out with the old in with the new.
 

where do we go from here,relegations still technically possible.it's a good job that saturdays game wasn't a relegation decider,coley has done well for accy but i think it's time to give someone else a chance to put the great back in accy.the faithful on the clayton sing johnny coleman football genius,but if he's such a genius why are we just on the edge of another relegation battle.we don't want to go through the same fight again next season,and by the news on the grape vine coley will be here next season,perish the thought.i want whats best for accy and coleman is not the answer.

ACCY TILL I DIE

What do we need for next season?
 

Just reviewing our 'progress' this year and I was wondering what we need to do to improve on the position we are in at the moment. Reviewing our league performances this year, we've only won 5 of our last 20 league games since the turn of the year, and drawn one other (3-3 against Chester).

Those statistics really surprised me, as I didn't think we'd done that badly. However, in reality, 16 points from a possible 60 is relegation form and we really need to be thankful that we were more successful before the new year.

Last Summer we all thought that Coleman would pull out the stops and construct a stronger squad, but all his Summer signings, with the exception of Arthur, have proven to be spectacular flops (or have left the club in other ways). What do you think we need to do at the end of this season? I know you've got to be realistic, so getting rid of 15 players isn't really an option.... or is it?

Re: out with the old in with the new.
 

On the way to Notts we saw the Marine team coach..........

Sack Coleman & we will probably be seeing it in our car park on a Saturday

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

As these 2 threads were similar, I've merged them together. Keep things tidy. :)

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

Something has to change or we will have the same battle next season, and the changes have to start at the top. I for one am sick of Coley winging that he gives the lads jobs to do and they don't do them, well sorry but I though it was his job to make sure they do them. I klnow he's done well for the club but I honestly think he is way out of his depth in League 2 and to come out after Saturday's game and say he can't wait for the season to finish was to my mind a disgrace and an insult to the lads who had played, no wonder morale is low if this is the sort of thing he's saying to them.

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

There is 91 other League clubs all wanting to gain promotion, increase gates & move up the ladder.
York City, Oxford, Kidderminster, Exeter City, Torquay etc are all below us with far better resources.
We have the lowest average attendance in the League.
Arguably the worst facilities & no permanent training ground.
Presumably the lowest wages & bonus structure.
According to some, the poorest club staff with no idea how a drive a club forward.

Do fans still think its John Coleman who is holding us back?

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

a new football

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

Accymad i think when coley said that he cant wait for next season to finish, i think he was saying it because its been a long and hard season and it would be good to get it over and done with now and to rebuild the squad for next season etc because it hasnt been sucessfull , i really dont think it wasnt an insult to the lads who played!

Willie Miller has more or less summed it up! But you all go on about sacking coley, but say that happened who you going to bring in? On his wages and the resources weve got you want a manager who can take us up or finish top 8, but cumon there isnt one!! If we brought a new manager in we`ll get relegated! At least with coleman you know where not going to be relegated! Im happy in league 2. I think alot of you are greedy tbh!

John Coleman Football Genious!!!

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

I wish the mods hadn't combined these threads. My point seems to have been missed completely. Shame really.

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

To answer your post matey, think the squad is far far stronger than last year. However for some reason they haven't gelled. I would be booking a lads holiday for them all, then when the spirit of 1999-2005 has returnded I would let JB beast them up & down the Coppice till they are as fit as flock.

Then I would add a Lutel James character up front & a Jay Flannery type in central defence or midfield.

I would say adios to Branch, Bavs, Webb & McGivern. Would buy Mullin a leg-&-lung graft. Rob Heys a new nose. Cavanagh would have to retake his driving test as he keeps trying to take my wing mirror off on Hollins Lane.

Eric Whalley should smile more....

A moan box should be installed at the ground to enable fans to get all their anti Coleman letters in one envelope to the Observer, save money!

Lets have some more tarmac please

Fraser should buy an 11 seater fans bus, just in case we have a cup run

:)

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

Ashton United sacked John Coleman just before he joined us, because winning the cup and finishing second wasn't good enough if he couldn't get them promotion. They said he only picked his mates; they talked about faces not fitting; made snide comments about facial injuries and said he wasn't good enough to operate at that level. Would one or two of the present whingers please remind me where Ashton United are now ..... if you can find them in the Pyramid!
Keep the faith!

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

Can you please explain what you mean by this statement? I realize the skill level of the players increases but how does the game change such that it is beyond the grasp of the management team?

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

Without encouraging another 'let's sack Coleman' thread, one of the problems for managers with little league experience is the amount of contacts they have within the game. JC had a large number of contacts in the non-league game, as that is where both he and JB plied their trade. At league level it's a different story.

In addition to that, many L2 managers have a firm grasp of tactics and often when they have changed their play, JC hasn't acted soon enough to counteract the changes and we've lost games that we were previously well placed to get something from. That's something you saw a lot less of in the non-league game.

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

Listen , we've only been in this league for 2 seasons . what we need is someone who has worked in this league before and knows it like back of his hand . Some one to be new number 2 . We arnt a bad side but tactics have been naff . Some signing have been naff like Branch , but saying that i think Branch might have done better in centre midfield . We need a forward to feed off Mulls , need Kemps back . Love to see Godwin here again . Think its more a training ground come tactics problem myself . A little know how will do wonders next season . Instead of us all slagging team off lets make promise to drag a mate to a game next season , even if its your sons mate . you know the kid you son leaves kicking ball around in his man united top when you set off to match . Thats my promise for next season .

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

Whatever Coley's faults and individual mistakes as regards signings and tactics, this season, like last season, he has achieved a miracle - he has kept (touch wood!) a club with average gates of 1,600 in the football league - can anyone name another manager who has done this? Many fans make the mistake of talking about Stanley as if we are just another league club; we are not - we are unique because we operate on non-league gates and therefore a non-league budget. The only league club even approaching our level of poverty is D&R and look at how they are struggling now. If the knockers get their way and Coley goes, do you think that will solve our problems? Any incoming manager will face the same old scenario - no crowds and no money. In my view, Coley should receive the freedom of the borough for achieving the impossible!

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

think thats a good honest summary wynonie.

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

the thing is if you dont make mistakes you dont learn anything,look at fergie at man utd it took him more than 2 seasons to get it right.lets hope coley learns from his mistakes and by keeping coley it helps to stable the ship after recent events....




johnny coleman a survivor...........we are staying up!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

Thank you TM, that's exactly what I meant.

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

I agree, the trouble is how often does he admit that he's made mistakes - more often than not it's someone elses fault

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

This subject seems to keep coming round time and time again, i think all posible views and thoughts have at one time or another been put forward on the issue of Sacking Coleman or not and what can be done in regards to our improvement next season, whilst its good that a few fresh idea`s do emerge from time to time its getting a little boring.
At one time i was swayed that maybe it would be a good thing for Coleman to go, now i dont think it would, mainly for the reasons already stated, I think that for what he as done for this club he at least deserves another season possibly two to see if he can improve on a rather poor start to life in league 2, he`s still learning at this level, ok some of his signings havn`t turned out to be very good but we are not in a position to compete for the better players, he`s probably buying what he see`s as the best we can afford and hoping he can improve them, in most cases this as failed to happen, even Craney seems a shadow of his former self so maybe there is an underlying problem at the club that we are unaware of as we know that Craney can play, well we know he could at non league level.
I, like Coley cant wait for this season to end, then over the summer let them try and get it right for next season.

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

I think Coley is right in the sense of wanting the Season to End

For whatever reasons things have not reached the expectations certainly I had at the start of the Season which was pretty much Top Half if not a play off position.

There was enough to suggest the End of Last Season with some good Home performances and a little tweaking with additions during last Summer that is where we would should have been:confused:

I hope that plenty of people take up the Season Ticket options before the End of April to perhaps enhance & bolster the Transfer Kitty (whether that be for fees/wages or both) to move us up a notch, that could be the difference between bottom half & top half of the Table

I think the addition of a couple of experienced defenders at this level, a proven goalscorer with a utillity midfield/stiker and the four lads who have just come through the ranks things aren't maybe as bad as they seem:)

The key is consistency, if we can start to keep Clean Sheets and play with confidence and start to boss games particulary at Home then everything else will follow:)

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

Is that really depechemode typing this up! How things can change in a few weeks :) !

Without coleman we will go down! If you all want a change of manager , who you got in mind? There isnt another person who could equal or do the same or better with the club than John Coleman! Eric will stick by Coleman! And good on him!! :)

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

lol changed my tune abit but iv said all along we need someone who knows this league . some1 to be new number 2 .

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.and making mistakes..

If this is true then JC should have enough experience by now to manage a Division 2 Football team !...To what level is another question altogether.
It would seem that after another season of 'consolidation' (If that's what has really happened at the FES over the season!!)...that at least he needs another period of' learning by making bad judgements'.
Those who have posted here sharing these thoughts are I feel on the right track!!...The 'Sack JC' lobby need to look beyond the errors of this season to 2008/9 where a Manager who is still finding his feet in League Football, should lead our Team to better things!!.
I note that there are few if any alternative names suggested to replace JC
if he was 'terminated'....' Alfred.E. says ' But who would come to the FES
with the present lack of resources?'....and I can't really give him an answer!.

'WHAT ME WORRY ?'...not when I look forward to another season in the Football League....shouting 'ON STANLEY....ON!!!'

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

Yess Wynonie, I can name 2, the managers of the old Wimbledon FC who only got 3500 in the premier league and the manager of Wigan athletic when they first came into the league and look where they are now.

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

What do we need? With respect to playing staff...
a) Cling on to Kenny Arthur with all our efforts, for one. He's played brilliantly this season, especially after coming back from a serious injury. You can bet your bottom dollar that there'll be a lot of bids for him this summer. We must keep him.
b) A solid, consistent back four. Cavanagh, Edwards, Kempson and Richardson are capable of this, however the third person in that line up leads me to point (c).
c) Get Darran Kempson signed. Get investment from wherever - we must this player to the club. He's an old fashioned defender who never put a foot wrong in a red shirt this season, a must sign.
d) A midfield, please. Craney has not been effective, he can't be the first name on the team sheet. Grant deserves a regular spot as does Proctor. However, other than those two I'm not sure. Todd hasn't impressed me on his return. Harris isn't strong enough to dictate the play in a defensive midfield role and Mannix hasn't found his feet. I think developing these roles properly in training would suffice rather than seeking a new player, however this leads to the next point.
e) Permanent, professional training facilities are a must.
f) Keep John & Jimmy. They do have the ability, they've just got to wise up to professional league football. The management must, however, get over their obsession with dropping players due to personal differences. Don't lie about it, we all know it happens. We're a professional club now, it's high time we acted like it.

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

Got to admit, Oggy, I don't have the stats to hand, so I'll have to take your word for it. 3,500 seems a bit low for an average gate, since Plough Lane could hold at least twice that and all the big London clubs must have attracted full houses. I take your point, though, that their gates were way below other premier league clubs...but eventually gravity asserted itself, with disastrous results.

As for Wigan, did they really only get average gates of 1,600 per season when they came into the old 4th division? Again, seems a bit low...however, Wigan had two things that we don't, a catchment area of around four times the size of ours and a rich backer!

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

Wimbledon also won the FA CUp taking 37,000 Dons fans to Wembley in their 2nd Premier League Season. Are we to win that as well?

Coley is doing a fine job. Ajob the likes of York and Exeter can only dream that their manager could repeat.

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

A lot of our problems stem from a toothless attack, 19 goals in 20 league games since the 1st of Jan. If you can't attack with any real threat your always going to put yourself under pressure at the other end.

To begin with I don’t think we can call Mullers or Whalley for this, Mullers is a better player when he has got a busy little so and so running round him for flick ons and dinks through and Whalley isn't that. McGiven might have been, but I don't think we will ever know now, and Craney certainly never will be.

Roscoe, who was well on the way to providing the ying to Mullers yang was let go, at precisely the time Tin Monkey has highlighted things went pear shaped for us in the league. Not being a keen fan of coincidence I can’t help but think the two might be related…

Likewise Whalley has been given the thankless task of being something he isn’t naturally (a striker before anyone exasperatedly exclaims footballer).

If you can close your eyes you can see him picking up the ball on the left wing against Dagenham, beating his first man on acceleration alone, cutting inside the fullback, giving himself a couple of yards of space, looking up from the corner of the box, and unleashing a shot that arced through the cooling night sky and crept 6 inches inside the corner flag.

I for one would much prefer him to play out on the wing as I still think he has promise in that area, rather than as a finisher. It must pummel his confidence more each game, especially as the crowd is small enough to pick out what individuals are saying about you.

The big thing that will define next season and to a greater extent, whether JC can take things further or whether we go down the route of new manager or settling for league existence with JC (which is not a criticism, just a dose of realism), is sorting out our midfield and in particular a suitable partner for Ian Craney.

For the greater part of the season our central midfield has neither supported the attack in any meaningful way nor protected the defence particularly well (44 conceded in the league since Jan 1st and counting). Yes there is a lot of running, yes there is commitment, but there has been precious little in the way of guile or ability on the ball being displayed from the centre of midfield, nor has their been any noticeable shielding and tackling (unless you are fan of the flying lunge with remorseful look at the ref afterwards) when breaking up an attack.

We have played players out of position to accommodate personnel, Harris on the wing??? We have signed a stinker in Miles (irrespective of the niggling nasty football teams Paul Ince creates, I am eternally grateful he took that pile off our hands). We play Whalley out of position and Mannix wont show his true potential till next season.

And why is Craney pivotal to all this? Coleman has pinned his colours to Craney;- record signing, long term contract, he’s going to have to play him and if we are going to achieve the top half / playoff / promotion that the club has stated as its ambitions he is has to find a way of playing him so that he doesn’t go awol in matches.

Craney was at his best in the conference winning season when he was the attack minded midfielder and we had a sitter in there as his partner. Anthony Barry is a player we have never properly replaced and I don’t think Craney has ever been as consistently good for us since Barry left.

He did a lot of tackling, broke up the play, covered the back four, he could pass a bit and made sure, crucially, that he did very few stupid things. He was the perfect grafter (if that doesn’t do him a disservice) that allowed the artisan in Craney to flourish. I’m not surprised he has made it at a higher level with Yeovil.

Without a good defensive minded partner to allow Craney’s attacking talents to be brought to the fore the midfield will struggle, and Proccy and Harris just don’t offer this.

I don’t think they have the ability or consistency to their game at this level to do it reliably or against the top notch teams in our league. After all Proccy wasn’t really part of the conference winning season due to knee knack and who would you have dropped to accomodate him?

Yes we could do with Kempson back permanently, yes we need a forward to complement Mullers (some might argue we have them in McGiven and Brown), but it wont make much difference to us until we get a midfield that can defend and cover the back four and knows when to and how to support an attack

As we don’t have the money to splash on a grand signing can Coley unearth another gem like Barry? Will Mannix turn into this character? Possibly, but all I know for certain is that he is not there yet, but I wont pass judgement till next season

I cant wait to see who goes and who comes in over the close season, but what I’m hoping for is that Coley finds a player that will bring the best out of Ian Craney, if he does then the £209 I’ll be spending come pay day will be one hell of a bargain.

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

belting first post Bunter, welcome to the forum

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

In a nutshell!!.....and you say that I,m long-winded !.

Great commentary on the status quo though!!

'WHAT ME WORRY ?'...........Never !!!.......Keep Rockin ' you Reds !.

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

:)SOLIDARITY:)

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

Cracking first post Billy boy. Welcome to the forum.

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

Enjoyed your analysis - not long winded. There was a lot to be said.

Re: What do we need for next season?
 

What Bunter said :D

Great post - karma on it's way!