Is it really working with/for Duff?

[FearOfAJackPlanet]

We're simply not a very good squad. A team of average footballers (maybe one or two exceptions who are slightly above average) and a recruitment plan that leaves much to be desired

I have said it before but remind me how much we paid for Jerry Yates

And there was also a reason why Fulton wasnt playing much in the first 12 months or so under Martin.

Don't need to read the full 4 pages here, as that's the crux of the matter right there. We're a bang average squad, a bang average squad going through a transition from one management to another. Results are pretty much in line with that.

There was still, earlier in the season, plenty of talk on this forum about us being a play-off/promotion squad, and us not being up there in the top 6 was a damning indictment of Duff as anyone worth their salt would be getting consistent wins out of this group. That seemed very optimistic at the time, and still does. Every year since we came down, the squad has got weaker, and that's what we've seen this year.

The recruitment 'model' Paul Watson is putting together better be f*cking amazing or else we'll just get weaker and weaker again. Or someone dips into their pockets to recruit some better talent. Or Duff turns out to be a tactical genius who can get a top 6 tune out of this lot - that latter certainly doesn't seem likely right now.

It's an eternity away in football terms, but I'd like to see where we are this time next year under Duff after a couple more windows for Watson/Duff to get the squad more fit for purpose.

 

[Nocountryforoldjack]

You’re such an angry person. You’re Either blaming refs or kicking your cat.

Yawn

 

[Andrew - North Hill]

Yeah you went missing when we won a few games innit you f*****g wastrel.

No, it was because it got tiresome having to read your continual spouting of bollocks. No doubt I'll need another break from it at some point.

You're a bit like living near a refuse plant - it's tolerable most of the time, but now and again you've just got to get away from the smell.

 

[Skippyjack]

Grow up you two FFS.. you see this on a 5 year old play yard

 

[magicdaps10]

Worrying that the talk today is that we're looking for an enforcer in midfield to be a set piece threat.

Surely a creative midfielder is priority?
They're on another wavelength this lot.

 

[jasper_T]

Surely a creative midfielder is priority?
They're on another wavelength this lot.

"Too often, it's claimed, Grimes is successfully targeted by opposition midfielders, who subsequently stifle his obvious creativity in the middle. An enforcer capable of adding a little more bite and steel in midfield is subsequently on the list of possibilities." from Tom Coleman.

Not sure what they're picturing, some bruiser physically wrestling players off Grimes to give him more space? The answer to Grimes being stifled by close attention is obviously having more than one player who can pass a football, as you say. We've already got proven "steel" in Fulton, and that combination rarely satisfies. Abdulai when fit is a ball-carrying defensive mid who could offer something if given the opportunity. We've probably given up on Allen.

 

[Nocountryforoldjack]

No, it was because it got tiresome having to read your continual spouting of bollocks. No doubt I'll need another break from it at some point.

You're a bit like living near a refuse plant - it's tolerable most of the time, but now and again you've just got to get away from the smell.

Yeah like fuck, you only on here when we lose or draw.

 

[magicdaps10]

Yeah like f**k, you only on here when we lose or draw.

Being fair, he would be on here all the time then

 

[Andrew - North Hill]

"Too often, it's claimed, Grimes is successfully targeted by opposition midfielders, who subsequently stifle his obvious creativity in the middle. An enforcer capable of adding a little more bite and steel in midfield is subsequently on the list of possibilities." from Tom Coleman.

Not sure what they're picturing, some bruiser physically wrestling players off Grimes to give him more space? The answer to Grimes being stifled by close attention is obviously having more than one player who can pass a football, as you say. We've already got proven "steel" in Fulton, and that combination rarely satisfies. Abdulai when fit is a ball-carrying defensive mid who could offer something if given the opportunity. We've probably given up on Allen.

The reality is, if Duff somehow survives here for a couple of years, Matt Grimes won't be here. He'll either ask to leave or he'll be phased out. Players like Grimes don't fit his (or Watson's) profile. Duff does not want ball players in his midfield (indeed in his whole side). He just wants runners, workhorses. That's what he wants.

Holding onto and manipulating that leather round thing that pings around the pitch amongst the two teams for 90 mins is at the very bottom of the list of his concerns. Anyone with half a brain can surely see that by now.

 

[magicdaps10]

It's not working with Duff is it!?

 

[Richard]

Can we drop Duff off in Cheltenham and tell him not to come back?

 

[magicdaps10]

Can we drop Duff off in Cheltenham and tell him not to come back?

Starting to go that way.
I dont see a plan, I don't see any signs of encouragement.........he is based on old school pragmatic football.
Not working.......we need a more proactive person.

 

[Roger]

Yeah like f**k, you only on here when we lose or draw.

So what if he is?

Some of us don’t get excited when we scrape a 1-0 win because it’s just papering over the cracks.

This club needs a reset from top to bottom. It needs new owners, new players a competent manager and competent coaching staff.

We’re going to be in a relegation battle if the club persists to tread this path.

 

[Swanjaxs]

So what if he is?

Some of us don’t get excited when we scrape a 1-0 win because it’s just papering over the cracks.

This club needs a reset from top to bottom. It needs new owners, new players a competent manager and competent coaching staff.

We’re going to be in a relegation battle if the club persists to tread this path.

And who exactly, is going to pump all these millions of pounds into a lower/mid table Championship club to facilitate this "top to bottom " reset Rog old boy?
Not having a go, just wondering if there's any oil rich sheikhs out there that we might attract the attention of...

 

[Jack2jack]

This the way I see it. He's been brought in by the current owners, if he gets us mid table it's all good for them, they have no ambition other than to secure second tier football, it's a safe bet, they dont have to spunk away millions to stay in the PL or infact to get us there in the first place. We plod along ad infinitum until they get bored and actually FO, and flog us on the open market as an established EFL club, there is of course a flaw to this, their model could actually go tits up and we get relegated. Just my opinion for what it's worth. Ambition eh! It's over rated clearly.