Maccy D ?

[retro royal]

Not sure what to think at the moment, took over a side from Rodgers that in my opinion was just starting to turn the corner, on paper he has done brilliant. I do question though his signings, majority over 30 slow and we hoof the ball far too much, I wonder if MaccyD is too close to the players and the honeymoon is over.

At the same time I'm thinking all the players being sold from under his feet, when he was appointed a few here said he is another madejski yes man. How much longer can he keep playing the slowest full backs in the football league.

BTW, I maybe a wooden from the north bank

[blueroyals]

are people seriously questioning McDermott after 4 losses? This the man that took us on two F.A cup runs, took us from relegation to (almost) playoffs in 6 months and guided us to the playoff final last season all with his best players being sold season after season. I seriously think we have the most fickle fans in the championship this thread can't be serious? If anyone is to blame it is SJM, you can only work with what you have at the end of the day.

[Mike Hunt]

I think that he can be a tad too loyal...

From all accounts, Harte got raped again yesterday. I think he is awesome - but he is getting targeted week after week, he needs to be dropped.

[Ian Royal]

McDermott's shown he can motivate the team when things start getting serious, but he seems to struggle with getting things right from the start of the season.

His big test now he's been in the job for over a season, is whether he can build a team. Either he's not building one that I particularly like the style of, or he's not doing a great job of building one at the moment. But it's early days and it could all come together quite easily.

But he is good at getting quality out of what he's got and he's done a very good job so far. Things could be pretty rosey by game 10. Gorkss seems to have played well, hopefully Mills can come into the team and perform, or give Harte enough of a panic to get him going. Griffin can hopefully use the two weeks off to get up to speed, his experience and teamwork with Kebe is useful. Although I'm perfectly happy with Cummings too.

Le Fondre will hopefully add another dimension, you have to assume he's going straight into the team, his interview certainly suggested he expects to. With a bit more support from the full backs for the wingers and a bit more of what we know Karacan & Leigertwood can do and we should be good.

Be interesting to see who Le Fondre partners. Hunt's the most experienced but doesn't offer much other than goals, running and a good leap. Manset is still raw and lacking in fitness. HRK isn't quite there as a striker yet. Church is out of form badly.

Maybe it's time to switch things up a bit, stick with Le Frondre as a fox in the box, Kebe & HRK wide to cut in and offer goal threats, McAnuff in the hole to act as the creative fulcrum and Legs & Jem doing the box to box destroying. Obviously we'd need to be playing it on the deck or behind the full backs, rather than hoof and chase or hoof and head. If Manset was fitter I'd say he would be a good choice to lead the line on his own.

[clauski]

I assume Harte is still in for the free kick threat he offers, traded off against his lack of pace defending. But if the trade off becomes too much, or indeed after some time to settle in, I'm sure Mills will be given a chance. Likewise I'd expect to see ALF in the team after the international break with most likely Hunt to the bench.

[DOYLERSAROYALER]

Team play too predictable ...no Plan B ...depends too much on two very inconsistent winners to create chances .....may have worked last season...but teams have sussed us out and unless we shuffle the pack and show we have alternative set-ups, going to get found out too often.......

[sandman]

Team play too predictable ...no Plan B

Works for Barcelona. Seriously though he is rebuilding the team after the spine of last season's team has been taken away from under him and he admitted that he might have to find a different way of playing the other night. I said after the Leicester win not to get carried away and the same applies after these losses.

[Avon Royal]

The biggest problem is that the players are obviously demotivated given the weakening of the team from last year. If the club aren't prepared to build and push on, then it is going to become harder and harder to motivate the players to give that little bit extra that we need from them in order to compete.

You can't overachieve all the time.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Not sure what to think at the moment, took over a side from Rodgers that in my opinion was just starting to turn the corner, on paper he has done brilliant. I do question though his signings, majority over 30 slow and we hoof the ball far too much, I wonder if MaccyD is too close to the players and the honeymoon is over.

At the same time I'm thinking all the players being sold from under his feet, when he was appointed a few here said he is another madejski yes man. How much longer can he keep playing the slowest full backs in the football league.

BTW, I maybe a wooden from the north bank

shut up bozo go support swindon

[Stranded]

The biggest problem is that the players are obviously demotivated given the weakening of the team from last year. If the club aren't prepared to build and push on, then it is going to become harder and harder to motivate the players to give that little bit extra that we need from them in order to compete.

You can't overachieve all the time.

Then you have to question the mental attitude of the players. Yes we lost 2 key players but you would hope that those here would see this as the challenge to step up.

[Royal Lady]

The biggest problem is that the players are obviously demotivated given the weakening of the team from last year. If the club aren't prepared to build and push on, then it is going to become harder and harder to motivate the players to give that little bit extra that we need from them in order to compete.

You can't overachieve all the time.

^^ This

As I said last week, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear and with what little resources McD has been given since he's been manager - he has worked miracles. Here's hoping Le Fondre is another miracle in the making.

[Avon Royal]

The biggest problem is that the players are obviously demotivated given the weakening of the team from last year. If the club aren't prepared to build and push on, then it is going to become harder and harder to motivate the players to give that little bit extra that we need from them in order to compete.

You can't overachieve all the time.

Then you have to question the mental attitude of the players. Yes we lost 2 key players but you would hope that those here would see this as the challenge to step up.

If you build a culture on the group ethic, and then sell off the best parts of that group, is it any wonder that the remaining members are impacted mentally?

Following the play-off final the board had a choice - either cash in their chips or back the players to go one step further the following season. They made their choice, they didn't back the players and now we have to live with the obvious human impact of that decision.

I really feel for McD having to convince the squad that they are good enough for promotion when those running the club so obviously disagree.

[RoyalBlue]

are people seriously questioning McDermott after 4 losses? This the man that took us on two F.A cup runs, took us from relegation to (almost) playoffs in 6 months and guided us to the playoff final last season all with his best players being sold season after season. I seriously think we have the most fickle fans in the championship this thread can't be serious? If anyone is to blame it is SJM, you can only work with what you have at the end of the day.

It's not just the losses, it's the other warning signs that are there. Too much loyalty to players who are showing clear signs of being beyond their sell buy date, a reluctance to change approach/tactics.

It would be nice to hear him come out with a very blunt, 'things aren't acceptable, performances aren't acceptable and the players are going to change or I am going to change the players'.

I obviously agree with your last point but whilst that individual remains we have to have a manager who can find a way of working around all of the problems that creates. Sad thing is, it will still be McDermott who ends of paying the ultimate price should things go tits up, yet there will still be the trained monkeys who applaud the man at the top.

[manny96]

Who exactly should the board have signed? How much exactly should they have paid? What is the percentage probability of return on the investment (money and footballing) by promotion? Tell me this, an STG, please tell me.

As to the OP, I think sometimes BM isn't bold enough in selection and substitutions - how we lost to Barnsley as we did and only made 2 subs, I don't know. His main strength seems to be managing personnel and getting the best out of them. I get the sense that it took some persuading to get Griffin to stay and maybe there's a sense of obligation. Another 'team meeting' alla last year might do the trick...

[Avon Royal]

Who exactly should the board have signed? How much exactly should they have paid? What is the percentage probability of return on the investment (money and footballing) by promotion? Tell me this, an STG, please tell me.

It didn't have to be a new signing. The board could have backed the team by risking certain players leaving for nothing at the end of their contract instead of cashing them in now. Yes it would have been a gamble, but then nothing is achieved in this world without some risk.

[manny96]

So, Long and Mills? But we didn't get promotion last year, what guarantees this year? I now see a more than adequate replacement for Mills and someone who is a far more proven goalscorer than Long was for most of his time with us, although obviously I'm not saying he's better than Long.

[NWL Royal]

Nigel Howe is a tw@t.

[Avon Royal]

So, Long and Mills? But we didn't get promotion last year, what guarantees this year? .

Nothing "guarantees" anything. That seems to be the standard argument against any kind of challenge to the club's actions. Keeping players doesn't guarantee promotions, buying players doesn't guarentee promotion, hell, selling players doesn't guarantee relegation. However, actions do have consequences that impact the probability of specific outcomes. If we are saying that the board should only back the players if they can "guarentee" promotion then we all might as well give up and go home. Sometimes you have to take a chance, a venture, a risk in order to achieve your goals. A bit of vision and ambition is all anyone is asking for.

[RoyalBlue]

So, Long and Mills? But we didn't get promotion last year, what guarantees this year? I now see a more than adequate replacement for Mills and someone who is a far more proven goalscorer than Long was for most of his time with us, although obviously I'm not saying he's better than Long.

I hope Alfie comes good - he has to or we will be in a relegation battle. However, his proven goalscoring record in League 2 means very little. Had Long been playing at that level they would have needed a calculator to have kept track of his tally!

Most of the time in football, just as life in general, you do get what you pay for.

[PEARCEY]

I'm no lover of SJM but we have just made three new signings and at a significant cost. One more may still yet come in. McDermott has done very well to date and this is his first bad run. It was bound to happen at some stage. We lost Mills but have bought in Gorkss so I don't see us as weaker there. Can Le Fondre fill Shane Long's boots? If he can we will be in the hunt for promotion.
Its still August and early days. If we only pick up 4 points from our next 5 games then I will be worried...but I think we will do a lot better than that.