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Post by madgas on Feb 13, 2024 12:23:05 GMT
I think if you're getting annoyed at the content of letter you're being a bit unreasonable. There was nothing particularly bad in there.
However- I think it's fair to be annoyed at what was missing and there was a fair bit omitted.
My hope is that this is the start of a more transparent board- with fuller details to follow. Details on the specific roles of executive level staff would be welcomed.
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Post by madgas on Feb 13, 2024 7:57:26 GMT
Things to remember guys, it’s competitive and really hard. Even if you do everything right; you can still lose. As an example, injuries. It is not as simple as you think. All the other teams are trying as hard as we are. Being honest, mid table L1 is about our level. Of course I want more but for goodness sake, City have spent over 100M for about 20 league places above us. You can hope to do a Luton and get lucky, and we may one day. Go easy on the board and manager. As far as I can see they are putting their money and their time where their mouth is. We are batting at our level and that’s better than we had for years. Our time will come I am sure. All we can do is be the best fans we can be and make the Mem a place opposition teams fear. Are we doing that? No. We can be a weak home crowd and we need the team to act first. How about instead of barraging the board, we grab our testicles and resolve to make the mem like ninnian park in the 90s. An inferno. That’s all we can do. Sing your heart out instead of finding other fans to shop to the stasi for singing about the IRA. Give your head a wobble, get some pints down you and let’s ave it. Or words to this effect. I remember in the Holloway days going 3-0 down at home and the blackthorn giving a massive, loud rendition of Irene. Pretty sure we rescued that game. That wouldn’t happen now, we’ve become like t the old city fans we hated. Culture change needed. Once we’ve proven ourselves as fans again then maybe we can criticise. Yes I am on holiday and yes I’ve had a few rice wines but I mean every word. Get on board or get out. UTFG. We can do this! Not spot on. I like alot of the energy but- get on board or get out. Alot of money men have come into football and tanked clubs with respected histories. Fans are right to review the credentials of owners actions. This was some improved communication and I think it's fair to give them the benefit of the doubt but I'll be paying attention to see if these words are backed up.
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Post by madgas on Feb 12, 2024 20:13:04 GMT
Fair letter.
No criticism from me.
No huge excitement either.
Just hope to see actions and talk joined up.
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Post by madgas on Feb 12, 2024 12:02:19 GMT
I hope Taylor talks and tells the truth to shut up some of our fans. Wayne Carlisle deal agreed to work full time for us, club pulled it……..the reason is, Barton and all his team are still being paid and for many more months. I mentioned we are speaking to players now, it’s not a shock, we have people like Sinclair coming off the wage bill in June on £5k a week. Next season will see a reduced playing budget because of the Barton hangover, they are all paid for a minimum a year unless they get new jobs. People having a pop at MT are stupid, he’s inherited a terrible situation, I don’t know why he took the job. But maybe that’s why we could only attract Monk and Robinson. So... at what point is it fair to judge Taylor? I'm constantly wanting the club to move on from JB and get resources are what they are... but he was introduced as the man to get more from this bunch on players because the previous manager did not achieve the points necessary from their investment. Personally, I think it's fair that some fans are questioning this. He was their man with experience of this level... (limited). Who could get us promoted from league one (not yet achieved). Who had managed at the level above (questionable success). I'm playing a little devil's advocate here because he's won me over. But you do sense he's not had the backing that the decision to sack Barton should've come with and just blaming Barton or Wael for backing him is childish. These consequences aren't surprising... The board should've said- were sacking Barton because he doesn't reflect the values we want Bristol Rovers built on. It wouldn't have put this silly expectation on the new manager. The debacle that was searching for a replacement has really disrupted the fan base.
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Post by madgas on Feb 11, 2024 19:32:59 GMT
For me Matt Taylor has won me over. But the messaging since September has been confusing.
We sacked Barton because of league return. Regardless of your view on that things haven't picked up. So perhaps as owners you begin to doubt the squad and the investment to date. But during January we sent 4 perms out and got 1 in. Furthermore the positions indicated by the manager as needed were missed.
The window we had felt like one that belonged to Mangan side, not Taylors. So why hire him? I think most fans don't usually expect a promotion to follow in a season where you change your manager... but they do expect change. We're too many months down the line and fans haven't been given enough to believe in.
As I've previously said I don't think that's necessarily Taylors fault.
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Post by madgas on Feb 11, 2024 19:18:43 GMT
Hello all. My first post so go easy on me. I think that sometimes things have to be given a bit of perspective. In the times we live in, there is a tendency to be a bit too extreme and serious in our reactions. We are all guilty of it at times and the media coverage has an influence on us all if we are not careful. First and foremost they didn’t play well yesterday and from the sounds of Tuesday it was equally poor, BUT, there is no harm in walking out and thinking they didn’t play well TODAY rather than seeing each defeat as the sign of a crisis. Secondly, there’s no harm in being flexible with our opinions. We don’t need to be in a Barton or Taylor camp and then search for reasons to continuously back up that position. We are all Gas heads and there is no pleasure in reaching an “I told you so” position, better to just keep hoping things improve regardless of the manager. Lastly, it’s obvious they are transitioning to a new period for the team and some players are struggling to accept it and grow in confidence. I don’t think Marquis is a bad player, just not a target man. If he received more balls into feet and been given some actual chances it may have been a different game for him. In addition the continuing injuries is really hampering us, we don’t know how many were playing at 50% fitness yesterday which is obviously going to put us at a disadvantage. I personally prefer a passing game and I think we get more out of Thomas and Evans that way but if we are going more direct, we will have to wait and see what players we get in the summer to support that kind of game. All is not lost and I’m sure we will stay up. Give it time, every manager deserves that. I think in the thirty years I have watched Rovers, we have probably averaged half way up the third division so we are not in a disgraceful position by any means. The win at Exeter was only a week ago so I’m sure they can produce a few more like that to steady the nerves. UTG! I enjoyed this post again.
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Post by madgas on Feb 10, 2024 23:01:16 GMT
Times have been worse at rovers.
We've got an inconsistent group. We've got some talent and we've got some wriggle room in the summer. There isn't need to panic- the team will stay up. But I really think the hierarchy need to learn lessons quick.
It took too long to get taylor in The conteh signing was a messy And we failed to back the gaffer insufficient way during Jan.
If they learn from the above- I have no problems but supporters need to stop pretending we've been well governed...
Totally respect the value of errors but we need to stop giving free passes.
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Post by madgas on Feb 10, 2024 18:37:07 GMT
Manager bemoaning options. And I agree with his assessment but why did we sign more ball playing techy kids. He was clearly not backed. Forced to go begging with an hour left for more loans. If you listen to taylor he said that those two players were identified to us, not peopel we picked out. We were sat around behind f reactive on deadline day. Where’s the celino thread again? I hear that. But 15 more performances like that and he won't have much credit in the bank. If he gets the reset. Then he'll need a fast start with a new squad... that's far from guaranteed with so much change. So there's an unfortunate chance we repeat this cycle. Thoughts on the previous manager aside. You have to back the new one at the earliest opportunity. Give their vision a chance at the start. We've put so much pressure on the first 10 games of next season with players that haven't signed for us yet. I really fear we set to repeat this pattern. The planning for the future brigade irratate me greatly. Smell the coffee.
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Post by madgas on Feb 10, 2024 18:26:42 GMT
Manager bemoaning options. And I agree with his assessment but why did we sign more ball playing techy kids.
He was clearly not backed. Forced to go begging with an hour left for more loans.
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Post by madgas on Feb 10, 2024 17:22:47 GMT
Me too. Thought it was telling that the recent coaching appointments were only til the end of the season, smacks of the owners not having too much confidence in him. I’ve got more confidence in MT than the owners! They didn’t have a clue what was going on after they sacked JB No plan No plan for January window If they’ve got any sense they will realise the club needs a scouting infrastructure and some bloody stability! People forgetting he has only signed ONE of his permanent players. The rest are a bunch of crocks signed by the previous manager There are some good players here but too many stealing a living. MT will work that out and it’s up to us to support him whilst he puts together HIS team UTG Whilst I've been pretty negative since the Conteh drawn out signing... I actually feel Matt Taylor is a decent manager and I wasn't particularly enthused when we appointed him. The two points taylor has made every news conference: - lack of experience out on the pitch - lack of striking options working (collins and brown criticism) So in Jan we sign very green midfielders on loan. I don't think that's necessarily on Taylor. I sense he's been let down.
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Post by madgas on Feb 10, 2024 17:14:38 GMT
What was the plan in January? I was repeatedly told by some that we were planning for the future...
Is our future being a feeder club for championship sides? I'm not seeing a plan for next season.
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Post by madgas on Feb 10, 2024 16:58:59 GMT
Manager incredibly let down in January. Clearly needed a striker. Yet- some on here think we had a fantastic January. Got our rovers back and all that.
We've been a striker light all season.
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Post by madgas on Feb 10, 2024 16:26:41 GMT
Brown having a half decent game.
My problem is that we haven't played particularly well since Grant was injured. Think we were a touch fortunate against Exeter. The Oxford match was pretty decent but far from spectacular.
Very few patterns of play to fall back too.
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Post by madgas on Feb 10, 2024 9:06:51 GMT
Incredible the amount of coverage RE: Joey Barton for a thread called "Rebuild Summer 2024"
He's gone. Personally I'm not disappointed but I appreciate there are some that really enjoyed 12 months of his tenure. For a few it might have been their first promotion watching the gas, for others it might have been last promotion watching with a special person.
Please do not turn posts about the future into another chance to gloat about Bartons departure. Like or loathe him he's gone. And he will not be in charge of summer 2024 rebuild.
Ironicly I don't have too much to add. I'd still like us to squeeze everything we can out of this season... and next season is going to see a huge turnover of players. I think under Taylor we are clearly missing a support striker that can "go in behind." Were really susceptible to the "high block" because we don't have a striker that makes runs in behind the back line. Not a criticism of Martin- he's not in the side for that. Its clearly what he wants the 10s we've been playing with to do... but thats the key position we don't have at the club. So would be priority position.
Oddly, I think Sinclair would do this well from a central position. Today I'd like us to play Evo up top, Sinclair and Agrulia off him.
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Post by madgas on Feb 4, 2024 13:56:26 GMT
Valentines day- that'll be when we know if its doable. Hopefully the gap to Stevenage is down to 9.
That last place looks just about within reach still. Oxford look on the slide. Oxford and Blackpool play each before then.
Looks like Stevenage are the team we need to hunt. Stevenage and Northampton will be tough fixtures. But a positive Feb could make things interesting
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Post by madgas on Feb 4, 2024 11:28:22 GMT
Watched on Ifollow. A couple moments for them... but I actually thought we limited them pretty well. Need to figure out those transistion moments- but that's where Finley/ Ward returning will be helpful. But for a brand new, pretty inexperienced that was good going.
Love beating Caldwell. He's a proper promoter of Banned word tactics.
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Post by madgas on Feb 3, 2024 11:34:07 GMT
They were worst team to visit the mem. We've got to right that wrong. I think we're going to bang up for revenge. 5-1 Gas. The weather didn't help either side on the day, they did follow up that win with a 2 1 win at Barnsley though. So it's not going to be a walk in the park. With Taylor returning, they will be up for the game. I'm going for a 2 2 draw, like last season. If everyone is fit, I would start with same team as last week. Friend means we can switch from 3 to 4 at the back, depending on how the game goes. Wilson will be up for the game and will probably get some stick, being ex Plymouth. It will be nice to have a lot of attacking options on the bench and some fresh legs. First time we have had no mid week game in a while as well. Weather was a huge contributor. Agree.
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Post by madgas on Feb 3, 2024 7:58:51 GMT
The bigger picture: - get Taylor a player that can play Collins/ Brown position in a manner he desires. He's clearly not seeing it function as would like/ expect. It doesn't have to be a marquee player but someone he trusts to put in a shift in an effective manner. We want to see the shoots of next season now. That's the bigger picture. We did bring in two attacking midfielders?? If they take up that role- great. But it feels they still block the path of players were actually likely to have next season- if we're following this big picture logic. You can't pretend the plan was land these guys with an hour left. You probably will but its absurd. The board deserve credit for signing what they have but "giving up and focusing on next season" as you imply isn't fair. I've got 40% of my season ticket remaining. They are having to sell South stand tickets heavily discounted. I want to see some shoots for next season. I find the bigger picture stuff patronising. The positive spin is that they've decided there isn't alot avaliable right now. Similar to many of the 92. Its been a dead January. They've signed 3 loan players who they believe will give the most to the squad in the short term. Developing 6 kids for other clubs isn't big picture play. It's to have a crack now.
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Post by madgas on Feb 3, 2024 7:40:14 GMT
They were worst team to visit the mem. We've got to right that wrong.
I think we're going to bang up for revenge. 5-1 Gas.
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Post by madgas on Feb 2, 2024 18:19:55 GMT
Absolutely, they failed Barton in the last window.. which ultimately lead to his sacking. They said his sacking was down to league position, yet have not backed the new manager suitably in this window to improve that. MT is now left with less striking options than Barton had, and we didnt have enough then. crazy. Good job L1 is sh** in quality this season but what an opportunity we had Barton was backed and when we missed out on JCH, we signed Martin on a decent wage. Taylor said himself we will probably wait until the summer and a lot of fans agree with that decision. We only play with 1 striker anyway, we have two strikers and signed two more attacking midfielders. Some fans don't look at the bigger picture and only think about the short term. If we can get better value during the summer, why get worse value now, so we can finish a few places higher when we're not going up or down?? The bigger picture: - get Taylor a player that can play Collins/ Brown position in a manner he desires. He's clearly not seeing it function as would like/ expect. It doesn't have to be a marquee player but someone he trusts to put in a shift in an effective manner. We want to see the shoots of next season now. That's the bigger picture.
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