Deadbat
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2009
- Messages
- 6,196
- Reaction score
- 34,714
Manager/Coaches
Paul Heckingbottom had of course come in, steadied the ship and then got United close to promotion as they missed out in the playoffs, only on penalties. The following season, helped by the talisman Iliman Ndiaye, United ended up promoted with a degree of comfort. Heckingbottom despite some criticism with team selections and cautious tactics, remained steady and calm, His interviews were never panicked and he did a solid job. United did have a talented side but there were others (Watford, Norwich, Middlesbrough that were full of talent) that did not close to United. He had experienced that brief spell as caretaker manager in the league before after Wilder left, but now was to have a proper go at things. I must admit I did have my reservations about him even before this season and wondered if he was quite up to the top level but he had deserved his shot as United, in administration and with all the off-field stuff, were kept on an even keel by him.
However, he essentially had the rug pulled under him with little investment (not sure we expected much) and then on the eve of the season, his best two players. We somehow ended up with a team worse than the one that went up! Many will say his signings were poor and they were and he did have to sign off but I think these days a scouting team often will recommend players and I am not sure how much Hecky had in the signings of Souza, Traore, Slimane, Larouci etc. Maybe Hamer and Archer, he had more to do with as he will have known about them. I think with such limited funds, then Hecky did not really have the chance to bring in Premier League type players. If it had not been those the above development players – it would have been similar. There is an argument that Brighton and Brentford pluck players out of the sky and turn them into big profits but their models mean they have been watching/scouting and identifying such players for years. The line up he had to pick on opening day was an embarrassment and I felt really sorry for him. We did get a few in but were already playing catch up. The performances v Forest and City were not too bad as was the one v Everton. We had only picked up one point but could have had more. The turning point to me was the two games against Spurs and Newcastle. We put in solid-ish showing at Tottenham but the late goals were absolute killers – with more injuries and suspensions, we then had the destruction v Newcastle. The first questions about Heckingbottom’s future started to be asked and there is an argument, we should have sacked him then. That would have been harsh to me as he had earned the right to have longer and was the first real hammering.. After that we had really limp performances at West Ham and Fulham and got hammered again, at Arsenal. We did beat Wolves but it was a temporary relief It seemed with us bottom and a defeat at home to Bournemouth, a team we should be competitive against it seemed it was a matter of time before we would make a change. Rumours had been swirling about Wilder’s return for some time and after another awful performance and defeat, at Burnley – it was not a shock to see him sacked. I felt sorry for him. I started to get annoyed at the end with some baffling interviews and excuses and it seemed he had no idea how to stop the rot or to set us up to be competitive. Yes, we had a poor squad but we were not even in most games and with Luton, a fellow promoted team, looking a lot more competitive – this did not help.
In the end, after being brought in as a long-term manager after Jokanovic was dismissed, he ended up lasting less than two seasons and despite talk of him remaining in some capacity (apparently Abdullah offered him the chance to be part of the Academy again) he departed and will almost certainly never be seen at the Lane again. It was a sad end for a guy that for the most part had handled him with class. Ironically, if we had not gone up, he might have stayed but was almost a victim of his own success. Not many managers have overseen a promotion to the top flight so will be remembered quite fondly over time but his record before the Lane, and this season, suggests even with the tough hand he was dealt – the top level was a step too far for his abilities. A really nice fella (although the drink driving charge maybe goes against this thought!) and hopefully he gets back into the game soon. There are far worse coaches/managers that keep getting jobs at Championship level so expect him to get another opportunity soon.
Grade F (Last season A)
Stuart McCall is another that has been part of things both on and off the pitch throughout United’s recent history. He has been coaching under two managers now and although he struggled himself as a manager, always seemed an affable and down to earth sort of guy. Whether his coaching ability is up to much remains to be seen and wonder where he will go next – maybe Hecky will take him to his next club?
Mark Hudson was brought in as defensive coach and to say that was a disaster is an understatement as United’s defence was woeful in every type of situation. Open play, set play, transition, marking, set up. You name it. He got heavily criticised although the individual mistakes could not be pinned on him. In the end he departed when Heckingbottom and McCall moved on.
Chris Wilder The idea of Wilder ever returning to the Lane under Prince Abdullah seemed highly unlikely after their fall out and Wilder’s exit a few years ago. He had of course been at Middlesbrough and Watford since and things had not gone as well as he had hoped, despite a decent start at Boro. I always felt Wilder left with unfinished business and despite his incredible record and success we enjoyed, did not like he kind of slinked away but we were not privy to the details. There has been talk of him and the Prince patching things up and as Heckingbottom and United started the season so badly, the rumours about Wilder coming back started. At first I thought it was nonsense but as a number of journalists and media kept putting the story out, it seemed there was some truth in it. Sure, enough after United made the change, he came back. It was bizarre to see him at his first press conference back in SUFC clothing! I was sceptical of him coming back and wanted us to do something different. I said it at the time and still kind of stand by that. I think despite the comment about unfinished business, I am not sure going back always ends well. He spoke well at first and there seemed to be some humility and admittance of things we/he had gone wrong before. As the opening days and weeks of his return went on, I sort of embraced his return and we saw better and more together performances. I remember why I loved him from his ‘good’ days at United before. We at least were now in games and competitive. He also seemed to be more straight forward than Hecky in his views and was protective of United rather than throwing us under the bus. However, after the start we had, the same shortcomings that befell Hecky, were seen again.
We were dominated possession wise and teams were having so many efforts on goal. He tried to shuffle things round and we saw some younger players but injuries and basic mistakes were continuing to cost us. Soon we started to see the same big defeats we saw under Hecky, happen under Wilder. We got done by large margins again and again with fours, fives and sixes happening fairly regularly. We were getting mocked weekly by pundits and seen as a bit of a joke at this top level. After the initial hope we may turn it around, it became clear that we were going down and it was about next season. His initial vibrancy and smiles were soon replaced by some of the bitter comments we had seen at the end of his previous tenure. The sandwich comment and some bizarre criticisms of situations saw the other side of him.
We then saw fighting talk towards the end and him insisting we would get it right and that he would make the changes. He challenged the players in terms of leadership and decisions. I think he seemed frustrated by it all. It has been concerning that the defence has never been sorted or even slightly improved. I also always thought his main strength was to motivate the players and get them running through walls but that has not happened. Maybe the players are just not good enough but the way they gave up in many games was concerning.
In terms of our style and play – it is hard to say what we have been trying to do? We have tried to keep things tight in some games but struggled to do that. We have certainly seen us attack more and at least look a goal threat under him. The signing of Brereton Diaz was a good one – the signing of Grbic a disaster and Holgate really mixed. We have been in certain games and at least had chances to win/get draws but equally have taken some pastings. He seems frustrated with the fitness and injury record and admitted physically we could not cope.
However, he seemed more steadfast that he was in it for the longer term. It is his club after all and if he left now then what? Not sure he gets a job any higher than League One – that is if he wants to remain in management. He was pictures with Abdullah in Saudi Arabia and all the signs pointing to him being here next season and beyond. Be interesting to see what happens this summer – I do not expect him to get much to spend and we will lose a number of experienced players and have to make some sales too I fear (Archer and maybe one other – Anel or Souza – perhaps both?). If he is not given the tools to build a squad that can compete for promotion, will he fall out with the owner like he did last time? Or will he realise he has to just get on with it no matter what now? I also wonder if we start poorly, will the fans turn? We all accept it is incredibly difficult at this level but the league below even with departures we should be competitive enough to aim for the top end of the league you would think. It is going to be an interesting time. I hope he is successful of course but worry that the move to bring him back is just kicking the can down the road as at some point we need to try and evolve into something different. Wilder has been unsuccessful in his last 4 years of management after being successful in the 4 or 5 prior to that.
A lot of the criticism is rightly aimed at the owner. However, the manager/s do have to take some blame too. Whilst much of the blame lies at the hands of the owner/board for not properly supporting and sustaining what is needed at this level, the managers have not done enough to get us playing as a unit (as you say look at Luton/Burnley who were both at least fighting to stay up). Neither have made us tough to beat or a unit that is hard to break down. Hecky had us very rarely looking like scoring at all but weirdly we were tighter to begin with till that run of big defeats. Wilder came in and at times we have done ok going forward but if anything, we are even worse at the back now and whilst we do attack more, we are so open and easy to be countered on. We were getting smashed almost every other game and I saw no improvement in the way we defend individually or collectively. Even with inferior players, surely we should have a structure to make it hard for teams to go through us – but they do it routinely. I am concerned we have seen very little uplift and people are basing any turnaround on what Wilder did a long time ago. I think if he was not a Blade and we did not have the connection, he would have been removed at the end of the season. That sounds harsh but think if any other manager was here and had overseen defeat after defeat, even with what he had at his disposal, would have been moved on.
It appears his career is on the downward trajectory and what we do this summer and to start next season will determine whether he will be here for a long-ish spell or whether this time next year I am sat typing these notes and discussing another managerial change. If I am, then that means we have had a poor season, no change in the ownership situation and further poor decisions have been made on and off the field. I think Wilder needs the summer to recharge and as a club we need a major reset with a turnaround of players. It might mean we do not bounce straight back up which I can live with but we need to find a plan and strategy, so that if we do get up in the next few years we can harbour a realistic chance of staying there. Ultimately next season we need to steady the ship and show we are tilting things back in the right direction. If we go the other way then it means Wilder will not be here.
Grade F+ (Last season NA)
Jack Lester remained after Hecky moved on. He was here under Wilder before. With Knill, Prestridge and Andrews coming in, I did not see much of Lester after this but assumed he was still on the training pitch. He was part of Rob Page’s set up as Wales lost in the play off. I always felt he might return back to the academy at one point. He and Geary seem to enjoy being coaches but both seem somewhat sidelined from that at the moment?
Alan Knill was brought back with Wilder. We did not hear or see much of him after he came back and our struggles in terms of set plays, offensively and defensively were clear. He remained Rob Page’s number two for Wales. Wilder clearly is very loyal to Knill and players continue to speak highly of him in terms of his coaching but glad we brough an additional body in.
Matt Prestridge was a big part of our fitness and the improvements in this area post Adkins and came back. We have had major injury issues and inability for players to last full games but I do recall problems started even when he was here, during the Covid season/s.
Keith Andrews was a surprise appointment. He had worked as a coach for Ireland but was mostly known for his playing days at Blackburn and Wolves and perhaps more so for being a pundit on the EFL coverage on Sky! Always thought he came across well on Sky and as we have seen with Liam Rosenior, sometimes pundits can do well as coaches and are not always like Gary Neville and Roy Keane! Seemed to like being around the players and his interviews have been interesting and shows he is a deep thinker about the game.
Tom Little was added as the club's head of performance in the summer of 2022 and still as listed as being around despite the incoming staff. Sheffielder Matt Duke is still United's goalkeeping coach. This again a job he kind of fell into when Darren Ward moved on (now part of the England women’s set up by the way) -Duke was an academy coach and much like Hecky and Lester was bumped up after the changes but concerns me if he had anything to do with the Grbic signing!
The medical department is headed by Steve Humphries supported by Ryan Flanagan, Joe Sowden, Chris Senior, Paul Evans and Iain Whorton. The club doctors are Dr Alex Worthington, Dr Subhashis Basu and Dr Rohsan Gunaserkera. The first team management are supported by Lee McMahon, Nathan Winder and Carl Hopwood and Adam Geelan are the kitmen. We also have a chef Matt Dale supported by Adrian Ogden ad Olly Cree. We may see more changes behind the scenes possibly due to the poor fitness and injury records?
We do have an analyst department led by Alex Bailey, Michael Cooper and Hayden Whiting and the scouting team was headed up by Paul Mitchell and Alex Delves. Mitchell of course was head scout and has moved on and Jamie Hoyland was brought in as chief scout. We also saw Mikey Allen come back as head of recruitment – he has previously been in charge of analysis but followed Wilder to Middlesbrough and Watford. We had heard there would be big changes so these two were very uninspiring and seemed it is essentially Wilder bringing back old pals again who have worked with him before rather than a clear plan to do something different. It still seems Wilder will be very much calling the shots to me in terms of who comes in and these appointments do not seem very forward thinking at all. Appointing someone who has been in charge of analysis to head up the recruitment seems a strange move to me?
We certainly need to improve looking at our record and player signings in the last few years. Mitchell did a superb job early on but the recent times, albeit we have had less to spend than many others at our level, we have seen mostly misses. There is two arguments to the Hoyland addition. He was at a decent club and did some good things at Everton (some poor signings and money wasted too but he was only part of that) but also worries me that it seems to be another ‘mate of’ type appointment. Wilder will move on at some point and we seem to operate in a very parochial way. This inward type approach can have positives as they know the club and what the fans want but also can be restrictive. Sometimes,. I would like us to think out of the box more?
Next season
Wilder and co will come back and have to plot a big turnaround in mentality and playing staff. Last time we came down, we had a squad that was packed with experience and Championship level quality and still started really badly under Jokanovic so concerning we will have a weaker side but hope the changes may prevent such a hangover. We certainly need some freshness with fitter, athletic and younger players being brought in. We have had years of slow, ageing players getting worse (Egan, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, Sharp etc as great as they were) and now need to start to build a new side and squad.
I understand Wilder thumping his badge and saying what a great football club it is. We all think that and so he won’t say any different but I am concerned at the state of things. He seems confident he can turn it round and has a plan but we will not have much money at all. We will see a number of players move on (most probably I will be glad to see go – some less so but have reached the end of the road and right to do it) and we will have a mish mash of inexperienced players, a few holdovers from this season and some that are not good enough to be part of a side even at the top end of the league below. Throw in the two-point deduction and it is hard to be too optimism.
We did not see huge improvements – minimal at most and I am unsure what our style or approach to playing is. The team had no spine, conceded lots of goals and did not score that many. It was hard to see much on the field other than flashes from Arblaster, Hamer and Bogle – to think – this is a side that has any chance of bouncing back. The only positive seems to be we won’t be playing teams as good and we can start afresh to a degree. Yet, I would argue the squad going down (or what it might look like) could be far worse than the one that went down last season – that team struggled mightily too with a big hangover. If things start badly then even the fans who feel he has credit in the bank, will start to lose patience. The issues are bigger than the manager but there is more chance a manager being changed again than the owner it seems.
Paul Heckingbottom had of course come in, steadied the ship and then got United close to promotion as they missed out in the playoffs, only on penalties. The following season, helped by the talisman Iliman Ndiaye, United ended up promoted with a degree of comfort. Heckingbottom despite some criticism with team selections and cautious tactics, remained steady and calm, His interviews were never panicked and he did a solid job. United did have a talented side but there were others (Watford, Norwich, Middlesbrough that were full of talent) that did not close to United. He had experienced that brief spell as caretaker manager in the league before after Wilder left, but now was to have a proper go at things. I must admit I did have my reservations about him even before this season and wondered if he was quite up to the top level but he had deserved his shot as United, in administration and with all the off-field stuff, were kept on an even keel by him.
However, he essentially had the rug pulled under him with little investment (not sure we expected much) and then on the eve of the season, his best two players. We somehow ended up with a team worse than the one that went up! Many will say his signings were poor and they were and he did have to sign off but I think these days a scouting team often will recommend players and I am not sure how much Hecky had in the signings of Souza, Traore, Slimane, Larouci etc. Maybe Hamer and Archer, he had more to do with as he will have known about them. I think with such limited funds, then Hecky did not really have the chance to bring in Premier League type players. If it had not been those the above development players – it would have been similar. There is an argument that Brighton and Brentford pluck players out of the sky and turn them into big profits but their models mean they have been watching/scouting and identifying such players for years. The line up he had to pick on opening day was an embarrassment and I felt really sorry for him. We did get a few in but were already playing catch up. The performances v Forest and City were not too bad as was the one v Everton. We had only picked up one point but could have had more. The turning point to me was the two games against Spurs and Newcastle. We put in solid-ish showing at Tottenham but the late goals were absolute killers – with more injuries and suspensions, we then had the destruction v Newcastle. The first questions about Heckingbottom’s future started to be asked and there is an argument, we should have sacked him then. That would have been harsh to me as he had earned the right to have longer and was the first real hammering.. After that we had really limp performances at West Ham and Fulham and got hammered again, at Arsenal. We did beat Wolves but it was a temporary relief It seemed with us bottom and a defeat at home to Bournemouth, a team we should be competitive against it seemed it was a matter of time before we would make a change. Rumours had been swirling about Wilder’s return for some time and after another awful performance and defeat, at Burnley – it was not a shock to see him sacked. I felt sorry for him. I started to get annoyed at the end with some baffling interviews and excuses and it seemed he had no idea how to stop the rot or to set us up to be competitive. Yes, we had a poor squad but we were not even in most games and with Luton, a fellow promoted team, looking a lot more competitive – this did not help.
In the end, after being brought in as a long-term manager after Jokanovic was dismissed, he ended up lasting less than two seasons and despite talk of him remaining in some capacity (apparently Abdullah offered him the chance to be part of the Academy again) he departed and will almost certainly never be seen at the Lane again. It was a sad end for a guy that for the most part had handled him with class. Ironically, if we had not gone up, he might have stayed but was almost a victim of his own success. Not many managers have overseen a promotion to the top flight so will be remembered quite fondly over time but his record before the Lane, and this season, suggests even with the tough hand he was dealt – the top level was a step too far for his abilities. A really nice fella (although the drink driving charge maybe goes against this thought!) and hopefully he gets back into the game soon. There are far worse coaches/managers that keep getting jobs at Championship level so expect him to get another opportunity soon.
Grade F (Last season A)
Stuart McCall is another that has been part of things both on and off the pitch throughout United’s recent history. He has been coaching under two managers now and although he struggled himself as a manager, always seemed an affable and down to earth sort of guy. Whether his coaching ability is up to much remains to be seen and wonder where he will go next – maybe Hecky will take him to his next club?
Mark Hudson was brought in as defensive coach and to say that was a disaster is an understatement as United’s defence was woeful in every type of situation. Open play, set play, transition, marking, set up. You name it. He got heavily criticised although the individual mistakes could not be pinned on him. In the end he departed when Heckingbottom and McCall moved on.
Chris Wilder The idea of Wilder ever returning to the Lane under Prince Abdullah seemed highly unlikely after their fall out and Wilder’s exit a few years ago. He had of course been at Middlesbrough and Watford since and things had not gone as well as he had hoped, despite a decent start at Boro. I always felt Wilder left with unfinished business and despite his incredible record and success we enjoyed, did not like he kind of slinked away but we were not privy to the details. There has been talk of him and the Prince patching things up and as Heckingbottom and United started the season so badly, the rumours about Wilder coming back started. At first I thought it was nonsense but as a number of journalists and media kept putting the story out, it seemed there was some truth in it. Sure, enough after United made the change, he came back. It was bizarre to see him at his first press conference back in SUFC clothing! I was sceptical of him coming back and wanted us to do something different. I said it at the time and still kind of stand by that. I think despite the comment about unfinished business, I am not sure going back always ends well. He spoke well at first and there seemed to be some humility and admittance of things we/he had gone wrong before. As the opening days and weeks of his return went on, I sort of embraced his return and we saw better and more together performances. I remember why I loved him from his ‘good’ days at United before. We at least were now in games and competitive. He also seemed to be more straight forward than Hecky in his views and was protective of United rather than throwing us under the bus. However, after the start we had, the same shortcomings that befell Hecky, were seen again.
We were dominated possession wise and teams were having so many efforts on goal. He tried to shuffle things round and we saw some younger players but injuries and basic mistakes were continuing to cost us. Soon we started to see the same big defeats we saw under Hecky, happen under Wilder. We got done by large margins again and again with fours, fives and sixes happening fairly regularly. We were getting mocked weekly by pundits and seen as a bit of a joke at this top level. After the initial hope we may turn it around, it became clear that we were going down and it was about next season. His initial vibrancy and smiles were soon replaced by some of the bitter comments we had seen at the end of his previous tenure. The sandwich comment and some bizarre criticisms of situations saw the other side of him.
We then saw fighting talk towards the end and him insisting we would get it right and that he would make the changes. He challenged the players in terms of leadership and decisions. I think he seemed frustrated by it all. It has been concerning that the defence has never been sorted or even slightly improved. I also always thought his main strength was to motivate the players and get them running through walls but that has not happened. Maybe the players are just not good enough but the way they gave up in many games was concerning.
In terms of our style and play – it is hard to say what we have been trying to do? We have tried to keep things tight in some games but struggled to do that. We have certainly seen us attack more and at least look a goal threat under him. The signing of Brereton Diaz was a good one – the signing of Grbic a disaster and Holgate really mixed. We have been in certain games and at least had chances to win/get draws but equally have taken some pastings. He seems frustrated with the fitness and injury record and admitted physically we could not cope.
However, he seemed more steadfast that he was in it for the longer term. It is his club after all and if he left now then what? Not sure he gets a job any higher than League One – that is if he wants to remain in management. He was pictures with Abdullah in Saudi Arabia and all the signs pointing to him being here next season and beyond. Be interesting to see what happens this summer – I do not expect him to get much to spend and we will lose a number of experienced players and have to make some sales too I fear (Archer and maybe one other – Anel or Souza – perhaps both?). If he is not given the tools to build a squad that can compete for promotion, will he fall out with the owner like he did last time? Or will he realise he has to just get on with it no matter what now? I also wonder if we start poorly, will the fans turn? We all accept it is incredibly difficult at this level but the league below even with departures we should be competitive enough to aim for the top end of the league you would think. It is going to be an interesting time. I hope he is successful of course but worry that the move to bring him back is just kicking the can down the road as at some point we need to try and evolve into something different. Wilder has been unsuccessful in his last 4 years of management after being successful in the 4 or 5 prior to that.
A lot of the criticism is rightly aimed at the owner. However, the manager/s do have to take some blame too. Whilst much of the blame lies at the hands of the owner/board for not properly supporting and sustaining what is needed at this level, the managers have not done enough to get us playing as a unit (as you say look at Luton/Burnley who were both at least fighting to stay up). Neither have made us tough to beat or a unit that is hard to break down. Hecky had us very rarely looking like scoring at all but weirdly we were tighter to begin with till that run of big defeats. Wilder came in and at times we have done ok going forward but if anything, we are even worse at the back now and whilst we do attack more, we are so open and easy to be countered on. We were getting smashed almost every other game and I saw no improvement in the way we defend individually or collectively. Even with inferior players, surely we should have a structure to make it hard for teams to go through us – but they do it routinely. I am concerned we have seen very little uplift and people are basing any turnaround on what Wilder did a long time ago. I think if he was not a Blade and we did not have the connection, he would have been removed at the end of the season. That sounds harsh but think if any other manager was here and had overseen defeat after defeat, even with what he had at his disposal, would have been moved on.
It appears his career is on the downward trajectory and what we do this summer and to start next season will determine whether he will be here for a long-ish spell or whether this time next year I am sat typing these notes and discussing another managerial change. If I am, then that means we have had a poor season, no change in the ownership situation and further poor decisions have been made on and off the field. I think Wilder needs the summer to recharge and as a club we need a major reset with a turnaround of players. It might mean we do not bounce straight back up which I can live with but we need to find a plan and strategy, so that if we do get up in the next few years we can harbour a realistic chance of staying there. Ultimately next season we need to steady the ship and show we are tilting things back in the right direction. If we go the other way then it means Wilder will not be here.
Grade F+ (Last season NA)
Jack Lester remained after Hecky moved on. He was here under Wilder before. With Knill, Prestridge and Andrews coming in, I did not see much of Lester after this but assumed he was still on the training pitch. He was part of Rob Page’s set up as Wales lost in the play off. I always felt he might return back to the academy at one point. He and Geary seem to enjoy being coaches but both seem somewhat sidelined from that at the moment?
Alan Knill was brought back with Wilder. We did not hear or see much of him after he came back and our struggles in terms of set plays, offensively and defensively were clear. He remained Rob Page’s number two for Wales. Wilder clearly is very loyal to Knill and players continue to speak highly of him in terms of his coaching but glad we brough an additional body in.
Matt Prestridge was a big part of our fitness and the improvements in this area post Adkins and came back. We have had major injury issues and inability for players to last full games but I do recall problems started even when he was here, during the Covid season/s.
Keith Andrews was a surprise appointment. He had worked as a coach for Ireland but was mostly known for his playing days at Blackburn and Wolves and perhaps more so for being a pundit on the EFL coverage on Sky! Always thought he came across well on Sky and as we have seen with Liam Rosenior, sometimes pundits can do well as coaches and are not always like Gary Neville and Roy Keane! Seemed to like being around the players and his interviews have been interesting and shows he is a deep thinker about the game.
Tom Little was added as the club's head of performance in the summer of 2022 and still as listed as being around despite the incoming staff. Sheffielder Matt Duke is still United's goalkeeping coach. This again a job he kind of fell into when Darren Ward moved on (now part of the England women’s set up by the way) -Duke was an academy coach and much like Hecky and Lester was bumped up after the changes but concerns me if he had anything to do with the Grbic signing!
The medical department is headed by Steve Humphries supported by Ryan Flanagan, Joe Sowden, Chris Senior, Paul Evans and Iain Whorton. The club doctors are Dr Alex Worthington, Dr Subhashis Basu and Dr Rohsan Gunaserkera. The first team management are supported by Lee McMahon, Nathan Winder and Carl Hopwood and Adam Geelan are the kitmen. We also have a chef Matt Dale supported by Adrian Ogden ad Olly Cree. We may see more changes behind the scenes possibly due to the poor fitness and injury records?
We do have an analyst department led by Alex Bailey, Michael Cooper and Hayden Whiting and the scouting team was headed up by Paul Mitchell and Alex Delves. Mitchell of course was head scout and has moved on and Jamie Hoyland was brought in as chief scout. We also saw Mikey Allen come back as head of recruitment – he has previously been in charge of analysis but followed Wilder to Middlesbrough and Watford. We had heard there would be big changes so these two were very uninspiring and seemed it is essentially Wilder bringing back old pals again who have worked with him before rather than a clear plan to do something different. It still seems Wilder will be very much calling the shots to me in terms of who comes in and these appointments do not seem very forward thinking at all. Appointing someone who has been in charge of analysis to head up the recruitment seems a strange move to me?
We certainly need to improve looking at our record and player signings in the last few years. Mitchell did a superb job early on but the recent times, albeit we have had less to spend than many others at our level, we have seen mostly misses. There is two arguments to the Hoyland addition. He was at a decent club and did some good things at Everton (some poor signings and money wasted too but he was only part of that) but also worries me that it seems to be another ‘mate of’ type appointment. Wilder will move on at some point and we seem to operate in a very parochial way. This inward type approach can have positives as they know the club and what the fans want but also can be restrictive. Sometimes,. I would like us to think out of the box more?
Next season
Wilder and co will come back and have to plot a big turnaround in mentality and playing staff. Last time we came down, we had a squad that was packed with experience and Championship level quality and still started really badly under Jokanovic so concerning we will have a weaker side but hope the changes may prevent such a hangover. We certainly need some freshness with fitter, athletic and younger players being brought in. We have had years of slow, ageing players getting worse (Egan, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, Sharp etc as great as they were) and now need to start to build a new side and squad.
I understand Wilder thumping his badge and saying what a great football club it is. We all think that and so he won’t say any different but I am concerned at the state of things. He seems confident he can turn it round and has a plan but we will not have much money at all. We will see a number of players move on (most probably I will be glad to see go – some less so but have reached the end of the road and right to do it) and we will have a mish mash of inexperienced players, a few holdovers from this season and some that are not good enough to be part of a side even at the top end of the league below. Throw in the two-point deduction and it is hard to be too optimism.
We did not see huge improvements – minimal at most and I am unsure what our style or approach to playing is. The team had no spine, conceded lots of goals and did not score that many. It was hard to see much on the field other than flashes from Arblaster, Hamer and Bogle – to think – this is a side that has any chance of bouncing back. The only positive seems to be we won’t be playing teams as good and we can start afresh to a degree. Yet, I would argue the squad going down (or what it might look like) could be far worse than the one that went down last season – that team struggled mightily too with a big hangover. If things start badly then even the fans who feel he has credit in the bank, will start to lose patience. The issues are bigger than the manager but there is more chance a manager being changed again than the owner it seems.
