THE Ardley In/Out Thread [Multiple threads merged]

[crazyfists]

Yes, we seem to pretty much unanimously agree that Ardley isn't getting this group of players playing better than the sum of their parts, but I'm not at all convinced that Ardley is even getting them to play to the sum of their parts.

We have had a constant stream of signings from one or two divisions higher, with some up and coming youngsters, but we rarely dominate anyone and in all his time here I can't remember us stringing more than two or three good performances together.

Effiong is built for this division and scored something like 17 goals in a crap team last year. In his first interview he said that there was a lot to learn about Ardley's system but he was eager and willing to do what the manager asked. Now he's a joke figure who can hardly control the ball.

Elisha Sam is big, quick, skilful and has a cracking shot on him, but months after we signed him we still don't know where to play him.

We score way more goals with Knowles on the pitch than without him, but rarely start with him.

Enzio is being transformed into a defensive wide midfielder.

We all know what a good lower division central midfield looks like (Bishop and Ravenhill) and how many games that kind of mobility and aggression will win you, but we choose Doyle and Reeves every game when fit.

I've been saying for a while that this season would be like a Munto season. Remember when we were hovering around 5th in L2 with no consistency, and people started saying the players weren't good enough? Then a new manager came in with proper motivational skills and a simple but effective game plan everyone could buy into, and it turned out they were actually very good indeed.

I'm sure that's exactly where we are now, only I've resigned myself to the fact that there will be no change.

This. Let's see if we can scrape over the line.

[51Magpie]

This. Let's see if we can scrape over the line.

Great if we can, but then what? If Driller's assessment is correct then we'll be in danger of coming straight back down. NA will be on a new contract if we pull off a (currently unlikely-looking) play-off success.