Match Thread Supporter's Meeting with Doug King Match Thread (17 Viewers)

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

Sheaf, Bidwell, Eccles and Collins would all get into the playoff final team as well - three of them did!

Was mainly considering the additions since that match.

We've added how many players since the play off final? And only two of them would improve the team from that day, pretty poor and really poor if King considers this the best deck of players ever.

 

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[Brighton Sky Blue]

He was prepared to sign off on one of Stamenic and Browne though?

 

[TomRad85]

He thinks this ‘deck’ is far stronger than it actually is

I still think its good, always have. We're short a CM, LB and probably imo a CB. But its pretty good, better than a lot of decks in the division.
Not a fan of Wright being injured though, he's definitely the one above all others you really wouldn't want to be injured.

 

[TomRad85]

He was prepared to sign off on one of Stamenic and Browne though?

This is key, sounds like he was prepared to pull the trigger on one, whatever his questionable personal thoughts are. In a way we do have enough but we really need to be moving on the likes of Allen for better.

 

[SBT]

He was prepared to sign off on one of Stamenic and Browne though?

He basically admits in the same interview that signing a new number six in the summer would have allowed them to sell Sheaf.

 

[nicksar]

The midfield becomes slightly less of an issue if we get a manager that can utilise and trust Torp. Robins never fully trusted him and you could almost see him as half an option if needed.

Lati can’t be counted as a midfielder and Jamie Allen needs to be moved on. Signings needed there and I hope this viewpoint from Doug doesn’t overshadow whatever manager with a pair of eyes that comes in, because midfield is obvious and they’ll see that

He said last Monday that when the new head coach is in place funds will be available in January if they think certain positions in the team require strengthening.
He also said that's one of the reasons he's acted now and not waited any longer.

 

[TomRad85]

He basically admits in the same interview that signing a new number six in the summer would have allowed them to sell Sheaf.

I'm nowhere near as against selling Sheaf if we can get good money for him as i used to be. @Earlsdon_Skyblue1 will be all over this.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

He basically admits in the same interview that signing a new number six in the summer would have allowed them to sell Sheaf.

I don’t think signing Browne was meant to be a Sheaf replacement. Stamenic possibly but the impression seems to be that both were ‘as well as’

 

[Calista]

Why does he feel the need to comment on that?

He seems pretty sensitive to the way it keeps getting highlighted and the things people have been saying (“Everyone is obsessed with the midfield ..."). Can't be referring to sites like this one, because apparently he's oblivious to external noise.

 

[SBT]

I don’t think signing Browne was meant to be a Sheaf replacement. Stamenic possibly but the impression seems to be that both were ‘as well as’

Think Doug is pretty clear that was not the case:

“Everybody has their view on everything but we felt if we could get a high quality number six in at some point it would give us some flexibility in respect of whether there could maybe some outgoings - I think Ben Sheaf mentioned that he had an approach in the summer - so we don’t know how it would have all played out,”

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Think Doug is pretty clear that was not the case:

Then we’d still be assuming the 4 CMs would hold the fort. Which they clearly can’t

 

[clint van damme]

Because he was specifically asked a question on it by Turner and as we all know some fans believe its the lack of midfield strength that cost Robins his job.

Not everything in a conspiracy.

You're the one who mentioned conspiracy not me.
It's highly unusual for an owner to come out with stuff like this, people are right to be bemused.
But you'd defend him whatever he does.

 

[covcity4life]

You're the one who mentioned conspiracy not me.
It's highly unusual for an owner to come out with stuff like this, people are right to be bemused.
But you'd defend him whatever he does.

Pot kettle..

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

You're the one who mentioned conspiracy not me.
It's highly unusual for an owner to come out with stuff like this, people are right to be bemused.
But you'd defend him whatever he does.

I will say the amounts of money we’ve handed over for certain players are making more sense when you hear how he describes them.

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

I'm nowhere near as against selling Sheaf if we can get good money for him as i used to be. @Earlsdon_Skyblue1 will be all over this.

I don't believe the interest was there in all seriousness, but imagine if it had happened, and we had a few new CM's here.

Robins would still be picking the team, and I would be picking daisies in the garden under a blue sky with the sun shining and
Kumbaya, My Lord playing in the background.

 

[TomRad85]

Pot kettle..

 

[clint van damme]

It is concerning to say the least that someone who admitted to having no interest in the game as recently as two years ago is apparently using his own football judgment to decide on transfer policy.

Does he think people are going to change there minds on what they think the state of out midfield is because he speaks to the CET?

Does he think there's consensus among the support anyway when every midfielder has got those who think they're great, those who think they're shit and some for everything in between?

 

[TomRad85]

Does he think people are going to change there minds on what they think the state of out midfield is because he speaks to the CET?

Does he think there's consensus among the support anyway when every midfielder has got those who think they're great, those who think they're shit and some for everything in between?

Rudoni - better than many give credit for
Sheaf - fairly rated up until this season, but been poor this season
Eccles - slightly overrated by many last season but actually better than Sheaf this season and one of very few who look better
Torp - underrated as fuck, new manager please play him more
Allen - loyal servant but time to move on for better
Lati - please never go in midfield again

 

[clint van damme]

Rudoni - better than many give credit for
Sheaf - fairly rated up until this season, but been poor this season
Eccles - slightly overrated by many last season but actually better than Sheaf this season and one of very few who look better
Torp - underrated as fuck, new manager please play him more
Allen - loyal servant but time to move on for better
Lati - please never go in midfield again

Thus proving my point, I disagree with a lot of that, and there are probably thousands of permutations of opinions on those players.

 

[blunted]

He seems pretty sensitive to the way it keeps getting highlighted and the things people have been saying (“Everyone is obsessed with the midfield ..."). Can't be referring to sites like this one, because apparently he's oblivious to external noise.

The thing about social media is that there can often be a very wrong consensus about players, formations etc. However, I will be contrary and say that I think a lot of people on here really do (shock) have quite a depth of football knowledge. And, I believe so many people think our main problem this year has been our midfield is correct. They are not protecting the defence adequately enough, not creating enough chances and not scoring enough goals. Sheaf being injured on and off has not helped. Haji has proved he will score given the opportunities and I think Simms is a player who needs to be played through on goal. Likewise our other forwards.
Lati is defencive and barn doors and banjos come to mind with Sheaf and Eccles a lot of the time. Torp has scored three goals since he arrived if you count the wrongly chalked off Man U one. Allen has been almost permanently injured on and off, as he was scoring goals a good time ago. Palmer was never prolific.

 

[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

Hes under pressure and rightly so, after making the biggest decision at our club in recent history - this will define him.

Broadly so far however, ignoring MR, he's done far more good than bad. And I actually thought he spoke generally well on Monday, have to take at face value.

He knows this appointment now is critical.

He waffled on talk sport after he'd done his hour on the fans forum thingy. He never had an answer as to why we didn't replace Viveash and seemed clueless or more likely reluctant to disclose why, having said several people were interviewed , no one was given the job. All he could say was " for some reason it didn't happen"

 

[Calista]

He waffled on talk sport after he'd done his hour on the fans forum thingy. He never had an answer as to why we didn't replace Viveash and seemed clueless or more likely reluctant to disclose why, having said several people were interviewed , no one was given the job. All he could say was " for some reason it didn't happen"

To explain, his line on this seems to be that he delegated it to Robins to find a head coach, and no proposed appointment ever 'came across his desk' (that has been disputed on here, rightly or wrongly).

I'm surprised he didn't regard Robins as his single most important employee, and move heaven and earth to work actively with him on finding an acceptable solution / structure to resolve that. Rather than staying hands off and ending up wielding the axe.

I assume more factors we haven't been told about were at play.

We are where are.

 

[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

To explain, his line on this seems to be that he delegated it to Robins to find a head coach, and no proposed appointment ever 'came across his desk' (that has been disputed on here, rightly or wrongly).

I'm surprised he didn't regard Robins as his single most important employee, and move heaven and earth to work actively with him on finding an acceptable solution / structure to resolve that. Rather than staying hands off and ending up wielding the axe.

I assume more factors we haven't been told about were at play.

We are where are.

That's the impression I got. I was disappointed that Simon Jordan didn't push King more on his response. It was simply allowed to go unchallenged. You'd have thought it would have been in King's interest to assist Robins all he could . Now maybe the truth is that they simply didn't see eye to eye on potential coaches and one, or both of them just wouldn't compromise. Perhaps King felt it was in his own interest to let Robins deal with it either because he hoped Robins would fuck it up, or that he trusted him to make the right decision.
I guess we'll never know until such time as we hear Robins' account of things, if that ever happens.

 

[mmttww]

It's a bit weird how a few of you keep banging on about King not 'supporting / assisting / helping / prioritising' Robins.

MR oversaw signings worth about £40m in 12 months. He got the staff he wanted. He got an improved Ryton. I really don't get it.

 

[Calista]

It's a bit weird how a few of you keep banging on about King not 'supporting / assisting / helping / prioritising' Robins.

MR oversaw signings worth about £40m in 12 months. He got the staff he wanted. He got an improved Ryton. I really don't get it.

Are you responding to me on that? Huge misrepresentation of what I said if so.

 

[usskyblue]

I think it’s fair to ask;

Was there a cutoff date for MR to decide on an assistant? And if so, was MR aware of it?
Otherwise, why bother speaking to Ramsey at Ryton? A conversation that went really well, with another discussion about wages anticipated.

Was the reason given to CR for not proceeding dishonest? Had time already been called on the search, and ownership was waiting on a poor performance/result to make the decision?

If MR thought he could get Ramsey in but an unknown timescale had already expired; isn’t that an issue? And if that was the case; was subsequently not mentioning it at the fan forum disingenuous, or an oversight?

There’s gaps that’s all.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

I think it’s fair to ask;

Was there a cutoff date for MR to decide on an assistant? And if so, was MR aware of it?
Otherwise, why bother speaking to Ramsey at Ryton? A conversation that went really well, with another discussion about wages anticipated.

Was the reason given to CR for not proceeding dishonest? or had time already been called on the search, and ownership was waiting on a poor performance/result to make the decision?

If MR thought he could get Ramsey in but an unknown timescale had already expired; isn’t that an issue? And if that was the case; was subsequently not mentioning it at the fan forum disingenuous, or an oversight?

There’s gaps that’s all.

The fact that between them Robins and King couldn't appoint a new assistant is an abject failure from both frankly.

It was Kings first major test on the football side and he failed miserably

 

[mmttww]

Are you responding to me on that? Huge misrepresentation of what I said if so.

You said he should've treated him as his most important employee. There's a lot of evidence that he did exactly that. King will probably live or die here by how his decision to sack Robins - and who he hires to replace him - works out. I get that part.

 

[itsabuzzard]

I think it’s fair to ask;

Was there a cutoff date for MR to decide on an assistant? And if so, was MR aware of it?
Otherwise, why bother speaking to Ramsey at Ryton? A conversation that went really well, with another discussion about wages anticipated.

Was the reason given to CR for not proceeding dishonest? or had time already been called on the search, and ownership was waiting on a poor performance/result to make the decision?

If MR thought he could get Ramsey in but an unknown timescale had already expired; isn’t that an issue? And if that was the case; was subsequently not mentioning it at the fan forum disingenuous, or an oversight?

There’s gaps that’s all.

Yawning gaps. To paraphrase CJ in Reggie Perrin, it's unlikely that DK got where he is today by being even-handed in his version of events. The only hope of closing those gaps is to get MR and AV's input, and maybe DL's too, which looks unlikely at the moment.
One thing that's been nagging away at me: if I were MR, and events didn't match DK's version, I think I would want to set the record straight and NDA be damned. Presumably MR is comfortably off and doesn't need the money tied to an NDA, though I accept that if it's a significant sum, it would be a consideration. Do NDAs have a time limit?

 

[nicksar]

Yawning gaps. To paraphrase CJ in Reggie Perrin, it's unlikely that DK got where he is today by being even-handed in his version of events. The only hope of closing those gaps is to get MR and AV's input, and maybe DL's too, which looks unlikely at the moment.
One thing that's been nagging away at me: if I were MR, and events didn't match DK's version, I think I would want to set the record straight and NDA be damned. Presumably MR is comfortably off and doesn't need the money tied to an NDA, though I accept that if it's a significant sum, it would be a consideration. Do NDAs have a time limit?

Mark Robins settlement package is not yet agreed which may account for the lack of any statement from him.

 

[Calista]

You said he should've treated him as his most important employee. There's a lot of evidence that he did exactly that. King will probably live or die here by how his decision to sack Robins - and who he hires to replace him - works out. I get that part.

OK you say he spent money on transfers and improving Ryton which is great and I don't dispute it (although it's widely accepted the efforts to complete the squad in the summer fell short and left gaps).

But you also say he 'got the staff he wanted', and that seems to be disputed. If the only stumbling point was finding a second in command / head coach, or a structure that worked, I'd have thought the owner would have stepped in and actively got hands on to try and resolve it. Saying that nothing came over his desk to approve seems such a passive approach prior to making such a huge call, and leaves the club rolling the dice.

 

[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

It's a bit weird how a few of you keep banging on about King not 'supporting / assisting / helping / prioritising' Robins.

MR oversaw signings worth about £40m in 12 months. He got the staff he wanted. He got an improved Ryton. I really don't get it.

He didn't support Robins with the recruitment of a number two then ? It didn't happen and as the owner he takes some responsibility.

Can you give me the breakdown this £40m on players. I keep hearing this but my maths isn't great and I can't get to 40m.

 

[mmttww]

He didn't support Robins with the recruitment of a number two then ? It didn't happen and as the owner he takes some responsibility.

Can you give me the breakdown this £40m on players. I keep hearing this but my maths isn't great and I can't get to 40m.

Well, he supported him with giving AV a four year deal, then paying AV off when MR told King he couldn't work with him.

MR said he wanted a more flat coaching structure, King said OK, went and recruited coaches that MR approved of.

Results tanked, DK gave MR options incl. hiring a lead first team coach. MR picked that option, no names made it to King.

The last part is where there's some debate with the Ramsey story not matching up with what King said at the forum.

Wright £8m, Simms £3m, MVE £3m, Thomas £2m, Kitching £4m, Torp £2m, Assante £2m, Bassette £2m, Dovin £2m, Binks £2m, Sakamoto £2m, Raphael £1m, Collins £0.5m, Latibeaudiere £0.5m, EMC £4m with add-ons for Simms towards £8m total.

 

[mmttww]

Saying that nothing came over his desk to approve seems such a passive approach prior to making such a huge call, and leaves the club rolling the dice.

Maybe he was passive at that point. Maybe he was managing MR out. Maybe it's an example of MR not being able to compromise. We'll probably never know that part for sure. He wasn't passive with other decisions (extend then fire AV, give MR the structure and staff he wanted). He was supportive, results were sh*t, his decision to end it is understandable.

 

[Deity]

You're the one who mentioned conspiracy not me.
It's highly unusual for an owner to come out with stuff like this, people are right to be bemused.
But you'd defend him whatever he does.

I don’t Clint but i also don’t find him confusing either.

If i compare the club now to how it was under SISU i think King has done a good job.