Artell Out

[AlexLeicester]

Over this season I have seen one constant: lack of coherency that has led to our usual appalling consistency. The players have been roundly blamed, as have the directors, and this thread questions the abilities of the manager. Steve Davis rescued the playing record almost immediately and then went on to Wembley success, twice within 12 months; he then was unable to take a new set of players and meld them into a winning team. Dave Artell seems to have the same problem: the squad needs to believe in itself and each other, and that’s the manager’s job. Lunt and the coaching staff can sort out skill and football improvement; the manager has one single job – to create a winning mentality.
I always said that, no matter what, I will support the manager of the Alex until he is no longer the manager and then I will support the manager of the Alex.
We have a club structure that still produces good footballers who go on to decent careers at a higher level. As said earlier (Somerset?) it needs to develop, but the basic system is what works for us. We don’t have sugar-daddy owners or directors; we have, in the main, individuals who have given a lot and expect little or nothing in return.

[MikeSB]

Over this season I have seen one constant: lack of coherency that has led to our usual appalling consistency. The players have been roundly blamed, as have the directors, and this thread questions the abilities of the manager. Steve Davis rescued the playing record almost immediately and then went on to Wembley success, twice within 12 months; he then was unable to take a new set of players and meld them into a winning team. Dave Artell seems to have the same problem: the squad needs to believe in itself and each other, and that’s the manager’s job. Lunt and the coaching staff can sort out skill and football improvement; the manager has one single job – to create a winning mentality.
I always said that, no matter what, I will support the manager of the Alex until he is no longer the manager and then I will support the manager of the Alex.
We have a club structure that still produces good footballers who go on to decent careers at a higher level. As said earlier (Somerset?) it needs to develop, but the basic system is what works for us. We don’t have sugar-daddy owners or directors; we have, in the main, individuals who have given a lot and expect little or nothing in return.

OK, if you say so AL...

Isn't the word 'had' a decent structure where players went on to a higher level? Is L1 a higher level? Yes, I suppose so..Most clubs have a decent structure..Most Clubs have Directors who DO put in far more money than ours have ever done and get little or nothing in return.

I admire your loyalty which would have impressed the Captain of the Titanic and the White Star Line.....

BTW, I don't know whether anyone noticed but the gate last Saturday at Tranmere was over 8000...which almost equates to our great times in the Championship....But not as good as they used to be despite our lowly league positions.....Now 20,000 in Gresty Road takes some beating hey? Where have they all gone?

[Timmy58]

OK, if you say so AL...

Most Clubs have Directors who DO put in far more money than ours have ever done and get little or nothing in return.

It is not the duty of Chairmen, or Directors to put money into the club. It is their duty to run the club on a sound business footing. I guess it is a matter of opinion as to whether our board of directors run our club on that basis. One might say they do as we are still in business!

[MikeSB]

It is not the duty of Chairmen, or Directors to put money into the club. It is their duty to run the club on a sound business footing. I guess it is a matter of opinion as to whether our board of directors run our club on that basis. One might say they do as we are still in business!

You've made that statement before and so who's duty is it to ensure the club gets enough money to be able to operate? Lots of clubs have lower gates than us and seemingly pay better wages for their players and so how do they do that? Loans from the bank? Yes, but who guarantees those loans? One director allegedly took money OUT of the club and allegedly never paid it all back and so how does that work then?

I believe our Directors did loan the club some money a few years back and were repaid from later transfer fees and so they must think its their duty?

Isn't it time the Chairman made a statement or gave an interview on RS like others do? It wouldn't go amiss even if it was just to reassure the fans they know what they are doing?

[Timmy58]

Mike, a loan is different from putting money in an expecting no return. And there is a world of difference between making sure the club has enough money to survive and putting their own money in. I suspect our board budget for what we spend on wages etc rather than borrowing money to do it, but of course I don't know.

[Me For Crewe]

You've made that statement before and so who's duty is it to ensure the club gets enough money to be able to operate? Lots of clubs have lower gates than us and seemingly pay better wages for their players and so how do they do that? Loans from the bank? Yes, but who guarantees those loans? One director allegedly took money OUT of the club and allegedly never paid it all back and so how does that work then?

I believe our Directors did loan the club some money a few years back and were repaid from later transfer fees and so they must think its their duty?

Isn't it time the Chairman made a statement or gave an interview on RS like others do? It wouldn't go amiss even if it was just to reassure the fans they know what they are doing?

The silence from the board is deafening, like you say MikeSB some kind of reassurance would be nice. Supporters evening anyone, may be not?

[thnhouse]

With the Artell out argument I'm on the fence. On the one hand we are playing well and have been hamstrung with injuries to key players all season. It's not like when SD left and you could see that all the way through the club we were desperate to get rid of him. Also you can honestly say that Lowery, Ainley, Kirk, Pickering and Wintle are developing well.

The issue for me is our transfer policy has again been poor. Nolan, Walker, Raynes, Grant and Stubbs have all not performed. The only decent signing we've made has been Porter who seems to dip in and out of form.

The defence has been awful all season. Raynes is great at defending higher up the pitch but is terrible in our box. So many of our goals conceded come from players with way too much room in our box. Walker is a midfielder, no wonder he's not doing well as a centre back. Nolan is just about coping but thats the best you can say about him. We need fresh blood at the back and more than just Ray coming back in.

[whosbrianwilson]

With the Artell out argument I'm on the fence. On the one hand we are playing well and have been hamstrung with injuries to key players all season. It's not like when SD left and you could see that all the way through the club we were desperate to get rid of him. Also you can honestly say that Lowery, Ainley, Kirk, Pickering and Wintle are developing well.

The issue for me is our transfer policy has again been poor. Nolan, Walker, Raynes, Grant and Stubbs have all not performed. The only decent signing we've made has been Porter who seems to dip in and out of form.

The defence has been awful all season. Raynes is great at defending higher up the pitch but is terrible in our box. So many of our goals conceded come from players with way too much room in our box. Walker is a midfielder, no wonder he's not doing well as a centre back. Nolan is just about coping but thats the best you can say about him. We need fresh blood at the back and more than just Ray coming back in.

Couldn't agree more. The academy lads are holding the team together at the moment and yet again, it is the signings who, mostly have not stepped up to the plate.

[Alex_Crew]

I find it particularly galling that both our current and previous Managers were defensive warriors but have offered up powder-puff defences with the backbone of a small rodent. That's been run over.

I like Dave - he's got the passion and enthusiasm I want in a Crewe Manager - but his game management is 'developing' shall we say. I also question signing Miller on loan (when we have Bowery, McKirdy and Reilly to see us through) - that money should have been spent on bringing in a commanding goalkeeper. I'm not saying Ben's solely responsible, but he doesn't command his area which puts pressure on the defence to win crucial headers in the 6 yard box. They want a 'keeper to come and punch or pluck them out.

I think we've got enough to survive.....just......but changes are needed in the summer.

[MikeSB]

I find it particularly galling that both our current and previous Managers were defensive warriors but have offered up powder-puff defences with the backbone of a small rodent. That's been run over.

I like Dave - he's got the passion and enthusiasm I want in a Crewe Manager - but his game management is 'developing' shall we say. I also question signing Miller on loan (when we have Bowery, McKirdy and Reilly to see us through) - that money should have been spent on bringing in a commanding goalkeeper. I'm not saying Ben's solely responsible, but he doesn't command his area which puts pressure on the defence to win crucial headers in the 6 yard box. They want a 'keeper to come and punch or pluck them out.

I think we've got enough to survive.....just......but changes are needed in the summer.

Andy who always rings on RS P&G keeps making the same point that its our defence over the last few years which has been letting us down and so the question is why? We bring in some defensive players and we have our own and so is it as simple as saying there were/are too many academy players and expecting too much from them? I feel sorry for the team at the moment as they plus the management and probably the board are feeling the same way but that is at least one good reason why the Chairman comes out to rally the troops and give some direction....Silence is indeed deafening and its not good and as though they too are expecting the worst?

BTW, the GK selection situation seems strange to say the least? Their confidence must be shot too?