Fantalk

Keith S · Moderator Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 1169

I'm amazed at the reaction the peterheid game seems to have drawn. Some of us have been warning of us being in this situation for weeks and many of those that are now hitting the panic button were critical.

Those that keep quoting the " we are top of the league and unbeaten at home " line need to waken up. Lets be clear here - draws are not good enough. We may be unbeaten at home - but draws are not good enough to win the league.

We seem to be favouring certain players no matter how poorly they perform and the result is that we've thrown away a handy lead - thats not good enough. We seem completely unable to change tactics when things aren't going our way - and thats not good enough. We seem to make bizarre substitutions ( ie removing the only 2 players on Saturdaywho were holding up the ball when we had a non existent midfield ) - why can't the manager see what the rest of us can?

I know that our current squad is good enough to win this league - and I also reckon that we wont get a better chance as the competition is really poor. OK, we'll need to stregnthen to survive in Div 1 - but we can worry about that in May.

We are already in a position where we are effectively down to 2nd place. If we want to make any progress, McGlynn needs to make changes - now. In a couple of weeks time it will be too late. The alternative is to accept more of the same for the foeseeable future.

I'll be there either way - but many won't. The choice is pretty straight forward. We go up and have increased crowds and revenue - or we stay down, have further reduced crowds next year - which leads to reduced playing budget, poorer players and a longer spell at this level.

wotsit · Joined: 08 Oct 2008 Posts: 476 Location: My Front Room

Roy of the Rovers · Joined: 13 Jul 2008 Posts: 339

wotsit · Joined: 08 Oct 2008 Posts: 476 Location: My Front Room

scotty · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 9065 Location: Almost Dysart.

Roy of the Rovers · Joined: 13 Jul 2008 Posts: 339

Jack of Shadows · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:59 am Post subject:

OK Mr McGlynn has brought in players but he can only sign what the club can afford. Unfortunately that isn't a lot. Even if we go up the financial situation will not be better and arguably may be worse. He's done well with what we have. Of course we could do better, but I think that's always the case. Ask Sir Alex or any of that ilk! Wink

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scotty · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 9065 Location: Almost Dysart.

Crazy Englishman · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:30 pm Post subject:

Until the season has ended and we know exactly where we finish, i think this question is somewhat immaterial.

If we dont get promoted, he will be the worst thing since peanut butter was invented. If we do get promoted, he will be the best thing since sliced bread.

No-one will be more gutted than me if we dont get promotion this year, but i certainly wont cry and take a hissy if we fail. But i wont single out any one individual for failing. Theres far too many people involved for any failure to rest with one person.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Geordie_Munro · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 905 Location: Boise, ID.

Niall Russell · Joined: 16 Jul 2008 Posts: 365 Location: Dalgety Bay

RAITHROVERS1 · Joined: 02 Aug 2008 Posts: 217 Location: South Australia

Living on the other side of the world, i do not get to games. So i cannot really comment on the play. What i would say is most of the BOD that got us into a financial mess are still there. In the current financial climate the knifes are out for under performing directors. They seem to be bulletproof. None of them spoke out until the horse had bolted. This no doubt has affected not just our current manager but our previous one as well through a cut in playing budget. Will another manager get more out of what financial resources are available?
I think not. The youth system seems to be working and given a few years we will see rewards. It seems we have stumbled from one crisis to another for over 10 years. Is there a a long term financial strategy? Do we just keep stumbling along where we are until we have lost even more fans then can`t repay our debts/rent due to falling attendances. We have already lost a generation of young fans. Can this continue?

D.Hancock · Joined: 13 Jul 2008 Posts: 466

Some interesting points RR1: with regards the BOD its easy to forget that without the continued support of Turnbull and Mario the RtR deal would not have came to fruition. They are always tarred by the Anelka brush though some research shows they were not in agreement with the appointment.

I wonder where (or indeed if we would still be) if they had bailed out at the time leaving no boardroom dissent to the actions of our west coast members?

We (and other clubs) know that white Knights dont enter into football at our level in a manner which has a long term strategy in place which safegaurds the integrity of the club. Look at the mess of Killie, Stranrear, Clyde, Livi, Gretna and even the Pars.

The current BOD IMO have stabilised the club and John McGlynn's appointment has been central to this.

We are moving forwards in many areas: physical environment of the stadium, players support services such as physio, we are one of the most "media rich" clubs in the country never mind the second division and match hospitality for example seems to be booming.

Its a difficult time for all and especially football yet we have a promising youth set up and we are (joint) top of the league.

Off the field there are countless opportunities for supporters to engage with the club in a meaningful way which is essential if the club is to grow within a sensible financial structure.

Your comment regarding a lost generation of fans is really important as I know this is something John Mcglynn agrees with. Not only ourselves but the game itself is suffering-John used the description that football is habit forming and we need to encourage family wherever we can.

This IMO needs to happen at a community level as well as a familial one and the club through activity such as the strips for kids scheme and a very active website are trying to get the message accross to kids.

The financing of the club and the stadium ownership is another topic for debate but thats not the premis of this thread.

We all view football differently which is a great thing if we can chat respectfully. Some will buy what I see others will see me as an apologist for the BOD. Thats fine but as for a poll on whether we should dethrone a manager who has us firmly placed for a title challenge....when did we become old firm fans.

Andy C · Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 538 Location: Kirkcaldy

That's a great post Davie.

I'm extremely confident that John McGlynn will take us forward. He's improving as a manager all the time and our team will improve along with him.
Even if we don't go up this season I'd hate to see McGlynn go and some tried and tested, revolving door frequenting failure merchant from the Magic Managerial Roundabout come in and undo all the good that McGlynn is trying to do.

Ray Throver · Joined: 13 Jul 2008 Posts: 294 Location: Kirkcaldy

[quote="Andy C"]That's a great post Davie.

....And I agree with Andy C....That was a great post DH.
We are financially restricted like most clubs but you just have to spend a few minutes in the Rovers office some days to feel the energy about the club. John Drysdale in particular always strikes me as enthusiastic and I believe he typifies the rest of the people behind the scenes. On the playing side we are (as DH said) joint top of the league and yes....sometimes the football isn't pretty but I watched an Old Firm game a few weeks ago with international players ( who are on thousands of pounds a week) serving up the worst game I have watched for a long time.
While we are challenging for the title, and EVERYBODY at Starks Park is busting a gut to win it (Which they are!)
We as Rovers supporters should be 100 % behind our management team, our board and our players.
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