Maynard out?

[jackal2]

Maynard's mentality sounds like that old chant 'Mindless Minority'. Maybe fans could start chanting that in our excruciatingly tedious spells of pointless possession-based football if he stays, which I'm starting to be convinced he will.

Pointless possession is the key phrase.

Under Neal Ardley and Stuart Maynard the large percentage of possession was/is pointless, because too often it hasn't produced a positive result, and it isn't the least bit entertaining to watch. In fact it's tedious, like watching a never-ending pre-season game.

Under Luke Williams there was always more purpose and attacking intent about what we were doing, winning the ball back quickly and always trying to get it into the opponent's box. His policy of banning shots from outside the area was odd, especially when you've got someone like Didzy in the team, but players like Jodi Jones were free get forward to put as much quality ball into the box as possible and they thrived on it. We also played at a much higher tempo than under Maynard, taking fewer touches, so opposition defences didn't have time to set. The only major criticism I had of Williams was the unnecessary overplaying at the back which exposed the limitations of a player like Baldwin, but I suppose even then the risk-taking had you on the edge of your seat rather than dozing off.

There's another thread suggesting that our squad lacks a considerable amount of talent, but I don't really agree. I think Bass is one of the best goalkeepers in the division, our new centre-halves this season have been far better than the ones they replaced, we have two attackers who managed to get themselves amongst the leading scorers in the division DESPITE the amount of turgid football we've played, and wide players like Jones, Tsaroulla and Jarvis could thrive under a Williams-style system. In Matt Palmer we've got a steady midfielder who can collect the ball from defence and play the pass to the player who can play the killer pass, but what we lost in Dan Crowley was the latter. That needs addressing through recruitment.

For me, the criticism that is equally valid of Neal Ardley and Stuart Maynard is that neither is able to get their team playing in a way that maximises the potential of their players, in fact quite the opposite, they stifle our leading talents. That needs to change, whether Maynard undergoes some sort of summer coaching epiphany, gets new help from elsewhere or is replaced. I don't want another season watching the sub-standard entertainment I've seen in 24/25.

[Observerpie]

I've a horrible feeling he'll still be here at the start of next season.

He shouldn't be as even when the injuries eased up it looked no different. The squad is far from perfect but is also comfortably better than his style has made it look & I'd be amazed if the senior pros have confidence in him.

Sadly I don't think this season was bad enough for the bros to pull the trigger yet, which would mean rebuilding to fill the gaps in HIS team before inevitably having to get rid in October, meaning we waste another opportunity.

Hope I'm wrong.

This is the way that I see it and, if so, it would need a great start to the season to prevent it turning into a very toxic atmosphere at home.

[SinceSept1959]

Some very good analysis and opinions throughout out this thread.

Maynard appears to be a honest guy but probably believes in his own " system " too much and is far too transparent for the opposition to work out. Style of play never varies , substitutions managed by minutes and persistent with Palmer taking repeatedly poor set piece deliveries ! Interesting chant yesterday 🎤first man again , first man again 🎤 as an example.

The season started well enough upto the Gillingham (H) game until the disgusting leg breaking tackle on Jones and also denied 3 points on the day by the usual appalling officials. Upto that point we looked like amassing enough points to become runaway leaders akin to Walsall.

Maynard has also had to contend with numerous lengthy injuries and illness amongst the squad. All clubs have injuries but ours have been amongst the most damaging, especially to key personnel.
Another factor was the departure of 2/3 of the " management team" under unexpected and unrevealed circumstances. The highly vocal Mark Saunders being a significant departure ??
After staying behind to watch the Doncaster presentation, the numbers of their backroom staff was incredible.
Has Maynard received enough support although Collis and Sloc's have contributed from the dugout.
If Maynard is retained he certainly needs more support and the decision not to retain JOB in a player/coach role was naive .

At the end of the day, the players are on the pitch and the manager /coach implements a game plan . The players have to make the correct choices during a game and have the ability to defend , create and finish chances. An area which has been our downfall, along with a lack of leadership , agitation and persuasion during matches. In essence a motivated winning leader as skipper.

All fans want the best for their club Many have lost patience with SM, particularly with his failure to make successful game changing substitutions.
IMHO both Jarvis and Morais should have started much sooner yesterday.

Continuity and stability is preferable but in a results based business,whether the owners pull the trigger is anyone's guess. Either sack the coach or back him to the best of budget availability.
To progress further , player recruitment should be focused on available players with a winning habit and mentality.

[BCnotts18]

Someone posted SM?s home record a few weeks back but am struggling to find it now. It was absolutely rancid. The performances since the turn of the year at ML have been moribund.

He?s a reasonable guy but is (and never has been) up to the job. I hope the brothers don?t see the season ticket sales as a justification to keep him. I have renewed because I support the club, not because I am happy with what I have witnessed at ML this season.

I posted this a few weeks ago; the stats are actually worse now since we've lost both home games since then...

"Between the start of August and the end of December 2023, LW won 10 games at home, picking up 30 out of a possible 39 points, with his last game being a 5-0 battering of Morecambe, in which we played some of the best football I've ever seen at Meadow lane. If it wasn't for our very good home form last season, we would've almost certainly been in a relegation fight.

In the 13 months since then, in which we've actually played matches, SM has won 12 games at home and picked up 42 points out of a possible 96, with nearly every single performance being some of the most insipid stuff I've ever seen at Meadow lane.

I don't even know why it's a question, SM should've been gone months ago, never mind now."

Combine that data with this and you get the clearest picture possible of why Stuart Maynard cannot be the head coach of this football club at the start of next season.

https://x.com/connorncfc1/status/192...9W0f1DlFQ&s=19

[marky]

I posted this a few weeks ago; the stats are actually worse now since we've lost both home games since then...

"Between the start of August and the end of December 2023, LW won 10 games at home, picking up 30 out of a possible 39 points, with his last game being a 5-0 battering of Morecambe, in which we played some of the best football I've ever seen at Meadow lane. If it wasn't for our very good home form last season, we would've almost certainly been in a relegation fight.

In the 13 months since then, in which we've actually played matches, SM has won 12 games at home and picked up 42 points out of a possible 96, with nearly every single performance being some of the most insipid stuff I've ever seen at Meadow lane.

I don't even know why it's a question, SM should've been gone months ago, never mind now."

Combine that data with this and you get the clearest picture possible of why Stuart Maynard cannot be the head coach of this football club at the start of next season.

https://x.com/connorncfc1/status/192...9W0f1DlFQ&s=19

I remember you're thread "are we actually going anywhere" in mid-February and some gave you pelters for it.

[Old_pie]

https://x.com/ciaranclarke9/status/1921967491292533044

I've never hoped someone poaches out manager more

Last six: L L L L L L

He'll be a good fit; they are quite accustomed to losing after a good run

[MagpieNate]

Last six: L L L L L L

He'll be a good fit; they are quite accustomed to losing after a good run

That would the craziest managerial change of the summer surely?! If we got money for Maynard or even just someone to take him off our hands without the need of a pay off, I think the bro?s would be laughing. I?m definitely more of a positive (nodding dog) supporter but the more I think about it and read others arguments, the more I?m convinced a new head coach is needed.

[BCnotts18]

I remember you're thread "are we actually going anywhere" in mid-February and some gave you pelters for it.

I remembered I made that yesterday and was actually surprised by how correct my prediction turned out to be, if only I'd had such luck in the prediction league😅

Obviously everyone is well within their right to have and express their opinions, but unfortunately there are certain posters on here who just seem to be in denial over how truly bad we've been since January. You can't reason with those who refuse to be reasoned with however; and if being in touch with reality means getting called spineless on an online forum then so be it.

[tommopie8]

He shouldn't have started the 24-25 season for all the reasons we've seen unfold.

If he starts the 25-26 season as our head coach then they can whistle for my money.

[Jampie]

If Luke Williams did do an interview saying he wants to get back in the game even as an assistant, what are the thoughts on a ?management team? of SM and LW?

That would be potentially an awesome combo and I'd love to see it.