Thanks Kev - but is a new manager needed?

[BoyWonder2]

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

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?

Yeah, I changed that in reply to @Cricko post.

 

[Tommy2holes]

What actually happened at the end of the game? Did Kev and the players get hammered?

I'd long gone before the final whistle. There was a few fans arguing before I'd left though

 

[Thor1]

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.

I wouldn't put Peps name in with Mahers situation, He has a cabinet full of trophies and a fantastic squad and still wildly regarded as the best in the game. City had a minor blip and certainly never heard any calls for his sacking from the City fans. Russell Martin, Company and the guy that used to be at Luton are still learning their trade. Principals are a fine thing but when they effect everything around you, you should reevaluate and look at the other options. Mr Maher and Co seem to be sticking their heads in the sand.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Even if KM lasts until next season fans won't renew their season cards to warch the sort of mis-match they saw on Sat.

 

[blues exile]

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.

Whatever formation is used nothing will change. All creativity has been extinguished by the dour safety first philosophy Maher has imposed and woe betide any player that departs from this. You can move around the likes of favourites like Miley, Husin, Bridge and Scott- Morriss but the outcome won't change. An increasing number of supporters now realise the game is up.

 

[Tommy2holes]

Even if KM lasts until nxt season fans won't renew their season cards to warch the sort of mis-match they saw on Sat.

There are 4 of us in our group. I'd say 3 of the 4 won't renew

 

[BoyWonder2]

I wouldn't put Peps name in with Mahers situation, He has a cabinet full of trophies and a fantastic squad and still wildly regarded as the best in the game. City had a minor blip and certainly never heard any calls for his sacking from the City fans. Russell Martin, Company and the guy that used to be at Luton are still learning their trade. Principals are a fine thing but when they effect everything around you, you should reevaluate and look at the other options. Mr Maher and Co seem to be sticking their heads in the sand.

I can put who I like it there.

The fact remains, Pep has had an awful spell, arguably a worse run of results than we have had this season, and he stuck by his guns and is getting them out of it.

I never mentioned the Luton boss, but Martin & Kompany you say are new to it all, but Maher isn’t that much more experienced. I’d say the things he has had to deal with will be things 95% of managers will never face, but in terms of actual matches. I’m sure someone can come up with the matches they’ve been in charge for.

You left out Ange, is he fair game?

 

[sufc4life21]

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

Very good point. COSU have known for while we desperately need signings, up till now we not made any sufficient signings apart from ****e 4th choice keeper from league 2 on emergency loan. Maybe your right and COSU are to having doubts whether Maher really is the man to take us forward.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

There are 4 of us in our group. I'd say 3 of the 4 won't renew

Personally I think that's entirely sensible.Why not wait and see what happens next season?

 

[BoyWonder2]

Even if KM lasts until nxt season fans won't renew their season cards to warch the sort of mis-match they saw on Sat.

However, fans are fickle. If we bring in 6/7 players early in the summer, and the positivity returns, they come back.

If they don’t, but we start the season excellently, they come back.

Obviously if it’s more of the same, numbers will dwindle.

 

[GNH]

The kensdale situation happened. People poo poo the effect it had, it was truly F#$#ed.

Easily the worst thing to happen this season for a multitude of reasons. Don’t think that dressing room has ever been the same since.

I'm of the opinion that this is the biggest factor in the current appalling situation we find ourselves in.

To me it seems that the group have never recovered and I suspect (only guessing) that certain cliques have formed from this fallout over their opinions on how it should have been dealt with.

Some will agree with how Kev dealt with it, some won't and have probably let their feelings be known. It's just human nature to do that.

This would not only explain the lack of fighting spirit from the team as a whole, the lack of cohesiveness in the way we attack and defend, but also the reason certain players appear to be prone to playing more games than others............

Of course it could be complete garbage, but I don't think I'm too far wide of the mark.

Would changing the manager help his situation? Yes it would, but only if some of the team went with him. That is going to prove costly, so likely won't happen.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

However, fans are fickle. If we bring in 6/7 players early in the summer, and the positivity returns, they come back.

If they don’t, but we start the season excellently, they come back.

Obviously if it’s more of the same, numbers will dwindle.

Obviously as a SU fan I hope it's going to be the former but I suspect the latter is more likely.

 

[Grayson]

There are 4 of us in our group. I'd say 3 of the 4 won't renew

Not aimed specifically at you, but anyone else in the same boat - what do people expect to get better from withdrawing support?

We either support Southend United, or we don't. Once someone stops putting money in, they stop supporting them. They go from a supporter to a follower. It's a reality of supporting a lower league side that all of us putting money in are helping to support our club. It might not change how a person feels about SUFC, but it is a fundamental distinction.

Everyone has the right to do this, and I get why it is tempting right now, but it seems counter-productive because it won't help things.

 

[hlane17]

There are 4 of us in our group. I'd say 3 of the 4 won't renew

Me and my missus considering whether we renew, especially now we'll be on our first season in the adult price bracket.

We've not been as motivated to come down and watch the current showing at £200 a head, let alone the nearly £400 it'll be next year.

All depends on the statement of intent shown on the footballing side of things between now and pre-season for 25/26.

Currently our renewal is a firm no, I'd rather save the money to live a little more comfy, £800 would pay over half of our council tax. Not a trivial amount of money to part with.

I love the new beer options, love the ever-improving matchday experience, but seeing SUFC give their all in the 90 minutes is all that really matters for me at the end of the day.

 

[Tommy2holes]

What do they expect to get better from withdrawing support?

You either support Southend United, or you don't. Once you stop putting money in, you stop supporting them. You go from a supporter to a follower. It's a reality of supporting a lower league side that all of us putting money in help to support our club. It might not change how a person feels about SUFC, but it is a fundamental distinction.

Everyone has the right to do this, but it seems counter-productive to me, because it won't help things.

Because they will just pick and choose certain games and it would be a bad financial choice to buy a season card and not attend.

I am all for supporting the club and the 4 of us have been going home and away for over 30 years but it's just depressing. Saturday was the first time I wished I'd stayed in the pub.

I get the NHS services rate so will renew but if that stopped I couldn't justify £400 to watch this again.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

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. Add that the back three was also changed, that 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. Waker has actually scored goals for us this season and did in this game too (wrongly chalked off). I 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 hard to knock that on a human level to be fair 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, I'd understand, but he does. Past heroics can't be rested 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 don't become terrible. They just need those positions filled to make us a proper team and bring the best out of them.

Collin was very ill for a week. Still recovering. He had to miss training, and was separated from the rest of the team at Boston. So he wasn't dropped due to form or a fallout with Kev.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

What do they expect to get better from withdrawing support?

You either support Southend United, or you don't. Once you stop putting money in, you stop supporting them. You go from a supporter to a follower. It's a reality of supporting a lower league side that all of us putting money in help to support our club. It might not change how a person feels about SUFC, but it is a fundamental distinction.

Everyone has the right to do this, and I get why it is tempting right now, but it seems counter-productive because it won't help things.

It's not quite that simple I've never had a SU season ticket in my life (for fairly obvious reasons) but I still consider myself a supporter (and not a follower).

 

[Grayson]

Because they will just pick and choose certain games and it would be a bad financial choice to buy a season card and not attend.

I am all for supporting the club and the 4 of us have been going home and away for over 30 years but it's just depressing. Saturday was the first time I wished I'd stayed in the pub.

I get the NHS services rate so will renew but if that stopped I couldn't justify £400 to watch this again.

Thanks, I edited my post to ensure it didn't feel directed at you specifically, but you took it in the good faith I intended anyway. Your reasons all make sense and are fair, it's an individual call. I think I'd rather pay and not go, as I did when I lived abroad. It might make me a mug, but at least that way I still feel I'm still doing my bit.

I do understand if people feel a bit mugged off this season by 'the better the support, the better the team' from season ticket sales time, given the lack of investment in improving it right now.

 

[Tommy2holes]

Thanks, I edited my post to ensure it didn't feel directed at you specifically, but you took it in the good faith I intended anyway. Your reasons all make sense and are fair, it's an individual call. I think I'd rather pay and not go, as I did when I lived abroad. It might make me a mug, but at least that way I still feel I'm still doing my bit.

I do understand if people feel a bit mugged off this season by 'the better the support, the better the team' from season-ticket sales time, given the lack of investment in improving it right now.

You have your views and they also make sense.

I will renew. Maybe my friends will have a change of heart and renew as well.

The point being that its all about preference and the cost of living is high.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

Collin was very ill for a week. Still recovering. He had to miss training, and was separated from the rest of the team at Boston. So he wasn't dropped due to form or a fallout with Kev.

The illness made him miss the Boston game I know, but he was fit enough to be on the bench on Saturday. Whether he trained or not, he knows the squad inside out and if he's fit enough to be on the bench, he's fit enough to play.

Irrespective of that omission, it's been very apparent that Kev doesn't fully trust Collin. There have been numerous times where he has brought someone else into the team when it wasn't needed.

I know it was mooted on here previously that in the early days, Collin wasn't a great trainer and was sometimes late etc. Whatever it is, there is definitely something that isn't quite right. It will be interesting to see who he selects on Saturday. I remember going to Dagenham away previously when Kev surprisingly dropped Collin for Blondy. That didn't go well either.