TIME FOR ONE MAN!!!!

the-mole · Post by **the-mole** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:02 am

Right I know I have never jumped on the Royle out bandwagon - but I think the time has come. We have dropped points non stop this season. Our effort and commitment has been severely lacking IMO since Royle arrived here.

Whilst we came close last season there were some passionless displays which ultimately cost us dearly.

If we have a chance of salvaging something from this season we need to act now!!!

There is one man out there who can unite the fans behind the team, one man who can instill some hope and possibly better tactics and formations into the side. There is one man whom ITFC fans still hold very dear. Whilst it wouldn't be a long term solution - it could get us motoring once again and hopefully groom the next ITFC manager.

That man is Sir Bobby Robson - yes there were problems at Newcastle - but with an arrogant sh*t like shearer running the show what do you expect. The man still has passion. He loves this club dear and I think he is good for another couple of years!!!

If we continue with the BS being displayed so far this year - there is every chance of relegation. Now is the time to act, Yes it would cost us coz sheepys tied royle down to a longer term contract - but at the moment can we really see us moving up the table under royles leadership!!

Ojc · Post by **Ojc** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:40 am

Bah, why the hell not, something needs to be done.

Get him back in quickly before its to late.

Mork · Post by **Mork** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:43 am

I'd prefer an up and coming manager whose done it in the lower leagues and wants a chance at the bigtime.

But anything would be better than now, Royle needs to go.

Dubai Blue · Post by **Dubai Blue** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 6:49 am

It's tempting to agree, because we all want results and glory now.

However I think its worth remembering that we all understood at the start that this season was going to be an experimental one and as far as I can see JR is experimenting.

I don't see a new manager doing any better with our resources to be honest and I trust that JR is already working on building a credible challenge next year by trying out players and systems this year.

Of course we are likely to get the verbals all season about being on the verge of the play offs &c &c. He could hardly say that we have no chance and that he's tinkering could he. But its becoming clear to all of us that unless JR knows something we don't play-offs are not in the frame.

Last year we weren't experimenting, we were trying to get up and he played the best starting 11 almost always in the same 2 or 3 formations, (even at times when we urged him to drop players like Benty and try out others). So he's proved to me that he knows how to put together a team and get them to play to their strengths. This year we're finding our who that team should be and what their strengths are, nothing more, nothing less.

I would judge him around this time next season.

the-mole · Post by **the-mole** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:09 am

Dubai Blue wrote:It's tempting to agree, because we all want results and glory now.

However I think its worth remembering that we all understood at the start that this season was going to be an experimental one and as far as I can see JR is experimenting.

I don't see a new manager doing any better with our resources to be honest and I trust that JR is already working on building a credible challenge next year by trying out players and systems this year.

Of course we are likely to get the verbals all season about being on the verge of the play offs &c &c. He could hardly say that we have no chance and that he's tinkering could he. But its becoming clear to all of us that unless JR knows something we don't play-offs are not in the frame.

Last year we weren't experimenting, we were trying to get up and he played the best starting 11 almost always in the same 2 or 3 formations, (even at times when we urged him to drop players like Benty and try out others). So he's proved to me that he knows how to put together a team and get them to play to their strengths. This year we're finding our who that team should be and what their strengths are, nothing more, nothing less.

I would judge him around this time next season.

If your right dubai - then that means we should be motoring before the end of the season - in essence the last 15 games???

I don't think we can afford to wait until this time next season. The point is that we are far from experimental. If this was to be a season of testing - then why are we not bringing on the youth for next season? Why are we persisting with players such as de vos, magilton, wilnis and horlock.

These players will not be competing next season so why are we wasting our time with them now. Because they are experienced?? So what - I would much rather see some talent and legs on the pitch.

We have been told for years now how Aidan COllins is going to be a big star - why is he not given a go. Dean McDonald has shown more promise than anyone - yet they are talking about shifting him off onloan.

Experimental my as*. Not having a dig chap - respect your thoughts and opinions. If this was a season of experimentation and rebuilding then why the hell is this not actually happening!!!

hallamblue · Post by **hallamblue** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:30 am

Hallam's view :

I too would like to see someone else in as manager ....when you've just witnessed us beaten with embarrassing ease as Reading did to us last night (not totally unexpected though ).

But then the little voice of reason chips in.....what would Sir Bobby (or any other manager for that matter) be able to do with this same squad of "has beens", inexperienced youth, and third rate quality players, that Joe hasnt already tried to do ?

"You cant make a silk purse out of sows ear," I think is the saying - and is never more true than at ITFC right now IMHO.

I crave the glory days and the fluent passing team, we had not so long ago.....but we appear not to have the quality (with experience- not old age ) at the Club just now - what quality we do have is young - very young , and simply not up to performing consistantly on a weekly basis against their more experienced and physically stronger rivals in this fizzy league.

I DO question in part Joe's starting formation last night - it basically gifted the inititive to Reading from the off. Parkin is, and has been, since day one here, NOT A TARGET MAN !! so why why why play him in this way last night ??.......But on the other side of the coin I believe Joe's tactic was an attempt to halt the impending onslaught form Reading's "athletic" midfield - which would / did make mince meat of our midfield.

In Joe's defence, he has very little to "work with" in terms of experienced (mid twenties age group )quality in key positions ....and that is the fundamental issue at Portman Road right now IMHO ....and so therefore Sir Bobby, Sir Alf, GB.. & Sven all working altogether with this squad IMHO could do little different from JR at this moment in time !

McDonna29 · Post by **McDonna29** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 8:23 am

hallamblue wrote:Hallam's view :

I too would like to see someone else in as manager ....when you've just witnessed us beaten with embarrassing ease as Reading did to us last night (not totally unexpected though ).

But then the little voice of reason chips in.....what would Sir Bobby (or any other manager for that matter) be able to do with this same squad of "has beens", inexperienced youth, and third rate quality players, that Joe hasnt already tried to do ?

"You cant make a silk purse out of sows ear," I think is the saying - and is never more true than at ITFC right now IMHO.

I crave the glory days and the fluent passing team, we had not so long ago.....but we appear not to have the quality (with experience- not old age ) at the Club just now - what quality we do have is young - very young , and simply not up to performing consistantly on a weekly basis against their more experienced and physically stronger rivals in this fizzy league.

I DO question in part Joe's starting formation last night - it basically gifted the inititive to Reading from the off. Parkin is, and has been, since day one here, NOT A TARGET MAN !! so why why why play him in this way last night ??.......But on the other side of the coin I believe Joe's tactic was an attempt to halt the impending onslaught form Reading's "athletic" midfield - which would / did make mince meat of our midfield.

In Joe's defence, he has very little to "work with" in terms of experienced (mid twenties age group )quality in key positions ....and that is the fundamental issue at Portman Road right now IMHO ....and so therefore Sir Bobby, Sir Alf, GB.. & Sven all working altogether with this squad IMHO could do little different from JR at this moment in time !

Nail. On. Head.

At last a sensible, reasoned opinion.

Post by **Earl Blue** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 8:54 am

It is very easy have a sensible reasoned opinion, I have had one for 3 -4
years, But I have not anymore.. Its time for him to Get his act togther
or get out. I mean at this moment in time we are going completely
the wrong way.

I never expected us to be higher than mid table this season That in itself
was a reasoned opinion.. NOW I expect us to have a hard fight to even finish there, That is a reasoned opinion.

I have said it before, we will not be able to sell 18000 season tickets next
year, so there will be another deficit, wheres that money gonna come from, over excited thoughts that Lewis Price or Sam Parkin are gonna become super hero's and because we got long contracts with them
they will be worth more???

More likelies as with previous players we will let them go in the near
future for next to nothing to get out of the contractual obligations.

Dubai Blue · Post by **Dubai Blue** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 9:08 am

Mole, don't worry. I don't expect everyone to agree with me all the time ....... or even some of the time. But I do enjoy a good arguament

If your right dubai - then that means we should be motoring before the end of the season - in essence the last 15 games???

I would be happy if that were true and maybe it will be. Let's wait and see. But I suspect that even if we are it may be a little too late to achieve anything exciting.

I don't think we can afford to wait until this time next season. The point is that we are far from experimental. If this was to be a season of testing - then why are we not bringing on the youth for next season? Why are we persisting with players such as de vos, magilton, wilnis and horlock.

At present we are playing with 4 or 5 players who were regular starters last year. Sito is one of our more experienced players !! I think we are bringing in the youth but slowly. I am sure we will start next season with De Vos & Horlock & Wilnis is still pretty effective when he get's a look in so other than Magic's position we don't need to play with those three.

Garvan/Juan are the replacements for Magic and as far as I can see JR has experimented with them both as far as injury has allowed.

Richards has been experimented on the left midfield.

Peters has been experimented as a winger, (although admittedly not much).

Proudlock & Bowditch have both been experimented in midfield even though the are supposed to be strikers.

Parkin has been experimented (perhaps too often) as a lone target man.

McDonald has been experimented up front & now JR is experimenting with sending him out on loan.

JR has experimented with asking Currie to tackle back

We have played at least 3 formations regularly with a group of players who hardly knew each other before the season started.

JR could have started the season with the FA Youth Cup winning squad but we would probably have been close to the relegation zone now and how would that help ?

It would be interesting to know how many of JRs experiments people on here feel have actually worked ..........

lunchbox · Post by **lunchbox** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 1:23 pm

In Joe's defence, he has very little to "work with" in terms of experienced (mid twenties age group )quality in key positions ....and that is the fundamental issue at Portman Road right now IMHO ....and so therefore Sir Bobby, Sir Alf, GB.. & Sven all working altogether with this squad IMHO could do little different from JR at this moment in time.

I think the board can't afford to sack him. It would cost us too much financially to do it and at the moment I can't see why you would sack him mid season.