Selles not out

[Snowflake Royal]

Could he be learning that 4-2-2-2 isn't always the way to go. In his presser today said that whilst it will be his main formation, they have 5-3-2 as a secondary system and whilst there hasn't be the need to use it pre-Blackpool, that game has shown it should or could be utilised going forward, even from the beginning of matches.

Starting 5-3-2 and switching to 4-2-2-2 mid-game could be pretty effective.

Auto 4-2-2-2 is not a thing post.


I'd rather our back up plan was put more in midfield than rely even more heavily on wingbacks. But it's better than nowt.

RCB: Mbengue/Bindon/Yiadom
CCB: McIntyre/Hutchinson/Holmes/Dean
LCB: Abbey/Dorsett

Works for me. I think you need the ones on the flanks to be the quickest to be able to cover the wingbacks, then someone experienced in the middle to martial things.

I hope Wing can make a difference in midfield.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Could he be learning that 4-2-2-2 isn't always the way to go. In his presser today said that whilst it will be his main formation, they have 5-3-2 as a secondary system and whilst there hasn't be the need to use it pre-Blackpool, that game has shown it should or could be utilised going forward, even from the beginning of matches.

Starting 5-3-2 and switching to 4-2-2-2 mid-game could be pretty effective.

Auto 4-2-2-2 is not a thing post.


I'd rather our back up plan was put more in midfield than rely even more heavily on wingbacks. But it's better than nowt.

RCB: Mbengue/Bindon/Yiadom
CCB: McIntyre/Hutchinson/Holmes/Dean
LCB: Abbey/Dorsett

Works for me. I think you need the ones on the flanks to be the quickest to be able to cover the wingbacks, then someone experienced in the middle to martial things.

I hope Wing can make a difference in midfield.

Whilst I agree, I get the feeling it would likely be Bindon/Yiadom at RCB and then Mbengue at RWB. I feel like it's something that would certainly suit our left sided defenders more with the extra cover down that side, Mola, Carson and NGW would benefit from having Abbey covering.

I think we are all hoping Wing makes a significant difference in our midfield.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Writing is a hobby until you get paid, same with most creative outlets to be honest.

If you're good enough you'll get paid. Not sure if Snowball ever reached that sort of level.

As usual, you show your ignorance (why am I not surprised?)

I've published six books, all paying, not self-published.

I have won a total of 19 competitions, countless placings,
all paying nicely, thank-you, and just in the Bridport Prize alone
twice second, twice fourth I have picked up £2,100.

I've had a bursary of £14,500 from Arts Council of Wales


Been published in the UK, Ireland, Australia, US, China, always paying,
was short-listed for an International Award for best first novel, and have
probably published (for money) around 500 pieces, the majority paying after
the early days.

I've sold year-long Film/TV rights 3-4-5 times.

BUT, editors STILL try it on, regularly

Alright m8

[Snowflake Royal]

Literary standards are at an all time low.

[Royal_jimmy]

Great comments from Selles in press conf, reporter said "excellent news" re the wages to which Selles replied, "no, its normal to get paid for doing a job"

Also said he'd had no contact with Pang or Dai, everything goes through Bowen.

I like Selles. He’s been dealt a crap hand but I really admire his honesty and what he’s trying to accomplish. I’m expecting another painful season, but Selles and this young team will have my full support.

I recall Dellor trying to lay into him on BBCRB, but Selles stood his ground with a good firm response and Dellor meekly backed down.

I think he certainly needs time. I wasn't happy when he was appointed but he's a likeable bloke and doing his best in dire circumstances.

[Snowflake Royal]

As long as he keeps reacting to issues that crop up, he's got a lot of leeway.

The problem will come if results remain poor and he persists with the pairing of Savage and Hutchinson in midfield when we get overrun, or Bindon and Abbey at the back while we remain disorganised. Or sticks with the same formation when it isn't working.

He's not got everything right, but he has generally been pretty proactive at changing things. And that's what you need to see when results are poor. Not tinkering, but trying to fix obvious problems.

[Sutekh]

Great comments from Selles in press conf, reporter said "excellent news" re the wages to which Selles replied, "no, its normal to get paid for doing a job"

Also said he'd had no contact with Pang or Dai, everything goes through Bowen.

I like Selles. He’s been dealt a crap hand but I really admire his honesty and what he’s trying to accomplish. I’m expecting another painful season, but Selles and this young team will have my full support.

I recall Dellor trying to lay into him on BBCRB, but Selles stood his ground with a good firm response and Dellor meekly backed down.

I think he certainly needs time. I wasn't happy when he was appointed but he's a likeable bloke and doing his best in dire circumstances.

Yes, Joel Hufford was much the better but as Tim has had about 20 years in the job you can let go now.

[Millsy]

WRITING POST NORTHAMPTON 'RESULT'

As I've always said it's just a matter of time before we accept Selles is dogshit and call for his head.

I'm refraining from doing so explicitly at the moment as it's still allegedly 'early' on, but I wonder how many more of these performances it'll take for this realisation to spread among the masses.

Some of us witnessed (some of you may not have) utterly awful performances in that rare straight run of preseason defeats but ok we mustn't talk about those, fine. But we've now had ten games - what most would consider a fair crack of the whip. The likes of Pauno and Ince had us in promotion spots at this stage under similarly awful circumstances. This guy is carrying on where he left in preseason 'performances' and that was merely carrying on where he left off at Soton. Arrogant 4222 "my way is best, dammit" bullshit.

When do we stop saying it's too early? Going down to L1 may have been acceptable to some but by God going down to L2 will be a catastrophe that we absolutely cannot risk. I made the mistake of backing both Pauno and Ince for far too long, something I hold my hands up to and regret.

I know only few on lemming-HNA are happy to stick their necks out, but where are we at now after 10 games?

Serious question.

[windermereROYAL]

Serious question, when do we stop sacking managers?

[WestYorksRoyal]

Serious question, when do we stop sacking managers?

When they do well. They'll do well when we provide stability, a plan and a chance to develop their squad without looking for scraps under an embargo.

Which all leads to....WHEN DAI GETS THE FCUK OUT.

The argument about Selles in/out is a bit annoying really, as keeping him seems pretty shit while replacing him seems just as bad - the new guy will fail too like they all have.

Let's stop wasting energy on this topic and focus on what really matters - forcing Dai out of this club.

[morganb]

So far in League 1 Charlton (when 19th, now 14th), Fleetwood (23rd to 21st) and Cheltenham (24th to 24th) have sacked their managers, evidently they didn't think it was too early in the season. However the sacking has only really worked for Charlton, the other two teams are still in the relegation zone.

Our League position is poor, our results are poor. Why should Selles be treated any differently to the managers above? He is both inflexible (always playing the same formation) but also a tinkerer (has the same starting 11 been picked for two games in a row?) He doesn't have a good record in the past, at Southampton, or the present.

No. We should stick with him because he's a nice guy who has been dealt a bad hand due to our owner's treatment of the club causing embargoes and points deductions.

You would think by now he knows the players that we have so he now needs to get on with it and work with what we've got, in whatever formation works (perhaps even using a different formation for home and away games), possibly reintegrating Holmes and NGW if need be. But will he do that... probably not.

If we did get rid, who out there is available to come in (and would want to come here?) Perhaps waiting for the new owners to come in would be the time to re-evaluate the manager situation as they may already have a replacement lined up (we can only hope)

[Snowflake Royal]

WRITING POST NORTHAMPTON 'RESULT'

As I've always said it's just a matter of time before we accept Selles is dogshit and call for his head.

I'm refraining from doing so explicitly at the moment as it's still allegedly 'early' on, but I wonder how many more of these performances it'll take for this realisation to spread among the masses.

Some of us witnessed (some of you may not have) utterly awful performances in that rare straight run of preseason defeats but ok we mustn't talk about those, fine. But we've now had ten games - what most would consider a fair crack of the whip. The likes of Pauno and Ince had us in promotion spots at this stage under similarly awful circumstances. This guy is carrying on where he left in preseason 'performances' and that was merely carrying on where he left off at Soton. Arrogant 4222 "my way is best, dammit" bullshit.

When do we stop saying it's too early? Going down to L1 may have been acceptable to some but by God going down to L2 will be a catastrophe that we absolutely cannot risk. I made the mistake of backing both Pauno and Ince for far too long, something I hold my hands up to and regret.

I know only few on lemming-HNA are happy to stick their necks out, but where are we at now after 10 games?

Serious question.

When do we say it's not to early?

10 games is the point you write your early report card. 20 games is the point you expect to have seen improvement by.

Preseason is meaningless. Saints is meaningless. Yeah, many people said he was a bad appointment. Once he's in the door he gets the same chance anyone else would. And that should be first assessmemt after 10 games, chance to improve by 20.

[Snowflake Royal]

Serious question, when do we stop sacking managers?

When we stop appointing shit ones.

[windermereROYAL]

Serious question, when do we stop sacking managers?

When we stop appointing shit ones.

We`ll have a long wait if the last 7 years are anything to go by.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Serious question, when do we stop sacking managers?

There needs to be signs that something is clicking, or at least some evidence from someone that we are only x away from being a good team. It's a young squad and our situation off the field isn't great, do I really see the point of sacking Selles now? No. Do I see the point of sacking him in 20 games time? Maybe.

At the moment, if the ownership situation doesn't change then we will be doing exactly what we have been doing for the last 5 years.

[Stranded]

Serious question, when do we stop sacking managers?

When we stop appointing shit ones.

Or we may have to accept that the culture/environment within the club is simply not set up to allow any manager to be successful currently.

No denying we have hired some duds, Selles may end up being one of them but he has a while yet and may end up getting longer than he deserves given the situation.

The question that can never be answered is, would the results/performances have been the same if there was a stable environment around the club - as that hasn't existed since around 2017, or earlier, impossible to know.

[Snowflake Royal]

Serious question, when do we stop sacking managers?

When we stop appointing shit ones.

Or we may have to accept that the culture/environment within the club is simply not set up to allow any manager to be successful currently.

No denying we have hired some duds, Selles may end up being one of them but he has a while yet and may end up getting longer than he deserves given the situation.

The question that can never be answered is, would the results/performances have been the same if there was a stable environment around the club - as that hasn't existed since around 2017, or earlier, impossible to know.

Appointing actual managers would help.

Ince - retiree
Selles - coach
Stam - coach
Clement - coach
Bowen - coach
Paunovic - no relevant experience
Gomes - no relevant experience

[blythspartan]

My immediate reaction after watching yesterday’s debacle was get him gone. There’s been too much chopping and changing with the starting 11 for me. I feel that the 2 cup games away from home have slightly put a spanner in the works. Upon reflection Carson and maybe a couple of other players aren’t ready for the first team yet.

I think we have to give him another 10 games or so, but as a starter he needs to pick NGW at left back and start with Ballard. Also, barring injuries he should persevere with his starting 11 for a while. The team needs to gel and become a TEAM. I genuinely hope he can learn from his mistakes, but I have said that about all of our recent managers, apart from Bowen.

[Clyde1998]

My immediate reaction after watching yesterday’s debacle was get him gone. There’s been too much chopping and changing with the starting 11 for me. I feel that the 2 cup games away from home have slightly put a spanner in the works. Upon reflection Carson and maybe a couple of other players aren’t ready for the first team yet.

I think we have to give him another 10 games or so, but as a starter he needs to pick NGW at left back and start with Ballard. Also, barring injuries he should persevere with his starting 11 for a while. The team needs to gel and become a TEAM. I genuinely hope he can learn from his mistakes, but I have said that about all of our recent managers, apart from Bowen.

I agree we need to have some more consistency in the starting XI, which will help with players gelling. I think Sam Smith coming into the squad would help us - is he supposed to be back for Charlton? There have been a number of games already where we've lacked the cutting edge up top and Smith, with his scoring record in L1, should be able to resolve that issue.

There should be no question of replacing the manager at this stage, especially given the context of the season - with the number of young players, huge changes to the squad, etc. I think those who are seriously calling for Selles to be sacked already have too high expectations. We'll end up mid-table side at best this season (notwithstanding any more points deductions), as that's taking into account the improvement we'll hopefully see from our younger players throughout the year.

It's not too surprising we've towards the bottom of the division at this stage and, aside from Blackpool, we could've got something from every game this season. I expect the increased experience will turn the type of games we're currently losing into draws and those we're currently drawing into wins as the season progresses.

[WestYorksRoyal]

I'm not going to say anybody who wants Selles out is a moron. But I will say that anybody who thinks simply changing a manager will significantly improve our fortunes is a moron.

Dai out is what needs to happen.