Thanks Kev - but is a new manager needed?

[BoyWonder2]

Perhaps Kev should sit in the radio commentary box, he might get a better perspective of the game……Paul Clarke called it after 15mins that 3 at the back against a lone front man isn’t working and giving their 2 number 10’s too much space to work in.

If Clarkie can see that it’s not working then why can’t Maher see it????

Is it stubbornness, ignorance, arrogance, tactically naivety or just the security of a nice 3 year contract??

I highly doubt it’s anything to do with a 3 year deal…

What you are finding is coaches are becoming more and more stubborn. A head coach or manager has a limited shelf life, and you are either gonna be sacked or poached in this line of work. If you are going to be sacked, surely you want to go down with your own ideology and philosophy on how you want your team to play.

Look at Kompany at Burnley. Outstanding in the Championship, some of the best football played at that level, tried it in the Premier League and didn’t work. Obviously worked out well for him. Same with Russel Martin at Southampton, stuck to his guns. Ange at Spurs is the same, and Pep when they went through that awful run, he stuck with the same formation, same style of play etc.

Surely, if you’re going to be sacked, you don’t want that regret of “bowing to fan pressure”.

If I’m a 4-4-2 man, I’ll stick with it, Kev is a 3-5-2 man, so he’ll stick with it. I’d rather be sacked doing things how I want than regretting it afterwards.

 

[Essex Exile]

I highly doubt it’s anything to do with a 3 year deal…

What you are finding is coaches are becoming more and more stubborn. A head coach or manager has a limited shelf life, and you are either gonna be sacked or poached in this line of work. If you are going to be sacked, surely you want to go down with your own ideology and philosophy on how you want your team to play.

Look at Kompany at Burnley. Outstanding in the Championship, some of the best football played at that level, tried it in the Premier League and didn’t work. Obviously worked out well for him. Same with Russel Martin at Southampton, stuck to his guns. Ange at Spurs is the same, and Pep when they went through that awful run, he stuck with the same formation, same style of play etc.

Surely, if you’re going to be sacked, you don’t want that regret of “bowing to fan pressure”.

If I’m a 4-4-2 man, I’ll stick with it, Kev is a 3-5-2 man, so he’ll stick with it. I’d rather be sacked doing things how I want than regretting it afterwards.

So by implication are you saying that Kev will stick rigidly by his 3-5-2 mantra even when it’s not working?

I was hoping the 3 amigos would have more technical and tactical nous to read a game and apply changes when necessary……If not then I’m more depressed than I was at 5pm on Saturday

 

[wiggy]

Can someone explain why he would not consider playing Morton after his recent impressive performances in contrast to Miley/ Husin pathetic negative performances....I'm racking my brains and perhaps the very few Maher lovers could explain?

 

[LennySUFC]

I highly doubt it’s anything to do with a 3 year deal…

What you are finding is coaches are becoming more and more stubborn. A head coach or manager has a limited shelf life, and you are either gonna be sacked or poached in this line of work. If you are going to be sacked, surely you want to go down with your own ideology and philosophy on how you want your team to play.

Look at Kompany at Burnley. Outstanding in the Championship, some of the best football played at that level, tried it in the Premier League and didn’t work. Obviously worked out well for him. Same with Russel Martin at Southampton, stuck to his guns. Ange at Spurs is the same, and Pep when they went through that awful run, he stuck with the same formation, same style of play etc.

Surely, if you’re going to be sacked, you don’t want that regret of “bowing to fan pressure”.

If I’m a 4-4-2 man, I’ll stick with it, Kev is a 3-5-2 man, so he’ll stick with it. I’d rather be sacked doing things how I want than regretting it afterwards.

Interestingly in the early days it was a 343 - I remember going to Ipswich in preseason and had a front three of Powell - Dalby - Mooney and we looked dangerous going forward.

At this point I'd take a 343 over a 352.

 

[Shrimper]

Can someone explain why he would not consider playing Morton after his recent impressive performances in contrast to Miley/ Husin pathetic negative performances....I'm racking my brains and perhaps the very few Maher lovers could explain?

He's not one of his favourites. Morton should be playing over them but Kev is stubborn

 

[Lincoln Shrimp]

Can someone explain why he would not consider playing Morton after his recent impressive performances in contrast to Miley/ Husin pathetic negative performances....I'm racking my brains and perhaps the very few Maher lovers could explain?

The only reason I've come up with is that Kev prefers the energy/ general work rate and solidity that Cav and Husin offer over Morton.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

I thought I'd take a few days to digest the situation.

Firstly, it was really upsetting and uncomfortable hearing the chants towards Kev. The whole atmosphere was uncomfortable and took me back to the Ron days. Whatever we think of tactics, team selection or where the drum is placed, I don't think such actions were necessary and Kev certainly doesn't deserve it after everything he has done. Things really aren't as bad as people are making out. We need to improve on the pitch for sure, but the improvements off of the pitch are second to none when you consider where we were just 8 months ago. It would be absolutely impossible to improve the playing side without those improvements off of the field.

Nevertheless, I can concur with some of what has been said on here. For me, the first gripe was the dropping of Collin. I've seen more than enough keepers at this level now and there have probably been 3 or 4 that I could categorically say are on par or better. Also consider that the back three was changed, so the goalkeeper change was really not needed and that decision rests with Kev. There is clearly a problem between Kev and Collin and I don't know what it is. It's always felt like he's looked to get someone else in at the first opportunity. I don't know if it's an attitude thing from Collin or something else. If it was purely based on the playing side, why would you want someone else?

Furthermore, picking two very similar strikers made no sense. I actually felt the Kendall sub wasn't as bad as many made out, that was just accumulated frustration being vented. He'd worked his socks off the whole game but was totally ineffective and had run his race. He was chasing shadows for the majority of the game and never looked like scoring. Walker has actually scored goals for us this season and did in this game too (wrongly chalked off). I also felt for Gubbins a bit because he was putting balls into areas down the right were Pepple would normally be and he'd go to the ball, bring it down and turn. Neither of the front two could hold up a rope, let alone hold up the ball. That's not their game unfortunately and it's why I thought he'd start Bonne.

Then we move on to probably the biggest concern, Husin. I've said many times, we haven't replaced Wes and that Kev picks Husin because of his press. However, he has been abysmal this season. I do fear that there is too much love and respect from Kev to the players that stayed with us in hellish times. It's really hard to knock and bemoan such things on a human level, but we all know that football is a cutthroat business. At the end of the day, it's that undying loyalty that could cost Kev his job. He needs to start realising that. If he didn't have other options to choose from, I'd understand, but he does. Past heroics can't be rested or relied on.

Overall, I don't actually think we need as many players as people think and I don't actually think formations are the biggest problem. Let's be totally honest, even if we play 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, are you being totally honest with yourself if you say it will make a huge difference with what we have to choose from up front and what we have in midfield? There aren't enough goals in any of those players, it's clear. It also won't suddenly make Husin, Miley, Morton or Coker suddenly score loads of goals from midfield either. Look at their whole careers, they've never scored those goals. Irrespective of formations, it's clear what we are lacking and what needs to be recruited.

Therefore, I still stand by that if we were to get proper replacements for Wes, Cardwell and Kensdale, our team would definitely be good enough for playoff contention. Those other players haven't become terrible. They just need those required positions filled to make us a proper team and bring the best out of them.

 

[kentblues]

Adam Barrett - ready…… sitting….. waiting……. turned down a couple of league clubs already.
Would take the SUFC job in a heartbeat.

Lovely another legend we can get our teeth into and crucify…

 

[BoyWonder2]

So by implication are you saying that Kev will stick rigidly by his 3-5-2 mantra even when it’s not working?

I was hoping the 3 amigos would have more technical and tactical nous to read a game and apply changes when necessary……If not then I’m more depressed than I was at 5pm on Saturday

No, I don’t know Kev to know what he’ll do. He obviously tried 4-3-3 away at Woking, and previously started with 3-4-3 so he is flexible.

All I’m saying is if I was in charge, I’d be doing things my way so if I fell on my sword I’d do so without regrets. I wouldn’t change my beliefs because a few people on a message board are upset about things.

 

[Tampa Blue]

If I’m a 4-4-2 man, I’ll stick with it, Kev is a 3-5-2 man, so he’ll stick with it. I’d rather be sacked doing things how I want than regretting it afterwards.

Are these your own personal thoughts or how you perceive I know that is what KM is thinking?

Personally I would always be open to change and adapt my style to reflect both the opponents and also to maximise the ability of the players at my disposal.

When it’s blatantly obvious that it’s not working, I would prefer to be adaptable, open minded and stay in my job rather than be stubborn, have a stick to my guns attitude and be sacked.

 

[BoyWonder2]

Are these your own personal thoughts or how you perceive I know that is what KM is thinking?

Personally I would always be open to change and adapt my style to reflect both the opponents and also to maximise the ability of the players at my disposal.

When it’s blatantly obvious that it’s not working, I would prefer to be adaptable, open minded and stay in my job rather than be stubborn, have a stick to my guns attitude and be sacked.

My thoughts.

Basing it on how managers/head coaches operate these days.

As I say, Kev has previously been flexible with his formations and personnel, so he may do that again. He started 3-4-3, has toyed with 4-3-3, he may do it again, he may not.

 

[sufc4life21]

Maher next Southend game could be make or break 1. Daggers away with 1300 away following behind the goal with the tunnel entrance being at that end could make for very interesting afternoon. If we lose I can see Maher and the players being targeted by unhappy fans. Could result in Maher position becoming untenable tbh. Would be shame for legend to go out in this way but that's football I guess.

 

[Tommy2holes]

Kev isn't going anywhere, he's got a 3 year contract. I would imagine the other amigos have got the same. COSU aren't about to rip those up, it would cost them a fortune. They're about financial security and chopping managers isn't cheap. I still find it difficult that under kev in previous seasons we looked like world beaters, something must have happened behind the scenes? I really hope things get better because is here for the long term.

Been thinking about this point.

Had Cosu known how bad the football was to become, would they have given 3 year deals?

TBH. If crowds drop to 5k next season then what is the difference between 2000 drop in attendances in comparison to paying off contracts?

Football must be the only job where failure is met with paying up a contract.

 

[Deano_91]

The only reason I've come up with is that Kev prefers the energy/ general work rate and solidity that Cav and Husin offer over Morton.

Work rate and solidarity is all well and good but won’t produce an end result, forward play and creativity will which you get with Morton, Kev needs to drop the loyal act and think what’s best for the team, it’s not hard to work out we need to actually play through balls and get forward instead of sitting back passing sideways

 

[Cricko]

No, I don’t know Kev to know what he’ll do. He obviously tried 4-3-3 away at Woking, and previously started with 3-4-3 so he is flexible.

All I’m saying is if I was in charge, I’d be doing things my way so if I fell on my sword I’d do so without regrets. I wouldn’t change my beliefs because a few people on a message board are upset about things.

I wish that was the case but all across social media are mostly saying the same things regarding Kev and the set up.

 

[BoyWonder2]

I wish that was the case but all across social media are mostly saying the same things regarding Kev and the set up.

Yeah, that’s true.

Again, the point still stands. Kev will do what he thinks is best (and he is better qualified than any of us on here and those on social media too I’d imagine) not bowing to a bit of pressure.

If he starts Daggers with 3-5-2, 3-4-3, 4-3-3, 4-4-2 or any other formation, it will be because Kev has decided, not because of any of us.

 

[Suffering shrimper]

No, I don’t know Kev to know what he’ll do. He obviously tried 4-3-3 away at Woking, and previously started with 3-4-3 so he is flexible.

All I’m saying is if I was in charge, I’d be doing things my way so if I fell on my sword I’d do so without regrets. I wouldn’t change my beliefs because a few people on a message board are upset about things.

Did you go Saturday ? It ain’t just a few people on a message board

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

IF KM is so great why arn't the COSU backing him with cash to bring players in? Think the end is near personally.

 

[Yer Blues]

No, I don’t know Kev to know what he’ll do. He obviously tried 4-3-3 away at Woking, and previously started with 3-4-3 so he is flexible.

All I’m saying is if I was in charge, I’d be doing things my way so if I fell on my sword I’d do so without regrets. I wouldn’t change my beliefs because a few people on a message board are upset about things.

I respect your posts and in a way, do admire your loyalty. You are obviously in a position where you are close to people in the club, so I totally understand your desire to defend the current set up.

I do take issue with your last sentence though. It's incredibly naive to suggest this is just a few people on a message board. Even you must feel the sea change since the final whistle on Saturday?

 

[kentblues]

Been thinking about this point.

Had Cosu known how bad the football was to become, would they have given 3 year deals?

TBH. If crowds drop to 5k next season then what is the difference between 2000 drop in attendances in comparison to paying off contracts?

Football must be the only job where failure is met with paying up a contract.

TBH. If crowds drop to 5k next season then what is the difference between 2000 drop in attendances in comparison to paying off contracts investing in the team?