| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr 10:39 - May 14 with 20431 views | Vic |
Woolfie, KVY and Dobra that he doesn’t want them. It could well be that he’s sat them down and said ‘Here’s the deal Luke, I know I’ve been tough and said some harsh things, and I will be bringing in a whole batch of new players. But I’d like you to stay and be part of this, however, if after this season you want to go I will understand that and won’t stand in your way.’
I think that’s quite feasible and very different to saying he wants them out. I mean, it’s clear he rates them, and Norwood, so why would he bin them? I think there’s more to this than we think, and I wonder if we’ve got the wrong end of the stick. Clearly Watson and Warren know more than they are letting on at the moment. They are running the story in a way that generates clicks for their paper (it’s what they are paid for), but they said themselves in the podcast that there’s things they know but haven’t said. [Post edited 14 May 2021 10:41]
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| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 15:50 - May 14 with 1361 views | hype313 |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 15:48 - May 14 by chrismakin |
The way i see it, they didnt like lambert when his personality changed as the players werent doing what he wanted
the same as PC was a nice smiley manager on his arrival, cuddled them, tried to boost their spirits and turned when he couldn;t get them to do what he wanted
With Mick, he was a mate type manager, draws away were fine, he'd be happy not to get on the bus etc etc, the player mentality has been weak for years.
It is time it changed, this may include some of the old coaching staff etc too, but we need 100% winners, who care if we don't win a game |
Exactly, the players, the staff even the old owner have been treading through treacle, underperforming without any accountability.
We now have that, we should embrace it. |  |
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| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 15:54 - May 14 with 1345 views | itfcjoe |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 15:44 - May 14 by hype313 |
We go round in circles though Joe, we want new ownership, we want new manager but we want a nice manager and we want owners that have a plan and lo and behold they are ruthless, not like the Cobbolds...
Enough's enough for me, we either want to be successful or we want to carry on in a state of flux and comotised, you can't have it both ways, yes in an ideal world it would be nice if Cook sat down with them all individually over a coffee and let them down gently, but he is a guy who is under huge pressure to succeed, there is no room for sentimentality here, organisations that thrive don't accept mediocrity and rightly so.
Given the rebuild he has on his hands, it's going to be ruthless, he has limited time to get a gelling team together, if you're not part of the plans then it's wasting everybody's time just putting off the inevitable.
Don't get me wrong, I've been torn over some of his decisions, but ultimately all these players have been turgid for years now, there's no getting away from it regardless of how we feel. |
As a football club, we can still pride ourselves on trying to do things in the right way - even if they are tough decisions. Telling boys who have been here since they were 7/8/9 years old that they are no longer wanted (even though in contract) and basically won't be welcome back at pre season isn't that.
The same decisions can be made, but delivered with respect.
We are the club of Cobbold, Sheepshanks, Ramsey, Robson, Burley.....even the next tranche of managers down i.e. Royle, Lyall, McCarthy have all been ruthless and hard, but ultimately Gentlemen first and foremost.
Ipswich is still, and will always be, in Sleepy Suffolk - people may not like that mentality but it is what has to be dealt with. Our best managers have always understood that, embraced the area, embraced that culture, and had success and in a lot cases stayed in the area for life.
You don't have to be a bastard to be ruthless. Being ruthless is about how you mae your decisions, not in how you deliver them. |  |
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| Yep, trust me Dolly..... on 15:58 - May 14 with 1327 views | Herbivore |
I asked what you'd consider to be evidence and you clarified. My "Righto" was in response to your clarification. |  |
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| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 15:58 - May 14 with 1323 views | hype313 |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 15:54 - May 14 by itfcjoe |
As a football club, we can still pride ourselves on trying to do things in the right way - even if they are tough decisions. Telling boys who have been here since they were 7/8/9 years old that they are no longer wanted (even though in contract) and basically won't be welcome back at pre season isn't that.
The same decisions can be made, but delivered with respect.
We are the club of Cobbold, Sheepshanks, Ramsey, Robson, Burley.....even the next tranche of managers down i.e. Royle, Lyall, McCarthy have all been ruthless and hard, but ultimately Gentlemen first and foremost.
Ipswich is still, and will always be, in Sleepy Suffolk - people may not like that mentality but it is what has to be dealt with. Our best managers have always understood that, embraced the area, embraced that culture, and had success and in a lot cases stayed in the area for life.
You don't have to be a bastard to be ruthless. Being ruthless is about how you mae your decisions, not in how you deliver them. |
Footballs a ruthless business, especially in the context of a squad overhaul and new ownership, also when you talk about guys that have been here since the age of 8/9 one of those had 5 minutes of success and handed in a transfer request, it works both ways I'm afraid.
Whilst it's nice to remincse, and be proud of our history, I'd prefer to live in the here and now and enjoy going on a journey with the new ownership. | |
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| Not really.... on 15:59 - May 14 with 1310 views | clive_baker |
| Not really.... on 15:31 - May 14 by StokieBlue |
Football is a ruthless game, both clubs and players are ruthless and thus they probably expect the same from the opposite party as to what they would do themselves. Players often say they want to leave and break their contracts without any real reason given.
I do agree that some more explanation could be given to the individuals around the decision making but I also think they probably don't care if they are being told they are surplus to requirements.
How do you think it should be handled? Individual meetings at the very least of course but apart from that talking to someone for 2 hours and then sacking them anyway isn't that great for them either.
Skimming over the board I may have missed some context here though.
SB [Post edited 14 May 2021 15:33]
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Yeah that's true, it's ruthless, but there's still a way of treating people that I would expect to see. At the end of the day, Cook is paid to make those difficult decisions. I imagine he's p1ssed off at what he perceives to be a lack of desire since he came through the door, and he probably feels like he owes these players nothing. Moving forward he knows his budget, he knows the expectations of the owners, he knows likely transfer targets etc and he knows best what he has at his disposal after the 16 games he's witnessed. He's far better placed and better qualified than any of us to make a call on what he needs to get us up, I completely respect that. I'm eagerly anticipating some exciting signings and of course hope we tear up the division next season.
I do however think after a player has been at the club for so long especially, from such a young age, these conversations could've been managed much more sensitively. What would I have done? I certainly would've given the players the courtesy of a more thorough conversation. I would've explained my reasons and rationale. like I would expect from most managers. I probably would've given them some time to have a think and digest it, and invited a follow up conversation. I definitely would've heard them out, offered support if I can and an offer of help. It's people skills, they're humans first and foremost.
Ultimately the litmus test really isn't what we think about it, it's how the players feel about it, and I know from 1 in particular, its been brutal and callous. As I said, maybe I'm old fashioned, maybe I'm not entirely neutral in this specific case, but it's disappointed me. I really don't think it's about sentiment. Maybe I'm biased and it is, and I can't see it. Paul Cook has a job to do, I get it. In some respects he's less invested than others, he's new here and all he's seen is crap performances. He doesn't rate them and doesn't like them, fine. I just think the way its handled, from the interpretation I have been told by one of the involved, really took me back. |  |
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| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:01 - May 14 with 1293 views | blueislander |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 15:54 - May 14 by itfcjoe |
As a football club, we can still pride ourselves on trying to do things in the right way - even if they are tough decisions. Telling boys who have been here since they were 7/8/9 years old that they are no longer wanted (even though in contract) and basically won't be welcome back at pre season isn't that.
The same decisions can be made, but delivered with respect.
We are the club of Cobbold, Sheepshanks, Ramsey, Robson, Burley.....even the next tranche of managers down i.e. Royle, Lyall, McCarthy have all been ruthless and hard, but ultimately Gentlemen first and foremost.
Ipswich is still, and will always be, in Sleepy Suffolk - people may not like that mentality but it is what has to be dealt with. Our best managers have always understood that, embraced the area, embraced that culture, and had success and in a lot cases stayed in the area for life.
You don't have to be a bastard to be ruthless. Being ruthless is about how you mae your decisions, not in how you deliver them. |
Well said Joe. Of course we don’t know exactly what Cook said to the players, nor the way he phrased it. But it does sound pretty brutal. There are bound to be some players still at the club when pre-season starts. One wonders what their attitude willl be, Will they stand any chance of proving their worth? |  | | |
| Not really.... on 16:05 - May 14 with 1265 views | Butterbing |
| Not really.... on 15:59 - May 14 by clive_baker |
Yeah that's true, it's ruthless, but there's still a way of treating people that I would expect to see. At the end of the day, Cook is paid to make those difficult decisions. I imagine he's p1ssed off at what he perceives to be a lack of desire since he came through the door, and he probably feels like he owes these players nothing. Moving forward he knows his budget, he knows the expectations of the owners, he knows likely transfer targets etc and he knows best what he has at his disposal after the 16 games he's witnessed. He's far better placed and better qualified than any of us to make a call on what he needs to get us up, I completely respect that. I'm eagerly anticipating some exciting signings and of course hope we tear up the division next season.
I do however think after a player has been at the club for so long especially, from such a young age, these conversations could've been managed much more sensitively. What would I have done? I certainly would've given the players the courtesy of a more thorough conversation. I would've explained my reasons and rationale. like I would expect from most managers. I probably would've given them some time to have a think and digest it, and invited a follow up conversation. I definitely would've heard them out, offered support if I can and an offer of help. It's people skills, they're humans first and foremost.
Ultimately the litmus test really isn't what we think about it, it's how the players feel about it, and I know from 1 in particular, its been brutal and callous. As I said, maybe I'm old fashioned, maybe I'm not entirely neutral in this specific case, but it's disappointed me. I really don't think it's about sentiment. Maybe I'm biased and it is, and I can't see it. Paul Cook has a job to do, I get it. In some respects he's less invested than others, he's new here and all he's seen is crap performances. He doesn't rate them and doesn't like them, fine. I just think the way its handled, from the interpretation I have been told by one of the involved, really took me back. |
We don't really know what transpired prior to these meetings either. If Cook has been asking for improvements, asking for them to do certain things and they are ignoring him then it would hardly be a surprise to the player. Also, the players that are happily mouthing off to some of the posters on here are only giving one side of the story. I'd be pretty annoyed if I was high up in the club to see how many people on here have insider information. Those leaking to fans are the ones who lack class as far as I am concerned. [Post edited 14 May 2021 16:06]
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| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:06 - May 14 with 1259 views | itfcjoe |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 15:58 - May 14 by hype313 |
Footballs a ruthless business, especially in the context of a squad overhaul and new ownership, also when you talk about guys that have been here since the age of 8/9 one of those had 5 minutes of success and handed in a transfer request, it works both ways I'm afraid.
Whilst it's nice to remincse, and be proud of our history, I'd prefer to live in the here and now and enjoy going on a journey with the new ownership. |
Again, decision making can be ruthless - it always has been, but it can still be done in the right way and done respectfully.
The here and now is that the wider fanbase won't stand for a manager if they continue to show a lack of class if results aren't right - you only have to look back at Roy Keane for that. Even Mick to an extent with his abrasiveness despite the successes he had in having us punching above our weight.
Suffolk is a funny place, it always has been, if there is no effort made to understand that and adapt to that then he won't be a success here - everyone I speak to who isn't follow the in's and out's of everything like we do on here, or on Twitter, is whinging already about him to me | |
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| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:08 - May 14 with 1248 views | hype313 |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:01 - May 14 by blueislander |
Well said Joe. Of course we don’t know exactly what Cook said to the players, nor the way he phrased it. But it does sound pretty brutal. There are bound to be some players still at the club when pre-season starts. One wonders what their attitude willl be, Will they stand any chance of proving their worth? |
Jesus wept, these players have been dire for 3 years, if my performance in my role was consistently below par, I would be under no illusions that my days were numbered. | |
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| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:12 - May 14 with 1233 views | Darth_Koont |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 15:50 - May 14 by hype313 |
Exactly, the players, the staff even the old owner have been treading through treacle, underperforming without any accountability.
We now have that, we should embrace it. |
Over the Evans era, failure, or at least an absence of success, became normalized.
I think Mick bucked that trend through the mentality he instilled. The very same not turning our noses up at a point, became a foundation to build on when we were pushing upwards and kept our heads abone water when we were just trying to compete.
The problem then wasn’t mentality but quality. Now we’ve got the financial firepower and the opposition is much more beatable so we can raise our expectations. But without the mentality shift within the squad as a whole we’ll be stuck with performances that are less than the sum of the team’s parts that otherwise characterize Evans’s tenure. |  |
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| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:13 - May 14 with 1226 views | hype313 |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:06 - May 14 by itfcjoe |
Again, decision making can be ruthless - it always has been, but it can still be done in the right way and done respectfully.
The here and now is that the wider fanbase won't stand for a manager if they continue to show a lack of class if results aren't right - you only have to look back at Roy Keane for that. Even Mick to an extent with his abrasiveness despite the successes he had in having us punching above our weight.
Suffolk is a funny place, it always has been, if there is no effort made to understand that and adapt to that then he won't be a success here - everyone I speak to who isn't follow the in's and out's of everything like we do on here, or on Twitter, is whinging already about him to me |
That's because large parts of the fanbase and Suffolk as a whole doesn't like change, the majority have been crying out for Burley to come back even though he has been out of the game for the past 10 years.
You either change or die, and we have been slowly dying as a club for years now. | |
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| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:15 - May 14 with 1217 views | Butterbing |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:06 - May 14 by itfcjoe |
Again, decision making can be ruthless - it always has been, but it can still be done in the right way and done respectfully.
The here and now is that the wider fanbase won't stand for a manager if they continue to show a lack of class if results aren't right - you only have to look back at Roy Keane for that. Even Mick to an extent with his abrasiveness despite the successes he had in having us punching above our weight.
Suffolk is a funny place, it always has been, if there is no effort made to understand that and adapt to that then he won't be a success here - everyone I speak to who isn't follow the in's and out's of everything like we do on here, or on Twitter, is whinging already about him to me |
Football is a global game. What does the "Sleepy" ways of Suffolk have to do with it? | | | |
| I know it really difficult for..... on 16:15 - May 14 with 1218 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| I know it really difficult for..... on 15:45 - May 14 by Bloots |
....someone with an ego the size of yours to accept, but sometimes people do know things that you don't.
You made yourself look like a knobhead when you categorically refused to believe the inside info about the takeover.
Even you accepted that you were a "bellend".
Sigh. |
It's nothing to do with an ego. Regardless of being wrong on that, I'm still not just going to blindly accept everything I see written on here! It's important to clarify exactly how it was done/what was said, because these are quite serious allegations against Cook. Sure you don't just blindly and immediately believe everything written on TWTD, regardless of if it does turn out to be true? |  |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Yep, trust me Dolly..... on 16:17 - May 14 with 1198 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Yep, trust me Dolly..... on 15:58 - May 14 by Herbivore |
I asked what you'd consider to be evidence and you clarified. My "Righto" was in response to your clarification. |
So you don't believe me? Not really any point asking me then. | |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:17 - May 14 with 1198 views | Butterbing |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:15 - May 14 by Butterbing |
Football is a global game. What does the "Sleepy" ways of Suffolk have to do with it? |
Plus isn't 95% of Twitter just whinging? | | | |
| Not really.... on 16:20 - May 14 with 1177 views | StokieBlue |
| Not really.... on 15:59 - May 14 by clive_baker |
Yeah that's true, it's ruthless, but there's still a way of treating people that I would expect to see. At the end of the day, Cook is paid to make those difficult decisions. I imagine he's p1ssed off at what he perceives to be a lack of desire since he came through the door, and he probably feels like he owes these players nothing. Moving forward he knows his budget, he knows the expectations of the owners, he knows likely transfer targets etc and he knows best what he has at his disposal after the 16 games he's witnessed. He's far better placed and better qualified than any of us to make a call on what he needs to get us up, I completely respect that. I'm eagerly anticipating some exciting signings and of course hope we tear up the division next season.
I do however think after a player has been at the club for so long especially, from such a young age, these conversations could've been managed much more sensitively. What would I have done? I certainly would've given the players the courtesy of a more thorough conversation. I would've explained my reasons and rationale. like I would expect from most managers. I probably would've given them some time to have a think and digest it, and invited a follow up conversation. I definitely would've heard them out, offered support if I can and an offer of help. It's people skills, they're humans first and foremost.
Ultimately the litmus test really isn't what we think about it, it's how the players feel about it, and I know from 1 in particular, its been brutal and callous. As I said, maybe I'm old fashioned, maybe I'm not entirely neutral in this specific case, but it's disappointed me. I really don't think it's about sentiment. Maybe I'm biased and it is, and I can't see it. Paul Cook has a job to do, I get it. In some respects he's less invested than others, he's new here and all he's seen is crap performances. He doesn't rate them and doesn't like them, fine. I just think the way its handled, from the interpretation I have been told by one of the involved, really took me back. |
"I certainly would've given the players the courtesy of a more thorough conversation. I would've explained my reasons and rationale. like I would expect from most managers. I probably would've given them some time to have a think and digest it, and invited a follow up conversation. I definitely would've heard them out, offered support if I can and an offer of help. It's people skills, they're humans first and foremost."
I would like to think that would happen but if I'm honest I doubt that happens at any club in the land. What would be the point of a follow-up conversation if the decisions are made? Wouldn't that just be dragging it on when the player probably wants to move on to new and possibly better things? Certainly some support would be good though, not sure what form it would take but there is a responsibility to players.
I definitely agree it should have been handled better, just not really sure what the actual process should have been.
SB |  | | |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:22 - May 14 with 1164 views | Herbivore |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:08 - May 14 by hype313 |
Jesus wept, these players have been dire for 3 years, if my performance in my role was consistently below par, I would be under no illusions that my days were numbered. |
Which players in particular have been dire for 3 years? I'm not sure that is an accurate description of the crop of academy graduates that some of us are disappointed about. | |
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| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:22 - May 14 with 1163 views | itfcjoe |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:13 - May 14 by hype313 |
That's because large parts of the fanbase and Suffolk as a whole doesn't like change, the majority have been crying out for Burley to come back even though he has been out of the game for the past 10 years.
You either change or die, and we have been slowly dying as a club for years now. |
We changed when Ramsey came in in 58, when Robson came in 69, when Burley came in in 95 - and on and on......it's Evans lack of leadership that has been the biggest problem, not that we haven't 'changed' | |
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| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:22 - May 14 with 1159 views | itfcjoe |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:15 - May 14 by Butterbing |
Football is a global game. What does the "Sleepy" ways of Suffolk have to do with it? |
Because that is where the football club is, and the majority of it's supporters and people that need to be appeased | |
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| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:23 - May 14 with 1153 views | hype313 |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:22 - May 14 by Herbivore |
Which players in particular have been dire for 3 years? I'm not sure that is an accurate description of the crop of academy graduates that some of us are disappointed about. |
Ok, which players have shined in the past 3 years, probably be easier to answer? | |
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| Yep, trust me Dolly..... on 16:26 - May 14 with 1133 views | Herbivore |
| Yep, trust me Dolly..... on 16:17 - May 14 by The_Flashing_Smile |
So you don't believe me? Not really any point asking me then. |
No, I believe you. I just think it's a bit of a ridiculous threshold for what would make you believe it. The posters on here sharing what they've been told aren't def info bullsh!t merchants or newbies chancing their arm.
There's a big grey area between believing everything you read on the Internet and only believing something if it's in print in news media. It's in that grey area that you need to use your critical faculties and weigh up the credibility of what is being said and who is saying it. | |
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| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:27 - May 14 with 1127 views | Butterbing |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:22 - May 14 by itfcjoe |
Because that is where the football club is, and the majority of it's supporters and people that need to be appeased |
They would appease the fans by being successful not by embracing the sleepy ways of Suffolk, utter nonsense to suggest otherwise. [Post edited 14 May 2021 16:27]
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| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:32 - May 14 with 1096 views | Herbivore |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:23 - May 14 by hype313 |
Ok, which players have shined in the past 3 years, probably be easier to answer? |
Three years ago Downes was looking capable in the Championship even as we were relegated. Woolfenden was doing well at Swindon. Dozzell was scoring against Leeds. Dobra was getting his first pube.
Since then Downes and Woolfenden have had a season of playing well in League 1 - leading to interest from the Prem - and then an indifferent season this time around. Hardly dire for three years. In fact I don't see how you could say any of this crop of academy graduates has been dire for 3 years. Dobra and Dozzell haven't even featured all that regularly prior to this season and have hardly been dire when they have.
I said yesterday that some are so desperate for change and for this to all work out well that they're rewriting history to justify every decision taken. That seems to be the case here as well. It's possible to both want change and be sceptical about some of the decisions being taken. | |
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| Not really.... on 16:36 - May 14 with 1071 views | clive_baker |
| Not really.... on 16:20 - May 14 by StokieBlue |
"I certainly would've given the players the courtesy of a more thorough conversation. I would've explained my reasons and rationale. like I would expect from most managers. I probably would've given them some time to have a think and digest it, and invited a follow up conversation. I definitely would've heard them out, offered support if I can and an offer of help. It's people skills, they're humans first and foremost."
I would like to think that would happen but if I'm honest I doubt that happens at any club in the land. What would be the point of a follow-up conversation if the decisions are made? Wouldn't that just be dragging it on when the player probably wants to move on to new and possibly better things? Certainly some support would be good though, not sure what form it would take but there is a responsibility to players.
I definitely agree it should have been handled better, just not really sure what the actual process should have been.
SB |
Maybe you're right. Garbutt got released after 12 years at Everton and his manager didn't even know his name. Very different of course, he wasn't a first team squad member who had played regularly all season.
I don't know, its just never nice seeing someone cut up and feeling shafted like that. As I said, perhaps it's the way of the world, maybe I'm old fashioned. I imagine if it was Mick or big Joe having these chats the players would've left agreeing with them! Maybe PC feels he needs to adopt this persona to generate some urgency among them to get their moves. Who knows. Give it a few years and it'll be a text message after the last game of the season. | |
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| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:39 - May 14 with 1056 views | hype313 |
| Maybe Cook hasn’t told the like of Downes, Dozzell Jr on 16:32 - May 14 by Herbivore |
Three years ago Downes was looking capable in the Championship even as we were relegated. Woolfenden was doing well at Swindon. Dozzell was scoring against Leeds. Dobra was getting his first pube.
Since then Downes and Woolfenden have had a season of playing well in League 1 - leading to interest from the Prem - and then an indifferent season this time around. Hardly dire for three years. In fact I don't see how you could say any of this crop of academy graduates has been dire for 3 years. Dobra and Dozzell haven't even featured all that regularly prior to this season and have hardly been dire when they have.
I said yesterday that some are so desperate for change and for this to all work out well that they're rewriting history to justify every decision taken. That seems to be the case here as well. It's possible to both want change and be sceptical about some of the decisions being taken. |
Taking in the odd performance in isolation from 3 years ago is clutching at straws.
None of them have consistently been good enough or pushed us on despite all of us desperately wanting them to do so.
If you think I'm rewriting history then that's your prerogative, but I just don't think any of them have performed anywhere near the hype that fans have put on them.
Whilst I always want us to produce young quality players, it's in our DNA, I do think it can blinker a large proportion of our fanbases view when critiquing these guys. | |
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