So. This will be another of my long posts, if you don't like a read I suggest you open one of the many 'I can't believe he's still here'/'We are the worst team in eternity' threads as they are generally shorter. Over the last few years our supporters have called for the following (this isn't in chronological order before some pedant picks me up): Remove Don Rowing Get a progressive/forward thinking CEO Give Danny Wilson a job Look for a progressive/young manager Patience - a chance to build. Not sacking too quickly Stop buying 'old' players Bring through/buy youth Bring in experience Stop loans A new owner So Disaster Don went. Some of his decision making, especially around ticketing was pre-historic and out dated. He wasn't a good 'look' for the club and was much derided by many sections of supporters. The fans got their way. Don got the chop. We brought in Mansford who many, me included thought was a breath of fresh air. A good media savvy, friendly face who talks a rather good game. The problem here is now. In our time of need he's gone AWOL. This helps nobody at all. The fans need clarity and direction not a silent response. Also the decision to relieve Matt and Adam of their duties leaves a real sour taste in many mouths. Danny came back and hugely divided opinion. In my eyes, his time had passed and we played some absolutely turgid Boring football. Others allowed the leeway due to past glories for which we'll all be eternally greatful, however, the decision to let him go was the right one. Johnson came in as the progressive thinker. The man with a plan. Under the radar with the bookies and most supporters he arrived with little fanfare and a lot of hope. Remember this is the man PC says is his 'last appointment'. If you haven't got the idea now that he's staying, despite the appalling run and equally turgid football with no cutting edge or defensive regidity then there is no hope for you. No matter how hard you stamp your feet LJ is here for the long haul. He's been afforded the patience that we've all cried out for. He's adhered to the rules set out by the club and pined for by the masses in terms of youth despite the huge flaws and pitfalls being as plain as the nose on your face. Crying out for an old head in midfield is something heard daily. But not a Greening or a Fox et al because those players are obviously rubbish and not up to it. Apparently these old/experienced midfielders grow on trees and come free with low wages. Another fallacy. For what its worth I think our loan policy is appalling. Paying players wages from other clubs who then don't get in the matchday squad because we have too many is like flushing money down the pan. A new owner. I just can't see it happening. We're not a fashionable club. We don't own all our assets. We aren't really in/near a major city that doesn't already have a big club. And we're languishing at the bottom of a really really poor division. All in all the fans get their way more often than not. We need to deal with the fact that LJ is here to stay and not one single way of doing things listed above works. Strategy. Bring in Stuart Grey. Either as defensive coach on a part time contract or as director of football on a longer deal overseeing the playing side of things and transfers. Johnson stays as coach but has an older experienced defensive minded coach to lean on. Mansford to stop hiding. Explain where the club is going and how. (If anyone puts 'down' here I'm going to go Liam Neeson on your a $$) Stop the loans other than in exceptional circumstances. Like we lose 2 keepers or there is a player we simply can't miss out on. Think/dream big! Use the opportunity to bring in quality rather than quantity. Mix the first team. Youth doesn't work on its own. Dad's army doesn't work on its own. Blend the two together ffs! We've got some real quality in Hourihane, Hammill, Scowan and Winnall. Build the team around them. Supplement their strengths and compensate for any weaknesses. They play in league 1. They obviously aren't the finished articles! Well that's where id start anyway...... Thanks for reading.
This patience thing aint owt new it got called for When Danny got the job and Flicker before him, the club more than anyone as shown a lack of it. Patience that is, big style. So am grateful that so far that Cryne and co haven`t used this line cos then the flagpole could be stuck well and truly reight up their ringers.
'Bring in Stuart Grey. Either as defensive coach on a part time contract or as director of football on a longer deal overseeing the playing side of things and transfers. Johnson stays as coach but has an older experienced defensive minded coach to lean on'. Wouldn't work for two reasons, 1 if you were another coach would you want to be associated with our current system? 2 If you were our current coach would you want anybody who actually knew what they were doing anywhere near your job?
You'd bring in Stuart Gray and keep Lee Johnson!? Suggestions like this always make me laugh. Why would Gray want to come in and work with Johnson? And vice versa?
