Richardson out

[stealthpapes]

Well, here two league games into the new season, the winless run now stretches back to March and nine games, next up is two home games against Mansfield and Blackpool, I would suggest a minimum return of four pts from those.
Chances are we`ll be bottom three after next weekend, not a very auspicious start to the new campaign to put it mildly.
I`ve seen it touted he`s got until Oct/Nov to get things rolling, I`d take a look if we get two pts or less from the aforementioned games.
But I`m not Couhig, who knows what he`s thinking?

I had wondered who would be first to use the rearranged game in a ‘slow start’ argument.

[Hound]

There comes a point when it’s untenable though. Get up to 12/13 without a win and that’s prob it

Obvs that’s a few games off yet but not miles away

[Mid Sussex Royal]

The Twitter noise will undoubtedly ramp up as we could be bottom by the time we next play given its Wednesday week so most sides will have played twice (Sat & Tues) before we play again.

Lets see what the remainder of the window brings and how the new players bed in....Dokes and Lisbie look decent additions but I'm not convinced yet by Stokes and certainly not Brown.

Cannot make any judgement until Oct earliest.

[Brogue]

I guess the question is, is it the players or is it the manager?

On paper our best 11 should be doing better than they are. Last season and this, I think we’d all agree on that.

Is it a mentality thing?
Is it a fitness issue - lots of people saying the players look dead on their feet at 70 minutes?
Is it tactical?
Is the training schedule too heavy?

How much can be laid at the managers door?

How does a number 10 fit into this system when you still have wing in the quarter back role hitting 50 yard Hollywood passes bypassing midfield time after time?

Is a centre midfield of Rino and Wing too defensive?

If we are looking to the wings for creativity is DK good enough?

If we are looking to the wings for creativity does that work with a high press tactic?

What even is our style of play?

What I find crazy is we still have these questions, so many questions, with a manger that been in post now for 10 months.

Yesterday’s game had 6 of Richardson’s players starting, with another two off the bench. If we bring in another couple he’s practically had a new team. And let’s be honest, 4 of the other starters were Wing PoC JP and Marriott - all good players to inherit. The only player left is DK that Richardson didn’t sign. So we can’t really say it isn’t his team either.

The usual ‘take stock’ point of the season - the first threshold - is the October international break. And we’ve all said (well not me) he gets till then. That will be one year in the job. If results don’t pick up soon the noise is going to be so loud I doubt he will make it that far.

[Mr Angry]

To be fair, some posters have zero objectivity on this subject; some can't stand the new owners and so anyone they bring in is useless, whilst others simply dislike LR for a variety of reasons.

As has been the case for every football club ever of course!

Personally, I think that on their day, the first 11 that get put out offer a lot going forward, but will always give opponents a chance; we lack consistency and we lack a solid back 5. One thing I would like to see LR change is to have Wing further forward; he has a great pass and can really hurt defences - but not when he is picking the ball up from his central defender 30 yards from his own goal.

There has been improvement in the play since last season, and I think the results will come; my fear is we simply don't have a strong enough bench to win games in the last 15/20 minutes.

I also think it is way too early to be seriously contemplating a managerial change, but, as is the nature of the game today, a run of 5 or 6 games without a win will bring obvious pressures on the management team.

[Brogue]

To be fair, some posters have zero objectivity on this subject; some can't stand the new owners and so anyone they bring in is useless, whilst others simply dislike LR for a variety of reasons.

As has been the case for every football club ever of course!

Personally, I think that on their day, the first 11 that get put out offer a lot going forward, but will always give opponents a chance; we lack consistency and we lack a solid back 5. One thing I would like to see LR change is to have Wing further forward; he has a great pass and can really hurt defences - but not when he is picking the ball up from his central defender 30 yards from his own goal.

There has been improvement in the play since last season, and I think the results will come; my fear is we simply don't have a strong enough bench to win games in the last 15/20 minutes.

I also think it is way too early to be seriously contemplating a managerial change, but, as is the nature of the game today, a run of 5 or 6 games without a win will bring obvious pressures on the management team.

We are currently without a win in 8 in the league, since March. And if we include the two cup games it’s no win in 10 (in 90 minutes). Is it fair to include last seasons games? Personally, I feel the way we tailed off last season was a disgrace, and performances were dreadful so I do think it is only fair to include them. Others may disagree of course.

[South Coast Royal]

To be fair, some posters have zero objectivity on this subject; some can't stand the new owners and so anyone they bring in is useless, whilst others simply dislike LR for a variety of reasons.

As has been the case for every football club ever of course!

Personally, I think that on their day, the first 11 that get put out offer a lot going forward, but will always give opponents a chance; we lack consistency and we lack a solid back 5. One thing I would like to see LR change is to have Wing further forward; he has a great pass and can really hurt defences - but not when he is picking the ball up from his central defender 30 yards from his own goal.

There has been improvement in the play since last season, and I think the results will come; my fear is we simply don't have a strong enough bench to win games in the last 15/20 minutes.

I also think it is way too early to be seriously contemplating a managerial change, but, as is the nature of the game today, a run of 5 or 6 games without a win will bring obvious pressures on the management team.

We are currently without a win in 8 in the league, since March. And if we include the two cup games it’s no win in 10 (in 90 minutes). Is it fair to include last seasons games? Personally the way we tailed off last season was a disgrace, and performances were dreadful so I think it is only fair to include them personally. Others may disagree of course.

I don't disagree.
LR made much of having a pre-season and early signs are that the team appears to lack fitness after his first full pre-season in charge.

The only improvement I see is that we are moving the ball a bit quicker but, apart from now greater defensive issues,we just don't create enough good chances.
Our conversion rate (mainly Marriott) is exceptional but that is no good if we are relying on the other team making mistakes as with Luton last week and on a number of occasions last year.

Other teams will make mistakes and our pressing helps but we really do need to make more chances of our own.

This manager will get more time , rightly or wrongly, but he does need his new signings to make a difference and quickly.
Good signs so far with the two right-sided signings but the left side is so weak and we need another centre-back to challenge those currently in position (too early for Beacroft and never for Dorsett), not just a back-up but somebody better.

Up front?
It's just so obvious.

[Mr Angry]

If you want to judge the team by selectively picking a start point whilst ignoring context (for example, losing Marriott for the last part of last season) then that's fine - everyone is entitled to their opinion.

But you are ignoring the turnaround in the fortunes of the club after LR replaced Noel, from a position where we were in a relegation place to getting up to being within a shot of the play offs until the hugely disappointing fall off towards the end of the season (notwithstanding Marriott's injury).

IF (big if I appreciate) but IF the team can reproduce consistently how they played in the first half against Luton last week, there is genuine hope that we can be top 10 and then who knows.

[RoyalBlue]

I was hoping that Richardson might have turned the corner but the nonsensical last seconds of the game substitution of Brown replacing Lisbie' together with the ludicrous and factually wrong suggestion, during his post match interview, that 'Wimbledon is a tough place to come to, they've picked up a lot of points at home and other teams will struggle against them' (paraphrase), strongly suggests otherwise.

[Orion1871]

If you want to judge the team by selectively picking a start point whilst ignoring context (for example, losing Marriott for the last part of last season) then that's fine - everyone is entitled to their opinion.

But you are ignoring the turnaround in the fortunes of the club after LR replaced Noel, from a position where we were in a relegation place to getting up to being within a shot of the play offs until the hugely disappointing fall off towards the end of the season (notwithstanding Marriott's injury).

IF (big if I appreciate) but IF the team can reproduce consistently how they played in the first half against Luton last week, there is genuine hope that we can be top 10 and then who knows.

That is the point. We were playing terribly, but Marriott was scoring and we were winning games by the skin of our teeth, Wycombe at home being the prime example.

Many of us pointed out that when Marriott inevitably got injured we would be bang in trouble because he was papering over the cracks, Richardson had no plan b, and the form would tail off. It did tail off, and badly.

[Brogue]

If you want to judge the team by selectively picking a start point whilst ignoring context (for example, losing Marriott for the last part of last season) then that's fine - everyone is entitled to their opinion.

But you are ignoring the turnaround in the fortunes of the club after LR replaced Noel, from a position where we were in a relegation place to getting up to being within a shot of the play offs until the hugely disappointing fall off towards the end of the season (notwithstanding Marriott's injury).

IF (big if I appreciate) but IF the team can reproduce consistently how they played in the first half against Luton last week, there is genuine hope that we can be top 10 and then who knows.

Cool, so everything is fine, and Leam is doing a good job.

Leam Richardson P37 W13 D12 L12 Win percentage 35.1 ppg 1.3

Noel Hunt P51 W19 D16 L16 Win percentage 37.3 ppg 1.4

Richardson no win in last 10
Hunt’s last 10 games W4 D4 L2

But we shouldn’t be talking about the manager future. Gotcha.

Oh and for the record Hunt also didn’t have Marriott for a lot of the games either.

Starting line up against Lincoln opening fixture last season

JP
Abrefa
Burns
stickland
Dorsett
Wing
Savage
MoM
DK
Camara
WiFi.

It’s a wonder how Hunt got any points in the board at all.

Now as I’ve said in the past this isn’t me saying hunt should have kept his job.

But we can’t sack hunt and then not expect to have the conversation about Richardson who has a worse record.

[Hound]

Marriott was always likely to be injury prone and miss games, and tbh doubt many saw his form coming either

LR did have a transfer window to try to get back up in and we did - just it went terribly with Keane

You’ve definitely got to include back end of last season in any reckoning - we still had a handy side out with a perfectly capable player in Kelvin up top.

I’m not demanding LR out now but the pressure should be on him. I’m hoping he turns it round but it’s undeniable there comes a point not too far away

[Hound]

Agree with Brouge we just don’t create enough

Marriott is fantastic at pouncing on mistakes or loose balls but he doesn’t create much else, not his game. DK isn’t up to the level and Stokes and Lisbie seem more pressing types - fine but not creating loads in possession. Rino’s never been a creator

Don’t know what the answer is really but LR needs to find it. You’ll always get defensive/keeper mistakes at this level but just converting those won’t get you top 6

[Hiram K Hackenbacker]

Marriott was always likely to be injury prone and miss games, and tbh doubt many saw his form coming either

LR did have a transfer window to try to get back up in and we did - just it went terribly with Keane

You’ve definitely got to include back end of last season in any reckoning - we still had a handy side out with a perfectly capable player in Kelvin up top.

I’m not demanding LR out now but the pressure should be on him. I’m hoping he turns it round but it’s undeniable there comes a point not too far away

I agree

[Mr Angry]

Agree with Brouge we just don’t create enough

Marriott is fantastic at pouncing on mistakes or loose balls but he doesn’t create much else, not his game. DK isn’t up to the level and Stokes and Lisbie seem more pressing types - fine but not creating loads in possession. Rino’s never been a creator

Don’t know what the answer is really but LR needs to find it. You’ll always get defensive/keeper mistakes at this level but just converting those won’t get you top 6

Have Wing play further forward would help in creating more chances.

[KC Royal]

Finally got round to looking up Richardson's stats on my CM 2023 game.

Favoured formation: 4-3-3 with attacking style of play and closing down the opposition. General coaching style.
Strengths: Physiotherapy and tactical knowledge.
Weaknesses: Determination and level of discipline.

[Ascotexgunner]

If you want to judge the team by selectively picking a start point whilst ignoring context (for example, losing Marriott for the last part of last season) then that's fine - everyone is entitled to their opinion.

But you are ignoring the turnaround in the fortunes of the club after LR replaced Noel, from a position where we were in a relegation place to getting up to being within a shot of the play offs until the hugely disappointing fall off towards the end of the season (notwithstanding Marriott's injury).

IF (big if I appreciate) but IF the team can reproduce consistently how they played in the first half against Luton last week, there is genuine hope that we can be top 10 and then who knows.

Cool, so everything is fine, and Leam is doing a good job.

Leam Richardson P37 W13 D12 L12 Win percentage 35.1 ppg 1.3

Noel Hunt P51 W19 D16 L16 Win percentage 37.3 ppg 1.4

Richardson no win in last 10
Hunt’s last 10 games W4 D4 L2

But we shouldn’t be talking about the manager future. Gotcha.

Oh and for the record Hunt also didn’t have Marriott for a lot of the games either.

Starting line up against Lincoln opening fixture last season

JP
Abrefa
Burns
stickland
Dorsett
Wing
Savage
MoM
DK
Camara
WiFi.

It’s a wonder how Hunt got any points in the board at all.

Now as I’ve said in the past this isn’t me saying hunt should have kept his job.

But we can’t sack hunt and then not expect to have the conversation about Richardson who has a worse record.

So what you've just shown is that Hunt is just as bad as Richardson.... Which is correct. Both play dull uninspiring football..... Tippy tappy all the way to the opponents 18 yard box then pass all the was back to JP in goal....Hunt incidentally had us sitting 19th in October when he was sacked... and we were shocking...... I'd also say that Hunt also arguably had a better side in 24/25 and had a solid spine and enough time in the season to do well..... But the football was uninspiring and horrible. We had the likes of Wing and Knibbs in midfield, Bindon at the back and options like Jayden Wareham and Sam Smith up front, though the latter was sold in February, but was having a great season. Personally both managers have the same massive fault in their games..... Their in game management was/is shite. Richardson is an uninspiring manager as every single manager has been since possibly that Scottish weazel Steve Clarke..... Every single one since has failed at Reading, and it's because the owners have made poor decisions. The fans have come up with decent names but we've always gone left field....Gomes, Bowen was so uninspiring, I liked Paunovic a lot but he was defeated by all the off field issues, Ince (best forgotten but I mean WTF was that appointment about), Selles who it turns out was actually shite as his away record proved and his subsequent appointments, I don't even want to talk about Clement. Every single one of those appointments was the wrong man..... What is it that makes our owners keep getting it wrong.... Why can't we try a Nathan Jones or Chris Wilder who were in discussions with. People with pedigree not a one off with Wigan and the compete disaster at Rotherham.... Why couldn't we have had Warnock when in the Championship and struggling when he was happy to give us a go and not the useless Ince who just destroyed confidence in youngsters.... We may have survived, you never know.

[Marcel]

If you want to judge the team by selectively picking a start point whilst ignoring context (for example, losing Marriott for the last part of last season) then that's fine - everyone is entitled to their opinion.

But you are ignoring the turnaround in the fortunes of the club after LR replaced Noel, from a position where we were in a relegation place to getting up to being within a shot of the play offs until the hugely disappointing fall off towards the end of the season (notwithstanding Marriott's injury).

IF (big if I appreciate) but IF the team can reproduce consistently how they played in the first half against Luton last week, there is genuine hope that we can be top 10 and then who knows.

Cool, so everything is fine, and Leam is doing a good job.

Leam Richardson P37 W13 D12 L12 Win percentage 35.1 ppg 1.3

Noel Hunt P51 W19 D16 L16 Win percentage 37.3 ppg 1.4

Richardson no win in last 10
Hunt’s last 10 games W4 D4 L2

But we shouldn’t be talking about the manager future. Gotcha.

Oh and for the record Hunt also didn’t have Marriott for a lot of the games either.

Starting line up against Lincoln opening fixture last season

JP
Abrefa
Burns
stickland
Dorsett
Wing
Savage
MoM
DK
Camara
WiFi.

It’s a wonder how Hunt got any points in the board at all.

Now as I’ve said in the past this isn’t me saying hunt should have kept his job.

But we can’t sack hunt and then not expect to have the conversation about Richardson who has a worse record.

So what you've just shown is that Hunt is just as bad as Richardson.... Which is correct. Both play dull uninspiring football..... Tippy tappy all the way to the opponents 18 yard box then pass all the was back to JP in goal....Hunt incidentally had us sitting 19th in October when he was sacked... and we were shocking...... I'd also say that Hunt also arguably had a better side in 24/25 and had a solid spine and enough time in the season to do well..... But the football was uninspiring and horrible. We had the likes of Wing and Knibbs in midfield, Bindon at the back and options like Jayden Wareham and Sam Smith up front, though the latter was sold in February, but was having a great season. Personally both managers have the same massive fault in their games..... Their in game management was/is shite. Richardson is an uninspiring manager as every single manager has been since possibly that Scottish weazel Steve Clarke..... Every single one since has failed at Reading, and it's because the owners have made poor decisions. The fans have come up with decent names but we've always gone left field....Gomes, Bowen was so uninspiring, I liked Paunovic a lot but he was defeated by all the off field issues, Ince (best forgotten but I mean WTF was that appointment about), Selles who it turns out was actually shite as his away record proved and his subsequent appointments, I don't even want to talk about Clement. Every single one of those appointments was the wrong man..... What is it that makes our owners keep getting it wrong.... Why can't we try a Nathan Jones or Chris Wilder who were in discussions with. People with pedigree not a one off with Wigan and the compete disaster at Rotherham.... Why couldn't we have had Warnock when in the Championship and struggling when he was happy to give us a go and not the useless Ince who just destroyed confidence in youngsters.... We may have survived, you never know.

Nathan Jones are you serious??