Thanks Kev - but is a new manager needed?

[Leigh_Seasider]

To add to the above, maybe Kev should watch the game more rather than shouting at the officials all the time (or some bloke yelling 'shoot' from the stands)

 

[Shrimper Brownie]

For me, at the end of the day, the way that I judge it is this - is Kevin Maher getting the most out of the players he has got? (playing them in the right positions, right styles, formations etc)

IMO, he is not. Time to go

 

[Callumturner22]

The thing is Kev used to get a tune out of the players in the days when we only had 1 or two subs so sadly what changed since then . Yes I get we lost key player in Kens/ cards . But still most of the same / who he wanted . Yes they are not be the 1st choice targets but still he need to try get more out of what’s there .. i sadly can’t see it changing anytime soon ..

 

[BoyWonder2]

Hiya, as you know I respect your knowledge and we speak quite frequently on Dms. I'd like to add one observation on what you said above, which I add, I agree with.

I got to thinking, by turning your point on it's head slightly, as, having named a group of managers, with the exception of Pep, who has suffered a bad run with proven players at one level, have all suffered in the top division and either got sacked or relegated.

I'd like to reflect on two of the most successful and respected managers in recent years.

With regard to viewing the matches from the stand, both Wenger and Fergie would spend 2/3 if not all the 1st half of games in the directors box. Trusting their assistants/coaching staff to run the game acting on their pre match instructions. It would give a greater view of the initial game plan of the opposition and see if there were any tweaks needed in their own. (I know they both had a telephone link to their benches @Tom Lawrence - Don't forget to include that in the East Stand rebuild).

But not just once this season have we seen teams we play set up against us based on scouting knowledge about how we play and as an example, play long diagonal balls into the vacant gaps behind our Wing Backs and wider than our back three CBs. York opening game of the season was a prime example, but we didn't change, if at all, in the game until late and were put on the back foot due to their understanding of our tactics and our own lack of flexibility to counter such a game plan from our opponents.

We have, imo, a wonderfully skilled trio on the coaching staff, but are we or are they maximising their skills to their full ability would be my question? Darren Currie has managed at this level, Benno at level 4, won promotion and was top 6 at Level 3 when he left to join us, so they have ability, without a doubt. So could Kev use that to his advantage and take some time in the directors box himself at the start of games, to see how it pans out early on?

As you said, any formation we play is not going to be down to what is said on here, but the choice of KM.

But if things aren't working out in a game and causing a bad run, then maybe having that extra insight is better than, what seems to be happening now, stubbornly sticking to a fixed gameplan whatever and seemingly losing even a minority the fanbase?

After all, if he did do that, change formations, selections and using subs maybe a little earlier, with the additional input of that great observation opportunity, if we were still struggling, Kev would be demonstrating a full use of the tools available to him, an ability to adjust a game to give us stronger options and there may be more questions as to why KM seemingly isn't getting the backing from COSU in our current circumstances, when at the moment there are more questions and concerns about Kev's ability.

Just thinking out loud, or in print more to the point.

It’s an interesting view point, and I’ve often wondered, especially with Currie & Benno too, could one be moved to the directors box to get a different view on things.

I sit East Yellows, so in terms of height, I have a similar view as the coaching set up, but the Rochdale game last season I sat in the South Upper, so a completely different view point which can give people a different opinion on the same incident.

It’s worth a try that’s for sure.

 

[IloveShrimp]

This isn't a defence of KM, just a general point. It always strikes me that a coach doesn't get a clear view of the game from the touchline. If he were to sit in the stands, or indeed in the radio commentary box, he would be able to see the pattern of play much more clearly.

Paul Brush used to sit in stands I believe.

 

[Hampshire Shrimp]

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.

Or the relationship between players and Manager, I cannot believe they are giving 100% to him or his awful tactics.

 

[Barling Magna]

With regard to viewing the matches from the stand, both Wenger and Fergie would spend 2/3 if not all the 1st half of games in the directors box. Trusting their assistants/coaching staff to run the game acting on their pre match instructions. It would give a greater view of the initial game plan of the opposition and see if there were any tweaks needed in their own. (I know they both had a telephone link to their benches @Tom Lawrence - Don't forget to include that in the East Stand rebuild).

We have, imo, a wonderfully skilled trio on the coaching staff, but are we or are they maximising their skills to their full ability would be my question? ....So could Kev use that to his advantage and take some time in the directors box himself at the start of games, to see how it pans out early on?

This.

Very much this. Think about it Kev.

 

[IloveShrimp]

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.

Losing is not the problem, it's the manner in which we do so.

 

[TrevorFitzpatrickHattrick]

Previously very much pro-Kev but now sitting on the fence. My opinion is that there is some discontent between the football department and the owners with regards to budgets and how decisions on signings are ultimately arrived at, meaning we're 20 days into a liquid period of transfer dealings whilst still short 4/5 players.

I agree that the preparations for the season were far from ideal and that we missed out on many of our top targets, but I don't think you can keep trotting out that excuse to cover every crack. He's clearly not getting the best out of his players, refuses to pick players based on form, is tactically pretty rigid and is failing to take any ownership of his managerial shortcomings. Let's be honest, bar 5 or 6 teams, this league is absolutely pony. No way in a million years should we have the record that we currently find ourselves with, which is why I think the remainder of January and February's games are pivotal. On paper, they're winnable and I think Kev and co need to do just that...

 

[Southend Elvis]

As fans we can only guess what's going on behind the scenes, even some on here have good contacts within the club, but nothing can be guaranteed.
We form our opinions on what we see on the pitch and what we see happen behind the scenes.
This season has been awful to watch, only once as far as I have seen FGR at home, we have changed the way we played. Too many players have been coasting, yet still getting picked every game, tactics stay the same, lack of shots on or off target. Off the pitch we see a couple of loanees, and currently no additions this month.
So some of us say something is wrong, is KM up to it, can he change it, are COSU backing him, my answer to those questions are no, purely on what I see happening.
Something needs to change for me to believe we can move forward with this current set up.
End of January fast approaching, and its still all quiet on the Southend front...

 

[Strykr]

It's nothing to do with social media.

It was freezing cold. I counted maybe one or two shots at goal. You can't count the chalked off goal as it was dissalowed.

The general togetherness of the team looks appaling. Body language remains poor.

The tactics baffle me. I said before the game that the only thing I could see coming was a 2 or 3 nil defeat and a southend scoreline of nil. That is where we are at. It's so obvious and predictable before every match. How often this season have we been pleasantly surprised? 4 home wins by January is appaling.

We are currently set to achieve the lowest league finish in our near 120 year history!! Let that sink in for a minute. Statistically, this is the very worst team we have ever had.

I remember the Alvin Martin years. Crap football but at least there was some entertainment. Was also in a higher league against better teams.

We had an opportunity this year. Decent gates, feel good factor and a winning mentality after surviving. A complete opportunity wasted

R U sure?

 

[It'sGrimUpNorth]

Let's see what happens at daggers.

Big performance needed. Can you imagine the reaction of fans if we get the complete **** taken out of us there.

Even worse that the players have to come under the away stand to get off the pitch.

Could be a very toxic atmosphere indeed.

And I’ll be laughing at you all in my dress and my big pointy fun hands.

 

[Paddypel]

I know a lot of people (myself included) are probably leaning towards shaking Kevs hand and thanking him for everything and moving on, but I can’t think of many candidates for the job ? I keep seeing Harris mentioned but there’s no way he’s taking a non league job after walking out of a championship job less than 2 months ago, just not happening. Barrett been mentioned but I don’t think I’d want to heartache of potentially watching another legend fail in the dugout. Genuinely haven’t a clue who we’d even begin to look at.

 

[SUFCGoals]

I know a lot of people (myself included) are probably leaning towards shaking Kevs hand and thanking him for everything and moving on, but I can’t think of many candidates for the job ? I keep seeing Harris mentioned but there’s no way he’s taking a non league job after walking out of a championship job less than 2 months ago, just not happening. Barrett been mentioned but I don’t think I’d want to heartache of potentially watching another legend fail in the dugout. Genuinely haven’t a clue who we’d even begin to look at.

Adam Murray is doing well at Eastbourne they’re fourth in the NLS.

Perhaps George Elokobi but he hasn’t set the world alight when he was in the NL.

 

[Sherif H]

It’s an interesting view point, and I’ve often wondered, especially with Currie & Benno too, could one be moved to the directors box to get a different view on things.

I sit East Yellows, so in terms of height, I have a similar view as the coaching set up, but the Rochdale game last season I sat in the South Upper, so a completely different view point which can give people a different opinion on the same incident.

It’s worth a try that’s for sure.

Wherever you sit, we still look utter ****. Just a shame Kev can't see that.

 

[Sherif H]

I know a lot of people (myself included) are probably leaning towards shaking Kevs hand and thanking him for everything and moving on, but I can’t think of many candidates for the job ? I keep seeing Harris mentioned but there’s no way he’s taking a non league job after walking out of a championship job less than 2 months ago, just not happening. Barrett been mentioned but I don’t think I’d want to heartache of potentially watching another legend fail in the dugout. Genuinely haven’t a clue who we’d even begin to look at.

Maybe so, but you forget, both Harris and Barrett are fans of the Club...that does carry a little weight even if we are still a total basket case despite the takeover.

 

[Paddypel]

Adam Murray is doing well at Eastbourne they’re fourth in the NLS.

Perhaps George Elokobi but he hasn’t set the world alight when he was in the NL.

Sensible shouts. I had someone like Pete Wild in mind who left Barrow at the end of last season after doing a really goo job there and previously at Halifax. Unfortunately Fleetwood have snapped him up now and he’s based up north anyway so might not have come but certainly would’ve been on my list of potential replacements.

 

[flangejackrabbit]

Sensible shouts. I had someone like Pete Wild in mind who left Barrow at the end of last season after doing a really goo job there and previously at Halifax. Unfortunately Fleetwood have snapped him up now and he’s based up north anyway so might not have come but certainly would’ve been on my list of potential replacements.

I'm not advocating removing Maher at this point but I would expect people like Mark Bonner, Matt Taylor, Lee Johnson to be among those who might interview.

 

[Avl1983]

The most telling point for me was Woking away this season. Maher had seemingly caved into pressure from the fans to play more attacking and started with a 4-3-3, we were absolutely dominating them, missed a multitude of chances and was exciting and enjoyable to watch. It was working. Miley got sent off and instead of just dropping Walker into midfield he also substituted Pepple for Husin and went to one up front and the rest of the game struggled and could have easily lost the game.

I honestly didn’t think I’d feel like this after the season we had last year but I really don’t want to keep watching such shocking performances. He doesn’t have the tactical ability or inclination needed.

I also wonder if he’s lost some of the dressing room, that may explain the change in performances this season.

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United legend Ian Benjamin believes Kevin Maher has still not had a fair crack at being Shrimpers boss.

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