Thanks Kev - but is a new manager needed?

[Kris]

Think this is a snapshot of what Kev has faced so far this season…

 

[Southend Elvis]

None of us on here want to see Kev fail. Nirvana would be him leading us to a couple of promotions, under the brilliantly implemented "sustainability" model of COSU. Success with a true SUFC legend in charge would taste so much sweeter than if he was sacked and someone without any emotional attachment to the club came in to try to get us out of this division. Now time for the sad reality......results this season have been terrible, recruitment has (on the whole) been poor to barely average, the football on display is mind-numbingly boring to watch, and some of the substitutions/team selections have been headscratching at best. There have of course been some mitigating factors, the lateness of finally being rid of the rat which caused us to miss out on other targets being the principle one, Kensdale being (very rightly) dismissed, and Cardwell being poached just as the season was starting. But with the squad that has (rightly or wrongly) been assembled, it hasn't been anywhere near good enough. Now I haven't quite reached the "Kev Out" stage, in fact I am still quite far from it, but I can totally see the viewpoint of those that have. Things need to get better, and sharpish, not to make a push for the play-offs, but to actually make sure we stay in this division. So where do I draw the line? Assuming we don't get relegated, Kev should be afforded an entire summer to rebuild the squad, a pre-season without our usual distractions like embargoes and the like, and then the first 10-15 games of next season to see where we are at. If we are in the playoff positions then, playing some semblance of attacking football, we'll all breathe a sigh of relief, and if we are not, the inevitable must happen.

So you are happy to be bored to death and just stay in the league, and still give him 10/15 games next season?
I just can't see how you can put up with that, just because Kev used to play for us and did well for us last year.
We must have something better to look forward to other than the current dross served up.
How many more times do we have to say we all would love Kev to do well, but surely we need something to look forward to. I, like many can't take much more of this type of football, we had too much pain over the last few years to say we should put up with another year and a half.

 

[Medway Blue]

So you are happy to be bored to death and just stay in the league, and still give him 10/15 games next season?
I just can't see how you can put up with that, just because Kev used to play for us and did well for us last year.
We must have something better to look forward to other than the current dross served up.
How many more times do we have to say we all would love Kev to do well, but surely we need something to look forward to. I, like many can't take much more of this type of football, we had too much pain over the last few years to say we should put up with another year and a half.

Some people scratch beneath the surface and are bit more balanced in the way they look at it. Many of those people know that Maher doesn't wish to "bore" anyone, and are able to look back at how great we've looked in the recent past when at our best, have faith in him to get us back there, believe that he deserves the opportunity to try to do so without any hands tied behind his back, and realise that some patience is needed.

It's all about opinions, of course. I guess I'm just struggling a little bit with how quickly and easily some supporters (and I do truly believe it's a noisy minority) have turned on Maher, given how brilliantly unified and behind them we were previously.

Perhaps I also struggle with people suggesting that they might stay away due to the on pitch product, having probably managed to sit through the Kevin Bond, Sol Campbell and Mark Molesley eras. "But it was at a higher level!", I hear you scream.

Perhaps.....but the total lack of pride in the shirt, of fight, of team harmony, of connection between the players and the crowd, and of the soulless environment during those managers' tenures will be forever etched in my memories, and I will take what I am watching at the moment over that any day of the week. That period of time left me feeling emotionally drained.

 

[ShrimperLee]

So you are happy to be bored to death and just stay in the league, and still give him 10/15 games next season?
I just can't see how you can put up with that, just because Kev used to play for us and did well for us last year.
We must have something better to look forward to other than the current dross served up.
How many more times do we have to say we all would love Kev to do well, but surely we need something to look forward to. I, like many can't take much more of this type of football, we had too much pain over the last few years to say we should put up with another year and a half.

You're 100% right, its been dross, and we've been poor overall. I'm not a season ticket holder, but I've been to 5/6 games this season, and aside from the first half vs Tamworth, what I have watched has been pretty bad. But equally, I remember very well last season Kev getting a tune out of a very small squad, and we'd have been in the playoffs if it wasn't for that damned points deduction. I also like to factor in the fact that we have brand new owners who are making small steps to improve a club that was literally hours away from completely dying. No matter how much we want it to, this stuff doesn't improve overnight, and certainly not from the darkest depth that the Rat plunged us to over a number of years of his neglect. So in answer to your question, yes, I am willing to be more patient. COSU have a 5 year plan so they tell us, and while I am not advocating that we give King Kev 5 years if things don't improve, I am certainly not going to get on his (and the team's) back after a few games either. I completely understand your (and other's) reaction, but please try to remember where we were this time last season, just to add a bit of perspective.

 

[westie]

Strange how fans can turn so quickly on someone they thought could do no wrong.
The last two pre-seasons have been nothing short of a nightmare for Maher, his assistants and recruitment staff. We all know the reasons why, so let's not drag those skeletons out of the cupboard. There's a ton of stuff to put right both on and off the field. Be patient, trust and believe, it will come good ... but these things don't happen overnight they take time. Wrexham, Notts County and Chesterfield fans will testify to that.

 

[shrimperjon]

In certainly not suggesting its time for Kev to go. In fact he absolutely deserves the chance to have a full season, a full summer, a full transfer window, a full pre season without outside distractions. However what i cant understand and based on a huge % there Saturday in the pub and on the terrace also is why on earth he dropped Morton and Coker who have been excellent this past month for a unfit Miley (who i really like by the way) and Moncur who has offered nothing so far. The constant picking of bridge and Husin both of whom are below form is ridiculous. No Waldron on the bench yet when we need a goal Saturday other than Bonne is only other option was Wood who he clearly doesn't trust to start games and hardly ever gets on the pitch. Morton played 15 mins Saturday and Coker none. I will back Kev as much as possible all the time he is in charge but Saturdays selections and performance tested that support to the limit. We have a full sqaud to choose from with only Gubbins unfit. He cant keep using the 'we know what we need' line. the quality of the squad isnt what we hoped but they may well not be the case until January or maybe not til the summer so he must work with what he has got. But the Morton/Coker ommisions Saturday were odd to say the least. That defeat on Saturday lays firmly at his door as much as the players. We have lost a spark, weve lost that fight and that for me is a concern

 

[Southend Elvis]

You're 100% right, its been dross, and we've been poor overall. I'm not a season ticket holder, but I've been to 5/6 games this season, and aside from the first half vs Tamworth, what I have watched has been pretty bad. But equally, I remember very well last season Kev getting a tune out of a very small squad, and we'd have been in the playoffs if it wasn't for that damned points deduction. I also like to factor in the fact that we have brand new owners who are making small steps to improve a club that was literally hours away from completely dying. No matter how much we want it to, this stuff doesn't improve overnight, and certainly not from the darkest depth that the Rat plunged us to over a number of years of his neglect. So in answer to your question, yes, I am willing to be more patient. COSU have a 5 year plan so they tell us, and while I am not advocating that we give King Kev 5 years if things don't improve, I am certainly not going to get on his (and the team's) back after a few games either. I completely understand your (and other's) reaction, but please try to remember where we were this time last season, just to add a bit of perspective.

I get your passion, and loyalty to KM but no one is bigger than the club. I've missed only 1 game (Charlton) watched home ( season ticket) and away on the TV and bar a couple we have looked bang average and mind numbingly bad to watch.
I said in a previous post, that I can't see a light at the end of the tunnel with the current set up, and play.
I don't want Kev go now, but if by the end of the year nothing has changed, and we've been ripped a new one by these up and coming teams, I don't want Kev to bring in 4/5 new players, as unfortunately I have lost faith in him.
We go on a season long unbeaten run from now, but on previous this season mid to lower half of table is all I expect, unfortunately.

 

[kentblues]

Strange how fans can turn so quickly on someone they thought could do no wrong.
The last two pre-seasons have been nothing short of a nightmare for Maher, his assistants and recruitment staff. We all know the reasons why, so let's not drag those skeletons out of the cupboard. There's a ton of stuff to put right both on and off the field. Be patient, trust and believe, it will come good ... but these things don't happen overnight they take time. Wrexham, Notts County and Chesterfield fans will testify to that.

And ultimately throwing a ton of money at the problem as well….Kev hasn’t even had an embargo free window to operate in let alone been afforded similar resources…

 

[SeldomSeenShrimper]

We need to be honest with some of the players. Despite their loyalty and past heroics, some are just not at the standard that most fans expect. I genuinely don't believe Maher is the issue

Zach Jeacock1G
Collin Andeng-Ndi30G

Gus Scott-Morriss2 D
Nathan Ralph3 D
George Wind4 D
Adam Crowther5 D
Joseph Gubbins15 D
Harry Taylor16 D

Jack Bridge7 M
Noor Husin8 M
Jack Wood14 M
Cavanagh Miley17 M
George Moncur20 M
Keenan Appiah-Forson22 M
James Morton23 M
Mikey Faulkner26 M
Beau Macdonald27 M
Oliver Coker28 M

Macauley Bonne9 F
Danny Waldron10 F
Josh Walker11 F
Aribim Pepple19 F

Green up to standard
Red is not up to standard
Yellow Has potential / On the fence

 

[Shrimper]

We need to be honest with some of the players. Despite their loyalty and past heroics, some are just not at the standard that most fans expect. I genuinely don't believe Maher is the issue

Zach Jeacock1G
Collin Andeng-Ndi30G

Gus Scott-Morriss2 D
Nathan Ralph3 D
George Wind4 D
Adam Crowther5 D
Joseph Gubbins15 D
Harry Taylor16 D

Jack Bridge7 M
Noor Husin8 M
Jack Wood14 M
Cavanagh Miley17 M
George Moncur20 M
Keenan Appiah-Forson22 M
James Morton23 M
Mikey Faulkner26 M
Beau Macdonald27 M
Oliver Coker28 M

Macauley Bonne9 F
Danny Waldron10 F
Josh Walker11 F
Aribim Pepple19 F

Green up to standard
Red is not up to standard
Yellow Has potential / On the fence

Would put Waldron red too

 

[BoyWonder2]

We need to be honest with some of the players. Despite their loyalty and past heroics, some are just not at the standard that most fans expect. I genuinely don't believe Maher is the issue

Zach Jeacock1G
Collin Andeng-Ndi30G

Gus Scott-Morriss2 D
Nathan Ralph3 D
George Wind4 D
Adam Crowther5 D
Joseph Gubbins15 D
Harry Taylor16 D

Jack Bridge7 M
Noor Husin8 M
Jack Wood14 M
Cavanagh Miley17 M
George Moncur20 M
Keenan Appiah-Forson22 M
James Morton23 M
Mikey Faulkner26 M
Beau Macdonald27 M
Oliver Coker28 M

Macauley Bonne9 F
Danny Waldron10 F
Josh Walker11 F
Aribim Pepple19 F

Green up to standard
Red is not up to standard
Yellow Has potential / On the fence

I cannot agree with Bridge, Miley or Husin not being up to standard. Bridge & Miley were two of our best players last year, and whilst they haven’t hit the heights this season, I wouldn’t be writing them off.

Husin blows hot and cold. On his day, he is fantastic, but he hasn’t been on his day for a while, bar the Charlton game.

Obviously it’s a game of opinions, but those three screamed out at me.

 

[Southend Elvis]

Some people scratch beneath the surface and are bit more balanced in the way they look at it. Many of those people know that Maher doesn't wish to "bore" anyone, and are able to look back at how great we've looked in the recent past when at our best, have faith in him to get us back there, believe that he deserves the opportunity to try to do so without any hands tied behind his back, and realise that some patience is needed.

It's all about opinions, of course. I guess I'm just struggling a little bit with how quickly and easily some supporters (and I do truly believe it's a noisy minority) have turned on Maher, given how brilliantly unified and behind them we were previously.

Perhaps I also struggle with people suggesting that they might stay away due to the on pitch product, having probably managed to sit through the Kevin Bond, Sol Campbell and Mark Molesley eras. "But it was at a higher level!", I hear you scream.

Perhaps.....but the total lack of pride in the shirt, of fight, of team harmony, of connection between the players and the crowd, and of the soulless environment during those managers' tenures will be forever etched in my memories, and I will take what I am watching at the moment over that any day of the week.

I wonder if the poll could have a different format, indicating how many games each voter has seen this season along with their vote? I have seen every game bar 1 in person and live on TV. Maybe the more you see of us, the more disappointed we are, and less , less so? I must admit, I'm struggling to be positive about the current and future football goings on with us, having seen most of the games.

 

[Hampshire Shrimp]

I cannot agree with Bridge, Miley or Husin not being up to standard. Bridge & Miley were two of our best players last year, and whilst they haven’t hit the heights this season, I wouldn’t be writing them off.

Husin blows hot and cold. On his day, he is fantastic, but he hasn’t been on his day for a while, bar the Charlton game.

Obviously it’s a game of opinions, but those three screamed out at me.

At the moment they are not up to standard, can we please stop talking about the past? Play fit players that are preforming? Too many with rose tinted glasses on at present.

 

[BoyWonder2]

At the moment they are not up to standard, can we please stop talking about the past? Play fit players that are preforming? Too many with rose tinted glasses on at present.

Without being able to see what players do in training, how else can we determine, in our opinions, start matches without using the past?

Which players, in your opinion, are fit and performing? If that’s all we were able to pick, I’m not sure we’d have a starting XI for our next match.

 

[Hampshire Shrimp]

Without being able to see what players do in training, how else can we determine, in our opinions, start matches without using the past?

Which players, in your opinion, are fit and performing? If that’s all we were able to pick, I’m not sure we’d have a starting XI for our next match.

I can see your point, but bringing in Moncur and playing Miley from the start was wrong, IMHO. Coker and Morton have played well and have been dropped. I`m not sure that we would have won the game, but I would have liked to think that we would have played better. Miley could have come on later, and Moncur if needed. A lot of our players are under preforming at the same time, some coming back from injury, but these two not being played I would love to ask Maher why? I would also like for him to maybe accept some responsibility of his selections? If we can see it, most were amazed when the starting 11 came out, why can`t he?

 

[BoyWonder2]

I agree that the line up was wrong on Saturday. I found it strange, but the only people will know why he did that is Kev and the amigos. Maybe they performed the best in training? Maybe it was an inkling that it was a game that need a bit more steel in Miley and a bit more creativity in Moncur? Maybe it was a case of freshening the starting line up up.

It obviously didn’t work, but had we won 2-0 instead of losing 2-0, Kev is a genius especially if them two score.

Fine margins in football.

 

[Liam AAS]

We need to be honest with some of the players. Despite their loyalty and past heroics, some are just not at the standard that most fans expect. I genuinely don't believe Maher is the issue

Zach Jeacock1G
Collin Andeng-Ndi30G

Gus Scott-Morriss2 D
Nathan Ralph3 D
George Wind4 D
Adam Crowther5 D
Joseph Gubbins15 D
Harry Taylor16 D

Jack Bridge7 M
Noor Husin8 M
Jack Wood14 M
Cavanagh Miley17 M
George Moncur20 M
Keenan Appiah-Forson22 M
James Morton23 M
Mikey Faulkner26 M
Beau Macdonald27 M
Oliver Coker28 M

Macauley Bonne9 F
Danny Waldron10 F
Josh Walker11 F
Aribim Pepple19 F

Green up to standard
Red is not up to standard
Yellow Has potential / On the fence

Miley not up to standard? Wow

 

[wiggy]

I can see your point, but bringing in Moncur and playing Miley from the start was wrong, IMHO. Coker and Morton have played well and have been dropped. I`m not sure that we would have won the game, but I would have liked to think that we would have played better. Miley could have come on later, and Moncur if needed. A lot of our players are under preforming at the same time, some coming back from injury, but these two not being played I would love to ask Maher why? I would also like for him to maybe accept some responsibility of his selections? If we can see it, most were amazed when the starting 11 came out, why can`t he?

He gets carded regularly, he has a go at the crowd for shouting shoot, he picks blatantly the wrong teams to put in his non performing crabs. He is not up to the job with his temperament and judgment well off beam and needs to step down now for the sake of his beloved club…We will have a handful of points more by Christmas and yet more time wasted to salvage something this year, on a par with the useless Cowleys!

 

[SuperRonnieP]

I wonder if the poll could have a different format, indicating how many games each voter has seen this season along with their vote? I have seen every game bar 1 in person and live on TV. Maybe the more you see of us, the more disappointed we are, and less , less so? I must admit, I'm struggling to be positive about the current and future football goings on with us, having seen most of the games.

I do think it's very difficult to be patient about the current performances if you're investing considerable time and money watching almost every match. I think Kev will get things right, if the necessary support from COSU is forthcoming, but it's easy for me to take that position as I rarely get to a live game.

I watched Saturdays effort on DAZN and the first half in particular was painful viewing. But I honestly don't think that the formation or tactics made any difference to that opening 45 minutes. Basic errors from multiple players, against a side very capable of exploiting those errors, was the problem. Lining up in a different pattern wouldn't have stopped those errors being made.

 

[Southend Elvis]

I do think it's very difficult to be patient about the current performances if you're investing considerable time and money watching almost every match. I think Kev will get things right, if the necessary support from COSU is forthcoming, but it's easy for me to take that position as I rarely get to a live game.

I watched Saturdays effort on DAZN and the first half in particular was painful viewing. But I honestly don't think that the formation or tactics made any difference to that opening 45 minutes. Basic errors from multiple players, against a side very capable of exploiting those errors, was the problem. Lining up in a different pattern wouldn't have stopped those errors being made.

What I'm getting at, is it easier to be positive if you only watch a few matches. I'm just wondering if the Kev out guys are saying that, because they have had the misfortune to watch everything.
Would be interesting to find out?