| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. 09:17 - Apr 24 with 14885 views | FrimleyBlue |
Nothing but promotion Is acceptable surely next season for both. |  |
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 08:31 - Apr 26 with 1619 views | MalcolmBlue |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 09:55 - Apr 24 by FrimleyBlue |
Lol. So sensitive.
We are owned by a company who's major shareholder is a pension pot, do you think they will just sit on the sidelines if we continue to fail to make any progress up the leagues?
If we fail to go up next season, do you not think questions will be asked of how and why we have failed again despite the money available.
Don't forget they hired Ashton to run the club. If we fail to deliver he will be under the spot light just like Any other employee, you may not like that but that's life.
Mike O Leary said promotion expectation was 1 or 2 seasons. If we fail in that expectation.. do we just shrug our shoulders then and say never mind. |
One thing the owners emphasised at the take over was that they wanted the club to be part of the community and have a positive impact on the Town. We literally have just won community club of the year, in addition to Ashton buying a whole new squad and overseeing a big staff overhaul. Considering he’s met and probably surpassed most of his KPIs this season, what makes you so confident he’s on the brink of being sacked? |  |
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 08:34 - Apr 26 with 1609 views | FrimleyBlue |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 08:31 - Apr 26 by MalcolmBlue |
One thing the owners emphasised at the take over was that they wanted the club to be part of the community and have a positive impact on the Town. We literally have just won community club of the year, in addition to Ashton buying a whole new squad and overseeing a big staff overhaul. Considering he’s met and probably surpassed most of his KPIs this season, what makes you so confident he’s on the brink of being sacked? |
He's not on the brink, there's a season ahead first.
Winning awards is lovely, but it's no good if it's in league 1 season after season | |
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 08:58 - Apr 26 with 1558 views | MalcolmBlue |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 08:34 - Apr 26 by FrimleyBlue |
He's not on the brink, there's a season ahead first.
Winning awards is lovely, but it's no good if it's in league 1 season after season |
I agree if we never win promotion from League one the owners won’t be happy but Ashton can only lead the horse to water, he can’t make it drink. The football side of things is more down to a manager and the players than the CEO of a club. And in any case if we never get promoted the owners would be more likely to sell and cut their losses than to stay, sack Ashton and hire a new CEO to give it another go. | |
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 10:26 - Apr 26 with 1496 views | RobTheMonk |
I think you're being treated a bit harshly for this one. Whichever way you look at it, finishing 9th, 10th or 11th in League 1 is poor.
We have looked a much more competent defensive unit under Mckenna, but you win games by scoring goals and for whatever reason, we've struggled to do which has ultimately cost us.
We need to be challenging top 6 minimum; seems we say that every season. If we can't get there, then something's not right.
I'm all for Mckenna. I like how we try to play and I think a pre season under him will be good. Few tweaks to the personal (and an complete change of our strike force) and then we'll see how we get on. |  | | |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 10:38 - Apr 26 with 1474 views | pointofblue |
So 44 people think failure to gain promotion will equal a successful season next time around. Good to know expectations have been lowered to such an extent.
At least the football’s better. |  |
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 10:53 - Apr 26 with 1451 views | jayessess |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 10:38 - Apr 26 by pointofblue |
So 44 people think failure to gain promotion will equal a successful season next time around. Good to know expectations have been lowered to such an extent.
At least the football’s better. |
The 44 is more this, isn't it?
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 11:27 - Apr 26 with 1425 views | pointofblue |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 10:53 - Apr 26 by jayessess |
The 44 is more this, isn't it?
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Ah that’s fair enough! | |
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 12:26 - Apr 26 with 1363 views | jayessess |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 11:27 - Apr 26 by pointofblue |
Ah that’s fair enough! |
I think people are looking to be optimistic about the club and KM at the moment (fair enough). It's always technically true that managers are never that far from the sack, but sometimes framing it that way comes across as a passive aggressive criticism and unnecessary pessimism. (Plus people are always on a hair trigger with FrimleyBlue)
Ironically, I was on the other side of this last Summer, when lots of people kept insisting Paul Cook would "get the whole season come what may" and I was saying there would always be minimum expectations. Personally after their first part season I think McKenna's got more credit in the bank than Cook did and looks much more likely to succeed. | |
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 13:02 - Apr 26 with 1334 views | xrayspecs |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 10:38 - Apr 26 by pointofblue |
So 44 people think failure to gain promotion will equal a successful season next time around. Good to know expectations have been lowered to such an extent.
At least the football’s better. |
I do not believe success is binary, based on promotion alone.
If our better performances become more consistent, results improve, and the team/squad continues to develop, and play attractive, entertaining football, then that could be viewed as an acceptable step in the right direction.
A little like Burley being given time after falling short in the play-offs three years in succession before getting promoted.
MA will be judged on his role as CEO not on the performance of the first team. He has made a good start with Town fans generally positive about the decisions the club have made since he took over, and engagement and enthusiasm at levels we have not seen since the early ME era. | | | |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 13:41 - Apr 26 with 1299 views | BonneNIL |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 09:22 - Apr 24 by Marshalls_Mullet |
KM has done well so far.
Owners / investors will be disappointed that we didn't threaten the play offs at all this season, which doesn't look good for MA.
Progress is being made though. |
Whatever way you try to spin it, Gamechangers first year in charge has been a disaster where it matters, on the pitch. They must have spent upwards of £60million between the sale and the running of the club to finish 11th in the third division. My biggest concern with Gamechanger is they are just too far removed from Ashton and the day-to-day of the club, while they may be well-intended, we had this problem before with Evans. Is Ashton the right man to run the club? As the OP suggests, if we're 11th this time next season he should go, I don't think anyone could argue that? |  |
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 13:42 - Apr 26 with 1289 views | wkj |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 13:41 - Apr 26 by BonneNIL |
Whatever way you try to spin it, Gamechangers first year in charge has been a disaster where it matters, on the pitch. They must have spent upwards of £60million between the sale and the running of the club to finish 11th in the third division. My biggest concern with Gamechanger is they are just too far removed from Ashton and the day-to-day of the club, while they may be well-intended, we had this problem before with Evans. Is Ashton the right man to run the club? As the OP suggests, if we're 11th this time next season he should go, I don't think anyone could argue that? |
GC20's biggest mistake was not doing what most takeovers do, bring in their own manager on day 1. Also, total rebuilds rarely go well. This summer is the big one - 100% GC20, no more hangover from the Evans era. |  |
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 13:52 - Apr 26 with 1272 views | BonneNIL |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 13:42 - Apr 26 by wkj |
GC20's biggest mistake was not doing what most takeovers do, bring in their own manager on day 1. Also, total rebuilds rarely go well. This summer is the big one - 100% GC20, no more hangover from the Evans era. |
Who could they have recruited who was better suited to the job than say Cook was though? They didn't have a lot of takers when they replaced him which is why we took a chance on McKenna after they went after a few names who all in essence laughed them off. Cook failed miserably, but he's not solely responsible for this mess, McKenna can't be blamed for how it turned out but Ashton and Gamechanger HAVE to take a share of the blame.
As I said if we're still in the middle of this league by this time next year, Ashton has to go. He should be under pressure, as should Gamechanger be, they have had an amazing backing from us, we have backed them all of the way, and failure to deliver on that on their part should be met with criticism. We can't be left in another Evans position where people gave him a pass because he "saved the club" which in itself was total nonsense. They have a year to sort it out, after that, they can rightly be held to account by the support. I don't care about graphics on the outside of the stadium, that's papering over the cracks (literally), I don't care if the matchday experience has flags and a bit of fire, I don't really care about undersoil heating or a better PA, what I do care about is Ipswich Town winning football matches and promotion.
It's get us up or get out for me. Ipswich is my loyalty, not owners or managers. | |
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 14:15 - Apr 26 with 1261 views | Churchman |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 13:41 - Apr 26 by BonneNIL |
Whatever way you try to spin it, Gamechangers first year in charge has been a disaster where it matters, on the pitch. They must have spent upwards of £60million between the sale and the running of the club to finish 11th in the third division. My biggest concern with Gamechanger is they are just too far removed from Ashton and the day-to-day of the club, while they may be well-intended, we had this problem before with Evans. Is Ashton the right man to run the club? As the OP suggests, if we're 11th this time next season he should go, I don't think anyone could argue that? |
It’s not the same at all as it was with Evans. Evans wasn’t running anything and neither were the hapless henchmen acting on his behalf.
Gamechanger employed somebody they’d met, who knew the Chairman and had experience in football CEO world and knew the English game. The Americans too far removed? What on earth could they add to the day to day running of the club that they’re not already doing? How much do they engage with MA and O’L? I’ve no idea, but given it’s their money, quite a lot I’d imagine.
MA may or may not be a good CEO, but I can’t see too much to criticise in the 11 months he’s been here to date. There’s the odd aspect which raises an eyebrow for me but not a lot. He doesn’t manage the team and he’s made it clear that KM is the Manager and has the say on playing staff/the football side. I get that the Bristol hatred runs deep, like all successful propaganda, but I judge on what I see. He’s put structure into the club and appointed people accordingly, including KM.
Maybe he should have fired Cook June 1st? Personally, I wish Evans had not brought him in when he did. It was bonkers. I guess GC didn’t object, but on what basis could they? Maybe they should have binned him the day they bought the club - as wkj rightly says, that’s often the way. But they didn’t and in that sense Cook had to be given a chance. He blew it. He collected players but didn’t build a team. That’s why the season disappointed.
It’s now McKenna’s job to build that team properly. With what he had, he’s made a good start. If we improve, whose to say he won’t be given more time? The club needs stability. I know a new manager and a bit of turmoil is exciting, but it rarely gets the job done and certainly not in a sustainable way. [Post edited 26 Apr 2022 14:20]
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 14:17 - Apr 26 with 1259 views | wkj |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 13:52 - Apr 26 by BonneNIL |
Who could they have recruited who was better suited to the job than say Cook was though? They didn't have a lot of takers when they replaced him which is why we took a chance on McKenna after they went after a few names who all in essence laughed them off. Cook failed miserably, but he's not solely responsible for this mess, McKenna can't be blamed for how it turned out but Ashton and Gamechanger HAVE to take a share of the blame.
As I said if we're still in the middle of this league by this time next year, Ashton has to go. He should be under pressure, as should Gamechanger be, they have had an amazing backing from us, we have backed them all of the way, and failure to deliver on that on their part should be met with criticism. We can't be left in another Evans position where people gave him a pass because he "saved the club" which in itself was total nonsense. They have a year to sort it out, after that, they can rightly be held to account by the support. I don't care about graphics on the outside of the stadium, that's papering over the cracks (literally), I don't care if the matchday experience has flags and a bit of fire, I don't really care about undersoil heating or a better PA, what I do care about is Ipswich Town winning football matches and promotion.
It's get us up or get out for me. Ipswich is my loyalty, not owners or managers. |
The magnitude of the mess GC20 walked into was extreme, we can't forget this. The summer before saw Evans talk about how we're going to pretty much be playing the youth for the foreseeable future (nice way of saying we're getting nothing substantial for transfers).
DGMW - It could have gone way better, and in some ways it should have done - but no soul could have predicted how badly Cook'd and Bomb'd we were under Cook.
That said - how many variables did we need to change at once? Way too many for one pre season is the answer. This season is critical though, and we need to put our flag in the sand on day one. | |
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 14:21 - Apr 26 with 1254 views | jayessess |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 14:15 - Apr 26 by Churchman |
It’s not the same at all as it was with Evans. Evans wasn’t running anything and neither were the hapless henchmen acting on his behalf.
Gamechanger employed somebody they’d met, who knew the Chairman and had experience in football CEO world and knew the English game. The Americans too far removed? What on earth could they add to the day to day running of the club that they’re not already doing? How much do they engage with MA and O’L? I’ve no idea, but given it’s their money, quite a lot I’d imagine.
MA may or may not be a good CEO, but I can’t see too much to criticise in the 11 months he’s been here to date. There’s the odd aspect which raises an eyebrow for me but not a lot. He doesn’t manage the team and he’s made it clear that KM is the Manager and has the say on playing staff/the football side. I get that the Bristol hatred runs deep, like all successful propaganda, but I judge on what I see. He’s put structure into the club and appointed people accordingly, including KM.
Maybe he should have fired Cook June 1st? Personally, I wish Evans had not brought him in when he did. It was bonkers. I guess GC didn’t object, but on what basis could they? Maybe they should have binned him the day they bought the club - as wkj rightly says, that’s often the way. But they didn’t and in that sense Cook had to be given a chance. He blew it. He collected players but didn’t build a team. That’s why the season disappointed.
It’s now McKenna’s job to build that team properly. With what he had, he’s made a good start. If we improve, whose to say he won’t be given more time? The club needs stability. I know a new manager and a bit of turmoil is exciting, but it rarely gets the job done and certainly not in a sustainable way. [Post edited 26 Apr 2022 14:20]
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In hindsight Cook should definitely have gone in the Summer, but at the time I don't think it was viable to do that.
We'd have looked incredibly imprudent to sack off a very successful manager at Championship level to bring in a total rookie. It would've put an enormous amount of pressure on whoever we hired and turned a lot of supporters off.
Add that to the lack of backroom staff at the club at that time and we'd have had very little chance off doing effective recruiting. | |
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 14:32 - Apr 26 with 1237 views | PhilTWTD |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 13:02 - Apr 26 by xrayspecs |
I do not believe success is binary, based on promotion alone.
If our better performances become more consistent, results improve, and the team/squad continues to develop, and play attractive, entertaining football, then that could be viewed as an acceptable step in the right direction.
A little like Burley being given time after falling short in the play-offs three years in succession before getting promoted.
MA will be judged on his role as CEO not on the performance of the first team. He has made a good start with Town fans generally positive about the decisions the club have made since he took over, and engagement and enthusiasm at levels we have not seen since the early ME era. |
Not sure there'd be quite the same patience as there was in the late 1990s. The aim of the ultimate owner - the pension fund - is to make money and that's not going to happen with a protracted stay in League One. |  | | |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 14:39 - Apr 26 with 1218 views | footers |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 14:32 - Apr 26 by PhilTWTD |
Not sure there'd be quite the same patience as there was in the late 1990s. The aim of the ultimate owner - the pension fund - is to make money and that's not going to happen with a protracted stay in League One. |
Although with such a large pot available and a mix of investments in the portfolio, you could say that they'd take a longer term view with us as it's only been a relatively short time and not a lot spent in pension fund investment terms. So there might be less pressure to succeed very quickly and start making ROI as opposed to having a single owner or smaller group. |  |
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 15:19 - Apr 26 with 1177 views | Mach_foreignBlue |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 13:02 - Apr 26 by xrayspecs |
I do not believe success is binary, based on promotion alone.
If our better performances become more consistent, results improve, and the team/squad continues to develop, and play attractive, entertaining football, then that could be viewed as an acceptable step in the right direction.
A little like Burley being given time after falling short in the play-offs three years in succession before getting promoted.
MA will be judged on his role as CEO not on the performance of the first team. He has made a good start with Town fans generally positive about the decisions the club have made since he took over, and engagement and enthusiasm at levels we have not seen since the early ME era. |
No, no, no !
Large number of people expected an immediate promotion from Cook given the calibre of players he had signed last summer. That squad was described as a 'Championship one' by some.
Cook was failing and got rightly sacked. McKenna has inherited this 'very strong squad' and despite all glows we are finishing in midtable. We OCCASIONALLY score goals and the clean sheets have dried up since Edmundson got injured.
Let's give McKenna bring in his own players and but if he fails to get us promoted next year he's got to go.
People weren't willing to give Cook a time so why should the different criteria apply to McKenna? Being given time like Burley? Why? [Post edited 26 Apr 2022 15:20]
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 17:19 - Apr 26 with 1101 views | Churchman |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 15:19 - Apr 26 by Mach_foreignBlue |
No, no, no !
Large number of people expected an immediate promotion from Cook given the calibre of players he had signed last summer. That squad was described as a 'Championship one' by some.
Cook was failing and got rightly sacked. McKenna has inherited this 'very strong squad' and despite all glows we are finishing in midtable. We OCCASIONALLY score goals and the clean sheets have dried up since Edmundson got injured.
Let's give McKenna bring in his own players and but if he fails to get us promoted next year he's got to go.
People weren't willing to give Cook a time so why should the different criteria apply to McKenna? Being given time like Burley? Why? [Post edited 26 Apr 2022 15:20]
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If the team improves and goes close, why not give him more time? He’s not going to get the time GB did, but if we made the play offs and progressing, why not give him at least another transfer window next summer? There are plenty of examples where patience has been rewarded. Why are people so keen to chop and change?
I expected us to make the top six this season. We’ve failed. I expected Cook to know what he was doing. He didn’t. He was as crude as Rasputin and it was primarily his approach end of last season, beginning of this that failed us along with the timings of the takeover and the catastrophic mess Evans left the club in. He was a poor fit and for that reason alone had to go.
KM looks a good fit for what the club is trying to do. He deserves backing from the club and the supporters, especially given the good things he’s done for the club to date. He will make mistakes, just like anyone else, but least he and the rest of us can see where the team is falling short. | | | |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 17:23 - Apr 26 with 1085 views | pointofblue |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 17:19 - Apr 26 by Churchman |
If the team improves and goes close, why not give him more time? He’s not going to get the time GB did, but if we made the play offs and progressing, why not give him at least another transfer window next summer? There are plenty of examples where patience has been rewarded. Why are people so keen to chop and change?
I expected us to make the top six this season. We’ve failed. I expected Cook to know what he was doing. He didn’t. He was as crude as Rasputin and it was primarily his approach end of last season, beginning of this that failed us along with the timings of the takeover and the catastrophic mess Evans left the club in. He was a poor fit and for that reason alone had to go.
KM looks a good fit for what the club is trying to do. He deserves backing from the club and the supporters, especially given the good things he’s done for the club to date. He will make mistakes, just like anyone else, but least he and the rest of us can see where the team is falling short. |
I guess if we finish third and bail out in the play offs he may be given another shot. Will that be a success for us? Some will say yes, some will think it’s promotion or bust. Admittedly, being sacked after a third place finish will not unreasonably be deemed harsh by many. | |
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 19:14 - Apr 26 with 1034 views | wkj |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 15:19 - Apr 26 by Mach_foreignBlue |
No, no, no !
Large number of people expected an immediate promotion from Cook given the calibre of players he had signed last summer. That squad was described as a 'Championship one' by some.
Cook was failing and got rightly sacked. McKenna has inherited this 'very strong squad' and despite all glows we are finishing in midtable. We OCCASIONALLY score goals and the clean sheets have dried up since Edmundson got injured.
Let's give McKenna bring in his own players and but if he fails to get us promoted next year he's got to go.
People weren't willing to give Cook a time so why should the different criteria apply to McKenna? Being given time like Burley? Why? [Post edited 26 Apr 2022 15:20]
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Cook went almost a year without showing improvement, he was given plenty of time and good will by the fans, ya flaming galah | |
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 19:21 - Apr 26 with 1022 views | AlanG296 |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 19:14 - Apr 26 by wkj |
Cook went almost a year without showing improvement, he was given plenty of time and good will by the fans, ya flaming galah |
9 months 2 days to be accurate. | | | |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 19:35 - Apr 26 with 1003 views | Mach_foreignBlue |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 19:14 - Apr 26 by wkj |
Cook went almost a year without showing improvement, he was given plenty of time and good will by the fans, ya flaming galah |
Don't count the last couple of months of the previous season though. | | | |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 19:41 - Apr 26 with 991 views | Mullet |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 19:35 - Apr 26 by Mach_foreignBlue |
Don't count the last couple of months of the previous season though. |
Of course it does. He completely messed up and got worse after his demolition job. Those are facts.
It would have been better to have given McK the summer and chance to spend that money, but as with Mick. At least we got him eventually and avoided a complete catastrophe.
If we don't go up there will be increased pressure on McK, but this season has been a failure because of Cook alone. That's going by your own logic there too. |  |
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| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 19:49 - Apr 26 with 973 views | Mach_foreignBlue |
| So 12 months for Ashton and KM to save their jobs. on 17:19 - Apr 26 by Churchman |
If the team improves and goes close, why not give him more time? He’s not going to get the time GB did, but if we made the play offs and progressing, why not give him at least another transfer window next summer? There are plenty of examples where patience has been rewarded. Why are people so keen to chop and change?
I expected us to make the top six this season. We’ve failed. I expected Cook to know what he was doing. He didn’t. He was as crude as Rasputin and it was primarily his approach end of last season, beginning of this that failed us along with the timings of the takeover and the catastrophic mess Evans left the club in. He was a poor fit and for that reason alone had to go.
KM looks a good fit for what the club is trying to do. He deserves backing from the club and the supporters, especially given the good things he’s done for the club to date. He will make mistakes, just like anyone else, but least he and the rest of us can see where the team is falling short. |
'If the team improves and goes close, why not give him more time?'
Again, why should the different criteria apply to Cook and McKenna? What about the spell between McKennas arrival and now? Plenty of glows, nice words, improvement and ... we are 11th in the table. Free pass for this season for McKenna though?
Moreover have you seen in McKenna an ability to change the games? All went tits up for him since Edmundsson got injured.
I am all for him to bring the new signings and deliver the success but it is only promotion that counts.
As for Cook and his approach from last season. Are you telling me it was bad? He ripped up the culture of entitlement among the previous crop of players. They had been stealing a living for years and taking everything for granted. An easy payday at Ipswich, no pressure from Evans for promotion, all nice and cosy for them. Cook needed to clear out egos as they had had it their own way for a long while. He was a massive failure this season but that 'demolition job' was by far the best thing he did for the club.
I'm not interested in McKenna's managerial development. I'm interested in ITFC and our fate. Not keen to chop and change but failure to win promotion next year means he has to go. The owners won't be too patient either. [Post edited 26 Apr 2022 20:11]
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