What would you do if you were Justin Rees

[Liam AAS]

I appreciate people were going months unpaid etc and that should never happen in any walk of life but I don’t agree that also means we have to just tolerate them with a smile on our face when they’re not performing very well.

Mid 2026-27 is absolutely bonkers in my opinion but each to their own. I can understand people asking to give them a full pre season with no issues etc, that’s fair but 1.5 years isn’t realistic. I don’t think any modern managers get those sort of timescales nowadays.

I certainly won’t be not attending though, we’re all entitled to our view and if you’re satisfied then fantastic but many of us aren’t. To not attend would mean I’m not supporting the club and that’s not going to happen. It’s a huge part of mine and my families lives which is sadly being ruined, as it was under Phil Brown. Phil Brown had more respect for the fans though, he wasn’t constantly shouting and swearing at them. Maher cannot handle criticism at all. As soon as he thinks something negative is being said from the stands he starts shouting, swearing, throwing his hands about. It’s not professional, he should be able to rise above it. He’s the same with the officials.

I find it maddening that this sort of nonsense gets peddled. No one* is smiling when we don't perform well, we all want to win every game. Some people are just more stoic and patient than others.

I make you right on most of the rest of the post btw.

 

[GBJ]

Find it strange that you’re encouraging it to be honest. I would never defend the fans behaving that way either but as a manager it’s not about being a wet lettuce it’s about being professional and he’s lacking in that way.

Some of the games best ever managers (and players for that matter) have always had character to them. Sometimes that can be misconstrued as unprofessional. And in today’s heavily sanitised society, the old heads from yesteryear would have been dragged over the coals and cancelled for their behaviour.

Could Kev be a bit more professional? Yeah, probably. Would he lose something from his game though?

You’re always going to get a few idiots in a fan base who make the rest of us look bad but how are we going to promote respect in the sport etc if the man at the top is as bad as the fans?
I’d also suggest that it’s not ‘at times’ it’s almost always. The slightest thing and he’s ready to turn on the fans.

I’ve not seen it myself. That’s not to say I disbelieve you, I just can’t judge him on something I haven’t seen.

Can you give me some examples of when he’s turned on the fans at pitch side, including verbatim words/phrases that were used?

find it very odd as for the most part we’d have his back but we are also entitled to an opinion. I don’t think it’s good enough. It’s about standards I suppose and I expect better from the manager. He’s got a position many people would love and the way he conducts himself isn’t good enough. I’m guessing but I wouldn’t be surprised if he has the worst disciplinary record of a manager in the league.

Yeah you may be right, but nobody would bat an eyelid if we were top of the league right now.

And conversely, if Maher stood on the sideline like a statue for 90 minutes, people would rinse him for not caring or not showing enough passion. Just as they did with Steve Tilson. I can still recall the debates on here about how we needed rid of Tilly and to replace him with someone like Mad Dog Allen because he shouted and waved his arms around a bit

 

[blues exile]

I’ve always thought it’s not that he doesn’t want to attack, it’s more he’s more concerned about not conceding so is too cautious or puts too much emphasis on not losing than going for the win.

Exactly this. Possession is everything, hence the sideways and backwards mindset rather than try a throughball along the ground that might not beat a defender. Trouble is what it usually ends in is an overhit cross that goes out for a goalkick

I find it maddening that this sort of nonsense gets peddled. No one* is smiling when we don't perform well, we all want to win every game. Some people are just more stoic and patient than others.

I make you right on most of the rest of the post btw.

That is a most unworthy comment which you should withdraw. I certainly do not smile when we lose, in fact I find it very disappointing. Having supported the club for over 60 years I have a wide perspective of the ups and down this involves and factually on the playing side we have never been in a worse position than this, stuck in the NL and saddled with a management team presiding over an abysmal brand of football.

 

[Blue Yonder]

If I were Justin for a variety of reasons, including the events beyond KM's control, I wouldn't be making a change right now. But... given that an important part of the coaches job is to improve individual players and team performance on the training ground I would be a bit concerned that there doesn't seem to be any player, or any aspect of our game, defensively or attacking, set pieces or general play, that is getting better on a regular basis. All the noise and clutter of off field issues are irrelevant to that.

 

[Liam AAS]

That is a most unworthy comment which you should withdraw.

We gently rib the ones we love the most.

 

[Swiss Tony]

A request to all those who aren't entertained by the style of football every week... please don't come. It's not compulsory, you can vote with your feet and your wallet, that's your prerogative. It really is that simple.

Personally however, I will be forever grateful to the management team and players who played through last season, sometimes without reward, and all so that we can have a club to support. I'm constantly grateful for that and that buys them a lot of credit in my book. I said in an earlier thread that I think they need a complete 1.5 seasons in charge WITHOUT HAVING THEIR HANDS TIED BEHIND THEIR BACKS before their roles are questioned. That takes us to mid 2026/27 season.

That feeling will subside I'm sure, and there is no reason we should accept constant mediocrity obviously. But the time to change it is not now. In fact, I would be more likely to not renew my season ticket if they did get rid of Maher. That would show incredibly poor judgement, and I would not feel my club were in safer hands at all.

Also, feel free to NOT renew your season tickets. I've been in far lower crowds and seen far worse performances than what we've had this season. In fact, if we sell fewer season tickets but have a good season so that you decide to come and watch again, you'll actually be helping the club as you'll be paying more on the gate, so the revenues will actually increase.

I very much doubt COSU will be that bothered. And don't worry about what they'll do to try and get the extra revenue; that's their problem, not yours.

Definitely manager material get your tracksuit ironed and pressed ready for when potty mouth gets the chop.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

I’ve always thought it’s not that he doesn’t want to attack, it’s more he’s more concerned about not conceding so is too cautious or puts too much emphasis on not losing than going for the win.

Possibly.
And could this have something to do with the troops at his disposal? Would a Pearce or a Pepple change this perceived mindset?
If you haven't got Champagne you might have to do with Prosecco!

 

[Grayson]

But Dean Brennan is a forward thinking attack minded manager. Barnet without stars are streets ahead of our heavily shackled sideways and backwards dictated players. So predictable is K M that I could name the 60 minute changes on Friday! Always takes off our creative players, 1 0 down on Saturday and instead of going for it , as we might just as well lose by 2 or 3 makes no difference as our goal difference is so dire, he stays with 2 up front replacing a forward with a forward. Sorry but we’re going nowhere under KM

'Barnet without stars'. Their spending power is significantly higher than ours. They sign league players on league salaries. The likes of Hartigan and Chapman did not drop down from good L1/L2 deals for the love of the 5th tier and playing at The Hive.

Whenever Brennan wants a player, he signs one. We reached deadline day 3 weeks ago with just 3 fit strikers and were unable/unwilling to spend the money to get another one.

 

[Avl1983]

I find it maddening that this sort of nonsense gets peddled. No one* is smiling when we don't perform well, we all want to win every game. Some people are just more stoic and patient than others.

I make you right on most of the rest of the post btw.

If you look at the post I was replying to, the poster spoke about how grateful they were to have a club etc so that was the reason for saying they had a smile on their face but point taken it was probably unfair to put it that way. I could have worded that better.

 

[Avl1983]

Some of the games best ever managers (and players for that matter) have always had character to them. Sometimes that can be misconstrued as unprofessional. And in today’s heavily sanitised society, the old heads from yesteryear would have been dragged over the coals and cancelled for their behaviour.

Could Kev be a bit more professional? Yeah, probably. Would he lose something from his game though?




I’ve not seen it myself. That’s not to say I disbelieve you, I just can’t judge him on something I haven’t seen.

Can you give me some examples of when he’s turned on the fans at pitch side, including verbatim words/phrases that were used?



Yeah you may be right, but nobody would bat an eyelid if we were top of the league right now.

And conversely, if Maher stood on the sideline like a statue for 90 minutes, people would rinse him for not caring or not showing enough passion. Just as they did with Steve Tilson. I can still recall the debates on here about how we needed rid of Tilly and to replace him with someone like Mad Dog Allen because he shouted and waved his arms around a bit

I’ve no issue with a manager having character to them and don’t get me wrong if I was to bump into them in public and give him abuse I’d rightly expect it back, but on the touchline I do think he should be able to rise above it. I don’t think it’s good for the team and he’s supposed to be representing the club. Turning on the fans constantly isn’t good for anyone. Personally I don’t think it helps, I’ve seen Ralph our captain turn away when being shouted at mid game, clearly not wanting to listen to the advice from Maher.

It would probably be unfair of me to try and quote him word for word as I’d get something wrong but theres been many instances of him turning and swearing at the fans where I sit in the east green, I’ve no doubt on some of those occasions he doesn’t like what’s being said but that’s part of being a manager. On Saturday he reacted badly to the boo’s when Parillon got taken off from the crowd and again, without trying to quote him he was swearing by and throwing his arms around towards the crowd. It’s not needed in my opinion.

I agree with your last point, you do need balance and I like a manager with some passion, a good example was on Saturday, Mahers approach is to shout and swear at the crowd whereas Currie turns and tried to rally the fans for support. I think if we were performing the same but Currie was in charge one he wouldn’t get the same support but I also think people wouldn’t be so against him. Just my opinion obviously.

 

[Avl1983]

Possibly.
And could this have something to do with the troops at his disposal? Would a Pearce or a Pepple change this perceived mindset?
If you haven't got Champagne you might have to do with Prosecco!

I suppose we won’t really know until it happens but even Ollie Pearce would struggle for goals with our current tactics I think.

More worrying is, we’ve been told how good John Still is since he joined the club but have we signed one player yet that has really shone? One that will definitely be moving into the league in the short term? Maybe Parillon? Is that a lack of scouting nous or is it a lack of development from the management team? Lots of players there are comfortable at this level but no one I can really think of that’s ready to take us into the league or we’re going to struggle to hold on to.

 

[Holy Joe]

I suppose we won’t really know until it happens but even Ollie Pearce would struggle for goals with our current tactics I think.

More worrying is, we’ve been told how good John Still is since he joined the club but have we signed one player yet that has really shone? One that will definitely be moving into the league in the short term? Maybe Parillon? Is that a lack of scouting nous or is it a lack of development from the management team? Lots of players there are comfortable at this level but no one I can really think of that’s ready to take us into the league or we’re going to struggle to hold on to.

Maybe tactics would be different if we had different players?

 

[Liam AAS]

Maybe tactics would be different if we had different players?

I think this is really overlooked. We are clearly set up to play as if Cardwell is up front, the fact that Maher hasn't really looked at attacking patterns in the final third all season and instead looked at medium-quality crossing stats is definitely a failing this season that can be attributed to the management.

 

[Liam AAS]

I suppose we won’t really know until it happens but even Ollie Pearce would struggle for goals with our current tactics I think.

More worrying is, we’ve been told how good John Still is since he joined the club but have we signed one player yet that has really shone? One that will definitely be moving into the league in the short term? Maybe Parillon? Is that a lack of scouting nous or is it a lack of development from the management team? Lots of players there are comfortable at this level but no one I can really think of that’s ready to take us into the league or we’re going to struggle to hold on to.

I would have to check dates but would suggest any of the following: Gus, Miley (not right now, admittedly), Cardwell, Taylor (certainly when moved into defence), Kensdale.

We've fundamentally looked to alter the recruitment, sometimes dipping several steps into regional football to find players that will improve the squad. If you get someone with a ceiling that's too high they won't hang around for long as someone in the EFL will pinch them. Finding a player that is hopefully going to be ready to win promotion into the football league, but that won't get poached as they pay & ideally improve is a hard balance to strike.

 

[fbm]

He’s so quick to turn on the fans. I sit just behind him and the language and behavior of the man I think it’s awful! He showed the club loyalty and last season done amazingly but in my view that doesn’t give him the right to shout and swear at fans pretty much every game.

Bearing in mind what he did last season, does that give the right for the fans to shout and swear at him every game? I'm assuming they must be, because otherwise he'd have no-one to respond to.

I take my 7 year old son with me and I’m not a fan of his language that he directs towards us fans. What sort of impression is that? Where is his professionalism? He’s certainly alienating some of the fans with this I know that for a fact.

What about the language used by the fans towards Maher, because it won't be "I say, Kevin old chap, some of our players aren't really performing, why don't you take a couple of them off as it's not their day and give the subs a go?". It'll be more like " For ****'s sake Maher you ****, get that ****ing donkey off, he's ****ing useless, and ****ting well tell that ****er striker to ****ing shoot rather than walk the ball in the ****ing net."

Or words to that effect, you get my point I'm sure. When I used to take my young kids I sat in the family stand in the West for that very reason, even though all my mates sat in the East Blacks. That's what the family stand is for.

 

[PIERS]

I have zero problem with Maher giving some back. I would imagine he is as emotionally invested as the rest of us with the added pressure of it being his job..we all get to go the pub after ..
Equally I have no problem with fans dishing some out, that’s footy.. yes a I get the whole how would you feel at work if someone shouted abuse at you..
But then most people at work don’t get 7k people singing their name,or cheering them for filing something correctly ..
Anyway back to what would I do if i..etc.
more loan players, if we arnt a top 3 budget team we aren’t getting out of this league.. building a squad for the future is paff. Make a team for the season. Whining about key players going is pointless. That always happens. Get better ones in

 

[RHB]

It might just be worth giving a thought to the pressures that Maher has been under for the last 3 years. We have no idea what is going on behind the scenes, especially on the financial side, where he maybe thought he had X to play with, and ended up with Y. Keeping it together mentally and sending out teams that may not of been of his ideal choosing would quite likely get to him more than a bit. The Maher arm waving and giving a bit back to the gobsh1tes is. without doubt, a indicator of the pressure. Open season next season, by all means if we are not on it from the start, but for now he's our man. And this, I think, is COSU's view as well.

 

[The Original Tribal Chief]

COSU won't do anything. They have a plan and promotion at this point isn't top of the list. Sustainability is the word, I'm afraid we are in thus league for thd long haul.

Promotion is certainly top of the list. There's more than one consortium member who's extremely dissatisfied with this year's performance on the pitch.

 

[Avl1983]

Bearing in mind what he did last season, does that give the right for the fans to shout and swear at him every game? I'm assuming they must be, because otherwise he'd have no-one to respond to.


What about the language used by the fans towards Maher, because it won't be "I say, Kevin old chap, some of our players aren't really performing, why don't you take a couple of them off as it's not their day and give the subs a go?". It'll be more like " For ****'s sake Maher you ****, get that ****ing donkey off, he's ****ing useless, and ****ting well tell that ****er striker to ****ing shoot rather than walk the ball in the ****ing net."

Or words to that effect, you get my point I'm sure. When I used to take my young kids I sat in the family stand in the West for that very reason, even though all my mates sat in the East Blacks. That's what the family stand is for.

No, I’m not suggesting he deserves abuse from the fans at all, I had no knowledge of the incident where he was getting abuse from our fans while with his kids etc, that’s really wrong and obviously shouldn’t happen.

I feel he over reacts, sometimes the fans are of course shouting and swearing but on Saturday I never heard any abuse, purely some booing and he was turning round and swearing, I don’t think it’s justified. He can’t handle the criticism. If he was getting dogs abuse every game from the fans then I’d understand it a bit more, what i see and hear which, obviously, I could be missing stuff is the fans voicing an opinion, sometimes even in jest and Maher over reacting.

Look at the tantrum he had last season when fans were shouting ‘shoot!’. It’s hardly surprising when we play so negatively most of the time and he had a right go at the fans about that and for weeks after he’d react to it.

I’m not defending the fans swearing but equally you can’t control the behaviour of 7000 people, personally I expect better from the manager though! He should be able to rise above it and clearly he can’t. Whether that’s with the fans or the officials.

 

[Thundersley Blue]

Our Club is now being run very differently, I would imagine that Kevin's position will be discussed when his current contract is nearing the end and not before. The progress the Club has made goes far beyond a Final League position. Indeed Tom and Justin have both said at different times that reaching the play offs this season would be a greater achievement than getting through last season.
My only concern is a post from a couple of weeks ago suggesting that something else might have crawled out of the woodwork and could affect the budgets for next season. Hopefully that was wrong.