Thanks Kev - but is a new manager needed?

[Fitz]

Maher needs to go, with dignity and head held high for all he has done in the face of adversity but the change needs to happen. The passion and commitment in the team has gone, something clearly isn’t right behind the scenes. He is delusional and his post match interview really hacked me off today. No ownership or accountability and in denial and just feeling hard done by.

COSU act now

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

Ive changed from No , to On the Fence.
My opinion is that he is tasked to transform this team into winners and get us up, unless we have a very rich owner then its going to take a lot of hard work to be a top 7 side, let alone top 3. That takes time, of which i think he should be afforded.
There are and have been this season some squad neccessities changing to be able to compete. We have improved certain areas, especially defence and keeper. But it feels a long way off without Bridge and Miley in midfield.
As for structure, its not bad but Kev's team is far too slow and its costing us, as is chances created.
I still think he has the capability to turn it around this season. But i DON'T think he will.
God it pains me to say that.
I look back at post match threads from Aug and i'm reading the same in Feb.
I think i'll be off the fence very soon and as much as i truly dislike being anything other than fiercely supportive of my team, there comes a time.

 

[RHB]

I've moved my vote from 'No' to 'On the fence'. Today's performance has sealed that move. Will I go the final step? not yet, but I'll see what the next run of games brings. Feeling pretty sad about it all at the moment.

 

[Jay_SUFC]

Maher needs to go, with dignity and head held high for all he has done in the face of adversity but the change needs to happen. The passion and commitment in the team has gone, something clearly isn’t right behind the scenes. He is delusional and his post match interview really hacked me off today. No ownership or accountability and in denial and just feeling hard done by.

COSU act now

Other than his stubbornness, the lack of accountability and endless excuses really get on my nerves and has done for a while.

It's never his fault!

 

[Shrimper]

Changed my vote from On the Fence to Yes.

 

[NZamba Legend]

I do think so, the worrying thing is I think the players are losing respect, it sounds like he is on at them all the time which is probably now wearing thin. Also there was no urgency or bounce back from last week, so he either hasn't motivated them enough this week or they've given up

To be honest though the players need to earn the respect of Kevin Maher who has done more for our club than almost anyone over the last quarter century.

 

[Chairman Trigg]

To be honest though the players need to earn the respect of Kevin Maher who has done more for our club than almost anyone over the last quarter century.

Always reminds me of what Peter Butler said about Dave Webb when he arrived with the team about to be relegated.He said Webb immediately knew which players were not totally committed,just going through the motions and out the door they went .
Think unfortunately this time it's more to do with motivation and tactics not getting the best out of players we have at present .The only thing saving KM is the long contract he was given which seemed good business at the time ,but has now become a financial nightmare for the consortium.
The fans singing backwards and sideways isn't a good sign with the outside chance of the play offs fading fast.

 

[rayleigh dan]

Is there any chance of resetting this thread and asking the question again from right now?

I know you can change your vote but not everyone will have realised or revisited the thread in the period since it was started. IMO it's time for a fresh poll.

 

[KiwiRob]

Always reminds me of what Peter Butler said about Dave Webb when he arrived with the team about to be relegated.He said Webb immediately knew which players were not totally committed,just going through the motions and out the door they went .
Think unfortunately this time it's more to do with motivation and tactics not getting the best out of players we have at present .The only thing saving KM is the long contract he was given which seemed good business at the time ,but has now become a financial nightmare for the consortium.
The fans singing backwards and sideways isn't a good sign with the outside chance of the play offs fading fast.

My own view is that Justin Rees and COSU seriously need to consider restructuring the management team. I believe Darren Currie and Kevin Maher should swap their roles. Currie, I believe, always had the credentials to be the Head Coach/Manager and was unlucky to be overlooked when Maher was originally appointed. This shake-up would be a demotion for Maher, but it would not be a sacking for someone who is so clearly committed to the club. And it would provide an opportunity for a more attack-minded Currie to inspire the team toward a much stronger position in the second half of the season.

 

[Boreham Shrimper]

My own view is that Justin Rees and COSU seriously need to consider restructuring the management team. I believe Darren Currie and Kevin Maher should swap their roles. Currie, I believe, always had the credentials to be the Head Coach/Manager and was unlucky to be overlooked when Maher was originally appointed. This shake-up would be a demotion for Maher, but it would not be a sacking for someone who is so clearly committed to the club. And it would provide an opportunity for a more attack-minded Currie to inspire the team toward a much stronger position in the second half of the season.

I get what you’re saying, but unless Kevin were to voluntarily agree to this (and all the signs show that he will not, it’s not in his character), I’m pretty sure this would be seriously problematic from an employment law perspective and could amount to constructive dismissal. Unless we were to pay Kevin off, I think we’re stuck with him.

 

[KiwiRob]

I get what you’re saying, but unless Kevin were to voluntarily agree to this (and all the signs show that he will not, it’s not in his character), I’m pretty sure this would be seriously problematic from an employment law perspective and could amount to constructive dismissal. Unless we were to pay Kevin off, I think we’re stuck with him.

Thanks Boreham Shrimper. I suspect you are right in terms of employment law, but I do think giving Currie the opportunity to make his mark between now and the end of the season would be a wise move. And I agree Kevin Maher is unlikely to accept anything less than his current role of Head Coach.

 

[nick12]

I starting raising concerns in October when I decided our negative formation and the players body language was wrong but I was quickly shot down ended up thinking maybe I have got this wrong and Kev will put it right.

At that time most were saying "give it to Christmas" that came and went and if anything things were worse, the tactics were still boring and negative but New signings were coming in so there was hope things would change.

We are now in February and we have had several new faces through the door and things haven't changed and I now know I was right back in October.

I don't buy this is all because we lost HC and OK, we are far bigger than 2 players, our style of football is mind numbingly boring and I have lost interest in the never ending excuses after every poor performance.

I love Kev to bits but any other manager would be long gone, he's only still here because of sentiment and what he did for us last season was beyond amazing but this is now and we need to move on and that's not going to happen under Kev.

The longer this is delayed the more supporters will turn away which will cost the club arguably more than making the changes now. I currently won't be renewing my season ticket for example unless there are major changes at the club and will revert to paying for the games I want to see.

I reluctantly voted yes initially, now I would have no hesitation it's a definite yes from me.

 

[blues exile]

I starting raising concerns in October when I decided our negative formation and the players body language was wrong but I was quickly shot down ended up thinking maybe I have got this wrong and Kev will put it right.

At that time most were saying "give it to Christmas" that came and went and if anything things were worse, the tactics were still boring and negative but New signings were coming in so there was hope things would change.

We are now in February and we have had several new faces through the door and things haven't changed and I now know I was right back in October.

I don't buy this is all because we lost HC and OK, we are far bigger than 2 players, our style of football is mind numbingly boring and I have lost interest in the never ending excuses after every poor performance.

I love Kev to bits but any other manager would be long gone, he's only still here because of sentiment and what he did for us last season was beyond amazing but this is now and we need to move on and that's not going to happen under Kev.

The longer this is delayed the more supporters will turn away which will cost the club arguably more than making the changes now. I currently won't be renewing my season ticket for example unless there are major changes at the club and will revert to paying for the games I want to see.

I reluctantly voted yes initially, now I would have no hesitation it's a definite yes from me.

Many of the more discerning posters on here thought the same as you as far back as October, but as you say were heavily criticised for their views. Sadly, we have been proved right. Even the most ardent Maherites sèem to have run out of excuses now and it is regrettable that COSU did not take action earlier. Indeed, they will probably do nothing now and the season will have been a year lost. It also endangers next season going the same way unless they bite the bullet now.

 

[MisterStubbs]

I can only assume the 275 people who still think we shouldn’t sack Kevin either aren’t active on the site regularly or are people on a wind up.

 

[Ramsdenblue]

I said to my boy yesterday that looking at the players attitude and their body language, that some seemed quite negative, frustrated even in their own game, they did not seem to be the same close knit team anymore.

Could it be that they also don’t like the style of football that Maher wants them to play.
Maybe the players would like to play a more attacking style of football.

Personally, I would love Maher to take us up, but don’t think this would ever happen playing this formation.

I would love to see Currie be the head coach till the end of the season.
I believe he would be more attacking minded,
Currie has also shown fantastic support for the club, and has the passion in abundance.

I remember when Tilly took over as caretaker manager, and then was handed the job full time.
Look what then happened.

 

[JD]

My own view is that Justin Rees and COSU seriously need to consider restructuring the management team. I believe Darren Currie and Kevin Maher should swap their roles. Currie, I believe, always had the credentials to be the Head Coach/Manager and was unlucky to be overlooked when Maher was originally appointed. This shake-up would be a demotion for Maher, but it would not be a sacking for someone who is so clearly committed to the club. And it would provide an opportunity for a more attack-minded Currie to inspire the team toward a much stronger position in the second half of the season.

I get where you are coming from, and it’s an interesting angle.
For me this would lead to nothing short of a disaster in terms of the impact it would have on everybody involved.
I can’t see how the players, as well as Kev, Currie and Benno would be able to make it work from a psychological aspect. Too much upheaval in what is already a mentally pressured scenario.

 

[wiggy]

I thought it was a strange decision to start Hopper over Bonne. Bonne scored recently and it clearly boosted his confidence. I so want Maher to survive, for all he has done for us, but he does play a very negative game. The position we are in, we might aswell go for broke and chase 3 pts each game

Strange decision signing Hopper full stop!
Washed up target man that is going to get NO service…..Maher will do considerably more damage to this club if he hangs around, just has not got it!

 

[Exiled Shrimper]

I can only assume the 275 people who still think we shouldn’t sack Kevin either aren’t active on the site regularly or are people on a wind up.

From my perspective, my opinion hasn’t changed since I posted this in December; I just don’t feel the need to dogmatically react to each result in isolation.

The things I identified at the time haven’t materially changed; it seems in this social media age there’s a desire to paint everything in black and white, as opposed to accepting nuance (and that’s a societal issue rather than being confined to football or SZ).

People that feel Maher is the right person to coach the team can still be disappointed with the last two results (and, indeed, performances) in particular and recognise there are things that need to improve without feeling those improvements are reliant upon a change of management.

 

[JD]

I’d give Kev until end of feb to turn it around. As a target I’d want us close (3/4 points off max) to a play off place by then.
If not then he goes, along with the coaching team, and probably John Still.

New boss given two months to assess the squad and identify targets for early (aka Barnet style) summer business to ensure we are raring to attack next season and get out of the ****ing awful league.

I still think the above would be a sensible option for now. COSU have backed Kev with some new signings, but he needs to get a quick tune out of them or face the music.

 

[Grayson]

I believe Currie split opinion at Barnet because they played the same football we have here. It's either a big change or we stick. Not an easy decision but we can't keep doing the same tedious things.