Dean Austin’s Strike Rate (5 Viewers)

[Hincha]

while the players are ok/decent, no care was put into the actual squad planning

Looked at the players individually and came to the same conclusion.

Really wish the squad building process was asked about more at the Fans Forum.

Most clubs now have committees but from Austin’s answer it seems like he provides a service and Robins picked the players?

Who’s call was it to not sign experience or loans - Doug, Austin, Robins?

Need to find out before we start assigning blame

 

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[JSL]

There are a few development players scouted by him too I think. Harvey Broad and Kai Yearns spring to mind.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Looked at the players individually and came to the same conclusion.

Really wish the squad building process was asked about more at the Fans Forum.

Most clubs now have committees but from Austin’s answer it seems like he provides a service and Robins picked the players?

Who’s call was it to not sign experience or loans - Doug, Austin, Robins?

Need to find out before we start assigning blame

Hopefully we can get the question asked at the next fan forum.

 

[Alkhen]

Same exact thoughts. Issue isn’t the scouting imo but the squad planning and in some cases management of the lads.

Hard to pin that on anyone with insider information

Just can't get my head around not having a second right back, it's bizarre. MvE is clearly a premium Championship level player but he's been flogged for a year without a break and no competition nipping at his heels to keep him sharp.

Definitely needs raising next forum, if we want to follow that mythical Brighton or Brentford model then you need succession planning. A player as back up with a view to taking the spot when a player is sold.

Imagine if we'd have invested that 2m for BTA on 3 or 4 younger players for squad depth, would only take one to be successful to pay off

 

[skybluecam]

Dovin - A lot of Potential
Collins - Struggled the longer he’s gone on. However not 100% sure to blame Dean as sure this one was personally recommended by Adi

MVE - Good, successful year last year. Will earn the club a decent profit.
BNC - Good improvement for the window over Dabo. Shame we never looked to bring him back on loan imo.

Luke McNally - Great CB, fit the club well. Shame we were priced out.
Bobby Thomas - Ok/Decent potential. Lot to like but also needs to work on his concentration.
Luis Binks - Ok - Good on the ball but needs to improve on his game mentals. Younger age so should develop hopefully especially if we can bring in an experienced CB.
Liam Kitching - Ok/Decent potential - Annoying one as a lot to like IMO, good on the ball and decent on the defensive work however very inconsistent and reported bad attitude.
Joel Lati - Ok - Decent professional and great versatility. Would be better in a back three like a couple of the squad imo. Limited due to pace but good reader of the game

Jay Dasilva - Dud - Maybe better in a wingback system but physical limitations really hold him back in a back four. Attacking wise not really impressed when looking at figures
JWE - Dud - Apparently Robins number one target, just didn’t work out here. Way to raw as a player, swapped to Bidwell early on.

Torp - Don’t know - A lot to work with, with a good shot, decent defending and good passing however fitness concerns and pace hurts him in a league as demanding in the championship.
Ayari - Dud for us - Techincally really good but too early a move for him and too high an expectation for us with Hamer moving on. Clearly doing well now mind.

Wright - Obviously a class player once he bed in, a lot spent but will make it back.
EMC - Hard to comment yet, asked me before Lampard and I’d say dud/ concerned but he’s been brilliant since Lampard has come in. Excited to see how he continues.

Rudoni - Excited - Understand the annoyance with him but he’s a good player in the half space and has created our most chances and is up there in the championship for this. Paid a lot but hoping with time and EMC and wright we’ll see a lot more from him, does need to learn to play the simple pass though.

Sakamoto - Good value - Exciting last year but fizzled a bit out. On his day is a very tricky winger and for the low cost feel this is one of the better deals. Funny though that we didn’t go out to find him but stumbled on accident.
Rapha - No idea

Simms - 50/50 - Struggled at times and now but feel there’s a player here being let down by management. Needs a run out and for us to get some confidence on him as clearly a confidence player. Feel this is one who could go either way.
BTA - Apparently another Robins target but one I just don’t get, maybe he’d be better in a front two but as it is, seems a waste of funds
Sean Maguire - Who?
Bassette - Excited - lots of potential but is over exposed atm, should be learning the ropes. Expect a lot from him in the future.

Just my opinions, squad is definitely performing below the sum of their parts imo but feel that’s because while the players are ok/decent, no care was put into the actual squad planning

To be fair to Austin you would have to say Ayari was a great find from a scouting pov, we just couldn't find an effective way to use him.

 

[SkyB]

We really need to shake this narrative of it being a poor squad or poor recruitment imo.

He's an easy scapegoat right now, but I'm sure more occurrences involving other players can be found looking back on this season, but BTA...

Misses a 1 on 1 at the end of the Millwall game, misses from 2 yards out against Cardiff and misses the 1 on 1 at Norwich to put the game to bed. If he takes all 3 we're 7 points better off and sat 4 points off the play offs.

 

[wingy]

Just can't get my head around not having a second right back, it's bizarre. MvE is clearly a premium Championship level player but he's been flogged for a year without a break and no competition nipping at his heels to keep him sharp.

Definitely needs raising next forum, if we want to follow that mythical Brighton or Brentford model then you need succession planning. A player as back up with a view to taking the spot when a player is sold.

Imagine if we'd have invested that 2m for BTA on 3 or 4 younger players for squad depth, would only take one to be successful to pay off

Not going to bang the drum but Burroughs was that younger player and dual use, mismanaged for me!

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

To be fair to Austin you would have to say Ayari was a great find from a scouting pov, we just couldn't find an effective way to use him.

For us, just not ready but he is a quality player. Might of suited a half year loan to a top league on side before us.

Great find for a purchase, just not for a loan

 

[False9]

We really need to shake this narrative of it being a poor squad or poor recruitment imo.

He's an easy scapegoat right now, but I'm sure more occurrences involving other players can be found looking back on this season, but BTA...

Misses a 1 on 1 at the end of the Millwall game, misses from 2 yards out against Cardiff and misses the 1 on 1 at Norwich to put the game to bed. If he takes all 3 we're 7 points better off and sat 4 points off the play offs.

BTA was clearly pushed for by Robins/Boateng so Austin shouldn't shoulder the blame for that one.

Also, JDS and Collins were heavily Adi influenced.

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

I do wonder how much is Doug’s poor negotiation. A lot of the players would look like decent pick ups at a lower fee. But Kitching, Rudoni, EMC, BTA, and I’d argue Bassette and Torp we probably overpaid for. Maybe even Wright considering his age and previous experience. We’ve not driven a bargain deal for anyone really.

Ditto the lack of experience and leadership, is that King vetoing it? Robins not asking for it? Austin not finding it? Robert’s not screening for it?

Of course it's all Doug King's fault, he decides who we sign how much we pay them and what formation Mark Robins should play.

 

[JSL]

Oh wow. That means we have to give him kudos for the promotion play offs that year which grates me

Even more of a reason to have some loans then and he should know better!

 

[AOM]

Patience is a virtue here. We could make a couple of signings that just alters are fortunes completely because they just tie everything together.

Specifically, in midfield. For example, if you have a CM that hits deep balls for Bassette, BTA and Simms to run into, perhaps they score more goals and the conversation around the strikers change too.

When it comes to strikers, if they’re not scoring or having big chances, it’s usually not their fault.

Agree with this. Think for a lot of the newer signings, we're a couple of players and some added experience short to knit them together.

Look at Mason-Clark for example. A month or so ago, many said we should get rid and he was a waste of money, and now he's had some consistent game time and he's seen as nearly a big of a miss from the team as Haji Wright now he's unavailable

 

[wingy]

Agree with this. Think for a lot of the newer signings, we're a couple of players and some added experience short to knit them together.

Look at Mason-Clark for example. A month or so ago, many said we should get rid and he was a waste of money, and now he's had some consistent game time and he's seen as nearly a big of a miss from the team as Haji Wright now he's unavailable

I'll be honest here I had seen the signing and delayed arrival of EMC as a downgrade and absolutely repel suggestions of moving Haji anywhere else but I guess move him maybe the aim here.
Odd that it was said on here that he'd bought a property just this summer, what would be the % relative profits on either do you think thinking purely mercenary here ?

 

[AOM]

I'll be honest here I had seen the signing and delayed arrival of EMC as a downgrade and absolutely repel suggestions of moving Haji anywhere else but I guess move him maybe the aim here.
Odd that it was said on here that he'd bought a property just this summer, what would be the % relative profits on either do you think thinking purely mercenary here ?

Yeah, I wouldn't be too keen to move Haji from that left hand side, but I'd imagine that's what Lampard will do to accommodate EMC, and hopefully it will work?
I think Wright is still the player who is worth the most money to us, and would be surprised if he's still at the club next season

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Have we signed any others? I forget.

Sandiford, Yearns, Broad, Ellard, Ryan

 

[Hobo]

Looked at the players individually and came to the same conclusion.

Really wish the squad building process was asked about more at the Fans Forum.

Most clubs now have committees but from Austin’s answer it seems like he provides a service and Robins picked the players?

Who’s call was it to not sign experience or loans - Doug, Austin, Robins?

Need to find out before we start assigning blame

Hopefully we can get the question asked at the next fan forum.

Don't be surprised if the answer is Robins even if it isn't true

 

[clint van damme]

Who’s call was it to not sign experience or loans - Doug, Austin, Robins?

Need to find out before we start assigning blame

If only the squads Robins had assembled in his previous 7 years could provide some clues as to whether he liked using loanees and experienced players!

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Don't be surprised if the answer is Robins even if it isn't true

To be fair even if it was would people believe it

 

[Deity]

If only the squads Robins had assembled in his previous 7 years could provide some clues as to whether he liked using loanees and experienced players!

Most managers are happy to have loans and Robins was no different. We were also skint so he didn’t have much choice !

 

[SAJ]

This is the shambles isn’t it. Whatever happened here and whoever had the decision, did us a major disservice imo

Was Browne the answer though? He only started 6 matches for Sunderland been a sub for 6 and missed the rest injured.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Was Browne the answer though? He only started 6 matches for Sunderland been a sub for 6 and missed the rest injured.

Not about Browne being the answer but more playing silly games and ending up with no one to cover. If you have a good championship Cn willing to come in, get in imo

 

[Deity]

Not about Browne being the answer but more playing silly games and ending up with no one to cover. If you have a good championship Cn willing to come in, get in imo

We thought we could do better …. We certainly don’t need players for the sake of it.

 

[wingy]

Was Browne the answer though? He only started 6 matches for Sunderland been a sub for 6 and missed the rest injured.

Obviously not with the broken leg but yeah or a similar type out of the Championship, might have been a fee involved though.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

We thought we could do better …. We certainly don’t need players for the sake of it.

Agree but this is a role we needed, we overshot ourselves and instead of having a good player if his Preston season was an indication ended up with no one.

Understand the idea and hindsight is 20/20 but being ambitious doesn’t get much if you overreach and end up with nothing

 

[Hobo]

To be fair even if it was would people believe it

Yes you are right. But when King was under pressure with national attention for sacking Robins he said at the fans forum, "Mark Robins dismantled the coaching structure."
I thought that was a cheap deflection. Robins chose to dispose of Viveash, but King backed it. Robins changed the coaching structure, but King backed it. Robins appointed new coaches, but King backed the appointments. There is a pattern there, the decisions weren't down to one person. King could have shown a bit more ownership and backbone around the changes and still could have justified getting rid of Robins based on this seasons poor form and progress.

People want one person to blame and that is rarely the case. Just as it is rarely one players fault for a goal conceded.

 

[Deity]

Yes you are right. But when King was under pressure with national attention for sacking Robins he said at the fans forum, "Mark Robins dismantled the coaching structure."
I thought that was a cheap deflection. Robins chose to dispose of Viveash, but King backed it. Robins changed the coaching structure, but King backed it. Robins appointed new coaches, but King backed the appointments. There is a pattern there, the decisions weren't down to one person. King could have shown a bit more ownership and backbone around the changes and still could have justified getting rid of Robins based on this seasons poor form and progress.

People want one person to blame and that is rarely the case. Just as it is rarely one players fault for a goal conceded.

King tried to persuade Mark to chaage his mind. That’s hardly endorsing the decision is it.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Yes you are right. But when King was under pressure with national attention for sacking Robins he said at the fans forum, "Mark Robins dismantled the coaching structure."
I thought that was a cheap deflection. Robins chose to dispose of Viveash, but King backed it. Robins changed the coaching structure, but King backed it. Robins appointed new coaches, but King backed the appointments. There is a pattern there, the decisions weren't down to one person. King could have shown a bit more ownership and backbone around the changes and still could have justified getting rid of Robins based on this seasons poor form and progress.

People want one person to blame and that is rarely the case. Just as it is rarely one players fault for a goal conceded.

I agree with you, if you have a look on my reply’s on this thread I believe it to be the fault of the leadership team which would be Doug and Mark.

I think though the problem comes here, people will lament Doug not knowing the game, actively not listening to one of the best managers in the clubs history and going against his wishes, I assume would of been seen as batshit by Doug no matter his misgivings.

 

[Deity]

I agree with you, if you have a look on my reply’s on this thread I believe it to be the fault of the leadership team which would be Doug and Mark.

I think though the problem comes here, people will lament Doug not knowing the game, actively not listening to one of the best managers in the clubs history and going against his wishes, I assume would of been seen as batshit by Doug no matter his misgivings.

So let’s assume Mark and Adi did fall out.

let’s also assume that Mark did decide he didn’t want to work with Adi any more.

King has 3 options:

1) try to persuade them both to repair the relationship

2) back the manager at Adi’s expense

3) back Adi at Marks expense

We are told he tried 1) and chose 2 ) rather than 3)

I’m not sure any of us would have made a different set of decisions ….

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

So let’s assume Mark and Adi did fall out.

let’s also assume that Mark did decide he didn’t want to work with Adi any more.

King has 3 options:

1) try to persuade them both to repair the relationship

2) back the manager at Adi’s expense

3) back Adi at Marks expense

We are told he tried 1) and chose 2 ) rather than 3)

I’m not sure any of us would have made a different set of decisions ….

Don’t blame Doug at all for that. Will blame him and Mark for the squad balance as feel ultimately the buck stops with the two of them.

Was trying to say Doug was put into a real shit position in regards to Mark and Adi and only really could of gone with Mark and his decisions due to his lack of knowledge and reputation

 

[Snaily]

Dovin - A lot of Potential
Collins - Struggled the longer he’s gone on. However not 100% sure to blame Dean as sure this one was personally recommended by Adi

MVE - Good, successful year last year. Will earn the club a decent profit.
BNC - Good improvement for the window over Dabo. Shame we never looked to bring him back on loan imo.

Luke McNally - Great CB, fit the club well. Shame we were priced out.
Bobby Thomas - Ok/Decent potential. Lot to like but also needs to work on his concentration.
Luis Binks - Ok - Good on the ball but needs to improve on his game mentals. Younger age so should develop hopefully especially if we can bring in an experienced CB.
Liam Kitching - Ok/Decent potential - Annoying one as a lot to like IMO, good on the ball and decent on the defensive work however very inconsistent and reported bad attitude.
Joel Lati - Ok - Decent professional and great versatility. Would be better in a back three like a couple of the squad imo. Limited due to pace but good reader of the game

Jay Dasilva - Dud - Maybe better in a wingback system but physical limitations really hold him back in a back four. Attacking wise not really impressed when looking at figures
JWE - Dud - Apparently Robins number one target, just didn’t work out here. Way to raw as a player, swapped to Bidwell early on.

Torp - Don’t know - A lot to work with, with a good shot, decent defending and good passing however fitness concerns and pace hurts him in a league as demanding in the championship.
Ayari - Dud for us - Techincally really good but too early a move for him and too high an expectation for us with Hamer moving on. Clearly doing well now mind.

Wright - Obviously a class player once he bed in, a lot spent but will make it back.
EMC - Hard to comment yet, asked me before Lampard and I’d say dud/ concerned but he’s been brilliant since Lampard has come in. Excited to see how he continues.

Rudoni - Excited - Understand the annoyance with him but he’s a good player in the half space and has created our most chances and is up there in the championship for this. Paid a lot but hoping with time and EMC and wright we’ll see a lot more from him, does need to learn to play the simple pass though.

Sakamoto - Good value - Exciting last year but fizzled a bit out. On his day is a very tricky winger and for the low cost feel this is one of the better deals. Funny though that we didn’t go out to find him but stumbled on accident.
Rapha - No idea

Simms - 50/50 - Struggled at times and now but feel there’s a player here being let down by management. Needs a run out and for us to get some confidence on him as clearly a confidence player. Feel this is one who could go either way.
BTA - Apparently another Robins target but one I just don’t get, maybe he’d be better in a front two but as it is, seems a waste of funds
Sean Maguire - Who?
Bassette - Excited - lots of potential but is over exposed atm, should be learning the ropes. Expect a lot from him in the future.

Just my opinions, squad is definitely performing below the sum of their parts imo but feel that’s because while the players are ok/decent, no care was put into the actual squad planning

Premier League:
None

Championship Top 6:
Wright

Championship Top Half:
Dovin
MVE - was Top 6
BNC
McNally
Thomas - Just about
Rudoni
EMC - In last 2 months

Chamionship Bottom Half:
Lati - at best
Binks - at a push
Kitching - at a push
JWE
Torp
Sakamoto - was higher
Simms
Bassette - with potential

League One:
Collins
JDS

Sunday League:
Maguire

Average recruitment

 

[Snaily]

Premier League:
None

Championship Top 6:
Wright

Championship Top Half:
Dovin
MVE - was Top 6
BNC
McNally
Thomas - Just about
Rudoni
EMC - In last 2 months

Chamionship Bottom Half:
Lati - at best
Binks - at a push
Kitching - at a push
JWE
Torp
Sakamoto - was higher
Simms
Bassette - with potential

League One:
Collins
JDS

Sunday League:
Maguire

Average recruitment

Which means at best the following team could push for play offs:

Dovin

MVE Thomas New Player Bidwell

Sheaf
New Player Rudoni

New Player Wright EMC

 

[shmmeee]

So let’s assume Mark and Adi did fall out.

let’s also assume that Mark did decide he didn’t want to work with Adi any more.

King has 3 options:

1) try to persuade them both to repair the relationship

2) back the manager at Adi’s expense

3) back Adi at Marks expense

We are told he tried 1) and chose 2 ) rather than 3)

I’m not sure any of us would have made a different set of decisions ….

4) Fuck them both off and get a new team in.

Though a cynic might say that might affect ST sales.

 

[blunted]

In the long run, we have to make every signing better year on year. That has simply not happened so far this year with the odd exception. In fact, most players look worse than last season and are making more mistakes. Team balance and confidence are all over the place.
The coaches should be improving each player and the team. We have enough coaches now, but are they quality coaches?
Lampard and his new coaches need to sort it out quickly or the season is over.

 

[blunted]

I think this where it gets really difficult.

Overpaid on Kitching but feel the rest I could make an argument for especially as the rumour is a lot of our deals rely on is getting promoted while they are here.

On the squad planning I think it would have to be blamed on the leadership group which consisted of Robins and King.

Think there was/is a lot of naivety that having a lot of young players will mean they will reach their potential as long as the manager is good where I believe experienced pros or a manager who has a lot of experience with young squads is required which we had neither.

Robins changed the habits of a lifetime (over 800 games managing in football) to go for a completely different approach to recruitment. The strong hints were coming from Robins he had relinquished control of transfers. King only said he signed off on them. That does not mean he was making the decisions. No manager is going to say "No I don't want any more players".

 

[Skyblue Bangkok]

In the long run, we have to make every signing better year on year. That has simply not happened so far this year with the odd exception. In fact, most players look worse than last season and are making more mistakes. Team balance and confidence are all over the place.
The coaches should be improving each player and the team. We have enough coaches now, but are they quality coaches?
Lampard and his new coaches need to sort it out quickly or the season is over.

Season is over, we are currently flirting with relegation.