phil74
Joined: October 2018
Posts: 354
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Post by phil74 on Aug 15, 2021 7:54:21 GMT
Here we lie - 23rd in League Two - at our lowest point in every sense for years.
In my opinion, the seeds of yesterday's abject performance against Stevenage were sewn almost 5 years ago.
We'd been promoted from League Two. We were back in League One and flying.
Then, came the Matty Taylor debacle. Darrell started to warn of goals "being sold out of the team". Then, Bodin was sold.
The football became stale. Darrell went. We stumbled across Graham Coughlan, who galvanised us as a unit. It wasn't pretty but we were 4th in League One at Christmas 2019 when he suddenly walked.
Since then, it's been one disaster after another. Our form is certainly the worst of all 92 league clubs since the start of the pandemic.
My question is simple: what was Wael's SUCCESSION PLANNING beyond Darrell? I can't see that there was any. I feel now that he's succumbed to the charm of JB, who talks a good game but may well be a prime example of the Emperor's New Clothes.
We can already see JB distancing himself from his own decision making. "Guardiola and Klopp couldn't have kept last season's team up". Now - "Pitman is WEEKS away from returning". What exactly is his injury and how was it caused? "I'm playing a 19 year old in the 9". Sorry, JB - you've had months to start turning this round, not weeks. You criticised last season's team for lack of fitness. Now, we begin this campaign riddled with injuries. Incidentally, is Hanlon injured or does he want out?
On paper, we have a very good team. On paper.
I'm not sure about the manager - at all.
I fear our weakest link is actually the owner. Yes, Wael is clearly passionate about our club. Yes, he's put plenty of money into it and we're grateful. But, as for decision making? Naive at times and I ask again: what was the succession planning beyond Darrell? Indeed - what is the succession planning now IF we find ourselves without JB?
UTG
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trymer
Joined: November 2018
Posts: 1,485 
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Post by trymer on Aug 15, 2021 8:15:49 GMT
I dont disagree with a lot that you say,but 'our problems began 5 years ago' ? we could look back and pick other dates,not letting Harry Dolman on the board ... selling Eastville ... spending years (and money) on the UWE plan ...never giving the manager funds to capitalise on promotions by strengthening the team.
One thing that you (and many others) say is that the owner is 'passionate' about the club,it seems that many people regard this as established fact,but he tried to buy Gillingham before buying Rovers,so a couple of questions
1.if he had bought Gillingham do you think that he would still have been 'passionate' about Rovers ?
2.when he sells Rovers do you think that he will still be 'passionate' about the club or will he go back to being 'passionate' about Chelsea ?
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trunky
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 230
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Post by trunky on Aug 15, 2021 8:25:22 GMT
I dont disagree with a lot that you say,but 'our problems began 5 years ago' ? we could look back and pick other dates,not letting Harry Dolman on the board ... selling Eastville ... spending years (and money) on the UWE plan ...never giving the manager funds to capitalise on promotions by strengthening the team. One thing that you (and many others) say is that the owner is 'passionate' about the club,it seems that many people regard this as established fact,but he tried to buy Gillingham before buying Rovers,so a couple of questions 1.if he had bought Gillingham do you think that he would still have been 'passionate' about Rovers ? 2.when he sells Rovers do you think that he will still be 'passionate' about the club or will he go back to being 'passionate' about Chelsea ? |
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trunky
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 230
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Post by trunky on Aug 15, 2021 8:29:06 GMT
The succession planning is identical to the plan B that was in place if our new stadium project fell through.
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bloogas
Joined: July 2016
Posts: 1,095
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Post by bloogas on Aug 15, 2021 9:24:41 GMT
Surely 81 years ago? Selling Eastville to the Greyhound company? Bert Tann and Don Megson masked the effects, but they slowly took a grip, culminating in the move to Bath. And the rest. A repetitive cycle since I started following the club.
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Post by o2o2bo2ba on Aug 15, 2021 10:11:15 GMT
Quite often there are catalyst or seminal moments that you can reflect on to lead to where you are....
Hibbit injury v Sunderland at Twerton.
Gerry leaving the first time.
Lambert not being replaced.
We've always had problems, but for me it was GC walkout and the choice of replacement that was the catalyst to where we are now. Including not learning previous lessons and not replacing JCH...
It's put us back years, but we are where we are and need unity, focus and direction.
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kingswood Polak
Without music life would be a mistake
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,263
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Post by kingswood Polak on Aug 15, 2021 12:49:05 GMT
Here we lie - 23rd in League Two - at our lowest point in every sense for years. In my opinion, the seeds of yesterday's abject performance against Stevenage were sewn almost 5 years ago. We'd been promoted from League Two. We were back in League One and flying. Then, came the Matty Taylor debacle. Darrell started to warn of goals "being sold out of the team". Then, Bodin was sold. The football became stale. Darrell went. We stumbled across Graham Coughlan, who galvanised us as a unit. It wasn't pretty but we were 4th in League One at Christmas 2019 when he suddenly walked. Since then, it's been one disaster after another. Our form is certainly the worst of all 92 league clubs since the start of the pandemic. My question is simple: what was Wael's SUCCESSION PLANNING beyond Darrell? I can't see that there was any. I feel now that he's succumbed to the charm of JB, who talks a good game but may well be a prime example of the Emperor's New Clothes. We can already see JB distancing himself from his own decision making. "Guardiola and Klopp couldn't have kept last season's team up". Now - "Pitman is WEEKS away from returning". What exactly is his injury and how was it caused? "I'm playing a 19 year old in the 9". Sorry, JB - you've had months to start turning this round, not weeks. You criticised last season's team for lack of fitness. Now, we begin this campaign riddled with injuries. Incidentally, is Hanlon injured or does he want out? On paper, we have a very good team. On paper. I'm not sure about the manager - at all. I fear our weakest link is actually the owner. Yes, Wael is clearly passionate about our club. Yes, he's put plenty of money into it and we're grateful. But, as for decision making? Naive at times and I ask again: what was the succession planning beyond Darrell? Indeed - what is the succession planning now IF we find ourselves without JB? UTG Absolutely spot on and I agree, totally |
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2021 14:04:54 GMT
Agree too. The current decline started when Darrell wasn't given the backing to adequately replace Matty Taylor and Billy B.
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Post by fatherjackhackett on Aug 15, 2021 16:30:39 GMT
Like in 2000 when Roberts, Cureton and Zamora all went within two months, it took 6 years to put right with Walker and Lambert, the current malaise started when we sold Taylor, Bodin and Harrison. JCH was a great replacement, so we sold him too. Since then our strikers have been as effective as a condom made out of straw.
And without a goal scorer or any attacking threat, we will stay in that proverbial creek without a paddle.
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eppinggas
Administrator
Ian Alexander
Don't care
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 8,184
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Post by eppinggas on Aug 15, 2021 16:43:42 GMT
Quite often there are catalyst or seminal moments that you can reflect on to lead to where you are.... Hibbit injury v Sunderland at Twerton. Gerry leaving the first time. Lambert not being replaced. We've always had problems, but for me it was GC walkout and the choice of replacement that was the catalyst to where we are now. Including not learning previous lessons and not replacing JCH... It's put us back years, but we are where we are and need unity, focus and direction. So of those three, we are only missing unity,direction and focus. |
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Post by laughinggas on Aug 15, 2021 17:42:24 GMT
How many goal scorers have we signed?
Bully Bodin never scored much before us and was injury prone
Taylor not consistent.
Lambert overweight.
Even JCH was inconsistent.
Maybe we were lucky or maybe we had coaches who turned them into goal scorers.
Go back to Roberts, Cureton etc.
Ramell was one, but very short term.
Is it luck and chemistry when we land a goal scorer?
Can JB pull one out the bag?
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,429
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Post by harrybuckle on Aug 15, 2021 18:01:20 GMT
How many goal scorers have we signed? Bully Bodin never scored much before us and was injury prone Taylor not consistent. Lambert overweight. Even JCH was inconsistent. Maybe we were lucky or maybe we had coaches who turned them into goal scorers. Go back to Roberts, Cureton etc. Ramell was one, but very short term. Is it luck and chemistry when we land a goal scorer? Can JB pull one out the bag? Yes his best signing will be Brett Pittman. Experience fox in the box and good football brain. |
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Post by emperorsuperbus on Aug 15, 2021 19:26:06 GMT
Here we lie - 23rd in League Two - at our lowest point in every sense for years. In my opinion, the seeds of yesterday's abject performance against Stevenage were sewn almost 5 years ago. We'd been promoted from League Two. We were back in League One and flying. Then, came the Matty Taylor debacle. Darrell started to warn of goals "being sold out of the team". Then, Bodin was sold. The football became stale. Darrell went. We stumbled across Graham Coughlan, who galvanised us as a unit. It wasn't pretty but we were 4th in League One at Christmas 2019 when he suddenly walked. Since then, it's been one disaster after another. Our form is certainly the worst of all 92 league clubs since the start of the pandemic. My question is simple: what was Wael's SUCCESSION PLANNING beyond Darrell? I can't see that there was any. I feel now that he's succumbed to the charm of JB, who talks a good game but may well be a prime example of the Emperor's New Clothes. We can already see JB distancing himself from his own decision making. "Guardiola and Klopp couldn't have kept last season's team up". Now - "Pitman is WEEKS away from returning". What exactly is his injury and how was it caused? "I'm playing a 19 year old in the 9". Sorry, JB - you've had months to start turning this round, not weeks. You criticised last season's team for lack of fitness. Now, we begin this campaign riddled with injuries. Incidentally, is Hanlon injured or does he want out? On paper, we have a very good team. On paper. I'm not sure about the manager - at all. I fear our weakest link is actually the owner. Yes, Wael is clearly passionate about our club. Yes, he's put plenty of money into it and we're grateful. But, as for decision making? Naive at times and I ask again: what was the succession planning beyond Darrell? Indeed - what is the succession planning now IF we find ourselves without JB? UTG Well written and argued. |
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Post by baselswh on Aug 15, 2021 19:42:35 GMT
Here we lie - 23rd in League Two - at our lowest point in every sense for years. In my opinion, the seeds of yesterday's abject performance against Stevenage were sewn almost 5 years ago. We'd been promoted from League Two. We were back in League One and flying. Then, came the Matty Taylor debacle. Darrell started to warn of goals "being sold out of the team". Then, Bodin was sold. The football became stale. Darrell went. We stumbled across Graham Coughlan, who galvanised us as a unit. It wasn't pretty but we were 4th in League One at Christmas 2019 when he suddenly walked. Since then, it's been one disaster after another. Our form is certainly the worst of all 92 league clubs since the start of the pandemic. My question is simple: what was Wael's SUCCESSION PLANNING beyond Darrell? I can't see that there was any. I feel now that he's succumbed to the charm of JB, who talks a good game but may well be a prime example of the Emperor's New Clothes. We can already see JB distancing himself from his own decision making. "Guardiola and Klopp couldn't have kept last season's team up". Now - "Pitman is WEEKS away from returning". What exactly is his injury and how was it caused? "I'm playing a 19 year old in the 9". Sorry, JB - you've had months to start turning this round, not weeks. You criticised last season's team for lack of fitness. Now, we begin this campaign riddled with injuries. Incidentally, is Hanlon injured or does he want out? On paper, we have a very good team. On paper. I'm not sure about the manager - at all. I fear our weakest link is actually the owner. Yes, Wael is clearly passionate about our club. Yes, he's put plenty of money into it and we're grateful. But, as for decision making? Naive at times and I ask again: what was the succession planning beyond Darrell? Indeed - what is the succession planning now IF we find ourselves without JB? UTG I feel WAQ could of done more to keep GC and that moment has led us to where we are now. 'Allowing' a promotion challenge to float off down the Swanny went against the very nature of a professional football club.A promotion challenge was allowed to go! Football insanity! Replaced by a naive load of rubbish that imo WAQ did'nt believe would see Rovers make the 2nd tier.He had it down as 'hopefully' creating a steady 3rd tier club.An easy life and as I 'said',in doing so committed a 'crime' against professional football and competitive sport. We got what we deserved. I still believe we can be challengers this season,once JB has his first 11 fit and available.Yep another striker would be nice. |
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warehamgas
Predictions League
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,443
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Post by warehamgas on Aug 19, 2021 16:04:18 GMT
Here we lie - 23rd in League Two - at our lowest point in every sense for years. In my opinion, the seeds of yesterday's abject performance against Stevenage were sewn almost 5 years ago. We'd been promoted from League Two. We were back in League One and flying. Then, came the Matty Taylor debacle. Darrell started to warn of goals "being sold out of the team". Then, Bodin was sold. The football became stale. Darrell went. We stumbled across Graham Coughlan, who galvanised us as a unit. It wasn't pretty but we were 4th in League One at Christmas 2019 when he suddenly walked. Since then, it's been one disaster after another. Our form is certainly the worst of all 92 league clubs since the start of the pandemic. My question is simple: what was Wael's SUCCESSION PLANNING beyond Darrell? I can't see that there was any. I feel now that he's succumbed to the charm of JB, who talks a good game but may well be a prime example of the Emperor's New Clothes. We can already see JB distancing himself from his own decision making. "Guardiola and Klopp couldn't have kept last season's team up". Now - "Pitman is WEEKS away from returning". What exactly is his injury and how was it caused? "I'm playing a 19 year old in the 9". Sorry, JB - you've had months to start turning this round, not weeks. You criticised last season's team for lack of fitness. Now, we begin this campaign riddled with injuries. Incidentally, is Hanlon injured or does he want out? On paper, we have a very good team. On paper. I'm not sure about the manager - at all. I fear our weakest link is actually the owner. Yes, Wael is clearly passionate about our club. Yes, he's put plenty of money into it and we're grateful. But, as for decision making? Naive at times and I ask again: what was the succession planning beyond Darrell? Indeed - what is the succession planning now IF we find ourselves without JB? UTG Agree with a lot of that but to it you could add some further key points in our history that others have mentioned. You’re right about not having any plan B for several plan As over the past 5 years and whilst there are several good things that Wael has done his decisions regarding managers over the past 2 years has been poor. Regarding JB, it’s all been said so I won’t go over old ground. Other key points: - Ronnie Mauge’s injury in 2000 and not replacing him when we were points clear at the top. We didn’t even make the play offs, Holloway, the team, the club never recovered and we’ve been nowhere near making a real challenge since ... - Until last year 2019-20 when at one point on Boxing Day we were 2nd in League 1. With the right managerial appointment we could have challenged. Instead, we started a “project” with a manager who thought the project was more important than results and getting promotion. Not only was it disrespectful to all the fans but damaging to the club. As we’ve seen. - Others have pointed out that we didn’t replace a certain striker. The trouble is since the 90s when we seemed to have a stream of players who did replace those that went, this century we have never replaced the strikers that have been sold.(Will Hoskins apart perhaps?). Never. We’ve lived a hand to mouth existence, no recruitment plan, no real development of younger plans on any scale. Yes, the occasional youngster who’s been good. Even when we started the development squad 4 years ago we’ve not produced any strikers who are likely to fill a gap. We sometimes get a bit excited but then a year or so later the younger get released and end up playing Southern League or perhaps a bit higher. - Up until the turn of the century I thought we would always be up in the top half of Division 3/ League 1 challenging for promotion. But we haven’t and the reality is we’ve become a bog-standard lower league side who may yo-yo between the lower 2 leagues but in reality are light years away from a sustained challenge at the top of League 1. For me this has happened gradually over the last 20 years. We often have threads talking about our rivals from the 69s/70s/80s/90s/ who’ve gone on to great things. But that was over 20 years ago and the truth is we’re a lower league side with potential, nothing more. - Another turning point may be our new training ground. It’s great but even that on here turned into a moan by some. Yet it could be a small turning point if it goes hand in hand with other infrastructure improvements ie. a ground. I think it’s a tad unfair to label the whole blame onto Wael though he needs to take his share of the blame esp over the recent managerial appointments and the giving away of a real possibility of a promotion challenge in December 2019. In truth our demise been incremental since football changed with the Premier League and we didn’t change but many around us did change. That’s why they are where they are now and we aren’t. No one defining moment just a series of poor decisions perhaps. UTG! |
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