Richardson out

[dave the magic moron]

I wasn’t really in favour of sacking Hunt when we did, but understand why we did. In terms of LR, it truly does feel like we are in a worse place - results are similar if not worse, team spirit is worse, confidence is worse, quality of football is worse, and outlook feels worse - we had seen better times under Hunt so it was always possible he could turn things around; I’m just not sure there are any signs the football under Leam will get any better.

Couhig said there would be a club-wide review at the end of the season. He will either buy into the idea that the football will improve with the right investment, and that Leam is suffering the effects of injuries, low confidence, low quality players and incomplete team. Or like many of us, he will lack the confidence that Leam can get anything better out of this team even with new players.

I think what is pushing me into the Leam out camp is that, since failing to be able to make the playoffs, we have had a number of games where the results didn’t really matter, giving LR zero pressure (or excuses) for trying out some new ideas, giving different players a go and taking more attacking risks. He’s had a few games to actually prove to the owners, fans and players he has creative football in him, without needing to worry about losing. Instead it’s been the same old setting us up not to lose and still losing. To me that shows a reluctance and/or inability to change, and little desire to experiment and evolve.

So it’s not so much the current state of the football, it’s that there just isn’t any indication Leam is capable of anything else. And that’s a massive problem. Obviously it’s a gamble either way, but I’d be happier putting my money on new blood coming in this summer and putting together a team from the scraps, than on an LR team coming out next season with positive football and play-off chasing results.

Sums it up perfectly

[Forbury Lion]

I wasn’t really in favour of sacking Hunt when we did, but understand why we did. In terms of LR, it truly does feel like we are in a worse place - results are similar if not worse, team spirit is worse, confidence is worse, quality of football is worse, and outlook feels worse - we had seen better times under Hunt so it was always possible he could turn things around; I’m just not sure there are any signs the football under Leam will get any better.

Couhig said there would be a club-wide review at the end of the season. He will either buy into the idea that the football will improve with the right investment, and that Leam is suffering the effects of injuries, low confidence, low quality players and incomplete team. Or like many of us, he will lack the confidence that Leam can get anything better out of this team even with new players.

I think what is pushing me into the Leam out camp is that, since failing to be able to make the playoffs, we have had a number of games where the results didn’t really matter, giving LR zero pressure (or excuses) for trying out some new ideas, giving different players a go and taking more attacking risks. He’s had a few games to actually prove to the owners, fans and players he has creative football in him, without needing to worry about losing. Instead it’s been the same old setting us up not to lose and still losing. To me that shows a reluctance and/or inability to change, and little desire to experiment and evolve.

So it’s not so much the current state of the football, it’s that there just isn’t any indication Leam is capable of anything else. And that’s a massive problem. Obviously it’s a gamble either way, but I’d be happier putting my money on new blood coming in this summer and putting together a team from the scraps, than on an LR team coming out next season with positive football and play-off chasing results.

Sums it up perfectly

I agree.

I said to the guy behind me at the end of the game that even if we had something to play for, I imagine the performance and result would have been the same... probably worse if Blackpool had something to play for.

We both agreed the manager is at fault, but also both agreed the club wouldn't sack him even if it was what's needed and that we've had to many managers in recent years.
He did then go on to say we should have stuck with Brendan Rogers, forgetting that we were heading for relegation under his management.

[stealthpapes]

5) I think they sacked Noel Hunt too quickly and he deserved more time. I appreciate that's essyto say in hindsight

Yup.

Complete lack of recognition of where we were last Summer, poor expectation management.

Extend his form (13 wins, 9 draws in 32 games), even with the collapse, a bruising 1-2-3 over Easter, and it’s still a 70-odd point season. Which is still playoff contention.

Caldwell at Wigan did better after his move, Evatt snuck past him on the last day, all the other clubs in League One that replaced managers did not do as well afterwards as we did (there’s a summary on this thread somewhere) Mostly because the squads were in place, the preparation done, hard to change much in a January transfer window. That’s not when the work is done. There’s only few cards to play then - we needed a striker in Jan, this season we eked 2 goals from Keane, last season it was Bodin. Same rewards.

Sort of agree with the comment about changing things when there was nothing to play for but that threshold only got crossed in the last two games. The last squad, at least the bench, seemed full of youngsters and some of the older disappointments far from the scene. Isn’t that along the lines of what you wanted to see? Suggests, at least, that some of the youth are on the radar,

The toxic atmosphere, though, I don’t think that’s going anywhere. This was apparent in December, particularly after that defeat just before Xmas. A narrow loss and people were legit calling for his head. The only thing that might reverse it is winning games and we’ve got two months of boredom to look forwards to. Great.

If he goes, he goes, but it’s another roll of the dice, another reworking of the squad. It’s a mentality we 100% need to drop.

[Beaulux]

Commons sense from papereyes as usual.

Have a great summer, Team Board, see you in July for the friendlies.

At least we have Trump’s soccer bonanza to look forward too.

[stealthpapes]

Commons sense from papereyes as usual.

Have a great summer, Team Board, see you in July for the friendlies.

At least we have Trump’s soccer bonanza to look forward too.

Oh yeah will reply to PM

[Elm Park Kid]

People say that he had zero pressure in these last few games - but look how quickly bad results in 'meaningless' games have led to the crowds turning on him.

Lets say that he had tried some experimental team selections/tactics. He asked a group of players that have barely had one season together to start doing lots of different things and playing in a more open style. And say then we got hammered in all those games, whilst looking like we have no idea what we're doing. I feel like that would have led to more pressure than what he's under now - people would accuse him of having no plan and being clueless, rather than just boring/defensive. Yes, the fans have got upset because we lost games whilst at the same time playing some of the worst football the club has seen in years - but at least Leam can say to Couhig that he has a system that he thinks will work with a bit more recruitment and players coming back from injury.

[Royal Rother]

Extend his form (13 wins, 9 draws in 32 games)…… and it’s still a 70-odd point season.

No it isn’t.

[Elm Park Kid]

5) I think they sacked Noel Hunt too quickly and he deserved more time. I appreciate that's essyto say in hindsight

Yup.

Complete lack of recognition of where we were last Summer, poor expectation management.

Extend his form (13 wins, 9 draws in 32 games), even with the collapse, a bruising 1-2-3 over Easter, and it’s still a 70-odd point season. Which is still playoff contention.

Caldwell at Wigan did better after his move, Evatt snuck past him on the last day, all the other clubs in League One that replaced managers did not do as well afterwards as we did (there’s a summary on this thread somewhere) Mostly because the squads were in place, the preparation done, hard to change much in a January transfer window. That’s not when the work is done. There’s only few cards to play then - we needed a striker in Jan, this season we eked 2 goals from Keane, last season it was Bodin. Same rewards.

Sort of agree with the comment about changing things when there was nothing to play for but that threshold only got crossed in the last two games. The last squad, at least the bench, seemed full of youngsters and some of the older disappointments far from the scene. Isn’t that along the lines of what you wanted to see? Suggests, at least, that some of the youth are on the radar,

The toxic atmosphere, though, I don’t think that’s going anywhere. This was apparent in December, particularly after that defeat just before Xmas. A narrow loss and people were legit calling for his head. The only thing that might reverse it is winning games and we’ve got two months of boredom to look forwards to. Great.

If he goes, he goes, but it’s another roll of the dice, another reworking of the squad. It’s a mentality we 100% need to drop.

I do think that fans significantly underestimate how different the situation was at the start of this season compared to the end of last. We lost almost the entire spine of a team that had built up a decent spirit and were finding ways to win. Wareham had confidence and support from the fans, Knibbs worried defenders more than either Wing or Savage do and our back two gave the rest of the team confidence to go forward. Then we lose those players and have to start again - with a fan base that is no longer targeting their anger at the owners.

Hunt was exactly the right man to keep that 'bunker mentality' going last season - but maybe not the right man to lead the rebuild?

[MR. CYNICAL]

People say that he had zero pressure in these last few games - but look how quickly bad results in 'meaningless' games have led to the crowds turning on him.

Lets say that he had tried some experimental team selections/tactics. He asked a group of players that have barely had one season together to start doing lots of different things and playing in a more open style. And say then we got hammered in all those games, whilst looking like we have no idea what we're doing. I feel like that would have led to more pressure than what he's under now - people would accuse him of having no plan and being clueless, rather than just boring/defensive. Yes, the fans have got upset because we lost games whilst at the same time playing some of the worst football the club has seen in years - but at least Leam can say to Couhig that he has a system that he thinks will work with a bit more recruitment and players coming back from injury.

If you say so.

[dave the magic moron]

5) I think they sacked Noel Hunt too quickly and he deserved more time. I appreciate that's essyto say in hindsight

Yup.

Complete lack of recognition of where we were last Summer, poor expectation management.

Extend his form (13 wins, 9 draws in 32 games), even with the collapse, a bruising 1-2-3 over Easter, and it’s still a 70-odd point season. Which is still playoff contention.

Caldwell at Wigan did better after his move, Evatt snuck past him on the last day, all the other clubs in League One that replaced managers did not do as well afterwards as we did (there’s a summary on this thread somewhere) Mostly because the squads were in place, the preparation done, hard to change much in a January transfer window. That’s not when the work is done. There’s only few cards to play then - we needed a striker in Jan, this season we eked 2 goals from Keane, last season it was Bodin. Same rewards.

Sort of agree with the comment about changing things when there was nothing to play for but that threshold only got crossed in the last two games. The last squad, at least the bench, seemed full of youngsters and some of the older disappointments far from the scene. Isn’t that along the lines of what you wanted to see? Suggests, at least, that some of the youth are on the radar,

The toxic atmosphere, though, I don’t think that’s going anywhere. This was apparent in December, particularly after that defeat just before Xmas. A narrow loss and people were legit calling for his head. The only thing that might reverse it is winning games and we’ve got two months of boredom to look forwards to. Great.

If he goes, he goes, but it’s another roll of the dice, another reworking of the squad. It’s a mentality we 100% need to drop.
[/quote
The squad needs reworking anyway richardson himself admits that, might as well do it with someone fresh because sticking with richardson is not going to improve us.

[andrew1957]

One reason I felt very sorry for Hunt was that we had a very hard start in terms of the teams we played - let alone the fact that he had a brand new squad and no strikers. He got sacked after achieving 15 points from the first 14 games. His record was 3-6-5 for 15 points - For 15 Against 19.

And so the questions how much improvement did LR achieve in the reverse fixtures of that initial 14 games of the season. Well LRs record was as follows:
Lincoln 1-2
Huddersfield 1-1
Wimbledon 2-3
Bolton 1-1
Wycombe 3-2
Port Vale 1-1
Barnsley 2-2
Orient 1-3
Stockport 1-0
Mansfield 0-1
Exeter 2-2
Cardiff 1-3
Northampton 2-0
Doncaster 0-1

And so that is 3-5-6. 14 points For 18 Against 22

So LR actually did worse in the reverse fixtures than Hunt did in the first 14 games despite having Marriott available for many of these fixtures and being able to work with the players for months. We scored 3 more but conceded 3 more too. This backs up my view that he has actually taken us backwards.

[WestYorksRoyal]

I don't know where I am on LR, but overall it's disappointing the state of things. If you'd asked me at the start of the season, I'd have said 11th could be okay if we finished the season with an upward trajectory and a clear spine of the team to carry into the summer (kind of like how we finished 23/24). The target for 26/27 should be promotion.

But it feels like we're miles off that. We've a team of crocks and loanees, no set style, no spine we can really depend upon, a toxic atmosphere, a manager who everyone is divided on...it'll be a miracle if we go up next season. We have to get basically every decision right this summer and have a bit of luck thrown in.

We can stick with Richardson who has played a big role in creating this situation and was probably the wrong hire, or change manager AGAIN and have another reset. 2 bad options.

[blythspartan]

I want Leam out now. I don’t believe in chopping and changing managers, but I don’t see how he can turn this around.

Yes, a few decent signings and England going out of the WC in the QFs might have me chomping at the bit come August. However, it’ll turn toxic very quickly if we get off to a bad start.

[stealthpapes]

One reason I felt very sorry for Hunt was that we had a very hard start in terms of the teams we played - let alone the fact that he had a brand new squad and no strikers. He got sacked after achieving 15 points from the first 14 games. His record was 3-6-5 for 15 points - For 15 Against 19.

And so the questions how much improvement did LR achieve in the reverse fixtures of that initial 14 games of the season. Well LRs record was as follows:
Lincoln 1-2
Huddersfield 1-1
Wimbledon 2-3
Bolton 1-1
Wycombe 3-2
Port Vale 1-1
Barnsley 2-2
Orient 1-3
Stockport 1-0
Mansfield 0-1
Exeter 2-2
Cardiff 1-3
Northampton 2-0
Doncaster 0-1

And so that is 3-5-6. 14 points For 18 Against 22

So LR actually did worse in the reverse fixtures than Hunt did in the first 14 games despite having Marriott available for many of these fixtures and being able to work with the players for months. We scored 3 more but conceded 3 more too. This backs up my view that he has actually taken us backwards.

It is basically the same, right? and illustrates two things.

(1) we moved way too quickly to sack Hunt

(2) getting the summer right has long term consequences.

We have to get basically every decision right this summer and have a bit of luck thrown in.

Eh.

2 ppg form is 3-1-1 every five games.
1.5 ppg form is 2-2-1 or 2-1-2 (round that point whichever way you want).

The difference is 1 game not going our way every five. It’s really, really narrow margins and massively down to fitness, mental strength, on-pitch leadership.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Ritchie Wellens anyone? Just had a massive rant at his players and could be time for him to move on.

[Sutekh]

Ritchie Wellens anyone? Just had a massive rant at his players and could be time for him to move on.

Decent call. Possibly get Charlie and Dom back too

Think Alex Revell might be worth checking out if Stevenage screw up their PO charge.

[stealthpapes]

Ritchie Wellens anyone? Just had a massive rant at his players and could be time for him to move on.

We gonna go for someone who has LOST A DRESSING ROOM


yeah, tbf, I think he’s one of the few League 1 managers that wouldn’t see a collective implosion from our fans. Have a look at the top 6, how many would you have taken before this season?

Anyone thinking Warnock or Mowbray needs to give themselves a firm reset.

[Orion1871]

Ritchie Wellens anyone? Just had a massive rant at his players and could be time for him to move on.

Should've gone for him when we sacked Noel. Think we've missed the chance now and he'll go to Leicester in the summer.

[Linden Jones' Tash]

Ritchie Wellens anyone? Just had a massive rant at his players and could be time for him to move on.

Should've gone for him when we sacked Noel. Think we've missed the chance now and he'll go to Leicester in the summer.

If that Rant is reported accurately, then it's the most self-centred thing I have ever heard from any kind of manager - nearly as deluded as Leam....

"You've wasted 10 months of my career"... as if he was blissfully uninvolved.... no thanks

[KC Royal]

Just get Selles back; knows a lot of the players and strong bond with the fans - owners won’t as they’ll want their own choice and will probably stubbornly persevere with LR, even when it’s plain it’s not working.

Yeah cos his away record was so amazingly good wasn't it.... No thanks
The more I see of his management since he left the more I realise the squad wasn't that bad and he was absolute guff.

Playing CM with the 2023 update I looked at the squad in Selles first season and thought take away the points deduction and it should have been challenging for top 6. I counted up how many of that squad (40 IIRC) have since gone on to play in the Championship and i think it was 10, and Wareham will be another at some point, possibly next season.

As for Richardson, i wasn't considering a change before Easter but i think the commentator said yesterday that our form in the 6 games since has been the worst in the division. The results definitely suggest that, so i think that now would be the best time for a clean break. Give a new manager a chance to bring in the players he wants. If Richardson stays then he's going to be under huge pressure at the start of next season and the atmosphere will be toxic. For ages i've been meaning to look up his stats on the CM 2023 update. Will do that at some point. I was looking for coaches with the same strengths as Selles and Schofield's name came up