Richardson out

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Wasn't he in charge of a very successful period in Wycombes history or am I mistaken. Your vendetta against them seems more childish by the minute

Well said.....RC has done nothing wrong and at worst he could have made a wrong decision on the manager but wants to see how the summer pans out with a full pre-season and another window which is fair enough. We are not in the bottom 6 exactly.

Yes, some fans, mainly "opinion formers" on Twitter, like this poster and the "up the ding" guy who is also probably Brogue , and Ramy at the Chronicle (for clickbait) want him sacked now but many others are also prepared to give him more time, which is quite reasonable.

[nailseabiscuitman]

Wasn't he in charge of a very successful period in Wycombes history or am I mistaken. Your vendetta against them seems more childish by the minute

That’s like saying I used to stack shelves in my Sainsbury’s local so now I can be CEO of Tesco

Strange analogy

[Orion1871]

Wasn't he in charge of a very successful period in Wycombes history or am I mistaken. Your vendetta against them seems more childish by the minute

Well said.....RC has done nothing wrong and at worst he could have made a wrong decision on the manager but wants to see how the summer pans out with a full pre-season and another window which is fair enough. We are not in the bottom 6 exactly.

Yes, some fans, mainly "opinion formers" on Twitter, like this poster and the "up the ding" guy who is also probably Brogue , and Ramy at the Chronicle (for clickbait) want him sacked now but many others are also prepared to give him more time, which is quite reasonable.

He's getting time anyway, whether people want him to or not. Based on his past it's going to be a season or two of signing older league 1 hit and hopers.

As this Wigan fan recently said on reddit:

"A transfer window with Leam? Expect to sign exclusively ageing grafters and if you do sign any promising modern footballers with skill expect to never see them play."

I suggest Kaden Young would agree with the Wigan fan on the last part of that assessment.

[RoyalBlue]

As this Wigan fan recently said on reddit:

"A transfer window with Leam? Expect to sign exclusively ageing grafters and if you do sign any promising modern footballers with skill expect to never see them play."

I suggest Kaden Young would agree with the Wigan fan on the last part of that assessment.

That is a horrifying prospect and likely to lead to the scaling back of the academy too. Leam will put the baby in the bathwater and the owners will throw it out. We might progress in terms of financial stability but we will be returning to the dark ages in terms of the football (and footballers) being served up to us.

[nailseabiscuitman]

As this Wigan fan recently said on reddit:

"A transfer window with Leam? Expect to sign exclusively ageing grafters and if you do sign any promising modern footballers with skill expect to never see them play."

I suggest Kaden Young would agree with the Wigan fan on the last part of that assessment.

That is a horrifying prospect and likely to lead to the scaling back of the academy too. Leam will put the baby in the bathwater and the owners will throw it out. We might progress in terms of financial stability but we will be returning to the dark ages in terms of the football (and footballers) being served up to us.

Would hardly put Ward and Roberts in that category and we made a very strong effort to sign Lisbie

[morganb]

If the Wigan fan is correct then perhaps Peter Scott could have a word as it is his Academy players who are being overlooked

[Sutekh]

If the Wigan fan is correct then perhaps Peter Scott could have a word as it is his Academy players who are being overlooked

If they’re being overlooked perhaps they’re just not (yet) up to the required standard.

[nailseabiscuitman]

I would hardly base my opinion on the view of one Wigan fan, assume he was happy with promotion though?

[Orion1871]

I would hardly base my opinion on the view of one Wigan fan, assume he was happy with promotion though?

There are others. One oft used quote is "you'll come out of games wondering how you've got a point/win." Not too bad a problem that one tbf.

[tidus_mi2]

Does Brogue's brain just switch off at any mention of Couhig or Richardson?

[Brogue]

Does Brogue's brain just switch off at any mention of Couhig or Richardson?

I don’t like them

[leon]

Does Brogue's brain just switch off at any mention of Couhig or Richardson?

I don’t like them

yes we get that. Richardson is, to a degree understandable due to appalling football. But you started this as soon as he was appointed, and tbf I'm looking forward to him proving you wrong (not entirely sure that will happen). Couhig? I think that's because your mate who works(ed) at RFC doesn't like him I think.

[fred sharpes nose]

Some mindless stats from trawling lineups and match reports and Transfer Market

Period 1 - Noel - Games 1-14
P 14 Pts 15 PPG 1.07

New players in - 12

The fit early-ish 6 were in the 18 match day squad for game 1 - Stevens, Burns, MOM, Danny K, Fraser, Jacob, Lane

Later arrivals -
> Doyle in squad for his first available game - match 2
> Dez Williams for his first available game - match 3
> Marriot in squad for his first available game - match 6
> Richie in squad for his third available game - match 8

Crocked early signing
> O'Connor in squad for his first available game - match 11

Conclusion - Noel fighting with one hand tied behind his back. Just may escape relegation on this form this season - 49 points. Most likely would have been mid table and comfortable by Christmas

Period 2 - Liam To January Window - Games 15-24
P 10 Pts 20 PPG 2.0
New players in
> Randall Williams 5/11/25 - 8 games for him in this period 16 points achieved in those - 2.0 PPG player !
> Rinomohta 12/11/25 - zero contribution

Conclusion - Leam benefit from "upto speed" inherited squad and ONLY ONE good addition Randall Williams - new manager bounce basically same squad - 92 point season

Period 3 - January WIndow to Current (Games - 25-44)
P 18 Pts 27 PPG 1.50

New players in
> Keane 04/01/26 in squad for his first available game - 14 games / 14 points - 1.0 PPG player
> Nyambe 21/01/26 in squad for his first available game - 17 games /21 points - 1.26 PPG player
> Roberts 21/01/26 in squad for his first available game - 12 games /16 points - 1.33 PPG player
> Ward 26/1/26 in squad for his second available game - 11 games /21 points - CAVEAT 8 games started /17 points 2.125 PPG player
> Young 02/02/26 in squad for his second available game - 9 games /12 points - CAVEAT 7 games started /8 points 1.14 PPG player

Recalled
> Patton 5 games/12 points - CAVEAT only played 123 minutes

Conclusion - mixed recrutiment of 5 Ward good and one for the future rest - meh - 69 point season not good enough

Overall - Leams post Cardiff match comments sounded like rehearsing the reasons he gives to Rob C to keep him on. I think Noel was booted too soon. Not overly impressed with Leams recruitment (and injury record). The idea of giving him a summer window to spend very limited money but boot him after 12 games if results are poor is madness. I think he should be tasked with absolutety sweating the assests we have currently and see where we end up. Or release him now

Conundrum - better for him to lose last 2 games to "prove" squad need investment or win last 2 games to uprate his PPG for personal career reasons?

I suspect the key "tick in the box" from RC is that Leam is known to him, he probably likes him well, and importantly likey better at "managing upwards" - Americans like being told straight truths (but can easily be also blindsided by a good talker). All would agree IMO that Noel as well as lacking 1st team management experience, porbably lacked the gravitas to deal head on on Rob Todd etc. First impressions and all that. Leam has one year left and will be given the time to see that out.

I suspect that Rob and the board etc are not flush with cash and given the periods of intermittent succsess this season one could argue we need very few new players - make the best of what we have and importantly become way more consistent. Sweat The Assets

Quite depressed really, contemplating the way its likely to pan out. ST renewal will be a very late decision. The footie is turgid and though Rob is a good guy I'm concerned about his ambition

[MR. CYNICAL]

Some mindless stats from trawling lineups and match reports and Transfer Market

Period 1 - Noel - Games 1-14
P 14 Pts 15 PPG 1.07

New players in - 12

The fit early-ish 6 were in the 18 match day squad for game 1 - Stevens, Burns, MOM, Danny K, Fraser, Jacob, Lane

Later arrivals -
> Doyle in squad for his first available game - match 2
> Dez Williams for his first available game - match 3
> Marriot in squad for his first available game - match 6
> Richie in squad for his third available game - match 8

Crocked early signing
> O'Connor in squad for his first available game - match 11

Conclusion - Noel fighting with one hand tied behind his back. Just may escape relegation on this form this season - 49 points. Most likely would have been mid table and comfortable by Christmas

Period 2 - Liam To January Window - Games 15-24
P 10 Pts 20 PPG 2.0
New players in
> Randall Williams 5/11/25 - 8 games for him in this period 16 points achieved in those - 2.0 PPG player !
> Rinomohta 12/11/25 - zero contribution

Conclusion - Leam benefit from "upto speed" inherited squad and ONLY ONE good addition Randall Williams - new manager bounce basically same squad - 92 point season

Period 3 - January WIndow to Current (Games - 25-44)
P 18 Pts 27 PPG 1.50

New players in
> Keane 04/01/26 in squad for his first available game - 14 games / 14 points - 1.0 PPG player
> Nyambe 21/01/26 in squad for his first available game - 17 games /21 points - 1.26 PPG player
> Roberts 21/01/26 in squad for his first available game - 12 games /16 points - 1.33 PPG player
> Ward 26/1/26 in squad for his second available game - 11 games /21 points - CAVEAT 8 games started /17 points 2.125 PPG player
> Young 02/02/26 in squad for his second available game - 9 games /12 points - CAVEAT 7 games started /8 points 1.14 PPG player

Recalled
> Patton 5 games/12 points - CAVEAT only played 123 minutes

Conclusion - mixed recrutiment of 5 Ward good and one for the future rest - meh - 69 point season not good enough

Overall - Leams post Cardiff match comments sounded like rehearsing the reasons he gives to Rob C to keep him on. I think Noel was booted too soon. Not overly impressed with Leams recruitment (and injury record). The idea of giving him a summer window to spend very limited money but boot him after 12 games if results are poor is madness. I think he should be tasked with absolutety sweating the assests we have currently and see where we end up. Or release him now

Conundrum - better for him to lose last 2 games to "prove" squad need investment or win last 2 games to uprate his PPG for personal career reasons?

I suspect the key "tick in the box" from RC is that Leam is known to him, he probably likes him well, and importantly likey better at "managing upwards" - Americans like being told straight truths (but can easily be also blindsided by a good talker). All would agree IMO that Noel as well as lacking 1st team management experience, porbably lacked the gravitas to deal head on on Rob Todd etc. First impressions and all that. Leam has one year left and will be given the time to see that out.

I suspect that Rob and the board etc are not flush with cash and given the periods of intermittent succsess this season one could argue we need very few new players - make the best of what we have and importantly become way more consistent. Sweat The Assets

Quite depressed really, contemplating the way its likely to pan out. ST renewal will be a very late decision. The footie is turgid and though Rob is a good guy I'm concerned about his ambition

Surprised that the club hasn't already put out any 'early bird' season ticket offers while there was still a tiny chance of making the play offs.
Think it's going to take a special sales pitch to boost sales with the current management. I like many will renew out of habit, had the same seat since the place opened, but that hard core will naturally get smaller every season.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

The Twitter crowd are all out in force today saying gates will be down to 5k amongst other things due to the style of football.

I know this doesn't need saying, but they say this every year. Every year there's a surge of people purchasing. As soon as there's a few signings, the same twitter crowd will be saying we're going back up automatically, and how "massive" we are.

Exactly, people saying how awful the football is and how unenjoyable it is going to watch, want the manager out etc yet still go and watch it.

[Getthebeerens]

A few thoughts on the manager situation and Rob’s recent interview.

I’m firmly in the Leam out camp, but I don’t think Rob’s loyalty to him is a bad trait in itself — I just wish Noel had been shown the same loyalty.

The bigger question for me is this: is Leam actually the main problem, or is our injury record the real anchor dragging us down? It’s almost impossible to build any kind of rhythm when you can’t name a consistent XI. Would a proper pre‑season fix that? Or do we need to rethink the profile of players we’re signing in the first place?

Last season’s slow start felt heavily linked to how late we moved in the transfer market. If we’re serious about progress, those lessons need to be learned this summer.

One potential positive is that Leam must know the pressure is on. The football has to improve, and results have to follow. If we start poorly again, I can’t see him lasting more than a couple of months.

[Extended-Phenotype]

It’ll take a new manager and/or some exciting signings to get people to buy ST’s this summer, therefore it’ll be a slow start with largely just the “dedicated & never miss a season no matter what” renewing at first.

I think you mean, “real fans”. As opposed to the Twitter melts threatening not to renew something they don’t have.

[Extended-Phenotype]

A few thoughts on the manager situation and Rob’s recent interview.

I’m firmly in the Leam out camp, but I don’t think Rob’s loyalty to him is a bad trait in itself — I just wish Noel had been shown the same loyalty.

I think it’s somewhat worth considering that Noel’s run of bad form was at the start of a season and was running the risk of relegation, whereas Leam’s run of bad form lacked the risk that would require a change. That’s ultimately the difference here; Leam was brought in to rescue a season from disaster, and he’s by and large done that. I can see the argument for giving someone you invested in time to develop.

The bigger question for me is this: is Leam actually the main problem, or is our injury record the real anchor dragging us down? It’s almost impossible to build any kind of rhythm when you can’t name a consistent XI. Would a proper pre‑season fix that? Or do we need to rethink the profile of players we’re signing in the first place?

Leam has had a number of excuses to hide behind this season. Maybe they are valid; but we won’t really know until next season, where these excuses won’t be there. Next season, it’s on Leam if we play poorly, not anybody else. That’s why I lean towards giving him that chance - he won’t have anywhere to hide, and if things continue to be poor, he’ll be gone. Just like Noel.

[Ark Royal]

Utterly depressing end to the season and I cannot wait for it to end; and not very optimistic about next season either. Like others here, I will renew my season ticket out of habit, but I fear for us next season if Richardson is still in charge. The football is the worst I have seen since Bullivant's reign and I am totally convinced that he has no plan B. If he stays and has a summer to spend, the first two months of next season will be critical. I think he will be gone by October.

[West F]

A few thoughts on the manager situation and Rob’s recent interview.

I’m firmly in the Leam out camp, but I don’t think Rob’s loyalty to him is a bad trait in itself — I just wish Noel had been shown the same loyalty.

Was never going to happen. Couhig’s preferred and first choice to be his manager was Richardson. He said so when it first looked like his takeover was going to happen. That decision by him is acceptable given the circumstances at the time. Noel started the season with a group of players new to each other and devoid of the quality in defence and attack that he inherited from Seles. The quality of players brought in was of a significantly lower calibre to the ones lost. Couhig would be very reluctant to sack Leam. He has nailed his colours to Richardson’s mast from the get go.

The bigger question for me is this: is Leam actually the main problem, or is our injury record the real anchor dragging us down? It’s almost impossible to build any kind of rhythm when you can’t name a consistent XI. Would a proper pre‑season fix that? Or do we need to rethink the profile of players we’re signing in the first place?

This is actually Richardson’s first squad building role. His previous management has been with squads built by others. It is one of the reasons why I personally would leave him this summer to see where he goes. The injury record is obviously an issue. This is exacerbated by signing players who suffer from repeated or reoccurring injuries. Williams, Williams and Marriot for instance. The squad being already thin, cannot carry injuries to key players. The end of the season found a squad low on energy due to the mid season implementation of fitness training. Taking this season as one of transition, the squad needs some younger and hungrier players such as the signing of Ward.

Last season’s slow start felt heavily linked to how late we moved in the transfer market. If we’re serious about progress, those lessons need to be learned this summer.

One potential positive is that Leam must know the pressure is on. The football has to improve, and results have to follow. If we start poorly again, I can’t see him lasting more than a couple of months.

Nobody wants that really. We would all like to see a team that shows signs of progression and development. The idea that we spend another season doggedly trying to out work and out fitness league one and league two clubs is not what supporters want to see. The transfer activity in the summer will show where he is planning on going next season. If for instance, Will Keane’s Bentley pulls into Bearwood on the first of July, then we will know.