If GM fails for the 3rd time in getting promotion

[RoversInSpain]

He’s a good manager and we’d struggle to get someone with better credentials I imagine, but his business has been a bit suspect. Some decent loan signings but his permanents haven’t really convinced. The best players in our side this season - Olowu, Sterry, Maxwell, Bailey and Molyneux - all were here when he arrived. Credit for getting them up to this decent standard but we need to add to this with as good or better and that hasn’t really happened, despite our very solid budget.

McCann signed Bailey and Sterry.
Ironside was immense last season and was McCann’s signing.

But he hasn’t had a clear vision of the same system this year because he’s signed /decided to play the wrong type of player in multiple positions.

My first alarm bells were when Sharp was announced because from a player profile point of view it made absolutely no sense.
Gibson replacing Haks gave us no one to stretch the opposition in behind.
Now I hear worrying things like “Ben Close may be on loan in non-league now but he’ll be a great player in league 1”, to paraphrase.

I would like to add, no GM didn’t sign Olowu, but I’m sorry Olowu was a shitshow before GM came. Molyneux was like Gibson is now, so just hold your horses, GM needs 5 years and then this club is challenging for Championship football. TIME ladies and gents TIME

[Nudga]

This a horrible poll to run at this point in the season. But for some crap refs and too much paint on a few goal posts the issue would have zero relevance. I am not going to dignify it by voting.

Well you didn't need to post at all then did you.

[dickos1]

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

[ravenrover]

Stats say only Colchester and Bradford have been better than us  over last 6 matches, whether that includes today not sure

[Plumbster]

I don’t want GM to go but he will know we have underperformed the budget we have. The failure to put together a half decent midfield in particular is perplexing.

[GazLaz]

There are four ways the season can play out. Promoted automatically, promoted via the playoffs, lose in the playoffs or don’t qualify for the playoffs.

What’s the strategy for whichever way the season plays out? For me whatever the result at the end of the season the way we move forward should be the same. The decision making should be based on what we have seen during the season and what’s best for the club in the medium to long term as opposed to being entirely outcome based.

In my opinion, and it’s a fairly confident one, we won’t achieve the level of over achievement we did back in the glory days with this club structure and management team. We might scramble over the line to promotion this season but what is realistically achievable after that? Based on performances this season and the signings we’ve made over the last period of time, not a lot. I’d be happy to see us compete at the top half of L1 but I genuinely don’t see a route there. We are miles away from that level currently. I don’t see what our edge over other similar sized clubs is, I don’t see how we operate smarter than the others, I don’t see what our long term plan is.

Grant is a good guy and a good manager but eventually he will leave, either by his own accord or pushed, then what? Back to the drawing board again with a different manager with a different vision and a different style.

On the original question, I don’t think the answer should differ if we get promoted or not. If we are to carry on the same structure, manager led with full control over everything, he may as well stay.

If we are thinking of rebooting the structure and potentially building on a more long term solid footing, with a plan to potentially build a club capable of punching above its weight, then he goes whether we get promoted or not. He certainly wouldn’t fit that model.

Make no bones about it, if we don’t get promoted this season he’s failed. Part of the responsibility of being the key decision maker is taking full responsibility.

If he was just a head catch part of a more collaborative structure then that’s a different story. There’s more of a shared responsibility.

I just hope we get promoted. 

[sedwardsdrfc]

Problem is when we seemed to try the head coach and recruitment team they weren’t given any money and made some bad decisions. It was what we needed just a shame the solution wasn’t back up with anything substantial and we ended up back at the whim of what the manager wants.

If we don’t go up Grant should hold his hands up. We’ve the players in every position just no clear way of playing which is the managers job. But I wouldn’t sack him. We know he can get a team playing properly and I’m not sure there’s better out there that we could get. If there was that’s another matter

Not that I pay much attention to potential managers but someone at the club should and if they have good evidence we can get better then we should do it. If I had a good idea of someone better I’d no qualms about getting rid if we fail to go up. Remember Grant had no qualms leaving us. That has to work both ways.

[drfchound]

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

I mentioned further up the thread that Port Vale had won.
If you didn’t have so many people on ignore you wouldn’t miss stuff like that.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

Yeah, but once again, as usual when you state something with certainty, you're wrong...

Past 8 games we have 11 points
Bradford, Wimbledon and Port Vale have 13.

Colchester who are in stellar form and within touching distance have 18.

And the real worry is how hard our run in is.

5 of our last 9 games are against teams currently in the top 7. And our record against the better sides in the division this year is woeful.

[drfchound]

Last year, going into the last dozen games our record against everyone  was terrible.
Look what happened then.

[pib]

As a supporter you hold out hope that we will find another gear in the final 9 games and pick up the results against the teams around us, but we’re not seeing very much evidence that that is about to happen at the moment.

Tactics today seemed to be punt it over the top and hope Street can run on to it. We improved marginally when we reverted to punt it in the air to Ironside and hope that something falls to someone, but it was hardly convincing stuff, and I don’t think we can really start games like that because it was a symptom of them retreating and trying to defend their lead.

I’m amazed that we are 37 games in and still look so disjointed, lacking creativity, and struggling to execute a game plan (if there is one). The thought of another year in this league is utterly depressing. I really hope somehow we can get over the line.

[BigH]

We lack momentum don’t we and look very mid-table. Whereas Colchester have got a bandwagon rolling and look potent.

The tactic of over the top to Street has been rumbled and the two wingers get some strong treatment. Gibson had a bad day at the office today but he got little help being regularly doubled up on. We’ve not resolved the midfield conundrum this season and that’ll be our undoing I think.

[selby]

  It only takes a moment to win a game of football, to do that regularly you have to have a defence that doesn't look like conceding every time the opposition cross the half way line and you have your heart in your mouth.
  Our keeper was the MOM today.

[Nudga]

This a horrible poll to run at this point in the season. But for some crap refs and too much paint on a few goal posts the issue would have zero relevance. I am not going to dignify it by voting.

Well you didn't need to post at all then did you.

Actually,  looking at the results so far it's very positive and GM has 87% of votes backing him.

[WarwickRover]

There are four ways the season can play out. Promoted automatically, promoted via the playoffs, lose in the playoffs or don’t qualify for the playoffs.

What’s the strategy for whichever way the season plays out? For me whatever the result at the end of the season the way we move forward should be the same. The decision making should be based on what we have seen during the season and what’s best for the club in the medium to long term as opposed to being entirely outcome based.

In my opinion, and it’s a fairly confident one, we won’t achieve the level of over achievement we did back in the glory days with this club structure and management team. We might scramble over the line to promotion this season but what is realistically achievable after that? Based on performances this season and the signings we’ve made over the last period of time, not a lot. I’d be happy to see us compete at the top half of L1 but I genuinely don’t see a route there. We are miles away from that level currently. I don’t see what our edge over other similar sized clubs is, I don’t see how we operate smarter than the others, I don’t see what our long term plan is.

Grant is a good guy and a good manager but eventually he will leave, either by his own accord or pushed, then what? Back to the drawing board again with a different manager with a different vision and a different style.

On the original question, I don’t think the answer should

There are four ways the season can play out. Promoted automatically, promoted via the playoffs, lose in the playoffs or don’t qualify for the playoffs.

What’s the strategy for whichever way the season plays out? For me whatever the result at the end of the season the way we move forward should be the same. The decision making should be based on what we have seen during the season and what’s best for the club in the medium to long term as opposed to being entirely outcome based.

In my opinion, and it’s a fairly confident one, we won’t achieve the level of over achievement we did back in the glory days with this club structure and management team. We might scramble over the line to promotion this season but what is realistically achievable after that? Based on performances this season and the signings we’ve made over the last period of time, not a lot. I’d be happy to see us compete at the top half of L1 but I genuinely don’t see a route there. We are miles away from that level currently. I don’t see what our edge over other similar sized clubs is, I don’t see how we operate smarter than the others, I don’t see what our long term plan is.

Grant is a good guy and a good manager but eventually he will leave, either by his own accord or pushed, then what? Back to the drawing board again with a different manager with a different vision and a different style.

On the original question, I don’t think the answer should differ if we get promoted or not. If we are to carry on the same structure, manager led with full control over everything, he may as well stay.

If we are thinking of rebooting the structure and potentially building on a more long term solid footing, with a plan to potentially build a club capable of punching above its weight, then he goes whether we get promoted or not. He certainly wouldn’t fit that model.

Make no bones about it, if we don’t get promoted this season he’s failed. Part of the responsibility of being the key decision maker is taking full responsibility.

If he was just a head catch part of a more collaborative structure then that’s a different story. There’s more of a shared responsibility.

I just hope we get promoted. 

differ if we get promoted or not. If we are to carry on the same structure, manager led with full control over everything, he may as well stay.

If we are thinking of rebooting the structure and potentially building on a more long term solid footing, with a plan to potentially build a club capable of punching above its weight, then he goes whether we get promoted or not. He certainly wouldn’t fit that model.

Make no bones about it, if we don’t get promoted this season he’s failed. Part of the responsibility of being the key decision maker is taking full responsibility.

If he was just a head catch part of a more collaborative structure then that’s a different story. There’s more of a shared responsibility.

So what would you do?

[Bristol Red Rover]

I'd keep him, but would have strong expectations for next season if we don't go up.

Sharp hasn't done as much as I'd have hoped, but u think part of the reason for signing him is his experience and contributions behind the scenes. I'd be interested to know how that side has worked out.

[Alan Southstand]

I think he shot himself in the foot from the get-go, by stating he wanted 2 players for every position. He definately missed a trick by not getting Adelakun! The budget was only good enough for his 2 players/position because he signed average and conference players. We were crying out for some quality in midfield, but he re-signed Close and Westbrook! Also, as good as TSL has been, to date, he’s not been at TLT’s level (not much we could have done with that one if TLT had bigger ideas).

There has been some confusing team choices this season, which hasn’t helped and his blood rushes when we’re chasing a game do not give the impression of a manager in control. Some signings have been given 2 or 3 year deals and if we’re in this God awful league again next season, it’s limiting what he can do to add to it. Last but not least, his choice of loans this season have been nowhere near the quality of last season’s.

In reality we’ve had some abysmal decisions go against us this season (today being no exception) and losing our entire back 4 prior to Swindon hasn’t exactly helped us. We’ve also had a love affair with the goalposts and crossbar all season, so far.

Somehow, GM has to take stock and prepare everyone for what is the most important 9 games left in this season. Get everyone fit and focused and ready to get the points we need to get us up. No if’s or but’s. If we do it, we can worry about what we do in the summer after the season has finished.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

Yeah, but once again, as usual when you state something with certainty, you're wrong...

Past 8 games we have 11 points
Bradford, Wimbledon and Port Vale have 13.

Colchester who are in stellar form and within touching distance have 18.

And the real worry is how hard our run in is.

5 of our last 9 games are against teams currently in the top 7. And our record against the better sides in the division this year is woeful.

Dickos

Since you raised recent form, this is how the table would finish if every team won the same points in their final 9 or 10 games as they have in their last

Bradford 82
Walsall 79
Port Vale 78
Colchester 77
Rovers 77

Of course they won't all win those points. But form isn't on our side, even before you factor in how hard our run in is. We need to improve significantly on recent performances to make the top 3.

Regarding the OP question, I think we have unquestionably underperformed given the investment. My take is that we have a rather ordinary squad plus Molyneux. Take him out and we're a mid table side. There's little question that we are a poorer side than we were 12 months ago. Partly because 2 years into McCann's tenure, there's little sign that we know what our best X1 is.

[dickos1]

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

Yeah, but once again, as usual when you state something with certainty, you're wrong...

Past 8 games we have 11 points
Bradford, Wimbledon and Port Vale have 13.

Colchester who are in stellar form and within touching distance have 18.

And the real worry is how hard our run in is.

5 of our last 9 games are against teams currently in the top 7. And our record against the better sides in the division this year is woeful.

You’ve picked 8 games to make your point, form tables usually consist of 6 games or 10.
Nobody is in much better form than us other than Colchester and they’re still 5 points adrift with only 9 games to go

[dickos1]

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

Yeah, but once again, as usual when you state something with certainty, you're wrong...

Past 8 games we have 11 points
Bradford, Wimbledon and Port Vale have 13.

Colchester who are in stellar form and within touching distance have 18.

And the real worry is how hard our run in is.

5 of our last 9 games are against teams currently in the top 7. And our record against the better sides in the division this year is woeful.

Dickos

Since you raised recent form, this is how the table would finish if every team won the same points in their final 9 or 10 games as they have in their last

Bradford 82
Walsall 79
Port Vale 78
Colchester 77
Rovers 77

Of course they won't all win those points. But form isn't on our side, even before you factor in how hard our run in is. We need to improve significantly on recent performances to make the top 3.

Regarding the OP question, I think we have unquestionably underperformed given the investment. My take is that we have a rather ordinary squad plus Molyneux. Take him out and we're a mid table side. There's little question that we are a poorer side than we were 12 months ago. Partly because 2 years into McCann's tenure, there's little sign that we know what our best X1 is.

If we get promoted then of course we haven’t underperformed, that was the aim this season so it will be job done.

[In the box]

I'm not making mischief here, genuinely interested to see where people are at with their thinking.

  The league was wide open and has been from the start and McCann has been given freedom to build a team that he can mould . After the failure last season the club has backed him and the supporters sing his name , yet when our form dips we struggle to see why do we complain . IMO we were always going to have many moments of disappointment for as long as we ignored our lack of presents upfront . Ironside and Sharp on paper looks a good bet but it’s only raked in 14 goals from 40 + games . This has to be an over sight from McCann who would have thought perhaps twice that amount would be expected. I believe this will cost us a promotion place and possibly promotion over all . This season should have seen Rovers building for L1 but too many of his signings are just too lightweight and ineffective going forward. Our reliance on loans with the exception of Street n Low has not paid off and they have contributed little to the goals .

[drfchound]

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

Yeah, but once again, as usual when you state something with certainty, you're wrong...

Past 8 games we have 11 points
Bradford, Wimbledon and Port Vale have 13.

Colchester who are in stellar form and within touching distance have 18.

And the real worry is how hard our run in is.

5 of our last 9 games are against teams currently in the top 7. And our record against the better sides in the division this year is woeful.

Dickos

Since you raised recent form, this is how the table would finish if every team won the same points in their final 9 or 10 games as they have in their last

Bradford 82
Walsall 79
Port Vale 78
Colchester 77
Rovers 77

Of course they won't all win those points. But form isn't on our side, even before you factor in how hard our run in is. We need to improve significantly on recent performances to make the top 3.

Regarding the OP question, I think we have unquestionably underperformed given the investment. My take is that we have a rather ordinary squad plus Molyneux. Take him out and we're a mid table side. There's little question that we are a poorer side than we were 12 months ago. Partly because 2 years into McCann's tenure, there's little sign that we know what our best X1 is.

“A rather ordinary squad plus Molyneux”.
Plus Sterry who is the best right back in the league and plus Olowu who is probably the best CB we have had since Rob Jones.
So that’s a third of the outfield players of our best starting line up.

[GazLaz]

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

Yeah, but once again, as usual when you state something with certainty, you're wrong...

Past 8 games we have 11 points
Bradford, Wimbledon and Port Vale have 13.

Colchester who are in stellar form and within touching distance have 18.

And the real worry is how hard our run in is.

5 of our last 9 games are against teams currently in the top 7. And our record against the better sides in the division this year is woeful.

Dickos

Since you raised recent form, this is how the table would finish if every team won the same points in their final 9 or 10 games as they have in their last

Bradford 82
Walsall 79
Port Vale 78
Colchester 77
Rovers 77

Of course they won't all win those points. But form isn't on our side, even before you factor in how hard our run in is. We need to improve significantly on recent performances to make the top 3.

Regarding the OP question, I think we have unquestionably underperformed given the investment. My take is that we have a rather ordinary squad plus Molyneux. Take him out and we're a mid table side. There's little question that we are a poorer side than we were 12 months ago. Partly because 2 years into McCann's tenure, there's little sign that we know what our best X1 is.

“A rather ordinary squad plus Molyneux”.
Plus Sterry who is the best right back in the league and plus Olowu who is probably the best CB we have had since Rob Jones.
So that’s a third of the outfield players of our best starting line up.

Football teams aren’t as good as their best players, they are as good as their worst, or worst few anyway.

[drfchound]

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

Yeah, but once again, as usual when you state something with certainty, you're wrong...

Past 8 games we have 11 points
Bradford, Wimbledon and Port Vale have 13.

Colchester who are in stellar form and within touching distance have 18.

And the real worry is how hard our run in is.

5 of our last 9 games are against teams currently in the top 7. And our record against the better sides in the division this year is woeful.

Dickos

Since you raised recent form, this is how the table would finish if every team won the same points in their final 9 or 10 games as they have in their last

Bradford 82
Walsall 79
Port Vale 78
Colchester 77
Rovers 77

Of course they won't all win those points. But form isn't on our side, even before you factor in how hard our run in is. We need to improve significantly on recent performances to make the top 3.

Regarding the OP question, I think we have unquestionably underperformed given the investment. My take is that we have a rather ordinary squad plus Molyneux. Take him out and we're a mid table side. There's little question that we are a poorer side than we were 12 months ago. Partly because 2 years into McCann's tenure, there's little sign that we know what our best X1 is.

“A rather ordinary squad plus Molyneux”.
Plus Sterry who is the best right back in the league and plus Olowu who is probably the best CB we have had since Rob Jones.
So that’s a third of the outfield players of our best starting line up.

Football teams aren’t as good as their best players, they are as good as their worst, or worst few anyway.

Agreed Gaz but that doesn’t change the fact that Sterry and Olowu are better than ordinary L2 players does it?

[Ryaldinhio]

I know it's obvious but we must remember this was a total & utter sh-t show when he took over, a culmination of the previous 2 or 3 seasons. Recruitment has been bang average, & although they are his players I'm not sure he was 100% behind ALL the signings.

However he has made mistakes, not knowing entirely what it takes to get out of this league having not managed in it, chopping & changing with the 2 players for every position decision, & new contracts to squad players. But, the blocks are well & truly in place, new staff behind the scenes, training facilities being upgraded etc, it's all progression & everything seems much more professional under his management. I don't think coming out & saying we will win the league this season was a wise move, & thought so at the time. If we fall short, I believe continuity will be key, regroup in the summer & give him next season to get us promoted. Changing the manager will not be the answer in my opinion, as frustrating as this season is.

We just need to hold our nerve, stick with him & stick together in my opinion. Hopefully we make it of course.

Totally agree with this.

If you can't see progression at the club you are blind.

The medical staff alone have worked wonders this season.

The improvements to the training facilities etc.

GM picked up an absolute shit show, not just in terms of the first team.

We have got to stick with him 100%.

[ncRover]

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

Although todays result could been better only Wimbledon won Bradford lost Notts County lost we don’t play now for two weeks so we are going to be behind the eight ball. Taking chances has got to improve we then have to win 7 games at least for a chance of Promotion it won’t be easy

Err. Port Vale won. They are two points behind with a match in hand.

Colchester won and they are ascending the table like a rocket.

11 points from the last 8 games, just when we really couldn't afford a dip in form and that's now dropped us into 4th/5th place with a horrible run in to come.

I think it's now unlikely we will make the top three, which would be a huge underperformance.

You said it was unlikely a month ago!
Not sure our form is any worse than anyone around us, in fact I know it isn’t.
Sat 4th in the table with 9 games to go level on points with an automatic spot and the negativity from folk like this is crazy.

Yeah, but once again, as usual when you state something with certainty, you're wrong...

Past 8 games we have 11 points
Bradford, Wimbledon and Port Vale have 13.

Colchester who are in stellar form and within touching distance have 18.

And the real worry is how hard our run in is.

5 of our last 9 games are against teams currently in the top 7. And our record against the better sides in the division this year is woeful.

You’ve picked 8 games to make your point, form tables usually consist of 6 games or 10.
Nobody is in much better form than us other than Colchester and they’re still 5 points adrift with only 9 games to go

I thought the league table was more important than form Dicko?

https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=293165.msg1364892#msg1364892

[GazLaz]

I know it's obvious but we must remember this was a total & utter sh-t show when he took over, a culmination of the previous 2 or 3 seasons. Recruitment has been bang average, & although they are his players I'm not sure he was 100% behind ALL the signings.

However he has made mistakes, not knowing entirely what it takes to get out of this league having not managed in it, chopping & changing with the 2 players for every position decision, & new contracts to squad players. But, the blocks are well & truly in place, new staff behind the scenes, training facilities being upgraded etc, it's all progression & everything seems much more professional under his management. I don't think coming out & saying we will win the league this season was a wise move, & thought so at the time. If we fall short, I believe continuity will be key, regroup in the summer & give him next season to get us promoted. Changing the manager will not be the answer in my opinion, as frustrating as this season is.

We just need to hold our nerve, stick with him & stick together in my opinion. Hopefully we make it of course.

Totally agree with this.

If you can't see progression at the club you are blind.

The medical staff alone have worked wonders this season.

The improvements to the training facilities etc.

GM picked up an absolute shit show, not just in terms of the first team.

We have got to stick with him 100%.

It was only a shit show because we slashed any playing budget. We improved because we applied more more money to the situation.

[Padge_DRFC]

I think of Mansfield and can see us being similar. Every year from now if we don't do it this year we'll be up there. Financially backed probably the same and stuck with the manager for years. We will get there. There's a desperation to do it now because the thought of the oppositions in league 1 v league 2 the bigger crowds is way more appealing. We'll be back to being a small fish in a big pond as well which I love too.

[GazLaz]

I think of Mansfield and can see us being similar. Every year from now if we don't do it this year we'll be up there. Financially backed probably the same and stuck with the manager for years. We will get there. There's a desperation to do it now because the thought of the oppositions in league 1 v league 2 the bigger crowds is way more appealing. We'll be back to being a small fish in a big pond as well which I love too.

One win in 14 Mansfield. I hate their recruitment model.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

We could easily be top of this league with the games that we've let slip for one reason or another.

For me, on reflection, what will stick with me is the chopping and changing of personnel, particularly from midfield to up front. We just can't predict the starting line up. What we normally recall of previous promoted teams is a line up  that reasonably rolls off the tongue. Yes, it's a different game now with 5 subs but surely this is a big factor why we've struggled with consistency.

We've definitely lacked that bit of quality or brains when trying to control games and add that final ingredient.

Another big factor must be having one of the leagues top scorers last season who's barely scratched the surface this year.

We have 9 huge opportunities left when the manager will have to earn his corn to get us promoted.

Either way, I wouldn't be headhunting any other manager whatever the outcome but yes, he should be questioned and held accountable by the board to review the strategies, to refine the approach, and go again next season.