Thanks Kev - but is a new manager needed?

[Medway Blue]

Interested in his comment in the echo

"There’s loads around the place and loads around the club that has to change.

“We have to make sure everyone is on the same page right throughout the club but I’ve got to look at the playing squad and where that’s at.”

From what I understand, he has high standards everywhere, all across the club. He's demanding, but he wants a high-performing environment. That stretches from players, to coaches, to medical-related stuff, to equipment, to facilities, to the quality and type of surface at RH and at the new training facility. No bad thing, but I think he wants more positive change in several areas ASAP.

 

[Medway Blue]

Not trusted as part of a back 4 but KM is happy to trust them as part of a back 3?
Also Gus has proved he’d work as a wide midfielder. It’s only going forward that has enabled him to become our top scorer and he looks very comfortable there. With Wind as right back he’d have far more freedom. Not sure on your comment about Jack Bridge. He’s playing now as a wide midfielder. It would make their defensive duties much easier and close the spaces at the back

You're changing the parameters there. Yes there would be a back 4, but only 2 of those 4 are playing as centre backs. We currently play with 3 centre backs. I don't think Taylor will work as part of a centre back pairing, and I think Crowther would be much more exposed with only 1 centre back partner, rather than his current 2.

That's before you even get onto the defensive and build-up support of the 3rd central midfielder that we'd lose if the wet dream of 4-4-2 is answered. People will be clamouring to go back to a 3-man midfield once they watch our 2-man midfield get constantly overrun.

I think much of GSM's and Bridge's successes have come from playing as wing backs and having the freedom and space to surge forward from deep, in a way that they wouldn't as wide midfielders.

 

[SeldomSeenShrimper]

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

View attachment 34677

Replace Bridge with a winger and this looks decent

 

[Tampa Blue]

From what I understand, he has high standards everywhere, all across the club. He's demanding, but he wants a high-performing environment. That stretches from players, to coaches, to medical-related stuff, to equipment, to facilities, to the quality and type of surface at RH and at the new training facility. No bad thing, but I think he wants more positive change in several areas ASAP.

Indeed and quite right to have high standards, however that does seem to be a deflection of attention from what has been some awful performances, strange team selections and ineffective substitutions with all three areas being the responsibility of the Management Team.

He is the first Team manager not the CEO and imho should focus on getting the areas under his own direct responsibilty working better before commenting on other areas that no doubt do need improving. However he knew what the situation was like before he came in and he knew that COSU have a hell of a job on their hands in correcting and arresting the downward spiral of our club.

Simple thing in life is to 'control the controllables' and leave the other areas to the Club Management structure. I can only imagine his anger (justifiable as well) if Tom Lawrence was to publically question his Team selections and tactics.

Are we starting to see a 'divide' between the Team Manager and the Clubs ownership/management?

I certainly hope not as if this poll was changed to "Do you want to see the 3 Amigos succeed?" then I believe it would be 100% yes.

 

[BoyWonder2]

Indeed and quite right to have high standards, however that does seem to be a deflection of attention from what has been some awful performances, strange team selections and ineffective substitutions with all three areas being the responsibility of the Management Team.

He is the first Team manager not the CEO and imho should focus on getting the areas under his own direct responsibilty working better before commenting on other areas that no doubt do need improving. However he knew what the situation was like before he came in and he knew that COSU have a hell of a job on their hands in correcting and arresting the downward spiral of our club.

Simple thing in life is to 'control the controllables' and leave the other areas to the Club Management structure. I can only imagine his anger (justifiable as well) if Tom Lawrence was to publically question his Team selections and tactics.

Are we starting to see a 'divide' between the Team Manager and the Clubs ownership/management?

I certainly hope not as if this poll was changed to "Do you want to see the 3 Amigos succeed?" then I believe it would be 100% yes.

But all of those things that @Medway Blue has rightly listed, all impact him and his job.

For example, the cases of misdiagnosis of injuries, the delay in getting players sent for scans, players having to pay for their own scans (Under RM not COSU) means he is without players for longer than he should be, meaning he is restricted to what he puts out on the pitch come a match day. That is an area that needs addressing.

 

[Danshrimper]

View attachment 34699

What is this meant to show that counteracts my point about us having no depth out wide and Gus not being a winger?

All you’ve done is added in Wood, a player which I don’t think the management particularly rate, and wouldn’t be willing to depend on when implementing a completely new system.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

I'm not sure what the deal is with dazn - with nltv you used to 'nominate' a club when you signed up and it appeared they would get a share of the subscription - so larger clubs with more subscribers would get a bigger share of the pot. I don't think I've seen how dazn are sharing the 'pot'

I haven't either.While they're cerrainly a bigger organisation than Nl tv I'b be suprised if the share out they offer is much different.

 

[Tampa Blue]

But all of those things that @Medway Blue has rightly listed, all impact him and his job.

For example, the cases of misdiagnosis of injuries, the delay in getting players sent for scans, players having to pay for their own scans (Under RM not COSU) means he is without players for longer than he should be, meaning he is restricted to what he puts out on the pitch come a match day. That is an area that needs addressing.

Yes it is but the fact that he is going public is totally wrong imho and seems to suggest a divide and an unwelcome distraction - personally I feel that the pressure of poor performances is getting to him hence the red cards and public outpouring of his frustrations.

As I said I am sure we all want him to succeed but the current team performances and public comments do not help us achieve that aim.

 

[BoyWonder2]

For me, we 100% should not be looking to replace Kev or any of the amigos in the immediate future.

Whilst we can and should question performances, results, selections, substations, signings etc I don’t think Kev’s position is under threat, and neither should it.

One thing I want to touch on, which Stan Collymore said the Club should go down the route of, and I hope COSU are continuing with this, is identifying an identity, a style of play, a culture etc.

So, if Kev does get the sack, I don’t think we will have a manager coming in, ripping up the squad and going down the route of different tactics. The idea being that players are recruited to fit a role, I.e. a goalkeeper who is good with their feet, wing backs etc. so when a new manager comes in later in the future, he doesn’t straight away put 6/7 in the “bomb” squad, because he wants to ditch wing backs, meaning we bring in 6/7 new players. That manager goes, we recruit a long ball manager, brings in 6/7 players to fit his style and rinse and repeat. We also don’t see a MM situation where he comes in with 6/7 backroom staff, he gets the sack and they all get their contracts paid up. So if Kev goes, Bentley and Currie are there and we either promote on and bring in their replacement or we bring someone in to work with them.

Kev has far too much credit in the bank, and whilst this season has been poor to say the least, I think more people should be looking at the performances of the players. With those we have they were with us last season, how many of them have hit the heights they did last season? GSM because of his goals? Coker maybe. Collin hasn’t, Bridge hasn’t, Husin hasn’t and so forth.

Kev bent over backwards to help out some lads during that awful period, including putting his hand in his pocket to help financially with bills, petrol in the car, payments, mortgages and so on, and hasn’t be rewarded with performances this season. I won’t name names of people he helped, apart from Kensdale, so what he did and his departure was a massive slap in the face to Kev and everyone else that helped him. Do not underestimate that situation.

Losing Cards was another huge blow. The delay in takeover meant we missed out on our top targets in the summer as well as previously. I can list off names again of players we have missed out on because of the embargo’s etc.

Kev has always had something tied behind his back whilst he has been here, and at times more things than one. Things are slowly returning to normal, but we aren’t there yet.

For what it’s worth, Kev knows the squad need freshening up. He knows what the players have been through here and maybe we need more who don’t carry those scars. He knows we need more pace, more guile, more creativity and a higher output at both ends of the pitch.

We have targets, and I believe we have some money available too. If Kev can do what we wants and more 2/3 on and bring 4/5 in, things will be looking up.

As I say, Kev shouldn’t be immune from criticism, and neither should the players now. Maybe previously they all would be immune, but I think we can genuinely discuss and debate these things again, and this thread has had good inputs from both sides of the argument.

We all want the same thing, the Club, the management, the players and the fans. Let’s hope we all get to see it together.

 

[Medway Blue]

Yes it is but the fact that he is going public is totally wrong imho and seems to suggest a divide and an unwelcome distraction - personally I feel that the pressure of poor performances is getting to him hence the red cards and public outpouring of his frustrations.

As I said I am sure we all want him to succeed but the current team performances and public comments do not help us achieve that aim.

I don't know why it has to be a "divide", or why there are negative connotations being attached to this. He hasn't given any details publicly. He hasn't complained. He hasn't called anybody out. You can twist what he said to suit your agenda I suppose. Maybe it was a message, maybe it wasn't, but if it was then it was hardly scandalous, or even particularly out of the ordinary.

 

[Tampa Blue]

You can twist what he said to suit your agenda I suppose.

Do me a favour - I don't have an agenda at all and that's pretty insulting to suggest that I have.

 

[Sherif H]

From what I understand, he has high standards everywhere, all across the club. He's demanding, but he wants a high-performing environment. That stretches from players, to coaches, to medical-related stuff, to equipment, to facilities, to the quality and type of surface at RH and at the new training facility. No bad thing, but I think he wants more positive change in several areas ASAP.

I don't doubt any of this, but he is failing in the areas which he has personal control over - namely how he prepares and sets up a team on a weekly basis.
Others have eluded to this already, but there does seem to be an awful lot of deflection of blame with Kev.

 

[Medway Blue]

Do me a favour - I don't have an agenda at all and that's pretty insulting to suggest that I have.

Urrrggghhhhhh my God, this is why I rarely post on here any more, typed messages just get misconstrued.

I didn't mean "you" as in you, I meant the royal "you" very generally, as in anybody.

Apologies if you've taken offence. None was meant.

 

[Strykr]

For me, we 100% should not be looking to replace Kev or any of the amigos in the immediate future.

Whilst we can and should question performances, results, selections, substations, signings etc I don’t think Kev’s position is under threat, and neither should it.

One thing I want to touch on, which Stan Collymore said the Club should go down the route of, and I hope COSU are continuing with this, is identifying an identity, a style of play, a culture etc.

So, if Kev does get the sack, I don’t think we will have a manager coming in, ripping up the squad and going down the route of different tactics. The idea being that players are recruited to fit a role, I.e. a goalkeeper who is good with their feet, wing backs etc. so when a new manager comes in later in the future, he doesn’t straight away put 6/7 in the “bomb” squad, because he wants to ditch wing backs, meaning we bring in 6/7 new players. That manager goes, we recruit a long ball manager, brings in 6/7 players to fit his style and rinse and repeat. We also don’t see a MM situation where he comes in with 6/7 backroom staff, he gets the sack and they all get their contracts paid up. So if Kev goes, Bentley and Currie are there and we either promote on and bring in their replacement or we bring someone in to work with them.

Kev has far too much credit in the bank, and whilst this season has been poor to say the least, I think more people should be looking at the performances of the players. With those we have they were with us last season, how many of them have hit the heights they did last season? GSM because of his goals? Coker maybe. Collin hasn’t, Bridge hasn’t, Husin hasn’t and so forth.

Kev bent over backwards to help out some lads during that awful period, including putting his hand in his pocket to help financially with bills, petrol in the car, payments, mortgages and so on, and hasn’t be rewarded with performances this season. I won’t name names of people he helped, apart from Kensdale, so what he did and his departure was a massive slap in the face to Kev and everyone else that helped him. Do not underestimate that situation.

Losing Cards was another huge blow. The delay in takeover meant we missed out on our top targets in the summer as well as previously. I can list off names again of players we have missed out on because of the embargo’s etc.

Kev has always had something tied behind his back whilst he has been here, and at times more things than one. Things are slowly returning to normal, but we aren’t there yet.

For what it’s worth, Kev knows the squad need freshening up. He knows what the players have been through here and maybe we need more who don’t carry those scars. He knows we need more pace, more guile, more creativity and a higher output at both ends of the pitch.

We have targets, and I believe we have some money available too. If Kev can do what we wants and more 2/3 on and bring 4/5 in, things will be looking up.

As I say, Kev should be immune from criticism, and neither should the players now. Maybe previously they all would be immune, but I think we can genuinely discuss and debate these things again, and this thread has had good inputs from both sides of the argument.

We all want the same thing, the Club, the management, the players and the fans. Let’s hope we all get to see it together.

Nice ethos and all, but if our culture is going to be this style of football in perpetuity then i cant see people wanting to spend money to watch it.

 

[Che's Left Foot]

Reluctant yes from me.

Yes, Kev's had his hands tied with recruitment and dealt a bad hand with departures.

However...say COSU give him time to recruit, what happens the next time we hit a rut? We'll be back here moaning about his one dimensional, often negative tactics and unwillingness to change.

Desperate for him to succeed but unless he takes a risk tactically, nothing will change.

 

[leeblue]

Urrrggghhhhhh my God, this is why I rarely post on here any more, typed messages just get misconstrued.

I didn't mean "you" as in you, I meant the royal "you" very generally, as in anybody.

Apologies if you've taken offence. None was meant.

Internet snowflakes....everywhere mate.

 

[Paddypel]

Really interesting debate this and I see and hear the points for both cases. FWIW I don’t think COSU will even think about replacing Kev even if we’re balls deep in a relegation battle. That being said something has to change asap otherwise we will be in big trouble. The one things I’ve been screaming for is pace. Pretty much since we’ve been in this league the only real pace merchant we’ve had is Matt Dennis and he was a success. I don’t think Kevs philosophy lends itself to having pace in the side because those type of players usually won’t retain the ball as much as a slower more controlled player. Unfortunately the result is boring lethargic football which is very easy to play against, especially defensively. At the back has been our strength in the past few seasons but individual errors this season are killing us from being that hard to beat side. Colin has been well off it this season, Crowther very raw & rash ( see goals yesterday).

Kev has earned the right to almost have an off season if it turns out to be that but we shouldn’t accept the current garbage that’s being served up. Let’s see where we are in January and revisit would be my MO.

 

[* ORM *]

I think this comes down to a simple question. Would a new manager work with the existing squad or look to strengthen it? If the latter then what’s the difference between that and what KM wants to do in January (for the first time with only budget restrictions)? For that very reason I see no need to change and there are benefits to the continuity.

 

[SouthendSpence]

Feels like yesterday these t shirts were popular, and prolific posters had things like “viva la kevolution” in their profile. I’m not saying anything one way or the other, but how quickly times change?

 

[Tommy2holes]

I don’t think Gus’s crosses are too bad .. trouble is by the time he eventually gets in a position to sling one in, the penalty area is too crowded. We delay getting it in, almost try and pass it in sometimes.

I personally thought the majority of the crosses he put in against altrincham were garbage. Most went over everyone. Put them across the face of goal between the defence and keeper.