Thanks Kev - but is a new manager needed?

[rayleigh dan]

We’re not though, so it’s not a discussion. Same as, if we were at the top of the table, this convert wouldn’t be occurring.

If the relegation scenario becomes a reality, then it’s a discussion point. Until then, it’s a (potentially costly) coin flip.

And trust me when I say, we don’t have money to p*** away. Otherwise we wouldn’t be drafting in new consortium members. Piece it together

I doubt we will end up in relegation zone, but even so we shouldn’t expect to be happy finishing in the bottom half. I believe you have more knowledge than most, finances are tight, I think we can all see that, but where are we in terms of overall wages in comparison with our competitors? We know 4 or 5 teams are bankrolled but are we in the top half?

 

[Sherif H]

I doubt we will end up in relegation zone, but even so we shouldn’t expect to be happy finishing in the bottom half. I believe you have more knowledge than most, finances are tight, I think we can all see that, but where are we in terms of overall wages in comparison with our competitors? We know 4 or 5 teams are bankrolled but are we in the top half?

'Season of consolidation mate' - same thing said every season...

 

[Grayson]

Is it strange? The loudest voices appear to be from those who support the status quo and will defend Kev's position so vehemently that nothing you can say which exposes our tactical naivety and ineffectiveness across every part of the pitch registers in any way.

Not true. The forum and post match thread is always busier when we lose. The loudest voices are often the negative ones. Your view has lots of support on here tonight.

There is no need for the divisive tribalism and painting yourself as some persecuted truth-sayer is ridiculous.

 

[rayleigh dan]

'Season of consolidation mate' - same thing said every season...

Maybe if it’s a one off… but next season I expect to be challenging for promotion. A play off place should be a minimum aim.

 

[Benjamin]

I’m just replying to a poster who claimed the recruitment was poor but we had a decent team, his words not mine.

Surely, if you have a decent team the recruitment just have been decent? Unless the whole team came through the youth teams etc.

Yes we have a decent team meaning the starting 11 that are very capable but the recruitment to add to them as been bang average

 

[GBJ]

The current mob is basically the same as the previous couple of seasons with the exception of Cardwell and Kensdale.

Six of today’s starting XI were regulars last year. FWIW, I’d probably keep two of them.

We don't play the same style as before - one key thing is missing...the intensity of press.
We used to press teams so aggressively from the first whistle that they didn't know what had hit them.
That has all but disappeared, and we are now left with this tactical husk which sees us pick up 70% possession in most games without doing a ****ing thing with the ball in dangerous areas. It is slow, ponderous and grimly predictable.
Teams don't even have to break a sweat to put goals past us now.

Again, we don’t have the players to press with that same intensity. Cardwell & Powell’s press from the front was very good. Far better than Bonne/Walker/Pep.

If it becomes a reality? We are 3 points off the zone and almost halfway through the season...

We're 8 off the playoffs with over half a season to play, but hey, it’s each to their own.

 

[Sherif H]

Not true. The forum and post match thread is always busier when we lose. The loudest voices are often the negative ones. Your view has lots of support on here tonight.

There is no need for the divisive tribalism and painting yourself as some persecuted truth-sayer is ridiculous.

I guess we shall see the reaction when the usual suspects emerge from the shadows next time we claim a rare victory...

 

[GBJ]

Is it strange? The loudest voices appear to be from those who support the status quo and will defend Kev's position so vehemently that nothing you can say which exposes our tactical naivety and ineffectiveness across every part of the pitch registers in any way.

It’s just people sharing opinions on a fans forum. Nobody - from what I can see - is shouting down or speaking over anyone else for having a differing opinion.

 

[Sherif H]

Six of today’s starting XI were regulars last year. FWIW, I’d probably keep two of them.



Again, we don’t have the players to press with that same intensity. Cardwell & Powell’s press from the front was very good. Far better than Bonne/Walker/Pep.



We're 8 off the playoffs with over half a season to play, but hey, it’s each to their own.

I respect your optimism. I really do. I wish I could be this pragmatic, but can you honestly see us going up the table playing this way? I only see us going one way.

Re. the players for a press, Pepple could fulfill that role if we didn't continue to use him as a hapless target man, wrestled by two defenders each and every game. He is certainly an upgrade on Powell.

Walker and moreso Bonne are basically a waste of wages imho, so no issue with that viewpoint.

Cardwell is really the only major miss.

 

[Grayson]

I guess we shall see the reaction when the usual suspects emerge from the shadows next time we claim a rare victory...

Let's look at a cut of the season so far. Massive difference when we lose versus any other time.

 

[GBJ]

I doubt we will end up in relegation zone, but even so we shouldn’t expect to be happy finishing in the bottom half. I believe you have more knowledge than most, finances are tight, I think we can all see that, but where are we in terms of overall wages in comparison with our competitors? We know 4 or 5 teams are bankrolled but are we in the top half?

Arguable

I don’t think we’re even in touching distance of some of our competitors. But it’s irrelevant in the long run, as the plan is to make us sustainable is more important than instant success.

Agreed though, a club like ours should never feel happy/content/satisfied with our current (or potentially worse) position. If it’s a means to an end, I can understand it. At this stage in time, I don’t know

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Kensdale and Caldwell were integral to Mahers tactics. Without them we seem lost. Lazy at the back and no one to keep the ball up top.

 

[GBJ]

I respect your optimism. I really do. I wish I could be this pragmatic, but can you honestly see us going up the table playing this way? I only see us going one way.

Nope, not with this squad, sadly. I feel a mid-table finish is on the cards, although a few decent additions (which are in the works) may change that.

Re. the players for a press, Pepple could fulfill that role if we didn't continue to use him as a hapless target man, wrestled by two defenders each and every game. He is certainly an upgrade on Powell.

Walker and moreso Bonne are basically a waste of wages imho, so no issue with that viewpoint.

Cardwell is really the only major miss.

Maher’s handling of Pepple had been frustrating tbh. He’s clearly a decent player, and I wish we’d play more to his strengths. I’m hopeful Kev will learn but won’t hold my breath.

Disagree about Cards being the only major loss. Kensdale is a big miss.

 

[danbowen]

Let's look at a cut of the season so far. Massive difference when we lose versus any other time.

View attachment 34674

Also worth looking at it from another point of view too as almost all the games with bigger numbers of comments were home games where much more fans watch the game so will have a view on it

 

[Streaky]

Thing is we’re not mid table we’re 3 points of relegation

We are only 3 points away from mid table (12th)

 

[Ricey]

Let's look at a cut of the season so far. Massive difference when we lose versus any other time.

View attachment 34674

That happens every season! It’s not a new thing.

 

[Grayson]

Also worth looking at it from another point of view too as almost all the games with bigger numbers of comments were home games where much more fans watch the game so will have a view on it

It is the similar numbers on away games too. Of course, there will be plenty arguing against the negative views that build the post count.

It is obvious that being Maher out is not a persecuted minority on SZ.

 

[ShrimperinaHat]

Can someone add a poll please.

Enough is enough, this season has been unacceptable on every level. Cry me a river over Cardwell and Kensdale, we should not be playing as crap as we are with the squad we have.

The tactics are unchanging and negative, we are getting beat by part time teams, our home form is a joke, we have probably hit 2 shots from outside the box all season and the heat map for possession in our own half each game is hotter than the centre of the sun.

Time to go

Stop all this now. Maher should stay. We should support him and the team. In Kev I trust.

 

[cerbera45]

Be careful what you wish for

 

[Danshrimper]

Surely, if there is a decent team in there, the recruitment can’t be bang average….

The recent recruitment has been bang average though. The reason there is still a half decent team in there is largely down to players recruited 2-3 years ago (Taylor, Miley, GSM, Husin). Or players not recruited by the current management at all (Ralph, Coker, & Bridge)

Of the players recruited in the past year or so, only Pepple and Morton have had a consistently positive impact this season. Some like KAF, Wind, and Walker have shown positive signs, but haven’t been able to do it consistently due to not being selected/injury.

And the rest, Crowther, Waldron, Bonne, Moncur, Gubbins have been average at best.