No way back for the outcast players (1 Viewer)

[Otis]

Coventry City boss Steven Pressley insists there is no way back for the 'Broadstreet Five' – but he has no complaints with them standing firm on their contracts.


Of the eight players told they were surplus to requirements at the end of last season, Jordan Clarke has been successfully reassimilated into the first team while Cody Macdonald and David Bell have moved on.
But the remaining members of the “Bomb Squad” – Chris Dunn, William Edjenguele, Kevin Malaga, Steven Jennings and Gary McSheffrey – continue to train at Binley Woods, even though the club’s transfer embargo has left Pressley short of experienced options, particularly in defence.

'We didn’t anticipate the situation dragging on as it has,” admitted the manager. “We had hoped a decision would be made before we returned for pre-season training. But in order to make changes you have to do certain things and once you’ve done that it’s very difficult to go back on your decision.

“I thought certain steps were necessary in order to move the club on. I wanted to change the level of professionalism and that includes body composition, fitness, the way we go about things – with certain individuals I wasn’t happy with those levels.

“But I don’t think any of them are bad lads, far from it. And don’t let anybody think they’re happy just sitting there taking their money because they’re not. They’re actively trying to leave the football club.

“There have been inquiries about several of them and their agents are working hard to get them out but they won’t leave until they’ve got something to go on to and I’ve got no problem with that.'





Two things jump out at me there. 1. It means having to throw untried kids in if and when injuries occur. Huge, huge gamble that, and 2. Us fans all anticipated the situation dragging on, so why Steven Pressley didn't I have no idea.'

 

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[DazzleTommyDazzle]

Two things jump out at me there. 1. It means having to throw untried kids in if and when injuries occur. Huge, huge gamble that, and 2. Us fans all anticipated the situation dragging on, so why Steven Pressley didn't I have no idea.'

I guess he believed what he was told by Fisher.

He'll learn.

 

[kmj5000]

There would have been far more chance of them finding another club if they had not been cast out?

 

[mark82]

Even though we only have 1 recognised centre back he is willing to let Edge & Malaga rot. It's pure bad planning and I'm sure it will lead to him being sacked when we still only have one cb come October.

 

[CTID]

Really dont like this situation. Dont like how SP has handled this one bit. We hear of players being told they are not in the mamagers plans all the time, but to outcast them to train else where and basically treat them like shit is bad management in my opinion. No doubt youve all discussed this before when i wasnt paying attention, but everytime i read about this i cant help but think "what a shit decision"

 

[covboy9]

why jennings and edge, especially Jennings have been bombed out is just crackers, manager is an idiot and clearly isn't managing

 

[deanocity3]

pressley will pick himself to play again, god help us

 

[ohitsaidwalker king power]

.... so why Steven Pressley didn't I have no idea.'

Because he's a fool...with a -10 start and a thread bare squad of mainly young players..... this retained position of his re the 'famous 5' is a clear indication to me that he is out of his depth. To effectively have resource available but not to use it if/when the situation demands is absolutely crazy.
Given all that has transpired since his decision, to reverse his stance wouldn't have been seen as weak management... more so he'd have gained my respect for his ability to recognise the direness of the situation which we now face.
:blue:

 

[deanocity3]

As Andy thorn said yesterday, people behind the scenes were making the football decisions, which should have been the managers job. looks like it's still happening.

 

[The Penguin]

Really dont like this situation. Dont like how SP has handled this one bit. We hear of players being told they are not in the mamagers plans all the time, but to outcast them to train else where and basically treat them like shit is bad management in my opinion. No doubt youve all discussed this before when i wasnt paying attention, but everytime i read about this i cant help but think "what a shit decision"

I think Pressley would have been better off telling them their services were no longer required, but that given the threadbare nature of the squad they would continue to be available for selection until such time as they moved on.

I'm all for him trying to stamp his own personality on the squad but given we have no players we can't exactly afford to be picky at this point.

 

[SydneySkyBlue]

What's this 'Broadstreet Five' reference?

 

[SonOfSnoz]

Such a shame, wanted to see Sheffers play in all 4 divisions for the club, hope he's around for one more season!

 

[SydneySkyBlue]

Never mind, think I've got it. Just noticed theyve also been called the Bomb Squad...

 

[stupot07]

The article hints at a lack of professionalism, possibly attitude and application, perhaps Pressley doesn't want it influencing his young squad.

 

[true sky blue]

no loss on these 5 though is there? really?

 

[The Penguin]

The article hints at a lack of professionalism, possibly attitude and application, perhaps Pressley doesn't want it influencing his young squad.

And that's fine, if he thinks it'll work. Nothing worse than players with poor attitude in a squad, no question.

Two injuries though and we're not going to be able to even fill a subs bench.

 

[deanocity3]

Such a shame, wanted to see Sheffers play in all 4 divisions for the club, hope he's around for one more season!

if we go down we will be the only club to play in all 10 leagues which have existed, div 3 south, div 3 north, div 4, div 3, div 2, div 1, prem league, championship, league 1.

 

[The Penguin]

no loss on these 5 though is there? really?

Honestly? No.

I'm sure their wages could be far better spent.

But an inexperienced, physically underdeveloped and threadbare squad may cost us, if we're any chance to overhaul the points deduction.

 

[CTID]

The article hints at a lack of professionalism, possibly attitude and application, perhaps Pressley doesn't want it influencing his young squad.

Then stamp your mark by issueing them an ultimatum "fix up or fuck off". Would have saved him the embarassment when he eventually has to ask edge back when we have an injury in defence

 

[stupot07]

Then stamp your mark by issueing them an ultimatum "fix up or fuck off". Would have saved him the embarassment when he eventually has to ask edge back when we have an injury in defence

But he wants them off the wage bill and told them at the end of last season they weren't in his plans. You hear players in interviews on the tv and radio and they all say they just want the manager to be honest with them. Saying "fix up or fuck off" when you really mean "you're not in my plans" is being dishonest.

 

[Sky Blue Kid]

true sky blue true sky blue is online now Reserve Team Player Join Date Jun 2013 Last Online 11 Minutes Ago Posts 218 Threads 15 19 Like Received In 16 Posts Default no loss on these 5 though is there? really? I Say..............................One recognised CB and "TWO in the Bomb squad" and you ask a stupid question like that! I'm the first to say Sheff has lost it, but while he still picks up a wage then he still should be in the squad as should the other two.

 

[CTID]

But he wants them off the wage bill and told them at the end of last season they weren't in his plans. You hear players in interviews on the tv and radio and they all say they just want the manager to be honest with them. Saying "fix up or fuck off" when you really mean "you're not in my plans" is being dishonest.

Fair point mate. Thinks its still been badly handled regardless of justification, and i have a feeling it will bite us in the ass at some point. Dont agree with edge being there, and could argue a case for sheffers if he wasnt on so much money.

 

[ccfclinney]

He has obviously been told by fisher and co. we need to cut the wage bill they will be high earners so there's no point making them in your plans they need to go.
But if I was in SP situation I would defiantly have Macca, Jennings and edge back.
I thought Jennings was one of our better players last season!
I suppose he feels he can't go back now he's treated them like that.

 

[Bill Glazier]

And that's fine, if he thinks it'll work. Nothing worse than players with poor attitude in a squad, no question.

Two injuries though and we're not going to be able to even fill a subs bench.

Owners with a poor attitude is surely worse.

 

[Grendel]

why jennings and edge, especially Jennings have been bombed out is just crackers, manager is an idiot and clearly isn't managing

Because they are useless - gifts from the scouting maestro.

 

[SonOfSnoz]

if we go down we will be the only club to play in all 10 leagues which have existed, div 3 south, div 3 north, div 4, div 3, div 2, div 1, prem league, championship, league 1.

Wow, one positive to aim for this season then!

 

[ajsccfc]

It's a ridiculous situation. If you're paying players, keep them in mind. They can still be free to leave while actually providing some kind of cover, particularly for our single recognised and inexperienced centre-back.

 

[skybluepm2]

This guy needs to swallow his pride and hold his hands up..do us a favour in the interim lads. It's not ideal, but this will put you in the shop window and you'll be doing us a favour because what we have at the moment is dog shit.

It's no coincidence that they will be amongst the top earners at the club. No doubt this was within Pressley's brief when he took over. 'Youre used to using 12 year olds that's the only reason we paid money to get you released from the shit job you were doing at Falkirk. We don't give a shit about this club, it's all about money and do you know how much we can save each year if you can pretend that the likes of mcsheffrey wood McDonald edge and bell aren't in your plans?! Just preted it's to do with football or something and that our academy is amazing..also make up something about Jordan Clarke like he's had the bit between his teeth over the summer. That ought to get the fans onside'

This could bite Pressley on his beardy arse very badly! I will have no sympathy for him when it does because like the administration bollocks, movement to Northampton, endless transfer embargo's and loss of 20 points..it could've been avoided.

If Pressley had anything about him he'd have walked by now

 

[ajsccfc]

Maybe because he's got something about him he's determined to make a success of the job he's moved to a different country for.

 

[Skybluepiglet]

If Presley makes a success of this dog shit ....He will win Manager of the month EVERY month..it ain't happening..I can't think of 1 reason why I should even fucking give a shit
about this season at all anymore..Except it's my club!!!
My heart is sky blue
But my heads telling me..Its all over!!

 

[Noggin]

Maybe because he's got something about him he's determined to make a success of the job he's moved to a different country for.

If he had something about him he'd have known that he wasn't going to be able to sign any players before the season started and planned accordingly. Instead he belived Fisher Lier in chief even when it was a fact and had been in the paper than admin would drag on too long because of the 28 day cooling off period, even if things went well.

I like the attitude of it's best to look for solutions rather than dwell on the problems, thats a great attitude to live life by. However that doesn't appear to be what he's done, instead he's pretended the problems don't exist and thus made plans that are terrible, thats not a great attitude thats delusion.

 

[SkyBlueBlood]

Talk about burning your bridges. Pressley can only be gullible or stupid. Not really the attributes you need in a Manager.

 

[torchomatic]

Stupid. With our squad in our situation it is absolute madness to start the season without those players who have been frozen out.

 

[ajsccfc]

But to walk away from the few players he does have under his charge and been working with hardly seems the default honorable thing to do. Staying to try and see a tough job through isn't automatic 'OMG yes man' territory despite what people would make out. If he's been misled by people in charge it's shitty on him, but he'd hardly be the first manager to be in that boat.

 

[Skybluepiglet]

This is why Robbins left..he knew this shit was coming..moving to Hudds didnt look right..but with this backdrop..seems perfect common sense.
No doubt he was paid to say jack shit.