| We've recruited in this window like.... 08:32 - Feb 2 with 6051 views | itfcjoe |
....we've appointed a new manager at the start of the month and trying to reshape the squad to get a couple of his players in.
But it's not, it's this managers 5th transfer window since being appointed.
More good money thrown after bad.
The squad is ridiculously bloated, our youngsters just pushed further and further down the pecking order and into the U23s of a League 1 side.
I was never one that said relegation would be a good thing, but I think most accepted that going down would allow us to have a bit of a reset, try and bring through some youngsters, utilise the academy and build something from the bottom up.
The salary cap has changed things somewhat, but the state of the squad when this manager has been in place over 2 years is a disgrace really - when you look at how streamlined a squad Mick was running by the end of his tenure in the championship, to have this many in L1 is mental.
GK: Holy, Cornell
RB: Matheson, KVY
CB: Chambers, Woolf, McG'ness, Wilson, Nsiala
LB: Ward, Kenlock
CM: Dozzell, Downes, Bishop, Harrop, Nolan, Huws, Skuse
RW: Thomas, Judge, Lankester, Dobra
LW: Edwards, Bennetts, Sears
ST: Norwood, Parrott, Jackson, Drinan, Hawkins
The players are there, but the manager isn't - will he be able to use this lot to limp to 4 points every 3 games and get us nowhere? Probably. |  |
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| We've recruited in this window like.... on 10:35 - Feb 2 with 1153 views | pistonbroke |
Unfortunately we need to get promotion this season and our youngsters have been given chances and shown they are not good enough , dobra , Lankester have had chances and shown nothing , Woolfenden has been poor so chambers has to go back in the middle , Dozzell has never taken the opportunity to run and dictate a game created nothing and goes missing in the defensive side of his duties , Drinan is not a goal scorer , the team he can now play
Holy
Mathewson
Chambers
Wilson when fit Mcguiness till then
Kenlock
Downes
Thomas
Harrop
Edwards
Norwood
Parrot
In a 4-4-2 should walk this league
I’m gonna invest 20 quid of the money I won on rommys horse at 14/1 to get promotion |  | | |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 10:40 - Feb 2 with 1135 views | davblue |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 10:31 - Feb 2 by BlueBadger |
Lambert stays in charge, it's an inevitability - he's making a pig's ear of it with one of, if not the biggest, budgets in the division. Imagine what would happen next season if he was forced to actually do his job and coach, motivate and organise tactics properly? |
we are DOOMED. |  | | |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 10:52 - Feb 2 with 1117 views | PhilTWTD |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 10:25 - Feb 2 by BlueBadger |
Phil, are you suggesting that Paul Lambert's coaching, motivational and tactical skills might find working under a salary cap, when can't just chuck players at a problem, a little difficult? |
I can't imagine that he'd still be here by that point. |  | | |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 10:54 - Feb 2 with 1106 views | Darth_Koont |
The best I can do to describe it is “Jewellesque” – throwing players at the problem and apparently changing the squad strategy every window.
It shouldn’t be the same dismantle and start again when Lambert leaves but a new manager will likely have to come in and get the basics sorted while streamlining the squad. Like a sculptor working from a large, featureless block, they’ll need to chisel away an awful lot to define some shape and vision.
In League Fecking One ... |  |
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| We've recruited in this window like.... on 10:56 - Feb 2 with 1104 views | BlueBadger |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 10:52 - Feb 2 by PhilTWTD |
I can't imagine that he'd still be here by that point. |
Gonna be a tough ask for anyone, really innit? |  |
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| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:00 - Feb 2 with 1095 views | PhilTWTD |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 10:56 - Feb 2 by BlueBadger |
Gonna be a tough ask for anyone, really innit? |
It really shouldn't be, even if we will lose much of our competitive advantage. We should still be able to attract players more than other clubs in this division due to the size of the club and promise that we ought to be realistic promotion contenders, and we have an academy producing players who ought to be good enough for this level, they should be as so many of them are talked about as having the potential to play at a higher level. But appointing the right manager is key. | | | |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:18 - Feb 2 with 1034 views | Pinewoodblue |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:00 - Feb 2 by PhilTWTD |
It really shouldn't be, even if we will lose much of our competitive advantage. We should still be able to attract players more than other clubs in this division due to the size of the club and promise that we ought to be realistic promotion contenders, and we have an academy producing players who ought to be good enough for this level, they should be as so many of them are talked about as having the potential to play at a higher level. But appointing the right manager is key. |
We should be appointing a manager with the priority being to progress, not a short term aim of making the play offs.
Guess the five year plan has been ditched. |  |
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| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:26 - Feb 2 with 1009 views | PhilTWTD |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:18 - Feb 2 by Pinewoodblue |
We should be appointing a manager with the priority being to progress, not a short term aim of making the play offs.
Guess the five year plan has been ditched. |
Just written almost exactly the same for my Gazette column. Need a manager to develop things over a number of years as George Burley did in the late 1990s, which in essence is what the Five-Year Plan was about. Too much short-termism and kneejerk-ism over the years rather than, to use their words, "sustainable and consistent strategy".
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| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:29 - Feb 2 with 991 views | Herbivore |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:26 - Feb 2 by PhilTWTD |
Just written almost exactly the same for my Gazette column. Need a manager to develop things over a number of years as George Burley did in the late 1990s, which in essence is what the Five-Year Plan was about. Too much short-termism and kneejerk-ism over the years rather than, to use their words, "sustainable and consistent strategy".
This post has been edited by an administrator |
This is why I could get behind someone like Dyer coming in and being given time. |  |
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| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:33 - Feb 2 with 982 views | GodBlue |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:00 - Feb 2 by PhilTWTD |
It really shouldn't be, even if we will lose much of our competitive advantage. We should still be able to attract players more than other clubs in this division due to the size of the club and promise that we ought to be realistic promotion contenders, and we have an academy producing players who ought to be good enough for this level, they should be as so many of them are talked about as having the potential to play at a higher level. But appointing the right manager is key. |
This is exactly right, Phil.
Our squad should be plenty good enough to compete in this league and I have no doubt that Marcus Evans knows that, every bit as much as Paul Lambert does! But we seem to be stuck in this perfect storm of incompetence.
We have a manager who has totally lost his way, in terms of leadership, tactics and customer relations, being combined with an owner who made one of the worst decisions in this club's history (giving Lambert a ridiculous contract) and is now desperately doing everything he can to a) not admit to it and b) not pay for it.
The only way out of this mess is for Evans to swallow his pride, relieve Lambert of his duties immediately and hit the reset button on the season before it becomes a desperate scramble for survival, and his managerial options become even more limited.
Right now there are two or three managers out there who would be ideal and, I dare say, might even fancy it with the squad we have and the time left in the season!
But Evans just keeps making the same stupid prideful mistake over and over again! [Post edited 2 Feb 2021 11:35]
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| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:43 - Feb 2 with 957 views | PhilTWTD |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:29 - Feb 2 by Herbivore |
This is why I could get behind someone like Dyer coming in and being given time. |
Yes, I think most of us would back that sort of approach. However, as I said in the earlier post, the likelihood is that there will be another fire-fighter manager with no interest in building year-on-year, we'll have something like 13 signings, five or six of them loanees, in the summer - as it used to be under MM - and a January window much like this one and then another 13 or so the following summer. | | | |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:47 - Feb 2 with 934 views | hype313 |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:43 - Feb 2 by PhilTWTD |
Yes, I think most of us would back that sort of approach. However, as I said in the earlier post, the likelihood is that there will be another fire-fighter manager with no interest in building year-on-year, we'll have something like 13 signings, five or six of them loanees, in the summer - as it used to be under MM - and a January window much like this one and then another 13 or so the following summer. |
Just reeks of desperation by Evans, I don't buy this mantra that he is happy for us in this league, salary cap benefits etc, he is cleary desperate for us to get out which is why all that nonsense about stability, formation and 5 point plan has been put in the bin. |  |
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| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:48 - Feb 2 with 931 views | J2BLUE |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 09:30 - Feb 2 by PhilTWTD |
As others have said, it's very similar to the period just before the end of Paul Jewell.
In that case, ME didn't give him much to spend in the summer - and from what I gather he didn't push that much as he felt he'd previously had decent backing without success - but then provided cash very late on in the window and then subsequently for loans when it was becoming clear results weren't going our way rather than making the decision to sack the manager and appoint someone else, which was clear he would eventually have to do anyway.
We're at that point now, albeit with the owner already having half an eye on potential replacements if this latest last throw of the dice doesn't improve matters.
As you say, the same mistakes are made time and again. The next one - and I hope I'm wrong about this - will be to appoint another firefighter manager, this time to get a promotion push back on track double-quick rather than to try to prevent relegation as was the case with MM and PL, and not someone to manage a long-term project that's needed and which they themselves outlined with the five-year plan. |
Are you suggesting he could be sacked this season while there is still time for us to challenge the top six?
Apologies if i've interpreted that completely wrong. |  |
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| Bizarrely, he's brought in 3 good loans on 12:01 - Feb 2 with 897 views | unstableblue |
I'm still not sure on Luke Thomas.
But Mattheson, Parrot and Harrop are good business, good players, beyond untested youth. Especially Matheson.
But in totally agreeing with you, they aren't going to fix Lambert's inability to coach an effective system into the team. Our problems are across the pitch tactically. Loanees don't fix that.
Only Matheson it could be argued is actually a valid signing as KVY is out, and Chambo is a bit intermittent this season, and not getting far enough up the pitch often enough. And that is part of Lambert's 'strategy'. Those forward runs from Kenlock changed us as a side on Saturday.
The Bennets injury gives some justification for Harrop, but Lambert's got Judge, Bishop, Lankester, Dobra, El Mizouni... they're not firing because of the system not talent.
Is Parrot justified? with Hawkins out and Norwood struggling to shrug off knocks? Well he has Jackson and Drinan, and I think the latter can succeed.
So overall Lambert may be justifying this in that the squad has just not been delivering enough energy and attacking/dynamic play. But much of the squad are Lamberts, as you say he's had multiple transfer windows to get this right, and is the loan window in such scale the right balance.
The only thing I would say, and where we differ, is that I don't think Town have been paying terribly in the last few games, and some passages of passing are of merit, and perhaps we aren't a million miles away from getting back to winning. But then we'll play a well coached team in Oxford and get exposed tactically again.
Sighs |  |
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| We've recruited in this window like.... on 12:04 - Feb 2 with 879 views | Ace_High1 |
We need a massive clear out, Friday poo style.
You don't need this size squad in L1. 10 or so senior pros, a couple of loans and then the kids to make up the numbers.
That squad written down make me feel ill - the amount of money/waste is a disgrace and Evans deserves no sympathy the he plays the "we have no money cards" - we throw what we do have down the drain on short term, squad filler dross.
Over reliance on loans - no long term benefit.
Because of the loans we push our kids out, they will only develop with game time.
With a squad this large the manager will just rotate stupidly game to game to keep the senior pros happy.
I have said it before, other than Bishop, Dozzell and Downes - everyone else out of contract in the summer and all the loans need to be sent packing. |  | | |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 12:04 - Feb 2 with 878 views | IP4_Blue |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:00 - Feb 2 by PhilTWTD |
It really shouldn't be, even if we will lose much of our competitive advantage. We should still be able to attract players more than other clubs in this division due to the size of the club and promise that we ought to be realistic promotion contenders, and we have an academy producing players who ought to be good enough for this level, they should be as so many of them are talked about as having the potential to play at a higher level. But appointing the right manager is key. |
Who would you appoint Phil? | | | |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 12:05 - Feb 2 with 876 views | tractorboy1978 |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:43 - Feb 2 by PhilTWTD |
Yes, I think most of us would back that sort of approach. However, as I said in the earlier post, the likelihood is that there will be another fire-fighter manager with no interest in building year-on-year, we'll have something like 13 signings, five or six of them loanees, in the summer - as it used to be under MM - and a January window much like this one and then another 13 or so the following summer. |
And ultimately running it in the manner he does costs him more money over time than if he invested in some proper structure with the right people employed, not less. It really is backwards. [Post edited 2 Feb 2021 12:06]
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| Bizarrely, he's brought in 3 good loans on 12:07 - Feb 2 with 867 views | itfcjoe |
| Bizarrely, he's brought in 3 good loans on 12:01 - Feb 2 by unstableblue |
I'm still not sure on Luke Thomas.
But Mattheson, Parrot and Harrop are good business, good players, beyond untested youth. Especially Matheson.
But in totally agreeing with you, they aren't going to fix Lambert's inability to coach an effective system into the team. Our problems are across the pitch tactically. Loanees don't fix that.
Only Matheson it could be argued is actually a valid signing as KVY is out, and Chambo is a bit intermittent this season, and not getting far enough up the pitch often enough. And that is part of Lambert's 'strategy'. Those forward runs from Kenlock changed us as a side on Saturday.
The Bennets injury gives some justification for Harrop, but Lambert's got Judge, Bishop, Lankester, Dobra, El Mizouni... they're not firing because of the system not talent.
Is Parrot justified? with Hawkins out and Norwood struggling to shrug off knocks? Well he has Jackson and Drinan, and I think the latter can succeed.
So overall Lambert may be justifying this in that the squad has just not been delivering enough energy and attacking/dynamic play. But much of the squad are Lamberts, as you say he's had multiple transfer windows to get this right, and is the loan window in such scale the right balance.
The only thing I would say, and where we differ, is that I don't think Town have been paying terribly in the last few games, and some passages of passing are of merit, and perhaps we aren't a million miles away from getting back to winning. But then we'll play a well coached team in Oxford and get exposed tactically again.
Sighs |
A couple of bits - Matheson is a good prospect but has started 18 league games in his career, and none since last March
He lost his place in Wolves U21 EFL Trophy team and their U23 team as they've recruited someone else. He's started 4 games for their 23s this season, and was an unused sub in their 3rd and 4th EFL Trophy games of the season.
He looked really good at Rochdale when we saw him, but think he may be ebing a bit overrated by ITFC fans here.
Also, from what i understand PL had told Chambers and Ward to not go forward as much as was leaving us open at the back - so at some point the tactics changed (maybe because of capabilities) | |
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| We've recruited in this window like.... on 12:08 - Feb 2 with 860 views | hadleighboyblue |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 10:31 - Feb 2 by BlueBadger |
Lambert stays in charge, it's an inevitability - he's making a pig's ear of it with one of, if not the biggest, budgets in the division. Imagine what would happen next season if he was forced to actually do his job and coach, motivate and organise tactics properly? |
The best investment ME could have made for the future of ITFC was to pay off a failure of a manager , not firefight with youngsters .
It's all very short term and does great damage to the prospects of our younger players to see youngsters from other clubs brought in .
If Bobby Robson had done the same , we would never have seen the likes of Beattie and Wark in the 1st team .
Whatever happened to Lamberts comments about too many loan players and giving youngsters a chance .....another con , just like his PR when he arrived . | | | |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 12:10 - Feb 2 with 852 views | PhilTWTD |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:48 - Feb 2 by J2BLUE |
Are you suggesting he could be sacked this season while there is still time for us to challenge the top six?
Apologies if i've interpreted that completely wrong. |
Yes. As I've said, I don't think a change is too far off unless there's a turnaround. | | | |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 12:14 - Feb 2 with 831 views | PhilTWTD |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 12:04 - Feb 2 by IP4_Blue |
Who would you appoint Phil? |
Kieron and Terry. I think they could unify things in a manner no one else could, Kieron has good ideas, great contacts and the young players have grown up with him coaching them throught the age groups in the academy. Terry would be an excellent more experienced wise head alongside him. | | | |
| Bizarrely, he's brought in 3 good loans on 12:16 - Feb 2 with 811 views | unstableblue |
| Bizarrely, he's brought in 3 good loans on 12:07 - Feb 2 by itfcjoe |
A couple of bits - Matheson is a good prospect but has started 18 league games in his career, and none since last March
He lost his place in Wolves U21 EFL Trophy team and their U23 team as they've recruited someone else. He's started 4 games for their 23s this season, and was an unused sub in their 3rd and 4th EFL Trophy games of the season.
He looked really good at Rochdale when we saw him, but think he may be ebing a bit overrated by ITFC fans here.
Also, from what i understand PL had told Chambers and Ward to not go forward as much as was leaving us open at the back - so at some point the tactics changed (maybe because of capabilities) |
Useful information, and depressing.
After pressing Add Reply, I just thought loans at scale never work, loans into a dysfunctional team typically fail - see Thomas on Saturday. Loans should have pre-season, fill perhaps one or two roles where a club has been unable to recruit (see Fraser) at best. This final final throws of the dice looks risky.
Let’s see against Blackpool.
Such a bloated squad. If the likes of Baggot are training with the first team, that can’t be an optimal number of players to drill ideas into. | |
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| We've recruited in this window like.... on 12:16 - Feb 2 with 807 views | Keno |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 12:14 - Feb 2 by PhilTWTD |
Kieron and Terry. I think they could unify things in a manner no one else could, Kieron has good ideas, great contacts and the young players have grown up with him coaching them throught the age groups in the academy. Terry would be an excellent more experienced wise head alongside him. |
^^^^THIS^^^^ |  |
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| We've recruited in this window like.... on 12:18 - Feb 2 with 791 views | hype313 |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 12:14 - Feb 2 by PhilTWTD |
Kieron and Terry. I think they could unify things in a manner no one else could, Kieron has good ideas, great contacts and the young players have grown up with him coaching them throught the age groups in the academy. Terry would be an excellent more experienced wise head alongside him. |
I'm flabbergasted, astounded that this hasn't happened yet, in one foul swoop Marcus could get the fans back on board, give the players a boost whilst put in place a manger on a fraction of the cost of Lambert, therefore make his payoff cost neutral. | |
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| We've recruited in this window like.... on 12:20 - Feb 2 with 789 views | thebooks |
| We've recruited in this window like.... on 11:26 - Feb 2 by PhilTWTD |
Just written almost exactly the same for my Gazette column. Need a manager to develop things over a number of years as George Burley did in the late 1990s, which in essence is what the Five-Year Plan was about. Too much short-termism and kneejerk-ism over the years rather than, to use their words, "sustainable and consistent strategy".
This post has been edited by an administrator |
Problem is we were still a top level Championship (or whatever it was called) club back then. It’s easy being patient when the football remains good, we’re competing at a high level and there’s money for new players (even if you have to sell the odd star to keep Barclays from the door).
Although I guess there’s no reason why we couldn’t compete **and** develop properly. Like you say, there isn’t the management or direction at the club to achieve that.
I really think the 5-year plan only materialised after we were promoted to the PL – it was a bit of Sheepy PR. Perhaps a Nigel Pearson figure gets us promoted, established in the Championship and we go from there?
Either way, we probably don’t have either the good decision making or a structure to support a decent manager at the club. |  | | |
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