No Excuses

[Melton Blade]

Clearly we can only guess at the short team deal (& ongoing negotiations) to secure a Premiership bench sitter - but for certain it won't be cheap.
Add to that the purchase of Billy and the deals for Woolford, Edgar & the Fish on top of the already bloated (& under performing) senior squad he inherited means that NA can't claim he hasn't been backed by the Board.
We all hope that Hammond when match fit is that missing piece in CM and that when Edgar returns to fitness he is the answer at CB.
I'm not convinced that MW & the Fish have done anything other than add to the wage bill as not many on here have them in their starting 11s.
When Bob & the Beard return it will be embarassing just how many don't get a game....
I've given up hope on Wallace...
Great to see young DCL doing so well at the Cobblers - if he fills out a bit - we can ditch the Fish next year.
I guess McNuts is simply back up for Billy? Shame really.
With the crowds we get, the size of squad & wages we must pay (compared to others) how do we not p*ss this league?
C'mon NA - if you and your well paid backroom staff are any good at what you do - then surely it has to happen!

 

[Tezza1889]

Dear Melton blade, get with the program, blades and expectations have very grey areas, and it's a historic failing to meet fans expectations is almost legendary, now, to the point that most people who know anything about us know that we are officially the team with the worst success rate per Wembley appearances.....

Replace surely with hopefully, and you'll be a bit closer to where you should be..

 

[PeteBlade]

He's been able to sign, what, 2 players on a permanent basis and a couple of loans (one 4 months late) and this counts as being backed by the board?

 

[Esablade]

Ditch the fish!?
We've actually got very good attacking options for L1 for the first time in awhile ( well, since Ched's 'wonder season' )

He's played a big part already and when the going gets tough in mid winter, I'm sure we'll see his worth again...

You can spend all the money you like but if the team dont gel and get enough points on the board it's the manager who pays..'think Liverpool' ( again)

...I think part of the apathy question is because many fans have written this season off as a transition...until Adkins can have the clear out needed..( this is not my view btw)

 

[Lane Ender]

Ditch the fish!?
We've actually got very good attacking options for L1 for the first time in awhile ( well, since Ched's 'wonder season' )

He's played a big part already and when the going gets tough in mid winter, I'm sure we'll see his worth again...

You can spend all the money you like but if the team dont gel and get enough points on the board it's the manager who pays..'think Liverpool' ( again)

...I think part of the apathy question is because many fans have written this season off as a transition...until Adkins can have the clear out needed..( this is not my view btw)

Sammon hasn't done a deal wrong for me but he finds himself down the pecking order
But if he is to come off the bench lets play him down the middle not out wide

 

[Woodwardfan]

Good OP and quality thread.

The next phase has to be more departures on loan. Adkins has assessed the squad and will have an idea of his first choice team and formation now that he has his "main man" on board.

The team has goals in it and the defence has got a good defensive record these last 8 games (9 goals). The presence of Hammond should improve that more as should the return of Edgar.

Well done Phipps and the Board. The manager is not seeking excuses, he expects promotion and has always said that if we are still in touch in January we can take it from there. Brayford back, settled side, all players used to playing together and off we go.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Good OP and quality thread.

The next phase has to be more departures on loan. Adkins has assessed the squad and will have an idea of his first choice team and formation now that he has his "main man" on board.

The team has goals in it and the defence has got a good defensive record these last 8 games (9 goals). The presence of Hammond should improve that more as should the return of Edgar.

Well done Phipps and the Board. The manager is not seeking excuses, he expects promotion and has always said that if we are still in touch in January we can take it from there. Brayford back, settled side, all players used to playing together and off we go.

Some good posts on this subject woody (no excuses) perhaps for now the fans will get off Adkins and the boar.ds back and give it a bit of time to gell we have got a large squad and the wage bill fora club in this division must be massive(pig talk).
Listening to Hammond interview I got the feeling he will sign a contract in the new year,Adkins avoided answering when asked that question as it would put him in a corner if it didn't happen the board make that decision so it's up to Adkins to get us into a position where
the board sanction the cost (he will not come cheap).
The way we set up on Tues it looks like Adkins would like to play with two holding players across the middle didn't work too well at times on Tues but if we can get the movement right it could really get us going we had too many players chicken in out on Tues ,to , make it work players have to work hard and not be afraid to make mistakes (the fans being so critical doesn't help at times) patience blades fans we could finally be onto a winner here.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Some good posts on this subject woody (no excuses) perhaps for now the fans will get off Adkins and the boar.ds back and give it a bit of time to gell we have got a large squad and the wage bill fora club in this division must be massive(pig talk).
Listening to Hammond interview I got the feeling he will sign a contract in the new year,Adkins avoided answering when asked that question as it would put him in a corner if it didn't happen the board make that decision so it's up to Adkins to get us into a position where
the board sanction the cost (he will not come cheap).
The way we set up on Tues it looks like Adkins would like to play with two holding players across the middle didn't work too well at times on Tues but if we can get the movement right it could really get us going we had too many players chicken in out on Tues ,to , make it work players have to work hard and not be afraid to make mistakes (the fans being so critical doesn't help at times) patience blades fans we could finally be onto a winner here.

If we play like that we have to get the full backs charging up and down the wings, ideal for Brayford but Freeman is a good player too ( offensively anyway).

Basham at the back, Coutts and Hammond in the holding positions. What Coutts lacks in pace and mobility I reckon he can make up for in experience, particularly with Hammond alongside him.

In a short while:

Keeper.

Brayford, Edgar/ Collins, Basham, Harris/ Wallace

Coutts, Hammond

Done Baxter Adams

Sharp

 

[finlaytheblade]

If we play like that we have to get the full backs charging up and down the wings, ideal for Brayford but Freeman is a good player too ( offensively anyway).

Basham at the back, Coutts and Hammond in the holding positions. What Coutts lacks in pace and mobility I reckon he can make up for in experience, particularly with Hammond alongside him.

In a short while:

Keeper.

Brayford, Edgar/ Collins, Basham, Harris/ Wallace

Coutts, Hammond

Done Baxter Adams

Sharp[/QUOTE. Coutts in some ways reminds me of Cowans he used to sit deep and control the flow of the game
he unfortunately was at the end of his career coutts is in his prime as long as he stays fit.
We have a manager now who knows the mechanics of keeping players fit ( ex player &physio)and not over playing them I am
getting quite excited how this season is taking shape I will come out with my mantra ::atience blades please.

 

[Balham]

He's been able to sign, what, 2 players on a permanent basis and a couple of loans (one 4 months late) and this counts as being backed by the board?

He's been allowed to sign those 4 players despite us having a squad of nearly 30 senior professionals; which to me is one way of defining "being backed by the board". Do you think that the players who aren't in the squad don't cost us anything?

Our squad is the millstone. The sooner we can ship some of the fringe players out the better but that needs other clubs to be willing to take them on.

 

[PeteBlade]

He's been allowed to sign those 4 players despite us having a squad of nearly 30 senior professionals; which to me is one way of defining "being backed by the board". Do you think that the players who aren't in the squad don't cost us anything?

Our squad is the millstone. The sooner we can ship some of the fringe players out the better but that needs other clubs to be willing to take them on.

Of course I don't, don't be ridiculous.

But even if it's through no fault of the board, the OP makes out that because he's been able to sign the small amount of players he has done that he's somehow he should have us top.


If he'd had a clean slate, our squad would look very different.

 

[Grappler]

Sammon hasn't done a deal wrong for me but he finds himself down the pecking order
But if he is to come off the bench lets play him down the middle not out wide

Agree, Sammon has been good when played in the correct position. The lad is a battering ram to run straight through the middle and make spaces, hold the ball up or shoot.

 

[Woodwardfan]

The manager expects to go up and he has been backed by the Board. He has made expensive signings and inherited a big and capable squad for this league.

We will go up so nobody will need to make excuses and the manager would never claim otherwise I'm sure.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

He's been allowed to sign those 4 players despite us having a squad of nearly 30 senior professionals; which to me is one way of defining "being backed by the board". Do you think that the players who aren't in the squad don't cost us anything?

Our squad is the millstone. The sooner we can ship some of the fringe players out the better but that needs other clubs to be willing to take them on.

But who are all these surplus fringe players that Adkins should be shipping out?
A few weeks ago, K.Wallace and McGahey would have been on most of our lists, now they are in the first team.
Alcock would also but he played very well in the 45 minutes before he "took one for the team" and got injured.

Apart from the 18 man squad from Tuesday, we have the following players:-

Brayford, Harris, Edgar, J.Wallace, Flynn (Currently injured but probably first XVIII material when fit)

Alcock, McEverley, Cuvelier (Currently injured but possibly surplus to requirements once fit)

Scougall, McNulty (Been an in out of the matchday squad most of the season. May be required again if we get even more injuries)

Dimaio, De Girolamo (Surplus fringe players at the moment, assuming they're not injured)

 

[PeteBlade]

The manager expects to go up and he has been backed by the Board. He has made expensive signings and inherited a big and capable squad for this league.

We will go up so nobody will need to make excuses and the manager would never claim otherwise I'm sure.

He hasn't been backed purely because you say he's been backed.

Inheriting a large and expensive squad isn't the same as being backed.

Any manager wants to create his own team. Fingers crosses he'll be able to move along a lot of the deadwood and be able to do so.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

He hasn't been backed purely because you say he's been backed.

Inheriting a large and expensive squad isn't the same as being backed.

Any manager wants to create his own team. Fingers crosses he'll be able to move along a lot of the deadwood and be able to do so.

The board, I presume, gave the sanction to the proliferation of signings made by Clough?

 

[PeteBlade]

The board, I presume, gave the sanction to the proliferation of signings made by Clough?

Yes, it would be difficult to argue that Clough wasn't backed.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Yes, it would be difficult to argue that Clough wasn't backed.

So, the lack of wiggle room that Adkins has, because of the size of the squad IS the fault of the board

 

[Balham]

Players I'd look to move on are below. I appreciate that some of these will be a little controversial!

Permanent:
Willis - is he really going to make it?
McFadzean - realistically fifth choice left back behind Harris, Wallace, McEveley and Freeman when everyone's fit
Alcock - a decent pro but he's third choice right back
Higdon - failed experiment
Scougall - if everyone's fit where does he fit in?
McEveley - I don't agree with the vilification but I wonder whether it's gone past the point of no return for him
Collins - if everyone's fit, he drops out. He's rumoured to be one of our biggest earners but IMHO isn't good enough

Loan:
McNulty - needs gametime
De Girolamo - can he make it?
Dimaio - see De Girolamo


That would take us down to 23 senior pros which is still more than enough:

2 goalkeepers (Howard, Long)
4 full backs (Freeman, Brayford, Harris, Wallace)
4 centre halves (Edgar, Kennedy*, McGahey, Basham)
3 wingers (Campbell-Ryce, Flynn, Woolford)
6 centre midfielders (Baxter, Coutts, Hammond, Cuvelier*, Wallace*, Reed)
4 attackers (Sharp, Adams, Sammon, Done)

*injuries notwithstanding

 

[Woodwardfan]

Yes, it would be difficult to argue that Clough wasn't backed.

So please explain what you are saying, it's not clear. BTW you've no need to explain it just because I say so of course.

Every new manager inherits a squad and a budget, that's an inescapable fact.

 

[s35blade]

Of course there's going to have to be a few outs in January as well, it's financially ridiculous to have senior pros picking up a wage sitting in the stand with next to no chance of ever playing.

 

[PeteBlade]

So please explain what you are saying, it's not clear. BTW you've no need to explain it just because I say so of course.

Every new manager inherits a squad and a budget, that's an inescapable fact.

I didn't think it would need explaining but here goes:

Clough: was backed. Sound multiple players. Decent fees, large wages.

Adkins: not yet backed as only able to sign two players permanently. It's partly Clough's fault he's not been able to be backed because of all the players he inherited.
Inheriting these players doesn't count as being backed.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I didn't think it would need explaining but here goes:

Clough: was backed. Sound multiple players. Decent fees, large wages.

Adkins: not yet backed as only able to sign two players permanently. It's partly Clough's fault he's not been able to be backed because of all the players he inherited.
Inheriting these players doesn't count as being backed.

So it was impossible for the Board to back Adkins?

 

[PeteBlade]

So it was impossible for the Board to back Adkins?

Without knowing the ins and outs of the finances I couldn't possibly answer.

Owners can fund clubs as much as they like in this league I'm led to believe through the benefactor model.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Without knowing the ins and outs of the finances I couldn't possibly answer.

Owners can fund clubs as much as they like in this league I'm led to believe through the benefactor model.

Pete ,

I think we have to get real and understand the financial situation of the club and the brand of football we are now playing ( going through a learning curve for players and supporters a like , on both fronts )

Both IMO will ultimately provide us with a winning formula , even this season.

UTB

 

[PeteBlade]

Pete ,

I think we have to get real and understand the financial situation of the club and the brand of football we are now playing ( going through a learning curve for players and supporters a like , on both fronts )

Both IMO will ultimately provide us with a winning formula , even this season.

UTB

I agree, or I'd certainly like to agree.
I feel bringing Adkins in was the best move the club have made in the last few years and I hope he's given all the tools he needs to succeed.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Without knowing the ins and outs of the finances I couldn't possibly answer.

Owners can fund clubs as much as they like in this league I'm led to believe through the benefactor model.

Pete, my last comment on this. Loan players of the calibre of Sammon, Edgar and Hammond cost a lot of money which still has to be paid. The two signings Sharp and Woolford will not have been cheap.

Two loan signings for a season, one for 93 days are the only way of doing the deal for the sake of the players who are on big contracts and would have to give them up to come and play on contract for us. Sometimes it's an interim arrangement until the contracts run down.

Fact is the costs do have to be found and they do count as backing whichever way one looks at it. The fact that all those contracts on Clough's squad have to be paid just adds to the burden for the Board and the new manager, but that's life.

The Board have stepped up and made things possible and it is a pity that doubts like yours still persist. Old habits die hard.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

...I think part of the apathy question is because many fans have written this season off as a transition...until Adkins can have the clear out needed..( this is not my view btw)

He'll be having a clear out next summer for sure, in preparation for Championship football's return to BDTBL in August 2016

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Our squad is the millstone.

Which players we should retain will vary from supporter to supporter - and game to game - but the basic sentiment here has to be true.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Am I missing something here?

theres no doubt the board backed Clough and some of that money has of course been a waste. Adkins has been backed but I'd guess to a lesser extent cash wise. But how is writing a monthly cheque for a Clough signing, good or bad, "backing" Adkins?