Hunt out.

[Vision]

The Port Vale performance wasn't great of course but we won the game from the inverted winger on the left (to be fair I'm not sure what DK's stronger foot is as everything other than dribbling seems to be a whiff) cutting inside leading to the inverted winger from the right cracking an absolute beauty with his left foot. Not sure anyone within the game would be advising Hunt to rip it up and start again after our first League win and first clean sheet of the season on the back of two very creditable away draws.

I've said it before but it wasn't just the 4222 formation that was stifling Selles it was that he really didn't know what personnel he wanted. Once he decided on the players he wanted to work with, he then selected the formation that worked best for them. He wasn't exactly flexible after that because it was proving to be relatively successful despite a few bumps along the way. I think it's also true that player turnover is so high in the modern game that as a manager it's easier to have a set system that to integrate replacements into than change everything.

Lets see what Hunt does with the group he's now stuck with. I have my doubts but the last 3 league results (which is ultimately what he'll be judged on) have been a home win and two draws against Wycombe (close to automatic promotion last season) and Bolton who battered us on our previous 2 visits. We're also into round 3 of the League Cup.

It's hardly sacking material is it?

Agree it isn't but I'd say we've played well for a sustained period of a game for only 45 mins all season (Wycombe) aside from that its been odd 10-15 min spells.

We've scored 5 league goals all season and I believe the highest xG has been 0.1 ......we've had 3 long range efforts (individual skill) an unlikely header that goes in 1 in 500 probably and a lucky deflection.

The main theme of this thread has been performance and tactics and my view is Hunt/coaches haven't the nous to improve things so results will generally be poor.

On the basis of what I've seen to date I'd give us maybe a draw with Orient and Mansfield which will leave us near the bottom by the next break.

All season? We've played 6 games (and 4 of those against teams fancied for promotion). 5 points from the last 3 fixtures is a decent return and we were every bit as good in one of those games as we were supposedly bad in the others.

He's hardly been helped by a transfer policy that has seen the CEO/DOF (whatever JJ is) plus the owner talking about 3 levels of transfer window thus making early season more of a pre-season. For better or worse and barring any late loans/free agents, this squad is now his.

I have my own reservations but lets see what he does in the coming weeks. He's not Redwood's man and I get the feeling JJ will want his imprint more on things moving forward so I doubt it will take much to pull the plug on Hunt and replace him with a man of JJ's choosing.

[Snowflake Royal]

The Port Vale performance wasn't great of course but we won the game from the inverted winger on the left (to be fair I'm not sure what DK's stronger foot is as everything other than dribbling seems to be a whiff) cutting inside leading to the inverted winger from the right cracking an absolute beauty with his left foot. Not sure anyone within the game would be advising Hunt to rip it up and start again after our first League win and first clean sheet of the season on the back of two very creditable away draws.

I've said it before but it wasn't just the 4222 formation that was stifling Selles it was that he really didn't know what personnel he wanted. Once he decided on the players he wanted to work with, he then selected the formation that worked best for them. He wasn't exactly flexible after that because it was proving to be relatively successful despite a few bumps along the way. I think it's also true that player turnover is so high in the modern game that as a manager it's easier to have a set system that to integrate replacements into than change everything.

Lets see what Hunt does with the group he's now stuck with. I have my doubts but the last 3 league results (which is ultimately what he'll be judged on) have been a home win and two draws against Wycombe (close to automatic promotion last season) and Bolton who battered us on our previous 2 visits. We're also into round 3 of the League Cup.

It's hardly sacking material is it?

Agree it isn't but I'd say we've played well for a sustained period of a game for only 45 mins all season (Wycombe) aside from that its been odd 10-15 min spells.

We've scored 5 league goals all season and I believe the highest xG has been 0.1 ......we've had 3 long range efforts (individual skill) an unlikely header that goes in 1 in 500 probably and a lucky deflection.

The main theme of this thread has been performance and tactics and my view is Hunt/coaches haven't the nous to improve things so results will generally be poor.

On the basis of what I've seen to date I'd give us maybe a draw with Orient and Mansfield which will leave us near the bottom by the next break.

All season? We've played 6 games (and 4 of those against teams fancied for promotion). 5 points from the last 3 fixtures is a decent return and we were every bit as good in one of those games as we were supposedly bad in the others.

He's hardly been helped by a transfer policy that has seen the CEO/DOF (whatever JJ is) plus the owner talking about 3 levels of transfer window thus making early season more of a pre-season. For better or worse and barring any late loans/free agents, this squad is now his.

I have my own reservations but lets see what he does in the coming weeks. He's not Redwood's man and I get the feeling JJ will want his imprint more on things moving forward so I doubt it will take much to pull the plug on Hunt and replace him with a man of JJ's choosing.

We're clearly getting more comfortable in front of goal too.

Goals: 0, 0, 1, 1, 2, 1
Shots (on): 7(3), 8(2), 13(3), 5(2), 17(6), 11(5)

[WestYorksRoyal]

Flipping the topic on its head a bit, what is a fair expectation for Hunt with resources at his disposal? What keeps him at the helm into 2026, 2027 and beyond?

I'd say top half, clear development of the team and a spine to build upon for a promotion challenge in 26/27 is enough to keep him here. Position could even slip to 15th or so and he potentially gets to stay if we're trying to play good football and we can see the potential with a good transfer window next summer.

Mid table and turgid football and get rid at the end of the season, maybe March or so if you want a new manager to learn the ropes and figure out their plans ahead of the summer.

What is completely unacceptable with this squad is any sort of relegation battle, and if it looks like we're in for one at the end of October or so he must be sacked then. The squad is simply too good for that, even with time to gel etc.,

It's funny that the biggest critics of Hunt will typically be the biggest critics of the new owners and the transfer window; you can't have it both ways lads. I personally think they have given him a good enough squad to succeed, and he doesn't he needs to take responsibility. But if we finish 10th, play well and then he's sacked I'll then be pissed with the owners, as I don't think the squad is ready for promotion.

[Millsy]

He’s got to go.

Well you're the mod, make it happen. Ian isn't going to quit on his own!


(Only joking Ian, typical Millsy 'humour' - you're alright )

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Flipping the topic on its head a bit, what is a fair expectation for Hunt with resources at his disposal? What keeps him at the helm into 2026, 2027 and beyond?

I'd say top half, clear development of the team and a spine to build upon for a promotion challenge in 26/27 is enough to keep him here. Position could even slip to 15th or so and he potentially gets to stay if we're trying to play good football and we can see the potential with a good transfer window next summer.

Mid table and turgid football and get rid at the end of the season, maybe March or so if you want a new manager to learn the ropes and figure out their plans ahead of the summer.

What is completely unacceptable with this squad is any sort of relegation battle, and if it looks like we're in for one at the end of October or so he must be sacked then. The squad is simply too good for that, even with time to gel etc.,

It's funny that the biggest critics of Hunt will typically be the biggest critics of the new owners and the transfer window; you can't have it both ways lads. I personally think they have given him a good enough squad to succeed, and he doesn't he needs to take responsibility. But if we finish 10th, play well and then he's sacked I'll then be pissed with the owners, as I don't think the squad is ready for promotion.

I'd say with this squad 9th-12th is a realistic expectation. I agree - he's by and large been supported by the owners as although we haven't got the quality of some that have left perhaps, we definitely have better depth than the previous 2 seasons.

Agree - if the football improves and we are pushing towards top half next year then keep the status quo, but if its stills turgid crap and we're around bottom 8 (even if safe) I'd make the change in Spring.

[Royal_jimmy]

He's turned us into a side who can't defend

[Royal_jimmy]

Hunty time to go

Hunty Hunty time to go

[Sutekh]

He's turned us into a side who can't defend

No, the transfer window and an injured replacement did that.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Would like to know what Hunt and his useless coaches have been doing for the last 2 weeks, the press was all over the place and we looked a disorganised shambles in the first half. The excuses of bedding in new players are running thin and there is enough quality in the squad to get results at places like Barnsley.

Unless we get 4 points from the 2 home games we need to make a change by the next international break.

Parky may be available by then.

[morganb]

Dai's parting gift to Reading was to give Noel a 3 year contract which will need to be paid up if we decide to sack him. This is possibly putting Couhig off firing Hunt as he's not one for spending money

Then having to possibly buying in a replacement (guess we'd try for a free agent manager and team first - who's out there or likely to be soon? Chris Wilder? Wait for Selles? Parkinson?)

[Orion1871]

Would like to know what Hunt and his useless coaches have been doing for the last 2 weeks, the press was all over the place and we looked a disorganised shambles in the first half. The excuses of bedding in new players are running thin and there is enough quality in the squad to get results at places like Barnsley.

Unless we get 4 points from the 2 home games we need to make a change by the next international break.

Parky may be available by then.

So we can carry on smashing the ball over the heads of the vertically challenged front line?

[WestYorksRoyal]

Can we acknowledge our opening fixtures have been tough? We've already played Lincoln, Bolton and Barnsley away and Huddersfield at home in our first 7. What's a good haul from those 4 games? 4? 6?

The game against Wimbledon and the last minute goal at Wycombe are the two things that grate, and Wimbledon in particular was really poor. But I'd say we have only had one genuinely bad result and there is loads of time to make up ground. Today was better than away performances against Bolton and Lincoln so we're trending in the right direction.

[Royal_jimmy]

Can we acknowledge our opening fixtures have been tough? We've already played Lincoln, Bolton and Barnsley away and Huddersfield at home in our first 7. What's a good haul from those 4 games? 4? 6?

The game against Wimbledon and the last minute goal at Wycombe are the two things that grate, and Wimbledon in particular was really poor. But I'd say we have only had one genuinely bad result and there is loads of time to make up ground. Today was better than away performances against Bolton and Lincoln so we're trending in the right direction.

We easily on another day would have been 3-0 down after half an hour today

[WestYorksRoyal]

Can we acknowledge our opening fixtures have been tough? We've already played Lincoln, Bolton and Barnsley away and Huddersfield at home in our first 7. What's a good haul from those 4 games? 4? 6?

The game against Wimbledon and the last minute goal at Wycombe are the two things that grate, and Wimbledon in particular was really poor. But I'd say we have only had one genuinely bad result and there is loads of time to make up ground. Today was better than away performances against Bolton and Lincoln so we're trending in the right direction.

We easily on another day would have been 3-0 down after half an hour today

Good thing we play in L1 where teams generally aren't that clinical. They dominated the opening 30, but they didn't create gilt edged chances. Maybe a Championship side get a couple more.

[Brogue]

Dai's parting gift to Reading was to give Noel a 3 year contract which will need to be paid up if we decide to sack him. This is possibly putting Couhig off firing Hunt as he's not one for spending money

Then having to possibly buying in a replacement (guess we'd try for a free agent manager and team first - who's out there or likely to be soon? Chris Wilder? Wait for Selles? Parkinson?)

Michael Carrick

[Royal_jimmy]

Agree it isn't but I'd say we've played well for a sustained period of a game for only 45 mins all season (Wycombe) aside from that its been odd 10-15 min spells.

We've scored 5 league goals all season and I believe the highest xG has been 0.1 ......we've had 3 long range efforts (individual skill) an unlikely header that goes in 1 in 500 probably and a lucky deflection.

The main theme of this thread has been performance and tactics and my view is Hunt/coaches haven't the nous to improve things so results will generally be poor.

On the basis of what I've seen to date I'd give us maybe a draw with Orient and Mansfield which will leave us near the bottom by the next break.

All season? We've played 6 games (and 4 of those against teams fancied for promotion). 5 points from the last 3 fixtures is a decent return and we were every bit as good in one of those games as we were supposedly bad in the others.

He's hardly been helped by a transfer policy that has seen the CEO/DOF (whatever JJ is) plus the owner talking about 3 levels of transfer window thus making early season more of a pre-season. For better or worse and barring any late loans/free agents, this squad is now his.

I have my own reservations but lets see what he does in the coming weeks. He's not Redwood's man and I get the feeling JJ will want his imprint more on things moving forward so I doubt it will take much to pull the plug on Hunt and replace him with a man of JJ's choosing.

We're clearly getting more comfortable in front of goal too.

Goals: 0, 0, 1, 1, 2, 1
Shots (on): 7(3), 8(2), 13(3), 5(2), 17(6), 11(5)

Never listen to a lefty

[fred sharpes nose]

Not yet and I certainly hope not but things are not good

1) we have a stronger overall squad, but a weaker first eleven. If across the board we have two players for each posiiton there should be enough competiton to consistently get 7/10s . If overall the squad is average for the division we should be mid table. Assumptions are we have a slightly better squad - so maybe just outside play offs

2) we seemed to have regressed on the injury front - back to the pre Selles days. Why is that ? Bad luck or wrong training, prep whatever. Needs to be fixed

3) new team, time to gel etc. Totally understandable - all fans get that. Are we making gradual progress - results say no, performances - dunno what I've seen its more like pub football with splashes of class, so no

4) milestones - I would expect that 10 points after ten games given the situ is a fair target, 1/3 way through season middle of the top of half of the bottom half, 2/3 way through season middle of the bottom half of the top half, 3/3 way through season teasing fans with faint playoff postion which fails 2 games before season end. Everyone would be ok with that

5) my biggest concern - Noel is at home thinking " I don't know what to do to fix this" - best relegation insurance policy for Redwood ...chip in few quids for a mentor/advisor / soundboard to help him develop / learn / improve

[Snowflake Royal]

All season? We've played 6 games (and 4 of those against teams fancied for promotion). 5 points from the last 3 fixtures is a decent return and we were every bit as good in one of those games as we were supposedly bad in the others.

He's hardly been helped by a transfer policy that has seen the CEO/DOF (whatever JJ is) plus the owner talking about 3 levels of transfer window thus making early season more of a pre-season. For better or worse and barring any late loans/free agents, this squad is now his.

I have my own reservations but lets see what he does in the coming weeks. He's not Redwood's man and I get the feeling JJ will want his imprint more on things moving forward so I doubt it will take much to pull the plug on Hunt and replace him with a man of JJ's choosing.

We're clearly getting more comfortable in front of goal too.

Goals: 0, 0, 1, 1, 2, 1
Shots (on): 7(3), 8(2), 13(3), 5(2), 17(6), 11(5)

Never listen to a lefty

Something only a moron would say. Hope you’re not on the Police's find and prosecute list after the Yaxley-Lennon stupid thug march.

2
14(5)

[WestYorksRoyal]

2) we seemed to have regressed on the injury front - back to the pre Selles days. Why is that ? Bad luck or wrong training, prep whatever. Needs to be fixed

This is a concern for me. O'Connor barely misses a game for Lincoln and Bradford for about 4 years apart from suspension, but has missed the first 7 games due to a muscle strain injury picked up in training. Muscle strains always suggest something has gone wrong with managing fitness, and to get it in training before the season has even started is unforgivable. It sounds like he's close, but he'll also need time to settle into the team when he's back.

Ahmed struggled yesterday - where was Abrefa? He's not as high potential as Ahmed, but is more experienced now and should be a viable option.

Ritchie had a proper pre season with Portsmouth - was he not ready even for the bench yesterday?

Tim Dellor reported after the game yesterday that everyone's favourite scapegoat, but not actually that bad, Camara was hobbling down the tunnel at FT supported by two staff members. Did I miss his big collision or the haymaker tackle on him? Or is it a non contact injury for a player who only played 15 minutes?

Do better - it's been like this for years except a brief respite under Selles.

[Sutekh]

2) we seemed to have regressed on the injury front - back to the pre Selles days. Why is that ? Bad luck or wrong training, prep whatever. Needs to be fixed

This is a concern for me. O'Connor barely misses a game for Lincoln and Bradford for about 4 years apart from suspension, but has missed the first 7 games due to a muscle strain injury picked up in training. Muscle strains always suggest something has gone wrong with managing fitness, and to get it in training before the season has even started is unforgivable. It sounds like he's close, but he'll also need time to settle into the team when he's back.

Ahmed struggled yesterday - where was Abrefa? He's not as high potential as Ahmed, but is more experienced now and should be a viable option.

Ritchie had a proper pre season with Portsmouth - was he not ready even for the bench yesterday?

Tim Dellor reported after the game yesterday that everyone's favourite scapegoat, but not actually that bad, Camara was hobbling down the tunnel at FT supported by two staff members. Did I miss his big collision or the haymaker tackle on him? Or is it a non contact injury for a player who only played 15 minutes?

Do better - it's been like this for years except a brief respite under Selles.

Seem to be a few minor non-contact injuries and cramp occurring about the squad, not sure that’s an entirely good sign of the fitness regime but then I’m sure the professionals know what they’re doing and despite the few problems it’s only really been O’Connor that would seem to be the loss.

Of the others crocked, Yiadom has been mostly permanently injured for 2 seasons and Abrefa has similarly been seeing a lot of the physio ever since breaking into the squad so it’s seems to be just more of the same really.