Should I(E) stay or should I(E) go?

[irie Cee Bee]

If you were Evatt, why would you leave unless you have received a great offer elsewhere? I want change but hey... If he stays, then he will recruit for his system which has proven its failure to get us over the line. I believe if he stays, he will be fired by Sharon by October, because the slightest hint of a bad run, will have all fans going crazy.....

Sharon perhaps likes him also, so may gamble and not fire him now. I believe if we don't move to get rid of now, we will be midtable at best next season. Get someone new in now so that he can build a squad to suit their own way of playing... and give them 2 years to get us up.

[GhostoftheBok]

If you were Evatt, why would you leave unless you have received a great offer elsewhere?

Me personally? If I felt I couldn't do the job to my best level I'd resign, yes.

Mileage varies, though, and I agree with your point.

I think the worst thing for the football club is a half-arsed, sulking Evatt. Hopefully that isn't what we get.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

A switch to a 4-3-3 hinders Johnston, Dion and Santos.

Randell would become a winger. Our fullback options would be Cogley, Iredale and Jones as things stand. Your front 3 is probably Vic, Collins and CMG. Midfield is Thommo, Sheehan and Dempsey. Back four would be Iredale, Johnston, Toal and Cogley.

So we bin off the top scorer and the captain. OK. That's a hard sell for the new system. Even if you're right, which I suspect you are.

Dion's far far better in a front two. Rico's far far better in a back three. Johnston, same. For every problem solved it causes a big one elsewhere.

I agree that this system needs four viable wingbacks. We've been lucky (unless the spreadsheet told us...) that Dacres-Cogley is such a reliable Duracell bunny, but he's also limited. Flanners noted at the weekend that he only really plays well in home games (big pitch) and particularly when we're winning. Randell has been excellent since his return but is made of paper – and boy did we miss him Saturday because Ogbeta is, to be charitable, erratic. Ashworth looked sensible and solid but like you I think that if he's the answer we're asking the wrong question.

When I said on the transfer thread we need four new signings that's just to make up the numbers, let alone improve the 11/18/squad. As I see it, in the 3-1-4-2 (and hold the caveats on that for now) that's all across the "4" - we've only one LWB (Williams), only one RWB (Cogz), and only two 8s (Demps and Tomo) if we see Morley as the sub 6.

But if we change system... hang on, my brain's broken...

[GhostoftheBok]

But if we change system... hang on, my brain's broken...

No recruitment bod is going to recommend switching systems looking at that group, but the manager may feel something dramatic is needed.

You can't just "go again" at a stronger division without any changes, because that's insane. However, you've also got a lot in that squad for League One and *should* be looking at promotion regardless.

So where do you find the mileage you need?

Mags was great, but won't be back (Iles seems certain and I tend to agree). So you at least need a really good mid and, as much as people are screaming for blood and thunder, we need someone who offers us what Mags did. The ability to beat a press with the ball at feet and score goals from midfield.

Oxford beat us by being "solid and combative" with two dribbly, flair players in their 3. One of whom is a 20-year-old midget.

If by some miracle we keep Mags and see a year's progress from him, Thommo and Collins (with Johnston back) we are just naturally stronger. Doesn't mean it's enough.

That's all techy stuff though and at the minute people are focused on the mental stuff. Personally I think Mags is a good character, so I'd have him back regardless.

[The_Gun]

If you were Evatt, why would you leave unless you have received a great offer elsewhere?

Me personally? If I felt I couldn't do the job to my best level I'd resign, yes.

Mileage varies, though, and I agree with your point.

I think the worst thing for the football club is a half-arsed, sulking Evatt. Hopefully that isn't what we get.

I really struggle to see him walking. I think he flies off to Marbella for a few weeks and talks himself into being the next Pep again. He doesn’t strike me as the most humble of men.

[nicholaldo]

If you were Evatt, why would you leave unless you have received a great offer elsewhere?

Me personally? If I felt I couldn't do the job to my best level I'd resign, yes.

Mileage varies, though, and I agree with your point.

I think the worst thing for the football club is a half-arsed, sulking Evatt. Hopefully that isn't what we get.

I really struggle to see him walking. I think he flies off to Marbella for a few weeks and talks himself into being the next Pep again. He doesn’t strike me as the most humble of men.

Alternatively, it could be his confidence (arrogance?) that leads him to think it's worth walking.

He's had three offers from Championship clubs so he'd presumably still fancy his chances of getting a gig at a higher level.

[GhostoftheBok]

Ian has been very clear that he views this club as a vehicle for his inevitable rise to the Premier League. We are very fortunate to get to rid his coattails as Jesus guides him on.

If he views this as no longer where the lord intends for him to attain greatness, he may move on.

When prophecy fails faith tends not to go away, it intensifies. Evatt will likely go away and become even more sure of his own divine pathway. Whether that's with us who knows?

[BWFC_Insane]

Ian has been very clear that he views this club as a vehicle for his inevitable rise to the Premier League. We are very fortunate to get to rid his coattails as Jesus guides him on.

If he views this as no longer where the lord intends for him to attain greatness, he may move on.

When prophecy fails faith tends not to go away, it intensifies. Evatt will likely go away and become even more sure of his own divine pathway. Whether that's with us who knows?

This sarcasm here is what’s irked me about Evatt since he declared in a fit of petulance ‘we were the best side in the division’ after we’d just lost to Sheffield Wednesday.

It’s also the stuff that most irks me from those who continually make out he’s the greatest manager we could ever have.

I think he’s done a decent job here. But the way he seems to think he’s brilliant and the way some of our fans seem to think he’s so good we are lucky to have him doesn’t compute to me. He’s a lower league manager who has got stuck in league one. He may grow from there or it may be he’s hit his managerial ceiling.

But it’s the lack of respect for managers who have proven their ability to get out of this league and indeed at levels above in comparison that has frustrated me. Evatt is as it stands nowhere near a premiership manager and odds are (statistically speaking) he never will be. If he gets there he will have to prove his capability.

[GhostoftheBok]

It’s also the stuff that most irks me from those who continually make out he’s the greatest manager we could ever have.

Has anyone actually said that?

[The_Gun]

I wonder whether Evatt reads forums? There must be plenty in the game who do.

[BWFC_Insane]

It’s also the stuff that most irks me from those who continually make out he’s the greatest manager we could ever have.

Has anyone actually said that?

A lot of people seem to infer that.

He’s lucky to be here not the other way round. There are managers with more experience and better records we could appoint.

We are in the lower leagues he’s a lower league manager and with a Phil Neal mirror image in his season on season results.

He had to deliver this season and didn’t.

We’ve had managers in far worse positions with far less resource relative to the opposition who had to deliver and did in a much shorter time frame.

[nicholaldo]

Ian has been very clear that he views this club as a vehicle for his inevitable rise to the Premier League. We are very fortunate to get to rid his coattails as Jesus guides him on.

If he views this as no longer where the lord intends for him to attain greatness, he may move on.

When prophecy fails faith tends not to go away, it intensifies. Evatt will likely go away and become even more sure of his own divine pathway. Whether that's with us who knows?

This sarcasm here is what’s irked me about Evatt since he declared in a fit of petulance ‘we were the best side in the division’ after we’d just lost to Sheffield Wednesday.

It’s also the stuff that most irks me from those who continually make out he’s the greatest manager we could ever have.

I think he’s done a decent job here. But the way he seems to think he’s brilliant and the way some of our fans seem to think he’s so good we are lucky to have him doesn’t compute to me. He’s a lower league manager who has got stuck in league one. He may grow from there or it may be he’s hit his managerial ceiling.

But it’s the lack of respect for managers who have proven their ability to get out of this league and indeed at levels above in comparison that has frustrated me. Evatt is as it stands nowhere near a premiership manager and odds are (statistically speaking) he never will be. If he gets there he will have to prove his capability.

The reality, over the last two seasons, is that he's managed us to a position our budget suggests we should be.

[GhostoftheBok]

I wonder whether Evatt reads forums? There must be plenty in the game who do.

Probably.

Bad week for him to indulge, if so.

Someone at the club certainly will.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Plenty of young managers have got promoted out of this division. Two of them this season (Mousinho and Buckingham). Two last season (Schumacher and McKenna). Leam Richardson the seaosn before that.

This desire to run into the safe arms of a grizzled older man is all a bit reactive (as well as reactionary). It's like when England bounced between archetypes because they tried to replace the incumbent's worst characteristic with the opposite trait, not reckoning that the incomer would have his own foibles - rinse and repeat.

So dour Taylor was replaced by chirpy Venables. Dodgy Venables replaced by saintly Hoddle. Distant Hoddle replaced by matey Keegan. Overemotional Keegan replaced by detached Eriksson. Hidebound Eriksson replaced by systems man McClaren. Inexperienced McClaren replaced by serial winner Capello. Sgt-major Capello replaced by Uncle Roy. Etc etc etc.

Pick the best man for the situation. Not the opposite of what you hate now. Evatt might not be the man, but does the situation really require somewone who'll tear everything to the ground?

[Worthy4England]

I suspect not, but quite a lot of today's posts have made a strong set of arguments that then point to stick with broad approach, system etc. As being the main viable option and go for (wait for it.....). The better Plan A. I suspect plenty are a bit doubtful (in part for me, because I'm not sure 4 class WBs solve all the problems, so maybe you're starting to think in terms of 5 (Maghoma 2.0) or 6 or 7 transferees, at which point, you're en route to a pretty chunky change anyhow...

[GhostoftheBok]

The thing about continuity is it's ultimately a solid business decision.

Radical change is expensive.

We've made investments with a projected return. We will have a limited budget this summer.

Obviously not going up costs us money every season, but cash is currently the issue.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I suspect not, but quite a lot of today's posts have made a strong set of arguments that then point to stick with broad approach, system etc. As being the main viable option and go for (wait for it.....). The better Plan A. I suspect plenty are a bit doubtful (in part for me, because I'm not sure 4 class WBs solve all the problems, so maybe you're starting to think in terms of 5 (Maghoma 2.0) or 6 or 7 transferees, at which point, you're en route to a pretty chunky change anyhow...

Not sure anyone is now suggesting Plan A and Plan A only. Despite all our different ideals and face colours, I think we're pretty much all in concord that that's not the way forward.

Obviously I can't speak for everyone but from reading I think just about all of us are saying we need to be better; firmer; and more flexible. There's some division over whether a back three or four would work, but I think again all of us agree it needs some new faces (and brains and guts) in those places.

For the record, I don't think we need 4 *new* WBs. Randell and Cogz fine as options for some games. What I would like is two better alternatives than Ogbeta/Ashworth on one side and... Geth? Matheson? on the other.

[Prufrock]

I don't think we need much for a system change. A couple of wingers and replace any outgoings.

Not convinced Santos or Dion would suit the system particularly less.

Rico has looked like a world beater and a donkey in both. He was excellent in the league two run next to Baptiste. It also simplifies the game for the centre halves which massively suits Toal. If you can take away him having to play he can be the best centre half in the league.

Dion has played as a one before. And neither of his two main partners this season are 6', so it's not like we haven't played without a focal point, or his goal have come because we've had a big lad with him. Dion needs good players around him. He's basically league 1 Suarez, bit of movement and reacting to broken play quicker. You'd still have the link with Collins off the left, and you'd have someone else for him to link with off the right.

Johnston is the only one I think would definitely be better under the current system. Even so I think he can play in a four. More importantly, as high as I think his ceiling is, he hasn't played in a year and no guarantees how he comes back. If he has to be a casualty, it's a shame but it's easier to go and get a third centre half than two top quality wing backs. It also definitely suits more Iredale, Jones, Cogley, Ashworth (Toal) plus Vic (not cheap outlay CMG RIP), Sheehan and I think the rest of the midfield too, always simple options with a 4, forward and wide if it's on, into the full back to get out if not. Plus they don't have to kill themselves wide making underlaps all the time and so can stay closer together and protect Sherman. Plus you can press for a while game without killing people.

Without singing anyone we could put out tomorrow:

Bax
Jones/Cogley - Santos - Toal - Iredale

Dempsey - Sheehan - Tomo

Randy - Charles - Collins

That's not a bad base. Not enough on it's own, but with a whole summer it seems very doable to me.

[GhostoftheBok]

For the record, I don't think we need 4 *new* WBs. Randell and Cogz fine as options for some games. What I would like is two better alternatives than Ogbeta/Ashworth on one side and... Geth? Matheson? on the other.

Cogley and Williams have, at times, performed admirably down those flanks.

They're not going to scare anyone, though. They're also not press resistant.

Great squad players. Really dependable (when Randy is fit).

I would have had Iredale on that list too (I really like him), but I'm still sulking about his jog for the corner. Ask me again in a month.

Williams, Cogley, Iredale (boo), Geth, Dempsey, etc...lost of experienced lads who you'd trust against most sides in League One; but who you'd not want many of if you were playing the best sides on the final day to go up. All of them get in most sides in the division, as things currently stand.

There is a squad here and there are some star players.

How do you get the most out of them under pressure and what do you add? Correct answers get you a ticket to the Championship. Wrong answers get you sacked.

[Worthy4England]

The thing about continuity is it's ultimately a solid business decision.

Radical change is expensive.

We've made investments with a projected return. We will have a limited budget this summer.

Obviously not going up costs us money every season, but cash is currently the issue.

Continuity of a thing that's delivering the expected outcome is a solid business decision. Continuity of something that ain't, aint. Kodak did continuity pretty well...

4WBs and a "good as Maghoma" MF doesn't sound cheap, but our Swiss contingent tell us they understand what it takes..

Sometimes you have to cash an asset or two. I mean if you listen to some of the appraisals, we could rake millions in.