Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: 1-0 to the Doncaster on February 04, 2023, 09:55:47 pm
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Whilst there are critics of the Board, we also have a manger who is unable to get the maximum from this squad. We have looked really poor recently and particularly over the last two games. An experienced manager would get a better return.
Continuing to play with 3 centre backs cause a huge imbalance in midfield. Subs today looked confused with instructions from all 3 coaches in the technical area. DS looks lost.
Although we will stay up this year, it is clear we will be in a dog fight for relegation next year if we stick with DS.
Danny Schofield needs to go.
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We need some stability in manager now so I’d stick with him. Or at least unless we have a exceptional replacement in mind but we won’t be attractive to any proven manager.
Obviously as HoF I’d expect Copps to have back ups and monitor availability but DS was his man. To sack someone you hired after only a few months makes your decision making look bad
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To replace him with who?
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Any manager that be an improvement over DS right now will be one of two things. 1) Too expensive 2) Smart enough to avoid our dumpster fire of a situation
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It's not his squad. He's lumbered with dead wood built up over 3 years of inept leadership. He deserves a summer at least.
And frankly, who's going to want to come and manage us at the moment? We're not an attractive proposition at all. Heading backwards rapidly, constant churn of players and staff, fanbase at each others throats... It's not pretty at the minute. Unless things turn disastrous and we're in danger of going down we might as well stick with Schofield.
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It’s hard to judge a manager now coming in mid season.
But there is no doubt, he should be doing better than this. We have gone backwards under his management.
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Wellens, Moore doing well. We could bring Pep Guardiola in and he wouldn’t keep us a float. Sadly we are sinking. ‘She’s made of iron sir, I assure you can and she will, it’s a mathematical certainty’. The club has not been this low since the 90’s.
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Schofield needs to learn to ditch his 5 at the back system and stop playing RSW as a centre half. It's that simple. RSW doesn't win a ball in the air... He's a useless CB he also switches off and truthfully I think he gives not a single shit about the team, fans or club. He is a decent last ditch tackler/blocker.
Recall Faulkner ASAP and have him in a 4 alongside Anderson, Olowu or Nelson (although I admit a risk playing two young lads alongside eachother) but they are better than RSW plain and f*cling simple.
We can all see how the system doesn't work (with these players). If he wants that system let's recruit for it properly (although letting a ready made wing back in Knoyle go was an horrendous mistake)
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Schofield needs to learn to ditch his 5 at the back system and stop playing RSW as a centre half. It's that simple. RSW doesn't win a ball in the air... He's a useless CB he also switches off and truthfully I think he gives not a single shit about the team, fans or club. He is a decent last ditch tackler/blocker.
Recall Faulkner ASAP and have him in a 4 alongside Anderson, Olowu or Nelson (although I admit a risk playing two young lads alongside eachother) but they are better than RSW plain and f*cling simple.
We can all see how the system doesn't work (with these players). If he wants that system l.et's recruit for it properly (although letting a ready made wing back in Knoyle go was an horrendous mistake)
Knoyle wanted out, so not a mistake by the club because there was nothing they could do about it.
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Schofield needs to learn to ditch his 5 at the back system and stop playing RSW as a centre half. It's that simple. RSW doesn't win a ball in the air... He's a useless CB he also switches off and truthfully I think he gives not a single shit about the team, fans or club. He is a decent last ditch tackler/blocker.
Recall Faulkner ASAP and have him in a 4 alongside Anderson, Olowu or Nelson (although I admit a risk playing two young lads alongside eachother) but they are better than RSW plain and f*cling simple.
We can all see how the system doesn't work (with these players). If he wants that system l.et's recruit for it properly (although letting a ready made wing back in Knoyle go was an horrendous mistake)
Knoyle wanted out, so not a mistake by the club because there was nothing they could do about it.
As mentioned previously; a contract offer too late is too late.
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Let's be really honest, he should never have got the job in the first place. Neither should Buttler, neither should McSheffrey before him.
We need an experienced manager at this level. Someone who could kick this shower of shit that are currently playing for us into some sort of shape.
I won't say he should be sacked, or he was the cheap option, because I have no idea who else applied for the job. All I know is he shouldn't have been here in the first place.
If it turns out I'm wrong, I've got a great big humble pie cooking in the oven
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Let’s all be honest he should have never got the job in the first place. He was a shambles at Huddersfield and he’s proving that here. He had 9 more games experience than GMS. It is what it is though, the problems are deeper than schofield. I’d give him to the end of the season and go from there. If performances continue I don’t see how they can keep him on.
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He had a lot more coaching experience than McSheffery. We should of got an experienced manager in the summer instead of been soft on McSheffery and giving him a summer to put us in the same situation.
Want us to keep with DS but he needs to be told that results have to pick up if he wants the summer. We saw with GMc that a manager who there is significant doubt about just breeds more instability.
If we have poor form till the end of the season and finish a few places above the drop I’d worry about next season. Copps in his job needs to have contingencies in place and get the big decisions right.
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He had a lot more coaching experience than McSheffery. We should of got an experienced manager in the summer instead of been soft on McSheffery and giving him a summer to put us in the same situation.
Want us to keep with DS but he needs to be told that results have to pick up if he wants the summer. We saw with GMc that a manager who there is significant doubt about just breeds more instability.
If we have poor form till the end of the season and finish a few places above the drop I’d worry about next season. Copps in his job needs to have contingencies in place and get the big decisions right.
Don’t forget DS is Copps man, could we trust any contingencies?
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I think think needs to stay.
We have got to stop changing managers every 6 months. That will never help the team. This will turn out to be a shit season but let's judge him after a summer where he can re jig his squad.
Not 1 January window where no good dealings happen.
At 1 point areteta (inexperienced at the time) had arsenal down the wrong end of the table with fans screaming for him to be sacked. Look where they are now.
Yes Ds might not be areteta and we arnt arsenal and have their millions. But its just a point if keeping faith
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It’s not been a great start and in pure statistical terms Schofield has been less successful than McSheffrey. We can’t though go through cycles of sacking managers every few months. He needs a year at least to have a few windows and shape the squad as he sees fit, then we can judge.
On paper he has better credentials than say Butler or McSheffrey and with expectations so low and this season now written off by most people he has a window of time to stabilise and then build.
While some of our managerial appointments in recent years have been highly questionable, the biggest failing has been just rank bad recruitment. The very worst arguably of any club at our level. If we can make just a half decent fist of this in the summer, we should be competitive next season.
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To replace him with who?
Id love Grant McCann back.
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Everyone s too nice……
Pitty Patty football without old fashioned aggression isn’t working
Put the iPads down and stand on someone’s foot
It’s football not a video game, just get in their faces and go for it
We need a Casemiro, a Billy Bremner…….we need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and get stuck in
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My concern with keeping him is that we can all see some glaring inadequacies in his abilities as a coach. How many times has he had chance to work on the defensive frailties and yet each subsequent game we're as bad or worse; continuing with personnel and systems that clearly don't work; giving no indication that he knows how to get the team firing.
Given that we are 13 points above the relegation places it is pretty hard to see how we could be relegated this season even though our results and performances are bad enough, but keep DS next season and see how we go?
The club finds it hard enough to recruit a decent experienced manager as it is so how can we risk needing to change manager half way through next season if we find ourselves at risk of relegation? For me that is a risk we should not be considering.
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Everyone s too nice……
Pitty Patty football without old fashioned aggression isn’t working
Put the iPads down and stand on someone’s foot
It’s football not a video game, just get in their faces and go for it
We need a Casemiro, a Billy Bremner…….we need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and get stuck in
Look at McSheffrey, Schofield and Copps playing careers all technically good footballers and that what they’ve tried to do with funds they’ve had. We haven’t got strong and aggressive players we’ve got players who want to play nice football but we don’t have an end product
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He's had the best part of 3 months and the worst side of no money. Give him time for FFS.
Is this the kind o club we've become?
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CiM is right, the "blame the manager" syndrome is pathetic, blame the right people, the ones who hold the purse strings making us get in sub-standard players.
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We have changed manager a few times recently and it doesn’t seem to make us any better
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My car's been performing shite for the last few years. I've tried putting different fuel in, Shell, Esso, Texaco, and even Morrisons but it never seems to make any difference.
I think I might try Tesco next.
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We have changed manager a few times recently and it doesn’t seem to make us any better
Because we have changed for inexperienced rubbish
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If only he would let us know what he is doing to turn things round there would be some understanding of his objectives by his "audience". Why can't he be more open and talk in more detail? As things stand, it is near impossible to judge whether he has a grip.
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Records of #DRFC managers from 1/3/2021. (W-D-L-win%). League only.
Butler 4-3-11-22.2%
Wellens 3-4-12-15.8%
McSheffrey 13-7-21-31.7%
Schofield 5-1-8-38.4%
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Records of #DRFC managers from 1/3/2021. (W-D-L-win%). League only.
Butler 4-3-11-22.2%
Wellens 3-4-12-15.8%
McSheffrey 13-7-21-31.7%
Schofield 5-1-8-38.4%
1 point from a possible 15 before that date too under DM.
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His in game management has been quite poor since he joined. Often actually making us worse when he changes things. Even against Carlisle we nearly managed to throw the game away.
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Look at Liverpool. All the success they’ve had.slightly off season and they want klopp gone.
Fickle bunch.
As are a lot of footy supporters
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My car's been performing shite for the last few years. I've tried putting different fuel in, Shell, Esso, Texaco, and even Morrisons but it never seems to make any difference.
I think I might try Tesco next.
But was it the CORRECT fuel you keep getting?
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Maybe all this is a societal issue. We demand, we want, we are entitled to success? More than that we want it yesterday! If it doesnt happen then sack the board, sack the manager, they are all rubbish, oh and cancel the players contracts while you're at it!
Lets get a manager with experience? Well there loads of them kicking around living off 20 minutes of success in 20 years. That guarantees nothing! Get a grip. We are third or four tier club. We are in a dip. We've been here before many times. Give the manager and players 12 -18 months at least to show progress. Then fine try something else.
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Maybe all this is a societal issue. We demand, we want, we are entitled to success? More than that we want it yesterday! If it doesnt happen then sack the board, sack the manager, they are all rubbish, oh and cancel the players contracts while you're at it!
Lets get a manager with experience? Well there loads of them kicking around living off 20 minutes of success in 20 years. That guarantees nothing! Get a grip. We are third or four tier club. We are in a dip. We've been here before many times. Give the manager and players 12 -18 months at least to show progress. Then fine try something else.
One of the best answers I’ve ever seen posted.
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But we are not in a dip. When you are in a dip you can see the other side. We are on a slide with no end in sight.
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It’s ridiculous shouting for a managers head this early in his appointment, yes the results are not going our way, but when the dust settles and people pick their toys up, they have to surely agree we have played better football than the opposition for large parts of the last two games - performances are better on the whole. Results are awful and nobody can be happy with those.
The shouts and chants are childish ( to me) and I suspect their is an element of the leaders of this group enjoying this time, and they will probably fuel this further.
Signings!
Some really good signs from each and everyone I saw:
Brown looks like he could better than Knoyle was for us.
Nelson looks to be a good find, confident and assured on the ball, shame he went off - I don’t think they would have scored with him on the pitch.
Lakin the midfielder looked good in his cameo, lively and good movement, need to see more to make any real judgement.
Lavery looked sharp to me, and made endless unseen runs. Occasionally linked up well with Miller, and has better control of the ball than his partner. Miller needs to learn from Lavery and the little runs he makes.
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All that said we STILL lost against the 3rd bottom club
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Klopp has of course proved his ability. Are you comparing him to Schofield? If everyone was given time, irrespective of their performance we'd still have Liz Truss as PM. Sometimes failure and a lack of the ability to succeed becomes apparent very soon especially when there has been a pattern of hiring a beginner when the club just not have time to risk sinking any lower.
2 years ago we were a win away from topping League 1 and now were are struggling in the lower half of League 2. If in a couple of years' time any of the top 3 or 4 in the PL were to be relegated and be in danger of going down to League 1, no one would be effectively labelling their fans as immature for expecting an urgent remedy.
It may sound like a bit of a joke, but Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
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It’s ridiculous shouting for a managers head this early in his appointment, yes the results are not going our way, but when the dust settles and people pick their toys up, they have to surely agree we have played better football than the opposition for large parts of the last two games - performances are better on the whole. Results are awful and nobody can be happy with those.
The shouts and chants are childish ( to me) and I suspect their is an element of the leaders of this group enjoying this time, and they will probably fuel this further.
Signings!
Some really good signs from each and everyone I saw:
Brown looks like he could better than Knoyle was for us.
Nelson looks to be a good find, confident and assured on the ball, shame he went off - I don’t think they would have scored with him on the pitch.
Lakin the midfielder looked good in his cameo, lively and good movement, need to see more to make any real judgement.
Lavery looked sharp to me, and made endless unseen runs. Occasionally linked up well with Miller, and has better control of the ball than his partner. Miller needs to learn from Lavery and the little runs he makes.
Agree with you on Lavery. He was making some great runs but no one could find him. Surely they must work on this in training and should know the runs he's going to make.
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But we are not in a dip. When you are in a dip you can see the other side. We are on a slide with no end in sight.
Depends how big the dip is! and how positive you are. If you think there is no end in sight then for you there isnt! Depends on your mindset. My point is you have to give people time. You cant just keep sacking people every few months. We need some stability. It takes time.
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It’s an unpopular opinion but I would keep Schofield. I think a lot of our fans massively overrate our current squad of players. There’s not many of them that would get into a promotion chasing league 2 teams first 11. Probably no more than 3. He has been lumbered with some utter dross and I don’t think anyone would do better. We got some seriously lucky results under Mcsheffrey and I don’t think we’ve fluked a result once under scholfield.
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It's alright getting successful managers, but why are successful managers available?
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My car's been performing shite for the last few years. I've tried putting different fuel in, Shell, Esso, Texaco, and even Morrisons but it never seems to make any difference.
I think I might try Tesco next.
Needs a service, just like the club
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Maybe all this is a societal issue. We demand, we want, we are entitled to success? More than that we want it yesterday! If it doesnt happen then sack the board, sack the manager, they are all rubbish, oh and cancel the players contracts while you're at it!
Lets get a manager with experience? Well there loads of them kicking around living off 20 minutes of success in 20 years. That guarantees nothing! Get a grip. We are third or four tier club. We are in a dip. We've been here before many times. Give the manager and players 12 -18 months at least to show progress. Then fine try something else.
It won't be fine though. If this bunch continue like this for the next 12-18 months, the stadium will be almost empty, then the sustainability goes down the pan.
From what I've heard in the South Stand, and on here, the ST sales in the Summer are going to take a massive hit if things don't drastically alter.
You just can't ignore all this.
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Maybe all this is a societal issue. We demand, we want, we are entitled to success? More than that we want it yesterday! If it doesnt happen then sack the board, sack the manager, they are all rubbish, oh and cancel the players contracts while you're at it!
Lets get a manager with experience? Well there loads of them kicking around living off 20 minutes of success in 20 years. That guarantees nothing! Get a grip. We are third or four tier club. We are in a dip. We've been here before many times. Give the manager and players 12 -18 months at least to show progress. Then fine try something else.
One of the best answers I’ve ever seen posted.
In 18 months we could be well on our way out of the EFL what do we do then? I agree there are lots of folk on here who are expecting far to much, maybe me including, it’s not just how we are playing, it’s a combination of many things that’s leaving a lot very frustrated. It all went wrong when the board were sentimental and appointed Copps then GM it’s not worked, we got rid of GM and stayed with Copps and we are still suffering. I don’t think we will improve and have a manager and all back room staff that have had no connections with the club.
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If he wasn't a nice man from Doncaster I'd already be calling for Schofield to go. I'm not quite at that point yet but I'm only a fraction from it. I would love him to succeed both for the club and for himself but the chances of this happening are almost zero. He needs to revert to a straight 4-4-2 till the end of the season. It will give us the best chance to get the points we need to stay up. 1 up top works for some top clubs with very top managers. At the moment we are neither. 5 at the back in this league mainly invites teams onto us. This is a poor league, one we shouldn't be struggling with this badly. Schofield was the wrong appointment, it was obvious to many of us that it was a risk (at the very least) appointing someone with such little experience but we are where we are. I suspect and hope that Schofield might just about have enough about him to avoid us getting relegated. I don't have great faith in him or his style of play but he might (we need to hope) learn quickly enough for things to improve next season. The problem is I'm not convinced that he or the team around him can spot the right types of players for this club. I'd love to be proved wrong. It won't happen but i'd take Grant McCann back in a heartbeat.
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Maybe all this is a societal issue. We demand, we want, we are entitled to success? More than that we want it yesterday! If it doesnt happen then sack the board, sack the manager, they are all rubbish, oh and cancel the players contracts while you're at it!
Lets get a manager with experience? Well there loads of them kicking around living off 20 minutes of success in 20 years. That guarantees nothing! Get a grip. We are third or four tier club. We are in a dip. We've been here before many times. Give the manager and players 12 -18 months at least to show progress. Then fine try something else.
One of the best answers I’ve ever seen posted.
In 18 months we could be well on our way out of the EFL what do we do then? I agree there are lots of folk on here who are expecting far to much, maybe me including, it’s not just how we are playing, it’s a combination of many things that’s leaving a lot very frustrated. It all went wrong when the board were sentimental and appointed Copps then GM it’s not worked, we got rid of GM and stayed with Copps and we are still suffering. I don’t think we will improve and have a manager and all back room staff that have had no connections with the club.
Well i dont think we are on our way out of the EFL. But if we did then what we will do is come back.just like last time.
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If he wasn't a nice man from Doncaster I'd already be calling for Schofield to go. I'm not quite at that point yet but I'm only a fraction from it. I would love him to succeed both for the club and for himself but the chances of this happening are almost zero. He needs to revert to a straight 4-4-2 till the end of the season. It will give us the best chance to get the points we need to stay up. 1 up top works for some top clubs with very top managers. At the moment we are neither. 5 at the back in this league mainly invites teams onto us. This is a poor league, one we shouldn't be struggling with this badly. Schofield was the wrong appointment, it was obvious to many of us that it was a risk (at the very least) appointing someone with such little experience but we are where we are. I suspect and hope that Schofield might just about have enough about him to avoid us getting relegated. I don't have great faith in him or his style of play but he might (we need to hope) learn quickly enough for things to improve next season. The problem is I'm not convinced that he or the team around him can spot the right types of players for this club. I'd love to be proved wrong. It won't happen but i'd take Grant McCann back in a heartbeat.
So we get rid of DS. What then?
Who is going to come to a basket case of a club with an owner with no ambition and a make believe budget that isn't enough to bring in any decent players?
:chair: :chair:
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Don’t want to jump to hyperbole about dropping out the EFL but this does bring horrible memories of the poor end to the season under Butler after Moore left. That lead to last season.
Even last season for a large part there was denial that relegation was realistic until it became so obvious that it was inevitable. I want the people that matter to genuinely believe and act as though our EFL future is on the line. We’ve sleep walked this far need to wake up asap!
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Don’t want to jump to hyperbole about dropping out the EFL but this does bring horrible memories of the poor end to the season under Butler after Moore left. That lead to last season.
Even last season for a large part there was denial that relegation was realistic until it became so obvious that it was inevitable. I want the people that matter to genuinely believe and act as though our EFL future is on the line. We’ve sleep walked this far need to wake up asap!
I said the same thing over and over last season.
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He needs to go for not being prepared to play a formation which gets the best out of the available resources. Playing 3 central defenders. Wing backs who cannot play the attacking role. Starting RSW every week. Playing a lone striker. It does not work. Fans can see it. Manager too stubborn to change.
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Maybe all this is a societal issue. We demand, we want, we are entitled to success? More than that we want it yesterday! If it doesnt happen then sack the board, sack the manager, they are all rubbish, oh and cancel the players contracts while you're at it!
Lets get a manager with experience? Well there loads of them kicking around living off 20 minutes of success in 20 years. That guarantees nothing! Get a grip. We are third or four tier club. We are in a dip. We've been here before many times. Give the manager and players 12 -18 months at least to show progress. Then fine try something else.
One of the best answers I’ve ever seen posted.
In 18 months we could be well on our way out of the EFL what do we do then? I agree there are lots of folk on here who are expecting far to much, maybe me including, it’s not just how we are playing, it’s a combination of many things that’s leaving a lot very frustrated. It all went wrong when the board were sentimental and appointed Copps then GM it’s not worked, we got rid of GM and stayed with Copps and we are still suffering. I don’t think we will improve and have a manager and all back room staff that have had no connections with the club.
Well i dont think we are on our way out of the EFL. But if we did then what we will do is come back.just like last time.
Can you see the flaw in that logic, redarmi66? Last time it happened we had an owner happy to throw money at it to get us out and it still took five seasons. If we go there again we will be operating as a Sustainable club not prepared to exceed our income.
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He needs to go for not being prepared to play a formation which gets the best out of the available resources. Playing 3 central defenders. Wing backs who cannot play the attacking role. Starting RSW every week. Playing a lone striker. It does not work. Fans can see it. Manager too stubborn to change.
To be fair Knoyle and Brown now are more suited to a wing back roles than full backs in a flat back 4
Same probably goes for Maxwell.
The problem is our CB’s are not capable of playing that system effectively. Are they capable of playing in a 2 rather than a 3. That’s the 100 million dollar question.
I think maybe he has to try it. Play Anderson and Olowu together. Can’t play Olowu and Nelson as a pair as both are left footed but i think Olowu has a reasonable right foot so maybe???
Williams has to be left out.
He started the season well but his form has steadily deteriorated & he has become a liability over the last few weeks.
Can’t head a ball when under pressure, he can’t jump, his timing in the air is awful. When he isn’t under pressure he heads it straight up or sideways more than 50% of the time. He isn’t it would seem capable of using his physicality and his basic defending leaves a lot to be desired. On top of that he makes at least one blunder in most games usually leading to us conceding a goal.
If we play a flat back 4 then we can bolster the midfield which will help Close and Biggins. So Rowe or Lakin need to come in. Maybe try Rowe as a holding midfielder in front of our 2 centre backs.
Play Miller and Lavery up front and give Hurst a free role to roam. Pick the spaces and use his ability to go past people and be creative for the front 2. The system will allow either Close or Biggins to get further forward in turn to create for and support the front players.
Has DS the acumen to change it and get this team performing? I am really worried. I know he needs time as I keep saying that but where is the improvement.
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He needs to go for not being prepared to play a formation which gets the best out of the available resources. Playing 3 central defenders. Wing backs who cannot play the attacking role. Starting RSW every week. Playing a lone striker. It does not work. Fans can see it. Manager too stubborn to change.
To be fair Knoyle and Brown now are more suited to a wing back roles than full backs in a flat back 4
Same probably goes for Maxwell.
The problem is our CB’s are not capable of playing that system effectively. Are they capable of playing in a 2 rather than a 3. That’s the 100 million dollar question.
I think maybe he has to try it. Play Anderson and Olowu together. Can’t play Olowu and Nelson as a pair as both are left footed but i think Olowu has a reasonable right foot so maybe???
Williams has to be left out.
He started the season well but his form has steadily deteriorated & he has become a liability over the last few weeks.
Can’t head a ball when under pressure, he can’t jump, his timing in the air is awful. When he isn’t under pressure he heads it straight up or sideways more than 50% of the time. He isn’t it would seem capable of using his physicality and his basic defending leaves a lot to be desired. On top of that he makes at least one blunder in most games usually leading to us conceding a goal.
If we play a flat back 4 then we can bolster the midfield which will help Close and Biggins. So Rowe or Lakin need to come in. Maybe try Rowe as a holding midfielder in front of our 2 centre backs.
Play Miller and Lavery up front and give Hurst a free role to roam. Pick the spaces and use his ability to go past people and be creative for the front 2. The system will allow either Close or Biggins to get further forward in turn to create for and support the front players.
Has DS the acumen to change it and get this team performing? I am really worried. I know he needs time as I keep saying that but where is the improvement.
Olowu is right footed, he's just been playing on the left.
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He needs to go for not being prepared to play a formation which gets the best out of the available resources. Playing 3 central defenders. Wing backs who cannot play the attacking role. Starting RSW every week. Playing a lone striker. It does not work. Fans can see it. Manager too stubborn to change.
To be fair Knoyle and Brown now are more suited to a wing back roles than full backs in a flat back 4
Same probably goes for Maxwell.
The problem is our CB’s are not capable of playing that system effectively. Are they capable of playing in a 2 rather than a 3. That’s the 100 million dollar question.
I think maybe he has to try it. Play Anderson and Olowu together. Can’t play Olowu and Nelson as a pair as both are left footed but i think Olowu has a reasonable right foot so maybe???
Williams has to be left out.
He started the season well but his form has steadily deteriorated & he has become a liability over the last few weeks.
Can’t head a ball when under pressure, he can’t jump, his timing in the air is awful. When he isn’t under pressure he heads it straight up or sideways more than 50% of the time. He isn’t it would seem capable of using his physicality and his basic defending leaves a lot to be desired. On top of that he makes at least one blunder in most games usually leading to us conceding a goal.
If we play a flat back 4 then we can bolster the midfield which will help Close and Biggins. So Rowe or Lakin need to come in. Maybe try Rowe as a holding midfielder in front of our 2 centre backs.
Play Miller and Lavery up front and give Hurst a free role to roam. Pick the spaces and use his ability to go past people and be creative for the front 2. The system will allow either Close or Biggins to get further forward in turn to create for and support the front players.
Has DS the acumen to change it and get this team performing? I am really worried. I know he needs time as I keep saying that but where is the improvement.
Olowu is right footed, he's just been playing on the left.
Someone else told me that. I always assumed his left foot was his most natural one.
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Maybe all this is a societal issue. We demand, we want, we are entitled to success? More than that we want it yesterday! If it doesnt happen then sack the board, sack the manager, they are all rubbish, oh and cancel the players contracts while you're at it!
Lets get a manager with experience? Well there loads of them kicking around living off 20 minutes of success in 20 years. That guarantees nothing! Get a grip. We are third or four tier club. We are in a dip. We've been here before many times. Give the manager and players 12 -18 months at least to show progress. Then fine try something else.
I agree with the sentiment around the sense of entitlement, however we need to remember the club is offering a consumer product - quite an expensive one. So people have a reasonable expectation around value for money and entertainment, watching football is entertainment - for season ticket costs you can have sky sports for the year, or ten or fifteen trips to the cinema or ten or fifteen gigs or theatre trips etc. The reflections on this site at the moment relate to that overall experience - food and drink, environment, and the quality of the entertainment being served up. Maybe we aren't directing our challenge in the right direction, but between the Manager and DoF and Board someone is responsible for delivering a quality product for us all, and at the moment they are failing badly.
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Perhaps, Reg, the belief of the club leadership is that the level that the club ultimately finds is not particularly important to the diehard supporters who will give their support unflinchingly and that in itself achieves the preservation of the club for the people of Doncaster. Perhaps.
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Could that be what was meant with the comment “the club will find its own level”.
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Maybe all this is a societal issue. We demand, we want, we are entitled to success? More than that we want it yesterday! If it doesnt happen then sack the board, sack the manager, they are all rubbish, oh and cancel the players contracts while you're at it!
Lets get a manager with experience? Well there loads of them kicking around living off 20 minutes of success in 20 years. That guarantees nothing! Get a grip. We are third or four tier club. We are in a dip. We've been here before many times. Give the manager and players 12 -18 months at least to show progress. Then fine try something else.
I agree with the sentiment around the sense of entitlement, however we need to remember the club is offering a consumer product - quite an expensive one. So people have a reasonable expectation around value for money and entertainment, watching football is entertainment - for season ticket costs you can have sky sports for the year, or ten or fifteen trips to the cinema or ten or fifteen gigs or theatre trips etc. The reflections on this site at the moment relate to that overall experience - food and drink, environment, and the quality of the entertainment being served up. Maybe we aren't directing our challenge in the right direction, but between the Manager and DoF and Board someone is responsible for delivering a quality product for us all, and at the moment they are failing badly.
the price of my season ticket would get me just short of 19 months free entry to any film at any time with an unlimited card from cineworld
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Could that be what was meant with the comment “the club will find its own level”.
It has to be a possibility, Hound. As for the sustainability drive (already attained it is now said), I fully support efforts to maximise revenues. What troubles me though is that the urgency with which it has been pursued has seen cost cutting of things we can all see; the NE corner scoreboard and stadium infrastructure maintenance seemingly suffering neglect. It does leave me wondering if cost-cutting measures have been implemented around the football operation also.
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Perhaps, Reg, the belief of the club leadership is that the level that the club ultimately finds is not particularly important to the diehard supporters who will give their support unflinchingly and that in itself achieves the preservation of the club for the people of Doncaster. Perhaps.
And they're right to a point, I started watching with my Dad at about 8yo, I starting bringing my kids when they were about 5/6yo and one way or another I'll keep coming. But I do remember being sat with a lot more folks at Wembley watching the playoff final than stood at BV watching us in the conference. A mate of mine started watching us last year, brought his lad, Mrs and father in law for a few games but then drifted off as it was just so dire and now he goes to Wednesday for odd games.
Point being if 'sustainability' means the only people left are those that carried the coffin, then we will be watching conference football (at best). Actual sustainability requires growth, which means putting something on show that people will come and gladly pay for over-and-over again.
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Completely agree with your point on sustainability, Reg.
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Without ambition from those in charge there will be no growth. You have to speculate to accumulate. Calculated risks give you a chance of succeeding. Yes carry on with the club Doncaster if it’s bringing revenue in but what’s the point of sitting on your hands when you have the money to turn the club into something Doncaster would be proud of?
What is the point of owning a club if you are prepared for it to drop into non league? What was the point of all those years of hard work?
Why not get experienced managers in. We couldn’t do any worse than have Sean O’Driscoll back in charge. Yes some will say it’s going backwards, but we haven’t made much of a forward charge since he left have we?
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It's a SO'D type that we should have brought in for the HOF/DOF figure.
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He would have been ideal. When he was at the club it was a pleasure to watch. Even bigger sides came to our ground knowing they were not going to see the ball much. We controlled the games. If we could have just had more investment at certain points we could have broken into the premier league. The side was that good. Cautiousness cost us really. We were two or three players away from that standard.
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Has he been sacked yet?
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Bloody rubbish lol
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After a decent week it’s probably time to start demanding that a three year contract is offered and signed immediately. Save the talk of sacking him for the next time we lose a game.
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The long-term reality is that Terry Bramall is not immortal and for the first time referred to that at the latest meeting. Since he is the only remaining financial backstop for this club, it was sensible to task Gavin Baldwin to develop a self-sustaining model built on the Club Doncaster Community for the future. It was in the same vein right to appoint Copps as Director of Football and for him to appoint a man who he believes can manage a club within such financially restrictive parameters. I get it and support it!
It serves no purpose for fans to levy such negative criticisms as those expressed at the top of this thread EXCEPT no doubt for their own self-aggrandisement or to assuage the bitterness of life for them.
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The manager takes the pelters on here when we lose for bad selections and tactics, yet where are those posters when we win, not only win, but win three on the bounce with 3 clean sheets. Who was responsible for those eh?
Doesn’t mean performances shouldn’t be looked at for improvement, but surely give credit where it’s due?
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Seems to be by luck if we win, and by design if we loose for some
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The manager takes the pelters on here when we lose for bad selections and tactics, yet where are those posters when we win, not only win, but win three on the bounce with 3 clean sheets. Who was responsible for those eh?
Doesn’t mean performances shouldn’t be looked at for improvement, but surely give credit where it’s due?
Well, I’m prepared to say a few things that may be classed as negative as opposed to constructive and I hope that those who disagree will restrain themselves from the personal insults which I have received in the past.
Tiredness, when the opposition has played just as recently as we have, is a poor excuse and it seemed to me that Barrow played with more energy. Rovers could not be said to have dominated the game either by reference to the statistics or by any obvious superiority in skill. I could suggest too that the decision-making could have been better. If Barrow had nicked a goal I doubt whether a case could be made for them having not deserved a point.
I accept that that the defence was effective, but I do think that standing off the opposition when they have the ball, not being prepare to challenge until they get within shooting distance makes for a dull spectacle - which it was. Movement could be more energetic too. Players do not make themselves available enough to receive the ball to provide options, even at throw-ins.
Rather than replacing Miller with Lavery, putting two up front for the last quarter might have been more effective and introducing substitutes sooner to replace “tired” players might have been sensible. Barlow was energetic and enterprising when he appeared and you might have expected Todd Miller to have been given 10 or 15 minutes.
And compared with the previous two matches, it was a pretty dismal watch, maybe because they were confident that they they could retain the advantage and conserve their energy. So overall it was hardly entertaining and it did not compare well with the win at Swindon when the attacking focus was maintained.
Am I expecting too much?
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It’s a work in progress, and Barrow did not deserve a point, they had one option and did nothing but plough it up top to a big man for the last 15 minutes, possibly longer. It was agricultural in the extreme.
We looked more comfortable and confident, however we didn’t threaten their keeper much in the second half, and they were there for the taking. I did feel we held back rather than go for it.
The inter play is slowly coming with wing backs and wide midfielders. Molly and Brown, Maxwell and Hurst.
Was it exciting - No I agree, it was beige as a game, with only the odd spark.
Are we better, and do we look like we have a plan - Absolutely
Is DS the right man - don’t know! The signs are good, and insider info is that he is the best coach we have ever seen- they included the time of Sod & Rok in this, that is some statement, but is no guarantee he will succeed.
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That is indeed some statement, jmt23. Who said it?
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There are only two teams in the division that have won more games than ourselves so far this season. Those wins have been achieved under two managers, both of whom have needed sacking according to a fair number of our fans. As others have alluded to, life would certainly be interesting if we ever entered fan ownership. We’d need a big budget to keep paying off and recruiting new managers every few weeks.
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'Fan Ownership' doesn't mean every decision being voted on by the fans. It would mean a Board whose members are fans elected by the wider general fandom and left to get on with it until they are re-elected. Usually under the aegis of an organised structure, such as the Supporter's Club or, indeed, the VSC.
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There are only two teams in the division that have won more games than ourselves so far this season. Those wins have been achieved under two managers, both of whom have needed sacking according to a fair number of our fans. As others have alluded to, life would certainly be interesting if we ever entered fan ownership. We’d need a big budget to keep paying off and recruiting new managers every few weeks.
I think the majority just wanted better from Schofield rather than wanting him sacked.
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There are only two teams in the division that have won more games than ourselves so far this season. Those wins have been achieved under two managers, both of whom have needed sacking according to a fair number of our fans. As others have alluded to, life would certainly be interesting if we ever entered fan ownership. We’d need a big budget to keep paying off and recruiting new managers every few weeks.
I think the majority just wanted better from Schofield rather than wanting him sacked.
I don't think there's ever been a majority even heavily criticising him, let alone asking for him to be sacked. Easy to blow a few comments out of proportion.
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'Fan Ownership' doesn't mean every decision being voted on by the fans. It would mean a Board whose members are fans elected by the wider general fandom and left to get on with it until they are re-elected. Usually under the aegis of an organised structure, such as the Supporter's Club or, indeed, the VSC.
Well the VSC is a supporters trust, therefore a legally recognised and regulated entity that exists to promote best governance and practice within the football club and to step in if required. I've said this before, but if you need to create a supporters trust because your club is in danger then it's already too late.
The supporters club is not in a position to do that.
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It’s a work in progress, and Barrow did not deserve a point, they had one option and did nothing but plough it up top to a big man for the last 15 minutes, possibly longer. It was agricultural in the extreme.
We looked more comfortable and confident, however we didn’t threaten their keeper much in the second half, and they were there for the taking. I did feel we held back rather than go for it.
The inter play is slowly coming with wing backs and wide midfielders. Molly and Brown, Maxwell and Hurst.
Was it exciting - No I agree, it was beige as a game, with only the odd spark.
Are we better, and do we look like we have a plan - Absolutely
Is DS the right man - don’t know! The signs are good, and insider info is that he is the best coach we have ever seen- they included the time of Sod & Rok in this, that is some statement, but is no guarantee he will succeed.
Yes the signs are good, thankfully. But as to your comment about him being the best coach we have ever seen is also something I've been hearing for a long time around the club. Apparently training sessions are a delight for all the players and if we continue to see the improvement we have then maybe those comments are justified. I certainly hope so.
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There are only two teams in the division that have won more games than ourselves so far this season. Those wins have been achieved under two managers, both of whom have needed sacking according to a fair number of our fans. As others have alluded to, life would certainly be interesting if we ever entered fan ownership. We’d need a big budget to keep paying off and recruiting new managers every few weeks.
I think the majority just wanted better from Schofield rather than wanting him sacked.
Totally agree with that, we just needed the results
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There are only two teams in the division that have won more games than ourselves so far this season. Those wins have been achieved under two managers, both of whom have needed sacking according to a fair number of our fans. As others have alluded to, life would certainly be interesting if we ever entered fan ownership. We’d need a big budget to keep paying off and recruiting new managers every few weeks.
I think the majority just wanted better from Schofield rather than wanting him sacked.
I don't think there's ever been a majority even heavily criticising him, let alone asking for him to be sacked. Easy to blow a few comments out of proportion.
This poster does it often in order to frame anybody with any criticism at all being dumb and fickle. I’d be interested to hear if he’d have given McSheffrey the sack or not.
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It’s a work in progress, and Barrow did not deserve a point, they had one option and did nothing but plough it up top to a big man for the last 15 minutes, possibly longer. It was agricultural in the extreme.
We looked more comfortable and confident, however we didn’t threaten their keeper much in the second half, and they were there for the taking. I did feel we held back rather than go for it.
The inter play is slowly coming with wing backs and wide midfielders. Molly and Brown, Maxwell and Hurst.
Was it exciting - No I agree, it was beige as a game, with only the odd spark.
Are we better, and do we look like we have a plan - Absolutely
Is DS the right man - don’t know! The signs are good, and insider info is that he is the best coach we have ever seen- they included the time of Sod & Rok in this, that is some statement, but is no guarantee he will succeed.
Yes the signs are good, thankfully. But as to your comment about him being the best coach we have ever seen is also something I've been hearing for a long time around the club. Apparently training sessions are a delight for all the players and if we continue to see the improvement we have then maybe those comments are justified. I certainly hope so.
SM: That's interesting and in a way surprising. To me, Schofield comes over as unemotional, detached and lacking in empathy. You would assume from his interview manner that training would be focused on the technical, because that is the way in which he relates events in matches rather than talking about the "actors", the players as individuals. If they genuinely like to work with him then it is a very definite "plus" (reminiscent of the way SOD was admired by his squad). I'd like to hope for more evidence of the fun by way of enthusiasm, enjoyment and therefore entertainment in the spectacle on the pitch.
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SM: That's interesting and in a way surprising. To me, Schofield comes over as unemotional, detached and lacking in empathy.
How in the Lord's prayer do you come to that conclusion from a couple of minutes-long sound-bite football interviews?
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There are only two teams in the division that have won more games than ourselves so far this season. Those wins have been achieved under two managers, both of whom have needed sacking according to a fair number of our fans. As others have alluded to, life would certainly be interesting if we ever entered fan ownership. We’d need a big budget to keep paying off and recruiting new managers every few weeks.
I think the majority just wanted better from Schofield rather than wanting him sacked.
I don't think there's ever been a majority even heavily criticising him, let alone asking for him to be sacked. Easy to blow a few comments out of proportion.
This poster does it often in order to frame anybody with any criticism at all being dumb and fickle. I’d be interested to hear if he’d have given McSheffrey the sack or not.
The poster never referred to a majority, although they would be inclined to point to the title of the thread and several of the earlier comments within it before anyone tries to imply that nobody wanted the current manager gone. The poster made it clear earlier in the year that, regrettably, it was time for a change as McSheffrey’s time neared the end. But the poster would prefer we didn’t keep on changing managers, and is right behind the current one.
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Since December 1st we have averaged 1.64 points a game not bad going if we can keep it up we have a chance of the playoffs
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The manager takes the pelters on here when we lose for bad selections and tactics, yet where are those posters when we win, not only win, but win three on the bounce with 3 clean sheets. Who was responsible for those eh?
Doesn’t mean performances shouldn’t be looked at for improvement, but surely give credit where it’s due?
It’s amazing that some posters only appear after a defeat
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No it's not RD, it is expected
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I think Schofield knows he still has alot to do. We're still some way from being an efficient outfit.
From what we can see it looks like the players believe in him and the system the way we set up however, it's the consistency and how we respond during games when things don't go to plan etc, That's as much a mental approach as it is a technical one .
Something that struck me over these last few games is how the players dig in and do the basics much better. We've seen some really good defending from Brown, Maxwell, Hurst, Molyneux who've all contributed to reducing the crosses coming in from wide areas (one of our long standing weaknesses). It's things like this which show they've bought into Schofields methods and are prepared to work for each other. From a coaches perspective this is huge as it means he can add value with individual and collective coaching gradually.
We heard from Copps sometime ago about him wanting the players to want to be challenged in training, be prepared to learn rather than going through the motions.
Sessions have to be meaningful, fun and be hard at times. Building up emotional resilience isn't easy but that's when players start taking responsibility for their own actions without fear, trusting their teammates will be there when it goes wrong. (This is where SO'D excelled)
Yes, individuals make a difference, such as Olowu, but we've seem some good basic defending from the rest too.
As long as Schofield keeps reinforcing the good things whilst gradually eradicating the not so good, coming out on the right side of close matches is more likely.
For him he sees the bigger picture and each game is a stepping stone to where he wants to be so that's why he's not emotionally distracted by results but more focussed on performances and individual players improving.
We're still at that stage when wheels can fall off but it's fascinating to see we are becoming more resilient. One of those mantras "The more we practice, the luckier we get".
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The manager takes the pelters on here when we lose for bad selections and tactics, yet where are those posters when we win, not only win, but win three on the bounce with 3 clean sheets. Who was responsible for those eh?
Doesn’t mean performances shouldn’t be looked at for improvement, but surely give credit where it’s due?
It’s amazing that some posters only appear after a defeat
Ridiculous comment. It could equally be said that some posters are noticeable by their absence after a defeat!
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Some players have stepped up more (Maxwell, Olowu coming back, Close and Molyneux) and some of the new lads have made an impact (Brown and Lakin especially). It’s a more solid and cohesive set up. Two big challenges ahead though.
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The manager takes the pelters on here when we lose for bad selections and tactics, yet where are those posters when we win, not only win, but win three on the bounce with 3 clean sheets. Who was responsible for those eh?
Doesn’t mean performances shouldn’t be looked at for improvement, but surely give credit where it’s due?
It’s amazing that some posters only appear after a defeat
Ridiculous comment. It could equally be said that some posters are noticeable by their absence after a defeat!
And here comes the cavalry
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The manager takes the pelters on here when we lose for bad selections and tactics, yet where are those posters when we win, not only win, but win three on the bounce with 3 clean sheets. Who was responsible for those eh?
Doesn’t mean performances shouldn’t be looked at for improvement, but surely give credit where it’s due?
It’s amazing that some posters only appear after a defeat
Ridiculous comment. It could equally be said that some posters are noticeable by their absence after a defeat!
I think the proof is in open view in the forum EfD
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Some posters stay away after a defeat as they know full well what the general tone on here will be like, and have better things to do with their evenings than get dragged into unwanted arguments.
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The manager takes the pelters on here when we lose for bad selections and tactics, yet where are those posters when we win, not only win, but win three on the bounce with 3 clean sheets. Who was responsible for those eh?
Doesn’t mean performances shouldn’t be looked at for improvement, but surely give credit where it’s due?
It’s amazing that some posters only appear after a defeat
Ridiculous comment. It could equally be said that some posters are noticeable by their absence after a defeat!
And here comes the cavalry
Whoa. It seems I might have hit a nerve.
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Really!!!?
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It’s a work in progress, and Barrow did not deserve a point, they had one option and did nothing but plough it up top to a big man for the last 15 minutes, possibly longer. It was agricultural in the extreme.
We looked more comfortable and confident, however we didn’t threaten their keeper much in the second half, and they were there for the taking. I did feel we held back rather than go for it.
The inter play is slowly coming with wing backs and wide midfielders. Molly and Brown, Maxwell and Hurst.
Was it exciting - No I agree, it was beige as a game, with only the odd spark.
Are we better, and do we look like we have a plan - Absolutely
Is DS the right man - don’t know! The signs are good, and insider info is that he is the best coach we have ever seen- they included the time of Sod & Rok in this, that is some statement, but is no guarantee he will succeed.
Yes the signs are good, thankfully. But as to your comment about him being the best coach we have ever seen is also something I've been hearing for a long time around the club. Apparently training sessions are a delight for all the players and if we continue to see the improvement we have then maybe those comments are justified. I certainly hope so.
SM: That's interesting and in a way surprising. To me, Schofield comes over as unemotional, detached and lacking in empathy. You would assume from his interview manner that training would be focused on the technical, because that is the way in which he relates events in matches rather than talking about the "actors", the players as individuals. If they genuinely like to work with him then it is a very definite "plus" (reminiscent of the way SOD was admired by his squad). I'd like to hope for more evidence of the fun by way of enthusiasm, enjoyment and therefore entertainment in the spectacle on the pitch.
Your constant bashing of schofield is becoming tiresome.
Who cares how he comes across in interviews, the fact is he’s improving the team.
Enjoy it
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It’s a work in progress, and Barrow did not deserve a point, they had one option and did nothing but plough it up top to a big man for the last 15 minutes, possibly longer. It was agricultural in the extreme.
We looked more comfortable and confident, however we didn’t threaten their keeper much in the second half, and they were there for the taking. I did feel we held back rather than go for it.
The inter play is slowly coming with wing backs and wide midfielders. Molly and Brown, Maxwell and Hurst.
Was it exciting - No I agree, it was beige as a game, with only the odd spark.
Are we better, and do we look like we have a plan - Absolutely
Is DS the right man - don’t know! The signs are good, and insider info is that he is the best coach we have ever seen- they included the time of Sod & Rok in this, that is some statement, but is no guarantee he will succeed.
Yes the signs are good, thankfully. But as to your comment about him being the best coach we have ever seen is also something I've been hearing for a long time around the club. Apparently training sessions are a delight for all the players and if we continue to see the improvement we have then maybe those comments are justified. I certainly hope so.
SM: That's interesting and in a way surprising. To me, Schofield comes over as unemotional, detached and lacking in empathy. You would assume from his interview manner that training would be focused on the technical, because that is the way in which he relates events in matches rather than talking about the "actors", the players as individuals. If they genuinely like to work with him then it is a very definite "plus" (reminiscent of the way SOD was admired by his squad). I'd like to hope for more evidence of the fun by way of enthusiasm, enjoyment and therefore entertainment in the spectacle on the pitch.
Your constant bashing of schofield is becoming tiresome.
Who cares how he comes across in interviews, the fact is he’s improving the team.
Enjoy it
In the same way some people couldnt handle SOD interviews, or the way Moore rambled his way through everything and Dickov talked a good game. In the end it doesnt really matter. Improvement, style and results on the pitch are all that counts.
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Alongside JC, he’s the best thing that has happened to this club in years.
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Interestingly, Tommy Rowe in his latest interview on ifollow said very little had changed in terms of the team's approach to the last 3 games, they are sticking to the game plan prescribed by Danny Schofield. If I recall correctly the golden era under Sean O'Driscol was slow to pick up steam but then his style of play started to bring results. Maybe DS is the new messiah and happy days are on the way.
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Interestingly, Tommy Rowe in his latest interview on ifollow said very little had changed in terms of the team's approach to the last 3 games, they are sticking to the game plan prescribed by Danny Schofield. If I recall correctly the golden era under Sean O'Driscol was slow to pick up steam but then his style of play started to bring results. Maybe DS is the new messiah and happy days are on the way.
it was never gonna be easy to get used to how DS wants to play as it was a complete change from McSheffrey, still improvements there to be made but at least we’re seeing a clear style of play and every player is buying into what DS wants.
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It was very noticeable in the last game that there was very little playing out from the back, perhaps DS has come to the conclusion that he doesn't have the calibre of players to do it all the time successfully.
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I think it was as much played out from back using Maxwell and Brown, as it was launched long. Didn’t go through middle though that’s true.
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Interestingly, Tommy Rowe in his latest interview on ifollow said very little had changed in terms of the team's approach to the last 3 games, they are sticking to the game plan prescribed by Danny Schofield. If I recall correctly the golden era under Sean O'Driscol was slow to pick up steam but then his style of play started to bring results. Maybe DS is the new messiah and happy days are on the way.
it was never gonna be easy to get used to how DS wants to play as it was a complete change from McSheffrey, still improvements there to be made but at least we’re seeing a clear style of play and every player is buying into what DS wants.
Let's not forget that DS has largely had to work with the hand he was dealt by McSheffrey's and Wellens's recruitment. Replacing Knoyle with someone who can actually defend and Clayton with a more mobile combative midfielder look to have improved the team. The next step is to address the forward line. Lavery is the immediate hope here - Mbappe wasn't available (!) - but, at the very least he will face an adjustment period from the level he was playing at at Scunthorpe.
My sense is that any real progress will come too late for us to make the play-offs. But then again my ambition at the start of the season was to see us bottom out of the slide we'd got into over the last couple of years.
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Interestingly, Tommy Rowe in his latest interview on ifollow said very little had changed in terms of the team's approach to the last 3 games, they are sticking to the game plan prescribed by Danny Schofield. If I recall correctly the golden era under Sean O'Driscol was slow to pick up steam but then his style of play started to bring results. Maybe DS is the new messiah and happy days are on the way.
it was never gonna be easy to get used to how DS wants to play as it was a complete change from McSheffrey, still improvements there to be made but at least we’re seeing a clear style of play and every player is buying into what DS wants.
Let's not forget that DS has largely had to work with the hand he was dealt by McSheffrey's and Wellens's recruitment. Replacing Knoyle with someone who can actually defend and Clayton with a more mobile combative midfielder look to have improved the team. The next step is to address the forward line. Lavery is the immediate hope here - Mbappe wasn't available (!) - but, at the very least he will face an adjustment period from the level he was playing at at Scunthorpe.
My sense is that any real progress will come too late for us to make the play-offs. But then again my ambition at the start of the season was to see us bottom out of the slide we'd got into over the last couple of years.
Someone like Ryan Bowman or Joe Ironside would work well. Good in the air but can also press and work hard like Miller.
Molyneux needs unlocking as a source of goals.