Thanks Kev - but is a new manager needed?

[CaptainSmudger]

Sorry Kev, after last two results and where we in the league, something has to change.
Bring in an experienced manager, take away responsibility from Kev put him on gardening leave to learn.

 

[Dutch Branch]

I’ve been sitting on the fence with this one for awhile now but Kev’s stubbornness to changes things and the lack of desire shown by the players leads me to believe that he should step down because this situation with him is turning toxic.

Many of the players aren’t up to it either which is probably a bigger concern moving forward. If we could put the oppositions goal on the half way line we might stand a better chance of scoring as that’s where we play most of our fottie

 

[meerkat54]

I think Kev just isn’t capable of motivating the players, Just listen to his interviews, he always sounds dower and uninspiring.
I also believe all the players can’t be that bad but the tactics certainly are.
What we need is a motivator and a manager with some charisma. Maybe in the mould of Neil Warnock.
I don’t dislike Kev he did a great job keeping us going in our darkest days. But Kev just isn’t cut out to be a successful manager.

 

[Exiled Shrimper]

I think Kev just isn’t capable of motivating the players, Just listen to his interviews, he always sounds dower and uninspiring.
I also believe all the players can’t be that bad but the tactics certainly are.
What we need is a motivator and a manager with some charisma. Maybe in the mould of Neil Warnock.
I don’t dislike Kev he did a great job keeping us going in our darkest days. But Kev just isn’t cut out to be a successful manager.

Over the past couple of years, Maher persuaded multiple players to play for the club on non-contract terms (including two in Ralph and Bridge for a six-month period and when there was interest from elsewhere), he got results and performances from players when they didn't know if they were going to be paid; when we weren’t embargoed he persuaded players to join the club when that threat existed. That doesn’t suggest to me that Maher is incapable of motivating a squad.

Neither does the 4-0 win over Oldham on the opening day of last season, or the televised victory over Chesterfield at Roots Hall, or more recently the fightbacks against Charlton (although ultimately unsuccessful) and Forest Green Rovers. And, of course, there is the first-hand testimony of Stan Collymore about how Maher made him feel when he was interviewing for the job.

What we’re seeing is a fear of failure (specifically of going behind in a game), a lack of confidence and belief across the squad and poor execution. Yesterday, in the first 10-15 minutes we had four or five excellent opportunities to either put a decent cross into the penalty area, or put a player clear in behind the Maidenhead defence, and we failed each time, either over-hitting or under-hitting the delivery (and that’s before we consider set-piece deliveries).

In each of the last two matches, we’ve started on the front foot and gradually regressed (and that happened against AFC Fylde at home, when Walker’s goal just before half-time came out of the blue). That suggests to me that the messaging and motivation is good, but the squad is lacking the confidence to sustain it if nothing happens in the first 20-30 minutes. It will be Maher’s job, alongside the other coaching staff, to address that, but I don’t feel there’s a motivational issue currently.

 

[Jay_SUFC]

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!

The most frustrating thing about signing Hopper, is just as Bonne was starting to come good, he gets immediately dropped for him!!

 

[Flinty]

The most frustrating thing about signing Hopper, is just as Bonne was starting to come good, he gets immediately dropped for him!!

You can probably add Morton, Collin and Wind to that list…and perhaps even Gubbins who after a couple of consecutive games was starting to look good but then constantly subbed off and dropped

 

[Shrimper95]

I can’t see Maher going anywhere anytime soon tbh. I think COSU will look to give him a summer where he can get his first choice targets in and see how he gets on from there. That could be a massive mistake but I think it’s a chance they’re willing to take!

I feel like Maher’s downfall could be his stubbornness to change his tactics no matter how bad the performances are, even though he doesn’t believe they are. The issue is if he thinks that’s a good performance I would dread to see what a bad performance is!

 

[bluethroughandthrough]

To the 16.3% who are on the fence - what do you need to see to clarify your mind. Either for or against?

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

To the 16.3% who are on the fence - what do you need to see to clarify your mind. Either for or against?

I need to see this squad improve, oppo needs putting to bed.
We have a strong defence and with that, a great base to build from. The next 3 games will for me be very telling. Time for this midfield to step up.
Stop admiring a simple pass theyve made and get up and support the next phase.
Our midfield have to want the ball, then advance and want it again.
I dont want to see three upfront, i want us to lockdown possession then actually do bits with it.
Shooting from the edge of the box, for the love of Maher please get the damn thing on target.
The rebuild looks a good starter, but Coker, Morton, Ralph, Gus, Jack, youre all hiding. We need you to be OUTSTANDING. Leon might be the boy to show you all, might not.

If they cant be that, then for me Kev is out the building and someone else can come in and clear out. As i said, thats a really good defence and keeper for this level and build on it we must.

 

[Fairport]

It is often said that teams play very much in the style of the manager/coach. KM was a midfielder slightly defensive minded who rarely scored a goal. Our most successful managers Tilly and Webby were each different. Tilly was a good attacking midfielder who scored goals and Webby was a no nonsense defender who new how to tackle and also play on the front foot. I can see the similarity with all three and the way their teams played.

 

[in the know]

So much understandable doom and gloom, which is obviously how I feel too after recent results.
Clutching at straws and trying to find a glimmer of positivity, I hear the new lad Leon is showing a lot of promise in training. Not just his box to box ability but how quick he can change speed. Obviously he's got to adapt to the higher level but if he can bring this to the match team, linking with golding behind him also looking to bring the ball out, then just maybe some balls will get played into hopper or bonnes feet to lay off for walker or kendal to run on to.
I just hope we go back to 3 up top.

 

[FarmdogSUFC]

Out of genuine curiosity here, and not the standard "but who would you get in?!" remark, who would peoples choices be to replace the current management?

 

[MisterStubbs]

Out of genuine curiosity here, and not the standard "but who would you get in?!" remark, who would peoples choices be to replace the current management?

Unfortunately, I don’t think there is much out there to choose from at the moment. Especially when looking at managers out of work as I don’t see us pinching someone who is already in a job.

The likes of Mark Bonner, Neil Harris, Paul Hurst and Mike Williamson all have decent cvs whilst the likes of Adam Barrett who has close ties to the club already and whom many I feel would opt for.

If I had to pull a name out of a hat though, I think someone like Neil Wood if he fancied the job could be a good shout.

 

[secondalibi]

It's probably time for Kev to go. He won't change his approach or tactics, he's only really got one way of playing and it's clearly not working. As for those who believe Kev needs more time, I'm not sure what you expect to change. We desperately need some fresh ideas.

 

[wiggy]

Out of genuine curiosity here, and not the standard "but who would you get in?!" remark, who would peoples choices be to replace the current management?

Currie one Benno two...see how it goes then stay with or recruit summer!

 

[rigsby]

Unfortunately, I don’t think there is much out there to choose from at the moment. Especially when looking at managers out of work as I don’t see us pinching someone who is already in a job.

The likes of Mark Bonner, Neil Harris, Paul Hurst and Mike Williamson all have decent cvs whilst the likes of Adam Barrett who has close ties to the club already and whom many I feel would opt for.

If I had to pull a name out of a hat though, I think someone like Neil Wood if he fancied the job could be a good shout.

He looked very happy when I see him singing and dancing on Friday night. Why would he want to spoil that to manage a NL club.

 

[Hampshire Shrimp]

Currie one Benno two...see how it goes then stay with or recruit summer!

It could be the lift that the players need, they are certainly not playing for Maher!

 

[Jay_SUFC]

Unfortunately, I don’t think there is much out there to choose from at the moment. Especially when looking at managers out of work as I don’t see us pinching someone who is already in a job.

The likes of Mark Bonner, Neil Harris, Paul Hurst and Mike Williamson all have decent cvs whilst the likes of Adam Barrett who has close ties to the club already and whom many I feel would opt for.

If I had to pull a name out of a hat though, I think someone like Neil Wood if he fancied the job could be a good shout.

Why don't you see us pinching a manager that's already in a job. Bet there are plenty that would love a crack at managing us.

 

[Lincoln Shrimp]

Out of genuine curiosity here, and not the standard "but who would you get in?!" remark, who would peoples choices be to replace the current management?

If we're looking to make an external appointment I would look no further than trying to see whether we could tempt Dean Brennan to come from Barnet. He likes to play front foot football built upon a solid defence. I thought his Barnet side looked a cut above the other week. Everyone was hungry for the ball, there were players constantly moving for each other plus he has an eye for a player.
I watched an interview with him earlier this week in which he said he'd already turned down several opportunities already to move to other clubs. He decided to remain loyal to the Barnet chairman Tony Keanothous for now, but may well see our project and much bigger fanbase as tempting.

 

[MisterStubbs]

Why don't you see us pinching a manager that's already in a job. Bet there are plenty that would love a crack at managing us.

It's just something we've not really done as a club down the years. Who would have been the last, dare I say Mark Moseley? That said, it might be different under the COSU now.. though can you see them paying to get rid of Kev and his staff and then paying compensation for a new manager and his staff? I personally don't.