| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? 12:29 - Aug 30 with 9367 views | Herbivore |
Last season when Cook came in I remember him being pretty vocal about the size of the squad and it being too bloated, especially in certain areas, and us having too many loan players. He wanted a small, quality squad that he could work hard with and get playing his way.
Fast forward to the end of the transfer window and it looks very much like we're going to have a massive squad again and, if Walton and Celina join, we'll be up at five players on loan. The start has been poor and based on Hladky's displays so far I see the need for a new keeper. But another attacking player when we already have at least 2 players for every position? Morsy looks the type of midfielder we need as our current options don't look solid enough defensively, but when we already have Carroll, Evans, and Harper signed as well as El Miz and Nolan in the first team squad you have to ask whether the first three signings were made with any great thought? Did we not foresee that we might need some steel when signing three neat and tidy players to complement the two neat and tidy players already on our books?
I'm sure this will upset some as it's become unacceptable to ask questions of the new regime, but I do find the late flurry to bolster an already very large first team squad a little unsettling. It feels very much like how the old regime operated, throw new (often temporary) additions at it if it's not working rather than showing a bit more planning and nous. I hope for all our sakes it works this time. [Post edited 30 Aug 2021 12:33]
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| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 10:40 - Aug 31 with 893 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 21:42 - Aug 30 by Herbivore |
Try reading the thread, fella. |
If you weren't consistently so patronising, you might get some better debate. [Post edited 31 Aug 2021 10:48]
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| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 10:50 - Aug 31 with 869 views | timothyeo |
With Celina as well, we have the strongest squad in this division by some margin. There is zero excuse for not winning this league. Yes, i'd take second, but the title should be the aim.
If squad harmony becomes a problem then Cook has himself to blame for the volume of signing - blame which can be shared with Ashton, to be fair. | | | |
| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 10:57 - Aug 31 with 854 views | OsborneOneNil |
| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 10:40 - Aug 31 by tractorboy1978 |
If you weren't consistently so patronising, you might get some better debate. [Post edited 31 Aug 2021 10:48]
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You’re right. He doesn’t like it when you express a view that differs from his.
Unless it’s someone like Joe, Mullet or Phil, then he sucks up to them. Sad, really. |  | | |
| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 11:34 - Aug 31 with 828 views | Herbivore |
| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 10:57 - Aug 31 by OsborneOneNil |
You’re right. He doesn’t like it when you express a view that differs from his.
Unless it’s someone like Joe, Mullet or Phil, then he sucks up to them. Sad, really. |
You didn't express a view, you entirely misrepresented my view. And not for the first time. Hence my response. | |
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| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 11:34 - Aug 31 with 827 views | Herbivore |
| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 10:40 - Aug 31 by tractorboy1978 |
If you weren't consistently so patronising, you might get some better debate. [Post edited 31 Aug 2021 10:48]
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Bless you. Your feedback is appreciated. | |
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| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 11:37 - Aug 31 with 821 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 11:34 - Aug 31 by Herbivore |
Bless you. Your feedback is appreciated. |
When Phil told you similar last time you left the board in a huff. | | | |
| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 11:37 - Aug 31 with 820 views | unstableblue |
| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 11:34 - Aug 31 by Herbivore |
Bless you. Your feedback is appreciated. |
You are so patronising though Herbivore, you also just suck joy out of the board at times… and come across as somewhat superior
Just have a think about your style of response at times
Anyone with a Euro banner as there avatar can’t be all bad!! |  |
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| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 11:41 - Aug 31 with 811 views | Herbivore |
| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 11:37 - Aug 31 by unstableblue |
You are so patronising though Herbivore, you also just suck joy out of the board at times… and come across as somewhat superior
Just have a think about your style of response at times
Anyone with a Euro banner as there avatar can’t be all bad!! |
No, I really am all bad. | |
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| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 11:42 - Aug 31 with 809 views | Herbivore |
| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 11:37 - Aug 31 by tractorboy1978 |
When Phil told you similar last time you left the board in a huff. |
That's not accurate but again, your feedback is appreciated. | |
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| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 11:52 - Aug 31 with 784 views | Whataday78 |
| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 12:36 - Aug 30 by chrismakin |
Celina is a signing for the 2nd half of the season, nothing more, it's actually quite something that we see town being proactive about a situation, we've signed him, no one else can and when it comes to the 2nd half of the season, we go into it with alot more legs than other sides will have. The complete opposite to our previous few seasons.
Late flurry in a transfer window is normal for sides that can actually make use of a window to it's full purpose. Players become available who you targetted at the beginning - Walton.
There is nothing similar to this transfer window to previous years. We've actually signed a squad.
There will still be players leaving, the squad is still not as big as last seasons either.
Loans are fine, as long as there is a reason behind him. Last season we had 6 loans, NOT 1 of them was better than what we had. Apart from Barry, we haven't had a loan as yet which us not a compliment to the squad. Bonne - beutiful use of the loan system.
If we go up, we will need to recruit again, to do so, its no suprise to see some loan signings and 1 year deals thrown in as it gives us the option if/when that time comes. etc |
Spot on, great comment. | | | |
| Of course he was the kitman.... on 14:44 - Aug 31 with 710 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Of course he was the kitman.... on 10:39 - Aug 31 by Bloots |
....even Gary Roberts has said so.
Before that he was a bread delivery van driver, who's only interest in football was having a season ticket at Liverpool. |
You got a link to this comment? Cook said at the AGM that Craney wasn't the kitman, it was a title given to him to get him in the door. |  |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Of course he was the kitman.... on 14:48 - Aug 31 with 692 views | Bluefish |
| Of course he was the kitman.... on 14:44 - Aug 31 by The_Flashing_Smile |
You got a link to this comment? Cook said at the AGM that Craney wasn't the kitman, it was a title given to him to get him in the door. |
Keep arguing it dolly. Just like the Lambert/quaner wage bill and Lambert being a good manager, it is strangely entertaining to see someone so hopeless |  |
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| Yes thanks. (n/t) on 14:49 - Aug 31 with 693 views | Bloots |
| Of course he was the kitman.... on 14:44 - Aug 31 by The_Flashing_Smile |
You got a link to this comment? Cook said at the AGM that Craney wasn't the kitman, it was a title given to him to get him in the door. |
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| "The sooner he comes back the better, this place has been a disaster without him" - TWTD User (July 2025) |
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| Of course he was the kitman.... on 14:50 - Aug 31 with 697 views | itfcjoe |
| Of course he was the kitman.... on 14:44 - Aug 31 by The_Flashing_Smile |
You got a link to this comment? Cook said at the AGM that Craney wasn't the kitman, it was a title given to him to get him in the door. |
You've seen the quote a dozen times, the one where Craney literally says he was the kit man - but here it is again:
https://www.accringtonstanley.co.uk/news/2020/april/ian-craney/
“I absolutely love my job. You get the banter with the players and staff, working with people you have played with and keeping involved on the football side. I started my coaching badges but a kitman suits me better."
Here is Roberts saying it too:
https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/18368956.gary-roberts-recalls-rise-f
“We had a great team spirit. Ian Craney is now the kitman at Wigan and we are good mates,” said the Wigan Athletic midfielder.
Here is a story, 4 weeks after Craney was appointed here, of a replacement kit man being apppointed at Wigan Athletic
https://www.accringtonstanley.co.uk/news/2021/june/departure-kitman-naz-ali-leav
"Naz has been with the Reds for 14 years but is making a fresh start, joining Leam Richardson at the Latics, after their kitman, former Reds midfielder Ian Craney, moved to Ipswich Town with Paul Cook." |  |
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| Of course he was the kitman.... on 15:10 - Aug 31 with 652 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
What do you mean "You've seen the quote a dozen times"?!? How the feck do you know what I've been reading?!
Fair enough, but I'm right in saying Cook said at the AGM that was just his title, someone else was the kitman? | |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Of course he was the kitman.... on 15:13 - Aug 31 with 640 views | LankHenners |
| Of course he was the kitman.... on 15:10 - Aug 31 by The_Flashing_Smile |
What do you mean "You've seen the quote a dozen times"?!? How the feck do you know what I've been reading?!
Fair enough, but I'm right in saying Cook said at the AGM that was just his title, someone else was the kitman? |
Cook said we had players returning from injury for the game at the weekend then we only had one and that was Aluko on the bench.
Expect Cook’s line about Craney was to get ahead of criticism that he’d hired a kit man as a coach. |  |
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| Cook was already getting stick.... on 15:13 - Aug 31 with 637 views | Bloots |
| Of course he was the kitman.... on 15:10 - Aug 31 by The_Flashing_Smile |
What do you mean "You've seen the quote a dozen times"?!? How the feck do you know what I've been reading?!
Fair enough, but I'm right in saying Cook said at the AGM that was just his title, someone else was the kitman? |
...for recruiting a kit man/drinking buddy/delivery driver to the coaching staff, he knew he was going to get questioned on it.
He had a story ready, simple.
For once just accept you're wrong. | |
| "The sooner he comes back the better, this place has been a disaster without him" - TWTD User (July 2025) |
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| Cook was already getting stick.... on 15:17 - Aug 31 with 617 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Cook was already getting stick.... on 15:13 - Aug 31 by Bloots |
...for recruiting a kit man/drinking buddy/delivery driver to the coaching staff, he knew he was going to get questioned on it.
He had a story ready, simple.
For once just accept you're wrong. |
I may well be wrong - I said "fair enough" to Joe above. But Cook definitely said it, so that's not really my fault!
If he was lying, that was a bit silly as it will obviously get found out. But I can't really be slated for just repeating what the manager said? | |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 15:24 - Aug 31 with 585 views | ITFC_Esquire |
I think when designing a whole new squad it it's impossible to expect every player brought in will hit the ground running/ turn out to work as well as expected.
I'd imagine long term when we have a better idea of which signings have been fruitful and which have notbeen as succesful we streamline. In the mean time taking no risks and replacing in areas of concern despite squad size has to be seen as a positive and proactive move e.g. Walton/ if we bring in a CM. Arguably fraser has not been as influential as many had hoped and perhaps a more effective player in the form of celina may have a bigger effect than anticipated.
Overall I'm happy. | |
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| I expect that Craney had other responsibilities.... on 15:29 - Aug 31 with 578 views | Bloots |
| Cook was already getting stick.... on 15:17 - Aug 31 by The_Flashing_Smile |
I may well be wrong - I said "fair enough" to Joe above. But Cook definitely said it, so that's not really my fault!
If he was lying, that was a bit silly as it will obviously get found out. But I can't really be slated for just repeating what the manager said? |
....and not just cleaning the players pants.
Some of which were on the training ground.
Cones don't just put themselves out and water bottles don't just fill themselves up magically.
I expect in his own mind Cook thinks that Craney was not "just" the kit man, so he probably doesn't consider it a lie.
Time will tell (or time is telling) | |
| "The sooner he comes back the better, this place has been a disaster without him" - TWTD User (July 2025) |
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| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 15:32 - Aug 31 with 556 views | Herbivore |
| Meet the new boss, same as the old boss? on 15:24 - Aug 31 by ITFC_Esquire |
I think when designing a whole new squad it it's impossible to expect every player brought in will hit the ground running/ turn out to work as well as expected.
I'd imagine long term when we have a better idea of which signings have been fruitful and which have notbeen as succesful we streamline. In the mean time taking no risks and replacing in areas of concern despite squad size has to be seen as a positive and proactive move e.g. Walton/ if we bring in a CM. Arguably fraser has not been as influential as many had hoped and perhaps a more effective player in the form of celina may have a bigger effect than anticipated.
Overall I'm happy. |
All fair points in terms of the practical side of building and managing a squad, but it still leaves the issue of how some of these new signings will handle not even being in the matchday 18 on a regular basis. It has the potential to cause a lot of disharmony and can create further problems if you then rotate too much to try to keep everyone happy.
That's the bit where there are some question marks. Can Cook manage that side of it, the soft skills that are needed to keep a lot of different personalities happy, several of whom have dropped down a level in order to play regularly? I really hope he can, though as stated in my OP he himself expressed some reservations about having too big a core group of players and too many loanees when he came into the job. Let's hope this is different.
Time will tell of course, on paper the squad has crazy quality and depth for League 1, but as yet we're not seeing the results to follow and I hope a late rash of new signings won't further delay the gelling process. A couple of wins and all will look brighter, as long as those wins come soon. | |
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| Of course he was the kitman.... on 15:34 - Aug 31 with 548 views | chicoazul |
Was about to say I am amazed anyone debates this then I realised you’re all talking to Jerseys. |  |
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| I expect that Craney had other responsibilities.... on 15:34 - Aug 31 with 550 views | PhilTWTD |
| I expect that Craney had other responsibilities.... on 15:29 - Aug 31 by Bloots |
....and not just cleaning the players pants.
Some of which were on the training ground.
Cones don't just put themselves out and water bottles don't just fill themselves up magically.
I expect in his own mind Cook thinks that Craney was not "just" the kit man, so he probably doesn't consider it a lie.
Time will tell (or time is telling) |
I think he sees and saw his role in part as one of helping keep up morale, someone good to have around the squad. He may have over-egged his 'wasn't a kitman' comment but I think the point he was trying to make was clear.
Think you were a little unfair to him by overlooking his pretty lengthy playing career in the precis of his CV! |  | | |
| I expect that Craney had other responsibilities.... on 15:36 - Aug 31 with 536 views | Kieran_Knows |
| I expect that Craney had other responsibilities.... on 15:34 - Aug 31 by PhilTWTD |
I think he sees and saw his role in part as one of helping keep up morale, someone good to have around the squad. He may have over-egged his 'wasn't a kitman' comment but I think the point he was trying to make was clear.
Think you were a little unfair to him by overlooking his pretty lengthy playing career in the precis of his CV! |
From what I've heard, Craney is an excellent coach. Players like him, puts on some great sessions etc.
The kitman thing will always be banded about though. |  |
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| I expect that Craney had other responsibilities.... on 15:36 - Aug 31 with 528 views | PhilTWTD |
| I expect that Craney had other responsibilities.... on 15:36 - Aug 31 by Kieran_Knows |
From what I've heard, Craney is an excellent coach. Players like him, puts on some great sessions etc.
The kitman thing will always be banded about though. |
Good to hear. He seems a positive character from what I've seen of him. | | | |
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