Richardson out

[WestYorksRoyal]

Hunt shoulders a lot of the blame for the quality of signing. As incumbent manager when the takeover happened, he should have been giving a clear profile of the sort of player he needed, and his only criteria was "decent lads". It's a big part of why the summer window went so badly.

[West F]

I’m interested in what he does with the forward line in the summer should we stay down as I’d expect

He inherited probably quite expensive players in Lane, Marriott, Ritchie, Kelvin, DK (prob less expensive) that I imagine he was fairly duty bound to play

I do think if he gets the chance to bring in players that suit his style better, we’ll improve as a team to watch. I liked the Lisbie interest. He likes DK. I can see a quicker more mobile attack next season which will improve things visually I reckon

Muchos gacias to Ritchie for the goal, but I'd be very happy to see the back of his thoroughly immobile pointing and diving come the summer. His dive because a Bradford player put their hand on his shoulder, followed by malicious grinning once the ref had been conned was a disgrace.

Patton looks like he could be a hard working physical shithouse with an eye for goal. So wouldn’t mind him getting 20 minutes after Marriott most games next season. Them two, Randell, DK, Lane and maybe someone like Lisbie would be cracking. Though a striker short. I feel like KelvinE may need a new environment to kick on.

Yes - not seen enough of Patton but would obvs be delighted if he turns into a Smith type up top and comes through properly next year. Would like to see a target man still come in if possible

Be a shame if Kelvin moves on but can certainly see that being the best for him also. He needs to find a proper position and an understanding of his role. He’d prob best best as a Meite style winger but needs to get into the type of position Meite did in front of goal

I have accepted that what we are seeing is peak Kelvin at the moment. A player, who can’t quite do a job for you wherever you play him. He may be better playing with a decent striker where there is not the same pressure on him. Patton came on and changed the game. His touch and pass out wide created the space for the equaliser. He looks strong and quick and I would like to see him getting more minutes from now to the end of the season.

[Clyde1998]

I went to the fans' forum, so will put some notes up tomorrow for those who couldn't attend (as The Tilehurst End has done on Twitter). Have to say Richardson came across as a very genuine person and gave some good honest answers. He was very generous with his time too - with the questions lasting around an hour and a half.

[Hound]

I went to the fans' forum, so will put some notes up tomorrow for those who couldn't attend (as The Tilehurst End has done on Twitter). Have to say Richardson came across as a very genuine person and gave some good honest answers. He was very generous with his time too - with the questions lasting around an hour and a half.

Good stuff

Don’t understand the personal stuff against LR. Seems a decent sort to me

Obvs he sometimes talks nonsense post game but find me a manager who doesn’t. Hunt (who was certainly a great guy) definitely did

[RG30]

He came across very well and I have a lot more belief he is the right person to take this club forward. He referenced his spells at Wigan and Portsmouth in particular which were very similar with trouble behind the scenes so knows first hand the importance of rebuilding this club, but as he rightfully pointed out it's a window by window process with the expectations that the summer ones in particular are of huge importance.

Without chucking his predecessor under the bus (someone he coached) I sensed what Richardson inherited was far from ideal. Clearly the shambles of pre-season and the lack of fitness was a major issue.

[Hound]

Obvs it’s just words at this stage but really liked what I read through on TTE

Pretty much agree with everything he says on there. Think there will be a fair few changes in the summer, some of those a bit unexpected as well

[Brogue]

Hunt shoulders a lot of the blame for the quality of signing. As incumbent manager when the takeover happened, he should have been giving a clear profile of the sort of player he needed, and his only criteria was "decent lads". It's a big part of why the summer window went so badly.

Interestingly, the couhig Q&A before the game when asked a question about is leam still the man for the job, couhig states he wanted a manager who was 'mature enough, and strong enough to talk to them about what he wants' https://youtu.be/0j0mwyySRxw?t=209

Does that imply that Hunt wasn't? not sure exactly what that means, its kind of an odd comment. but would suggest that Hunt didn't communicate his needs to Couhig very well/wasn't firm enough on his demands for the window.

[RoyalBlue]

Hunt shoulders a lot of the blame for the quality of signing. As incumbent manager when the takeover happened, he should have been giving a clear profile of the sort of player he needed, and his only criteria was "decent lads". It's a big part of why the summer window went so badly.

Interestingly, the couhig Q&A before the game when asked a question about is leam still the man for the job, couhig states he wanted a manager who was 'mature enough, and strong enough to talk to them about what he wants' https://youtu.be/0j0mwyySRxw?t=209

Does that imply that Hunt wasn't? not sure exactly what that means, its kind of an odd comment. but would suggest that Hunt didn't communicate his needs to Couhig very well/wasn't firm enough on his demands for the window.

I suspect Hunt might have been a worn down man after his time under Dai and was so used to being ignored and not getting anything that he didn't really push Couhig for much.

My experience of working under US owners/investors is that they are usually quite blunt and straight talking (although at the same time bigging people and situations up! 'That's awesome'! ) and like those reporting to them to be the same - 'tell it how it is', 'You won't get into trouble for expressing an honestly held opinion'. Life therefore tends to be a bit easier when you stand up to them.

[South Coast Royal]

We've lost just 4 of 21 league games since LR took over. Having list 4 of our opening 7 under Noel Hunt. Up to 7th - and this having conceded three injury time equalisers in the last month (yes, I know it went the other way this weekend).

Yes, Noel Hunt can take some credit for righting the ship second half of last season - but I'm absolutely flummoxed that this thread has any legs at all.

What I honestly can't fathom is two inter-related points.

*A near-majority of posters wanted Hunt gone after he had, effectively, a single transfer window. They got what they wanted. They're now basically giving Leam one transfer window, wanting him gone ASAFP.

*If there's one club that has a track record in (a) taking things slowly and showing some patience so (b) not committing to sacking managers after wobbles (Pardew's start, 04-05 with Coppell, Selles only recently, there must be a McDermott one so we can have our four best managers all included), it's us. Even two seasons ago, a normal club would have binned Selles and instead we got two enjoyable seasons out of that squad. We signed a mix of cast-offs and unwanted players and OH MY they came good.

SHOCKED.

It's just insane that after only 20 games, with 50% of them wins and 1.8 ppg, there's a significant, vocal, toxic element whose justifications always seem to be inane, selfish or borderline demented (in the medical sense).
Old men shaking fists at clouds.

Unless you hadn't noticed this is modern life where everything is expected immediately whether that be Starmer after a year or so in control after 14 years of others oxf*rd things up or a football manager not producing a championship winning side within months of his appointment.

Nobody can argue that from a points return this manager and his team have done brilliantly although it is getting rather boring when you go on and on and on about it and making no reference to the style of play.

What none of us know is whether a more expansive style of play will one day be provided by this management team-LR's record implies that what we are seeing now is what we will get going forward particularly based on his management at Rotherham.
Managers such as Dyche and Allardyce have often lamented that if they had been given the money and the players they would provide teams playing free-flowing attacking football but would they?

As ever for us time will tell and clearly this manager has the backing of the owner and hopefully that will not just be words but in financial backing for incoming transfers-that is the other unknown as the net spend over this and last season by the club is probably zero at best.

Personally I go to football to be entertained ,others go to see our team accumulate points so ideally we get both .
At the moment we are just getting points.

Richardson IN because that is what will happen with this owner and the same goes for our Labour government which is here to stay even even it's manager does get changed at some time in the next 3 years.

[stealthpapes]

Hunt shoulders a lot of the blame for the quality of signing. As incumbent manager when the takeover happened, he should have been giving a clear profile of the sort of player he needed, and his only criteria was "decent lads". It's a big part of why the summer window went so badly.

where on earth does this, in bold, come from

[stealthpapes]

I’m interested in what he does with the forward line in the summer should we stay down as I’d expect

He inherited probably quite expensive players in Lane, Marriott, Ritchie, Kelvin, DK (prob less expensive) that I imagine he was fairly duty bound to play

I do think if he gets the chance to bring in players that suit his style better, we’ll improve as a team to watch. I liked the Lisbie interest. He likes DK. I can see a quicker more mobile attack next season which will improve things visually I reckon

Muchos gacias to Ritchie for the goal, but I'd be very happy to see the back of his thoroughly immobile pointing and diving come the summer. His dive because a Bradford player put their hand on his shoulder, followed by malicious grinning once the ref had been conned was a disgrace.

Patton looks like he could be a hard working physical shithouse with an eye for goal. So wouldn’t mind him getting 20 minutes after Marriott most games next season. Them two, Randell, DK, Lane and maybe someone like Lisbie would be cracking. Though a striker short. I feel like KelvinE may need a new environment to kick on.

I've watched two, maybe three games of Patton and the similarities with two other young Irish strikers of times past is probably a cliche, but yeah.

[Brogue]

Hunt shoulders a lot of the blame for the quality of signing. As incumbent manager when the takeover happened, he should have been giving a clear profile of the sort of player he needed, and his only criteria was "decent lads". It's a big part of why the summer window went so badly.

where on earth does this, in bold, come from

It’s become a bit of a meme. Whenever we brought someone in, it seemed that hunt only focused on talking about the player being a great character rather than talking about the footballing attributes the player would bring to the team. So it seemed we were only bringing players in if they were a decent sort rather than if they were any good at kicking footballs.

[stealthpapes]

As said before, he needs a year in the job before any real judgement can be made. He has been backed by the board, (which Noel wasn’t) and his dealings in January have been good. Given a Summer on the training ground and that window, I would expect that the start of next season should be more like his finished article.
The bug bears are still there. Playing Lane on the right , the negative safety ball when we are drawing or winning.
The key thing about Saturday, was the fact we went a goal down. At this point, the players started to carry the ball forwards in possession before it creates spaces for the pass. It is literally being on the front foot. I don’t really want to go up this season. I think it would be more beneficial to continue to grow and develop this year before any promotion. It has been proven over recent years, that the best performing championship teams have been largely built in league one.

Claiming Noel wasn't backed by the board is such an odd take. Under Hunt we paid out to keep Pereira and Wing, signed Marriott and Lane for money, then brought RWilliams and Rino into to train for contracts. Overall, Hunt brought in 12 players, 14 if you count Rino and Randell. Several to improve upon initial signings that weren't working instead of being told make do.

Meanwhile, Richardson has brought in about 5, 2 apparently for money.

At one point this Summer, we had seven pros. We needed to bring in 10+ players.

The moment we decided to change manager, that essentially meant the Jan window would be busier than otherwise.

We've 'chosen' this path, it requires patience.

[Snowflake Royal]

Hunt shoulders a lot of the blame for the quality of signing. As incumbent manager when the takeover happened, he should have been giving a clear profile of the sort of player he needed, and his only criteria was "decent lads". It's a big part of why the summer window went so badly.

where on earth does this, in bold, come from

It’s become a bit of a meme. Whenever we brought someone in, it seemed that hunt only focused on talking about the player being a great character rather than talking about the footballing attributes the player would bring to the team. So it seemed we were only bringing players in if they were a decent sort rather than if they were any good at kicking footballs.

It's an important part of signing someone, and something that had been lacking a lot under Dai. It’s something Coppell and McDermott both spoke of the importance of.

I think Hunt probably just didn't have enough experience to marry it to quality, and coherent strategy. And taking MOM for example, gave too much reliance to youth football quality and potential.

But certainly Hunt made some cracking signings. O'Connor and Lane, on paper certainly have the quality. DWilliams and Marriott have been great. DK is coming on very nicely... etc etc.

And we should remember Hunt’s starting point of 7 senior players and having to bring in virtually an entire new squad in his first ever summer as a senior manager. Even experienced managers struggle with that and find it takes time to fit together.

[Hound]

Hold no malice to Hunt whatsoever but never felt he knew quite what we wanted to be. Whereas Selles and Richardson seem to be able to comms over quite clearly the players they want and the type of style they are after.

Hunt certainly did some good stuff and a lovely guy but I don’t think it was wrong to sack him either. I do genuinely thing relegation would have been a possibility

I do feel genuinely very optimistic for next year if we fall short as expected this year

[Whore Jackie]

Obvs it’s just words at this stage but really liked what I read through on TTE

Pretty much agree with everything he says on there. Think there will be a fair few changes in the summer, some of those a bit unexpected as well

Yeah, I'm much the same. Don't mind his Yorkshire gruffness at all and take on things.

Interesting on the Sports and Science changes with Matt Bramall coming in from Brentford. Surprised the club haven't looked at that before, always seemed a little incestuous with Bowen's son having such a prominent position.

Not sure I quite understand the comment on swapping the ends they attack next season (can't be changed mid season). Surely that's in Wing's remit at the coin toss?

[RG30]

They will swap dugouts start of next season but they will continue kicking to the North 1st half, South 2nd. Seems to be misunderstood but that's exactly what he meant.

[Whore Jackie]

They will swap dugouts start of next season but they will continue kicking to the North 1st half, South 2nd. Seems to be misunderstood but that's exactly what he meant.

What's the reasoning? Isn't there more space around the current home dugout?

[Hound]

Obvs it’s just words at this stage but really liked what I read through on TTE

Pretty much agree with everything he says on there. Think there will be a fair few changes in the summer, some of those a bit unexpected as well

Yeah, I'm much the same. Don't mind his Yorkshire gruffness at all and take on things.

?

Basically the problem is he’s a bit northern. Whilst I’ve some sympathy with that, it’s a bit harsh to base some of the vitriol aimed at him on.

[stealthpapes]

Hunt shoulders a lot of the blame for the quality of signing. As incumbent manager when the takeover happened, he should have been giving a clear profile of the sort of player he needed, and his only criteria was "decent lads". It's a big part of why the summer window went so badly.

where on earth does this, in bold, come from

It’s become a bit of a meme. Whenever we brought someone in, it seemed that hunt only focused on talking about the player being a great character rather than talking about the footballing attributes the player would bring to the team. So it seemed we were only bringing players in if they were a decent sort rather than if they were any good at kicking footballs.

Cheers.