Thanks Kev - but is a new manager needed?

[bluethroughandthrough]

Can the players be better yes absolutely always.

Do we need additional yes always. Can always improve.

Better players though alone do not make a good team.

Say for example we played 9 defenders 1 goalie and one forward. It doesn't matter how much the manager shouts on a side line saying play it forward the fact of the matter is the manager has set the team up with the wrong mix of players to deliver instructions.

An extreme example where neither better players not more strikers will make a difference.

As I look at the games I often find myself looking up the pitch first and looking at available options. Rarely do those options exist as we have a number of defensive players in the team.

There is no natural width, no clear passage of play and no speed in transition especially in counter attack scenarios.

Rather than players being bad, they simply dont have options to play to. I don't know this for certain but if the plan is keep ball/ don't lose the ball, keep it tight and you have no options to play forward what are going to do?

Arguably there are players also being played out of position.

Gus' goals are an anomaly. Pebbles goals were mostly created by him for him. That's pretty much all goals we've scored this season. I don't remember many team constructed goals.

Someone asked whether we have shifted anything around at all in the season. The only time we've really done this was with FGR when we went 433 formation and we looked good. Same players. A real plan b that we haven't really seen again.

Some of these players have played well in their careers elsewhere. Players don't become bad.They may lose some pace but the brain is always there.

Imagine Barry fry coming into this team. Do you think he would struggle to get a tune out of these players with his attacking format of playing and motivation? (Aside for his misdemeanour in leaving although for modern day Ron meet Vic)

Therefore the management team collectively and not just Maher are at fault.

The team is full time which means they have the time to train more and be fitter.

Yesterday's crowd was incredible for non league football.

There is only one variable in this equation which has an influence over all factors mentioned.

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

Can the players be better yes absolutely always.

Do we need additional yes always. Can always improve.

Better players though alone do not make a good team.

Say for example we played 9 defenders 1 goalie and one forward. It doesn't matter how much the manager shouts on a side line saying play it forward the fact of the matter is the manager has set the team up with the wrong mix of players to deliver instructions.

An extreme example where neither better players not more strikers will make a difference.

As I look at the games I often find myself looking up the pitch first and looking at available options. Rarely do those options exist as we have a number of defensive players in the team.

There is no natural width, no clear passage of play and no speed in transition especially in counter attack scenarios.

Rather than players being bad, they simply dont have options to play to. I don't know this for certain but if the plan is keep ball/ don't lose the ball, keep it tight and you have no options to play forward what are going to do?

Arguably there are players also being played out of position.

Gus' goals are an anomaly. Pebbles goals were mostly created by him for him. That's pretty much all goals we've scored this season. I don't remember many team constructed goals.

Someone asked whether we have shifted anything around at all in the season. The only time we've really done this was with FGR when we went 433 formation and we looked good. Same players. A real plan b that we haven't really seen again.

Some of these players have played well in their careers elsewhere. Players don't become bad.They may lose some pace but the brain is always there.

Imagine Barry fry coming into this team. Do you think he would struggle to get a tune out of these players with his attacking format of playing and motivation? (Aside for his misdemeanour in leaving although for modern day Ron meet Vic)

Therefore the management team collectively and not just Maher are at fault.

The team is full time which means they have the time to train more and be fitter.

Yesterday's crowd was incredible for non league football.

There is only one variable in this equation which has an influence over all factors mentioned.

And it's a thank you sincerely but time for something different.

 

[blues exile]

So this manager got the team into a league position with "a good chance of the playoffs".

The nearly man that flatters to deceive.

 

[tommy tucker]

Now im sitting on the fence with this Yes we missed the playoffs again i guess But on the other side of the coin . The three amigos last season played with a 10 point penalty thanks to one person and we all know who that was .This season it took late in the season befoe the take over was comleted And again another embrgo stopped us brinig in the quality we needed to get us out of this dam leauge . So maybe with the right type of players we need .Just maybe we will get the promotion we all want . Stick with the three amigos untill christmas . Then if we need a change do it then .

 

[Swiss Tony]

Can’t take this boring football no more, get him gone.

 

[RHB]

3 games left, no signs of COSU collectively taking any notice of anything from this thread, if they ever did, and to cap it all, still 50.1% of the Zone voters on here want to retain him. Flogging a dead horse comes to mind for this thread this season. Has it been a great season to date? well, we all know the answer to that. Are most, including me, prepared to go again with the same coaching team in 2025/26? Yes, is the answer, but as with all things, the team has to look successful and menacing next season, otherwise positive views will change,

 

[Jay_SUFC]

I get we started the season on the back foot, but still, as a minimum we should be in the playoffs as other than a few team, this league is poor.

Our record against the lower sides is criminal.

If we don't at least make the playoffs, that's just not good enough.

 

[Paddypel]

Not saying I want Kev out just yet, although I think he should be on thin ice. With that in mind I have an ideal candidate to replace him… Graham Coughlan.

 

[Jay_SUFC]

3 games left, no signs of COSU collectively taking any notice of anything from this thread, if they ever did, and to cap it all, still 50.1% of the Zone voters on here want to retain him. Flogging a dead horse comes to mind for this thread this season. Has it been a great season to date? well, we all know the answer to that. Are most, including me, prepared to go again with the same coaching team in 2025/26? Yes, is the answer, but as with all things, the team has to look successful and menacing next season, otherwise positive views will change,

I don't think anything will happen this season and they will be given next season, but if we start poorly, then the knives will come out.

Personally I still can't see much changing, as we're pretty much left with the same players, as most are under contract, and will Maher suddenly turn into an attacking coach.

 

[edwardss2]

Can’t take this boring football no more, get him gone.

This seems to be the problem for me. I can cope with losing, I can cope with not being very good - but it is meant to be vaguely entertaining.
I don't think it is too much to ask, or arrogant to say we should be making the play-offs either.

 

[Jack_23]

Not saying I want Kev out just yet, although I think he should be on thin ice. With that in mind I have an ideal candidate to replace him… Graham Coughlan.

Don’t want anyone who’s been associated with the club previously. Hurts too much . Tilson, Powell now Maher. Can’t handle another one

 

[Ricey]

Not saying I want Kev out just yet, although I think he should be on thin ice. With that in mind I have an ideal candidate to replace him… Graham Coughlan.

My Mansfield supporting friend cannot stand Coughlan. Says he was dreadful for them, if we think Maher has been inconsistent this season then Coughlan’s results are very similar.

Who knows though, that’s one fanbases opinion on a manager. The job he has done at Boston is incredible, they looked dead and buried when he took over.

 

[Hampshire Shrimp]

I think that COSU need to make a decision on the longer term, do they continue to back Maher and stay in the NL, because, IMHO, Maher will never get us out of this league. The trouble with keeping him is that recruitments for next season will be inherited by a new manager further down the line. At some point, the Maher lovers and COSU will eventually realise that he is not up to the task. I know that people have said, give him a pre season free of embargos, other issues, etc.... however, he has made signings, some poor ones at that, Hopper now with us until 2026, that suited him better than us. If COSU have any ambitions of getting out of this league, they need a new manager at the end of this season, to give him a pre season and time to bring players in, and gel. If we persist with Maher, how long do we give him until they finally realise that he is not up. It will be the same next season if they stick with him, but I feel they will, money to pay off not just one but 3 manager plus coaches won`t be cheap. Maybe they will keep signings to a minimum this season and wait until Maher`s contract runs down, get rid and then new manager in and go for it. Who would be a football team owner? IMHO, we will be Discussing about the same things next season if they stick with him, and I am amazed that the crowds keep getting bigger only to be let down by Maher`s drab football. I`ll be the first person to hold my hands up and say I was wrong if Maher gets us promoted, however, I don`t think I will need too.

 

[Holy Joe]

My Mansfield supporting friend cannot stand Coughlan. Says he was dreadful for them, if we think Maher has been inconsistent this season then Coughlan’s results are very similar.

Who knows though, that’s one fanbases opinion on a manager. The job he has done at Boston is incredible, they looked dead and buried when he took over.

Similar to kev then - come in, stabilise and turn around.

 

[Che's Left Foot]

3 games left, no signs of COSU collectively taking any notice of anything from this thread, if they ever did, and to cap it all, still 50.1% of the Zone voters on here want to retain him. Flogging a dead horse comes to mind for this thread this season. Has it been a great season to date? well, we all know the answer to that. Are most, including me, prepared to go again with the same coaching team in 2025/26? Yes, is the answer, but as with all things, the team has to look successful and menacing next season, otherwise positive views will change,

You're assuming people avidly return to change their vote after every match.
I'm sure if a fresh poll the numbers would be very different.

 

[blues exile]

You're assuming people avidly return to change their vote after every match.
I'm sure if a fresh poll the numbers would be very different.

Fresh poll needed now.

 

[jackj13]

So this manager got the team into a league position with "a good chance of the playoffs".

I think this is the thing this season. Promotion wasn’t expected. But in the last few weeks an opportunity arose and completely opened itself up for us to get into the playoffs. But we’ve done our absolute upmost to not take it. So many results have gone our way.

Should Maher go, not just yet he deserves the summer.

But after the run of recent results going for us, we should have got in the playoffs comfortably.

But that unfortunately probably shows where we are. A mid table national league team.

 

[McShrimper]

I think that COSU need to make a decision on the longer term, do they continue to back Maher and stay in the NL, because, IMHO, Maher will never get us out of this league. The trouble with keeping him is that recruitments for next season will be inherited by a new manager further down the line. At some point, the Maher lovers and COSU will eventually realise that he is not up to the task. I know that people have said, give him a pre season free of embargos, other issues, etc.... however, he has made signings, some poor ones at that, Hopper now with us until 2026, that suited him better than us. If COSU have any ambitions of getting out of this league, they need a new manager at the end of this season, to give him a pre season and time to bring players in, and gel. If we persist with Maher, how long do we give him until they finally realise that he is not up. It will be the same next season if they stick with him, but I feel they will, money to pay off not just one but 3 manager plus coaches won`t be cheap. Maybe they will keep signings to a minimum this season and wait until Maher`s contract runs down, get rid and then new manager in and go for it. Who would be a football team owner? IMHO, we will be Discussing about the same things next season if they stick with him, and I am amazed that the crowds keep getting bigger only to be let down by Maher`s drab football. I`ll be the first person to hold my hands up and say I was wrong if Maher gets us promoted, however, I don`t think I will need too.

Spot on. COSU will stick with. We are kicking the can down the road more in hope than expectation that things improve next season. I hope he gets the pre season, embargo free, brings in a few and then we see results. I just don’t see it happening and fear his judgement with who to bring in. At least if we don’t improve there can’t be excuses from the fans. But.. there will always be excuses. The ref, the embargo, Ron, the playing budget, the pitch, the finishing…

 

[RHB]

You're assuming people avidly return to change their vote after every match.
I'm sure if a fresh poll the numbers would be very different.

I'm assuming that Zoners will visit this thread, or not, read recent posts, and have the ability to see the Blue CHANGE VOTE button. Not unreasonable is it?

 

[blues exile]

If COSU fail to grasp the nettle now it almost guarantees next season to be a write off. No good waiting to give Maher another chance and then finally biting the bullet two months into the season making the new coaches'task ultra difficult. I am sure there must be a growing feeling among the directors that Maher has run out of road, they are surely not blind to the reality.