Problems and Solutions (6 Viewers)

[Fusilier]

The consensus among the fans on this forum, social media and BBC CWR is that there are several reasons for the unacceptable performances and results.
This includes:

- Failing to sign a midfield player in the summer transfer window to replace Liam Kelly
- Failing to ensure that the squad has 2 players for every position;
- The club's recruitment model lacks flexibility because it solely focuses on signing players under 24 who can be sold for a profit.
- The unwillingness to use the loan market to improve the squad and ensure that there are 2 players for every position
- Not having a replacement lined up for Kasey Palmer, who was in the final year of his contract
- The lack of experience and leadership in the squad.
- The club has failed to replace McFadzean and Kelly adequately, both of whom had a significant influence on the squad due to their experience and leadership.
- The coaching restructure. In particular, the roles given to John Dempster and Aled Williams, who were the cheap options, not the best options.
- The constant changes in defence and the poor quality of the press
- The poor passing and the lack of movement in midfield which forces the defenders to make risky passes and long passes, which too often results in possession being lost

It seems to me that some solutions to the problems are:

- Upgrade the coaching staff by replacing John Dempster and Aled Williams as soon as possible;
- Sign Matty James and Cyrus Christie until the end of the season on performance-based contracts;
- Use the loan market in January to improve the squad and ensure that there are 2 players for every position;

What do the members of the forum think the solutions to the problems are?

What changes should Doug King and/or Mark Robins make to improve performances and results?

 

---

[Winny the Bish]

Are these posts written by AI?

 

[wingy]

The consensus among the fans on this forum, social media and BBC CWR is that there are several reasons for the unacceptable performances and results.
This includes:

- Failing to sign a midfield player in the summer transfer window to replace Liam Kelly
- Failing to ensure that the squad has 2 players for every position;
- The club's recruitment model lacks flexibility because it solely focuses on signing players under 24 who can be sold for a profit.
- The unwillingness to use the loan market to improve the squad and ensure that there are 2 players for every position
- Not having a replacement lined up for Kasey Palmer, who was in the final year of his contract
- The lack of experience and leadership in the squad.
- The club has failed to replace McFadzean and Kelly adequately, both of whom had a significant influence on the squad due to their experience and leadership.
- The coaching restructure. In particular, the roles given to John Dempster and Aled Williams, who were the cheap options, not the best options.
- The constant changes in defence and the poor quality of the press
- The poor passing and the lack of movement in midfield which forces the defenders to make risky passes and long passes, which too often results in possession being lost

It seems to me that some solutions to the problems are:

- Upgrade the coaching staff by replacing John Dempster and Aled Williams as soon as possible;
- Sign Matty James and Cyrus Christie until the end of the season on performance-based contracts;
- Use the loan market in January to improve the squad and ensure that there are 2 players for every position;

What do the members of the forum think the solutions to the problems are?

What changes should Doug King and/or Mark Robins make to improve performances and results?

I don't think MR really has a say in things!
There may be some selfish players in the squad but it is possible that it's the owner they're not playing for rather than Robin's, perceptions are everything here, and we may be barking up the wrong tree when we're looking at Robin's!

 

[JohnWH]

More serious thought:
I realize sport is high octane and very high pressure results oriented (meaning a lot of slapshot, panicked decision making), so this suggestion might seem bonkers. There looks to be a lot cogs in the gears behind-the-scenes. I really think despite all the background noise, there needs to be a "tell me anything, you're not in trouble" type conversation by Robins with each and every player new and old. Robins + players need to rediscover a trusting relationship where both are working for each others' success. A good leader (in business) can push good results and performance out of a so-called "front line employee" if they are both on the same wavelength of working positively toward the big picture, even if (and especially if) that employee's ambitions are for a better paying position elsewhere. Gaining insight from those "doing the job" (on the field), even if it's moaning, gripes, etc. but even more useful if it includes ANYTHING concerning mixed messages behind the scenes. Figure out where the breakdown is. If it's a behind-the-scenes problem, it can be fixed. If it's a personality problem, there are solutions...... the disjointed, confused, angry-at-each-other on the field of play stems from something more than just a few disappointing results.... the problem could be any (or none of) those suggested by the Right Honorable Fusilier.

Less serious though:
Everyone does a sort of Escape Room night out, with a pizza party

 

[wingy]

More serious thought:
I realize sport is high octane and very high pressure results oriented (meaning a lot of slapshot, panicked decision making), so this suggestion might seem bonkers. There looks to be a lot cogs in the gears behind-the-scenes. I really think despite all the background noise, there needs to be a "tell me anything, you're not in trouble" type conversation by Robins with each and every player new and old. Robins + players need to rediscover a trusting relationship where both are working for each others' success. A good leader (in business) can push good results and performance out of a so-called "front line employee" if they are both on the same wavelength of working positively toward the big picture, even if (and especially if) that employee's ambitions are for a better paying position elsewhere. Gaining insight from those "doing the job" (on the field), even if it's moaning, gripes, etc. but even more useful if it includes ANYTHING concerning mixed messages behind the scenes. Figure out where the breakdown is. If it's a behind-the-scenes problem, it can be fixed. If it's a personality problem, there are solutions...... the disjointed, confused, angry-at-each-other on the field of play stems from something more than just a few disappointing results.... the problem could be any (or none of) those suggested by the Right Honorable Fusilier.

Less serious though:
Everyone does a sort of Escape Room night out, with a pizza party

Sounds like the advice of a marriage Councillor tbf

 

[JohnWH]

Sounds like the advice of a marriage Councillor tbf

 

[Jamesimus]

The consensus among the fans on this forum, social media and BBC CWR is that there are several reasons for the unacceptable performances and results.
This includes:

- Failing to sign a midfield player in the summer transfer window to replace Liam Kelly
- Failing to ensure that the squad has 2 players for every position;
- The club's recruitment model lacks flexibility because it solely focuses on signing players under 24 who can be sold for a profit.
- The unwillingness to use the loan market to improve the squad and ensure that there are 2 players for every position
- Not having a replacement lined up for Kasey Palmer, who was in the final year of his contract
- The lack of experience and leadership in the squad.
- The club has failed to replace McFadzean and Kelly adequately, both of whom had a significant influence on the squad due to their experience and leadership.
- The coaching restructure. In particular, the roles given to John Dempster and Aled Williams, who were the cheap options, not the best options.
- The constant changes in defence and the poor quality of the press
- The poor passing and the lack of movement in midfield which forces the defenders to make risky passes and long passes, which too often results in possession being lost

It seems to me that some solutions to the problems are:

- Upgrade the coaching staff by replacing John Dempster and Aled Williams as soon as possible;
- Sign Matty James and Cyrus Christie until the end of the season on performance-based contracts;
- Use the loan market in January to improve the squad and ensure that there are 2 players for every position;

What do the members of the forum think the solutions to the problems are?

What changes should Doug King and/or Mark Robins make to improve performances and results?

Some of this could definitely be more concise…

The failure to sign a midfield player, the influence of Liam Kelly, no replacement for Palmer, failure to use the loan market and 2 players for one position is basically the same issue and you could have just typed ‘Midfield’!

Not convinced either Matty James or Cyrus Christie would have signed a “performance based contract”. Do you think they would?

There seems to be a massive lack of aggression and desire to work hard enough in games, particularly out of possession. I feel we need two centre midfielders with a decent amount of experience. I don’t want to replace the coaching team this early on in the season.

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

Sign Matty James and Cyrus Christie until the end of the season on performance-based contracts;

Not likely to sign 'pay as you play'
Not likely to be match fit
Waste of money

Sooner use the loan market in the next window, assuming there are no viable permanent options (which there rarely are).
Get minimum of 3 points (hopefully more) in the next 2 home games.
Fanbase and MR not to panic (although the former won't be able to help themselves!)

 

[Sick Boy]

The consensus among the fans on this forum, social media and BBC CWR is that there are several reasons for the unacceptable performances and results.
This includes:

- Failing to sign a midfield player in the summer transfer window to replace Liam Kelly
- Failing to ensure that the squad has 2 players for every position;
- The club's recruitment model lacks flexibility because it solely focuses on signing players under 24 who can be sold for a profit.
- The unwillingness to use the loan market to improve the squad and ensure that there are 2 players for every position
- Not having a replacement lined up for Kasey Palmer, who was in the final year of his contract
- The lack of experience and leadership in the squad.
- The club has failed to replace McFadzean and Kelly adequately, both of whom had a significant influence on the squad due to their experience and leadership.
- The coaching restructure. In particular, the roles given to John Dempster and Aled Williams, who were the cheap options, not the best options.
- The constant changes in defence and the poor quality of the press
- The poor passing and the lack of movement in midfield which forces the defenders to make risky passes and long passes, which too often results in possession being lost

It seems to me that some solutions to the problems are:

- Upgrade the coaching staff by replacing John Dempster and Aled Williams as soon as possible;
- Sign Matty James and Cyrus Christie until the end of the season on performance-based contracts;
- Use the loan market in January to improve the squad and ensure that there are 2 players for every position;

What do the members of the forum think the solutions to the problems are?

What changes should Doug King and/or Mark Robins make to improve performances and results?

On the first point, we didn’t replace Hamer either.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Signing free agents at this stage really isn't a solution. If anything it's a plaster for a bullet wound and probably more likely to not come to much than actually benefit the squad.

For starters, it'll take at least a month to six weeks to get them match fit and there's no guarantee that they'll actually feature much, potentially making them a complete waste of budget.

I think people need to also question the reason behind why they haven't been picked up yet.

Either clubs feel these players are unable to compete in the league they're in or their wage demands are far beyond what is realistic comparative to their perceived worth.

 

[clint van damme]

Signing free agents at this stage really isn't a solution. If anything it's a plaster for a bullet wound and probably more likely to not come to much than actually benefit the squad.

For starters, it'll take at least a month to six weeks to get them match fit and there's no guarantee that they'll actually feature much, potentially making them a complete waste of budget.

I think people need to also question the reason behind why they haven't been picked up yet.

Either clubs feel these players are unable to compete in the league they're in or their wage demands are far beyond what is realistic comparative to their perceived worth.

If/when we get another midfield injury we'll be playing Lati in there every week.
This should have been addressed, even if it meant signing a free agent.
Not ideal but better than the alternative we are faced with.

 

[stevefloyd]

The consensus among the fans on this forum, social media and BBC CWR is that there are several reasons for the unacceptable performances and results.
This includes:

- Failing to sign a midfield player in the summer transfer window to replace Liam Kelly
- Failing to ensure that the squad has 2 players for every position;
- The club's recruitment model lacks flexibility because it solely focuses on signing players under 24 who can be sold for a profit.
- The unwillingness to use the loan market to improve the squad and ensure that there are 2 players for every position
- Not having a replacement lined up for Kasey Palmer, who was in the final year of his contract
- The lack of experience and leadership in the squad.
- The club has failed to replace McFadzean and Kelly adequately, both of whom had a significant influence on the squad due to their experience and leadership.
- The coaching restructure. In particular, the roles given to John Dempster and Aled Williams, who were the cheap options, not the best options.
- The constant changes in defence and the poor quality of the press
- The poor passing and the lack of movement in midfield which forces the defenders to make risky passes and long passes, which too often results in possession being lost

It seems to me that some solutions to the problems are:

- Upgrade the coaching staff by replacing John Dempster and Aled Williams as soon as possible;
- Sign Matty James and Cyrus Christie until the end of the season on performance-based contracts;
- Use the loan market in January to improve the squad and ensure that there are 2 players for every position;

What do the members of the forum think the solutions to the problems are?

What changes should Doug King and/or Mark Robins make to improve performances and results?

Just think if we had used the formula of signing younger players in the past we would have missed out on the likes of Roland Nilson and Dennis Wise

 

[shmmeee]

Two big issues:

- Mebtality across the club is wrong. Poor people have been brought in on and off the pitch. We will need to sign leadership for both, at least a couple of players and an assistant manager.

- We never replaced Hamer.

Any new manager will have the same problems and will be just as able to solve them with the setup around the manager as Robins has been.

 

[Nick]

So strange how somebody who has just signed up knows the consensus....

 

[Nick]

Any new manager will have the same problems and will be just as able to solve them with the setup around the manager as Robins has been.

Really? It's nonsense to say that no new manager would be different.

 

[bigfatronssba]

Doug King needs to do one of two things IMO

1. Give Robins absolute free rein to control all aspects of the playing side. Coaches should be chosen by him.

2. Sack him.

 

[shmmeee]

Really? It's nonsense to say that no new manager would be different.

The entire point of this modern elite set up so I keep being told so that changing the manager doesn’t make any difference.

But other than that, yes Nick I’m saying any new manager will also have to work within the transfer windows and allotted budget.

 

[ProfessorbyGrace]

I know we’ve all said it ad nauseum, but the failure to adequately replace Hamer is the biggest mistake the club has made.

A pivotal, inspirational driving force in midfield HAS to be replaced, with someone close to that departed players level. I know they have tried, but come on…we’ve strengthened every position, aside from CDM.

Losing Gus was bad enough, but at least we had Vik. Now that we don’t have Vik, but rather, a passive, inattentive, misfiring forward line and a midfield beyond the depth of a sheet of paper, this crucial area of recruitment is proving difficult to ignore.

We look a shambles on the pitch, without a single leader or character that is capable of motivating this team. Add that to the now-obvious deficiency in the coaching department, then we have an environment ripe for decline, imo.

This is going to be a tough season to stomach, if again, things don’t somehow click into place.

 

[clint van damme]

A pivotal, inspirational driving force in midfield HAS to be replaced, with someone close to that departed players level. I know they have tried, but come on…we’ve strengthened every position, aside from CDM.

If they don't pass the gold standard physiological test they're not coming in!

 

[Gint11]

For me, the excuses we are peddling every week isn’t good enough. The management team need to find a better way or quite simply, we need a change. At this rate, we are relegation candidates.

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

I know we’ve all said it ad nauseum, but the failure to adequately replace Hamer is the biggest mistake the club has made.

A pivotal, inspirational driving force in midfield HAS to be replaced, with someone close to that departed players level. I know they have tried, but come on…we’ve strengthened every position, aside from CDM.

Losing Gus was bad enough, but at least we had Vik. Now that we don’t have Vik, but rather, a passive, inattentive, misfiring forward line and a midfield beyond the depth of a sheet of paper, this crucial area of recruitment is proving difficult to ignore.

We look a shambles on the pitch, without a single leader or character that is capable of motivating this team. Add that to the now-obvious deficiency in the coaching department, then we have an environment ripe for decline, imo.

This is going to be a tough season to stomach, if again, things don’t somehow click into place.

didn’t Vik leave before Gus?

 

[bigfatronssba]

If they don't pass the gold standard physiological test they're not coming in!

I suspect that’s the problem. These players don’t seem as mentally tough as those that we had previously

 

[ProfessorbyGrace]

didn’t Vik leave before Gus?

Yes, he did. Not quite sure why I put that. Chalk it up to a lack of caffeine, this morning - the Gold Blend has run out.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

We’re still early in the season so despite the bad performances, there’s plenty of time to turn things around.

 

[ProfessorbyGrace]

I suspect that’s the problem. These players don’t seem as mentally tough as those that we had previously

It’s clear now, after over a year or so, that they’re not. It took COH hitting a rich vein of form to kickstart our whole season.

Hindsight is a great thing, but we haven’t replaced COH either.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

If/when we get another midfield injury we'll be playing Lati in there every week.
This should have been addressed, even if it meant signing a free agent.
Not ideal but better than the alternative we are faced with.

It should've been addressed, but we're now a month on from the window finishing.

Signing someone now that won't be fit before first week of November (at best) isn't really an alternative. We need someone now, not in a month to six weeks.

 

[torchomatic]

Signing free agents at this stage really isn't a solution. If anything it's a plaster for a bullet wound and probably more likely to not come to much than actually benefit the squad.

For starters, it'll take at least a month to six weeks to get them match fit and there's no guarantee that they'll actually feature much, potentially making them a complete waste of budget.

I think people need to also question the reason behind why they haven't been picked up yet.

Either clubs feel these players are unable to compete in the league they're in or their wage demands are far beyond what is realistic comparative to their perceived worth.

It can always be a solution. Loads of the top teams in our league have signed free agents since the window closed.

Luton signed Victor Moses who scored on Friday night and was their second highest rated player against Plymouth.

The notion that free agents are old, past it, not good enough or a waste of money is lazy thinking.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Regarding the coaches, on reflection they’ll still be taking time to settle. All I would do here, is promote Boateng to Assistant. And move the U21 manager back to the U21s.

Regarding the free agents , while I get the idea of the two here, assuming they can come in and be the same leaders as Kelly and Faz who had been here since league one imo is a stretch. Maybe they do but the wages they’d cost if they didn’t would hurt us more imo as would stop us looking in January.

We know we looked to break the model in this window on two occasions by trying to sign the forest CB on loan and Alan Browne. Wonder if it’s as unbreakable as people make out or if we were unlucky or aimed too high regarding targets.

Personally want to see something change tactically to play to Robins strengths as a coach. To do this I would move back to a 5-3-2 while the wingers aren’t playing the best. We can always move to a 5-2-3 to get them involved. But acknowledge the more work needed is to get them believing in themselves and the style of play.

 

[torchomatic]

It should've been addressed, but we're now a month on from the window finishing.

Signing someone now that won't be fit before first week of November (at best) isn't really an alternative. We need someone now, not in a month to six weeks.

Well it is. Be shit until January or get someone in and be shit until November*

It's a cliché but not doing anything isn't really a viable option.



*your example.

 

[shmmeee]

It should've been addressed, but we're now a month on from the window finishing.

Signing someone now that won't be fit before first week of November (at best) isn't really an alternative. We need someone now, not in a month to six weeks.

The best time to sign Matty James was two months ago. The second best time is right now.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

It can always be a solution. Loads of the top teams in our league have signed free agents since the window closed.

Luton signed Victor Moses who scored on Friday night and was their second highest rated player against Plymouth.

The notion that free agents are old, past it or a waste of money is lazy thinking.

Do you have an aversion to reading as I've not actually said this...

Luton had been speaking to Moses for much of the summer and I believe had been training with them a couple of weeks prior to him agreeing terms.

It's a completely different scenario.

 

[torchomatic]

For me, the excuses we are peddling every week isn’t good enough. The management team need to find a better way or quite simply, we need a change. At this rate, we are relegation candidates.

Yeah, "they won't listen to instructions". Well, you're the main man, so pick players that do.

 

[torchomatic]

Do you have an aversion to reading as I've not actually said this...

Luton had been speaking to Moses for much of the summer and I believe had been training with them a couple of weeks prior to him agreeing terms.

It's a completely different scenario.

Sounds very organised. Shame we're not. Still, we have nice flower beds at Ryton, I suppose.

 

[wingy]

Not likely to sign 'pay as you play'
Not likely to be match fit
Waste of money

Sooner use the loan market in the next window, assuming there are no viable permanent options (which there rarely are).
Get minimum of 3 points (hopefully more) in the next 2 home games.
Fanbase and MR not to panic (although the former won't be able to help themselves!)

He won't be here Harry!

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

Do you have an aversion to reading as I've not actually said this...

Luton had been speaking to Moses for much of the summer and I believe had been training with them a couple of weeks prior to him agreeing terms.

It's a completely different scenario.

I don't see how you can look at Matty James and think he wouldn't improve us even in the slightest. Even if he had been on an all-inclusive beach resort for two months (which he hasn't). Is it a bit desperate? Yes. Are we a bit desperate? Also yes.

We badly need some leadership on the pitch, James would provide that. I think our application and probably results would improve almost instantly.