Thanks Kev - but is a new manager needed?

[ColinMorrisWalksOnWater]

Kev was head coach at Chelmsford City, and interim Manager until the end of a season at Chelmsford. He was first team coach at Bristol Rovers. He was caretaker Manager twice at Bristol Rovers.

Darren Currie was assistant Manager to John Still at D&R. Darren followed John Still to Barnet in 2018, to become his assistant again. When John Still retired, Darren was made the Manager. He did well and guided them up into the play-offs. Darren left Barnet after failing to agree a new contract. He was then appointed joint Manager of Sheffield United's U23 team.

Nice summary TSNB.

In Kev's time at Bristol Rovers he was Head coach under Joey Barton. I wonder how he'd have reacted in the dressing room, or outside it with the result we had on Saturday. lol.

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

Thought Maher was youth team manager at one of the Bristols?

And Currie was at Sheff U (think youth hence Brunt and Lapota and Neal links)?? But take the point he also had first team manager experience.

Not sure why we'd want another novice manager though??

Fair but I'm sure a good bit of data les recruitment for the manager might work. I'm thinking someone like ipswichs manager path

 

[dusterman]

Do we think Kev is in the job till December this year no matter how ‘toxic’ RH gets if results and performances nosedive again in the remaining fixtures this season?

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

Do we think Kev is in the job till December this year no matter how ‘toxic’ RH gets if results and performances nosedive again in the remaining fixtures this season?

Nope.

But we have strengthened with some signings that should make us better. Quality Centre backs, an attacking midfielder, Hayes in goal fingers crossed that comes off, experienced league strikers. Its all pointing the right way to points on the board, putting right the wrongs that showed up first half of the season.
There's still plenty of room for the squad not settling in, losing confidence in each other, referees sending our players off, fans turning on the team, you name it, coach driver flying a drone and train breakdowns.
Remember, everyone hates a big club. No love from the Sittingbourne manager or fans. We are the last ones to get favouritism from refs, im sure of it. Its very noticable at the Hall.

Still, game on.

 

[TJC]

If Kev was to go, AB would be my first choice as his replacement. I did have reservations about another legend, but you’re absolutely right. If it didn’t work out for Barrett, he’d still be an absolute legend of this club.

Supposing COSU sacked Kev tomorrow. If he was at a game in a couple of years time as a guest and was introduced on the pitch before kick off, I’m certain all four corners of the ground would give him a standing ovation. Because he’s an absolute club legend in every sense.

FWIW though, I still want Kev to get rid of some deadwood in the summer, freely recruit with no soft drinks, have a proper pre-season, and put together a squad capable of getting out of this league. And if by Christmas we’re not at the races, there’s a conversation to be had.

Remind me of one former player that went on to manage us that lost the respect of the fans after leaving as a manager? I guess everyone is different, but for me, none have lost any respect and legend status.

• Peter Taylor - Still a legend
• Steve Tilson - Still a legend
• Chris Powell - Still a legend
• Kev Maher - Still and always a legend

I don't get the 'no more former players' argument. They know the club, probably have a positive affinity with club and fans. BTW, not aimed at amsemp; just general anti former players as managers.

FWIW, I still think Kev is the man, but we need quite a substantial squad change in the summer. Far too many haven't Lived up to their record and hype and I don't think its all down to management

 

[Avl1983]

To be clear, we were down to 10 men in the 2nd half at Woking, it was freezing and i wished i had gone against my ritual of staying to the end of games and made my way to the car after 20mins of the restart. We had started and played very much on the front foot until then.

I'm well aware, this was my problem, we had 3 up front until Miley got sent off. Pepple was taken off (who was our most effective forward) for Husin who only went backwards, Walker was moved back into midfield leaving Bonne up front on his own!

Maher reverted to type or panicked in my view. We were destroying Woking until then, some better finishing and we could have been 3-0 up in the first half, Bonne missed an absolute sitter!

I don't think this is good man management. It's telling the players, with only 10 of you we can't get the win, we're going to have to hold on for dear life and that's exactly what we did, we invited pressure from that point onwards and in the end was lucky to come away with a point.

I never leave before the end either but I agree it was cold that night

 

[Tampa Blue]

Think KMs strength is more about "who you know" rather than what he knows at the moment.

That's not to say that things can't improve under KM, but it is to say that I believe any other non SUFC related Management Team would have been given the chop by now.

I honestly hope that KM reflects on his own decisions and realises that he and his Management Team are at least, if not more, culpable than the players for our current position, poor tactics, tepid performances and lack of passion.

Personally I hope he can turn it around as the atmosphere last season was one of the best that I can remember.

I hope KM is not the Winston Churchill of football management.

 

[Sunnyshrimper]

They are largely players who are NL/NLS/NLN level- not a single EFL club appeared interested in any of them this window? Part of the reason they are at the level they are is an inability to maintain high levels of performance (few give a 7/10 every week consistently).

Now the issues with recruitment due fruit drinks etc. have been explained so many times it’s pointless doing so again. But this summer that excuse will have finally disappeared- and the summer will be both a test of our recruitment policy and the clubs ambition.

Someone wise told me it’s better to be ‘consistently good than occasionally perfect’. That rings true with football teams and is the problem we have, far too many players that go from a 8/10 one game to 3/10 the next. We need majority putting in a 7/10 every game, so we can carry the one or two if needed. We can’t carry 4 or 5 though and expect to challenge

 

[Cricko]

We are consistently inconsistent.

 

[Tommy2holes]

I heard that Kev was due to have a video call with Cosu yesterday but this has been cancelled and that Justin will be in attendance for the Rochdale game and any meeting will be rescheduled for then.

Could be a routine meeting or something more stern.

A few games in between which could be make or break

 

[mattytheshrimper]

Do I want it to work out with Kev - Yes
Do I think COSU will sack him - No
Do I enjoy his style of football - No
Do I think his style of football will ever get us out of this league - No
Do I think he needs to go - Possibly, but I think he's earnt enough until the end of the season, although I don't particularly like saying that.

I don't know why but I look back to Sturrock's time with us, achieved miracles for us but played a style not everyone liked. Personally I loved it, he brought him some of my ever favourite players and had us so well organised. Was it always the most entertaining football, no, but he got results and had the players organised. I don't think Kev can say the same.

I just don't want another club legend being treated badly, such as Powell. Sacking a club legend is hard and they definitely get more time than perhaps any of other manager would get.

 

[danbowen]

Mike Williamson is available. Would be perfect for us in my opinion. His style of football at Gateshead was unreal to watch

 

[Jay_SUFC]

Do I want it to work out with Kev - Yes
Do I think COSU will sack him - No
Do I enjoy his style of football - No
Do I think his style of football will ever get us out of this league - No
Do I think he needs to go - Possibly, but I think he's earnt enough until the end of the season, although I don't particularly like saying that.

I don't know why but I look back to Sturrock's time with us, achieved miracles for us but played a style not everyone liked. Personally I loved it, he brought him some of my ever favourite players and had us so well organised. Was it always the most entertaining football, no, but he got results and had the players organised. I don't think Kev can say the same.

I just don't want another club legend being treated badly, such as Powell. Sacking a club legend is hard and they definitely get more time than perhaps any of other manager would get.

I didn't mind the way we played under Sturrock. People referred to it as long ball, but the plan was keep it out of defence and get it forward as quickly as possible. We actually played pretty good football, just not at the back - their job was to get rid of it!

 

[dusterman]

I didn't mind the way we played under Sturrock. People referred to it as long ball, but the plan was keep it out of defence and get it forward as quickly as possible. We actually played pretty good football, just not at the back - their job was to get rid of it!

Yeah I remember it being turgid occasionally but we scored goals. I think he always defended it as targeted balls into good areas not hoof ball.

What a job that man did. Incredible.

 

[TrevorFitzpatrickHattrick]

I heard that Kev was due to have a video call with Cosu yesterday but this has been cancelled and that Justin will be in attendance for the Rochdale game and any meeting will be rescheduled for then.

Could be a routine meeting or something more stern.

A few games in between which could be make or break

Is this what qualifies for a decent rumour these days? Claiming bosses plan to meet with their staff? Load of sensationalist nothingness if you ask me.

I'm confident Maher and co will get a full pre-season and 10-15 games next season unless we implode over the next month or two. Personally feel conflicted as Maher, Daz and Benno showed insane levels of loyalty to the club and arguably had us playing better football and achieving superior results in easily more testing circumstances. However, the squad are clearly underperforming, the football is turgid and Kev really has an inability to take ownership and show a bit of contrition for his own errors. To overcome his managerial shortcomings, COSU are going to have to back him well for next season and hope it's enough. I'm not convinced.

 

[kentblues]

I heard that Kev was due to have a video call with Cosu yesterday but this has been cancelled and that Justin will be in attendance for the Rochdale game and any meeting will be rescheduled for then.

Could be a routine meeting or something more stern.

A few games in between which could be make or break

Yes I can imagine Justin getting a bit of a dressing down re recruitment…

 

[Roger The Alien]

I think if Kev had the budget of these “huge”clubs, or even close, things would look different- but sadly we are nowhere near competing financially. This is where we are…regrettably…

Barnet and FGR a huge clubs? My arse

 

[graingerroad54]

Barnet and FGR a huge clubs? My arse

I think KB was being ironic

 

[stewart]

Very few big clubs in this league, my estimation on a big club is looking at their past history ,what they have achieved Southend definitely one ,maybe Hartlepool ,Rochdale, Gateshead, definitely not Barnet and FGR, Not sure you can call Daggers a big club either and Halifax im not sure of their history ,Cant think of any others.

 

[Piledriver]

Very few big clubs in this league, my estimation on a big club is looking at their past history ,what they have achieved Southend definitely one ,maybe Hartlepool ,Rochdale, Gateshead, definitely not Barnet and FGR, Not sure you can call Daggers a big club either and Halifax im not sure of their history ,Cant think of any others.

Oldham?