Realistic next steps on the management front

Well, in boring terms, both Kane (Liverpool) and Russell (Chelsea) were promising youngsters who had to leave the top flight to further their careers. They’ve both played in the second tier, both reaching the playoffs (Kane for us, Russell got to the final with Huddersfield). They’re now both in the third tier and over the last couple of seasons their numbers are pretty comparable for central midfielders, although I’d argue they’re very different players.

I think there’s little between them. I prefer Russell. Not just on statistics. I think he’s a better athlete, more professional and he’s a fair bit younger. Certainly one of our best performers this season and I do feel he comes in for a lot of undue criticism.

But, that’s just my opinion. I don’t think it’s a wild one.

I also think it’s a similarly close argument regards Collins’ lot and Clarke’s this season. People forget we’d just lost dramatically in a playoff final. Then saw the likes of Collins, Isted, Thomas (both), Andersen, Norwood and eventually Kitching depart for pastures new. A big turnaround in players. He wasn’t able to spend three quarters of a million on a striker. We ended up with Watters and Cosgrove. McCart at centre half. No Connell for the opening months. Yet at this time last year, we were comfortably in the playoffs. It certainly went spectacularly wrong results-wise. It’s gone just as bad, if not worse already this time around also.

I think last season’s squad was slightly better overall, but you’d think - based on this forum - that Clarke has lost six or seven key players from last season. As Collins did. He’s without three at best.

I think we’ve regressed.