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To put across my "wisecrack" earlier in the thread in a more serious manner - I'm just not sure what you want/expect people to do?You don't want McCann to be sacked, and I'm pretty sure as a Rovers fan and a sane human being you don't want GM to suffer the abuse that Schofield did last season either (which was horrific, and I said at the time how disgusted I was with that, regardless of how I thought of his abilities as a manager)So what is the actual issue you're getting at? We can't go back in time and undo the fierce criticism Schofield got. We can repent for our collective sins but there's really not much else that can be done, and I personally don't see the value in continuing to dredge up the criticism Schofield got as a stick to beat people with when they want to support McCann. Isn't it a good thing if folk are backing our manager now and giving him a fair crack of the whip rather than getting on his back?I think you (and others on here) overplay this "quasi-religious faith" or "fascination" that people have with McCann. I don't think anyone can deny after the last 2 months' performances that this season is piss poor and well below expectations. However, on the other side of the coin I think the majority of sensible fans can recognise that McCann is a capable manager with the track record to prove it, and he's got a level of popularity from his last spell here (whether you feel that is warranted or not) buying him a bit of extra goodwill as well, which I think goes a long way to explaining why it's taking fans a longer time to turn on him than it did Schofield. Sadly DS didn't have either of those factors to fall back on.I think most of us can now also recognise that you have to draw a line somewhere in terms of chopping and changing managers, and we probably wouldn't be best served going down that route now. Maybe sacking Schofield was one change too far as well, but I would be surprised if the ill-feeling among the fanbase, and prospect of terrible season ticket sales didn't play a part in that change.
Pib.I have this failing that I expect rationality from people. To look at facts and draw sensible conclusions.I do think the "repent" thing gets close to the issue. If people want to be taken seriously, then sticking to the line that Schofield was f**king useless, while McCann is above criticism (and there are people whose takes those are) doesn't cut it for me. But that's just my take. I accept that many people reserve the right to hold contradictory views and shout them out loudly. Back to McCann's track record, I've said before that one thing he absolutely hasn't done is to take a club in crisis and turn it round. My worry is that there's been very little sign of that happening this season. Recruitment has been more miss than hit, while selections and on-field tactics have been woeful for much of the season. And it's not just the last two months. We had one, brief purple patch (mainly against bottom of the table or out of form sides) and other than that we've won 14 points in 22 games. Given what I saw last season, I'm pretty sure that Schofield would have made a better fist of this squad than McCann has done. For me then, the jury is definitely out on McCann. We simply must demonstrate an ability to be (at the very least) equal to the sum of our parts for the rest of the season, with some semblance of a style of play that will give us some hope for a better season next year.
BB.That still doesn't justify refusing to play Bogle and regularly starting with the Turkish Uncle Fester instead. One more win and we'd have stayed up.
BB.I skim over most of what you write. Otherwise, I'd waste even more time disagreeing with you.
Pib.I don't think our thinking is that far apart. I'll admit, I was f**king incandescent with the formation and style of play on Saturday, which to me was suggestive of a manager that was resigned to guessing. But I took think on balance he deserves (some) more time. We have every right to expect a big improvement in the run in. If there's no improvement by October at the latest, I think his number would be up.
The formation on Saturday was bizarre. Best I could describe it as was 5-2-3, but given that Adelakun seemed to wander wherever he wanted, and Waters was never in the same postcode as Ironside, might be more accurate to call it 5-2-1 + a couple. We got absolutely overrun in midfield until he brought Broadbent on. And barely created a meaningful chance up front.And, early days and all that, but Adelakun before Molyneux? Craziest selection of the season in a very competitive field.
Our midfield has been the problem since Moore left. Every transfer window there are loads of posts stating we need to sign midfielders whether they are nesters or creative, if we can see this why haven’t successive managers not?
Quote from: DearneValleyRover on February 06, 2024, 08:48:52 amOur midfield has been the problem since Moore left. Every transfer window there are loads of posts stating we need to sign midfielders whether they are nesters or creative, if we can see this why haven’t successive managers not?New managers that don't necessarily know the squad making the decisions and also lack of budget in Schofield's case.
Hurst will be fortunate to be on the bench from what I've seen of him this season
Quote from: ravenrover on February 06, 2024, 12:44:14 pmHurst will be fortunate to be on the bench from what I've seen of him this seasonHurst is lightweight, but to be fair to him, he put in an excellent cross that resulted in the penalty on Saturday. Just the right position to tempt the keeper into something rash.
Quote from: BillyStubbsTears on February 06, 2024, 03:03:42 pmQuote from: ravenrover on February 06, 2024, 12:44:14 pmHurst will be fortunate to be on the bench from what I've seen of him this seasonHurst is lightweight, but to be fair to him, he put in an excellent cross that resulted in the penalty on Saturday. Just the right position to tempt the keeper into something rash.He’s got something. There’s plenty he hasn’t got as well admittedly but it’s the “something” that we are lacking isn’t it. 4231 with Waters, Hurst and Moly in behind sounds ok. We have to work out how we progress to them through the fullbacks and 2 no6’s though. Thats an issue for us.
Quote from: GazLaz on February 06, 2024, 03:17:12 pmQuote from: BillyStubbsTears on February 06, 2024, 03:03:42 pmQuote from: ravenrover on February 06, 2024, 12:44:14 pmHurst will be fortunate to be on the bench from what I've seen of him this seasonHurst is lightweight, but to be fair to him, he put in an excellent cross that resulted in the penalty on Saturday. Just the right position to tempt the keeper into something rash.He’s got something. There’s plenty he hasn’t got as well admittedly but it’s the “something” that we are lacking isn’t it. 4231 with Waters, Hurst and Moly in behind sounds ok. We have to work out how we progress to them through the fullbacks and 2 no6’s though. Thats an issue for us. 4132 at home with Waters partnering Ironside.Bailey at cdm.