Start of this season we had a squad that could IMO easily get in the top six.
The manager who signed most of those players was given three matches then sacked.
We then lost 5 league matches on the bounce.
A new manager came in.
Did not like some of the players who were signed previously and so did not play them.
He stated that the likes of Cody and Barton are very good players but are unfortunate as they do not suit his style if play.
Robins was a good manager. Added some quality of his own.
However after those 5 defeats it was a massive challenge.
Our squad is that good it was achievable.
Because of the circus created by TF and Wag's decision to sack Thorn. We were in a false position.
MR looks amazing attracts interest.
They should have sacked thorn at the end of last season and them appointed Robins if they were going to do this.
Robins would likely have had us in the top two.
It would have been expected. So he may not have got head hunted so vigorously
So yes I blame them.
Thorn begged to keep his job, made promises he DID NOT KEEP. He got backing and proved he was simply an inept manager, with or without backing, we made the same mistakes.
Using his system, we lost the next 4, morale was down and MR had to turn it around - which he did, to his credit. We took our time and got the right man, if Shaw wasn't just as inept as his predecessor, we would've picked up points.
We had a top 6 side? Unsure with hindsight, we are struggling with the side we have now, which is better, with Moussa, Bailey, Adams and Clarke. Also McG hadn't signed yet.
Robins has to said Cody OR Barton did not suit is system, Cody said it after he left for Gillingham.
I think the management has been at fault, it was going to be difficult after the start of the inept management, however, even MR has made some mistakes that has cost us - as with every manager at every level.
You would argue, last season wasn't AT's fault as he had no backing etc. perhaps the board thought similar, hence they backed him in the summer after he made broken promises, made the same mistakes and proved he hadn't changed.
If anything, the board has made our season after backing every manger or caretaker we've had!
Management from Thorn and Shaw has cost us, but even MR has made his mistakes.
Management has to take the blame here, not the board,
they've done their job.