Thanks Kev - but is a new manager needed?

[annie1954]

Like you I bought a season ticket for the first time this year. I'm genuinely thinking of not coming Saturday. I know I'm going to get attacked but I don't live in or around Southend and have to drive over an hour to get to the ground. To see that S**T? If Kev's still in charge next season I'm not sure I'll renew.

Following the mighty blues through good & bad is part of being a shrimper . COYB

 

[Fairport]

Not sure if it's time for Kevin to go he has credit in the bank as many have said. The next half a dozen games will be interesting especially as the injury list is not too much of a problem. If the worst happens and COSU pull the trigger then maybe the dream team of Adam Barratt as manager and Tilly as assistant could be put in charge.

 

[Lincoln Shrimp]

As much as I'm not impressed with what's being served up so far this season, given his loyalty and how much he's been handicapped over the last 3 years, I think Maher deserves the opportunity to bring in the 3 or 4 players he thinks he needs to turn the ship around.

I'd much rather the consortium save the £175k it would take to dispense of the 3 Amigos and instead spend the money on some quality to make us a more dynamic and exciting proposition.

If Maher was to leave us in the future, I'd personally like to see Mark Bentley given the opportunity to step up to show what he could do as a number one. He had Canvey flying high at the top of the league before we came calling three years ago, with his side scoring plenty of goals in the process.

 

[Chairman Trigg]

New signings won't make any difference to results or style of play. The current coaching team will simply stifle any creativity or individual enterprise that a new player might bring in with him. Delaying the inevitable only puts pressure on a new coaching team if COSU do not bite the bullet soon. What further evidence is needed that the Maher project has run its course?

Think you only have to look at Moncur who arrived playing forward looking and passing then within a couple of games was transformed into backwards and sideways play. Other issues with Kev is he simply can't motivate or change things like yesterday and is one dimensional in style of play.All the goodwill is now being lost ,surely a consortium of successful business men will have to act

 

[Roger The Alien]

Sacking Kev wouldn't just be sacking Kev. If you want to bring in a coach who plays a back four, you almost certainly have to find the money to sign a left-back, unless you're going to stick Ralph there and hope for the best. You need to decide where GSM fits in if at all. You need to sign some wide players to add depth beyond GSM and Bridge. The squad has been built to suit the 5-3-2 shape Kev likes, and while it's easy to sit on here and say "why doesn't he change formation?", it's quite tricky to see how he would actually do that, and if he was sacked and someone else was brought in, they wouldn't be able to do anything different unless you give them the funds to do so.

Now, whether that was the right call or not is a whole other debate. It's something Stan spoke about a lot when he was involved, about a Director of Football recruiting for the good of the squad rather than necessarily to fit a specific system. But this is also what you get when you invest the bare minimum into a squad. It's true that COSU have put some money in for signings, but the likes of Moncur and Bonne are probably costing more and contributing less than other options could have. That is on John Still and his recruitment team, and on COSU for not coughing up the money earlier on.

Add in the fact that the three amigos have long-term contracts, I'd be surprised if COSU could afford to pay them off and sack them anyway. Let alone to be able to pay them off, bring in someone new, and give them a budget to work with for new signings. We've ended up paying for COSU trying to scrimp before. How many people on here knew that we needed another forward even before Cardwell left? Then we're left picking up scraps and paying over the odds for Bonne who is not good enough.

So who is to blame? The players, because there are several not playing at the standard they are capable of. Kev and the amigos, because they are getting things wrong. John Still and his team, because there has been budget wasted on poor signings this season. COSU, because they haven't strengthened the squad as much as it needs to be flexible. Ron, because COSU may well have done a bit more if they'd been in the doors earlier.

Where does that leave us? I genuinely question whether COSU would be able to afford sacking the current coaching team, and I don't see why they would be in any rush to walk. I don't think they should be either. What is clear is that something needs to change, and COSU will have to decide whether they're going to go all in and back Kev with the depth he needs. If they don't, they either can't afford to or they're trying to force him out.

This formation would ensure we performing better and score more freely.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

A lot has been said about Kev's tactics, but I'm not sure what he's meant to do with the talent at his disposal?
No Cardwell or Kensdale, and a bitter blow at exactly the wrong time; a Bridge too far: he's been sussed by everyone and no second string to his bow;
GSM also having a so-so period; Husin off the boil;
Miley coming back from injury; with Walker, Waldron, Coker previously missing a while.
Crowther is more and more a non-replacement for Kensdale; and you're left with the impression Bonne and Moncur were late shopping trips thanks to Senor Rat.
Pepple has promise, and Morton is OK.
I'm not sure any tactic you can think of will polish the semi-t***.
We need new players, not a new management - not yet at least.

 

[FarmdogSUFC]

For once this seems to be a fairly balanced debate when it comes to sacking the manager.

I think everyone has to take their fair share of the criticism here. The recruitment has been pretty poor - average these last 12 months. Various reasons why of course but they all just come across as squad players to me. What promoted team over the last 3 years would have these players starting week in week out? Good for the odd game or odd run but simply aren’t good enough to play 46 games at a good performance level.

I don’t think you need to overhaul the tactics but we’ve played pretty much the same way since Kev has come in and it can become pretty predictable to play against. When it’s good it’s actually entertaining in my opinion. When it’s bad, **** me is it bad. Probably the most boring football to watch, but blame Pep and the FA for that. An out of form and unconfident team playing the way we play is a hard watch to say the least.

Some players need to take some time to reflect on their performances this season. I’m not gonna name names, I don’t need to, but some of them have been quite frankly embarrassing. I’m watching a player come off the bench last week, give away 2 of the most pointless fouls within 30 seconds, only to pull out of a genuine 50/50 about 3 minutes later. Embarrassing. We’ve got players who seem to target other players and pass blame onto them. If you don’t win your individual battles and do the basics you can’t win a game of football. It’s really as simple and as cliched as that.

It’s catch 22 with regards to spending some money. 4.5kish season ticket holders and another 2k roughly through the door each week. Are they gonna stay around next season to watch this? I highly doubt it. I’ve already got mates with season tickets who are picking other things to do on a Saturday. It’s all well and good getting these food trucks in, getting these fancy interactive boards etc but if the customer isn’t entertained, they won’t bother coming back. Albeit a nothing game, but we brought about 100 kids to the Rochdale game last season. We lost 2-1, the game was pretty **** and I don’t think any of them have bothered to come back.

Do we go and spend 500k on getting out this league? Go and sign some actual Cardwell and Kensdale replacements. It’s not guaranteed promotion still is it. I guess that would be where you’d really see if the recruitment team are good enough.

Modern managers and styles for me are an interesting debate. Maybe it’s just top level, but it seems to be that if players aren’t good enough, they are simply replaced. The managers aren’t asked to adapt to the players but more the other way round. The board has 2 decisions to make really. Back him or sack him. The only argument I see for sacking him is if he’s lost the dressing room. Otherwise I don’t really see the point. They all still have credit in the bank for me, but that is wearing very thin now

 

[Southend Elvis]

A lot has been said about Kev's tactics, but I'm not sure what he's meant to do with the talent at his disposal?
No Cardwell or Kensdale, and a bitter blow at exactly the wrong time; a Bridge too far: he's been sussed by everyone and no second string to his blow;
GSM also having a so-so period; Husin off the boil;
Miley coming back from injury; with Walker, Waldron, Coker previously missing a while.
Crowther is more and more a non-replacement for Kensdale; and you're left with the impression Bonne and Moncur were late shopping trips thanks to Senor Rat.
Pepple has promise, and Morton is OK.
I'm not sure any tactic you can think of will polish the semi-t***.
We need new players, not a new management - not yet at least.

There's a lot of excuses there, and you fail to mention Kev brought those players in. Would love to agree with you regarding KM but too much lands at his door..

 

[Shrimperjohn]

He deserves longer to turn things around IMO. As much as I was annoyed by the unneeded tinkering to the midfield today, it’s too early to panic.

I would like Kev to be less rigid with some of his decision making though. He does seem to have certain ‘favourites’ who are rarely dropped, Husin seems to be untouchable for example. I’d also like to see less overplaying in the final third, more flexibility in terms of formation (were way too predictable and easy to defend against at present), and better (and earlier) use of his subs bench when needed. Kev seems a stubborn sort who’s unwilling to change, maybe now’s the wake up call to show sometimes it’s required.

Husin is massively overrated by our fans in my opinion…

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

We were in a much worse position last season. Players and staff not being paid, and a very small squad. Endless loan players, and youth thrown in. People saying we were going to be relegated. And then to top it all, a transfer embargo and a points deduction. Demonstrations on and off the pitch. The club on the brink. Despite all of that, Kev&co, and the players turned it around and we nearly made the play-offs. What's happening now is still a fall out of what's gone on in the past. Scraping the barrel for players in Leagues lower than us, that we could afford. Now we have a different canvass to work on. I'm looking more long term. I think Kev and COSU need a bit of time, and they will turn it around. This may or may not turn out to be a consolidation season. I'm told that Justin has said that this season they are sorting everything out off the pitch, that is their main priority, and there's a hell of a lot to sort out. There's been a few surprises that weren't accounted for. Once that's all done, then the main focus will be player recruitment, etc. After that, there can be no excuses, but let's get to that stage first. Let it play out. We are not going down this season.

 

[Piledriver]

I respect your optimism. I really do. I wish I could be this pragmatic, but can you honestly see us going up the table playing this way? I only see us going one way.

Re. the players for a press, Pepple could fulfill that role if we didn't continue to use him as a hapless target man, wrestled by two defenders each and every game. He is certainly an upgrade on Powell.

Walker and moreso Bonne are basically a waste of wages imho, so no issue with that viewpoint.

Cardwell is really the only major miss.

Most teams in the bottom half should in my opinion be aiming for a fifty odd point safety target and fwiw on our form except for a few games this season, we are most definitely in that group. I also believe the team spirit hasn't looked right since the pre season with the addition of highly paid Bonne and Moncur only making matters worse.

 

[blues exile]

It is quite appropriate to question the avowed recruitment model which in any case has hardly been strictly adhered to. Bringing in untried players from lower divisions or those who have previously failed at a higher level could be said to guarantee that you will finish up at best a lower mid table side in your current league unless you are lucky enough to unearth a diamond. The key to a successful side is the right blend and balance which we do not have at present.
Couple that with an inflexible and excessively regimented style of play that sacrifices enterprise and inspiration for possession at all costs and you have the perfect formula for mediocrity at best, which is where we are today. It won't get better, only worse, which COSU need to face up to now not later.

 

[tommy tucker]

AN honest question has kevin mayer had his day .2 Are the players letting the club down After all they are now being payed month on monrh .Or so we have been lead to beleve . 5 Is the concortium spending to much time on regenaration .And not enough time on the playing side of things .Mybe they should give kevin a bit more money to bring better quality players in ASAP .Before its to late .

 

[gatecrasher]

AN honest question has kevin mayer had his day .2 Are the players letting the club down After all they are now being payed month on monrh .Or so we have been lead to beleve . 5 Is the concortium spending to much time on regenaration .And not enough time on the playing side of things .Mybe they should give kevin a bit more money to bring better quality players in ASAP .Before its to late .

For me, the regeneration can be a long term thing, the on the pitch is more important short term. What's the point in having a better facility if crowds half due to Irish Peps possession and relegation dodging.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

There's a lot of excuses there, and you fail to mention Kev brought those players in. Would love to agree with you regarding KM but too much lands at his door..

'Excuses' or 'reasons'? As said, this season's players brought in were probably second or third choices.
I think the Kensdale/Cards thing in much the same week was pivotal. Who saw that coming?

 

[onceknownasrab]

Peter Barnes, once of Man City and England fame, was a mercurial winger. A genuine maverick and a wizard on the ball. He could turn a game with a moments brilliance. His game suffered because of the whiteboard tactics. He said so himself. Instead of utilising his brilliance they wanted him to be in the melting pot with all the other players until he would mark a certain player, be in a certain position etc..

Our team is suffering the same fate. Coached in ways they cannot produce their best.

 

[Chairman Trigg]

Time for rearranging the deckchairs on the SUFC Titanic maybe ? Currie would be the obvious choice in a reshuffle whether he's been brainwashed into this current style or could get more out of this current squad is the question!

 

[Fitz]

Not sure I can agree with that statement, but the Team are currently playing in the same manner he played as a player

Let’s just remember he was captain of a back to back promotion team that got us to the Championship and last season we would have been in the play offs if not for a points deduction. I think there are a whole host of factors at play here.

There was a siege mentality with the players and coaching staff for the last few years. Maher worked wonders but coming out of this I think there is a little weariness/trying to motivate again when the world isn’t against you.

You can not deny losing Kemsdale and more importantly Cardwell has been a massive hit at the start of this season.

I do think recent recruitment has been poor, tactics need to be more adaptive and now selections are getting questionable. Loyalty towards certain players who are horribly out of form etc etc

I think then next 3 games are crucial. If we loose them all and are in the relegation zone at the start of December the fan base may start to turn.

I’m 50/50 at the moment

 

[LennySUFC]

We are 18 games into the season and so far we have 7 goal scorers at the club (Cardwell 8th) with our right back on 9 which is an absolute outlier and has really kept us from being much lower in the table.

For context:
Yeovil in 8th have 21 goals scored by 11 players
Solihull in 9th have 32 goals scored by 12 players
Altrincham in 10th have 28 goals scored by 13 players
Sutton in 11th have 26 goals scored by 10 players

These are mid table sides but they score more and spread the goals around. The question for me is are our lack of goals tactical or down to quality? I think it’s the tactics and I genuinely think some poor performers here would flourish in another side in this league that played more on the front foot. The style and the way we are playing at the moment is dire and boring to watch and I won’t be surprised to see crowds dropping off unless something changes.

Thats the question though, what needs to change to improve results? Not looking forward to Saturday and as a season ticket holder thats not a good sign. (FGR 35G from 12 players..)

 

[nick12]

Like you I bought a season ticket for the first time this year. I'm genuinely thinking of not coming Saturday. I know I'm going to get attacked but I don't live in or around Southend and have to drive over an hour to get to the ground. To see that S**T? If Kev's still in charge next season I'm not sure I'll renew.

I also bought a season for the first time this season instead of paying on the gate because of the uncertain future of the club but this time wanted to show my support for COSU.

I can't make next Saturday for family reasons and I am not upset because our football is shocking and I haven't been to any away matches yet this season (I would normally have done 4 or 5 by now) for the same reason. After 55 years supporting SUFC this is currently one of the hardest watches I have witnessed.

All the excuses seem to centre on loosing 2 players, yes they were influential but we have a much bigger squad this season who play negative, boring football week in week out and we still have some very good players who are performing poorly and some who get dropped if they have a good game in favour of favourites returning from injury or players frequently played out of position (JB).

On paper our team is far better than our current league position but our style of play has got us where we are and is that going to change with our current management team?

Put simply I wouldn't have bought a season ticket if I had known how unentertaining, boring and negative our football was going to be and will think very hard before next season if things don't change.