Paul Mani

Stuart, in the season we went down TM’s team went at a play off rate of points from Coyles catastrophic grounding and ended up getting relegated with the highest ever points tally to go down. They basically ran out of time. He then got rid of the deadwood and managed to keep the better players adding Dack, Downing, Antonnson, Armstrong, Smallwood and Payne who ALL played their part in promotion. That’s not luck. This season, he has steadied us and we’re on for a mid table finish in line with our budget and far in front of the other two teams who were promoted. Im not saying he’s perfect. He’s made lots of bad decisions, questionable team selections and weird team choices. But ultimately he’s done his job. Surely?

Reed didn’t play. He’s injured...keep up old chap! ?

Obviously all opinions but what has he stifled? We’ll finish around mid table, he’s blooded some youngsters, not all of his signings have worked but Reed, Armstrong and more now Rothwell can be seen as positive. There’s a player in Rodwell too. Still question marks over B.B but he’s young so there’s time. He’s guided us to a respectable finish and has invited the pressure of challenging for promotion next season. When you consider what he walked into, that’s not bad. Is it?

Ahh mate, I think that’s really harsh. So he’s got ‘lucky’ with recruitment and coaching both seasons? Surely it’s unfair to hold the manager upto the highest standards when we disagree with his decisions and then say his successes lucky? Theres lots of examples of managers who have not achieved their goals and are still in a job. Ive been frustrated with the winning and losing streaks too but they quite clearly suggest a lack of depth in quality. Ie when we have our best players available we’re pretty good but we don’t have much behind them. Surely this is normal for a team who came up last season? I just think that the losing streak has put a massive negative tint on what has been a brilliant couple of seasons. I still feel that had the losses been spread out over the season, then everyone would be happy going into the summer. Like it or not, the guy is doing his job.

Interesting that people (including me) are sceptical. Understandable to some extent but ultimately, it would appear that Tony coached and recruited the right players to get out of league 1 and then the right players to achieve this seasons target. So why are we all worried for next season? The managers not hiding and has long stated his and the owners intentions to target the playoffs next season...maybe the scepticism is based in the main on the emotion from losing so many games on the bounce. I wonder - If those losses were spread over a season where we had accumulated say 57 points would any of this criticism even exist?

Raya has fantastic potential. He was voted into the league team of the year last season and started this season well. It’s no surprise that a young keeper is targeted whilst results were poor. He’s made some bad decisions this season, in particular since Christmas but no more than the likes of Dack, Mulgrew etc...keepers mistakes are naturally higher profile. I’d be happy for us to sign a keeper with experience who can actually push Raya. Bell and Mulgrew need replacing in the back line. Smallwoods time is up. The midfield should be lead by Travis plus one with Davenport Evans and the under 23’s (Buckley / RC) backing up. We can’t hope that Graham will fire us into the playoff spots.

I’d personally replace Bell but keep Raya

We’ll finish exactly where we were expected to. Im glad you made the point highlighted in bold because it’s absolutely 100% correct. Important for leaders to hold their nerve in adversity whilst others shoot from the hip with decisions based on pure emotion. Though I don’t think Tony’s job was ever really in doubt when you consider the full context. The summer is huge. He needs to recruit well with a relatively limited budget as we aim towards the playoffs. Let’s hope he pulls it off.

I think it’s pretty much all to do with the managers beliefs. If he believes that Raya and Bell are not good enough then he has no option but to replace them. If he believes their inconsistency is due to their age and that they are worth persevering with then...

All about opinions I guess.

I don’t see it as buying a second striker. We need to replace Graham with a better striker to have any chance imo.

I’m not sure you’d feel the same if Graham got injured. We got away with it this season. I can’t think of any team in the top half who haven’t got 2/3 first team number 9’s. Im not saying Raya and Bell don’t need strong competition but I’m not sure simply replacing them is the right option. I suppose it depends if the manager believes in them? If he does then they’ve got another season of exp under their belt. Personally, I would replace Bell and bring in some experianced cover for Raya.

Rodwell a good shout and RC ??

Hahahahahahh ?

Not for me. Leutwiler is out of contract and will be on his way. The ones I’d play are Nuttall and Brereton. We need to know if they are going to be reliable options next season. Maybe give Chapman, Davenport and Buckley a game too...

Sooooo what’s the plan with this thread now? ?

Drop him for who? Mulgrew? The guy looks finished.

You’d drop Williams after Tuesday night? Wow...

I think we need to upgrade most positions tbh but I can’t see it being in anyone’s interest to replace seven first teamers in a summer. I think you need special players in the spine of your team to be successful at any level. Every team who harbours any hopes of going up needs several mainline striking options to get close. I think we need at least one striker who is capable of benching Graham to even consider the playoffs.

Gladwins contract is up and Davenport is more deep lying..

We’ve got a few but I still think we could do with more creativity to add to that group. That final pass is missing from time to time...

For me it’s a CB, CM, and CF to walk straight into the starting eleven. Then further competition at GK, CB, RB and an AM (Creator)

Sorry, I meant Whiteman and an opinion of him as a player ??

That’s true. I didn’t say they were right, but surely it was worth mentioning?

Mate, they’re absolutely obsessed with knowing who it is and if you can’t name them then you must be lying. ???