[harrogatebaggie]

I am on the fence at the moment.

Corberan was my choice for the job when Bruce was sacked. I think he has done a great job in his first 2 seasons.

He has 2 main assets in my opinion. Firstly, he can recognise a player. Secondly, he's improved lots of players defensively.

Recognising a player should be an asset that all managers have, sadly, many don't. If you look at Steve Bruce, he couldn't see the wood for the trees. Bruce didn't pick Okay Yokuslu and sent out Cedric Kipre on loan. Corberan reintroduced Yokulsu as soon as he came in and we shot up the league. Last season Kipre was first choice and along with Yokuslu, one of our stand out players.

Likewise, he's recognised the likes of BTA and John Swift were not good enough. Sadly, we haven't been able to shift and replace the latter.

In terms of improving defensive players, there are numerous examples. Kipre, Furlong, Bartley. Even Conner Townsend looked okay defensively last season. Furlong's transformation is astonishing.

Unfortunately, managers and their tactics can go stale over time and it feels like it's going that way to me...

Our tactics remain the same as last year, pass around at the back to bring the opposition on and then try and beat the press. Unfortunately, without Cedric Kipre, we don't have that defender with the passing range to threat balls through the press. Now, more often than not, we're passing ourselves into submission. The opposition can read our slow side to side passing like a book.

We need a plan B, but it doesn't seem like Corberan has one...

In addition, he is constantly tinkering with the team selection without reason. I can't get over the decisions to drop Mowatt and Fellows earlier in the season when we were in a hot streak. As for Mikey Johnston, he must regret turning down Sheffield United and Burnley to sign for us. I was so excited when we made his deal permanent, but he's not had more than 2 games back to back.

All that said, my problem isn't necessarily the current league position. After all, we're in the mix up despite losing our best 2 players - Kipre and Yokuslu - and replacing them with loans and freebies.

However, my problem that our current trajectory is downwards. Something I didn't expect after a strong transfer window and when you look at the fact the league is much weaker than last season.

After deadline day, I thought we were a "shoe in" for the playoffs and would even have a shout at automatic if we stayed injury free. Sadly, after watching 18 games, I really can't see us making the top 6. There just doesn't seem to be enough desire to win games. IMO Corberan has to take some blame for that. For me, the constant recycling of possession and choosing to pass up the opportunity to go forwards in favour of a "simple" backwards pass has been coached into the team.

Currently I'd still give him more time, after all, a strong January transfer window could change things. A proper creative midfielder and back up striker would make all the difference.

Sadly, we know our financial situation and it's more likely to be outgoings rather than incomings. While I would welcome the departure of Swift and Wallace, I fear we're more likely to lose a Fellows or Maja. And where would we be without them this season?

Best case could be keeping our first XI and moving on some of the back up. If that happens, tactics will need to change because what we're seeing now is not good enough.

And then the clock will be ticking.

After all, there's nothing worse than watching a mid table championship side playing dull football. If you're going nowhere, at least try to win games, take chances and entertain.

Thank you for your input, some very good points.