On line meeting with the Clubs Directors Wednesday 10 Jan

[bexleyboy]

What can they say .. whatever they say there a group of fans that will find the negative in it .. fact is they have started on a long road in turning this club not just on the pitch but off it as well around and putting the foundations in place to build a squad that will get us promoted .. there not stupid there not going to say anything that will be used against them .. play safe don’t say anything that can come back to bite you they have learnt very quickly about our fan base … the positives are clear , the players we are trying to sign the money we are offering both in transfer fees and wages is very encouraging, but when you go up against championship sides you are going to lose more then you win but it’s good to see .. look around how many transfers has there been ? They all mostly been loans , clubs don’t sell players in Jan , players who are out of contact in a few months don’t want to leave they want to wait … so it’s not negative if we bring loans in as long as there loans like the two we got with a chance of a permanent move if they prove themselves … so it’s not doom and gloom …. There more positive then negative but said before it’s going to take time going to take at least two windows before we see any real improvement moving forward . …

[se7sm]

Jan 11, 2024 13:11:29 GMT clarky said:

Jan 11, 2024 12:27:40 GMT watameires said:

Using the categorisation of players (8-8-8) from yesterday- where would we place Dobson and CBT?

With other clubs

😂

[clarky]

Jan 11, 2024 11:28:28 GMT melrose555 said:

All this 8-8-8 fucking nonsense. All that was needed was "we are looking for a balanced quality quad, and will try and promote youth players if at all possible"

What the fans wanted them to say is that "we feel that we're not gonna go up this year, but we're gonna make sure the fuck we're not gonna go down"

Exactly. It suggests to me that they don't know what we are doing so we will make some rubbish up and hope some believe it. 

[se7sm]

Jan 11, 2024 13:14:53 GMT bexleyboy said:

What can they say .. whatever they say there a group of fans that will find the negative in it .. fact is they have started on a long road in turning this club not just on the pitch but off it as well around and putting the foundations in place to build a squad that will get us promoted .. there not stupid there not going to say anything that will be used against them .. play safe don’t say anything that can come back to bite you they have learnt very quickly about our fan base … the positives are clear , the players we are trying to sign the money we are offering both in transfer fees and wages is very encouraging, but when you go up against championship sides you are going to lose more then you win but it’s good to see .. look around how many transfers has there been ? They all mostly been loans , clubs don’t sell players in Jan , players who are out of contact in a few months don’t want to leave they want to wait … so it’s not negative if we bring loans in as long as there loans like the two we got with a chance of a permanent move if they prove themselves … so it’s not doom and gloom …. There more positive then negative but said before it’s going to take time going to take at least two windows before we see any real improvement moving forward . …

Perhaps Andy should’ve kept his mouth shut then, and not got fans hopes up that we’re only interested in permanent.signings

[scabbyhorse]

Jan 11, 2024 13:16:41 GMT clarky said:

Jan 11, 2024 11:28:28 GMT melrose555 said:

All this 8-8-8 fucking nonsense. All that was needed was "we are looking for a balanced quality quad, and will try and promote youth players if at all possible"

What the fans wanted them to say is that "we feel that we're not gonna go up this year, but we're gonna make sure the fuck we're not gonna go down"

Exactly. It suggests to me that they don't know what we are doing so we will make some rubbish up and hope some believe it. 

The fact remains that, at present, we are in danger of going down; not many have confidence in Appleton and if quality League 1 additions do not arrive, it is a real possibility. There is a minority who would put a positive spin on it, but we are, in my opinion, too much into a precarious position for all that Let's see where we are in X amount time bollocks. It's crap and no amount of 888 118 or whatever some twat has dreamt up will suffice at present.

[scabbyhorse]

Jan 11, 2024 13:14:53 GMT bexleyboy said:

What can they say .. whatever they say there a group of fans that will find the negative in it .. fact is they have started on a long road in turning this club not just on the pitch but off it as well around and putting the foundations in place to build a squad that will get us promoted .. there not stupid there not going to say anything that will be used against them .. play safe don’t say anything that can come back to bite you they have learnt very quickly about our fan base … the positives are clear , the players we are trying to sign the money we are offering both in transfer fees and wages is very encouraging, but when you go up against championship sides you are going to lose more then you win but it’s good to see .. look around how many transfers has there been ? They all mostly been loans , clubs don’t sell players in Jan , players who are out of contact in a few months don’t want to leave they want to wait … so it’s not negative if we bring loans in as long as there loans like the two we got with a chance of a permanent move if they prove themselves … so it’s not doom and gloom …. There more positive then negative but said before it’s going to take time going to take at least two windows before we see any real improvement moving forward . …

You have been saying the same old shit for about 4 seasons now and we are still a lower mid table league 1 team.

[1978sussex]

[clarky]

Jan 11, 2024 13:28:28 GMT scabbyhorse said:

Jan 11, 2024 13:16:41 GMT clarky said:

Exactly. It suggests to me that they don't know what we are doing so we will make some rubbish up and hope some believe it. 

The fact remains that, at present, we are in danger of going down; not many have confidence in Appleton and if quality League 1 additions do not arrive, it is a real possibility. There is a minority who would put a positive spin on it, but we are, in my opinion, too much into a precarious position for all that Let's see where we are in X amount time bollocks. It's crap and no amount of 888 118 or whatever some twat has dreamt up will suffice at present.

Absolutely, with 1 win in 10 we are in dire trouble particularly as we are now not beating teams below us. This window needs a minimum of four quality signings and no more injuries to key players for the remainder of the season. In light of what was said yesterday evening it seems even more ludicrous that we have just signed two loan players who haven't featured hardly at all all season and the one who has had various injury problems for 18 months and needs easing in is just as likely to breakdown as he is to play a handful of games.
Let's just get the players in to keep us up and then consider what happens next.

[Occam’s Razor]

Jan 11, 2024 13:14:53 GMT bexleyboy said:

What can they say .. whatever they say there a group of fans that will find the negative in it .. fact is they have started on a long road in turning this club not just on the pitch but off it as well around and putting the foundations in place to build a squad that will get us promoted .. there not stupid there not going to say anything that will be used against them .. play safe don’t say anything that can come back to bite you they have learnt very quickly about our fan base … the positives are clear , the players we are trying to sign the money we are offering both in transfer fees and wages is very encouraging, but when you go up against championship sides you are going to lose more then you win but it’s good to see .. look around how many transfers has there been ? They all mostly been loans , clubs don’t sell players in Jan , players who are out of contact in a few months don’t want to leave they want to wait … so it’s not negative if we bring loans in as long as there loans like the two we got with a chance of a permanent move if they prove themselves … so it’s not doom and gloom …. There more positive then negative but said before it’s going to take time going to take at least two windows before we see any real improvement moving forward . …

Unfortunately we don’t have the luxury of rebuilding slowly.

Even watching our games on Charlton TV from Spain, you should be able to see the Valley 70% empty on match days.

Why do you think that is Colin ?

1. The customers don’t like the product on show,
2. The customers have little faith that matters will improve.

The only way we will ever get out of this league is having an owner who is willing to throw money at it, including employing a much better manager than Voldemort Appleton.

[earlpurple]

I personally do not think 8+8+8 is a good strategy I prefer 4 elite players.

Of course we would like 11 elite players all playing but can't afford that. Elite players demand high wages and that eats into the wage budget and it seems common that we don't offer them enough to get them to join.

That doesn't mean we should offer silly amounts because then you can get stuck with them.

[coloradocafc]

Jan 11, 2024 13:40:26 GMT Occam’s Razor said:

Jan 11, 2024 13:14:53 GMT bexleyboy said:

What can they say .. whatever they say there a group of fans that will find the negative in it .. fact is they have started on a long road in turning this club not just on the pitch but off it as well around and putting the foundations in place to build a squad that will get us promoted .. there not stupid there not going to say anything that will be used against them .. play safe don’t say anything that can come back to bite you they have learnt very quickly about our fan base … the positives are clear , the players we are trying to sign the money we are offering both in transfer fees and wages is very encouraging, but when you go up against championship sides you are going to lose more then you win but it’s good to see .. look around how many transfers has there been ? They all mostly been loans , clubs don’t sell players in Jan , players who are out of contact in a few months don’t want to leave they want to wait … so it’s not negative if we bring loans in as long as there loans like the two we got with a chance of a permanent move if they prove themselves … so it’s not doom and gloom …. There more positive then negative but said before it’s going to take time going to take at least two windows before we see any real improvement moving forward . …

Unfortunately we don’t have the luxury of rebuilding slowly.

Even watching our games on Charlton TV from Spain, you should be able to see the Valley 70% empty on match days.

Why do you think that is Colin ?

1. The customers don’t like the product on show,
2. The customers have little faith that matters will improve.

The only way we will ever get out of this league is having an owner who is willing to throw money at it, including employing a much better manager than Voldemort Appleton.

Except for the pandemic, attendance hasn't changed enormously since 16/17. I agree it's suboptimal, but why is it somehow now critical?

Winning fixes everything. Mundell has talked about a 3 year window. I think that's too long. I don't think that the club has to be promoted next year, but they need to be in the hunt. 

I agree that funding matters, but this is not a problem that's easily solved by throwing money around. The club's payroll is significant. Other clubs vying for promotion have big budgets and professional setups. I think we sometimes trivialize how hard it is to compete in modern football.

[kings hill addick]

Jan 11, 2024 14:27:48 GMT earlpurple said:

I personally do not think 8+8+8 is a good strategy I prefer 4 elite players.

Of course we would like 11 elite players all playing but can't afford that. Elite players demand high wages and that eats into the wage budget and it seems common that we don't offer them enough to get them to join.

That doesn't mean we should offer silly amounts because then you can get stuck with them.

I do like the idea that the elite players are going to be able to step up to the Championship. If we only have four that can do that we are likely to come straight back down again, if we manage to go up, that is.

[Occam’s Razor]

Jan 11, 2024 15:21:45 GMT coloradocafc said:

Jan 11, 2024 13:40:26 GMT Occam’s Razor said:

Unfortunately we don’t have the luxury of rebuilding slowly.

Even watching our games on Charlton TV from Spain, you should be able to see the Valley 70% empty on match days.

Why do you think that is Colin ?

1. The customers don’t like the product on show,
2. The customers have little faith that matters will improve.

The only way we will ever get out of this league is having an owner who is willing to throw money at it, including employing a much better manager than Voldemort Appleton.

Except for the pandemic, attendance hasn't changed enormously since 16/17. I agree it's suboptimal, but why is it somehow now critical?

Winning fixes everything. Mundell has talked about a 3 year window. I think that's too long. I don't think that the club has to be promoted next year, but they need to be in the hunt. 

I agree that funding matters, but this is not a problem that's easily solved by throwing money around. The club's payroll is significant. Other clubs vying for promotion have big budgets and professional setups. I think we sometimes trivialize how hard it is to compete in modern football.

Fair comments . I’ll try not to rant in reply for fear of upsetting a few.

Rodwell mentioned last night that we had the 2/3 highest budget in the division (it’s the second, behind Derby) and that there is no correlation between this and our dire league position.

Everyone would agree with you that we need to spend smarter, but the big question is are we confident that this SMT can do so ?

The only time Rodwell showed any real passion last night was when answering fan’s criticism of Scott & Appleton.

By any metric, Appleton has been a dire appointment - are JR & AS claiming it as an example of spending smarter 🤔

[AndyAddick]

Jan 10, 2024 20:42:30 GMT newyorkaddick said:

I'm slightly more positive than most it seems after watching that; I think the nature of the football industry virtually requires speaking in platitudes as they are so many uncontrollables in their plans (luck, injuries, other clubs, player decisions etc.).

Having said that if Rodwell had merely said 'the club' instead of the 'the football club' then it would have left enough time for half a dozen more questions.

The 8+8+8 concept is intuitively sensible but unfortunately we currently have 3+10+11.

8-8-8 ,, how does that navigate around injuries !!

[somerton]

Jan 11, 2024 15:27:34 GMT Occam’s Razor said:

Jan 11, 2024 15:21:45 GMT coloradocafc said:

Except for the pandemic, attendance hasn't changed enormously since 16/17. I agree it's suboptimal, but why is it somehow now critical?

Winning fixes everything. Mundell has talked about a 3 year window. I think that's too long. I don't think that the club has to be promoted next year, but they need to be in the hunt. 

I agree that funding matters, but this is not a problem that's easily solved by throwing money around. The club's payroll is significant. Other clubs vying for promotion have big budgets and professional setups. I think we sometimes trivialize how hard it is to compete in modern football.

Fair comments . I’ll try not to rant in reply for fear of upsetting a few.

Rodwell mentioned last night that we had the 2/3 highest budget in the division (it’s the second, behind Derby) and that there is no correlation between this and our dire league position.

Everyone would agree with you that we need to spend smarter, but the big question is are we confident that this SMT can do so ?

The only time Rodwell showed any real passion last night was when answering fan’s criticism of Scott & Appleton.

By any metric, Appleton has been a dire appointment - are JR & AS claiming it as an example of spending smarter 🤔

[somerton]

Jan 11, 2024 15:27:34 GMT Occam’s Razor said:

Jan 11, 2024 15:21:45 GMT coloradocafc said:

Except for the pandemic, attendance hasn't changed enormously since 16/17. I agree it's suboptimal, but why is it somehow now critical?

Winning fixes everything. Mundell has talked about a 3 year window. I think that's too long. I don't think that the club has to be promoted next year, but they need to be in the hunt. 

I agree that funding matters, but this is not a problem that's easily solved by throwing money around. The club's payroll is significant. Other clubs vying for promotion have big budgets and professional setups. I think we sometimes trivialize how hard it is to compete in modern football.

Fair comments . I’ll try not to rant in reply for fear of upsetting a few.

Rodwell mentioned last night that we had the 2/3 highest budget in the division (it’s the second, behind Derby) and that there is no correlation between this and our dire league position.

Everyone would agree with you that we need to spend smarter, but the big question is are we confident that this SMT can do so ?

The only time Rodwell showed any real passion last night was when answering fan’s criticism of Scott & Appleton.

By any metric, Appleton has been a dire appointment - are JR & AS claiming it as an example of spending smarter 🤔

If we are behind Derby on spending. Then it must be next to nothing. As Derby were under a very strict embargo on ytransfer spend and total wage bill. They came out of that about six months ago but only after agreeing a very restrictive budget plan that will be monitored by the efl.

[clarky]

Jan 11, 2024 15:44:29 GMT AndyAddick said:

Jan 10, 2024 20:42:30 GMT newyorkaddick said:

I'm slightly more positive than most it seems after watching that; I think the nature of the football industry virtually requires speaking in platitudes as they are so many uncontrollables in their plans (luck, injuries, other clubs, player decisions etc.).

Having said that if Rodwell had merely said 'the club' instead of the 'the football club' then it would have left enough time for half a dozen more questions.

The 8+8+8 concept is intuitively sensible but unfortunately we currently have 3+10+11.

8-8-8 ,, how does that navigate around injuries !!

It doesn't. If you look at our current situation the third 8 is highly prominent with most not ready to play in L1.

[melrose555]

Jan 11, 2024 13:40:06 GMT clarky said:

Jan 11, 2024 13:28:28 GMT scabbyhorse said:

The fact remains that, at present, we are in danger of going down; not many have confidence in Appleton and if quality League 1 additions do not arrive, it is a real possibility. There is a minority who would put a positive spin on it, but we are, in my opinion, too much into a precarious position for all that Let's see where we are in X amount time bollocks. It's crap and no amount of 888 118 or whatever some twat has dreamt up will suffice at present.

Absolutely, with 1 win in 10 we are in dire trouble particularly as we are now not beating teams below us. This window needs a minimum of four quality signings and no more injuries to key players for the remainder of the season. In light of what was said yesterday evening it seems even more ludicrous that we have just signed two loan players who haven't featured hardly at all all season and the one who has had various injury problems for 18 months and needs easing in is just as likely to breakdown as he is to play a handful of games.
Let's just get the players in to keep us up and then consider what happens next.

This

[Occam’s Razor]

Jan 11, 2024 16:16:13 GMT melrose555 said:

Jan 11, 2024 13:40:06 GMT clarky said:

Absolutely, with 1 win in 10 we are in dire trouble particularly as we are now not beating teams below us. This window needs a minimum of four quality signings and no more injuries to key players for the remainder of the season. In light of what was said yesterday evening it seems even more ludicrous that we have just signed two loan players who haven't featured hardly at all all season and the one who has had various injury problems for 18 months and needs easing in is just as likely to breakdown as he is to play a handful of games.
Let's just get the players in to keep us up and then consider what happens next.

This

I had my question asked at the fan’s Q&A last night melrose555 and was pleased to see that it discomforted Rodwell. Thank you to Charlotte for choosing it from dozens.

Lucy the Fan’s Adviser tried to raise your very valid point, and also the blatant double standards in sacking Dean Holden when his results were no worse (better) than Appletons.

[Mundell]

Jan 11, 2024 15:21:45 GMT coloradocafc said:

Jan 11, 2024 13:40:26 GMT Occam’s Razor said:

Unfortunately we don’t have the luxury of rebuilding slowly.

Even watching our games on Charlton TV from Spain, you should be able to see the Valley 70% empty on match days.

Why do you think that is Colin ?

1. The customers don’t like the product on show,
2. The customers have little faith that matters will improve.

The only way we will ever get out of this league is having an owner who is willing to throw money at it, including employing a much better manager than Voldemort Appleton.

Except for the pandemic, attendance hasn't changed enormously since 16/17. I agree it's suboptimal, but why is it somehow now critical?

Winning fixes everything. Mundell has talked about a 3 year window. I think that's too long. I don't think that the club has to be promoted next year, but they need to be in the hunt. 

I agree that funding matters, but this is not a problem that's easily solved by throwing money around. The club's payroll is significant. Other clubs vying for promotion have big budgets and professional setups. I think we sometimes trivialize how hard it is to compete in modern football.

Good post coloradocafc and I completely agree. 

[kings hill addick]

Jan 11, 2024 13:40:06 GMT clarky said:

Jan 11, 2024 13:28:28 GMT scabbyhorse said:

The fact remains that, at present, we are in danger of going down; not many have confidence in Appleton and if quality League 1 additions do not arrive, it is a real possibility. There is a minority who would put a positive spin on it, but we are, in my opinion, too much into a precarious position for all that Let's see where we are in X amount time bollocks. It's crap and no amount of 888 118 or whatever some twat has dreamt up will suffice at present.

Absolutely, with 1 win in 10 we are in dire trouble particularly as we are now not beating teams below us. This window needs a minimum of four quality signings and no more injuries to key players for the remainder of the season. In light of what was said yesterday evening it seems even more ludicrous that we have just signed two loan players who haven't featured hardly at all all season and the one who has had various injury problems for 18 months and needs easing in is just as likely to breakdown as he is to play a handful of games.
Let's just get the players in to keep us up and then consider what happens next.

I, actually, think that the loan players are a sensible move. We are in desperate need of reinforcements and if we are going to be pulled into a relegation battle then every available point is going to matter. If the loan players are not up to speed until the start of March (and I expect it to be sooner than that) they will still be available for eleven games. Those eleven games might make the difference between League One and League Two next season.

If we were going to climb up to 6th, this season, then we would have needed players to hit the ground running and we would, probably, have needed more than 45 points from the remaining 21 games. Conversely, if we are hoping to stay up we probably don't need 20 points from the remaining 21 games. Thus we have some wiggle room for the new players to settle and get up to match fitness.

Clearly we would like permanent signings to give the players time to settle for a challenge next season, and to make the job, in the summer, less excessive, but anything that the club can do to ensure that relegation is avoided is welcome, in my book.

[clarky]

Jan 11, 2024 17:14:59 GMT kings hill addick said:

Jan 11, 2024 13:40:06 GMT clarky said:

Absolutely, with 1 win in 10 we are in dire trouble particularly as we are now not beating teams below us. This window needs a minimum of four quality signings and no more injuries to key players for the remainder of the season. In light of what was said yesterday evening it seems even more ludicrous that we have just signed two loan players who haven't featured hardly at all all season and the one who has had various injury problems for 18 months and needs easing in is just as likely to breakdown as he is to play a handful of games.
Let's just get the players in to keep us up and then consider what happens next.

I, actually, think that the loan players are a sensible move. We are in desperate need of reinforcements and if we are going to be pulled into a relegation battle then every available point is going to matter. If the loan players are not up to speed until the start of March (and I expect it to be sooner than that) they will still be available for eleven games. Those eleven games might make the difference between League One and League Two next season.

If we were going to climb up to 6th, this season, then we would have needed players to hit the ground running and we would, probably, have needed more than 45 points from the remaining 21 games. Conversely, if we are hoping to stay up we probably don't need 20 points from the remaining 21 games. Thus we have some wiggle room for the new players to settle and get up to match fitness.

Clearly we would like permanent signings to give the players time to settle for a challenge next season, and to make the job, in the summer, less excessive, but anything that the club can do to ensure that relegation is avoided is welcome, in my book.

You could be right as I don't think the Sheff W bloke is far off in terms of fitness,  but risky with the other particulars in our current position and seeing as our other loan signings have been part of the problem.

[Occam’s Razor]

Mundell

Given that we are out of the Cups and sunk in the league, what does success look like to you this season?

Imagine you were the SMT’s line manager - that’s Methven, Rodwell & Scott.

(I’m less worried about Warrick, there’s more chance of Elfs winning World’s Tallest Man than SE7 ever buying back the assets).

How would you be measuring the SMT’s success in May, with a view to deciding whether they should be allowed to continue beyond May 2024 ?

Commercial revenues / turnover.
Supporter satisfaction rates ?
Attendances ?
League position ?
Revenue beverages from player sales ?

In response to my question last night, Rodwell blustered that everyone is accountable, so how would you enforce & judge that ?

[reamsofverse]

Jan 11, 2024 18:45:33 GMT Occam’s Razor said:

Mundell

Given that we are out of the Cups and sunk in the league, what does success look like to you this season?

Imagine you were the SMT’s line manager - that’s Methven, Rodwell & Scott.

(I’m less worried about Warrick, there’s more chance of Elfs winning World’s Tallest Man than SE7 ever buying back the assets).

How would you be measuring the SMT’s success in May, with a view to deciding whether they should be allowed to continue beyond May 2024 ?

Commercial revenues / turnover.
Supporter satisfaction rates ?
Attendances ?
League position ?
Revenue beverages from player sales ?

In response to my question last night, Rodwell blustered that everyone is accountable, so how would you enforce & judge that ?

There's no chance of Gary Hook (Elfs) ever being a man let alone being the tallest one.

[seriouslyred]

Jan 11, 2024 17:14:59 GMT kings hill addick said:

Jan 11, 2024 13:40:06 GMT clarky said:

Absolutely, with 1 win in 10 we are in dire trouble particularly as we are now not beating teams below us. This window needs a minimum of four quality signings and no more injuries to key players for the remainder of the season. In light of what was said yesterday evening it seems even more ludicrous that we have just signed two loan players who haven't featured hardly at all all season and the one who has had various injury problems for 18 months and needs easing in is just as likely to breakdown as he is to play a handful of games.
Let's just get the players in to keep us up and then consider what happens next.

I, actually, think that the loan players are a sensible move. We are in desperate need of reinforcements and if we are going to be pulled into a relegation battle then every available point is going to matter. If the loan players are not up to speed until the start of March (and I expect it to be sooner than that) they will still be available for eleven games. Those eleven games might make the difference between League One and League Two next season.

If we were going to climb up to 6th, this season, then we would have needed players to hit the ground running and we would, probably, have needed more than 45 points from the remaining 21 games. Conversely, if we are hoping to stay up we probably don't need 20 points from the remaining 21 games. Thus we have some wiggle room for the new players to settle and get up to match fitness.

Clearly we would like permanent signings to give the players time to settle for a challenge next season, and to make the job, in the summer, less excessive, but anything that the club can do to ensure that relegation is avoided is welcome, in my book.

Many of us talk to individual players, in positive or negative tones. But surely what we need to see is some shape to our play as well as the ability to control/manage large parts of the 95 minutes.

We need a midfield that functions as a unit so why would we care whether the players are loan or permanent.

Appleton has managed Edun, McGrandles and Fiorini before - looking for the upside he gets a fine out of them soon and we don't have long to wait for our next win. For sure there's perhaps a 10% chance of relegation, but that will vaporise once we win a couple.

The downside possibility is that having given Appleton some more players and more time, we still can't buy a win! At that point both investors and fans will be getting pretty nervous. Ideally the SMT won't be too defensive and Scott will be given a mandate.

Having said all that, we're a long way off... a lot of football to be played. And new players to appraise.

Assuming that we stay up, the ask for the summer defined last night doesn't change much: how many of the current squad count towards elite / marquee, how many can we acquire?

And is Appleton the right head coach to deliver next season - is he an elite coach?!

[AndyB]

To be fair to Elfs he’s Charlton through and through and never got too personal with his comments, more banter than some comments made by others

[AndyAddick]

Jan 11, 2024 16:11:10 GMT clarky said:

Jan 11, 2024 15:44:29 GMT AndyAddick said:

8-8-8 ,, how does that navigate around injuries !!

It doesn't. If you look at our current situation the third 8 is highly prominent with most not ready to play in L1.

so , its highly obvious this 888 system dont work , either they are thick or naïve, probably BOTH !  

[Mundell]

Jan 11, 2024 18:45:33 GMT Occam’s Razor said:

Mundell

Given that we are out of the Cups and sunk in the league, what does success look like to you this season?

Imagine you were the SMT’s line manager - that’s Methven, Rodwell & Scott.

(I’m less worried about Warrick, there’s more chance of Elfs winning World’s Tallest Man than SE7 ever buying back the assets).

How would you be measuring the SMT’s success in May, with a view to deciding whether they should be allowed to continue beyond May 2024 ?

Commercial revenues / turnover.
Supporter satisfaction rates ?
Attendances ?
League position ?
Revenue beverages from player sales ?

In response to my question last night, Rodwell blustered that everyone is accountable, so how would you enforce & judge that ?

I’m not sure I have any particular insights here Occam’s Razor , but in any event, for what they’re worth, here are some high level observations, 

1. It’s important to understand what the SMT are doing day by day and what those actions are achieving so that a balanced judgement can be made about their fitness for the job going forward. In my view it would not be helpful to focus too narrowly on outcomes. The items you have listed look more like medium term objectives to me (i.e. for next season) rather than short term measures of the performance of the SMT. 

2. To be more specific, we’re being told that a plan has been agreed to build a club that will be successful and sustainable. There is much more to that “project” than signing a few players and winning a few matches. Rodwell made it clear that Scott was busy doing many things across the football side of the club while Appleton had transformed the training ground. More generally, each member of the SMT must have responsibility for many of the agreed actions needed to execute the “plan”. Given the plan, and the objectives that go with it, a judgement needs to be made about the quality of their work in executing it, supported with concrete evidence where it is available and relevant. For me the word judgement is key here. 

3. That said, by the end of the season the SMT needs to be able to demonstrate that the playing squad is stronger, the players fitter, that performances have improved and that results are better. We should expect to finish the season higher in the table than we sit today. 

4. Similarly. we should expect to see the beginnings of improved “business” performance, in the shape of higher commercial revenues in particular.

5. Most importantly, before next season begins we need to be confident of a serious promotion challenge. That’s also a judgement but not one it’s impossible to make. 

Much of this is hard to measure but I think that’s fine. This is all very high level I know, but if there is a plan which the investors believe will deliver good outcomes in the medium to long term, they’ll need to be able to make a judgement about how the execution of that plan is progressing in the short term, long before it will be possible to determine whether those medium to long term outcomes are actually being achieved. That will require a judgement about the value of processes, decision making and inputs, complimented by some measurable outputs but not overwhelmed by them. 

[earlpurple]

My model of 4 elite players is that we have a top striker that scores lots of goals, a solid defender who not only bosses the defence but ensures the other players around him are doing the right thing, a good midfield player who keeps position and also ensure the players are doing the right things around him, and a creative player who can assist the goalscorer.

That isn't including a goalkeeper, but if the GK is high quality it adds points onto the season too.

There is no room for passengers at all. Anyone who is not an elite needs to be solid, and learning from the elites to improve their own game so that if we do get promoted, they can be improved and solid a level up too.

Academy players get to play in the first team if they are good enough. They might play in some cups. And if they're not ready yet, we loan them out to League 2 or National League clubs.

[Mundell]

Jan 11, 2024 21:28:06 GMT earlpurple said:

My model of 4 elite players is that we have a top striker that scores lots of goals, a solid defender who not only bosses the defence but ensures the other players around him are doing the right thing, a good midfield player who keeps position and also ensure the players are doing the right things around him, and a creative player who can assist the goalscorer.

That isn't including a goalkeeper, but if the GK is high quality it adds points onto the season too.

There is no room for passengers at all. Anyone who is not an elite needs to be solid, and learning from the elites to improve their own game so that if we do get promoted, they can be improved and solid a level up too.

Academy players get to play in the first team if they are good enough. They might play in some cups. And if they're not ready yet, we loan them out to League 2 or National League clubs.

I suspect the club believes that with its wage budget it can afford eight elite players who earn “top dollar” in League One, say £8-10k a week, with another eight players earning circa £5k a week, i.e. around what George Dobson is paid currently. The 8-8-8 isn’t an ideal team structure, per se, (ideally you’d want all elite players) it’s an optimisation of how best to spend the available wage budget.

PS Numbers sourced from the “salarysport.com” website.