I don't know if this is the correct place to post as it is only indirectly Welling connected, but Dartford have relieved Alan Dowson of his role as their manager.
The great thing about going to matches is the interesting talks one has with fans. I chatted with a Dartford fan who was clearly very much in the know, and he told me there was lots of player unrest with players wanting to leave, and actually, looking back quite a few key players had already left, and not been satisfactorily replaced, including their central defenders.
He mentioned harsh talking to players (like Dowse does) isnt always effective, as it may work with 9 out of 11, but not with 2 of the players, hence player unrest. He mentioned if the two games against us were lost then he would be sacked, but clearly he was being lined up for release.
It was a real eye opener about that club's ambitions, as it was clear from that talk they are all geared to promotion. I was chatting about Ade Azeez, who came to us from Dartford, and the guy said he wasnt good enough for the National League. That looking ahead like that was really interesting to see. Dartford are ok in the league this season, but their horizons are play offs at least, hence the sacking. I remember Dowse saying if I dont get us into the promotion spots then sack me, as he clearly understood that is their expectation.
Attendances dropped under him, and fans couldnt stand his style of play and even he was saying his player recruitment had been wrong. They need another incomprehensible Geordie as manager, Paul Gascoigne would be a perfect manager for them!
Ah Jamison, I was doing my absolute best to avoid mentioning the deeply embarrassing shameless schmoozing connection between you and Dowse, as I know you will be heartbroken to see him gone. And thankfully despite your nudge I have resisted doing that!
My joking about your connection is because actually I like him, as his very public manic despair when they played badly was so nice to read as a Welling fan! I'll miss it. Their fans forum has been up in arms about him, and they too find the way he throws his players under the bus wrong. But I do admire that direct side to him, I've only briefly spoken with him once, when I mentioned I was struck by how direct he is, and he said to me you have to be honest with your players, and I really liked that comment, it is so true, it is just one has to get the right amount of honesty, and maybe, just maybe, at times he overdid that a tad...
Today's song for Jamison, on the news of Dowse's departure... Stop Your Sobbing!
I don't agree with not being blessed to tell a player some home truths, but unfortunately the world has changed and with that people's tolerance to being told something. These non-league players think they are stars now, reality is half of them i wouldn't even recognise who they are if they pissed on ya shoes.
-- Edited by Jamison on Thursday 11th of January 2024 04:20:40 PM
