Time's Up (2 Viewers)

Rodders1

Well-Known Member
IMO for what it's worth, I think we stick and fully back Robbins and see what happens in the January transfer window.

The squad is top heavy. Doug needs to invest again. We have to write this season off, weā€™ll stay up. Its not exciting but once a balanced squad is in place lets see what happens.

Its not sentiment either - but short termism to appease some fans isn't the answer.
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Ring Of Steel

Well-Known Member
You think not replacing the assistant or the experience in the squad isn't down to King?
That part is definitely down to him.
And I can't find one post saying Robins is blameless. People just keep making it up in their heads.

But he's had 3 tools which hes used to be succesful, an assistant, experienced players and loans all taken away from him.

Anyone who thinks that hasn't had an affect is deluded.
He's still made some poor selections and in game decisions though, no doubt about it.

a great post.

The facts here are that we are struggling badly, and Robins has been one of our best ever managers.

I donā€™t like all the revisionism, people trying to imply ā€œactually all the things he achieved werenā€™t down to himā€, denying that heā€™s got form for turning around bad situations before & just ranting and raving, then accusing anyone looking for a bit of reasoning of saying heā€™s ā€œblamelessā€.

The issues are that Viveash has gone, the new coaching system clearly isnā€™t delivering, thereā€™s zero leadership on the pitch, Robins allegedly has had personal issues, the strikers canā€™t finish. The xg table alone demonstrates that pretty clearly. A perfect storm landing pretty much all at once.

They for me are the issues, so all this angry venting trying to rewrite history and prove (for what reason I donā€™t know) that Robins was actually crap all along and everything he achieved was some kind of fluke- itā€™s a bit bewildering.

He has to start changing this fast or time will be up, I havenā€™t seen one single person argue against that- but some of the nonsense is way, way over the top.
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Chris1987

Well-Known Member
The other aspect to this is that if the poor form continues the club are holding player assets which are diminishing in value thus making it harder for the inevitable rebuild which will be needed when some of them leave . Much more difficult to attract a decent calibre of player when on pitch performances have been in decline.
As I've stated previously I believe that the major factor contributing to this slump is the coaching set up. Who the fuck defends set pieces with the whole team behind the ball with none of them marking anyone in particular? Tactics during games are not obvious but our reactions to opposing teams switching tactics appear to be non existent. Sitting down staring at iPads for the match duration is bollocks . Robins previously had the more direct assistance of Adi which at least provided alternative strategies throughout matches.
MR must carry a good degree of responsibility for the current situation but the back up looks totally abject to me.
I think however that giving him until Christmas as some have suggested potentially is too late for someone to fix the issues if they still persist. Another 6 games will surely indicate if the problems have been addressed.
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Matt smith

Well-Known Member
The other aspect to this is that if the poor form continues the club are holding player assets which are diminishing in value thus making it harder for the inevitable rebuild which will be needed when some of them leave . Much more difficult to attract a decent calibre of player when on pitch performances have been in decline.
As I've stated previously I believe that the major factor contributing to this slump is the coaching set up. Who the fuck defends set pieces with the whole team behind the ball with none of them marking anyone in particular? Tactics during games are not obvious but our reactions to opposing teams switching tactics appear to be non existent. Sitting down staring at iPads for the match duration is bollocks . Robins previously had the more direct assistance of Adi which at least provided alternative strategies throughout matches.
MR must carry a good degree of responsibility for the current situation but the back up looks totally abject to me.
I think however that giving him until Christmas as some have suggested potentially is too late for someone to fix the issues if they still persist. Another 6 games will surely indicate if the problems have been addressed.
The November international break would be a good barometer, 3rd of the way through the season
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adamcov

Member
Very well reasoned argument. Iā€™d only add that without midfield reinforcements weā€™re going nowhere regardless of anything else in the side. Zero ability to unlock a defence without ohare palmer or hamer
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HuckerbyDublinWhelan

Well-Known Member
the cold hard facts are - this squad and current coaching staff isnā€™t built for how Robins wants to manage the club.

now there are two options. Robins adapts to the squad he has and uses the tools at his disposal. Heā€™s previously lamented the stuff he doesnā€™t have but others do and that we canā€™t compete because of this. The Director of football and the head of recruitment is his mate.

the second option is that he canā€™t adapt. We let him go and hire a manger/Head coach that the squad and staff are in line with. Itā€™s nonsense that there isnā€™t a manager out there that canā€™t get this team going.

Either way we need to make a decision shortly so we can get back on track
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Ring Of Steel

Well-Known Member
the cold hard facts are - this squad and current coaching staff isnā€™t built for how Robins wants to manage the club.

now there are two options. Robins adapts to the squad he has and uses the tools at his disposal. Heā€™s previously lamented the stuff he doesnā€™t have but others do and that we canā€™t compete because of this. The Director of football and the head of recruitment is his mate.

the second option is that he canā€™t adapt. We let him go and hire a manger/Head coach that the squad and staff are in line with. Itā€™s nonsense that there isnā€™t a manager out there that canā€™t get this team going.

Either way we need to make a decision shortly so we can get back on track

I am not disputing what you say, but the first paragraph- how do you know?
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HuckerbyDublinWhelan

Well-Known Member
I am not disputing what you say, but the first paragraph- how do you know?
See we can take it as conflicting reports. Thereā€™s a lot of talk on here that King has put this in place and that Robins has had this set up foisted upon him, he likes the operation he had before is the general take on here. (See the previous threads blaming the performance director and King

if however heā€™s had a say in it, then itā€™s got to be accepted heā€™s ballsed it up. Either way itā€™s not a good luck for Robins.

I donā€™t know for sure, but as mentioned before the only thing thatā€™s changed from last season is the band of Vivaesh, Lawrence and Robins.

Iā€™m still of the opinion that itā€™s all gearing to the foreign head coach model. Or young first team coach from a top club ala Kieran McKenna

in terms of the squad - Robins has always opted for a vocal experienced captain and player leadership team, that self policed themselves - itā€™s bizarre that this hasnā€™t been replaced
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Ring Of Steel

Well-Known Member
See we can take it as conflicting reports. Thereā€™s a lot of talk on here that King has put this in place and that Robins has had this set up foisted upon him, he likes the operation he had before is the general take on here. (See the previous threads blaming the performance director and King

if however heā€™s had a say in it, then itā€™s got to be accepted heā€™s ballsed it up. Either way itā€™s not a good luck for Robins.

I donā€™t know for sure, but as mentioned before the only thing thatā€™s changed from last season is the band of Vivaesh, Lawrence and Robins.

Iā€™m still of the opinion that itā€™s all gearing to the foreign head coach model. Or young first team coach from a top club ala Kieran McKenna

I think thereā€™s a bit more to it than just Viveash on its own- like I say, last season Wright & Simms were scoring, whereas this season the xg table clearly shows that our inability to finish is costing us very dearly. Itā€™s not so much of a leap to suggest that if we were scoring then this debate would not be happening- an underwhelming start but not a total disaster. Thereā€™s also the question of these personal issues which I donā€™t want to start digging into as itā€™s just speculation tbh.

so Iā€™m not arguing with you, but again I donā€™t think itā€™s as simple as just one thing, a few things have happened all at once. None are unfixable, and I feel Robins has more than earned the chance to fix them- hence my position.

But.. if youā€™re right and King wants that particular model maybe itā€™s all irrelevant and he wonā€™t get the time, who knows. I hope not.
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HuckerbyDublinWhelan

Well-Known Member
I think thereā€™s a bit more to it than just Viveash on its own- like I say, last season Wright & Simms were scoring, whereas this season the xg table clearly shows that our inability to finish is costing us very dearly. Itā€™s not so much of a leap to suggest that if we were scoring then this debate would not be happening- an underwhelming start but not a total disaster. Thereā€™s also the question of these personal issues which I donā€™t want to start digging into as itā€™s just speculation tbh.

so Iā€™m not arguing with you, but again I donā€™t think itā€™s as simple as just one thing, a few things have happened all at once. None are unfixable, and I feel Robins has more than earned the chance to fix them- hence my position.

But.. if youā€™re right and King wants that particular model maybe itā€™s all irrelevant and he wonā€™t get the time, who knows. I hope not.
That last paragraph is where Iā€™m at - Iā€™m not necessarily ā€œRobins outā€ Iā€™ve made the assumption rightly or wrongly that weā€™re following a new model, and Iā€™m struggling to see where Robins fits in.

As youā€™ve said and underwhelming start isnā€™t a disaster - but what concerns me we look devoid of fight, when weā€™re on top in games we look like we could win them. But what tends to happen is if they donā€™t get ahead, the heads drop and the inevitable mistake happens.

when weā€™re losing we rarely look like we can get back into games - thatā€™s why it appears different to the last 2 seasons. We looked like we could pop up at anytime and grab an equaliser and winner
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Ring Of Steel

Well-Known Member
That last paragraph is where Iā€™m at - Iā€™m not necessarily ā€œRobins outā€ Iā€™ve made the assumption rightly or wrongly that weā€™re following a new model, and Iā€™m struggling to see where Robins fits in.

As youā€™ve said and underwhelming start isnā€™t a disaster - but what concerns me we look devoid of fight, when weā€™re on top in games we look like we could win them. But what tends to happen is if they donā€™t get ahead, the heads drop and the inevitable mistake happens.

when weā€™re losing we rarely look like we can get back into games - thatā€™s why it appears different to the last 2 seasons. We looked like we could pop up at anytime and grab an equaliser and winner

I think maybe the lack of getting back into games- along with the lack of scoring late like we used to do regularly- can be partly attributed to the loss of the experienced heads.

People like McFazdean, Godden etc, they never ever let their heads drop, and rallied everyone them, whereas now you can almost sense them drop and thereā€™s nobody there to lead them & drive them to keep going.
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Flying Fokker

Well-Known Member
I think maybe the lack of getting back into games- along with the lack of scoring late like we used to do regularly- can be partly attributed to the loss of the experienced heads.

People like McFazdean, Godden etc, they never ever let their heads drop, and rallied everyone them, whereas now you can almost sense them drop and thereā€™s nobody there to lead them & drive them to keep going.
Godden was not as good as some people suggest. He was not an impact player or for that matter, a leader.
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Matt smith

Well-Known Member
See we can take it as conflicting reports. Thereā€™s a lot of talk on here that King has put this in place and that Robins has had this set up foisted upon him, he likes the operation he had before is the general take on here. (See the previous threads blaming the performance director and King

if however heā€™s had a say in it, then itā€™s got to be accepted heā€™s ballsed it up. Either way itā€™s not a good luck for Robins.

I donā€™t know for sure, but as mentioned before the only thing thatā€™s changed from last season is the band of Vivaesh, Lawrence and Robins.

Iā€™m still of the opinion that itā€™s all gearing to the foreign head coach model. Or young first team coach from a top club ala Kieran McKenna

in terms of the squad - Robins has always opted for a vocal experienced captain and player leadership team, that self policed themselves - itā€™s bizarre that this hasnā€™t been replaced
The foreign head coach model is how I would sum it up.
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Ring Of Steel

Well-Known Member
Godden was not as good as some people suggest. He was not an impact player or for that matter, a leader.

Iā€™m not saying he was a great player.

Iā€™m saying that he never let his head drop, and give him a chance in the 93rd minute & he was likely to score, as he did a few times. I donā€™t see that ability to keep focussed and not lose confidence in our current strikers.
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Flying Fokker

Well-Known Member
I think thereā€™s a bit more to it than just Viveash on its own- like I say, last season Wright & Simms were scoring, whereas this season the xg table clearly shows that our inability to finish is costing us very dearly. Itā€™s not so much of a leap to suggest that if we were scoring then this debate would not be happening- an underwhelming start but not a total disaster. Thereā€™s also the question of these personal issues which I donā€™t want to start digging into as itā€™s just speculation tbh.

so Iā€™m not arguing with you, but again I donā€™t think itā€™s as simple as just one thing, a few things have happened all at once. None are unfixable, and I feel Robins has more than earned the chance to fix them- hence my position.

But.. if youā€™re right and King wants that particular model maybe itā€™s all irrelevant and he wonā€™t get the time, who knows. I hope not.
This was never sold as an immediate promotion push was it. Weā€™re part way through a process. There is a problem though, the players need to be putting in some special performances if we are to progress/ they get their dream move/ we cash in on them. At the moment, itā€™s looking bad on all counts.
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Ring Of Steel

Well-Known Member
This was never sold as an immediate promotion push was it. Weā€™re part way through a process. There is a problem though, the players need to be putting in some special performances if we are to progress/ they get their dream move/ we cash in on them. At the moment, itā€™s looking bad on all counts.

I canā€™t argue with a single word of that.

I still feel Robins is the man to turn it around, but itā€™s pretty obvious to see why people are starting to question that.
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MalcSB

Well-Known Member
This was never sold as an immediate promotion push was it. Weā€™re part way through a process. There is a problem though, the players need to be putting in some special performances if we are to progress/ they get their dream move/ we cash in on them. At the moment, itā€™s looking bad on all counts.
Thatā€™s quite wrong, We were sold playoffs 3 years out of 5. Didn't happen last year, exceedingly unlikely to happen this year so we the next 3 seasons are going to be brilliant. We were also told that we would be going for it this season.

The pessimist in me will of course think that which playoffs werenā€™t specified, we have all assumed it was the Championship playoffs
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Ring Of Steel

Well-Known Member
Thatā€™s quite wrong, We were sold playoffs 3 years out of 5. Didn't happen last year, exceedingly unlikely to happen this year so we the next 3 seasons are going to be brilliant. We were also told that we would be going for it this season.

The pessimist in me will of course think that which playoffs werenā€™t specified, we have all assumed it was the Championship playoffs

itā€™s splitting hairs, but nobody ever promised or sold ā€œpromotionā€. That was us getting our hopes up.

I donā€™t think anyone is saying weā€™re doing well, but heā€™s not wrong in what he says.
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shmmeee

Well-Known Member
itā€™s my view that we give him until Christmas, yes.

This is my view really but is it fair? We all accept the problem is lack of leadership. We probably need an experienced CM to come in for Eccles and an experienced CB to come in for Thomas. That canā€™t happen until Jan (unless we get Matty James), so if youā€™re sticking with him should you give him the window to sort the mistakes of the summer?
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Ring Of Steel

Well-Known Member
This is my view really but is it fair? We all accept the problem is lack of leadership. We probably need an experienced CM to come in for Eccles and an experienced CB to come in for Thomas. That canā€™t happen until Jan (unless we get Matty James), so if youā€™re sticking with him should you give him the window to sort the mistakes of the summer?

My heart says yes but my headā€¦ itā€™s tough šŸ˜ if thereā€™s no improvement itā€™s got to be no. If weā€™re still on this run by the next window then we really are in trouble, no arguments.

Ideally weā€™d get that Matty James-type player now, we are so blatantly in need of some experience. Lot of pressure on whoever that person was coming in though.
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Grendel

Well-Known Member
This is beyond weird ā€œgot to stop doing itā€ reads like heā€™s mocking someone.

View attachment 38963

It is odd. Technically a player can I suppose refuse the club to make public any info on medical data but Iā€™ve never heard it before.
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shmmeee

Well-Known Member
My heart says yes but my headā€¦ itā€™s tough šŸ˜ if thereā€™s no improvement itā€™s got to be no. If weā€™re still on this run by the next window then we really are in trouble, no arguments.

Ideally weā€™d get that Matty James-type player now, we are so blatantly in need of some experience. Lot of pressure on whoever that person was coming in though.

In an ideal world weā€™d get an assistant and Marty James in now, and then we could at least test the experience theory. Basically back him or sack him I think is what Iā€™m saying. If you donā€™t want to get an assistant or experience in in case it doesnā€™t work youā€™ve already lost faith in your manager IMO.
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Ring Of Steel

Well-Known Member
In an ideal world weā€™d get an assistant and Marty James in now, and then we could at least test the experience theory. Basically back him or sack him I think is what Iā€™m saying. If you donā€™t want to get an assistant or experience in in case it doesnā€™t work youā€™ve already lost faith in your manager IMO.

I would agree 100%.
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Flying Fokker

Well-Known Member
Thatā€™s quite wrong, We were sold playoffs 3 years out of 5. Didn't happen last year, exceedingly unlikely to happen this year so we the next 3 seasons are going to be brilliant. We were also told that we would be going for it this season.

The pessimist in me will of course think that which playoffs werenā€™t specified, we have all assumed it was the Championship playoffs
So when did the 5 year Premier Card come in to play? 2 or 3 seasons left. Robins et al made it clear it was not an immediate fix. Iā€™m just as concerned as many. Perhaps not as concerned as some?
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nicksar

Well-Known Member
Thatā€™s quite wrong, We were sold playoffs 3 years out of 5. Didn't happen last year, exceedingly unlikely to happen this year so we the next 3 seasons are going to be brilliant. We were also told that we would be going for it this season.

The pessimist in me will of course think that which playoffs werenā€™t specified, we have all assumed it was the Championship playoffs
Let's not forget that alongside the aim of being in the play offs 3 years out of five the owner also said we would never be in a relegation struggle under his ownership... that's why Mark Robins will be in great danger of losing his job right now tbh.
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Sky Blue Goblin

Well-Known Member
In an ideal world weā€™d get an assistant and Marty James in now, and then we could at least test the experience theory. Basically back him or sack him I think is what Iā€™m saying. If you donā€™t want to get an assistant or experience in in case it doesnā€™t work youā€™ve already lost faith in your manager IMO.
Completely agree with this. If USAs source was correct on the source, seems Doug might have already started doubting Robins.

Your spot on though, if we are sticking with Robins, Back him as your manager and give him the experienced player and assistant. Throw the dice and see what happens, I have my reservations but I can admit Robins deserves at least that.
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Winny the Bish

Well-Known Member
It is odd. Technically a player can I suppose refuse the club to make public any info on medical data but Iā€™ve never heard it before.
The only way it makes sense is Wilson wants to leave and he doesn't want details of an injury being made public.
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