I think there are parallels between MB and MD in that Gaz left us in a good position just outside the playoffs (which is why I was surprised he went) and despite having the same team and not changing much MB who also knew all of the players oversaw a bit of a terrible run that saw us drop away. Second season was dire for the first half, then Wembley saved him to an extent. Another surprising departure left us in second with MD picking up from Sam Grace not knowing the first team or any of the bloated squad. I think he has the harder job in a way, not wanting to scupper the success. Thing is if we end this season with a whimper he may not get the whole of next season the way Blooms did. It's a business yer know...
There are definitely similarities between Ainsworth and Bloomfield leaving. I think deep down, possibly both managers at the time knew we didn’t quite have enough to make promotion and left when their stock was highest.
Let’s be honest, the lull started with the two draws at beginning of December. Back-up team losing to Swindon highlighted lack of squad depth. Warning signs with Bolton and a not particularly great Charlton away game.
Then on to New Year, hardly started with a bang. By now, teams have figured us out and the busy schedule is taking its toll. Grace did a great job in difficult circumstances and Dodds would have been close to matching his average points return with a win against Wrexham.
Im certainly just as bemused as all other fans with the Norris long ball hoof approach, but we’ll just have to stick with it as way too early to fully judge this situation. There have been glimpses of good performances sandwiched inbetween the strange.
Sonny Bradley has to start every game if he is fit. Why this man isn’t playing every week is beyond me, Low (error for pboro penalty) and Taylor (error for smith hitting post) have given good reason to be dropped in recent games. It’s simple, play Bradley and get a better performance.
If he can’t figure out who to drop then go with the 3 at the back like against Birmingham. I think we all got excited seeing the ballsy managerial approach to that 2nd half at Brum with 10 men. Only for Dodds to then get all rigid and scared on us the following games.
Hopefully now the pressure of the situation has been lifted with the Wrexham loss and it will allow Dodds to make necessary changes and adjustments. In regard to all the new recruits, I personally think they are all fantastic signings that are simply not match fit or ready.
What a luxury to have, signing players to make us better next season regardless of the division we’re in, either to dominate league 1 or survive the Championship. We’re used to loan players, freebies and last minute deals picking up scraps of the transfer window. This is all a new concept to us fans, but we have to trust that the process is actually a positive one, as the evidence is there already that we’ll be having an amazing time over the next few years.
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I think there are parallels between MB and MD in that Gaz left us in a good position just outside the playoffs (which is why I was surprised he went) and despite having the same team and not changing much MB who also knew all of the players oversaw a bit of a terrible run that saw us drop away. Second season was dire for the first half, then Wembley saved him to an extent. Another surprising departure left us in second with MD picking up from Sam Grace not knowing the first team or any of the bloated squad. I think he has the harder job in a way, not wanting to scupper the success. Thing is if we end this season with a whimper he may not get the whole of next season the way Blooms did. It's a business yer know...
There are definitely similarities between Ainsworth and Bloomfield leaving. I think deep down, possibly both managers at the time knew we didn’t quite have enough to make promotion and left when their stock was highest.
Let’s be honest, the lull started with the two draws at beginning of December. Back-up team losing to Swindon highlighted lack of squad depth. Warning signs with Bolton and a not particularly great Charlton away game.
Then on to New Year, hardly started with a bang. By now, teams have figured us out and the busy schedule is taking its toll. Grace did a great job in difficult circumstances and Dodds would have been close to matching his average points return with a win against Wrexham.
Im certainly just as bemused as all other fans with the Norris long ball hoof approach, but we’ll just have to stick with it as way too early to fully judge this situation. There have been glimpses of good performances sandwiched inbetween the strange.
Sonny Bradley has to start every game if he is fit. Why this man isn’t playing every week is beyond me, Low (error for pboro penalty) and Taylor (error for smith hitting post) have given good reason to be dropped in recent games. It’s simple, play Bradley and get a better performance.
If he can’t figure out who to drop then go with the 3 at the back like against Birmingham. I think we all got excited seeing the ballsy managerial approach to that 2nd half at Brum with 10 men. Only for Dodds to then get all rigid and scared on us the following games.
Hopefully now the pressure of the situation has been lifted with the Wrexham loss and it will allow Dodds to make necessary changes and adjustments. In regard to all the new recruits, I personally think they are all fantastic signings that are simply not match fit or ready.
What a luxury to have, signing players to make us better next season regardless of the division we’re in, either to dominate league 1 or survive the Championship. We’re used to loan players, freebies and last minute deals picking up scraps of the transfer window. This is all a new concept to us fans, but we have to trust that the process is actually a positive one, as the evidence is there already that we’ll be having an amazing time over the next few years.