18 Months of Hillcroft (a BBS survey)

See above

 

Were you happy with the initial appointment of Keith Hill as manager on June 1st 2011?
Underwhelmed. I really wanted Danny Wilson back to be honest, and thought we had a realistic chance of that happening so when he went to the Blunts I was really disappinted. After that I thought he sounded like a reasonable pick from those in the frame but it didn't overwhelm me because it felt like a Parkin gamble again and proved we were shopping in the bargain bin. To be fair, I didn't really know much about him.


What were your first impressions of him, and what were you expecting from BFC?
I thought his comments in the press were a breath of fresh air and if he could mould a team with the arrogance that he obviously had then it could be OK. I still wasn't expecting us to break a leg in the league though.

What did you make of his recruitment strategy - was it in your opinion forced upon him, or the way he wanted it?
I thought it was very worrying and brought to mind the adage that if you fill the team with league 2 players you have a league 2 team. Some proved to be the disappointment that I thought they may be but there were some good spots in there as well and Perkins is one of the best lower league finds in recent times.

Name me your favourite 3 performances from season 2011/12.
Leeds (H), Peterborough (A) - Leeds (A) would be the third if I'd gone but I haven't been for the last 2 years at those prices.

Conversely, name me the 3 you were most disappointed about, for whatever reason.
The bad ones all seem to blend in - none stand out particularly

Name me your 3 favourite players of that season.
Perkins, Davies, O'Brien

The worst 3 players?
Nouble, Nile Ranger stand out - take your pick out of the rest that disappointed - probably Maceveley

Tell me the things you would credit Keith for during that campaign.
After a slow start we played some of the best football I've seen for some time - at Christmas I thought we had a gem.

What do you blame him for, with regards to last term?
Not having plan B when we lost players in january that made the 2nd half of the season a sweat to the end

What were your thoughts about Hillcroft by the end of the season?
Unconvinced, having witnessed the 2nd half of the season, but no thoughts of moving him on - I want stability. Thought that this season would tell us a lot more. But I agree with many that he is too quick to paint the negatives publicly. If we are up against it financially, then I want a team that fights, led by a manager that encourages that 'one for all..' mentality. That apparent lack of fight, combined with the high cost is what stops the waverers from coming down to the games.

What did you make of his Summer 2012 recruits?
On the whole, reasonably impressed given the financial constraints. Some were obviously gambles but they have paid off before so was happy to go with it

What did you expect from BFC this season, and are we currently better/worse than you expected?
I expect us to be in the scrap to stay up, and we are, so we are about where I thought we would be.

What are the 3 main issues you have with Keith?
I wish he would pick a settled side and let the opposition worry about us rather than tinker every game to suit the opposition. And with decent options on the flanks I wish he'd use more width more often. All I ask is that it is exciting to watch, and at the moment it isn't, it is far too ponderous. But I am a tactical dunce - I turn up and see 11 blokes in red run around not any specific tactical formation so I can't judge too much.

Do you care that both he, Flitcroft, and a lot of the players are represented by the same agency?
Couldn't give a ****.


Your thoughts on Keith's relationship with the fanbase?
Given how poor the majority of 2012 has been it is remarkably good. He has obviously lost a few based on our recent run, but any other manager would probably have the "xxxx out" chants rining out of the Ponty by now. Only a few weeks ago, after Birmingham, the general mood on here was one of mutiny if new owners were to come in and want their own man in favour of KH - I am sure a few quick wins and everyone would be back on side.

Keith and Mido - your thoughts?
Thoughts about what - their relationship, or that he signed him?. His signing was a punt, but it worked out before with Vaz Te, so why not. He needs shut of him now though - it hasn't worked.

Keith and Bobby Hassell - your thoughts?
I think Hassell still warrants a place in the side, but Keith is the manager so it is up to him who he picks and I am OK with that. I'd be disappointed for Hassell though if he is forced to leave on a sour note - he doesn't deserve that after being such a loyal servant for nearly 10 years. He obviously has a lot of affection for the club otherwise his transfer request would have been in by now - he is a model pro and I hope he is treated with the respect he deserves.

If you were the man above him, how long would you give him to turn it around? Or perhaps you want him out already?
I am one of those who still wants stability and to give him enough time to show clearly whether he is the man for the long term - I don't want another sacking because of a short term bad run of form. I would give him the whole of this season, even if we go down, as I think he would as good a shout as anyone else to bring us back again. Back end of next season at the earliest for me, if we were in the second half of a L1 campaign and clearly not coming back.

Name me 3 realistic managers you would choose to replace Keith, should he leave.
That's part of the problem and why I want stability, see answer above - I just do not think we are an attractive proposition for any manager currently employed at this level, or any manager currently unemployed whose most recent experience is at this level, plus I don't think we'd offer a package that would tempt such a person. Our next manager, whoever he is, is currently working in league 2.

And finally, give me a score out of 10, to sum up your thoughts on his reign thus far.
6/10. Room for much improvement, but I think the constraints he has are considerable, even though he tells us of that fact too often.

 

Too many questions Andy!!!
But i am confident that i share most of your views
Like you, I was originally bouyed by his appointment and after the first preseason i thought we were onto something good.
Even when we plummetted second half I put it down to loss of key personnel and was ready for a new challenge this season
But after his insistance of playing his favourites and ignoring other players who were possibly more popular than him, my opinion of him changed totally. I now find him annoying and arrogant, but will tolerate him (but not necessarily like him) if he manages to turn things around.
Due to the number of games coming up, I would give him until new years day to see if things improve. If not we then have a fortnight before the next league game to get someone else in (unless there are any midweek games - havent checked)
Glad to hear you are resurrecting the blog, although at the moment i am rather apathetic when it comes to reading or listenning to anything about Barnsley FC (although a few decent results would certainly change that)
eddie

 

1. Was unsure at the time but was impressed with his record at Rochdale.

2. Thought he was a plonker with his signings at Oakwell in his first few weeks. I was expecting a finish up and around 16th that pre season so for me underachieved.

3. It's the way he wanted, as proved with his first two deals of Matty Done and Scott Wiseman with him then buying / loaning players he's worked with in the past.

4. Our three best performances was Peterborough away when we won 4-3, hammering Leeds at home and Derby at home for that sensational first half display.

5. Reading at home after playing reasonably well but still managed to lose 4-0, Ipswich at home live on Sky managing to f**k up a 2-0 lead at half time then going 5-2 down 20 minutes into the second half and finally the poor showing at Doncaster just into New Year after that tremendous Leeds win. That was the turning point in our good season to a poor season.

6. Ricardo Vaz Te, Craig Davies and Bobby Hassell.

7. Lee Collins, Michael Tonge (was expecting a lot more) and was expecting a lot more from Nile Ranger

8. Getting the best out of Nathan Doyle, cracking first half to the season, some good short term deals and Craig Davies.

9. Slagging the fans off, refusing to strengthen the squad when needed and constantly signing former Rochdale players.

10. Sackable

11. Average. The squad shudnt be in the relegation zone and should be around 18th place at this stage of the season.

12. Worse. Should be a good 7 points up the table. A point against Wednesday, a point against Cardiff, three against Leicester and a win against Burnley stick in my mind based on performances.

13. Thinking he's God's gift, signing players in the same position and not signing a centre half!

14. I didn't know that and yes I do. Who is the agency and who else are on their books?

15. Poor. Could have said better things in the past. For some reason, the Barnsley fans haven't got on his back as much as they did with Simon Davey and even Mark Robins.

16. Did right taking the risk but if it's true regarding the £4k weekly wage, disappointing. Pay as you play deal should have been the offer.

17. Bobby Hassell is a legend but if Keef dunt think he's good enough, that's fine by me. Hassell isn't going to be a first team regular and more Barnsley fans have got to understand that. He's not a right full back anymore and Stephen Dawson, Jacob Mellis, Paul Digby (when he's fit), Jonathan Greening and Akos Buzsaky are all better players.

18. He should have been sacked after the Leicester game. A lot of fans feel we shouldn't have based it on that game but with recent points dropped against poor sides i.e Peterborough, it should have been the icing on the cake.

19. Out of manager's who are currently jobless: Nick Barmby, Steve Cotterill, Paul Jewell, Gary Megson and Micky Mellon.

Managers in work: Uwe Rosler, Mark Yates and Phil Parkinson are manager's who I feel would stand out if we were to go into the lower leagues.

20. 5 / 10

 

1 - Were you happy with the initial appointment of Keith Hill as manager on June 1st 2011?
Yes - he seemed like a good appointment after his achievments at Rochdale.
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2 - What were your first impressions of him, and what were you expecting from BFC?
having checked out a few Youtube videos, it was apparent he was prone to the odd soundbite.
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3 - What did you make of his recruitment strategy - was it in your opinion forced upon him, or the way he wanted it?
He has obviously been given a remit of value for money. Sadly this has led to KH signing players who play a couple of games and turn out to be complete and utter GASH.
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4 - Name me your favourite 3 performances from season 2011/12.
Leeds home and away. Boro?
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5 - Conversely, name me the 3 you were most disappointed about, for whatever reason.
Ipswich home, any home games post 01/09/12
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6 - Name me your 3 favourite players of that season.
RVT, Butty, Steele
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7 - The worst 3 players?
Jay Mc, Frank Nouble, Cameron Park
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8 - Tell me the things you would credit Keith for during that campaign.
Signing RVT
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9 - What do you blame him for, with regards to last term?
Not signing RVT to a 2 year contract
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10 - What were your thoughts about Hillcroft by the end of the season?
End of the season - wildly optimistic. After 10 games wildly pessimistic

11 - What did you make of his Summer 2012 recruits?
Kelvin Ethuhu is FECKING GASH.

12 - What did you expect from BFC this season, and are we currently better/worse than you expected?
We seem to have gone backwards, there is no direct play, no pace.

13 - What are the 3 main issues you have with Keith?
. MOTIVATION organisation and teamwork will beat ANYONE.

14 - Do you care that both he, Flitcroft, and a lot of the players are represented by the same agency?
Not surprised - why else would Kelvin 'no talent' Etuhu get a contract.

15 - Your thoughts on Keith's relationship with the fanbase?
. Poor. he needs to come out for a night on the beers with the fans.

16 - Keith and Mido - your thoughts?
Stevie Wonder would have forseen that Mido would never be fit. Waste if 4k a week alledgedly.

17 - Keith and Bobby Hassell - your thoughts?
In the ever changing 11, cant understand why he aint played more

18 - If you were the man above him, how long would you give him to turn it around? Or perhaps you want him out already?
I'd have already had a word about his PR skills and tell him to be less of a tw@t

19 - Name me 3 realistic managers you would choose to replace Keith, should he leave.
TOBY TYKE, Steve Davis, Ronnie Branson

20 - And finally, give me a score out of 10, to sum up your thoughts on his reign thus far.
3 - like my school reports, can do much better if he applied himself.

YOU REEEEEEEEDDDDDSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

1). Were you happy with the initial appointment of Keith Hill as manager on June 1st 2011?
- Yes. A realistic choice – did well at Rochdale.

2). What were your first impressions of him, and what were you expecting from BFC?
- Very charismatic, loved listening to some of his interviews for Rochdale. Was looking forward to the change from the monotone that was Mark Robins. I was aware of the budget cuts but I genuinely thought we had got ourselves a better manager and was expecting more of the same (lower half of the bottom half but at least safe from relegation).

3). What did you make of his recruitment strategy - was it in your opinion forced upon him, or the way he wanted it?
- Obviously the budget was limiting but I think he managed to sign who he wanted – within reason. I thought he bought very well (Vaz Te, Drinkwater, Perkins).

4). Name me your favourite 3 performances from season 2011/12.
- I’d go with Hill’s first league win against Reading away 2-1. A very unexpected result, against a good team after a difficult start. The other two would be the double over Leeds for obvious reasons.

5)l Conversely, name me the 3 you were most disappointed about, for whatever reason.
- Swansea at home in the cup – got off to a great start with a brilliant Vaz Te goal and then we were completely destroyed, played off the park at our own game. This might be a bit harsh considering they are a premier league team but I still felt quite disappointed having taken the lead, we should have put up more of a fight in that game. Ipswich at home – great first half, could have had more, disastrous second. The other would probably be the Morecambe cup game, losing to a lower league outfit is never acceptable.

6). Name me your 3 favourite players of that season.
- Butterfield – got the starting place he always deserved. Perkins – never seen a player with so much tenacity. Vaz Te – Bad start but by the end was even more effective than Hammill had been before him.

7). The worst 3 players?
- McEveley – regular, bad mistakes. Dagnall – Just runs, nothing else (this hasn’t changed imo). Maybe harsh on the young lad but Cameron Park did nothing in his brief opportunity.

8). Tell me the things you would credit Keith for during that campaign.
- Wasn’t a great start but turned it around and really got the best from Vaz Te, who has gone on to be a regular in the Premier League. Recruitment of Drinkwater. Nice passing style of play that worked! Much better to watch then before.

9). What do you blame him for, with regards to last term?
- Didn’t react to the sale or injury of our best players – can’t remember a serious attempt to replace them.

10). What were your thoughts about Hillcroft by the end of the season?
- ‘I hope things don’t carry on like this into next season’. But given a good set of creative players, our style of play can be very effective but surely if you gave any manager good players, they would do alright.

11). What did you make of his Summer 2012 recruits?
- I was very positive about them. Obviously excited by the prospect of Mido. Expecting Silva to be the new Vaz Te (our Sterling). Harewood as well, scores a hatrick in pre-season for the massives and did well the last time he was here under Robins.

12). What did you expect from BFC this season, and are we currently better/worse than you expected?
- I expected us to score more points than we did last year, given Hill’s year of experience of the championship. Maybe if things went really well, we could match the heights of 17th seen under Robins. Although after the 5-0 win over Birmingham, I was seriously thinking about the top half. So obviously we are doing a lot worse than I expected but it’s probably realistic given our budget.

13). What are the 3 main issues you have with Keith?
- Short free-kicks and throw-ins drive me up the wall – we need to try anything we can to score goals. His obsession with possession often leads to mistakes due to a lack of quality – you have to play direct sometimes, you have to adapt and mix it up using more than one strategy. He changes the team too often, we need a settled side for all sorts of reasons.

14). Do you care that both he, Flitcroft, and a lot of the players are represented by the same agency?
- Wasn’t aware of this but no. Could also be the case at many other clubs.

15). Your thoughts on Keith's relationship with the fanbase?
- Poor, started blaming us for defeats last season – totally bizarre. The team must perform first.

16). Keith and Mido - your thoughts?
- Both fat.

17). Keith and Bobby Hassell - your thoughts?
- I think Hill’s making a mistake leaving Bobby out, especially given our current situation. Robins also left Bobby out at the beginning of his tenure but then (i think) discovered a quality that can’t be seen in training, match consistency. Bobby will put in 7/10 performances every week, other’s seem not to be able to. Bobby’s season has had a blip with his sending off but that is a rare thing and he should be given another run in the side (not one match!) if for nothing else to please the fans - this might also bring a bit more atmosphere to matchday's at Oakwell.

18). If you were the man above him, how long would you give him to turn it around? Or perhaps you want him out already?
- If we haven’t got anymore points by the end of Boxing day I’d be giving him his final warning. A new man should be given the opportunity to recruit in January.

19). Name me 3 realistic managers you would choose to replace Keith, should he leave.
- Realistically.. I can’t. Nobody in their right mind would take this job – one of the toughest in football even if we have still got some good players. Owen Coyle would be alright. Failing that, another successful League One manager.

20). And finally, give me a score out of 10, to sum up your thoughts on his reign thus far.
- 5/10. Good in parts, dire in others.

 

1 - Were you happy with the initial appointment of Keith Hill as manager on June 1st 2011?
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I would have been happy with either Danny Wilson, Paul Tisdale or Keith. But Keith was my favourite, and I was delighted that we got him in.
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2 - What were your first impressions of him, and what were you expecting from BFC?
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I had followed his career at Rochdale after stumbling upon a cracking interview from 2010. I knew he'd be marmite as a personality, but you couldn't help but be positive after hearing his early thoughts. Such a contrast to his rhetoric nowadays.
So I was quite optimistic that we may at least match the previous season in terms of points/position, but by playing proper football.
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3 - What did you make of his recruitment strategy - forced upon him or what he wanted?
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He knew the budget, accepted the job/remit, and so I think he recruited who he wanted within that framework.
I was one of the few to praise his radical approach in the market. I had tired of journeymen.
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4 - Your favourite 3 performances?
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Reading (a) Leeds (h) Leicester (a)
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5 - The worst 3?
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A lot to go on, but Coventry (a) Watford (a) and West Ham (h)
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6 - Your 3 favourite players that season?
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Butterfield, Steele, Perkins.
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7 - Worst 3?
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Maccavelli, Wiseman, Smith.
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8 - What do you credit Keith for that season?
Good football at times. Brave recruitment. Signing RVT and Perkins.
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9 - What do you blame him for?
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Negative tactics post February. Foot in gob disease. Treatment of one or two players. Taking credit when unwarranted for certain things. Inept tactician/motivator.
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10 - Thoughts at end of season?
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Disappointed. But hoping he'd learn from that season.
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11 - What did you make of summer 2012 recruits?
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Brave again, could go drastically either way. Gutted we didn't get a centre half or 2.
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12 - Your expectations this term?
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Relegation.
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13 - 3 main issues?
Selection policy.
Tactics.
Not the character he first appeared to be.
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14 - The agency thing?
Doesn't surprise me. Would like his thoughts on it.
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15 - Keith and the fanbase?
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Bizarre amount of support for him, although that seems to be on the wane. Only himself to blame.
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16 - Keith and Mido
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Not arsed, other than the alleged salary. Win some lose some.
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17 - Keith and Bobby
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Wouldn't mind him not selecting him, if it was down to ability. It isn't, because he's far better than most of Keith's preferred choices.
Hassell has started 9 of Keith's wins as manager - more than any other player.
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18 - How long would you give him to turn it around?
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My faith went a couple of weeks ago, and he'd have gone for me after the Wednesday shambles.
But I don't and won't ask for his head, I actually want him to turn it around. But he won't.
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19 - 3 managers you'd like?
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Bobby Hassell, Paul Tisdale, Steve Davis.
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20 - Score out of 10 for Keith thus far?
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6 last term, 4 this time, equals 5 overall.
Average to poor.

 

1 - Were you happy with the initial appointment of Keith Hill as manager on June 1st 2011?

Yes, based on his track record at Rochale. I was sad to see Robins leave despite the attritional style of football he served up, but following the propaganda served up by the club I genuinely thought Hill was the best man for the job. Although I would have personally preferred Wilson to come back for another bash.
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2 - What were your first impressions of him, and what were you expecting from BFC?

I liked him. A lot. I never took issue with his handling of the media and the fans as I took it with a pinch of salt and at the time he was doing what was asked of him - keeping us up and winning the odd game. He just sounds like a bit of a berk at times now though.
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3 - What did you make of his recruitment strategy - was it in your opinion forced upon him, or the way he wanted it?

Forced - obviously. No manager in their right mind would prefer to feed a monkey with peanuts when he could feed a horse with an apple.
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4 - Name me your favourite 3 performances from season 2011/12.

Leeds Home. Peterboro Away. Leeds Away.
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5 - Conversely, name me the 3 you were most disappointed about, for whatever reason.

I've deleted the second half of last season from my mental records. We stayed up and that's all that mattered to me at the time.
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6 - Name me your 3 favourite players of that season.

Vaz, Butts, Drinks.
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7 - The worst 3 players?

Ranger, Noodle, Skinny kid from the Boro (the next Stewart Downing or summat).
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8 - Tell me the things you would credit Keith for during that campaign.

Winding up the people of Barnsley and the BBS who pride themselves on being direct and straight talking, with his directness and straight talking. Not that I feel it's a good thing to wind your own fans up but the hypocrisy was laughable.
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9 - What do you blame him for, with regards to last term?

Nothing - we stayed up. The problems with the club and the lack of budget are due to our shameful commercial acitivty.
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10 - What were your thoughts about Hillcroft by the end of the season?

I still thought he was the best man for the job. We stayed up. Job done and looking forward to 'development' this season...
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11 - What did you make of his Summer 2012 recruits?

At the time, I thought they were sensible considering the money available. HOWEVER I said then that his failure to sign 2 new solid centre backs would cost us - and I feel it has to this day. I actually resent Hill for failing to address the fragility in our defence.
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12 - What did you expect from BFC this season, and are we currently better/worse than you expected?

Worse. I expected 4th bottom and would be happy with it to be honest. At the moment we are failing and to quote Hill "if the season finished tomorrow..." we'd be down = failure. He could still turn it around but there is no evidence to suggest he will.
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13 - What are the 3 main issues you have with Keith?

Failure to sign 'proper' defenders. Reluctance to play Hassell, who despite his limitations is better than most of our current back 4. Him allowing McNulty, Wiseman and Foster to try and 'football' our way out from the back, when the 3 of them are possibly amongst the worst passers of a ball in the Championship (I like Fozzie as a defender though).
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14 - Do you care that both he, Flitcroft, and a lot of the players are represented by the same agency?

Not at all. In business you use suppliers you trust and have a relationship with.
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15 - Your thoughts on Keith's relationship with the fanbase?

Used to be funny. Now it's not because he isn't backing his approach up with results.

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16 - Keith and Mido - your thoughts?

At the time we were told he was on the same or similar wages to Vaz Te (i.e £800 to £1000 per week). At that level of investment I would have gone with it but if the £4k per week is true then Hill has had his pants pulled down by Mido. All in all though it's Mido who let Hill down after Hill gave him a golden opportunity.

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17 - Keith and Bobby Hassell - your thoughts?

Hassell is good enough to improve our team versus the ***** who have played at the back for us this season. I'm right, Hill is wrong on this one. FACT cos I wrote it in caps.
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18 - If you were the man above him, how long would you give him to turn it around? Or perhaps you want him out already?

Honestly, I'm almost past caring. The clubs on a downward spiral at the moment and I fear for the long term future.
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19 - Name me 3 realistic managers you would choose to replace Keith, should he leave.

Uwe Rosler, Steve Davis (everyone else reckons he's good), Cotterill.
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20 - And finally, give me a score out of 10, to sum up your thoughts on his reign thus far.

5/10. Started with hope but it's now been crushed. The club and Hill have a lot to do to build enthusiasm amongst the fans. I want Cryne and Hill to start showing some leadership to the fans.