kpinwp
1st team Player
Posts: 1,248
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Post by kpinwp on Mar 1, 2020 19:48:44 GMT
It feels like it's not before time to say that the Board made a good pick when choosing Matt as the new manager.
We know how tight and competitive things are in this league and that mistakes are quickly punished. We also know that we have limited resources compared to some of the other clubs.
We had those nightmare couple of months but Matt learned from that and the squad didn't drop their heads.
We look, to me, to have a very decent manager and a motived, unified and talented squad. So, well done for all of that!
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Post by Jared on Mar 2, 2020 7:44:10 GMT
Personally I think we should wait until the end of the season to fully assess Matt. However in writing that I was also someone who was questioning his abilities and suitability for the job in October and I’m beyond delighted that he’s been proving October me wrong and long may he continue to do so
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Post by Del on Mar 2, 2020 9:00:33 GMT
I think Matt is doing really well and i'm hoping he is able to retain players on contract for next season.
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Post by davethegrave on Mar 2, 2020 21:00:14 GMT
I have to hold my hands up and say I thought he had no idea(s) but he has changed my opinion.
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Post by localboy86 on Mar 2, 2020 21:13:30 GMT
I have to hold my hands up and say I thought he had no idea(s) but he has changed my opinion. Has your Open Letter to Bruce Elliott since gone in the shredder? |
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Post by pinewalker on Mar 3, 2020 15:46:36 GMT
Matt has certainly had the change of luck he was asking for as U's slid down the table. He has made most of that change of fortune himself so he deserves the congratulations. To be fair to the doubters who posted on here: the thoughtful ones were calling for a change of tactics/players OR a change of manager, and they got the former.
Principally the change was to Matt's stated policy of avoiding loans. Declining loans was pushing his luck - needing both a lack of injuries and all the newly signed players to fit in, without any proving disappointing. Neither of those was likely.
He correctly assessed we needed a taller goalkeeper, and sadly that age had caught up with JC and he needed new boss of the back four. Two of his attacking recruits David and Isaac look very useful at this level.
I guess also that one piece of luck was someting he did not wish for, the circumstances which prevented him fielding both Easty and Harry together in midfield. That dilemma may be close to a reappearance.
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Post by Andy K on Mar 3, 2020 16:38:32 GMT
Looking now, in March, I have to agree he is a decent choice, although like Jared i'll reserve total judgement when we are mathematically safe from relegation.
Even the most ardent supporters of Matt must of had their doubts, especially in October with the last minute defeat to Ebbsfleet, and then the Billericay debacle. Although we didn't have "luck" it seems, we were throwing away points as early as the Barnet and Chorley games (both of which we should have run out winners but gave things away too easily) or inept performances like Maidenhead at home (which I rank as our worst performance of the season, even more than the cup replay).
The thing that changed it for me was the fact that he learnt from these. Going on the Meet the Manager where he said "I'm going to play 2 up front almost every game, and definitely when we are at home" and then play 1 up front week in week out without getting positive results. He then realised that the "I don't want any loan players" wasn't going to be viable. And then he looked at who were the weak links and whilst I don't want to single out players, on the pitch the change from Butler to Tzanev and Collins to John paid instant rewards (at Torquay and beyond).
One thing that he has got right, and I'll go as far to say that in a percentage hit rate better than the previous manager is his recruitment. Has he really made a duff signing yet? Look who he has brought in? Milsom, Wyatt, Randall, Ajiboye, Goodliffe, Bugeil, Jarvis. All of whom have been decent or brilliant signings. I know a few people on here think that Reid isn't good, but objectively if he's been the weakest signing so far he's done pretty well. Just think about how many players Dos got in and suddenly disappeared after a game or two. His hit rate at the moment is much better.
All things considered, my expectation is to stay up. If it's by 1 goal, he's been a good choice. It is looking like my expectations are going to be exceeded.
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Post by ganderpoke on Mar 3, 2020 17:12:23 GMT
Its never easy for strikers but would like to see Randall and Jarvis stick a few more goals in before we call them a decent signing. At this level they probably need another season to show what they are capable of.
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jr
1st team skipper
Posts: 2,198
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Post by jr on Mar 3, 2020 19:21:56 GMT
I wasn't at the Maidenhead game but remember Omar was wrongly sent off when we were 1-0 down (and the Maidenhead guy got a 2 match ban for his play acting) so things may have changed had the ref made the right decision.
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dof
1st team skipper
Posts: 2,116 
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Post by dof on Mar 3, 2020 19:55:50 GMT
One player that has stood out for me is Ben Wyatt, I think he was signed as a squad player but consistent displays have earned him a first choice ticket!! Jarvis is out on loan at Hemel Hempstead, so will he be back. I am sure Tommy Wright will be back at GGL but playing for H & W. Cullum Keeley a new arrival from Worthing lets hope he is a new Ajiboye?
I would love to keep G/K Tzanev a class act at this level. There is no doubt we have a good squad of players lets we can keep them.
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Post by ganderpoke on Mar 3, 2020 20:35:13 GMT
If Tommy does move to H&W, can we have Jonah back in exchange?
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Post by garethl on Mar 3, 2020 21:57:52 GMT
Couple of comments:
JC was not necessarily any sort of active decision from Matt. He had struggled with injury all season and quit. Nobody in any side in this league is an upgrade on a fit and firing JC. Now behind the scenes it’s possible there was a word in the ear but unless you’ve been told we don’t know. Having said that Louis John and Goodliffe have been superb and have obviously made a huge difference.
Tzanev. I think the chances of hanging on to him are very remote unless Wimbledon feel like he could do with another season as a number 1 on loan. Even then another club is highly likely to come up with a better financial arrangement for them!
On the manager we’ve got to be happy with the current form and turnaround. From the point earlier in the season where it looked as though a goal, never mind a win, would be a freak occurrence we are now on the brink of safety and that is a remarkable effort. Hopefully if we can get a couple of midfielders and John back fit we can now have a strong end to the season and reflect well on Matt’s first season in charge. I still feel we need to find a way to score more goals if we want to be comfortable in this league next season. Player retention of some of our starring lights is going to be hard.
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