Robin, it is my view that they (Venkys) will still be out of their depth even in LH 1.
So yesterday served up a harsh reality that it looks like we are destined to go down
venkys have completed the cycle from rags to riches now back to rags
should we all declare that we are doomed?
I don't think so
this is my take on the things needed to happen when we inevitably go down
1.keep the manager he inherited a squad of very unfit and bedraggled bunch of misfits but despite the past 3 loses he gives me the impression he could be the man to lead us out of league one besides who else is there?
2.clear the decks get shot of the players who command high wages but give abject performances
Steele,greer,Brown,Conway,Lowe
akpan,stokes,Evans can all go and will probably not be missed
3.youth is the future of this football club we can field a team of experience and youth and stand a chance of going up
Gk raya/Fisher
Rb nyambe/Henley(new contract)
Cb ward/Wharton/mulgrew/lenihan
Lb williams/Doyle
Rm Mahoney(give the kid a decent contract)/feeney
Cm mulgrew/lenihan/Guthrie/Tomlinson
hardcastle
Lm feeney/bennett/Mahoney
Fw we have problems here but maybe try and keep Graham then promote Butterworth or mansell and utilize an attacking midfielder
Rankin Costello/bennett/Mahoney all can slot into that role
So 3 steps to prepare for life in league one sadly we are doing this with venkys in charge so anything is possible
probably not with a positive slant.
Robin, it is my view that they (Venkys) will still be out of their depth even in LH 1.
Robin - I think you're right. We can have more of a sense of a fresh start if there is a clear-out.
I would also be inclined to give Mowbray an extended chance, as he is clearly passionate about his work.
All the same, I find it hard to put my finger on the real problem (apart from Venky's, obviously!)
It's very difficult, for example, to argue that particular players are responsible for our consistent failure - over several years AND several managers - to see a game out. Why, also, have we failed so often to turn decent performances into good results? And how can we account for the bizarre inconsistency from week to week?
The points-per-game tally of each of the managers has been much the same, too, so some of the finger-pointing there doesn't have a real basis in facts.
In the end, perhaps we have simply never found a group of individuals who have gelled as a team in this period. In addition, I think we have rarely had the kind of on-field leadership that can spark and unite a team. Was it a coincidence that we were so "flat" against Barnsley without Mulgrew on the field?
I just don't know the answers, but - as you all know - I simply can't see that it has all been down to the failings of the managers. The players have repeatedly expressed enthusiasm - as they would! - about the changes that have happened after the arrival of a new man, but the impact always seems to have been short-lived, at best.
I'm so, so sorry to keep on but the only thing I can see that's wrong is the overlording 'leadership' of our not so well received owners.
I can only guess at what the motivational atmos is like whilst under the duress of these 'absent landlords'.
So if a large proportion of the support base has no desire to be 'involved' with the circus, why should the more recent mercenary acquisitions. The only place that has really been 'buzzing' is the treatment ward!!!
On the subject of Venkys - why? Having read a few pieces where it's said that just simply being owners of a UK footie club is means enough to elevate their core business/s. I am now forming the view that just maybe their 'signal' in doing so could well be - 'OK we're not where we where, but who cares and in any case we are so mega rich we can sustain it. That's how rich we are.
Maybe that's the 'mindset' of the circles in which they move and operate.
As for the 'minions' beneath them, so what, they are of no consequence.
JMHI
Plenty of points to play for yet,the next two games are pretty crucial though..
Wanderlust - I know you're right and I have generally been more upbeat than most, but we just never seem to have clawed our way clear of the relegation-zone, despite a number of good performances. It almost seems like we're fated - and I hate saying that because I don't normally believe in that guff!
Despair - grasping at straws and picking up something someone (Robin?) posted the other day, wouldn't it be great if Venky's suddenly did the decent thing and turned the Club over to a supporters' group, debt-free. They could then present themselves as true, disinterested men (and women!) of the people, graciously bestowing the gift of independence...
...and then I woke up.
For a start lads, your NOT down yet of course!
But these two upcoming games against Brizzle and Florist are huge, and Id say that at least 4 points is needed from them.
Robin - I meant to say, in replying to your earlier post, I don't agree about getting rid of Stokes. He strikes me as the kind of CF who would do well in Division One - direct and no-nonsense. I don't really think he has been given a fair shot so far.