David Blunt

[Ronnie Dovers]

I actually came on here this morning to post my thoughts on DB, before seeing the JR thread, his opinions and the consequent derailing of that thread. So I just thought I'd start my own, with the opinions I came on here initially to air.

I place the vast majority of blame for our recent decline on DB. He has overseen abject failure over a sustained period. But here's why I really don't like him:

Last season, Gavin Baldwin become the target of abuse from the reactionary part of our fanbase. Some of it was very personal, and way out of line. Those of us who take the time and effort to inform ourselves know that GB is considered to be huge asset to the club. The commercial side of the club, which he runs, has gone from strength to strength under him. We also know he has no direct, final say in setting budgets, or other footballing decisions. Yet when he was made a scapegoat, did our chairman, the man in charge of our whole operation, step forward to defend GB? To explain that he's done a great job for the club, that he isn't to blame for on field decline? No, he kept quiet, and happily let GB be his human shield.

Skip to this season, and DB starts it with his bouncing back decisively comment, which increasingly looks at best deluded, or at worst a blatant lie. Now let's assume Copps, a club legend now in charge of the football operation, took that role on a similar understanding that we'd have a budget to compete right at the top of this league. When we then seemingly start underperforming in this league, now it's Copps (and GM/DS) taking the brunt of fan frustration. DB is now using a club legend as his human shield. But what we now know is that we actually have a mid table budget. So are we actually underperforming sat in 12th? Is Copps actually doing a bad job, and is he to blame? Or is our chairman once again staying quiet whilst another member of his staff, this time a club legend who is undoubtedly trying their absolute best, becomes his scapegoat?

This is all purely my opinion from the outside looking in over the last couple of years. It's not a comment on DS, his appointment, our recruitment, our style of play, JR's opinion, or anything else. It's purely about our overall decline over the last 2 years. I'm just interested to see who agrees or disagrees, and why.

Personally I think getting rid of DB is the first step on our road to recovery.

[Cramby10]

He’s the invisible man. Does he even exist? I actually have no clue what this bloke even looks like.

[Barmby Rover]

It depends on what "success" is and what the "5 year plan" is. If it is to remove football from the stadium then it is going swimmingly, the Rugby Union club must be wringing their hands in anticipation at a ground swap within 2-3 years. If blame is to be allocated I would firmly place it with the owner and his acolytes, all of which would far more prefer to be watching the Knights than waste their Saturdays at a football game.

[Filo]

I actually came on here this morning to post my thoughts on DB, before seeing the JR thread, his opinions and the consequent derailing of that thread. So I just thought I'd start my own, with the opinions I came on here initially to air.

I place the vast majority of blame for our recent decline on DB. He has overseen abject failure over a sustained period. But here's why I really don't like him:

Last season, Gavin Baldwin become the target of abuse from the reactionary part of our fanbase. Some of it was very personal, and way out of line. Those of us who take the time and effort to inform ourselves know that GB is considered to be huge asset to the club. The commercial side of the club, which he runs, has gone from strength to strength under him. We also know he has no direct, final say in setting budgets, or other footballing decisions. Yet when he was made a scapegoat, did our chairman, the man in charge of our whole operation, step forward to defend GB? To explain that he's done a great job for the club, that he isn't to blame for on field decline? No, he kept quiet, and happily let GB be his human shield.

Skip to this season, and DB starts it with his bouncing back decisively comment, which increasingly looks at best deluded, or at worst a blatant lie. Now let's assume Copps, a club legend now in charge of the football operation, took that role on a similar understanding that we'd have a budget to compete right at the top of this league. When we then seemingly start underperforming in this league, now it's Copps (and GM/DS) taking the brunt of fan frustration. DB is now using a club legend as his human shield. But what we now know is that we actually have a mid table budget. So are we actually underperforming sat in 12th? Is Copps actually doing a bad job, and is he to blame? Or is our chairman once again staying quiet whilst another member of his staff, this time a club legend who is undoubtedly trying their absolute best, becomes his scapegoat?

This is all purely my opinion from the outside looking in over the last couple of years. It's not a comment on DS, his appointment, our recruitment, our style of play, JR's opinion, or anything else. It's purely about our overall decline over the last 2 years. I'm just interested to see who agrees or disagrees, and why.

Personally I think getting rid of DB is the first step on our road to recovery.

I can go with that, a good assesment

[Chris Black come back]

I get why people are looking for a simple scapegoat, given how terrible the football is and has been for some time. One man changing roles is not going to solve anything and one man was not the cause.

We are where we are because of making tough decisions to do what nigh on no other club at this level has managed to do, in making the club standalone financially secure by and large. One outcome of this is that our budget is modest rather than impressive. We don’t require external support.

The second issue is that our modest budget has been used terribly in recent years. Moving some personnel around might help with decisions on this point but the bigger picture isn’t going to change - we have impressive financial security and are not on the hook for the whim and will of a benefactor.

A final point. A good result for us is getting back into League One and staying there. We are not going to be back in the Championship and we are not going to be top half Championship. These are things that are not going to happen so supporters need to get real.

[Scooter]

He’s the invisible man. Does he even exist? I actually have no clue what this bloke even looks like.

I said this to my wife yesterday - if Terry or Gavin knocked on my door I would know who they are and invite them in. If David Blunt did I would send him on his way as I would have no idea who he is

[Sammy Chung was King]

There is a lot more going wrong than just David Blunt. Nobody would care if the funding was leading to the manager producing a good team with good performances. The link between board to football field isn’t working.

The obsession with trying to balance the books is hurting us on the field. Nobody wants a club in trouble but ambition went down the road a fair few years ago.

[donnyallday]

Blunt looks like Alec Gilroy from Coronation street

[Cramby10]

Blunt looks like Alec Gilroy from Coronation street

ha ha. Now there’s a blast from the past!!

[Campsall rover]

Blunt looks like Alec Gilroy from Coronation street

Really. 

[danumdon]

See, i don't get this, "we have a mid table budget so we must compete at a mid level" in this or any other division teams have performed well above their pay grade, its happening right now in all the divisions.

We can all find fault with individuals in the club be it the owner, chairmen, commercial, HOF, coach, players, tea boy. but i think we have to accept that under this regime it will be what they want to happen, so we have to persevere with the chairmen, HOF, coach and these players until such a time that something changes, and that can only happen with the owners agreement.

In the meantime we need all the individuals involved to raise their game, the money side will not be changing any time soon unless its to reduce to even lower levels, so for us the team management need to get their act together and produce something which passes as a football team from now until the seasons end, this will involve the coach  having to alter his principles and create the framework for these players to perform, its been too obvious for far too long now that he cannot get his tune out of this club, if we don't adjust our attitude then i can see the team playing its final league matches in an empty stadium.

We all know the board don't want this so some honest truths need to be found and souls need to be searched, in fact they need to do whatever is required to get a tune out of this team before the seasons end.

The summer close season is going to be awful, once again.

After that , who knows?

[drfchound]

I get why people are looking for a simple scapegoat, given how terrible the football is and has been for some time. One man changing roles is not going to solve anything and one man was not the cause.

We are where we are because of making tough decisions to do what nigh on no other club at this level has managed to do, in making the club standalone financially secure by and large. One outcome of this is that our budget is modest rather than impressive. We don’t require external support.

The second issue is that our modest budget has been used terribly in recent years. Moving some personnel around might help with decisions on this point but the bigger picture isn’t going to change - we have impressive financial security and are not on the hook for the whim and will of a benefactor.

A final point. A good result for us is getting back into League One and staying there. We are not going to be back in the Championship and we are not going to be top half Championship. These are things that are not going to happen so supporters need to get real.

SM has said on another thread that there are plenty of clubs, even at our level, making sure that they are balancing the books.

[silent majority]

I get why people are looking for a simple scapegoat, given how terrible the football is and has been for some time. One man changing roles is not going to solve anything and one man was not the cause.

We are where we are because of making tough decisions to do what nigh on no other club at this level has managed to do, in making the club standalone financially secure by and large. One outcome of this is that our budget is modest rather than impressive. We don’t require external support.

The second issue is that our modest budget has been used terribly in recent years. Moving some personnel around might help with decisions on this point but the bigger picture isn’t going to change - we have impressive financial security and are not on the hook for the whim and will of a benefactor.

A final point. A good result for us is getting back into League One and staying there. We are not going to be back in the Championship and we are not going to be top half Championship. These are things that are not going to happen so supporters need to get real.

SM has said on another thread that there are plenty of clubs, even at our level, making sure that they are balancing the books.

Yes there is.

And if anybody wants to take a look at the White Paper issued by DCMS in recent weeks you'll see that it's titled 'A Sustainable Future- Reforming Club Football Governance'

It will be forced on clubs up and down the pyramid.

[Padge_DRFC]

Even if the budget is and has been crap we've spent it so poorly. January windows - Clayton, Agard, Lavery as examples 30+ journeymen that can't even run. No strategy what so ever in recruitment

[Alan Southstand]

I agree, RD, but it’s only a ‘start for 10’ as Bamber Gascogne used to say! There are other things wrong further down the chain, but he is the ‘stopper’ as far as any funds going to the re-building of the squad is required.

When RW got the job, a rebuild was required and, after 4 signings, the budget had all but gone! We couldn’t afford a keeper, a defensive midfielder to replace Whiteman and we were still searching for someone to fill JM’s boots and, guess what, we’re still nowhere near attaining any of those positions.

[Ronnie Dovers]

I get why people are looking for a simple scapegoat, given how terrible the football is and has been for some time. One man changing roles is not going to solve anything and one man was not the cause.

We are where we are because of making tough decisions to do what nigh on no other club at this level has managed to do, in making the club standalone financially secure by and large. One outcome of this is that our budget is modest rather than impressive. We don’t require external support.

The second issue is that our modest budget has been used terribly in recent years. Moving some personnel around might help with decisions on this point but the bigger picture isn’t going to change - we have impressive financial security and are not on the hook for the whim and will of a benefactor.

A final point. A good result for us is getting back into League One and staying there. We are not going to be back in the Championship and we are not going to be top half Championship. These are things that are not going to happen so supporters need to get real.

I agree with most of what you say. I'm not actually looking for one single scapegoat, there's a lot that has gone wrong. But DB has overseen several terrible appointments, the horror show at the end of the first Wellens transfer window, and numerous other embarrassments, that for me would not be accepted in any other situation.

I agree, we should be aiming to challenge in the top 10 of league one, and not expecting a whole lot more. But I think competent management from the top down is what allows us to get back to that.

[Ronnie Dovers]

It depends on what "success" is and what the "5 year plan" is. If it is to remove football from the stadium then it is going swimmingly, the Rugby Union club must be wringing their hands in anticipation at a ground swap within 2-3 years. If blame is to be allocated I would firmly place it with the owner and his acolytes, all of which would far more prefer to be watching the Knights than waste their Saturdays at a football game.

As I started this thread, I think it's important to point out that I think what you're saying is absolute nonsense.

[Ho]

Yes there is.

And if anybody wants to take a look at the White Paper issued by DCMS in recent weeks you'll see that it's titled 'A Sustainable Future- Reforming Club Football Governance'

It will be forced on clubs up and down the pyramid.

Interesting, just flicked through the exec summary and a few sections - a lot of parallels with how financial services are regulated particularly around capital adequacy

SM - in simplistic terms, does that mean if a club do not have the processes to calculate cap ad or the means to fund it, they won't get their licence and therefore won't be able to compete?

[Donny Exile in York]

Blunt needs to go. Schofield needs to go. Bramall needs to go. Presiding over absolute dross performances and results including not one shot against Crewe in the first half as I type after 40 minutes  or in recent months the same pattern of no chances, lack of quality etc. Time to go and most of the players too.

This is the worst state of affairs since about 1996 when Ken Richardson was purposefully sending us into oblivion with a burnt ground to an embarrassing all time low. This shower isant far off it.

[Avsuptem]

Blunt needs to go. Schofield needs to go. Bramall needs to go. Presiding over absolute dross performances and results including not one shot against Crewe in the first half as I type after 40 minutes  or in recent months the same pattern of no chances, lack of quality etc. Time to go and most of the players too.

This is the worst state of affairs since about 1996 when Ken Richardson was purposefully sending us into oblivion with a burnt ground to an embarrassing all time low. This shower isant far off it.

You missed Hurst's shot in the last minute of time added on. Either that or it was a pass to their keeper, not sure which tbh.

[Upton Rover]

Blunt as no cash

[Donny Exile in York]

Blunt needs to go. Schofield needs to go. Bramall needs to go. Presiding over absolute dross performances and results including not one shot against Crewe in the first half as I type after 40 minutes  or in recent months the same pattern of no chances, lack of quality etc. Time to go and most of the players too.

This is the worst state of affairs since about 1996 when Ken Richardson was purposefully sending us into oblivion with a burnt ground to an embarrassing all time low. This shower isant far off it.

You missed Hurst's shot in the last minute of time added on. Either that or it was a pass to their keeper, not sure which tbh.

No Hirst's poor attempt came after I'd posted. It's like groundhog day watching poor defensive displays, under the cosh from minute one as the opposition make a fast start, wayward passes by Molyneux, Hirst bullied off the ball, nowt up front to hold it up, a lack of quality through out the team. It's not just the players, the negative tactics of the manager as a result of limited options particularly a lack of quality up front, and it stems from the Chairman, their strategic vision or lack of, and owners and their investment or lack of.

Time for the whole lot to go. No ideas, no vision, no investment, no passion, no leadership.

[Alan Southstand]

Has he resigned yet?

It would be nice if him & DS went in the same taxi!

[DonnyOsmond]

Wonder if Blunt was brought in to enact managed decline at the club.

[Ronnie Dovers]

Blunt needs to go. Schofield needs to go. Bramall needs to go. Presiding over absolute dross performances and results including not one shot against Crewe in the first half as I type after 40 minutes  or in recent months the same pattern of no chances, lack of quality etc. Time to go and most of the players too.

This is the worst state of affairs since about 1996 when Ken Richardson was purposefully sending us into oblivion with a burnt ground to an embarrassing all time low. This shower isant far off it.

What do you think happens if Bramall just goes? His funding has supported everything we've achieved over the last 10+ years.

It's a ridiculous, brainless thing to ask for.

[Donny Exile in York]

Blunt needs to go. Schofield needs to go. Bramall needs to go. Presiding over absolute dross performances and results including not one shot against Crewe in the first half as I type after 40 minutes  or in recent months the same pattern of no chances, lack of quality etc. Time to go and most of the players too.

This is the worst state of affairs since about 1996 when Ken Richardson was purposefully sending us into oblivion with a burnt ground to an embarrassing all time low. This shower isant far off it.

What do you think happens if Bramall just goes? His funding has supported everything we've achieved over the last 10+ years.

It's a ridiculous, brainless thing to ask for.

Your the brainless one. Supporting the current regime and the decline. So we just carry on into oblivion do we? You happy with 3 season of actual attricoius results, lies over the budget, an empty stadium..  I have never heard such empty headed, spineless, weak drivel as comes from some on here, even over 2 years later after the first pleas for some investment before it was too late. So direct your spineless drivel elsewhere numpty.  If the owners don't invest then you will see so many season ticket holders and match day fans not invest.. why should they to turn up to the dross like today.

We have a great stadium, a cheap annual rent, a great fan base and City, its not the empty vessel you fear which i am sure would attract investment. There was talk on the radio only the other of potential interest.

I'm afraid after the 4th manager, the blame solely on the manager is wearing thin. No more scapegoats for the current regime. The buck stops with the Chairman and owners.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Blunt needs to go. Schofield needs to go. Bramall needs to go. Presiding over absolute dross performances and results including not one shot against Crewe in the first half as I type after 40 minutes  or in recent months the same pattern of no chances, lack of quality etc. Time to go and most of the players too.

This is the worst state of affairs since about 1996 when Ken Richardson was purposefully sending us into oblivion with a burnt ground to an embarrassing all time low. This shower isant far off it.

What do you think happens if Bramall just goes? His funding has supported everything we've achieved over the last 10+ years.

It's a ridiculous, brainless thing to ask for.

Hang on, aren't we self sufficient these days?

Clearly there's zero sign of that model working, someone with cash (not just anyone) is needed to achieve what we want.

But the first step is sacking these horrendous coach. Having said that, who'd touch this job with no backing?

[Alan Southstand]

We must be the laughing stock of the entire EFL right now.

[bobbymax]

Blunt is the barrier to any investment in the club. Until he goes, it's only going to get worse.

[Donny Exile in York]

What gets me is the discounted pricing strategy. In one sense in the current economic climate its to be applauded. However in another its like an incentive as the owners know they are dragging us down so it's like compensation money for the dross we are being subjected to, when most Rovers fans would rather the club had kept it and bought some quality players and kept us as high up the pyramid as possible. That to me is part of a pricing strategy and it would be great to hear the rationale for it. Yes there is inflation and any saving is welcomed to keep fans buying tickets but when the quality is then negated due to resource constraints which Coppinger and others have alluded to, you have to question why such a pricing strategy?

As for Bramalls investment, yes along with Dick Watson and JR, he has invested heavily over the years, and ALL rovers fans are glad about that and the happy memories from 1998-99 to 2021 but Bramalls investment looks to have ended with Watson's sad passing, and is historic, so yes we should be hoping and seeking change to bring about better fortunes on the pitch as otherwise this decline for the past 3 seasons is going to continue. There seems a real apathy and malaise, and you watch performances like that today, and there are too many players coasting and getting paid for poor performances and half hearted attitude on the pitch which is criminal! That is set from above. It certainly wasn't present in the 'were just a pub team having a laugh' culture, you could see the pride of the players giving everything for the shirt.