| McKenna first season …. 17:49 - Feb 15 with 6690 views | ArnieM |
Whilst we’re all disappointed with how the team have fallen away yet again, I think we need to try and stand back a little and see the whole picture (as cliched as that sounds).
The fact is whilst McKenna is a highly rated coach, he is a completely novice manager, in his first ever managerial job at any level. He’s on a hugely steep, learning “ curve”, in his first job in the 3rd tier of the game, a level of football he also has absolutely NO experience of.
So why are we expecting him to come into a big club like ours, and hit the ground running with a
(practically), brand new squad, and gain promotion at the first attempt? A tall order for most experienced managers surely, let alone a rookie?
He’s background is one of playing a short career at a high level, and then coaching at two of the top 5 Premier League Clubs, where he’s worked with squads of elite players, where rotation was / is the norm. He’s hardly likely to abandon what he knows is he?
I think he deserves at least a season’s free hit to get his feet and get to truly understand the League One culture. I don’t think the squad has even finished evolving yet. I also feel that because he analyses the game to such a depth and reflects on things , I’m sure he will adapt his approach, or at least talk about things with his colleagues / friends (I’m thinking the ex Man Utd players he’s friends with). Don’t forget this is a coach that went around the world experiencing different football cultures and coaching styles. He’s one for the future, not a one season suck it and see, option. As we’ve often said ( even though I’m prone to forgetting this myself in the heat of the moment), “ Rome wasn’t built in a day”. Nor is Ipswich under the new owners, and I’m sure whilst they’d like promotion asap, achieving that in McKenna’s first season here, might not have been “ expected”, but more hoped for.
We go again…… |  |
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| McKenna first season …. on 17:52 - Feb 15 with 3733 views | Herbivore |
You do know he was appointed in December 2021, right? He had basically half a season last season so it's not like this season he's starting from scratch. |  |
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| McKenna first season …. on 17:54 - Feb 15 with 3711 views | ArnieM |
| McKenna first season …. on 17:52 - Feb 15 by Herbivore |
You do know he was appointed in December 2021, right? He had basically half a season last season so it's not like this season he's starting from scratch. |
Oh , so he’s had 13 months, 2 weeks then ! | |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:01 - Feb 15 with 3666 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
He needs to show that he is learning, and be adaptable.
The majority of the squad was in place when he came in, so I'd rather not use the gelling excuse that was used at the start of last season.
He's doing OK, and has implemented improvements off the field to good effect.
The fans just need to see some signs of being tactically able to impact games when Plan A isn't working.
Most fans arent calling for his head, but showing concern at the alarming drop off in form. |  |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:01 - Feb 15 with 3654 views | Herbivore |
| McKenna first season …. on 17:54 - Feb 15 by ArnieM |
Oh , so he’s had 13 months, 2 weeks then ! |
That's not far off the average life expectancy of an EFL manager these days. If we were to miss out on the play offs I can't see any way he stays in a job, if we make the play offs and miss out it'll be touch and go and will very much depend on how we finish the season from here. The reality is not going up this season is a failure. | |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:01 - Feb 15 with 3659 views | N2_Blue |
| McKenna first season …. on 17:52 - Feb 15 by Herbivore |
You do know he was appointed in December 2021, right? He had basically half a season last season so it's not like this season he's starting from scratch. |
You do know our manager has not yet ever completed a full season as a manager, yet he’s already being written off by some. FFS he still has the chance to end his first full season with a promotion on his CV. The hyperbole is getting tedious now. |  |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:02 - Feb 15 with 3640 views | Herbivore |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:01 - Feb 15 by N2_Blue |
You do know our manager has not yet ever completed a full season as a manager, yet he’s already being written off by some. FFS he still has the chance to end his first full season with a promotion on his CV. The hyperbole is getting tedious now. |
What hyperbole? Everything in that post was factual, ffs. | |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:02 - Feb 15 with 3638 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| McKenna first season …. on 17:54 - Feb 15 by ArnieM |
Oh , so he’s had 13 months, 2 weeks then ! |
"So why are we expecting him to come into a big club like ours, and hit the ground running..."
To be fair, he did hit the ground running. The concern comes from the last 3 months of mid table form. | |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:07 - Feb 15 with 3582 views | WeirdFishes |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:01 - Feb 15 by Herbivore |
That's not far off the average life expectancy of an EFL manager these days. If we were to miss out on the play offs I can't see any way he stays in a job, if we make the play offs and miss out it'll be touch and go and will very much depend on how we finish the season from here. The reality is not going up this season is a failure. |
This is how I see it, not that I’d want him to be but I think 7th place would be absolutely reasonable grounds for a sacking based on how we’d have ended up there. Really hope our form turns a corner so we’re not starting from scratch in June. |  |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:08 - Feb 15 with 3575 views | jayessess |
I'm keen for us to stick with McKenna for practical reasons (he's not plausibly going anywhere this season, so support is all we've got to offer) and for less practical reasons (for all the bad results, I like him, I like how he goes about his business, I like how we play football at our best, I think there's something there ultimately).
But I don't think he needs all this special pleading. He's had 3 transfer windows and a complete pre-season, he's likely the best paid manager in the league with the biggest budget. He stands or falls by results at this point. |  |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:09 - Feb 15 with 3562 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:08 - Feb 15 by jayessess |
I'm keen for us to stick with McKenna for practical reasons (he's not plausibly going anywhere this season, so support is all we've got to offer) and for less practical reasons (for all the bad results, I like him, I like how he goes about his business, I like how we play football at our best, I think there's something there ultimately).
But I don't think he needs all this special pleading. He's had 3 transfer windows and a complete pre-season, he's likely the best paid manager in the league with the biggest budget. He stands or falls by results at this point. |
Fair post. | |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:11 - Feb 15 with 3523 views | positivity |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:07 - Feb 15 by WeirdFishes |
This is how I see it, not that I’d want him to be but I think 7th place would be absolutely reasonable grounds for a sacking based on how we’d have ended up there. Really hope our form turns a corner so we’re not starting from scratch in June. |
when you look at the form needed for 7th place it'd be difficult to justify keeping him, but it'd be such a waste of time and money to sack him if he "only" makes the playoffs.
what's the point of investing in a project, if you rip it up so soon? |  |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:14 - Feb 15 with 3493 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:11 - Feb 15 by positivity |
when you look at the form needed for 7th place it'd be difficult to justify keeping him, but it'd be such a waste of time and money to sack him if he "only" makes the playoffs.
what's the point of investing in a project, if you rip it up so soon? |
If he finished in 6th and lost in the play offs, it would be a very underwhelming end to the season.
Given the investment in the club and team, it would be a poor performance relative to other clubs and managers. | |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:15 - Feb 15 with 3484 views | Swansea_Blue |
He’s done a lot better than some supposed experienced managers we’ve had lately. It’d be madness to think about parting ways. It’s madness people seriously suggesting it. But then I’d like us to build something we’re proud and is a bit more lasting. He’s the only manager we’ve had for ages who I think has the potential to do that. If that takes a couple of years or so, so be it. Maybe I’m the daft one, who knows. |  |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:16 - Feb 15 with 3437 views | bobbyramsey |
At the end of this season he will have been for 1.5 seasons, I think that’s plenty long enough for a very experienced, top quality coach to get to grips with league 1.
I think Gamechanger will expect promotion THIS season, that’s what all the talk has been about from the get-go, from players and management alike, the whole culture has been built around getting out of this league.
KM wasn’t brought here to waste 2.5 years on getting the hang of management, he was brought in to get us out of this godforsaken league asap. |  | | |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:17 - Feb 15 with 3455 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:15 - Feb 15 by Swansea_Blue |
He’s done a lot better than some supposed experienced managers we’ve had lately. It’d be madness to think about parting ways. It’s madness people seriously suggesting it. But then I’d like us to build something we’re proud and is a bit more lasting. He’s the only manager we’ve had for ages who I think has the potential to do that. If that takes a couple of years or so, so be it. Maybe I’m the daft one, who knows. |
To be fair, this season has similarities to Lamberts final season in charge (or was it the 2019/20 season where we were flying at the start?).
I'm no Lambert fan, and I am a fan of KM, but Lambert specialised in flirting with promotion for half a season and then dropping off.
I do wonder how Lambert would have performed under the current owners with massive investment. I suspect we would be in a similar position.
....and I really dont like PL, so am trying to be objective. [Post edited 15 Feb 2023 18:22]
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:19 - Feb 15 with 3437 views | ibbleobble |
Ah yes, the “free hit” klaxon. | | | |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:20 - Feb 15 with 3433 views | positivity |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:14 - Feb 15 by Marshalls_Mullet |
If he finished in 6th and lost in the play offs, it would be a very underwhelming end to the season.
Given the investment in the club and team, it would be a poor performance relative to other clubs and managers. |
underwhelming, but not sackable imho.
we've been buying for the future in the main, not your sure things like bannan and flint, or short-term solutions like loanees, so i'm hoping there'll be a bit of patience.
11th to playoffs is progress, even if it's underwhelming | |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:23 - Feb 15 with 3395 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:19 - Feb 15 by ibbleobble |
Ah yes, the “free hit” klaxon. |
....with a hint of "gelling". | |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:23 - Feb 15 with 3384 views | Swansea_Blue |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:17 - Feb 15 by Marshalls_Mullet |
To be fair, this season has similarities to Lamberts final season in charge (or was it the 2019/20 season where we were flying at the start?).
I'm no Lambert fan, and I am a fan of KM, but Lambert specialised in flirting with promotion for half a season and then dropping off.
I do wonder how Lambert would have performed under the current owners with massive investment. I suspect we would be in a similar position.
....and I really dont like PL, so am trying to be objective. [Post edited 15 Feb 2023 18:22]
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Yeah it does, and that does worry me. They’re poles apart in terms of top level coaching experience and character though, so I’m hanging onto that hope! But yes, we need to see a bit more of a reaction to what’s going on. I just hope he can turn it around and it’s not another false dawn. | |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:25 - Feb 15 with 3361 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:20 - Feb 15 by positivity |
underwhelming, but not sackable imho.
we've been buying for the future in the main, not your sure things like bannan and flint, or short-term solutions like loanees, so i'm hoping there'll be a bit of patience.
11th to playoffs is progress, even if it's underwhelming |
11th tells half the story.
KM's record last season was much better than mid table, so we came into this season a good shape. The progress this season from last isnt as marked as some suggest.
11th to 6th wouldnt be a HUGE jump forward, especially given the millions spent. | |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:26 - Feb 15 with 3346 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:23 - Feb 15 by Swansea_Blue |
Yeah it does, and that does worry me. They’re poles apart in terms of top level coaching experience and character though, so I’m hanging onto that hope! But yes, we need to see a bit more of a reaction to what’s going on. I just hope he can turn it around and it’s not another false dawn. |
I do agree with you, but grudgingly I do think PL would have done OK with these owners and the huge investment.
I DONT want him back!! | |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:27 - Feb 15 with 3317 views | FrimleyBlue |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:01 - Feb 15 by N2_Blue |
You do know our manager has not yet ever completed a full season as a manager, yet he’s already being written off by some. FFS he still has the chance to end his first full season with a promotion on his CV. The hyperbole is getting tedious now. |
The last manager didn't get a full season with a run of wins similar.
Despite having a harder job than KM walked into.
And KM has had 3 transfer windows. |  |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:29 - Feb 15 with 3290 views | Herbivore |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:15 - Feb 15 by Swansea_Blue |
He’s done a lot better than some supposed experienced managers we’ve had lately. It’d be madness to think about parting ways. It’s madness people seriously suggesting it. But then I’d like us to build something we’re proud and is a bit more lasting. He’s the only manager we’ve had for ages who I think has the potential to do that. If that takes a couple of years or so, so be it. Maybe I’m the daft one, who knows. |
I also really like him and feel he has significant potential but at the same time if we were to continue our 2023 form for the next few months and fail to go up, it is hard to make a case to give him another season given the backing he's received here. It'd be a decision based on hope and sentiment as much as anything else. | |
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| McKenna first season …. on 18:34 - Feb 15 with 3234 views | ibbleobble |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:27 - Feb 15 by FrimleyBlue |
The last manager didn't get a full season with a run of wins similar.
Despite having a harder job than KM walked into.
And KM has had 3 transfer windows. |
It’s a very valid point. That manager also had a history of success and league title wins. | | | |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:36 - Feb 15 with 3187 views | bobbyramsey |
| McKenna first season …. on 18:26 - Feb 15 by Marshalls_Mullet |
I do agree with you, but grudgingly I do think PL would have done OK with these owners and the huge investment.
I DONT want him back!! |
I agree and I think PC would also have done a good job given limitless time and multimillions
In fact anybody should be doing a great job given the backing that KM has received….. | | | |
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