The Elephant in the room !

[i_ateallthepies]

We make too many bad decisions as a club. Until we start making more decisions that add value than ones that take value away, we will struggle.

Just to name a few recently-

-Giving Butler and Gary Mc the managers job.
-The head of football restructure shambles.
-The binning of the HoF role.
-The amount of 30yo+ players we sign that add zero to the cause.
-The amount of sentimental contracts we hand out that end up setting fire to money. Taylor, Anderson, Rowe.
-The trap we fall into every January signing awful strikers that end up offering Zero. Agard, Bogle, Lavery.
-Signing players that have never ever proven to be anything other than average (or less than average) L2 players. Sterry, Molyneux, Biggins, Lawlor, Miller.
-Signing players that become surplus to requirements a few weeks into the season due to changing the system. Roberts, Sotona.
-Too many players signed that are unproven at the level with no history of being able to identify this profile of player well. Bailey, Marsh, Roberts, Faal, Broadbent, Senior, Nixon. Some have been ok admittedly but too many question marks there.

It’s easy to say “hindsight has 20/20 etc” but these were things I highlighted at the start of the season (and last season) and it’s all playing out in a way that’s certainly not positive.

We have zero concept of risk when managing the club, controlling operations and assessing signings.

To improve any business, venture or situation you need to make more positive expected value decisions than negative expected value decisions. These small value additions then compound. We are doing the reverse, compounding the negative ones.

It’s not even a case of making more better decisions at the minute, we have to start making less bad ones first of all. Will TB replacing DB as chairman improve this? Potentially as I’m sure Gavin will get a bit more influence on the sporting side and I think he’s got a better instinct than DB had regarding the big decisions.

I’ve said it before DB ran a business, not a Football Club, great for a business like Keepmoat, awful for a football club

Recent games have been horrific. Games before that we have been doing well. Definitely some improvement this season.

But if you step back and take a deep breath, we have been going backwards as a club at an alarming rate the last 3 seasons at least. Rarely have we consistently played well, we have cycled through managers, made diabolical signing after diabolical signing, none of which have we managed to monetise ultimately and indeed in Watters and May managed to somehow give away for free players that were sold by lesser clubs than us for big fees, got relegated, seen attendances dwindle to an embarrassing level, and ultimately find ourselves in the bottom 6 of the 92.

This is in spite of having stable ownership with a more than adequate budget to compete in this level, excellent infrastructure, support despite thinning out still way more than most of this league, and a top manager for this level.

Anyone care to figure? It's a disaster zone.

Lack of competence from the player conditioning coaching
Lack of competence from the medical team
Lack of competence from those responsible for player recruitment.


All of those factors have impacted our ability to compete for the last three seasons.  It would appear with the new Head of Medical that at least one of those problems is now recognised but whatever, Grant McCann isn't responsible for any of this shit-show.

[Goole Rover]

Anyone who rate’s Schofield as a manager knows sweet FA about football…..end of.

As with Dickov before him, I bet he never managers another EFL team.

I don't think anyone rated schofield.

Dickov’s job was a lot more difficult than Schofield’s and in my opinion he didn’t get a fair crack of the whip.

[Chris Black come back]

Factually and objectively, Dickov was within the tiniest of margins of keeping us in the Championship during the 2013/14 season. If he had done that, it would have been a huge achievement.

Somehow he managed to make a harder job of competing in League One and was another manager in recent history who made horrific transfer decisions that held us back for a number of seasons after he left. Front of mind is the two year deal for Dany N'Guessen (played 9 games in two seasons, zero goals), Gary MacKenzie and Abdul Razak. Probably more just as bad.

[In the box]

It’s getting harder to see why we struggling when there is so much support for McCann …

[DonnyOsmond]

Anyone who rate’s Schofield as a manager knows sweet FA about football…..end of.

As with Dickov before him, I bet he never managers another EFL team.

I don't think anyone rated schofield.

Dickov’s job was a lot more difficult than Schofield’s and in my opinion he didn’t get a fair crack of the whip.

Dickov was a horrific manager. One of few men who couldn't work out how to get Billy Sharp scoring goals.

We had a squad of Turnbull, Johnstone, Khumalo, Coppinger, Cotterill, Duffy, Sharp, Brown, Tamas, Meite, Macheda.

[German Rover]

Anyone who rate’s Schofield as a manager knows sweet FA about football…..end of.

As with Dickov before him, I bet he never managers another EFL team.

I don't think anyone rated schofield.

Dickov’s job was a lot more difficult than Schofield’s and in my opinion he didn’t get a fair crack of the whip.

Dickov shouldn't have got the job in the first place. Only got it because he lived next door to the chairman at the time.

[normal rules]

The elephant in the room is the trapdoor to the National lge. Very few seem to be talking about it.

[i_ateallthepies]

The elephant in the room is the trapdoor to the National lge. Very few seem to be talking about it.

This.  Even just a week ago absolutely nobody was talking about it given the points totals of the bottom two.  Now, in just two games see how different things look, we are in serious trouble without some seriously good early incomings in the transfer window.

[In the box]

The elephant in the room is the trapdoor to the National lge. Very few seem to be talking about it.

This.  Even just a week ago absolutely nobody was talking about it given the points totals of the bottom two.  Now, in just two games see how different things look, we are in serious trouble without some seriously good early incomings in the transfer window.

This form is three seasons old not just a week old , motivating players to complete is McCanns job and every other manger before him so let him pull HIS fingered out and prove that the supporters weren’t deluded when he was handed to job.

[ravenrover]

McCanns problem is that it is the same 11 or 12 players week in week out. He is trying to find a system that will fit the players available rathet than players to fit the system. The biggest problem is that at least 4 or 5 don't fit in to any system he tries

[Lesonthewest]

The elephant in the room is the trapdoor to the National lge. Very few seem to be talking about it.

It's there & staring us bang in the face. We'll just have to trust GM,TB, & GB to steady the ship & get the points needed to survive. Next month is massive, make no mistake.

[i_ateallthepies]

The elephant in the room is the trapdoor to the National lge. Very few seem to be talking about it.

This.  Even just a week ago absolutely nobody was talking about it given the points totals of the bottom two.  Now, in just two games see how different things look, we are in serious trouble without some seriously good early incomings in the transfer window.

This form is three seasons old not just a week old , motivating players to complete is McCanns job and every other manger before him so let him pull HIS fingered out and prove that the supporters weren’t deluded when he was handed to job.

A couple of weeks ago Selby on here wrote something about the desire of players when they get on the pitch comes from within them, their desire and tenacity to compete is a deeply embedded character trait (apologies to Selby if my paraphrasing doesn't quite hit the spot), and he is absolutely correct in that view.  The manager can have only a very brief positive motivating affect on a player which is very quickly forgotten once they get into the heat of the battle.

On the other hand, it certainly is possible for a person to have a demotivating affect on someone and is less likely to be quickly forgotten, and I am certainly not suggesting this is happening with GM.

[Avsuptem]

The Manager's job is to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. Most of us here believe Mc Cann is a man who can do this. Right now he is either failing miserably or our players are simply below league 2 standard.

[ncRover]

The Manager's job is to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. Most of us here believe Mc Cann is a man who can do this. Right now he is either failing miserably or our players are simply below league 2 standard.

The current spine of the team.

Lawlor
Olowu
Anderson
Biggins

Is not league 2 standard.

We know for certain that the goalkeeper isn’t, being Dundee’s reserve in the Scottish Championship.

[Chris Black come back]

The Manager's job is to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. Most of us here believe Mc Cann is a man who can do this. Right now he is either failing miserably or our players are simply below league 2 standard.

The current spine of the team.

Lawlor
Olowu
Anderson
Biggins

Is not league 2 standard.

We know for certain that the goalkeeper isn’t, being Dundee’s reserve in the Scottish Championship.

Knows the club.

[graingrover]

I think this guy Grant McCann may be our saviour and by that I mean of the CLUB not the season.
The very best way of surviving this is with Terry Bramall , Gavin Baldwin and Grant McCann working together from Jan onwards when TB is back in U.K. from holiday apparently .
I would add to that  trio ,John Ryan ,but as Fans’Honorary Representative with a brief to be the PR Ambassador of the club .

[normal rules]

I think this guy GM may be our saviour and by that I mean of the CLUB not the season.
The very best way of surviving this is with TB , GB. GMcC plyus JR as Honorary President of the DRFC fans . Meanwhile it may just depend on the fans NOT pissing GMcC off.

I think GM has the majority of fans backing.
It was telling at meadow lane with a very vocal “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” that’s directed very much at players, not manager. And in his after match interview, he as near as damn it supports the fans for their valid opinion. In GM we trust.

[danumdon]

The vast majority of right thinking supporters know that a manager like GM is more than enough for our salvation.

The results may be worse at this point than last season but if you bring in a manager like this you have to back him,injuries, lack of form and just plain lack of application has massively affected us. i'm not sure how many of the players who were brought in were actually GM picks or if he just went along with what was already in motion, either way he needs to be given time and the tools to work with.

Its very harsh to judge a manager until he's had enough time to build the squad in the manner he wants and to implement his style of play into players, even at this time with players who are obviously not suited to what he actually wants to do.

Im quite sure that given the time and opportunity with the players he actually wants GM will turn this club around and get us back on some sort of even keel to be able to push on, patience more than anything is required by us all.

[ravenrover]

I think this guy GM may be our saviour and by that I mean of the CLUB not the season.
The very best way of surviving this is with TB , GB. GMcC plyus JR as Honorary President of the DRFC fans . Meanwhile it may just depend on the fans NOT pissing GMcC off.

I think GM has the majority of fans backing.
It was telling at meadow lane with a very vocal “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” that’s directed very much at players, not manager. And in his after match interview, he as near as damn it supports the fans for their valid opinion. In GM we trust.

I thought the opposite regarding the fans reaction at the end. He said it wasn't good to hear, or words to that effect

[mushRTID]

I think GM declined to comment on the chanting as he probably agrees with the fans. The players are useless and he knows it.

[Jonathan]

You would have to be an absolute fool to think that we need to change the manager. Regrettably we do have some fools amongst our fanbase, but hopefully not many are that foolish.

McCann is the best manager we could possibly have, anyone else would be a significant step down. We need to give him the time and opportunity to get this right, and he will.

[StocksArmy]

I think GM declined to comment on the chanting as he probably agrees with the fans. The players are useless and he knows it.

Out of interest, what were the chants that rattled him at FT?

[mushRTID]

I think GM declined to comment on the chanting as he probably agrees with the fans. The players are useless and he knows it.

Out of interest, what were the chants that rattled him at FT?

You’re not fit to wear the shirt.

I’m not sure they rattled him to be honest, he just got asked about it and declined to comment.


I personally thought they were a bit harsh given the injuries.

[StocksArmy]

It is harsh although probably only aimed at a certain percentage of the team who won't be professional footballers for much longer. Some supporters are just idiots. There was one person around me at Tranmere booing the players for giving the ball away at the point we were 0-1 up. Also giving Mo dogs abuse every time he went near it. Those type of so called fans really need to find a new hobby.

[Lesonthewest]

The elephant in the room is the trapdoor to the National lge. Very few seem to be talking about it.

This.  Even just a week ago absolutely nobody was talking about it given the points totals of the bottom two.  Now, in just two games see how different things look, we are in serious trouble without some seriously good early incomings in the transfer window.

This form is three seasons old not just a week old , motivating players to complete is McCanns job and every other manger before him so let him pull HIS fingered out and prove that the supporters weren’t deluded when he was handed to job.

A couple of weeks ago Selby on here wrote something about the desire of players when they get on the pitch comes from within them, their desire and tenacity to compete is a deeply embedded character trait (apologies to Selby if my paraphrasing doesn't quite hit the spot), and he is absolutely correct in that view.  The manager can have only a very brief positive motivating affect on a player which is very quickly forgotten once they get into the heat of the battle.

On the other hand, it certainly is possible for a person to have a demotivating affect on someone and is less likely to be quickly forgotten, and I am certainly not suggesting this is happening with GM.

There is a distinct lack of character, leadership, & togetherness, no talking, nobody to drag a game by the scruff of the neck. There seems to me to be players, & staff here that have it too easy a ride for far too long. Get them out of our club. Maybe the players get on ok with each other, but on the pitch team spirit looks miles away from what it should be, & certainly from a Grant McCann team.

[Alan Southstand]

It’s the complete lack of ‘mesters’ in our team, as BST has said on many occasions, that sees heads go down. There’s nobody driving anyone on - not one player. They’re all mentally weak and most seem to be physically weak also, relative to any opposition you care to mention.

It’s to be hoped we get a steely motivator in January, preferably on the 1st. Untried and untested youngsters are not the answer right now.

[Bollinger]

It’s the complete lack of ‘mesters’ in our team, as BST has said on many occasions, that sees heads go down. There’s nobody driving anyone on - not one player. They’re all mentally weak and most seem to be physically weak also, relative to any opposition you care to mention.

It’s to be hoped we get a steely motivator in January, preferably on the 1st. Untried and untested youngsters are not the answer right now.

There’s a great scene in Life on Mars where Gene Hunt faces down some criminals and says,‘Don’t move, you’re surrounded by armed bas**rds’.

When we won late at Stevenage with that late Rob Jones header my mate said on the way out , ‘we’ve got Gene Hunt’s armed bas**rds playing for us this season’.

Would love just a little bit of that back.

[Colin C No.3]

It’s the complete lack of ‘mesters’ in our team, as BST has said on many occasions, that sees heads go down. There’s nobody driving anyone on - not one player. They’re all mentally weak and most seem to be physically weak also, relative to any opposition you care to mention.

It’s to be hoped we get a steely motivator in January, preferably on the 1st. Untried and untested youngsters are not the answer right now.

We need ‘mesters’ like Brad City’s No.6.

Now he just does know how to ‘kick someone’ while they’re down, apparently.

[In the box]

Why are we easy to beat .
Tactics wrong for each game ?
Players selection ?
Players just not good enough ?
Manager too popular ?
Performances are over all poor even for L2.
Injuries played a big part this season , yet it’s a squad that lacks depth in its experience and leadership.
I like McCann but it hard to see with these performances where he has the stamped his mark this time around .

The Elephant is still here !!

[i_ateallthepies]

And so is the monkey.  Anyone expecting a team with three new signings and two other changes to produce immediate results knows nothing about football and is just on here to show how stupid he can be.