THE Ardley In/Out Thread [Multiple threads merged]

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Originally Posted by upthemaggies

I've just asked myself this - Given the choice of sticking with Ardley or inviting Fulalrton back, I've got to be honest with myself and say I'd stick with Ardley. So I'll revise my top worst list and place Fullarton 2nd. Kiwomya is 1st because his appointment was pivotal, the difference between us having genuine Championship aspirations and shifting gears into reverse at full speed and sending trash cans and fruit and veg crates flying into the path of supporters entering Meadow Lane. He didn't appoint himself but symbolically, Kiwomya is the turning point this side of the Munto season.

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I felt really sorry for Kiwomya, like you say the position was thrust upon him but I don't necessarily think it was his footballing knowledge that let him down. I got the feeling it was evident during a couple of games that the players didn't really have much respect for him and he didn't appear to have the character to deal with it.

With performances like the other night, this squad, no matter how good it looks on paper, will finish mid table at best.

Assuming the season starts (which may prove unlikely) I would give Ardley until 20 games to prove himself with a 50% win rate (at the very least). I like NA and I believe the players do, but Elite has gone some way to persuading me that tactics are not his strong suit. It would be so good to have a competent gaffer who was also a decent human being.

Kiwomya was the cheap option put in place by clueless owners hoping the players would play for someone they knew.

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Originally Posted by sidders

I like NA and I believe the players do, but Elite has gone some way to persuading me that tactics are not his strong suit.

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It's not especially tactics sid, because I'm sure Ardley knows far more than I do about diamonds, 5-3-2 formations etc. My gripe is more about the lack of variation and the lack of attacking intent he always shows. The Harrogate game on Tuesday was a perfect example, specifically the ease with which they saw out the last 15 minutes. They had looked in control from the start, and we offered very little in terms of attacking threat. For those last 15 minutes I would have gambled, because losing 0-1 is no different to losing 0-5 in a cup game. I would have done something like put Rawlinson up front and play with three at the back. Get bodies in their area and pump a few high balls to try and put them under pressure. Ardley just persisted with what had failed for the first 75 minutes, and Harrogate coasted to Wembley with ease.

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Originally Posted by Elite_Pie

It's not especially tactics sid, because I'm sure Ardley knows far more than I do about diamonds, 5-3-2 formations etc. My gripe is more about the lack of variation and the lack of attacking intent he always shows. The Harrogate game on Tuesday was a perfect example, specifically the ease with which they saw out the last 15 minutes. They had looked in control from the start, and we offered very little in terms of attacking threat. For those last 15 minutes I would have gambled, because losing 0-1 is no different to losing 0-5 in a cup game. I would have done something like put Rawlinson up front and play with three at the back. Get bodies in their area and pump a few high balls to try and put them under pressure. Ardley just persisted with what had failed for the first 75 minutes, and Harrogate coasted to Wembley with ease.

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Ardley must have thought losing 1-0 is better than losing 2-0. One goal against is much better than two and looks like we could have drawn or won. Only one goal in it, eh?

All those statements are correct LL. You nailed it.

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Originally Posted by LaxtonLad

Ardley must have thought losing 1-0 is better than losing 2-0. One goal against is much better than two and looks like we could have drawn or won. Only one goal in it, eh?

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Imagine that the football gods had offered Ardley the toss of a coin in the last minute to decide who gets the next goal. If he calls correctly, it would be 1-1 and if he calls wrong it would be 0-2. Ardley would think about it, then say "keep the coin, I'll stick with 0-1 thanks".

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Originally Posted by Elite_Pie

It's not especially tactics sid, because I'm sure Ardley knows far more than I do about diamonds, 5-3-2 formations etc. My gripe is more about the lack of variation and the lack of attacking intent he always shows. The Harrogate game on Tuesday was a perfect example, specifically the ease with which they saw out the last 15 minutes. They had looked in control from the start, and we offered very little in terms of attacking threat. For those last 15 minutes I would have gambled, because losing 0-1 is no different to losing 0-5 in a cup game. I would have done something like put Rawlinson up front and play with three at the back. Get bodies in their area and pump a few high balls to try and put them under pressure. Ardley just persisted with what had failed for the first 75 minutes, and Harrogate coasted to Wembley with ease.

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I agree with this.

I fell asleep for the last 10 minutes - says it all really.

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Originally Posted by kill_the_drum

You do remember we finished 3rd last season and on a great run of form? Do you also remember we assembled a squad after the club was saved on the eve of the season starting? So our pre season was pretty much the first half dozen league games.
I’ve referred to this dozens of times over the last 12 months but when the Reedtz brothers bought the club and we then had to assemble a squad, there wasn’t a single fan that was expecting anything more than a steadying of the ship and to stop the rot. Yet here we are after exceeding that saying that Ardley just makes excuses.
We started the season thankful that we still had a club and we ended it by being one win away from promotion and two away from lifting a trophy.
If we had won those three games he’d be a hero. How can three games be the difference of hero to villain?
Ardley should in no way be under threat. For me it was a solid season, he’s signed good players, I like the way he’s trying to get us playing football with a fluid front three, and I’m genuinely optimistic for the season.
But I’m not arrogant enough to think we deserve to go up just because we’re a bigger club than most.

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Absolutely spot on