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Didn't want to post yesterday as I was seething on the 3 hours drive back.
After sleeping on it I don't know if sacking Maynard is the answer at this time, he's been dealt a really sht hand by the club but I'm concerned about the way he sets up the team, to much chopping and changing, hammering square pegs in round holes and of course missing McGoldrick Austin and Jones
It?s not so much the result - Wimbledon are a good team, particularly at home, there?s no particular disgrace in losing to them. It?s the manner of the performances - when it doesn?t all click we just look completely slow and lifeless.Quote:
Originally Posted by slack_pie
I don't think he is the answer but he has been left high and dry to a large extent. re the square pegs etc - what is this playing players on the wrong side of the pitch? Fine for a winger, but for awing back? Do me a favour! Tsaroulla made some decent runs down the right but the no end product was because the bloke is left footed. If he'd done that down the left he could have put something in for that big bloke who is pretty decent in the air. It was almost as if we were going for a clean sheet: for them!Quote:
Originally Posted by maddogslater
And for L2 defenders (which they are) to be asked to leave so much space between each other without an enforcer in midfield is just like handing the enemy a loaded gun. It works from an attacking point of view if the intention is to break quickly, but whenever we get the ball the priority seems to be to p!$$ about with it for a while until the opponents have re-set.
And to Jacob's post - entirely agree. I know results get points (or not) but I firmly believe that performances are the key to future performances (and results) - there is a relationship of course. We are going out with what looks to be zero intent.
He needs some help if he is going to remain.. Preferably a more experienced coach or two..Quote:
Originally Posted by maddogslater
There is no denying that our form has sunk as we are 23rd in the past six games and performances have dropped off a cliff in recent weeks but I don't think sacking SM is the answer.
When the summer transfer window closed JJ and Crowley were secured for this season. We had the new trio of Bass, Bedeau and Platt. Then add Jatta and Didzy being accommodated together. That is a solid spine of a very good league two first eleven.
The worse case scenario in the summer for me would have been if the transfer window had shut and we would have lost JJ and Crowley. Here we are in March and that has come to fruition with one having departed the club in January and the others return from injury has suffered a set back. Neither played consistently before Crowley's departure due to both having injuries. Yet in spite of this we have kept in the automatic promotion mix and had a good run over Christmas and New Year.
I think the straw that has broke the camels back is JJ's set back and now we have also lost Didzy and Austin out through injury and we've had four players come in January of which three are young and inexperienced and need time and space to learn and another one has not played in England previously.
The young players brought in during January such as Whittaker, Johnson and Jarvis may have the technical capabilities but they will have to go through the same process as Abbott whereby they need to adapt to the physical aspects of league two. Whilst League Two isn't the rough and tumble league it used to be there are still some physical teams and streetwise teams and the young players have to win the physical battles first and foremost.
Traore is the equivalent of Jatta last year again he is one who needs time to find his feet and settle into a new country and league.
Take JJ, Crowley, Didzy and Austin out of any league two team and it will suffer. What makes matters worse is the head of recruitment has gone, 2/3rds of SM's "management team" have gone and he cuts a lonely figure on the touchline at the moment.
I think we just have to hope that the likes of JJ, Didzy and Austin return soon which will be a boost and we can continue to stay in the mix.
For the season to fizzle out now and us lose a play-off place would be such a negative way to end the season especially when considering all the of the above as it stands today we are still only four points off automatic with a game in hand and with 11 games left there is plenty to fight for.
I don't think there would be any point sacking Maynard, yet. He shouldn't be coach when the players return from their summer break.
Most teams in the division don?t have a single player as good as Crowley jones and didzy so the idea that them not playing justifies relegation form, for the second time this season like when we last had injuries early on doesn?t cut it. The reality is Maynard is significantly under performing and despite weakening in January, which the owners have to take blame for there should still be more then enough to get promoted in this extremely weak division. Drop off in performances and results when key players is missing is fine but not as much as it has done, you shouldn?t need numerous players far too good for the division to get results and the data suggests Maynard does.
I acknowledge that Maynard has had a tricky period what with losing key players to injury and key staff. However, he was extremely lucky to even be in charge this year after last season's debacle. He was always going to be on thin ice with many fans after that. I think, on balance, he needs to go and we bring in a whole new coaching team and Director of football. We have the bones of a decent side, but it needs a rethink over the Summer.
Huddersfield Town have sacked head coach Michael Duff following their fourth defeat in five League One matches.
Saturday's 1-0 loss at Bristol Rovers proved to be Duff's final match in charge as the Terriers dropped out of the play-off places with 10 games of the season to go.
Duff, 47, had been in charge for 10 months, having succeeded Andre Breitenreiter in May 2024 after Huddersfield's relegation from the Championship.
"This is not a decision I have taken lightly," Huddersfield owner and chairman Kevin Nagle told the club website., external
"I really like Michael as a person and I know how diligently he has worked for the club since he was appointed as head coach in the summer, so we've all been desperate for him to succeed.
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I wish the Bros could be as quick as Huddersfield.