Am I the only one who hasn't yet written the season off? And why so much love for Struber and so much hatred directed to the board? Struber has been here around 9 months. So far his team has failed to win a game this season. Last term we survived by default on the final day. And he is set to walk out on us. Oh, and none of results or performances are his fault! The owners clearly didn't back him to sign likes of Schmit, Sollbauer, Ritzmaier and Ludwig. As for the club and owners. Are they so bad? Communication could be much better. But they have been let down badly by Struber. Also let down by EFL regards progress of Diaby sitation. The Ground ownership saga needs to be resoloved and is not good PR. Lots of comments suggesting board are no investing in the club. We have signed players and they backed Struber to bring in his men (as noted above). Lots of negative comments directed towards these players (some very harsh). And now they are running a football club, without income generated from spectators on a match day. The talk is that money is available to invest in the squad. Lets judge when the domestic window closes until 16th October, and new manager is hopefully in post! So many clubs as we know are spending way beyond there means, falling foul of FFP and at risk of much worse. I would rather be solvent than, run risk of administration once again. In terms of the squad and what next. We have international break which is good for us. Struber situation needs to be resolved. Diaby situation needs to be resolved. Mowatt contract situation needs to be resolved. Ground ownership saga situation needs to be resolved. New coach/manager appointed. Then add to the squad. We are so close yet so far away from being a good side. Stendel brought flair and togetherness, and Struber brought structure. The football we play is great to watch at times but our conversion rate is so very dissapointing!!! For me 4 key players needed. In my view we need a Goalkeeper, fullback, midfield general, and a tall/physical forward.
I might have agreed with most of that if not for the communication from the CEO regarding the reason for Ludewig returning to parent club after previous statements regarding his key role in BFC developing. It also followed his recent statements which appeared positive and were fairly well received by most of the fan base. Unfortunately, after this latest gaffe, and in the absence of anything from the 'owners' the credibilty has taken a massive hit (well IMHO anyway). As the transfer deadline draws close, without a manager how on earth do we expect to find players to fit in with the unknown system that a nse manager will undoubtedly want. We all know a striker is required and the CEO acknowledged that I seem to recall. Once again they talk the talk but actions should speak louder than words. EDIT: I would add that whilst matchday income is down, there are no policing and stewarding costs, less electricity, (floodlights and general lighting ARE expensive to run) as well as other staffing costs. and yet they have received the normal Season ticket revenue.
The communication issue you highlight is the key thing. They promised they had to do better - they haven't. This lack of communication allows people to draw their own conclusions on a wide-ranging number of issues, including, but not limited to: Diaby Cryne relationship Complex operating model Recruitment Finances Appalling statements (when they do actually release something) In any field; personal, business, sport, politics - lack of effective communication (leadership) is the root of all issues. It only leads to suspicion and lack of trust, and when people are suspicious, they will look down all avenues to find fault. And I include myself in those people. Just open up ............ communicate and prove that you are not the baddies most people are now assuming you are!!
I can’t buy into the we only stayed up because of Wigan tbh . Yes they went into admin and points deductions etc but we had to get the points we did to take advantage otherwise the place would have gone to someone else . Credit where Credits due imo
Marlon. The point I make is not about how we stayed up. But to question how and why Mr Struber is being heaped in such high praise by so many?
Well high praise is questionable but praise he should get . Since he came we have tightened up regards defenders despite Mads still having the odd mare. But after lockdown they seemed different players but the team selection seemed odd but how could you argue with the start after lockdown we had . The five substitutions helped him massively imo because if he’d just had the two I think they would be questionable but he could play virtually the whole squad . At the start of the season his selections were a bit puzzling and with only two subs allowed there wasn’t as much scope as in lockdown and it showed he was unable to turn it around from the initial selection . The team selection and subs at Boro was the last straw imo either he did it to give a parting shot to the owners or because he knows he’s going and didn’t give a monkeys , either way it were the players and fans that suffered . His integrity has been shot as far as I’m concerned by only speaking out because he thinks he’s going . Imo he knew the restrictions to the job and if he didn’t he should have it wasn’t a secret . What happened at Boro was a kick in the balls to us supporters imo and to the players as well by not giving them the best chance to win . He can’t convince me that he thought that was a winnable team or substitutions . But as I said we needed the points after lockdown to be in with a chance of capitalising on Wigan’s demise otherwise others would have taken it and he got them but the playing staff take massive credit but he was part of it . So credit where credits due but criticism where it’s due also .
I was 100% with you until you mentioned Goalkeeper. I think we're OK in that department. The other points are all valid. The bile spewed from some about Ritzmaier, The Board, etc. is way over the top.
Why floodlights,? not as expensive as you may think £2/300 per game. Vast majority of 2nd team games at one time were played under floodlights.
