An interesting Pre-Match drills today, Blooms talking about how hard 2023 was on him, especially Leyton Orient away, and also how he talked to GA on the weekend who said the average tenure of a manager now is 10 months. He said he is very grateful for the time he has had to make those early mistakes but still be backed.
In a world of polarity I am proud to have openly flip-flopped. I lost faith at Orient away. I never boo’ed him - that’s a disgrace for someone that has served 20+ years. I was active on the keyboard and I was probably wrong. I’m so pleased of the shift we’ve observed in the last year. Bloomfield must be delighted. Can’t wait for today’s game. Met some scruff bag Orient fans on the way in and really looking forward to beating West Ham lite.
I was one of two or three on here (I think) who were with him until Fleetwood. At half time I decided that it was regrettably joining the MB out bandwagon.
i never did get chance to publicly jump on it and the second hand revival meant that I can always claim that I always kept faith.
I'm more than happy to admit that I wanted him out. It was a shambles. We won just 10 league games in his first 11 and a half months (relegation form over the course of a season), after taking over an Ainsworth team that was on an incredible run. Orient away was a true low, until that Fleetwood first half which somehow surpassed it.
And throughout that year, he kept on making the same mistake again and again and again, whilst his interviews were basically a complete denial of what we could all see in front of our eyes. There was no coherence in our attack and the defence looked permanently nervous whenever we had 5 at the back.
I'm absolutely over the moon that it's turned around and we now look sensational. He's a Wycombe legend and it couldn't have happened to a better nicer man. But let's not pretend that it was an irrational opinion to want him out at the time
He's been backed by the new owners and we have a very good squad with competition for all places, something we didn’t have last season.
Matts learnt from his mistakes and we are playing entertaining and effective football that generates lots of chances and is great to watch. Still some work to do defensively.
I kept the faith in Matt throughout. Mostly because it was clear that if he went, Gareth would be brought back in. Given we're now playing the sexiest football since I started watching in the late non-league days, I feel somewhat vindicated. Also over advocating for Ravizzoli over Stryjek for that matter :)
I don't say this with any paranoia as I don't think he is going anywhere, but I think we are going to start seeing Blooms appear in the odds markets for lower Champo jobs as firings happen.
I think most people, including myself, are happy to admit it came to the point we thought Matt should go, but, are also extremely happy that he's turned it around and are very very happy for him... you are allowed to be both you know
Saw a couple of Colchester fans online using Blooms as an example of why they should keep faith with the Cowley brothers, after one of them saying "it pains me to say it." It must be a strange feeling to see Blooms up in 2nd in L1 while they are still scuffling at the lower ankle of L2.
On another note, having been nominated for September, Blooms must surely be nailed on to win Manager of the Month for October, having one draw followed by four wins in a row. I would put Ruben Selles in second, followed by (a little surprisingly) Garry Monk, for the recent Cambridge turnaround.
I personally wouldn't judge someone for having called for Bloomfield to be sacked after the run into the new year. We looked like a team that was trying to play a facsimile of possession-based football but didn't have the ability to execute it.
My opinion at the time was that we had to weigh up whether we wanted to give Matty the money get quality in and/or change how we set up to suit the players we do have; or rip up the Bloomfield project and bring in someone new (with all the costs that would entail).
The latter was a bigger risk and not one guaranteed to succeed, though I admit it looked like it was very much on the cards at half-time against Morecambe. The rest, as they say, is history.
Happy to admit that I was one that certainly lost faith in Matt as manager coming into the new year and if I hadn’t publicly said it, I was certainly thinking it was time for a change at the coming into the new Window.
Was I wrong? with hindsight, yes, but even after the good window and improvement after January, we still had some obvious deficiencies - the way we were out played by Borough at Wembley being one - as we lacked some of the direct running and ability to get a defence turning towards there own goal. (That said, I think the main issue in that game were Gmac coming back from injury and others being cup tied.)
While I am happy to say I was wrong last Christmas time, I’m even happier to see that that deficiency seems to have been address for this season and we are reaping the benefits of it now.
They did. Had us in their pocket all game. They didn’t need to play us off the pitch they just needed, and did, hold us at arms length and squeeze us further up the pitch towards our goal.
It was the same story vs Sunderland in the play off game. People said we didnt turn up - but that’s just an excuse so people didn’t have to admit they were significantly better than us and could answer every question we tried to ask. Sometimes, that happens and not from a lack of trying.
We have to let Posh have their moment of glory against us once in a wonder. I’m not sure what the final score was but I don’t think the margin of victory exactly warranted the term outplayed.
But I trust you agreed with my post apart from that.
Margin of victory isn’t necessarily a good yardstick to a side being outplayed imho. If you effectively stop one side from being able to threaten or to play to its strengths - you have tactically outplayed them. I would say that was the definition of what happened at Wembley both times.
The other part - not really. But it’s one of those discussions neither of us have inside info on, or understanding of the financials behind a dismissal had it happened. Or the fact at the time and the run of form we were it it could be argued we couldn’t have afforded not to sack him that it didn’t warrant boring other readers on.Especially as it’s now a moot point.. Until you brought it up again.
Forgot to mention. You were spot on about the Sunderland Final. I invited friend and family round to watch on TV. Splashed out on half a dozen bottles of Newcastle Brown. Two of them are still in the fridge. Probably in both senses of still.
I wasn't screaming for MB to go but thought it was probably inevitable after Orient, seemed some went very early, disrespectfully in my opinion, but maybe didn't ever think he was up to it and more joined after us falling away then an admittedly awful start to his first full season and some signings that really didn't work.
If anything I think the loud boos at Orient shocked some of the players and staff and gained him some sympathy.
Big shout from RC not only to keep him but to back him to a very good January window.
It's debatable wether we could have afforded to sack him, seems like funds were tight but there was more than a hint behind the scenes of future investment on the way. Maybe it was just a decision not to rock the boat for a bit but he's done great since and long may it continue.
Comments
An interesting Pre-Match drills today, Blooms talking about how hard 2023 was on him, especially Leyton Orient away, and also how he talked to GA on the weekend who said the average tenure of a manager now is 10 months. He said he is very grateful for the time he has had to make those early mistakes but still be backed.
It also shows the value of keeping faith in a manager that has a plan. I'd say 75% of the Gasroom were calling for his head at some point last season.
Although it does seem now that about 75% of the gasroom are adamant they never had any doubts, and anyone else was a "bed wetter" :-)
Tbh, It can be easy to forget if you've long since moved on to slagging off the skipper and the keeper and are well in to rowing back on that.
In a world of polarity I am proud to have openly flip-flopped. I lost faith at Orient away. I never boo’ed him - that’s a disgrace for someone that has served 20+ years. I was active on the keyboard and I was probably wrong. I’m so pleased of the shift we’ve observed in the last year. Bloomfield must be delighted. Can’t wait for today’s game. Met some scruff bag Orient fans on the way in and really looking forward to beating West Ham lite.
I was one of two or three on here (I think) who were with him until Fleetwood. At half time I decided that it was regrettably joining the MB out bandwagon.
i never did get chance to publicly jump on it and the second hand revival meant that I can always claim that I always kept faith.
I'm more than happy to admit that I wanted him out. It was a shambles. We won just 10 league games in his first 11 and a half months (relegation form over the course of a season), after taking over an Ainsworth team that was on an incredible run. Orient away was a true low, until that Fleetwood first half which somehow surpassed it.
And throughout that year, he kept on making the same mistake again and again and again, whilst his interviews were basically a complete denial of what we could all see in front of our eyes. There was no coherence in our attack and the defence looked permanently nervous whenever we had 5 at the back.
I'm absolutely over the moon that it's turned around and we now look sensational. He's a Wycombe legend and it couldn't have happened to a better nicer man. But let's not pretend that it was an irrational opinion to want him out at the time
Pretty much my thoughts too.
He's been backed by the new owners and we have a very good squad with competition for all places, something we didn’t have last season.
Matts learnt from his mistakes and we are playing entertaining and effective football that generates lots of chances and is great to watch. Still some work to do defensively.
More of the same please Matt.
I kept the faith in Matt throughout. Mostly because it was clear that if he went, Gareth would be brought back in. Given we're now playing the sexiest football since I started watching in the late non-league days, I feel somewhat vindicated. Also over advocating for Ravizzoli over Stryjek for that matter :)
I for one much prefer this year's Bloomfield ;-)
Blooms is some manager now, and you think his skillset would translate well to a higher level...which he might need as soon as next season!
I don't say this with any paranoia as I don't think he is going anywhere, but I think we are going to start seeing Blooms appear in the odds markets for lower Champo jobs as firings happen.
It better not happen sooner than that!
I think most people, including myself, are happy to admit it came to the point we thought Matt should go, but, are also extremely happy that he's turned it around and are very very happy for him... you are allowed to be both you know
Likewise.
I thought we were headed for the drop.
The turnaround has been unexpected and absolutely fucking delightful.
All season-long loans have a January recall option.
No, they don’t. It’s between the two clubs to agree on the terms of the loan.
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/wimbledon-transfer-chief-craig-cope-confirms-loan-clauses-for-key-duo/
Saw a couple of Colchester fans online using Blooms as an example of why they should keep faith with the Cowley brothers, after one of them saying "it pains me to say it." It must be a strange feeling to see Blooms up in 2nd in L1 while they are still scuffling at the lower ankle of L2.
Bwahahahaha!
On another note, having been nominated for September, Blooms must surely be nailed on to win Manager of the Month for October, having one draw followed by four wins in a row. I would put Ruben Selles in second, followed by (a little surprisingly) Garry Monk, for the recent Cambridge turnaround.
Strange? Circling the drain back into the Conference like the bottom feeders they are is their natural habitat.
I personally wouldn't judge someone for having called for Bloomfield to be sacked after the run into the new year. We looked like a team that was trying to play a facsimile of possession-based football but didn't have the ability to execute it.
My opinion at the time was that we had to weigh up whether we wanted to give Matty the money get quality in and/or change how we set up to suit the players we do have; or rip up the Bloomfield project and bring in someone new (with all the costs that would entail).
The latter was a bigger risk and not one guaranteed to succeed, though I admit it looked like it was very much on the cards at half-time against Morecambe. The rest, as they say, is history.
Happy to admit that I was one that certainly lost faith in Matt as manager coming into the new year and if I hadn’t publicly said it, I was certainly thinking it was time for a change at the coming into the new Window.
Was I wrong? with hindsight, yes, but even after the good window and improvement after January, we still had some obvious deficiencies - the way we were out played by Borough at Wembley being one - as we lacked some of the direct running and ability to get a defence turning towards there own goal. (That said, I think the main issue in that game were Gmac coming back from injury and others being cup tied.)
While I am happy to say I was wrong last Christmas time, I’m even happier to see that that deficiency seems to have been address for this season and we are reaping the benefits of it now.
Two points. I don’t agree that Peterborough outplayed us at Wembley. And, massively fortuitously as it turned out, we couldn’t afford to sack Matt.
Mild One replacing Wild One turned into Miracle Man.
They did. Had us in their pocket all game. They didn’t need to play us off the pitch they just needed, and did, hold us at arms length and squeeze us further up the pitch towards our goal.
It was the same story vs Sunderland in the play off game. People said we didnt turn up - but that’s just an excuse so people didn’t have to admit they were significantly better than us and could answer every question we tried to ask. Sometimes, that happens and not from a lack of trying.
We have to let Posh have their moment of glory against us once in a wonder. I’m not sure what the final score was but I don’t think the margin of victory exactly warranted the term outplayed.
But I trust you agreed with my post apart from that.
Margin of victory isn’t necessarily a good yardstick to a side being outplayed imho. If you effectively stop one side from being able to threaten or to play to its strengths - you have tactically outplayed them. I would say that was the definition of what happened at Wembley both times.
The other part - not really. But it’s one of those discussions neither of us have inside info on, or understanding of the financials behind a dismissal had it happened. Or the fact at the time and the run of form we were it it could be argued we couldn’t have afforded not to sack him that it didn’t warrant boring other readers on.Especially as it’s now a moot point.. Until you brought it up again.
I think it’s undeniable.
Forgot to mention. You were spot on about the Sunderland Final. I invited friend and family round to watch on TV. Splashed out on half a dozen bottles of Newcastle Brown. Two of them are still in the fridge. Probably in both senses of still.
The bottles of beer, that is.
I wasn't screaming for MB to go but thought it was probably inevitable after Orient, seemed some went very early, disrespectfully in my opinion, but maybe didn't ever think he was up to it and more joined after us falling away then an admittedly awful start to his first full season and some signings that really didn't work.
If anything I think the loud boos at Orient shocked some of the players and staff and gained him some sympathy.
Big shout from RC not only to keep him but to back him to a very good January window.
It's debatable wether we could have afforded to sack him, seems like funds were tight but there was more than a hint behind the scenes of future investment on the way. Maybe it was just a decision not to rock the boat for a bit but he's done great since and long may it continue.