Interesting discussion on our relegation and future prospects this week and well worth a listen … around 1 hour 40 minutes in (just find it onBBC Sounds) … particularly for those in here who think Chris Sutton has an agenda against us . He speaks very positively about us…. Certainly much more positively than some on this message board.

Stalbansclaret wrote: ↑

Wed May 15, 2024 9:27 am

Interesting discussion on our relegation and future prospects this week and well worth a listen … around 1 hour 40 minutes in (just find it onBBC Sounds) … particularly for those in here who think Chris Sutton has an agenda against us . He speaks very positively about us…. Certainly much more positively than some on this message board.

It is introduced at around 1:39:10

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001z7km

I actually think Rory makes the more salient point about failing the young players by not having experience on the field to guide them

on a personal note and not part of the above discussion - I worry about a manager whose answer to everything is to work harder and longer - what he actually needs is to free his mind, let the unconscious resolve the issues and that is not possible if you are consciously working on it all hours. That approach/failing was underlined by his immediate response to relegation. It was wrong on two fronts to my mind - there is a job to finish this weekend, and while some things need to be sorted for the summer he really needs to free himself from the club for a few weeks and get refreshed physically and more importantly, mentally,

Chester Perry wrote: ↑

Wed May 15, 2024 10:56 am

It is introduced at around 1:39:10

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001z7km

I actually think Rory makes the more salient point about failing the young players by not having experience on the field to guide them

on a personal note and not part of the above discussion - I worry about a manager whose answer to everything is to work harder and longer - what he actually needs is to free his mind, let the unconscious resolve the issues and that is not possible if you are consciously working on it all hours. That approach/failing was underlined by his immediate response to relegation. It was wrong on two fronts to my mind - there is a job to finish this weekend, and while some things need to be sorted for the summer he really needs to free himself from the club for a few weeks and get refreshed physically and more importantly, mentally,

I've said all season we've missed a leader on the pitch, not so much experience, but someone with the pugnacity to lead by example.
Re VK, there is something missing that he just can't see. We change the players often enough, but we don't seem to have a clear plan B, or plan C, whether it's chasing a game or defending a lead. I definitely want him to stay, but he needs help from someone who doesn't automatically agree with everything he says.

Colburn_Claret wrote: ↑

Wed May 15, 2024 12:04 pm

I've said all season we've missed a leader on the pitch, not so much experience, but someone with the pugnacity to lead by example.
Re VK, there is something missing that he just can't see. We change the players often enough, but we don't seem to have a clear plan B, or plan C, whether it's chasing a game or defending a lead. I definitely want him to stay, but he needs help from someone who doesn't automatically agree with everything he says.

It was obvious from the off in regard to the experience element - there was much more in the Championship winning side, with THB, Tella and Maatsen all having experience at that level.

You have brought the other key point which is experience in the coaching side - it appears that he would benefit from a mentor (he has made great use of one in his business life) - it is interesting how many managers that still use Alex Fergusson to help clear their minds, including young ones - not saying he is the answer, but it has to be someone Kompany respects.

Chris, Is that you Alan?

Very positive from Sutton. Wonders will never cease. It’s probably easier to be positive when we’ve gone down though.

Tella had no Championship experience before we signed him on loan and I'd argue Dara O'Shea is a more experienced, better option at CB than Harwood-Bellis, considering he captained WBA and number of games played. Maybe we could do with some more nous up top, particularly as Jay is likely leaving.

"on a personal note and not part of the above discussion - I worry about a manager whose answer to everything is to work harder and longer - what he actually needs is to free his mind, let the unconscious resolve the issues and that is not possible if you are consciously working on it all hours. That approach/failing was underlined by his immediate response to relegation. It was wrong on two fronts to my mind - there is a job to finish this weekend, and while some things need to be sorted for the summer he really needs to free himself from the club for a few weeks and get refreshed physically and more importantly, mentally,"

Spot on. Couldn't agree more.

I tend to find Sutton has always been honest when talking about us. I think most people make too much of the rovers thing, he actually never mentions it.