In defence of the stay aways

The football club are always looking for Stewards on matchdays... you get to be there and also get paid....

 

RE: Ah - right.

I wouldn't give him a new contract in the circumstances we are in. His contract isn't even up until the end of the season so I don't see a problem there.I don't see a line of clubs queing up for his services and I think we can put the Wendy story to rest.

If I was in GS shoes I certainly wouldn't give AR a long term contract unless he could show me that he can steer us clear of the relegation zone.I am looking for answers from AR,that's why I bob down to training when I can.I'm not looking for verbal answers loaded with football speak, it's action I want to see.

The training ground is where our problems should be solved but I'm afraid I have seen nothing down there which suggests that AR and RH can get us out of the position we are in with the present squad. Unless changes in personnel are made I'm sure we will be with Ale House Rovers next season. My view isn't just made on what I saw on Monday morning.

The question on would I sack Ritchie needs an answer and I will give it in the hope you can understand my reasoning. If I had made money avalable to AR and he shows no sign of using it to strenghen the squad and we were still in the relegation zone I would terminate his contract withouit any hesitation. Football is a dirty, ruthless competative business with no room for sentiment.

If you want to know who I would appoint as the next manager I would tell you to wait until I had seen the applications of the 50 or so managers, players, and coaches who wouild apply for the job.

 

RE: Ah - right.

And who takes charge of 1st team affairs between Ritchie's sacking and the appointment of the new Wunderkid from the 50 + applications ?

 

RE: Ah - right.

I understand that Mark Smith is back in the Academy.

 

JC of course

 

RE: Ah - right.

Smithy got the necessary to run the 1st XI in your opinion then ?</p>



It seems unfortunately you have allowed yourself to accept the perceived wisdom that abounds, that Ritchie 'doesn't have it'. I make no comment about watching training because you are not privy to the preparation and post training analysis that Ritchie and the management team go into as well as the relatively short time they are on show for those that choose to watch training.</p>



If you talk to ANY of the current squad you will see the regard Ritchie and Holden are held in, and not just because of this widely held view that Ritchie is 'one of the lads'. They trust and respect Ritchie, and any notion that Ritchie is not taken seriously is null &amp; void I can assure you.</p>



I am amazed also that you have fallen for the rumour that somehow Ritchie is throwing ( an unspecified amount ) money back in the Board's face.</p>



Still, football's all about opinions, so carry on.</p>

 

RE: Andy Ritchie and Paul Hart (as assistant)

Am I mistaken or haven't we already tried that? It didn't work!

 

Mmm.

"A word now about Andy Ritchie. I was very impressed with the way he managed the team from Walsall to the Millenium, when the going got tough, he certainly got the team going. He showed a side to his managemant skills I didn't think he had and I am sure he can build on the experience.

How about extending his contract Mr Shepard before someone comes in for him?"

So - basically, you were wrong?

 

To be fair ...

... if I had degrees from Derby, Sheffield, Open & Brasil coming out of my ears - I'd hope to be smart enough to realise that if a Manager is given a big pot of money to spend - he'll spend it.

On the other hand - you could always have 100% blind faith in Gord (who inspires me about as much as a tin of 9p Aldi beans) ... while at the same time having a pop at the bloke who dragged a mediocre squad out of a competitive division on only half a shoestring.

Some people just baffle me.

 

RE: No idea

Did the Cow & Calf meet with your approval? (There was a minibus load of Reds fans trying to get in at 11.am ish - was that you?!)

 

RE: Mmm.

I did say I was only impressed with what he did from the Walsall game onward. We did lose the home leg against Huddersfield. I had been questioning his ability long before then.

At the time I wrote that I genuinely believed that he had finally got his act together when in reality he was was having a Marc Richards moment, a brief burst of good form. He certainly had me fooled there.

His tactics since then have been abismal his substitutions have been bizarre, and 0.923 points per game = relegation.


(titanic)

 

Its easy when your biggest expense is decding wether to buy the missus a barbie or cindy.

 

No doubt you believe you could do a better job