Even when we won at the beginning of the season we were mainly shit and therefore when the results replicated the performances the shit set in . Now with a change of approach plus the returning Leaburn and Jones we look reasonable/decent and have progressed to a position where the results aren't a surprise and the football isn't the dullest crap ever and upward progression is happening and we have a chance of the playoffs .
And if we lose Leaburn, Small or Jones we will be crap again.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I don't think I've ever disagreed more with a post than I have with this.
If we lost Alfie and George and replaced them with better I might agree with Callum. However it has taken us what 4 months to start looking competitive. I don't think we can risk that in January.
I never said in January. And for the record I don’t think any of those three go this month without a silly offer coming in.
We started the season strong, had a blip and now we’re back in form. Who knows where we’ll end up come May but it looks like steady progress is going to be made in spite of losing our better players from last year’s team.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I don't think I've ever disagreed more with a post than I have with this.
If we lost Alfie and George and replaced them with better I might agree with Callum. However it has taken us what 4 months to start looking competitive. I don't think we can risk that in January.
I never said in January. And for the record I don’t think any of those three go this month without a silly offer coming in.
We started the season strong, had a blip and now we’re back in form. Who knows where we’ll end up come May but it looks like steady progress is going to be made in spite of losing our better players from last year’s team.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I don't think I've ever disagreed more with a post than I have with this.
If we lost Alfie and George and replaced them with better I might agree with Callum. However it has taken us what 4 months to start looking competitive. I don't think we can risk that in January.
I never said in January. And for the record I don’t think any of those three go this month without a silly offer coming in.
We started the season strong, had a blip and now we’re back in form. Who knows where we’ll end up come May but it looks like steady progress is going to be made in spite of losing our better players from last year’s team.
A "blip" !!!?!
The blip: Played 14 | Won 3 | Drew 4 | Lost 7.
Total points possible: 42 | Points actual: 13
And, 30.43% of our total games for the whole season.
This is so draining to have everything I say micro analysed.
Some of these results & performances together aren’t even that bad.
We have had two shocking dips in performance which were Blackpool through to Bristol Rovers and Exeter through to Crawley but otherwise I just see a run of games where within that run, we had 4 points in 3 at the start and 6 points in 4 including beating the runaway winners of the league later.
The issue is when you get 0 points from 3 games, or 3 points from a poor team from 4 games. Those are the blips.
But people are desperate to say I’m wrong and jump on my posts.
I'm not desperate to say your posts are wrong. It's just if you say we had a dip in form, and it was over a period over 14 games, it's not a blip. 30% of our games for the whole season is massive.
Birmingham to Wrexham is included in this. 6 points out of 12 is a poor return and mid-table form or thereabouts. If we had promotion aspirations, it was unacceptable to win 1 out of 4 games, especially when 3 of them were at home.
Not even being pedantic, it wasn't a blip or separate blips, it was 30% of our season burned through with little to show for.
It's looking like we are showing some fight now, and it's been great. However, if we do come up short, it will be because of that period.
We've improved defensively but we still have the tendency to just completely switch off
That’s something I haven’t noticed this season. Of course it’s happened a couple of times, but I’d say it’s not really a theme this season, not like it was in the past.
I just watched the highlights, and it wasn’t the best back pass by Mitchell, but Ashley might have reacted a bit quicker possibly?
Agreed, he should have rushed out of the dugout to clear the ball
Lucky that the league is crap and lucky that our academy boys have stepped up. We haven't replaced May with anyone near the same quality and there's no evidence to suggest we'd sufficiently replace Leaburn, Jones or Small.
No genuine promotion contender would have a strike force of Ahadme and Godden.
I do think we need Kanu to get game time, he's shown a lot of promise but this season he's been struggling with dipping in and out of the squad. I still have faith he'll be a decent forward at this level. More importantly though we need an out and out goal scorer to replace May.
We all agreed he was better than Burstow when the latter signed for Chelsea. After a loan at Sunderland he was then sold to Hull, where he's made 18 appearances, scoring two goals. Kanu certainly has potential, but he's the sort of player who needs a run. I just can't see him getting one here unless we suffer injuries up top.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I don't think I've ever disagreed more with a post than I have with this.
If we lost Alfie and George and replaced them with better I might agree with Callum. However it has taken us what 4 months to start looking competitive. I don't think we can risk that in January.
I never said in January. And for the record I don’t think any of those three go this month without a silly offer coming in.
We started the season strong, had a blip and now we’re back in form. Who knows where we’ll end up come May but it looks like steady progress is going to be made in spite of losing our better players from last year’s team.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I don't think I've ever disagreed more with a post than I have with this.
If we lost Alfie and George and replaced them with better I might agree with Callum. However it has taken us what 4 months to start looking competitive. I don't think we can risk that in January.
I never said in January. And for the record I don’t think any of those three go this month without a silly offer coming in.
We started the season strong, had a blip and now we’re back in form. Who knows where we’ll end up come May but it looks like steady progress is going to be made in spite of losing our better players from last year’s team.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I don't think I've ever disagreed more with a post than I have with this.
If we lost Alfie and George and replaced them with better I might agree with Callum. However it has taken us what 4 months to start looking competitive. I don't think we can risk that in January.
I never said in January. And for the record I don’t think any of those three go this month without a silly offer coming in.
We started the season strong, had a blip and now we’re back in form. Who knows where we’ll end up come May but it looks like steady progress is going to be made in spite of losing our better players from last year’s team.
A "blip" !!!?!
The blip: Played 14 | Won 3 | Drew 4 | Lost 7.
Total points possible: 42 | Points actual: 13
And, 30.43% of our total games for the whole season.
This is so draining to have everything I say micro analysed.
Some of these results & performances together aren’t even that bad.
We have had two shocking dips in performance which were Blackpool through to Bristol Rovers and Exeter through to Crawley but otherwise I just see a run of games where within that run, we had 4 points in 3 at the start and 6 points in 4 including beating the runaway winners of the league later.
The issue is when you get 0 points from 3 games, or 3 points from a poor team from 4 games. Those are the blips.
But people are desperate to say I’m wrong and jump on my posts.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I don't think I've ever disagreed more with a post than I have with this.
If we lost Alfie and George and replaced them with better I might agree with Callum. However it has taken us what 4 months to start looking competitive. I don't think we can risk that in January.
I never said in January. And for the record I don’t think any of those three go this month without a silly offer coming in.
We started the season strong, had a blip and now we’re back in form. Who knows where we’ll end up come May but it looks like steady progress is going to be made in spite of losing our better players from last year’s team.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I don't think I've ever disagreed more with a post than I have with this.
If we lost Alfie and George and replaced them with better I might agree with Callum. However it has taken us what 4 months to start looking competitive. I don't think we can risk that in January.
I never said in January. And for the record I don’t think any of those three go this month without a silly offer coming in.
We started the season strong, had a blip and now we’re back in form. Who knows where we’ll end up come May but it looks like steady progress is going to be made in spite of losing our better players from last year’s team.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I don't think I've ever disagreed more with a post than I have with this.
If we lost Alfie and George and replaced them with better I might agree with Callum. However it has taken us what 4 months to start looking competitive. I don't think we can risk that in January.
I never said in January. And for the record I don’t think any of those three go this month without a silly offer coming in.
We started the season strong, had a blip and now we’re back in form. Who knows where we’ll end up come May but it looks like steady progress is going to be made in spite of losing our better players from last year’s team.
A "blip" !!!?!
The blip: Played 14 | Won 3 | Drew 4 | Lost 7.
Total points possible: 42 | Points actual: 13
And, 30.43% of our total games for the whole season.
This is so draining to have everything I say micro analysed.
Some of these results & performances together aren’t even that bad.
We have had two shocking dips in performance which were Blackpool through to Bristol Rovers and Exeter through to Crawley but otherwise I just see a run of games where within that run, we had 4 points in 3 at the start and 6 points in 4 including beating the runaway winners of the league later.
The issue is when you get 0 points from 3 games, or 3 points from a poor team from 4 games. Those are the blips.
But people are desperate to say I’m wrong and jump on my posts.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I’d have more confidence in that if it had been a progression. Instead we seem to have jumped forward in mid December, which suggests the problem was in tactics/management (accepting that the absence of Jones and fitness of Leaburn were factors).
Exactly, Jones is now telling us that we have a "championship squad". If that is the case then the only reason that we're still mid table in the 3rd Division must be down to him.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I don't think I've ever disagreed more with a post than I have with this.
If we lost Alfie and George and replaced them with better I might agree with Callum. However it has taken us what 4 months to start looking competitive. I don't think we can risk that in January.
I never said in January. And for the record I don’t think any of those three go this month without a silly offer coming in.
We started the season strong, had a blip and now we’re back in form. Who knows where we’ll end up come May but it looks like steady progress is going to be made in spite of losing our better players from last year’s team.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I don't think I've ever disagreed more with a post than I have with this.
If we lost Alfie and George and replaced them with better I might agree with Callum. However it has taken us what 4 months to start looking competitive. I don't think we can risk that in January.
I never said in January. And for the record I don’t think any of those three go this month without a silly offer coming in.
We started the season strong, had a blip and now we’re back in form. Who knows where we’ll end up come May but it looks like steady progress is going to be made in spite of losing our better players from last year’s team.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I don't think I've ever disagreed more with a post than I have with this.
If we lost Alfie and George and replaced them with better I might agree with Callum. However it has taken us what 4 months to start looking competitive. I don't think we can risk that in January.
I never said in January. And for the record I don’t think any of those three go this month without a silly offer coming in.
We started the season strong, had a blip and now we’re back in form. Who knows where we’ll end up come May but it looks like steady progress is going to be made in spite of losing our better players from last year’s team.
A "blip" !!!?!
The blip: Played 14 | Won 3 | Drew 4 | Lost 7.
Total points possible: 42 | Points actual: 13
And, 30.43% of our total games for the whole season.
This is so draining to have everything I say micro analysed.
Some of these results & performances together aren’t even that bad.
We have had two shocking dips in performance which were Blackpool through to Bristol Rovers and Exeter through to Crawley but otherwise I just see a run of games where within that run, we had 4 points in 3 at the start and 6 points in 4 including beating the runaway winners of the league later.
The issue is when you get 0 points from 3 games, or 3 points from a poor team from 4 games. Those are the blips.
But people are desperate to say I’m wrong and jump on my posts.
The table does not lie.
However, Callum said the table standings in January are irrelevent.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I don't think I've ever disagreed more with a post than I have with this.
If we lost Alfie and George and replaced them with better I might agree with Callum. However it has taken us what 4 months to start looking competitive. I don't think we can risk that in January.
I never said in January. And for the record I don’t think any of those three go this month without a silly offer coming in.
We started the season strong, had a blip and now we’re back in form. Who knows where we’ll end up come May but it looks like steady progress is going to be made in spite of losing our better players from last year’s team.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I don't think I've ever disagreed more with a post than I have with this.
If we lost Alfie and George and replaced them with better I might agree with Callum. However it has taken us what 4 months to start looking competitive. I don't think we can risk that in January.
I never said in January. And for the record I don’t think any of those three go this month without a silly offer coming in.
We started the season strong, had a blip and now we’re back in form. Who knows where we’ll end up come May but it looks like steady progress is going to be made in spite of losing our better players from last year’s team.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I don't think I've ever disagreed more with a post than I have with this.
If we lost Alfie and George and replaced them with better I might agree with Callum. However it has taken us what 4 months to start looking competitive. I don't think we can risk that in January.
I never said in January. And for the record I don’t think any of those three go this month without a silly offer coming in.
We started the season strong, had a blip and now we’re back in form. Who knows where we’ll end up come May but it looks like steady progress is going to be made in spite of losing our better players from last year’s team.
A "blip" !!!?!
The blip: Played 14 | Won 3 | Drew 4 | Lost 7.
Total points possible: 42 | Points actual: 13
And, 30.43% of our total games for the whole season.
This is so draining to have everything I say micro analysed.
Some of these results & performances together aren’t even that bad.
We have had two shocking dips in performance which were Blackpool through to Bristol Rovers and Exeter through to Crawley but otherwise I just see a run of games where within that run, we had 4 points in 3 at the start and 6 points in 4 including beating the runaway winners of the league later.
The issue is when you get 0 points from 3 games, or 3 points from a poor team from 4 games. Those are the blips.
But people are desperate to say I’m wrong and jump on my posts.
The table does not lie.
However, Callum said the table standings in January are irrelevent.
One game to go and four points behind, we can still do it.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I’d have more confidence in that if it had been a progression. Instead we seem to have jumped forward in mid December, which suggests the problem was in tactics/management (accepting that the absence of Jones and fitness of Leaburn were factors).
Exactly, Jones is now telling us that we have a "championship squad". If that is the case then the only reason that we're still mid table in the 3rd Division must be down to him.
Has Jones actually said this? I remember him saying we put in a championship level performance against Preston, which is fair enough
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I’d have more confidence in that if it had been a progression. Instead we seem to have jumped forward in mid December, which suggests the problem was in tactics/management (accepting that the absence of Jones and fitness of Leaburn were factors).
Exactly, Jones is now telling us that we have a "championship squad". If that is the case then the only reason that we're still mid table in the 3rd Division must be down to him.
Has Jones actually said this? I remember him saying we put in a championship level performance against Preston, which is fair enough
“We’ve got a good squad. We haven’t proved it the first half of the season. But I think we’ve got a Championship-level squad, I really do.
You look at our midfield and you look at their midfield, there’s nothing in it. We’ve got three players in there. Connor Coventry’s a Championship player.
“Doch [Greg Docherty] has played most of his career. Luke Berry’s played in the Premier League last year. We’ve got a Championship-level squad.”
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I’d have more confidence in that if it had been a progression. Instead we seem to have jumped forward in mid December, which suggests the problem was in tactics/management (accepting that the absence of Jones and fitness of Leaburn were factors).
If you look at Jones time overall it has been massive progress. Sometimes things just click into place so it looks more like a jump than a gradual progression, but that jump happened as soon as he had nearly his best team available, it could have happened earlier without the injuries
When Jones took over we were on of the worst teams in the league, he quickly improved that side to a mid table team and we stayed up. That’s progress. We probably didn’t see enough progress as we’d have liked in the first half of this season and were still a mid-table team, but it is obvious that defence was the focus and we massively progressed in that area. Now we are seeing more signs of improvement with the ball. For me if we can end the season playing like a top 6 side, (we have done in the last month but we’ve got to keep that up) that shows we’ve progressed and even if we don’t finish in the top 6 will have been a decent season and I’d be confident for next year.
You are right that progression is key, but I’d say there’s been quite obvious progression since Jones took over. He got us away from trouble and performing at mid-table level last season, then fixed out of possession, and now we are seeing signs of the in possession improving. We are undoubtedly a much better side than 12 months ago, despite losing our 3 best players from last season
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I’d have more confidence in that if it had been a progression. Instead we seem to have jumped forward in mid December, which suggests the problem was in tactics/management (accepting that the absence of Jones and fitness of Leaburn were factors).
Exactly, Jones is now telling us that we have a "championship squad". If that is the case then the only reason that we're still mid table in the 3rd Division must be down to him.
Has Jones actually said this? I remember him saying we put in a championship level performance against Preston, which is fair enough
“We’ve got a good squad. We haven’t proved it the first half of the season. But I think we’ve got a Championship-level squad, I really do.
You look at our midfield and you look at their midfield, there’s nothing in it. We’ve got three players in there. Connor Coventry’s a Championship player.
“Doch [Greg Docherty] has played most of his career. Luke Berry’s played in the Premier League last year. We’ve got a Championship-level squad.”
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I’d have more confidence in that if it had been a progression. Instead we seem to have jumped forward in mid December, which suggests the problem was in tactics/management (accepting that the absence of Jones and fitness of Leaburn were factors).
Exactly, Jones is now telling us that we have a "championship squad". If that is the case then the only reason that we're still mid table in the 3rd Division must be down to him.
Has Jones actually said this? I remember him saying we put in a championship level performance against Preston, which is fair enough
“We’ve got a good squad. We haven’t proved it the first half of the season. But I think we’ve got a Championship-level squad, I really do.
You look at our midfield and you look at their midfield, there’s nothing in it. We’ve got three players in there. Connor Coventry’s a Championship player.
“Doch [Greg Docherty] has played most of his career. Luke Berry’s played in the Premier League last year. We’ve got a Championship-level squad.”
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I’d have more confidence in that if it had been a progression. Instead we seem to have jumped forward in mid December, which suggests the problem was in tactics/management (accepting that the absence of Jones and fitness of Leaburn were factors).
Exactly, Jones is now telling us that we have a "championship squad". If that is the case then the only reason that we're still mid table in the 3rd Division must be down to him.
Has Jones actually said this? I remember him saying we put in a championship level performance against Preston, which is fair enough
“We’ve got a good squad. We haven’t proved it the first half of the season. But I think we’ve got a Championship-level squad, I really do.
You look at our midfield and you look at their midfield, there’s nothing in it. We’ve got three players in there. Connor Coventry’s a Championship player.
“Doch [Greg Docherty] has played most of his career. Luke Berry’s played in the Premier League last year. We’ve got a Championship-level squad.”
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I’d have more confidence in that if it had been a progression. Instead we seem to have jumped forward in mid December, which suggests the problem was in tactics/management (accepting that the absence of Jones and fitness of Leaburn were factors).
Exactly, Jones is now telling us that we have a "championship squad". If that is the case then the only reason that we're still mid table in the 3rd Division must be down to him.
Has Jones actually said this? I remember him saying we put in a championship level performance against Preston, which is fair enough
“We’ve got a good squad. We haven’t proved it the first half of the season. But I think we’ve got a Championship-level squad, I really do.
You look at our midfield and you look at their midfield, there’s nothing in it. We’ve got three players in there. Connor Coventry’s a Championship player.
“Doch [Greg Docherty] has played most of his career. Luke Berry’s played in the Premier League last year. We’ve got a Championship-level squad.”
Half this Forum would be f**king shite at anything which requires motivating a number of individuals
Because people wouldn't lie to their players on the off chance it gives them some false confidence?
It's up to the individual most times to find their own motivation. A player who is paid thousands a week and has a luxury career, shouldn't need a manager telling the press how good he thinks they are. They should already know it, and a few press questions shouldn't impact their morale all that much.
You could of course then say he's doing it to create a bit of solidarity in the camp.
Whichever way you look at it, those comments just put a target on his back from the press and fans, and will leave question marks if he can't prove this season we are a championship ready side. In his own words now, he believes we have a championship ready made squad (nonsense)
If we fail to deliver, this can be quoted back to him.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I’d have more confidence in that if it had been a progression. Instead we seem to have jumped forward in mid December, which suggests the problem was in tactics/management (accepting that the absence of Jones and fitness of Leaburn were factors).
Exactly, Jones is now telling us that we have a "championship squad". If that is the case then the only reason that we're still mid table in the 3rd Division must be down to him.
Has Jones actually said this? I remember him saying we put in a championship level performance against Preston, which is fair enough
“We’ve got a good squad. We haven’t proved it the first half of the season. But I think we’ve got a Championship-level squad, I really do.
You look at our midfield and you look at their midfield, there’s nothing in it. We’ve got three players in there. Connor Coventry’s a Championship player.
“Doch [Greg Docherty] has played most of his career. Luke Berry’s played in the Premier League last year. We’ve got a Championship-level squad.”
Half this Forum would be f**king shite at anything which requires motivating a number of individuals
Because people wouldn't lie to their players on the off chance it gives them some false confidence?
It's up to the individual most times to find their own motivation. A player who is paid thousands a week and has a luxury career, shouldn't need a manager telling the press how good he thinks they are. They should already know it, and a few press questions shouldn't impact their morale all that much.
You could of course then say he's doing it to create a bit of solidarity in the camp.
Whichever way you look at it, those comments just puts a target on his back and will leave question marks if he can't prove this season we are a championship ready side.
Honestly think you're being a bit naïve there thinking that people wouldnt lie to get a bit of confidence.
Athletes over multiple Sports have talked about how motivation through words from their Coaches can have a massive impact on performances - The trouble is there is no magic wand, no formula that works on everyone.
Sometimes blowing air up their arses, can help them drive on, others hearing that will take it for granted and make them lazy - Same with digging out individuals, some will use to fuel their anger and make them want to prove their Coach, their Manager wrong... Others will retreat into self-doubt and become worse.
Its Jones' job (same with any Manager) to get a response from his players, especially those he's named as he probably thinks they can take that praise and use it to good effect - Of course he's put a target on his back, he's the Manager, he's got to get results by any means necessary!!
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I’d have more confidence in that if it had been a progression. Instead we seem to have jumped forward in mid December, which suggests the problem was in tactics/management (accepting that the absence of Jones and fitness of Leaburn were factors).
Exactly, Jones is now telling us that we have a "championship squad". If that is the case then the only reason that we're still mid table in the 3rd Division must be down to him.
Has Jones actually said this? I remember him saying we put in a championship level performance against Preston, which is fair enough
“We’ve got a good squad. We haven’t proved it the first half of the season. But I think we’ve got a Championship-level squad, I really do.
You look at our midfield and you look at their midfield, there’s nothing in it. We’ve got three players in there. Connor Coventry’s a Championship player.
“Doch [Greg Docherty] has played most of his career. Luke Berry’s played in the Premier League last year. We’ve got a Championship-level squad.”
Half this Forum would be f**king shite at anything which requires motivating a number of individuals
Because people wouldn't lie to their players on the off chance it gives them some false confidence?
It's up to the individual most times to find their own motivation. A player who is paid thousands a week and has a luxury career, shouldn't need a manager telling the press how good he thinks they are. They should already know it, and a few press questions shouldn't impact their morale all that much.
You could of course then say he's doing it to create a bit of solidarity in the camp.
Whichever way you look at it, those comments just puts a target on his back and will leave question marks if he can't prove this season we are a championship ready side.
Honestly think you're being a bit naïve there thinking that people wouldnt lie to get a bit of confidence.
Athletes over multiple Sports have talked about how motivation through words from their Coaches can have a massive impact on performances - The trouble is there is no magic wand, no formula that works on everyone.
Sometimes blowing air up their arses, can help them drive on, others hearing that will take it for granted and make them lazy - Same with digging out individuals, some will use to fuel their anger and make them want to prove their Coach, their Manager wrong... Others will retreat into self-doubt and become worse.
Its Jones' job (same with any Manager) to get a response from his players, especially those he's named as he probably thinks they can take that praise and use it to good effect - Of course he's put a target on his back, he's the Manager, he's got to get results by any means necessary!!
Well, I can tell you I'm not naive on the subject, as I've got a competitive background and have experience in leading teams, and managing teams. I know how it feels to be a winner and a loser. I know how it feels to be vulnerable and receive criticism, both positive and negative.
I would of course be aware how competitors feel, as I've competed and managed. The money hasn't been the same, but the competitive aspect, and severity (for work) has been. Of course even if I didn't have my own life experiences, all this information is available to me, and I'm switched on enough to process the mindset of an athlete, anyone in a competitive industry, or, general working industry.
I am aware that's his job. It's also his job, to manage expectations of fans and players. He could say all the positives and the niceties behind closed doors, same as criticism (if you remember, he has already negatively criticised this team to the press) while managing fans expectations to the press.
I'm not Nathan Jones, and I'm not a football manager, never will be. But if I was, the last thing I'd be doing, when there is a certain expectation at this club, is saying we have a championship ready squad, when we sit 11th and our only real chance of being a championship side next season is to overturn a points deficit, and win the lottery of play-offs.
A more realistic statement would be something alone the lines of "We showed today that when we play our best, we can stand up against experienced championship sides. We have a squad with some past championship experience, and I hope they can now see that if they perform like that, we can climb the league and put to bed the disappointment of our poor start."
I'd then in private speak to my players and encourage them, while trying to make sure my important fans don't feel any negativity towards me, as it is important to keep fans on side when you're a manager.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I’d have more confidence in that if it had been a progression. Instead we seem to have jumped forward in mid December, which suggests the problem was in tactics/management (accepting that the absence of Jones and fitness of Leaburn were factors).
Exactly, Jones is now telling us that we have a "championship squad". If that is the case then the only reason that we're still mid table in the 3rd Division must be down to him.
Has Jones actually said this? I remember him saying we put in a championship level performance against Preston, which is fair enough
“We’ve got a good squad. We haven’t proved it the first half of the season. But I think we’ve got a Championship-level squad, I really do.
You look at our midfield and you look at their midfield, there’s nothing in it. We’ve got three players in there. Connor Coventry’s a Championship player.
“Doch [Greg Docherty] has played most of his career. Luke Berry’s played in the Premier League last year. We’ve got a Championship-level squad.”
Half this Forum would be f**king shite at anything which requires motivating a number of individuals
Because people wouldn't lie to their players on the off chance it gives them some false confidence?
It's up to the individual most times to find their own motivation. A player who is paid thousands a week and has a luxury career, shouldn't need a manager telling the press how good he thinks they are. They should already know it, and a few press questions shouldn't impact their morale all that much.
You could of course then say he's doing it to create a bit of solidarity in the camp.
Whichever way you look at it, those comments just puts a target on his back and will leave question marks if he can't prove this season we are a championship ready side.
Honestly think you're being a bit naïve there thinking that people wouldnt lie to get a bit of confidence.
Athletes over multiple Sports have talked about how motivation through words from their Coaches can have a massive impact on performances - The trouble is there is no magic wand, no formula that works on everyone.
Sometimes blowing air up their arses, can help them drive on, others hearing that will take it for granted and make them lazy - Same with digging out individuals, some will use to fuel their anger and make them want to prove their Coach, their Manager wrong... Others will retreat into self-doubt and become worse.
Its Jones' job (same with any Manager) to get a response from his players, especially those he's named as he probably thinks they can take that praise and use it to good effect - Of course he's put a target on his back, he's the Manager, he's got to get results by any means necessary!!
Well, I can tell you I'm not naive on the subject, as I've got a competitive background and have experience in leading teams, and managing teams. I know how it feels to be a winner and a loser. I know how it feels to be vulnerable and receive criticism, both positive and negative.
I would of course be aware how competitors feel, as I've competed and managed. The money hasn't been the same, but the competitive aspect, and severity (for work) has been. Of course even if I didn't have my own life experiences, all this information is available to me, and I'm switched on enough to process the mindset of an athlete, anyone in a competitive industry, or, general working industry.
I am aware that's his job. It's also his job, to manage expectations of fans and players. He could say all the positives and the niceties behind closed doors, same as criticism (if you remember, he has already negatively criticised this team to the press) while managing fans expectations to the press.
I'm not Nathan Jones, and I'm not a football manager, never will be. But if I was, the last thing I'd be doing, when there is a certain expectation at this club, is saying we have a championship ready squad, when we sit 11th and our only real chance of being a championship side next season is to overturn a points deficit, and win the lottery of play-offs.
A more realistic statement would be something alone the lines of "We showed today that when we play our best, we can stand up against experienced championship sides. We have a squad with some past championship experience, and I hope they can now see that if they perform like that, we can climb the league and put to bed the disappointment of our poor start."
I'd then in private speak to my players and encourage them, while trying to make sure my important fans don't feel any negativity towards me, as it is important to keep fans on side when you're a manager.
All that said, what do I know, eh
With all due respect, there was a time recently when I started to think Jones wasn't right for us, but even at that time I wouldn't have swapped him for you. We went to a solid Championship club and were the better side so he can legitimately use that to boost morale and confidence. I would in his position.
Also, Jones will never say anything along the lines of what you have suggested. Haven't you heard his interviews? There were no 'look's in it for starters.
All this talk of championship this and that, I don't for one minute think that Preston are a good championship side, they are 15th in January. They are in that league on merit and are competing, but not very well. That we lost to them whilst playing well, holds no air in the tyres for me. The same would apply if we give, Brum, Wrexham, MK Don's and the other so called title contenders a good game, if we don't win. To be honest I couldn't care right now if we play like Brazil, if we lose ground every week. I did find it particularly tough watching us earlier in the season when we played awful and still couldn't win. That we play a more enjoyable watch right now is what I expect. I don't expect wins, but if I can't have any faith that this club can compete for promotion then it is a very sad reality. It does currently look like we are off the pace and another churn of players, both wanted and otherwise, will take place in the summer. Will we be higher than mid table in this league next January, I bloody hope so.
I have been really keen we don’t end up being satisfied with finishing eighth and arguing that we have the basis of a challenge next season, because 1) it’s just not good enough against the resources and the opportunity and 2) we know it’s not that simple and elements of the team will be dismantled.
i think that’s where we are though, which I suppose is better than a year ago, and it’s certainly better to watch.
If we lost Alfie May and George Dobson in the summer and then moved up from 16th to 8th then that would give me confidence that it’s possible we can lose Leaburn, Jones, Small in the upcoming summer window and do the same again, becoming serious automatic promotion contenders / comfortable top six next season, like the current top four are.
Yes it’s not simple but we are moving in the right direction already, despite already having lost previous key players. Hopefully a sign that we’re sorting out our recruitment / squad building process…
I’d have more confidence in that if it had been a progression. Instead we seem to have jumped forward in mid December, which suggests the problem was in tactics/management (accepting that the absence of Jones and fitness of Leaburn were factors).
Exactly, Jones is now telling us that we have a "championship squad". If that is the case then the only reason that we're still mid table in the 3rd Division must be down to him.
Has Jones actually said this? I remember him saying we put in a championship level performance against Preston, which is fair enough
“We’ve got a good squad. We haven’t proved it the first half of the season. But I think we’ve got a Championship-level squad, I really do.
You look at our midfield and you look at their midfield, there’s nothing in it. We’ve got three players in there. Connor Coventry’s a Championship player.
“Doch [Greg Docherty] has played most of his career. Luke Berry’s played in the Premier League last year. We’ve got a Championship-level squad.”
Half this Forum would be f**king shite at anything which requires motivating a number of individuals
Because people wouldn't lie to their players on the off chance it gives them some false confidence?
It's up to the individual most times to find their own motivation. A player who is paid thousands a week and has a luxury career, shouldn't need a manager telling the press how good he thinks they are. They should already know it, and a few press questions shouldn't impact their morale all that much.
You could of course then say he's doing it to create a bit of solidarity in the camp.
Whichever way you look at it, those comments just puts a target on his back and will leave question marks if he can't prove this season we are a championship ready side.
Honestly think you're being a bit naïve there thinking that people wouldnt lie to get a bit of confidence.
Athletes over multiple Sports have talked about how motivation through words from their Coaches can have a massive impact on performances - The trouble is there is no magic wand, no formula that works on everyone.
Sometimes blowing air up their arses, can help them drive on, others hearing that will take it for granted and make them lazy - Same with digging out individuals, some will use to fuel their anger and make them want to prove their Coach, their Manager wrong... Others will retreat into self-doubt and become worse.
Its Jones' job (same with any Manager) to get a response from his players, especially those he's named as he probably thinks they can take that praise and use it to good effect - Of course he's put a target on his back, he's the Manager, he's got to get results by any means necessary!!
Well, I can tell you I'm not naive on the subject, as I've got a competitive background and have experience in leading teams, and managing teams. I know how it feels to be a winner and a loser. I know how it feels to be vulnerable and receive criticism, both positive and negative.
I would of course be aware how competitors feel, as I've competed and managed. The money hasn't been the same, but the competitive aspect, and severity (for work) has been. Of course even if I didn't have my own life experiences, all this information is available to me, and I'm switched on enough to process the mindset of an athlete, anyone in a competitive industry, or, general working industry.
I am aware that's his job. It's also his job, to manage expectations of fans and players. He could say all the positives and the niceties behind closed doors, same as criticism (if you remember, he has already negatively criticised this team to the press) while managing fans expectations to the press.
I'm not Nathan Jones, and I'm not a football manager, never will be. But if I was, the last thing I'd be doing, when there is a certain expectation at this club, is saying we have a championship ready squad, when we sit 11th and our only real chance of being a championship side next season is to overturn a points deficit, and win the lottery of play-offs.
A more realistic statement would be something alone the lines of "We showed today that when we play our best, we can stand up against experienced championship sides. We have a squad with some past championship experience, and I hope they can now see that if they perform like that, we can climb the league and put to bed the disappointment of our poor start."
I'd then in private speak to my players and encourage them, while trying to make sure my important fans don't feel any negativity towards me, as it is important to keep fans on side when you're a manager.
All that said, what do I know, eh
With all due respect, there was a time recently when I started to think Jones wasn't right for us, but even at that time I wouldn't have swapped him for you. We went to a solid Championship club and were the better side so he can legitimately use that to boost morale and confidence. I would in his position.
Also, Jones will never say anything along the lines of what you have suggested. Haven't you heard his interviews? There were no 'look's in it for starters.
Tbh, I'm staggered you've even had to post you wouldn't have swapped Nathan Jones for me, even if it was a joke 😂 my point had nothing to do with football, but more so how to deal/manage with people.
But fair point, he wouldn't say that, as he's arrogant, which is fine when you can back it up.
I don't agree with his comments, suppose there's nothing more to it than that.
Comments
Birmingham to Wrexham is included in this. 6 points out of 12 is a poor return and mid-table form or thereabouts. If we had promotion aspirations, it was unacceptable to win 1 out of 4 games, especially when 3 of them were at home.
Not even being pedantic, it wasn't a blip or separate blips, it was 30% of our season burned through with little to show for.
It's looking like we are showing some fight now, and it's been great. However, if we do come up short, it will be because of that period.
[Yay! A hattrick of posts!]
One game to go and four points behind, we can still do it.
“We’ve got a good squad. We haven’t proved it the first half of the season. But I think we’ve got a Championship-level squad, I really do.
You look at our midfield and you look at their midfield, there’s nothing in it. We’ve got three players in there. Connor Coventry’s a Championship player.
“Doch [Greg Docherty] has played most of his career. Luke Berry’s played in the Premier League last year. We’ve got a Championship-level squad.”
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-after-narrow-fa-cup-exit-at-preston-charlton-athletic-have-a-championship-level-squad/
When Jones took over we were on of the worst teams in the league, he quickly improved that side to a mid table team and we stayed up. That’s progress. We probably didn’t see enough progress as we’d have liked in the first half of this season and were still a mid-table team, but it is obvious that defence was the focus and we massively progressed in that area. Now we are seeing more signs of improvement with the ball. For me if we can end the season playing like a top 6 side, (we have done in the last month but we’ve got to keep that up) that shows we’ve progressed and even if we don’t finish in the top 6 will have been a decent season and I’d be confident for next year.
It's up to the individual most times to find their own motivation. A player who is paid thousands a week and has a luxury career, shouldn't need a manager telling the press how good he thinks they are. They should already know it, and a few press questions shouldn't impact their morale all that much.
You could of course then say he's doing it to create a bit of solidarity in the camp.
Whichever way you look at it, those comments just put a target on his back from the press and fans, and will leave question marks if he can't prove this season we are a championship ready side. In his own words now, he believes we have a championship ready made squad (nonsense)
If we fail to deliver, this can be quoted back to him.
Athletes over multiple Sports have talked about how motivation through words from their Coaches can have a massive impact on performances - The trouble is there is no magic wand, no formula that works on everyone.
Sometimes blowing air up their arses, can help them drive on, others hearing that will take it for granted and make them lazy - Same with digging out individuals, some will use to fuel their anger and make them want to prove their Coach, their Manager wrong... Others will retreat into self-doubt and become worse.
Its Jones' job (same with any Manager) to get a response from his players, especially those he's named as he probably thinks they can take that praise and use it to good effect - Of course he's put a target on his back, he's the Manager, he's got to get results by any means necessary!!
I would of course be aware how competitors feel, as I've competed and managed. The money hasn't been the same, but the competitive aspect, and severity (for work) has been. Of course even if I didn't have my own life experiences, all this information is available to me, and I'm switched on enough to process the mindset of an athlete, anyone in a competitive industry, or, general working industry.
I am aware that's his job. It's also his job, to manage expectations of fans and players. He could say all the positives and the niceties behind closed doors, same as criticism (if you remember, he has already negatively criticised this team to the press) while managing fans expectations to the press.
I'm not Nathan Jones, and I'm not a football manager, never will be. But if I was, the last thing I'd be doing, when there is a certain expectation at this club, is saying we have a championship ready squad, when we sit 11th and our only real chance of being a championship side next season is to overturn a points deficit, and win the lottery of play-offs.
A more realistic statement would be something alone the lines of "We showed today that when we play our best, we can stand up against experienced championship sides. We have a squad with some past championship experience, and I hope they can now see that if they perform like that, we can climb the league and put to bed the disappointment of our poor start."
I'd then in private speak to my players and encourage them, while trying to make sure my important fans don't feel any negativity towards me, as it is important to keep fans on side when you're a manager.
All that said, what do I know, eh
Also, Jones will never say anything along the lines of what you have suggested. Haven't you heard his interviews? There were no 'look's in it for starters.
But fair point, he wouldn't say that, as he's arrogant, which is fine when you can back it up.
I don't agree with his comments, suppose there's nothing more to it than that.