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HenneysKnee wrote: ↑Sat Apr 25, 2026 9:41 pm

_bluebird_ wrote: ↑Sat Apr 25, 2026 9:35 pm How would you play next season? Go all put and spend a fortune whilst there's parachute payments or be level headed and aim for a steady season an regroup to challenge the year after? So many teams bounce right back but so many go down again. Its hard to change the mindset of a core squad thats quite frankly spineless

How many teams bounce right back?

Since automatic promotion came in, there have been seven - Lincoln(1988), Darlington(1990), Shrewsbury(2004), Carlisle(2005), Bristol Rovers(2015), Cheltenham(2016), Grimsby(2022). Carlisle could become the first club to do it twice.

No doubt won't happen but there is also a move to make it 3 up.

bluessupporter wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 1:44 pm No doubt won't happen but there is also a move to make it 3 up.

I was against this, but fully behind the idea now....

bluessupporter wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 1:44 pm No doubt won't happen but there is also a move to make it 3 up.

With the National League coming under the financial regulator from next season there would only be the transfer window that would need alighning to EFL rules so I can see three up three down coming in possibly 2/3 years time

Scott5 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 9:07 am

WalneyOne wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 6:03 am

As a player yes.
As a manager? Inept at best.

He’s never managed before was asked to take it on and did knowing it was a huge challenge mission impossible almost.
I don’t blame Foley at all I blame the people above who made the decision. Another bad one in a long line of them. Whoever thought Clemence had credentials after failing at gillingham, who then decided to keep Andy Whing when it was obvious he was out of his depth and only Rob Kelly temporarily revived us? Who then thought that after saying Whing lacked experience it was a good idea to appoint Paul Gallagher with none over Neil MacDonald, to sign a load of kids for a L2 relegation battle and then thinking they and the squad were good enough. Before panicking again getting rid and bringing in Dino Maamria only to do the same to him. To then end up with someone in charge with no experience in our position is astounding.
A long list of decisions not counting the ones on certain players which have contributed towards us being where we are. Naive if you’re kind, sheer incompetence really. What a farce it’s been and for probably 2/3 of our time in this league in reality.

I still maintain we can survive at this level with the right planning and management, it’s not a strong league but unfortunately mismanagement over a period of time has finally come to bite us.

The signs of a hard season ahead started with the summer recruitment. We asked time and again- “who is going to score the goals”? Within 10 games we had the lowest “goals for” across the league.

Fast forward to the Whing exit, I thought it was the right thing at the time to make changes, but enter Paul Gallagher and you just knew from the first couple of interviews that it was from the textbook of coaching language and we needed more than that, we needed strong leaders on the pitch and he brought in the wrong players in Jan. From there on in, we were on the slide.

And here we are, reflecting. Agree with an earlier comment that whoever gets involved with contracts needs to stagger the contract length so we are not looking for a new side every two seasons. How can you build squad continuity around that?
And most importantly, We need to employ an experienced manager/ coach who has had success, knows the game inside out and has great contacts for player recruitment. We need experienced coaches to work on key areas of the pitch, goalkeeping (someone like Mick Payne, even advisory to mentor these young goalkeepers- Stanway has lost confidence and needs it back) a defensive coach, who can support these players (Rob Kelly was great with players and our collective defensive shape improved when he was here) and also we need a bloody good set piece / finishing coach, someone like Wayne Rooney / or Ferguson. Even on part time basis. They love the game and would be a great boost and why not. At least Dunc would teach them how to attack and head a ball at corners.

Jonty who's going to pay for all these coaches? I believe that it's partly down to coaching that we're in this mess everyone of these managers stuck to that pathetic 3 at the back even though it didn't work and was so unattractive to watch!
We need a Captain / leader on the pitch, an experienced keeper was needed to cover Stanway and we need a no nonsense hands on Manager!
Over coaching/ instructions have ruined the modern game just look how long it takes us to put a sub on !

blue nige wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 5:11 pm Jonty who's going to pay for all these coaches? I believe that it's partly down to coaching that we're in this mess everyone of these managers stuck to that pathetic 3 at the back even though it didn't work and was so unattractive to watch!
We need a Captain / leader on the pitch, an experienced keeper was needed to cover Stanway and we need a no nonsense hands on Manager!
Over coaching/ instructions have ruined the modern game just look how long it takes us to put a sub on !

I agree on a no nonsense Manager, and ONE person. I just highlighting areas we have lacked massively- goalkeeping, defensive shape, set piece and finishing. I named those individuals because they are in the game, even on part time advisory basis. Pie in the sky thinking maybe, but that’s what is needed.

Jonty wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 5:34 pm

blue nige wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 5:11 pm Jonty who's going to pay for all these coaches? I believe that it's partly down to coaching that we're in this mess everyone of these managers stuck to that pathetic 3 at the back even though it didn't work and was so unattractive to watch!
We need a Captain / leader on the pitch, an experienced keeper was needed to cover Stanway and we need a no nonsense hands on Manager!
Over coaching/ instructions have ruined the modern game just look how long it takes us to put a sub on !

I agree on a no nonsense Manager, and ONE person. I just highlighting areas we have lacked massively- goalkeeping, defensive shape, set piece and finishing. I named those individuals because they are in the game, even on part time advisory basis. Pie in the sky thinking maybe, but that’s what is needed.

Graham Coughlan maybe? Not sure what his remit is here but he’s at least got experience although disnt fare too well on his last job at Boston in the end.

Scott5 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 27, 2026 12:25 pm

Jonty wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 5:34 pm

I agree on a no nonsense Manager, and ONE person. I just highlighting areas we have lacked massively- goalkeeping, defensive shape, set piece and finishing. I named those individuals because they are in the game, even on part time advisory basis. Pie in the sky thinking maybe, but that’s what is needed.

Graham Coughlan maybe? Not sure what his remit is here but he’s at least got experience although disnt fare too well on his last job at Boston in the end.

"I agree on a no nonsense Manager, "

I thought that Dino was brought in with the reputation as being a no nonsense manager - and look what happened there !

What happened there was player power won.
I've noticed for a few years now that most of our players look 'small' i dont mean in height but in stature. You look at some of the players in teams we have been up against and as well as being better players they've all been proper units in great physical condition, can't think of any of those in our side

HenneysKnee wrote: ↑Sat Apr 25, 2026 7:41 pm

Bigfathoss wrote: ↑Sat Apr 25, 2026 7:18 pm Hopefully the awards night will be cancelled. That would be one slap in the face too many.

Is there one? Christ that would be short sighted

Gillingham have cancelled theirs. Hopefully we follow suit.

Matty wrote: ↑Tue Apr 28, 2026 1:15 pm Gillingham have cancelled theirs. Hopefully we follow suit.

Behind closed doors at the training facility.

Friends and family, by invite only.

Post the results on my space

I dont think we are having one now. Hope not.

barrowaberdeen wrote: ↑Tue Apr 28, 2026 5:50 pm I dont think we are having one now. Hope not.

Be one thing the board have definitely got right this season.

No player deserves an award so how could any be given out would be a slap in the face to the supporters.

I hope we haven't been waiting until after Saturday either the new manager should be in the building next week ideally.