I'm sitting on the fence on the Neil stay or go situation at the moment as he's managed to get results from 2 of the 3 matches I said were critical.
The problem is that football, like it or not, is a results business and though it was an unenviable draw yesterday we needed to win. The reception for the team from the fans is very welcome but unfortunately that is not what wins games though it must give the players some heart.
The salient points for me are that: 1. in the last 3 matches we just about managed to beat a team from three divisions lower, we managed a win against fellow strugglers by virtue of an own goal, and we lost to the side sitting in second place in the league on goal difference reportedly as a result of poor refereeing which is something that whether we like it or not affects all too many matches.
2. we appear to be a team whose game consists of 2 distinct halves and in the half in which we play well (? dominate) we are singularly unable to do the necessary and that is score often enough.
3. as anonymous pointed out our improvement in results has come since making the loan signings. None of these have become season long loans as yet and hence at a moments notice we could find ourselves back in the position we were at the start of the season.
Our biggest earning potential outside of friendlies against premier league sides, the FA Cup, has I would suggest netted us under £5K which must have an impact on any funds which may have been able to swell Neil's budget later in the season enabling us to bring in players who are currently out of his reach because of the wage levels demanded.
We are poised midway between the playoffs and relegation in terms of points with a negative goal difference of 4. The next month must surely be make or break for Neil with games against 2 sides just outside the play off places and a couple of sides from around us who also have negative goal differences.
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YOUTH are the future
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"The worst thing you can do is make a committment and not meet it and I understand that." Barrie Hobbins 14 August 2010
"Well as I did not see you there yesterday I am guessing that are making comment on an anonymous poster"
Sorry to disappoint but I was not making comment on the anonymous posting but the Eastbourne match report and the comments of those who were there. I posted as a follow up to a posting I made a couple of weeks ago and to which I referred in my first paragraph.
"The team worked hard and put 100% effort in"
As I said football is a results business and a team putting in 100% and losing means no points/progression to later rounds and the consequent cash injection.
"Saying go is a ridiculous comment at the moment"
Show me where I said Neil should go. Please read my post without the red mist descending.
"He is learning and this takes time - All teams have loan signings throughout the season"
I know many sides have loan signings but in the main, unless they are season long loans, then they are to cover injuries or provide that extra something to gain promotion/avoid relegation and not to make up your squad. The problem with month to month loan signings is as I said they are subject to recall.
"Had you have been there you would have seen the reaction of the supporters but you were not"
Indeed as you so accurately point out I was not there and I did not see the supporters reaction but if you actually read my post the point I was making about support is quite clear - it does not win games though it can have a positive effect on the players.
"It will be interesting to hear Neil on Friday and what his vision is"
Neil has been quite open and down to earth in his public comments on the performances on the park and I would fully expect him to be as open on Friday night - I would predict "first season and I'm on a high learning curve", "I don't expect to get to the playoffs but that is my aim", "the supporters are great"
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YOUTH are the future
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"The worst thing you can do is make a committment and not meet it and I understand that." Barrie Hobbins 14 August 2010
I was at the game and agree with Bruno in that this is a results buisness, sorry Neil, nearing the bottom of the league, out of the FA Cup, selfishly plays himself instead of players clearly better than him. Go please Neil before its to late!!!!!
