Question Tilson Out?

[Kenny]

Even though promotion doesn't look likely this is arguably his best season. Against a background of vastly reduced spending compared to previous campaigns. He's also had to chop and change the team so much with the loanees we're still in a shout of the playoffs heading into the Easter program. Away from the league we had a cracking result up at Stamford Bridge.

 

[fredheim_holm]

I think we have no chance of Dervite next season. If we did manage to get him though, then I think we should be looking for top 2, he's that good.

 

[BrettieAngell]

I think we have no chance of Dervite next season. If we did manage to get him though, then I think we should be looking for top 2, he's that good.

I think we have a chance of a long-term loan, depends if other clubs go in for him though I guess.

 

[GodblessArthurRowley]

T & B best management team we have had here, end of.

Except for the legend that is Arthur Rowley obviously!

 

[palexander]

Slow to catch up here, but as my name has been dropped, thought best to put my view across!

Like someone else said above, no matter whenever you doubt Tilson, he always has the knack of turning it around.

My opinion of questioning whether he should be removed earlier in the season, was in hindsight knee-jerk at the time (born out of frustration and the long standing love of the club - not any personal slight against Tilly), but that said, it is a feeling - which I'm positive most of you will find crazy, I had harboured over a much longer period.

I've already gone over and given my reasons in the past, be suffice to say, I'm so pleased this season has been turned around and one of the big signs for me that Tilson is still learning (and getting it right) is the game last Friday - it would have been easy to put Barrett back in the middle and Herd/Francis left back - but, too his credit, he left the Clarke/Barrett partnership apart.

If Clarke does stay, I would say that spells the end of Barretts career as a centre-back for us.

Anyways, I'll happily see Tilson in charge next term and wipe the slate clean - but I maintain my right (as every fan should) to question him when I feel changes could be made. In fairness, most of the level headed people questioning him at the time - which I would like to include myself, who had rational points to back them up, were calling for the changes that Tilson finally made, so perhaps we were justified in some way!

As an aside, I spoke to a Leeds fan in town last night after their game and he said that Southend is the name on most Leeds fans lips as the outsiders to get the last play-off place...

 

[canveyshrimper]

Slow to catch up here, but as my name has been dropped, thought best to put my view across!

Like someone else said above, no matter whenever you doubt Tilson, he always has the knack of turning it around.

My opinion of questioning whether he should be removed earlier in the season, was in hindsight knee-jerk at the time (born out of frustration and the long standing love of the club - not any personal slight against Tilly), but that said, it is a feeling - which I'm positive most of you will find crazy, I had harboured over a much longer period.

I've already gone over and given my reasons in the past, be suffice to say, I'm so pleased this season has been turned around and one of the big signs for me that Tilson is still learning (and getting it right) is the game last Friday - it would have been easy to put Barrett back in the middle and Herd/Francis left back - but, too his credit, he left the Clarke/Barrett partnership apart.

If Clarke does stay, I would say that spells the end of Barretts career as a centre-back for us.

Anyways, I'll happily see Tilson in charge next term and wipe the slate clean - but I maintain my right (as every fan should) to question him when I feel changes could be made. In fairness, most of the level headed people questioning him at the time - which I would like to include myself, who had rational points to back them up, were calling for the changes that Tilson finally made, so perhaps we were justified in some way!

As an aside, I spoke to a Leeds fan in town last night after their game and he said that Southend is the name on most Leeds fans lips as the outsiders to get the last play-off place...

Good post and well said. In fairness to you and although I thought you were wrong and said so on more than one occasion you argued your case sensibly and articulately at the time. Others however have only appeared when we have suffered a slump, and then advocate a change of management.

I suggest that these people must really hate it when time and time again Tilly proves to them that he has probably forgotten more about football management than they may ever know.

I have always supported Tilson largely because I believe in continuity for our club, and those with long enough memories can see that changing the manager every time we suffer a bad run of results is not the way to go. The foundations have been laid by Tilly for our club and young players with potential are coming through the youth system (Moussa, Herd & O'keefe), one of whom (Orenuja) who has already moved to Everton.

I hope that T&B can stay in charge for a few years to come and possibly to guide us and hopefully establish us in the CCC ( a dream I know, but who knows). While I don't want Tilly to move on, I for one would wish him every success if an offer does come from a "bigger" club and he decides to try his luck away from Roots Hall.

 

[CyrilSneer]

I too, like pboreham, voiced my concerns about Tilson. I even published some statistics to back my case, that it might be time for a change. I have already admitted I was wrong, as Tilson and Brush have somehow managed to get an average squad of players from the brink of relegation to an outside chance of promotion. Part of me still feels though, that its more due to the lack of quality in this division, rather than our greatness, but we can only beat what is put in front of us, which we have done 11 times in the past 14 matches.

 

[fredheim_holm]

Fair play on admitting you were wrong.

Regarding lack of quality in this division, I disagree. People always use that excuse, saying it's worse than normal. Possibly true for our promotion to the CCC, but this division is at least average for the level surely. Leeds have some top players, as do Leicester clearly, and P'boro certainly have some good players. Further down, Cox at Swindon, Smithies at Huddersfield, certainly some good players and good teams.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I said we should reward Tilly with a 5 year contract when we were 18th in the division as long term stability was the only way this club could get ahead.

We didn't do that, but fortunately he stuck with the youngsters like Moussa and Grant anyway. It is the performances of those two who give me most optimism for next season, Grant in particular has been outstanding and is second only to Mildenhall for me for POTY. Those two in midfield offer us a spine to build around for the future. Add in Mildenhall as the solid keeper we've been needing for ages, the return to full fitness of Barnard and we now just need that dominating centre-half to replace Clarke (who looks like he is off anyway) and we look like having that solid base to build from.

 

[Sussex Shrimper]

I think thats the point, a few months ago the likes of pboreham, wiggy, ttk genuinely wated Tilly out and were convinced we could get in someone better. Hopefully people remember this time we have an inevitable slump....

Blimey, even I'm not that optimistic. ;)

 

[rlb999]

I'd be interested to know the age of the tilly out brigade. I remember when I was 16 I was convinced David Webb should be scaked shortly after he'd led us to successive promotions. Utter nonsense looking back, but there was no telling me at the time.

 

[palexander]

I'd be interested to know the age of the tilly out brigade. I remember when I was 16 I was convinced David Webb should be scaked shortly after he'd led us to successive promotions. Utter nonsense looking back, but there was no telling me at the time.

32, been supporting Southend since '86 and had a seaso for about 5 years in the 90s.

 

[BoyWonder2]

Tilson has to stay at the Club, or that there can be no question in my eyes.

Tilson, since taking over, has been simply brilliant. Even a relegation on his CV isn't much of a blemish to be brutally honest. I started watching the Club back in 2001 and something we had been lacking, until Tilson came in, was continuatity in the management department. Just look at the state that Newcastle are in. Recently they have had Keegan, Alladyce, Kinnear, Chris Hougton and Alan Shearer in the last 2/3 seasons. If you look at the ten longest serving managers in the football league (can someone please provide them), all of them have been succesful for their Clubs. Chopping and changing never works out.

Yes, December and January, is what will ultimately cost us a play-off place in my eyes, but there has been a lot of change in the playing staff this season. If you take each position and look at how many different players have been used, its staggering it really is.

GK - Mildenhall, Joyce, Feds.

RB - Francis, Sankofa
LB - Harding, Barrett, Herd
CB - Clarke, Barrett, Sankofa, Francis, Dervitte

RW - Robinson, Scannell, Betsy, Francis, Grant, Feeney
LW - HRK, Betsy, Stanislas, Walker, Moussa, Milsom, Ademeno
CM - Bailey, Macca, Grant, JFC, Sawyer, O'Keefe, Milsom

CF - Barnard, Robinson, Freedman, Laurent, Furlong, Revell, Walker

There are probably even more that I have missed out as well. The best teams have their best 11 on the pitch for most of the season. We have been robbed of that by players leaving, loanees coming and going, injuries and suspension.

This season Tilson has had to rely on loanees more than ever before. Does anybody know how many loans his brought in before this season? I bet this season his brought in more than the previous seasons combined. Also, on the injury front. We have had more than one game where we have gone into it with one fit foward despite having 7 at the Club at certain times. I'm not saying out injuries have been worse than everybody else (They may have, they may not have) but his had more injuries this season to contend with then ever before.

We have a nucleas of a very good squad here. Players have improved over the course of the season, players like Mildenhall, Clarke, Sankofa, Francis, Macca, Grant, Moussa. All of these have had indifferent spells in the side, but are starting to produce some decent football. Yes, we aren't as fluid as we have been in previous seasons, in fact I think we are more of a "workmen like" side as opposed to a top footballing side.

Also this season I think Tilson has won us more games, or changed games more with his subs. Just look at the triple subs at Chelsea that turned the game in our favour slightly. Against Walsall at home it looked like being one of those days at half time, but he went 3 at the back and went for it.

I think Tilson would have learnt a lot this season, as will RM and fair play to him. A lot of chairmen would have sacked their own managers if they went through the same spell as we did.

Lets get right behind the boys in the last 5 games. Personally I don't think we will do it, but its still possible, and if Tilson guides us to the play-offs this would have been his finest season in charge.

Keep the faith!

 

[bertiebigbanana]

not a thread i would have expected from you elstree at this time but i'll play the game for debating sakes.
Anyone who knows ST or has perhaps met him the once or twice wil tell you he's a top bloke. His only percieved 'fault' and i use the word loosely, is that he is one of this worlds modest, nice guy's. He doesnt desire to be put on a pedastal nor i expect, be comfortable standing on one. He is proud and just wants to succeed. so, his only fault, that i can see, is his reluctance to accept that he has got it wrong. i
In my ( and i expect others)humble opinions, he got it massively wrong with the central defensive partership of barrett & clarke. For something that was obvious to many on here, i was amazed that it took so long for the coach's to see.
It's no coincedence that the upturn in our fortunes has coincided with the break up of that particular marriage.
So, Yes, i would accept that its lovely to have a bona fida SUFC supporter as our coach and i doubt that under the present stewardship we could tempt/afford anyone remotely better but lets keep things in perspective here. ST is perfect for this club in the present climes and i dont doubt that his apparent subservient nature is perfect for mighty midget but lets keep it all in perspective. He isnt, as yet in the fergy bracket.

 

[Blueshrimper]

At the end of the day he has taken us from bottom half league 2 side to a top half league 1 side. The only teams who seem to beat that achievemnet ae ones who have money MK Dons, Posh etc. Amazing achievement. Not too mention many many days to remember in that time. How many days did we have to remember under Wignall, Newman etc?

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

not a thread i would have expected from you elstree at this time but i'll play the game for debating sakes.
Anyone who knows ST or has perhaps met him the once or twice wil tell you he's a top bloke. His only percieved 'fault' and i use the word loosely, is that he is one of this worlds modest, nice guy's. He doesnt desire to be put on a pedastal nor i expect, be comfortable standing on one. He is proud and just wants to succeed. so, his only fault, that i can see, is his reluctance to accept that he has got it wrong. i
In my ( and i expect others)humble opinions, he got it massively wrong with the central defensive partership of barrett & clarke. For something that was obvious to many on here, i was amazed that it took so long for the coach's to see.
It's no coincedence that the upturn in our fortunes has coincided with the break up of that particular marriage.
So, Yes, i would accept that its lovely to have a bona fida SUFC supporter as our coach and i doubt that under the present stewardship we could tempt/afford anyone remotely better but lets keep things in perspective here. ST is perfect for this club in the present climes and i dont doubt that his apparent subservient nature is perfect for mighty midget but lets keep it all in perspective. He isnt, as yet in the fergy bracket.

I think Elstree was very much on the side of Tilson in and very much against knee-jerk Tilson out reactions.

Agree entirely that signing Clarke was a huge mistake. Not only did we spend a large amount of cash on Clarke which we look unlikely to recoup, but the Clarke-Barrett partnership held us back for a long time.

As for Tilly not being in Fergie's bracket, I'm not so sure. He's taken the club further than Fergie has taken Man U. If you'd rather he is our Dario Gradi.

 

[bertiebigbanana]

And even though you can be a catancrous bar steward....i accept your arguement and agree with you for once!

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

and even though you can be a catancrous bar steward....i accept your arguement and agree with you for once!

;)

..............

 

[maninasuitcase]

This season Tilson has had to rely on loanees more than ever before. Does anybody know how many loans his brought in before this season? I bet this season his brought in more than the previous seasons combined.

This season we've signed 9 players on loan. Last season we had 8 loanees:

Clarke, Morgan, Eric, Mulgrew, Gilbert, Walker, HRK and Grant.

The other question re managers longevity, Tilson is behind Fergie, Wenger, Moyes, Turner, Coleman and Coppell.

 

[bertiebigbanana]

Interestingly, the majority of loan players brought in, although i guess as a result of the clubs inability to pay for perms, have been pretty good picks for which ST should take the credit.