is a shadow of who arrived from Solihull - isolated and frustrated. Of the striker he inherited that was our leading scorer he’s dropped him (admittedly was injured too) and destroyed that threat too. Well one of those has 1 in 1 so to be picky that's not true... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LightDN123 Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 That’s just typical DU, all fart no poo. Win some games David. Besides that, a few things stood out. First, he says he’s not that type of character to jump up and down the touchline. That’s more than fair, but we are asking for a clap at the end of the game, nothing more. I’d rather he didn’t jump up and down like a clown for beating a team in the National League. Second, he said he has to find a new way of winning and you can’t always play the nice stuff. Only thing I have seen from a DU team is lumping it to an isolated striker. So got help us if it’s going to be actively worse than that ! As others have said, it’s a forced PR stunt. He won’t be here much longer if results continue. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
League one forever Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 4 hours ago, Lee Sinnott said: With the players he has it his disposal, he should get well above 40 points. I expect the 2nd half of the season to be much better than the first. Not sure how you know I still expect to finish top 6 with 80 points cos I've just checked and I have not said it... Already seen enough could and should from him. He won’t win enough to stay anyway, so it’s probably moot. The last line was a joke/tongue in check. I thought someone of your very dry wit would pick up on that. Perhaps it was too subtle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
League one forever Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 On the phone in Matt said he knows people from the club listen to it. Quite a few came on to say how disappointed they were with his lack engagement and the dire performances. A couple of days later we get this, unfortunately for DU the die is cast with his players and the fans. And is his position is only going one way. However I do find it pleasing /reassuring that the club have spoken to him, to try and engage. At the very least it shows they acknowledge our concerns. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
south east latic Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 8 minutes ago, League one forever said: On the phone in Matt said he knows people from the club listen to it. Quite a few came on to say how disappointed they were with his lack engagement and the dire performances. A couple of days later we get this, unfortunately for DU the die is cast with his players and the fans. And is his position is only going one way. However I do find it pleasing /reassuring that the club have spoken to him, to try and engage. At the very least it shows they acknowledge our concerns. It’s a good point that there is a positive in this that the club are at least listening and trying. However this just comes across as completely disingenuous and contradictory, much like Unsworth’s previous interviews. As above, it feels as though he’s insulting our intelligence. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
League one forever Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 1 hour ago, HarryBosch said: Keep reading this or similar - can someone break down for us what this is exactly? I know, it sticks in my throat every time he brings it up. So far- He’s told the club the players need somewhere to meet/eat/socialise so they’ve spent money on the O2 suite to bring it up to date. He’s told them a team in the 5th division needs a B team. So they’ve arranged some fixtures for the players. Little Wembley needed cutting and reseeding so you could actually play football on it. Which the club have done. Meanwhile he can’t get 90 minutes out of them. . . Nearly all infrastructure is done by the club. He will have an input and make suggestions. But he doesn’t do work or pay for it. I think he’s taking credit for having conversations. . . . Listening to him, you’d think he had two Jobs, one to literally build a club, and the other to win matches. No Dave, all that other stuff is done for one reason- to help you win. . . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
League one forever Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 2 minutes ago, south east latic said: It’s a good point that there is a positive in this that the club are at least listening and trying. However this just comes across as completely disingenuous and contradictory, much like Unsworth’s previous interviews. As above, it feels as though he’s insulting our intelligence. Oh absolutely. The club have done their bit, the trouble it’s still him speaking. . Someone said on the phone in that he doesn’t sound very bright, and listening to him it’s hard to argue. His messaging is basic and very contradictory. Have you noticed how he doesn’t throw players under the buss anymore? After the dire performance at Notts, they tried, he’s never questioned their character, etc etc. That’s a huge shift. An another example that he speaks without much thought, and has to be pulled aside to explain how what he does and doesn’t say affects those around him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old codger Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 Could this be the Damascene Conversion we need? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monty Burns Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 33 minutes ago, old codger said: Could this be the Damascene Conversion we need? word of the day toilet paper? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Careca9 Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 Pleased to see something come out as someone has realised it could get toxic. Feels more like a polished prem player interview. Just wish he’d accept a few mistakes, says he learnt and move on. secondly the rebuild. This is just a buzz word covering up for poor performances. What exactly is it that’s so hard or impacting the short term? I don’t get it. They needed manager and coaches which came with unsworth. They needed recruitment and physio. It’s place ad, interview, hire. Not that big a job plus they done it now. They new needed players on longer deals, that’s happened. Ground and training pitch is adequate, there is a functioning youth team. What is it that’s such a big rebuild job that impacts current first XI performance. For me not much. Many league one/two teams change manager at end of season and sign full squad on one year deals and do well, see Stevenage. We have signed plenty and seen literally zero improvement. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
True Tic Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 Rebuild, restructure, untold work, the hardest part (which seems to be going on forever). If we win two or three in a row I might start to listen, but there’s been NO improvement since he came with money spent, structure in place, his people around him. Nothing to show for it on the pitch but literally plummeting to the bottom. Id like to know when the “hardest bit” will be over and maybe ask when we may be able to expect a winning run. A month? Two months? September ? We are waiting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlossopLatic Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 However genuine he is and as others have pointed out I don't expect this club to mean more to him than Everton he has been here less than 3 months his association with them was for over 3 decades. I expect a reaction of somekind on Sunday if they genuinely care abd if he meabs what he says. Don't let Notts County come here and completely dictate the game. Christ even if we just close down the opposition to stop them playing will be an improvement on recent weeks. Just give us something anything resembling a performance thats a very low hurdle to get over. The good work off the pitch will all be undone if we go down it simply unacceptable. No standing off no surrendering possession get in their faces and put a performance in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarddog73 Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 1 hour ago, GlossopLatic said: no surrendering possession Good luck with this one, near on every goal we give away is down to doing just this in key areas, Gardner probably more responsible than most, dithering and over playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzlatic Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 6 hours ago, LightDN123 said: Second, he said he has to find a new way of winning and you can’t always play the nice stuff. Only thing I have seen from a DU team is lumping it to an isolated striker. So got help us if it’s going to be actively worse than that ! The goal against Notts County was probably our best team goal of the season. Great football. He just needs to get us scoring 2 or 3 of those every game and stop the 4 going in the other end and we’d be flying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcfluff1985 Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 7 hours ago, LightDN123 said: That’s just typical DU, all fart no poo. Win some games David. Besides that, a few things stood out. First, he says he’s not that type of character to jump up and down the touchline. That’s more than fair, but we are asking for a clap at the end of the game, nothing more. I’d rather he didn’t jump up and down like a clown for beating a team in the National League. Who gives a shit. I wouldn't care if he cartwheeled down the tunnel every game flicking V's at our fans IF we were performing. Performance and results is all it ever has been or will be about. Dress it up however you want, if we'd been pushing for the playoffs under ALMO there would never have been a boycott. Results, results, results (and performance) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaddyexile84 Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 1 minute ago, mcfluff1985 said: Who gives a shit. I wouldn't care if he cartwheeled down the tunnel every game flicking V's at our fans IF we were performing. Performance and results is all it ever has been or will be about. Dress it up however you want, if we'd been pushing for the playoffs under ALMO there would never have been a boycott. Results, results, results (and performance) His size and his knees suggest cart wheeling is definitely not on the cards I agree with the rest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcfluff1985 Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 2 minutes ago, Chaddyexile84 said: His size and his knees suggest cart wheeling is definitely not on the cards I agree with the rest fair point 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzlatic Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 25 minutes ago, mcfluff1985 said: Dress it up however you want, if we'd been pushing for the playoffs under ALMO there would never have been a boycott. Results, results, results (and performance) Possibly, possibly not. Some may have done so but probably wouldn't have got the traction if results were good. Which they never looked like being anyway. However, the fact that there are no organised protests/boycotts now, OASF have gone off a war footing and PTB have disbanded, despite our league position and results being probably the worst in our history tells me that those protests/boycotts last season were about something much bigger than results on the pitch. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBigDog Posted December 31, 2022 Share Posted December 31, 2022 13 hours ago, nzlatic said: The goal against Notts County was probably our best team goal of the season. Great football. He just needs to get us scoring 2 or 3 of those every game and stop the 4 going in the other end and we’d be flying! Great team goal but there have been others and sometimes we can look decent going forward. As you say, it’s when the opposition are attacking us that we don’t seem to have any idea of how to deal with the pressure. Strange when you consider that our manager was a defender… 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longtimeblue Posted December 31, 2022 Share Posted December 31, 2022 That article should should come with one of those really small 'this is a paid advertisement' disclaimer. Cringe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wardie Posted December 31, 2022 Share Posted December 31, 2022 Apologies if this has already been posted...Barton Rant over Unsworth It's five years old but extremely relevant and quite funny. Barton says it as it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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