(30-01-2022, 16:56)BaggieSteve Wrote: Slick, I think your assessment is spot on. There have been some managers in recent years whose dismissal hasn’t in the least bothered me but this one will. However, as you rightly say, it’s impossible to see any change in his approach to how we play. I’m not sure if it’s stubbornness, naivety or inexperience, as he is a relatively new manager, certainly at this level. Sometimes we stick with what we know has worked (at Barnsley) for fear that trying something new might fail, even though the “what we know” is clearly not working.

At least under Bilic and certainly under Mowbray, the football in the Championship was dynamic and good to watch; it was the EPL that found them out. What we are seeing now is dreadful and makes any thought of how we might perform in the Prem absolutely laughable.

If he does go, however, we then face the situation of a placement and I can’t think of anyone both available and desirable. Plenty available but none you’d want probably. Would we ask Jimmy Morrison and Chris Brunt to take over for the rest of the season, as we did with Big Dave. Im sure the football would improve but not sure we’d make the playoffs- financially difficult but maybe not a bad thing for the medium term. We may see some of the young talent get more game time under Jimmy and Brunty and, let’s be honest, that’s probably our future if the owner is not going to invest.

I really hope things change under Val but I suspect he won’t get the chance to do that; it would have happened by now if he was motivated to do it

(30-01-2022, 17:40)Slick_Footwork Wrote:

(30-01-2022, 16:56)BaggieSteve Wrote: Slick, I think your assessment is spot on. There have been some managers in recent years whose dismissal hasn’t in the least bothered me but this one will. However, as you rightly say, it’s impossible to see any change in his approach to how we play. I’m not sure if it’s stubbornness, naivety or inexperience, as he is a relatively new manager, certainly at this level. Sometimes we stick with what we know has worked (at Barnsley) for fear that trying something new might fail, even though the “what we know” is clearly not working.

At least under Bilic and certainly under Mowbray, the football in the Championship was dynamic and good to watch; it was the EPL that found them out. What we are seeing now is dreadful and makes any thought of how we might perform in the Prem absolutely laughable.

I would like Ainsworth

If he does go, however, we then face the situation of a placement and I can’t think of anyone both available and desirable. Plenty available but none you’d want probably. Would we ask Jimmy Morrison and Chris Brunt to take over for the rest of the season, as we did with Big Dave. Im sure the football would improve but not sure we’d make the playoffs- financially difficult but maybe not a bad thing for the medium term. We may see some of the young talent get more game time under Jimmy and Brunty and, let’s be honest, that’s probably our future if the owner is not going to invest.

I really hope things change under Val but I suspect he won’t get the chance to do that; it would have happened by now if he was motivated to do it

It is a difficult scenario, because we really need a manager that can not only improve our style but also have us challenging for promotion. As you say, nobody really stands out on that front.

Personally though, I've given up hope in Ismael changing, particularly after yesterday's game which I feel was do or die for him. For that reason, I can't see us making the playoffs if he stays in charge.

With that in mind, I'd potentially even take the Brunt and Mozza combo over keeping Ismael. Just feels like the unknown couldn't possibly be any worse...

Although I certainly wouldn't be in favour of Brunt and Mozza getting the job if Ismael is dismissed. There's a lot to play for this season and with the right head coach, I think we're still a decent shout for promotion. I think the squad, despite it's limitations, should make the playoffs and while the playoffs has always been a lotto, we would have as much chance of winning as anyone else. The season isn't an absolute disaster just yet and could be rescued if the board can make the right decisions quickly.

Would I trust the board to make the right appointment though? Absolutely not.

With each day that passes, it just feels we're heading closer to the dark days and the problem does seem to stem from the owner.