Oxford City (A) FA Cup - 5th October 18

[Llamaman]

Two managers. two voices who do the players actually listen to? I am sure all managers take advice from their coaching staff, but they make the final decisions. How does it work when there are two bosses? Alternative decisions, toss a coin if they disagree? Let's have one voice, one man in charge, one voice for he players. Good or bad everyone will know who to praise or blame. I know it is early days and all that but it is all the confusion rather than just poor results and performances that are worrying. One of the current managers could take full charge or a new man entirely. Or we could go for National attention and appoint a woman, now that might get the forum buzzing.

[Aprouddart]

We had a wonderful season last season despite amazingly many supporters not being onside and constantly criticising. In fact in the history of the club we have only spent 6 seasons in the top flight of non league and under Tony we had three. Through such a successful period I’m not sure how many people truly appreciated what was being achieved before our very eyes. If you did openly, you were in the rose tinted glasses brigade.

I suspect if the noise coming from supporters was a different tone then Tony would have kept going. I just think he may have felt unappreciated and thought ‘what’s the point?’

Now I don’t like the phrase if it ain’t broke don’t fix it because you have to be looking to constantly improve. But it certainly wasn’t broke and we didn’t just fix it we did an Edwin Collins and ripped it up and started again.

We didn’t just lose a successful manager, we lost our talisman in Hayes, and other long servers like Harris, players who would always give the heart and soul because they were part of Dartford FC. Most of these players we have now are not part of the club in the same way as those guys. We have had a revolution when we needed evolution.

I’m not sure if Tony would have any of it but my solution is to return to Plan B and let these joint managers go before they damage the club and their careers any further.

It is not just the results it is the player recruitment, the apparent lack of tactics and team structure and most of all the lack of heart.

It’s time for courage, it’s time for Plan B.

Couldnt agree more.

[the duke]

Good to see Delanio got 17% of the MOTM votes OR did he treat 3 of his family to a day ot ????

[Lincoln exile]

I still feel that player recruitment has been the biggest problem. Twelve players have been "signed" by the current management team, four have left the club ( Wall, Roast, Ighorae and Mensah), one has a long-term injury (Driver), four were subs on Saturday ( Oyenuga, Philpot, Nicholls and Sam-Yorke) and only three actually started ( Sheringham, Isaac and Greenhalgh). Their own team selection, together with the arrival of five players on loan is in itself an admission that they got their recruitment wrong, even though many of the individuals were well-known to them.

[marmite]

Dartford were feared last season, teams wanted their form and results and now everyone wants to play them. It will be a long time until they get back to where they were, if those that pushed for a change think it was still worth it, who were/are they kidding?
Won't be easier with no cup runs and falling crowds either, crazy to want to change what was delivered last year even if you didn't like how it was delivered, the end results were good. The proof is in the pudding not that we'll be seeing much of that for a long time.

[spike]

I still feel that player recruitment has been the biggest problem. Twelve players have been "signed" by the current management team, four have left the club ( Wall, Roast, Ighorae and Mensah), one has a long-term injury (Driver), four were subs on Saturday ( Oyenuga, Philpot, Nicholls and Sam-Yorke) and only three actually started ( Sheringham, Isaac and Greenhalgh). Their own team selection, together with the arrival of five players on loan is in itself an admission that they got their recruitment wrong, even though many of the individuals were well-known to them.

I agree 100%. The pre-season recruitment was a catastrophic failure and everything has fallen apart as a consequence. JC and AF are now throwing loan players at the problem in an effort to try and save the day but as yet, it isn't working. We look terrible. I have no idea where this idea that we are playing better "on the deck" football is coming from, I'm not seeing that at all.

The pro-TB people are blaming the ones who wanted change and the anti-TB brigade are saying they didn't get the change they wanted. In fact it is irrelevant because TB wasn't hounded out, he resigned! Not everyone who disagreed with TB's selection policy wanted him out and although he might have felt under attack, there was no great campaign to get rid of him.

Anyway, we are where we are. I have no doubt the managers and board are hurting as much as the rest of us as they are all decent people doing what they think is right, but the bottom line is that we are currently not good enough and one way or another we need to fix it fast.

[Llamaman]

TB had a few goes at the fans last season in the press and on the radio. This was totally unlike him, the same as when a player he was often chopped down just got up and got on with it. He may have been feeling some strain and felt it was best to step aside, remember he had heart problems a couple of years back. Managing a team he is obviously a fan of may have added to the pressure in the desire to succeed.

[Kentc]

I still feel that player recruitment has been the biggest problem. Twelve players have been "signed" by the current management team, four have left the club ( Wall, Roast, Ighorae and Mensah), one has a long-term injury (Driver), four were subs on Saturday ( Oyenuga, Philpot, Nicholls and Sam-Yorke) and only three actually started ( Sheringham, Isaac and Greenhalgh). Their own team selection, together with the arrival of five players on loan is in itself an admission that they got their recruitment wrong, even though many of the individuals were well-known to them.

I agree 100%. The pre-season recruitment was a catastrophic failure and everything has fallen apart as a consequence. JC and AF are now throwing loan players at the problem in an effort to try and save the day but as yet, it isn't working. We look terrible. I have no idea where this idea that we are playing better "on the deck" football is coming from, I'm not seeing that at all.

The pro-TB people are blaming the ones who wanted change and the anti-TB brigade are saying they didn't get the change they wanted. In fact it is irrelevant because TB wasn't hounded out, he resigned! Not everyone who disagreed with TB's selection policy wanted him out and although he might have felt under attack, there was no great campaign to get rid of him.

Anyway, we are where we are. I have no doubt the managers and board are hurting as much as the rest of us as they are all decent people doing what they think is right, but the bottom line is that we are currently not good enough and one way or another we need to fix it fast.

Great point Spike. the thing is i wanted change. Why?
We had our best squad for years and the best in the league but playing 1 up front most home games against poor opposition, our very non entertaining style of play and the inexplicable decision to drop the best striker in the league for a loan player who while always gave 100% struggled to score cost us very dearly. We should of been out of site at one point towards the end but so many dropped points because of this barmy decision. Publicly stating that the best striker in the league is not a number 1 striker, trying to justify the decision cant be explained unless someone thinks Alfie was not that good? (i did hear these comments around the time)
No doubt about it TBs decision making tactically and personnel wise cost us the title last season. For someone to say last year we had a good season is laughable.
There are genuine reasons why I wanted change if anyone agrees or not is fair but there are genuine football reasons.

This doesnt mean I am not grateful for the service and loyalty TB has for the club. The man has all the respect I can give.
However all good things must come to an end and sometimes fresh impetus is needed.

So its sad that the opinions from a few on here are more of a personal support for TB, yet anyone who wanted change is for purely footballing reasons.
To suggest that any fan who wanted change is responsible for this seasons poor start is despicable and so low that people who say this should be embarrassed and ashamed of themselves.

I wanted a change but a fresh change not what has happened. If this was the option I would of seen no point in TB resigning (apart from the fact it was his choice and his decision) . I know like most that TBs side will always be well organised and not a single player would give less than 100% as TB would not allow it.

There are regulars saying they wont attend for a while, thats so disappointing and while I couldnt not attend I fully understand why some would feel this way, it doesnt make anyone less of a fan, its their money, time and emotion. They have every right to feel this way.

Do i think this management team is a fresh change, not a chance. Obviously theyre not doing a very good job right now (welling fans are stunned by our appointment- I wonder why?)
But they will get my support from the terraces just like TB did.

We all talk about the recruitment of players, its not just the recruitment of players thats looking like a bad decision making.

[Buzz stop]

The comparisons to Welling of last season are staggering. Crap players, lack of effort, unorganised, no shape, no plan B. Brief periods of unconvincing performances but going unbeaten then a absolutely shocking performance. A team that looks like they were only introduced to each other 10 minutes before kick off. I feel your pain! This may be controversial but surely someone has Jamie Day’s mobile number. He could be persuaded to come back from Bangladesh.... Just a thought.

[Capricorn25]

Unorganised yes,no shape yes,no plan B,yes unconvincing performances and absolutely shocking performances,agree , but i think it is unfair to call the players crap.
The reason for all of the above, lies solely with the mismanagement of AF and JC .
As mentioned earlier in this forum, no one seems to know what formation we play , whether it be 4-4-2 4-5-1 4-3-3 3-5-2 . who knows?
Also mentioned was the fact that some players were being played out of position;"fish out of water " was the term used .
I do believe that ,even the best players would struggle playing in a team that is constantly being chopped and changed around , and loan players being played instead of the players signed pre-season, this does nothing for the confidence of these players , which ultimately reflects on the performances.

The late great Bill Shankly , once quoted:

Football is a simple game based on the giving and taking of passes, of controlling the ball and of making yourself available to receive a pass. It is terribly simple.

IF ONLY?