The Hotel End

The complete lack of game plan, dreadful team selections, dreadful substitutions and lack of motivation are unfortunately too much and he has to go.
Act now and give the new man the January window to sign some quality to keep us in this division.

I wonder what the bar is set at for earning a playing bonus?

We all know we fluked it last season. The football was poor. So same tactics  and lesser players is a recipe for disaster

We have a league 1 budget and a league 2 squad.

To have any hope of surviving we need each and everyone of them motivated. Not one of them looks like they are...

Buck stops with the management.

Time for change.

Has Kelvin backed his manager yet ? Our chairman is very quiet at present.

To be fair he’s probably asleep

Agree Sx, it’s complete garbage. Has been all season, the only surprise is that we’ve got 11 points on the board and not conceded 5 or 6 in some of the games.

Oglethorpe needs to grow some and ask some challenging questions of Curle, is is after all the supporters mouthpiece.

Hang on
We are the only club to offer a low weekly wage plus bonuses
That’s going well
We even lost one of our players to gillingham who have a self confessed bottom four budget....
Whoever’s told you that we have a competitive league one budget is pulling your leg

Have a word with vadaine Oliver and ask him why he didn’t sign for us.....

Been an avid supporter since the early 60's. Worst recruitment I can ever remember. Simply not good enough from 1 to 11 !

Grange, we are only not yet in the bottom 4 purely because of the fact that teams below us haven’t played as many games.   If I recollect this was the month when we would be securing points in our mini league. Not going well so far is it?

As previously said by many, he should NEVER have been offered new a two year contract...the club never learn!

That post match interview was utterly embarrassing & shows he's completely deluded.

He's somehow managed to assemble a squad worse than the one he inherited.

I would honestly accept relegation as long as we tried playing some decent football & had a manager with some tactical nouse...he's absolutely clueless

I remember people getting worried after the play-off games that he wouldn't sign a new contract, now people want him out less than six months in  ::)

Genuine question. Who was worried?

Watching most of our games this season the first thing you notice is that we use zonal marking and it doesn't work. The second thing is that we play a back 3 and wingbacks but don't have the players to suit the system. The third is if the opposition manager tells his midfielders to get the ball and run forward, we are in trouble. The forth is that KC substitutions rarely improve us as a team. The MOST disappointing thing is that everyone can see this, opposition managers have said this, but Curle doesn't do anything about these glairing problems.
      There will never be a more obvious example of zonal not working than the free header just before half time. The only players we have that are anything resembling wing backs are Harriman and Mills. Adams doesn't have the legs to get up and back all the time, if we played a back 4 we could have Harriman and Sheehan as full backs and then we only have to pick 2 of the "Centre Half's"  and can then play another midfielder to try and get some possession. Today, when he bought Ricky on, he obviously wanted him to play in the position Hoskins was playing, but rather than doing a straight swap he take off Harriman and moves Hoskins to wing back ????
      I see people are saying we can't afford to pay him off, so put him in charge of the Youth team and put Jon Brady in charge of the first team doesn't cost any money and it cant be any worse

The only comment I have on this thread is that it is no surprise who started it.

Some - as in supporters. On here and Twitter etc.

By the way, I thought you warmed to Keith Curle during last season?

So is this a guy with a league two budget trying to operate in league one?

Or is this a guy with a league one budget failing in league one?

If it’s the former, he stays. If it’s the latter he goes. KT will know the answer. And will act accordingly.....

So the strategy continues to be if there’s a problem throw money at it until it’s not a problem? Hands up who remembers our financial splurge following the influx of Chinese investment? Hands up again if you can recall the managerial revolving doors post Wilder? How did that go? Yet if I understand it correctly the plan is more of the same whilst we are being financially hammered? FFS get a grip, pull the cotton wool out from between your ears and think about this logically will you? No offence.

Keep at it ! This thread is the rogues gallery of anti club 'fans'. It's amazing how some manipulate the truth to suit their ends. Surprised that the Mods have not cautioned one or two of them.

Can’t object to supporters having an opinion though Evers? At least that’s my view.

It is impossible to change the way a manager sets up his team. They all become stubborn and continue with their system even when it is obviously failing. They aren't really that bothered if they are sacked. They get a pay-off and continue to swill around the very limited soup of management swill. This geezer we have been fobbed off with doesn't float at the top of the swill, he sits hovering below the surface like a turd in a bog. He needs to be swilled out with a vigorous flush of ruthless intensity otherwise he will remain curled around the u-bend.

I think KC should be given a bit longer to prove himself in League1, however I also wish he would try to vary his tactics.
Last seasons back three were better than the level they were playing at, this season only Sheehan looks up to standard. So I would give a back 4 a few games and try one or two different combinations in front of that.
In midfield, well, I'd just like to see a midfield, especially one with players who passed the ball to each other, unlike today.
 There is nothing wrong with getting the ball forward quickly but last season we were better when we took a few extra passes before delivering the ball into the box (MacCormack's influence). If crosses or through balls go in from good areas with a bit of quality then chances are created, this is where we are lacking at the moment. Hard to judge our forwards as they get no service.
The other factor missing at the moment appears to be the unity that KC built into last season's squad, perhaps this will come.
While I agree with others that one year rolling contracts are sensible the downside of that is when you do get a Chris Wilder he becomes a cheap option for clubs like Sheffield United.

So is this a guy with a league two budget trying to operate in league one?

Or is this a guy with a league one budget failing in league one?

If it’s the former, he stays. If it’s the latter he goes. KT will know the answer. And will act accordingly.....

There are two things I would do with immediate effect .
Change to a back 4 so that Sheehan plays with only one of the current donkeys we have available at centre half . It also allows for another defensive midfielder to protect them .
Secondly , scrap zonal marking . Every single game we look like conceding from a corner .
There is a third thing - don’t ever pick Smith . He is an excuse for a footballer and isn’t conference level .

Similar comments so often.
Where would everyone like the Cobblers to be at the end of the season?  I would be happy to see them survive and regroup for another season in Div 1.  If that happens then there has been success.  It is rare for teams to get promoted every year.
This division is hard and there are some shrewd players, who know the game.
You could argue that some of them should be recruited to play for the Cobblers.  With this virus knocking around, how many of you are actively planning to move around the country after a job?
Players are people and I'm sure many are looking as how the virus goes before committing to moving sticks.

If KT pulls the trigger I agree that based on KTs previous track record Calderwood is
 his likely choice , the only thing decent to come out of yesterdays game was the post match interview of Sheehan, another possible managerial option?

We sacked Page and replaced him with Edinburgh, how did that work out?
We sacked Edinburgh and replaced him with JFH, how did that work out?
We sacked JFH and replaced him with Austin, how did that work out?
We sacked Austin and replaced him with KC, now a lot of you want him out so if you got your wish why do you think the outcome would be any different?. It would just be a matter of time before you wanted the next imcumbant out.

We sacked Page and replaced him with Edinburgh, how did that work out?
We sacked Edinburgh and replaced him with JFH, how did that work out?
We sacked JFH and replaced him with Austin, how did that work out?
We sacked Austin and replaced him with KC, now a lot of you want him out so if you got your wish why do you think the outcome would be any different?. It would just be a matter of time before you wanted the next imcumbant out.

So with your logic Page would be still here, you really do talk utter garbage, I bet you haven’t got a friend in the world have you?

So with your logic Page would be still here, you really do talk utter garbage, I bet you haven’t got a friend in the world have you?

I wished Page gone after the debacle of the Eastleigh friendly, you could see we were go8ng to be crap before the season started

Pages last 10 games in charge. 2 wins and 8 losses.
Edinburghs last 12 games in charge. 0 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses.
JFH's last 12 games in charge. 1 win, 5 draws and 6 losses.
Austins 15 games in charge. 3 wins, 5 draws and 7 losses.
Curles last 12 games. 3 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses.

Whether people like it or not, our owner sacks underperforming managers. Based on the past history, Curle doesn't have long left.

Pages last 10 games in charge. 2 wins and 8 losses.
Edinburghs last 12 games in charge. 0 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses.
JFH's last 12 games in charge. 1 win, 5 draws and 6 losses.
Austins 15 games in charge. 3 wins, 5 draws and 7 losses.
Curles last 12 games. 3 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses.

Whether people like it or not, our owner sacks underperforming managers. Based on the past history, Curle doesn't have long left.

Pages last 10 games in charge. 2 wins and 8 losses.
Edinburghs last 12 games in charge. 0 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses.
JFH's last 12 games in charge. 1 win, 5 draws and 6 losses.
Austins 15 games in charge. 3 wins, 5 draws and 7 losses.
Curles last 12 games. 3 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses.

Whether people like it or not, our owner sacks underperforming managers. Based on the past history, Curle doesn't have long left.

Pages last 10 games in charge. 2 wins and 8 losses.
Edinburghs last 12 games in charge. 0 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses.
JFH's last 12 games in charge. 1 win, 5 draws and 6 losses.
Austins 15 games in charge. 3 wins, 5 draws and 7 losses.
Curles last 12 games. 3 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses.

Whether people like it or not, our owner sacks underperforming managers. Based on the past history, Curle doesn't have long left.

Pages last 10 games in charge. 2 wins and 8 losses.
Edinburghs last 12 games in charge. 0 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses.
JFH's last 12 games in charge. 1 win, 5 draws and 6 losses.
Austins 15 games in charge. 3 wins, 5 draws and 7 losses.
Curles last 12 games. 3 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses.

Whether people like it or not, our owner sacks underperforming managers. Based on the past history, Curle doesn't have long left.

I don't get this. Why not the same number of games for each manager at least?

Sure why not. Last 10 for each.

Page. 2 draws and 8 defeats.
JE. 3 draws and 7 defeats.
JFH. 1 win, 4 draws and 5 defeats.
DA. 1 win, 4 draws and 5 defeats.
KC. 2 wins, 1 draw and 7 defeats.

Case for sacking is strengthened as a result, good call Sad Old Git  ;D

Sure why not. Last 10 for each.

Page. 2 draws and 8 defeats.
JE. 3 draws and 7 defeats.
JFH. 1 win, 4 draws and 5 defeats.
DA. 1 win, 4 draws and 5 defeats.
KC. 2 wins, 1 draw and 7 defeats.

Case for sacking is strengthened as a result, good call Sad Old Git  ;D

Manwork - nobody is saying that Page would still be here although he has just managed his national side to victory. I thought that with your claimed "higher intellect" you would have been able to see the point being made was that sacking after sacking has not worked in the past so why would another be any different this time.
I notice that you always have to resort to personal insults and profanities in your posts but I will not be replying in kind as I prefer to conduct myself to a higher standard.

Ok. So that tells us he has twice as many wins as his nearest rival. It tells us he doesn't do draws (maybe because of the exciting end to end attacking football he supports!) and that he is a loser but we know that full well!

I hate stats for this very reason. They can be manipulated and are only factual 53% of the time.

I have a better answer. For some strange reason a lot of folk on here are concerned about the cost. No idea why cos it ain't our money, the club is already in huge debt, the epl are happy to bail us out if it comes to the crunch and even if we went pop we would rise again. However to assuage this concern, how about giving him a written warning? We could then get shot at Christmas when we will certainly be in the same boat. Lubbly jubbly.

What better quality manager do you want us to have GPC?

I kind of get what he's saying though.....if we never sacked a manager we'd always have the same one!

As I pointed out yesterday, we sacked Clive Walker, Tony Barton was with us for five minutes and then along came Graham Carr......despite him taking us up a league with that exciting season it didn't take long until he found his level and was sacked when we went back down.
We had John Barnwell in charge before he was sacked....and along came Ian Atkins, who took us to within 90 minutes of the Championship, only for it all to go wrong later and he was sacked....replaced by Kevin Wilson who took us back up again, found he couldn't do it at the higher level and guess what, he was sacked too!
Then via Kevan Broadhurst, and Terry Fenwick we ended up with Martin Wilkinson...who was sacked and Colin Calderwood took us to success. Aidy Boothroys was here a couple of seasons (look at him now) but he was sacked, and we got Chris Wilder.

Every manager has a level at which they can do ok (except for Fenwick).......Curle was doing ok at League 2 level (as he has done for the majority of his career) but not so good now we have gone up a level.

Why is it that fans clamour for better players when we get promoted, because they think we need higher quality when up against better quality teams, yet the same doesn't seem to apply to managers??

GPC - I don't recall people wanting Atkins, Calderwood or Wilder replaced because we would be playing in a higher division and most were upset when Calderwood and Wilder immediately moved on because we wanted continuity. I think the difference this time is that KC is having to work to a more challenging budget and was not able to entice some of his first choice transfer targets to join us and some of the signings are for the so called developement programme.
We had a spate of early season injuries which have almost cleared up but Pollock has not played, McWilliams has played very little, Mills will be out for a few more weeks and the Nuttall situation has been farcical. It is not that KC has lost the dressing room as was the case of some of the previous changes so I am not sure a change would have a major effect. Having said that we obviously need to improve all over the pitch.

There are a number of people stating that ‘survival was the aim’ for this season.....where did that come from?
I’ve just watched a YouTube video with KT after promotion, it’s pretty clear to me that he wanted/expected a bit more than just survival, indeed there were many references to Wycombe and us being a similar size club, they of course got promoted to the Championship. I’m struggling to see how Kelvins words translated to ‘I’d be happy with 20th place’

At the end of the day none of us know exactly what the Chairman’s requirements for this season were/are, and none of us know what the financial status of the club is, with the increased income in some quarters and decreased in others.....

There will always be a financial cost to sacking a manager.....we’d be obliged to pay KC if we did get rid....but only until he got a new job of course! If he was paid less in his new role we’d have to make up the difference. Only if he’s not going to work for th next 18 months would it cost us 18 months salary.

Should just point out that my understanding is that income from the FA cup is mainly driven by gate receipts and tv? Therefore the financial benefit of any cup run may have been far less lucrative this year?
Whilst labouring the point people have to understand that without spectators there is a point in the future where every single EFL club will have to shut the doors and fold. This could be next month, next year or whenever? The point is every expenditure brings that date forward, and every saving pushes that date back?
Every club would have made an evaluation of when they could have reasonably expected fans back through the turnstiles during pre-season. Of course it’s all subjective but my personal best guess is the reasonable assumption would have been around Xmas?
Basically in our business we have a rule where if you are dealing with the unfamiliar or uncertain you add 30%. Whatever you project something will cost add 30%, however long you think it will take add 30%. The premise often seems to work out when on unfamiliar ground? Given that, I would have anticipated fans by mid Feb inflicting a loss of around 2,800,000. This is based on the club losing a million a year plus a turnover of half the usual 4 million as indicated by KT? Of course this is all finger in the air and guesswork, but by my probably conservative estimation we are out of budgeted money about middle to end of Feb on even our reasonable budgetary projection?
I would guess that many clubs have not been that conservative in their projections and some would have been unable to sustain that drop in revenue should that be the anticipated trading conditions?
So then we are into how much further KT and Co are prepared to or even capable of generating additional funding? It doesn’t matter what or how well intentioned your motives are, there will be a line that you will be unprepared or unable to cross?
So the question is, how long can the club survive without gate receipts and what actions can be taken to create as much longevity as possible? Given all this are some really sure that they want to contemplate or demand we get rid of Curle and pay off his contract? They must be out of their fcuking minds, please look at the current situation and try and understand the position facing us and other clubs.
We have no idea when supporters are getting back in, let alone to an amount that will make us a viable concern? Without the significant generosity of season ticket holders we may well already be in trouble and many of them may be squeezed financially themselves?
KTs business interests may be suffering through lack of advertising revenue, turnover or whatever? There are so many variables that we are unsure of, but the fact remains that the money will at some point run out and the more you spend the sooner that will be.
So please all of you, take this into consideration when you make your demands? Getting rid of Curle and avoiding relegation should be way down on our list of priorities?

Should just point out that my understanding is that income from the FA cup is mainly driven by gate receipts and tv? Therefore the financial benefit of any cup run may have been far less lucrative this year?

So then we are into how much further KT and Co are prepared to or even capable of generating additional funding? It doesn’t matter what or how well intentioned your motives are, there will be a line that you will be unprepared or unable to cross?
So the question is, how long can the club survive without gate receipts and what actions can be taken to create as much longevity as possible? Given all this are some really sure that they want to contemplate or demand we get rid of Curle and pay off his contract? They must be out of their fcuking minds, please look at the current situation and try and understand the position facing us and other clubs.

So please all of you, take this into consideration when you make your demands? Getting rid of Curle and avoiding relegation should be way down on our list of priorities?

As you like to compare football to a business Melly I have a business question for you, if you had a business unit head who was constantly underperforming, making strange business decisions and had made some bad acquisitions as part of his/ her P&L, you’ve already challenged them and they think they are doing as well as all the other BU managers, how long would you let them stay in charge?

Er, not long.

I understand all what you are saying, but, if KT & Co were looking to keep expenditure down, why on earth did they give Curle a 2 year contract ? That's surely not the wisest thing to commit too in the middle of a pandemic ?
   

I don’t wish to be argumentative for the sake of it but this isn’t necessarily true .
It would depend on the severance agreement .
It’s very likely Curle would get a job straight away if he left us and so he probably would reject an arrangement such as that . His back room staff maybe less so .
I think we could afford to sack Curle but i am not sure who we could afford to replace him . The Cowley brothers would be expensive . I don’t see why people think Calderwood is a shoe in . He hasnt done anything for years . Living in Boughton only counts for so much !
Having said that , if Curle doesn’t change his Plan A in the next few weeks , he has to go .

He was manager at Cambridge United last season until they sacked him

I know
Exactly my point !

Keith won’t be going anywhere. £££££ Housekeeping

............ from our 4 bed detached and put into a caravan.

It will be great housekeeping when we get relegated from our 4 bed detached and put into a caravan.

Housekeeping is paramount and it appears far more important than trying to stay in league one.

No you didn’t

I would go as far to say 100% of people on here know that Calderwood managed Cambridge last season .
I repeat my point - Calderwood has done little of significance as a manager ( not as a coach ) for a number of years . Why anyone thinks he his an obvious choice here is beyond me.

Curle says he wants a 2 year deal and will walk if he doesn't get it (Speaking hypothetically; I've no idea if that is what happened but I suspect it's not unlikely and after the much lauded play off success wouldn't have been lacking in suitors).
If you're KT, do you let him walk or give him what he wants? If he goes the fans would be pissed off and calling you a cheapskate (a la the Vadaine Oliver situation) and if the next appointment stinks it would be "should have given Curle what he wanted."
Instead you go for the devil you know, and when it all goes wrong everyone says "why give him such a long contract?"

I would go as far to say 100% of people on here know that Calderwood managed Cambridge last season .
I repeat my point - Calderwood has done little of significance as a manager ( not as a coach ) for a number of years . Why anyone thinks he his an obvious choice here is beyond me.

Can someone please explain the reasoning behind training on our pitch when we have a decent set up at Moulton?

The pitch is in a complete state and I dread to think what it will be like in January/February time. I think it hinders us as much as other teams and is becoming an embarrassment, all opposition managers comment on our 'difficult pitch'. There was a time when our pitch was one of the best in the lower leagues now it's the worst.

I was thinking just the same when Toggle Tim was wittering on about it on the commentary, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was one of Curles “Tactics” to stop teams passing around us?

"A penalty shoot out is a great opportunity for the players to show what they're about"

"When things aren't going well you find out about the fabric and the DNA of a football club"

Fundamentals, jigsaws and dominos......you could publish a book all about Curle's quotes.......it wouldn't win any awards with the Plain English Campaign though.......

"A penalty shoot out is a great opportunity for the players to show what they're about"

"When things aren't going well you find out about the fabric and the DNA of a football club"

Fundamentals, jigsaws and dominos......you could publish a book all about Curle's quotes.......it wouldn't win any awards with the Plain English Campaign though.......

Defeat on Saturday and I think his job is untenable to be quite honest.

That has been your weekly post for the past 12 months!!!

Curles never liked training at Moulton, god know why?

KC is wrong to train on the Sixfields pitch. Playing at home should be an advantage BUT we have more away wins to home wins!
Moulton has been good enough previously and been improved since.

KC is wrong to play so many players out of position;

Harriman is a really good full back not wing back
Adams is a creative wide midfielder not a left wing back
Hoskins can only be productive just behind a front two
Roberts can supply crosses from the left midfield not a wing back
Nullifying opposition instead of imposing ourselves on opposition is only producing non productive boring football.
KC please change or you will be!

Out of interest, was I the only person watching last night willing on a landslide victory for Stevenage?

Could have had the clueless one gone before the weekend, with someone competent in to focus on the league.

Now I'm left wanting us to pick up points on Saturday but wanting him gone at the same time!

Just playing Devil's Advocate for a minute.

I'm assuming that Curles "Housekeeping" means we are working with a playing budget thats League 2 level? Then that means that this season is a free hit in terms of finances. If we go down, KT won't be too disappointed because we haven't gambled on staying up and then left with a League 1 playing budget in League 2 (similar to what happened when we got relegated last time) and if we stay up, even better?

Rotherham are the only team in the Championship who make a profit. Yes, they are always flirting with relegation and all their best players eventually get poached but they are a well run club that lives within their means.

I also am not enjoying watching the hoofball tactics and there are large parts of the team which don't seem to want it this season. But, i would rather have a club run on conservative finances rather than speculative finances.

I'm pretty sure KC will have until January at least. If we aren't cut adrift i think KC has earned the right to fight for the season. I agree he needs to try something different and needs to get back that fighting spirit we had in the playoffs. I remember posting on here last season at a similar time in the season to get Curle out and he managed to recover and i was too early to call for his head so this time i am just going to give him more time.

The other problem is who would replace him, lets be honest we are not going to attract the likes of Paul Cook and the Cowley Brothers. We would just get in another KC type of manager and it would only take a few dodgy results and performances for us to jump on their back.

As many have said, survival is the number one aim but to give him credit, KC's housekeeping has probably meant that it isn't essential.

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/cobblers-continue-training-pts-curle-hopeful-pitch-will-hold-3037659

I wonder how much they are saving by not training at Moulton College?

In today... to be continued

KC has regularly said football is as much as what you do without the ball as what you do with it. Yesterday was another prime example of possession counting for very little as Burton had 62% possession and Mitchell did not have to make a serious save. When we played MK they had 68% possession and didn't look like scoring as a lot of the possession was playing tippy tappy football across the back line. Thank goodness we do not have to watch that every week.
Yesterday MK had 65% possession and lost, Rochdale had 60% possession and lost, Crewe had 70% possession and got hammered 4-0. If you keep your shape when the opposition has the ball it can make it very difficult for them to create chances. I would like to see less crosses coming into our box but it is probably to be expected when you start with only 3 defenders and attacking players at wing back, although both also got through some good defensive work yesterday.
People say we have no plan B but KC tweeked the shape yesterday to play 1 up front with Holmes and Chukwuemeka playing behind him and to get in behind their defense and it worked. Nobody on here came close to predicting yesterdays starting 11 and yes we were playing Burton but you can only beat what is in front of you, they had drawn twice at Peterborough this season.

I wonder how much they are saving by not training at Moulton College?

People keep saying on here, you can only beat what is put in front of you. I do not think there is any truth in this statement whatsoever.

Thank you Munchy magic for a very informative and interesting post. I personally think that KC is about the best that we could expect to want to manage us. We are not a top team and do not have a rich history, excellent ground, or a vast supporter base. I do feel that some posters on here expect him to be a Klopp or similar. I accept he has his faults ( imho zone marking and team tinkering too much)  but he has done well to get us promoted last season. I do think he will keep us up ( i predicted 16th or 17th before the season started)  Bearing in mind we lost turnbull cornell goode oliver etc and started with a whole new defence at shortish notice i think this would be acceptable and give him time to improve the squad albeit on a shoestring.

Not a top team - how do you qualify this? Sunderland or Burnley, which is the top team between these, for example? We would possibly be a top team if a decent manager got us a couple of promotions a la Bournemouth.
No rich history - well we have been a first division team and we have had a lot of promotions, even recently, just a pity we didn't have the consistency of management to stay in the higher division.
Don't have a vast supporter base - we took one of the biggest ever contingents to Wembley, so who knows how many would watch the Cobblers if we had a team that didn't constantly crash back to tier 4.

Saint Cobbler. Not running us down and no offence intended to you or anyonr but never been in championship and 1 season in the old first division is not impressive. A ground that only  holds 7000 and no FA cup wins etc in the past like Preston Blackpool, etc does not imho give us a rich history to enable us to compete for a championship standard manager.
KC is about our level and the best we can get...

We have some decent history in what is now the championship(3 seasons) and one year in the old 1st Div when it was filled by players like Charlton x 2, Ball, Vernon, Moore, Bell , Hurst, Lee, Bell, etc. In the past we beat Arsenal in the Cup. Somewhat unlucky to be relegated on 31pts too; just that flukey win by Fulham which did for us. I feel generally we can hold our heads high with most/some clubs. Clubs like Posh, WW and Rotheram have done bugger all

Perhaps Mysterious if you think the manager is a clown you should change your name to Mysterious Clown.
This is the clown that turned the ship around 2 seasons ago after we had taken 7 points from the first 10 games. This is the clown that got us promoted last season. This is the clown that took us on a FA Cup run that brought in £750,000. This is the clown that spotted Charlie Goode, who could not hold down a place at Sc***horpe, and developed him into a player that we sold for £1 to £1.5 million. Don't you just love clowns?.  

If you mean Colin Bell and Francis Lee we did not play against either of them when we had our 1 year in Division 1 as Man City were in Division 2 at the time. We did play against the likes of Law, Best, Greaves and Peters though just to name a few. Another good player in those days was Phil Woosnam who played for Aston Villa, the only team we did the double over.

No idea who Vernon is.

We're not currently in the relegation zone.

Staying up this season is success. What do people expect?

A change of manager could easily backfire in our current position.

Roy Vernon

Gifted inside forward with Stoke City - saw him play at Stoke City when we were beaten 5-1. He stood out that day sheer class.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Vernon

Yes remember him now. Brian Douglas of Blackburn was another good player in those days.

Perhaps Mysterious if you think the manager is a clown you should change your name to Mysterious Clown.
This is the clown that turned the ship around 2 seasons ago after we had taken 7 points from the first 10 games. This is the clown that got us promoted last season. This is the clown that took us on a FA Cup run that brought in £750,000. This is the clown that spotted Charlie Goode, who could not hold down a place at Sc***horpe, and developed him into a player that we sold for £1 to £1.5 million. Don't you just love clowns?.  

I would love to but unfortunately the mods have put a block on changing names!

Fingers crossed the username will be irrelevant in the next couple of weeks when he finally gets the boot.

I'm still trying to work out what it was I watched last night. It certainly wasn't football, and largely mirrored the FA cup tie and Oxford City. One side looked to use the ball and play, the other, totally inept camped out on the edge of their own box, getting deeper and deeper whilst praying for the final whistle. That was the case for about 60 minutes last night and about 70 minutes at Oxford City.

It isn't football and whatever it is it's not enjoyable.

Every game we seem to impose ourselves for a 10 minute period then sit back like its an FA Cup game v top flight opposition. It may have something to do with the fact our three main outlets (Adams, Marshall and Holmes) have a combined age of 100, who knows!?

Luckily I don't pay to watch Ifollow, but if I did I would have given up a long time ago.

I would love to but unfortunately the mods have put a block on changing names!

Fingers crossed the username will be irrelevant in the next couple of weeks when he finally gets the boot.

I'm still trying to work out what it was I watched last night. It certainly wasn't football, and largely mirrored the FA cup tie and Oxford City. One side looked to use the ball and play, the other, totally inept camped out on the edge of their own box, getting deeper and deeper whilst praying for the final whistle. That was the case for about 60 minutes last night and about 70 minutes at Oxford City.

It isn't football and whatever it is it's not enjoyable.

Every game we seem to impose ourselves for a 10 minute period then sit back like its an FA Cup game v top flight opposition. It may have something to do with the fact our three main outlets (Adams, Marshall and Holmes) have a combined age of 100, who knows!?

Luckily I don't pay to watch Ifollow, but if I did I would have given up a long time ago.

Be interesting to learn of your former ID’s as you are so full of jaundiced views on KC and players.
If you feel so wronged by KC and his methods why come on here with the same repetitive mantra? You have made your point so many times. The point earned last night was welcomed by most on here. Rochdale were far better than Burton and when Holmes and McW went off, most offensive ability went with them. It is understandable to criticize some of KC tactics even welcome. However whatever tactic is used you issue your disapproval sometimes with personal almost shameful opinions of KC. Can you inform us of your true allegiance to NTFC and the reasons behind your baleful views. For instance is it a view endorsed and supported by others or a personal view only?

But it's his view of things, he IS allowed to have a point of view. Everyone who posts anything you don't agree with gets a lecture, questioning if they are Cobblers fans and accusations of having agenda's.  I doubt if there are any on here who are not Cobblers fans and as Cobblers fans , we all want the best for NTFC, but not everyone has the same views and, really, that's what makes a message board worth reading.

I would love to but unfortunately the mods have put a block on changing names!

Fingers crossed the username will be irrelevant in the next couple of weeks when he finally gets the boot.

I'm still trying to work out what it was I watched last night. It certainly wasn't football, and largely mirrored the FA cup tie and Oxford City. One side looked to use the ball and play, the other, totally inept camped out on the edge of their own box, getting deeper and deeper whilst praying for the final whistle. That was the case for about 60 minutes last night and about 70 minutes at Oxford City.

It isn't football and whatever it is it's not enjoyable.

Every game we seem to impose ourselves for a 10 minute period then sit back like its an FA Cup game v top flight opposition. It may have something to do with the fact our three main outlets (Adams, Marshall and Holmes) have a combined age of 100, who knows!?

Luckily I don't pay to watch Ifollow, but if I did I would have given up a long time ago.

Question for you. Why did you choose this username in the first place if you don't like the guy? After all you only registered this username on 12th September 2020. Maybe, the fantastic performances in the play-offs persuaded you?

Also, you say "you're still trying to work out what you watched last night" then say you don't pay for I Follow  ??? So, as this game wasn't free for season ticket holders because it was an away game; did you watch it or not?

Ok Mr Mod ::)
I too am allowed an opinion and provided it generally conforms to Forum Rules; is ‘all fair in etc ‘ ....I apologise that my view does not fully conform to yours ref said poster :o . The difference between our views is that I fully take note and applaud yours. The point of the Forum is to sustain debate; comment and challenge. I take most views with a pinch of salt and hope you do so.

Question for you. Why did you choose this username in the first place if you don't like the guy? After all you only registered this username on 12th September 2020. Maybe, the fantastic performances in the play-offs persuaded you?

Also, you say "you're still trying to work out what you watched last night" then say you don't pay for I Follow  ??? So, as this game wasn't free for season ticket holders because it was an away game; did you watch it or not?

Unfortunately I was left with very few options, Teachers Pet and Neverbrite were taken!

To confirm, I watched it last night and don’t pay for Ifollow. Hope that helps.

Yes, not many options. Just name yourself after someone you constantly moan about, win, lose or draw. Very clever  ::)

   

I like you’re logic. On that basis you’ll be naming yourself after me soon.

The big question for me is now: can he consolidate our status in this league for more than two seasons (something we've consistently failed to do over the last 30 years)? And: can he evolve the playing style into something a bit more sophisticated? Time will tell, but he's more than earned a sustained crack at it IMO.

All things considered, I honestly think that Curle is doing a decent job. He arguably overachieved last year by delivering promotion and raking in substantial funds from the sale of Goode and the cup run. This year is about managing expectations. Here's what I would say are realistic targets:

Minimum expectation: stay in the league
Medium expectation: finish mid table and evolve the playing style - less hoofball, more passing. Develop the youngsters. Have a cup run.
Wildest dreams: sneak into the play-offs.

We currently sit 16th in the league. I would say that our performances in our 'mini-survival' league suggest that we are capable of surviving at this level, which would be an achievement in itself.

I would also argue that Keith is gradually learning that overly-direct football produces limited success at this level. He is starting slowly to mix it up a bit and incorporate a bit more passing; the introduction of Holmes has added some much-needed guile in midfield. It is also pleasing to see youngsters like Chucks and McWilliams getting some game time and development.


The style of play is still rarely easy on the eye. However, I'm not sure I would enjoy watching the ineffective tikka taka pass-to-death-before-powder-puff-finish approach of MK Dongs or Rochdale any more than I enjoy watching us. I think the best teams at this level know how to mix it up and combine direct play and crisp passing in order to pose a more unpredictable threat.

The main disappointments so far have been the FA Cup debacle, which was caused by an arrogant team selection, and the performance of the defence (we have conceded 23 goals, the third highest number in the division.) However, Curle has taken some positive steps to address this issue by signing Sheehan and we look a lot more solid with McWilliams screening the back three from midfield. I also actually think Bolger is better than people give him credit for.

Aside from Wilder and Stuart Gray, I would struggle to name many of our previous incumbents over the last 20-odd years who have done a more effective job than Keith. I can name a huge raft of managers who have been a damn sight worse, and I think people who call for his head should be extremely careful what they wish for. The big question for me is now: can he consolidate our status in this league for more than two seasons (something we've consistently failed to do over the last 30 years)? And: can he evolve the playing style into something a bit more sophisticated? Time will tell, but he's more than earned a sustained crack at it IMO.

All things considered, I honestly think that Curle is doing a decent job. He arguably overachieved last year by delivering promotion and raking in substantial funds from the sale of Goode and the cup run. This year is about managing expectations. Here's what I would say are realistic targets:

Minimum expectation: stay in the league
Medium expectation: finish mid table and evolve the playing style - less hoofball, more passing. Develop the youngsters. Have a cup run.
Wildest dreams: sneak into the play-offs.

We currently sit 16th in the league. I would say that our performances in our 'mini-survival' league suggest that we are capable of surviving at this level, which would be an achievement in itself.

I would also argue that Keith is gradually learning that overly-direct football produces limited success at this level. He is starting slowly to mix it up a bit and incorporate a bit more passing; the introduction of Holmes has added some much-needed guile in midfield. It is also pleasing to see youngsters like Chucks and McWilliams getting some game time and development.


The style of play is still rarely easy on the eye. However, I'm not sure I would enjoy watching the ineffective tikka taka pass-to-death-before-powder-puff-finish approach of MK Dongs or Rochdale any more than I enjoy watching us. I think the best teams at this level know how to mix it up and combine direct play and crisp passing in order to pose a more unpredictable threat.

The main disappointments so far have been the FA Cup debacle, which was caused by an arrogant team selection, and the performance of the defence (we have conceded 23 goals, the third highest number in the division.) However, Curle has taken some positive steps to address this issue by signing Sheehan and we look a lot more solid with McWilliams screening the back three from midfield. I also actually think Bolger is better than people give him credit for.

Aside from Wilder and Stuart Gray, I would struggle to name many of our previous incumbents over the last 20-odd years who have done a more effective job than Keith. I can name a huge raft of managers who have been a damn sight worse, and I think people who call for his head should be extremely careful what they wish for. The big question for me is now: can he consolidate our status in this league for more than two seasons (something we've consistently failed to do over the last 30 years)? And: can he evolve the playing style into something a bit more sophisticated? Time will tell, but he's more than earned a sustained crack at it IMO.






 

All things considered, I honestly think that Curle is doing a decent job. He arguably overachieved last year by delivering promotion and raking in substantial funds from the sale of Goode and the cup run. This year is about managing expectations. Here's what I would say are realistic targets:

Minimum expectation: stay in the league
Medium expectation: finish mid table and evolve the playing style - less hoofball, more passing. Develop the youngsters. Have a cup run.
Wildest dreams: sneak into the play-offs.

We currently sit 16th in the league. I would say that our performances in our 'mini-survival' league suggest that we are capable of surviving at this level, which would be an achievement in itself.

I would also argue that Keith is gradually learning that overly-direct football produces limited success at this level. He is starting slowly to mix it up a bit and incorporate a bit more passing; the introduction of Holmes has added some much-needed guile in midfield. It is also pleasing to see youngsters like Chucks and McWilliams getting some game time and development.


The style of play is still rarely easy on the eye. However, I'm not sure I would enjoy watching the ineffective tikka taka pass-to-death-before-powder-puff-finish approach of MK Dongs or Rochdale any more than I enjoy watching us. I think the best teams at this level know how to mix it up and combine direct play and crisp passing in order to pose a more unpredictable threat.

The main disappointments so far have been the FA Cup debacle, which was caused by an arrogant team selection, and the performance of the defence (we have conceded 23 goals, the third highest number in the division.) However, Curle has taken some positive steps to address this issue by signing Sheehan and we look a lot more solid with McWilliams screening the back three from midfield. I also actually think Bolger is better than people give him credit for.

Aside from Wilder and Stuart Gray, I would struggle to name many of our previous incumbents over the last 20-odd years who have done a more effective job than Keith. I can name a huge raft of managers who have been a damn sight worse, and I think people who call for his head should be extremely careful what they wish for. The big question for me is now: can he consolidate our status in this league for more than two seasons (something we've consistently failed to do over the last 30 years)? And: can he evolve the playing style into something a bit more sophisticated? Time will tell, but he's more than earned a sustained crack at it IMO.






 

Well said 👍👍

Agree with Bungle's somewhat eloquent essay. I do not have the equally eloquent desire of some on here to revert to a 'fancy Dan' style but a hanker after more direct style. We need at least one capable striker able to score, hold the ball/pass it; plus a midfielder to suit. The defence is beginning to settle as are the wing-backs. Would say that a side which is picked consistently will start to play more convincingly as time goes by. What I like is that we have been written off by the experts, friend and foe in equal measures so would love to stuff it up them!
 

All things considered, I honestly think that Curle is doing a decent job. He arguably overachieved last year by delivering promotion and raking in substantial funds from the sale of Goode and the cup run. This year is about managing expectations. Here's what I would say are realistic targets:

Minimum expectation: stay in the league
Medium expectation: finish mid table and evolve the playing style - less hoofball, more passing. Develop the youngsters. Have a cup run.
Wildest dreams: sneak into the play-offs.

We currently sit 16th in the league. I would say that our performances in our 'mini-survival' league suggest that we are capable of surviving at this level, which would be an achievement in itself.

I would also argue that Keith is gradually learning that overly-direct football produces limited success at this level. He is starting slowly to mix it up a bit and incorporate a bit more passing; the introduction of Holmes has added some much-needed guile in midfield. It is also pleasing to see youngsters like Chucks and McWilliams getting some game time and development.


The style of play is still rarely easy on the eye. However, I'm not sure I would enjoy watching the ineffective tikka taka pass-to-death-before-powder-puff-finish approach of MK Dongs or Rochdale any more than I enjoy watching us. I think the best teams at this level know how to mix it up and combine direct play and crisp passing in order to pose a more unpredictable threat.

The main disappointments so far have been the FA Cup debacle, which was caused by an arrogant team selection, and the performance of the defence (we have conceded 23 goals, the third highest number in the division.) However, Curle has taken some positive steps to address this issue by signing Sheehan and we look a lot more solid with McWilliams screening the back three from midfield. I also actually think Bolger is better than people give him credit for.

Aside from Wilder and Stuart Gray, I would struggle to name many of our previous incumbents over the last 20-odd years who have done a more effective job than Keith. I can name a huge raft of managers who have been a damn sight worse, and I think people who call for his head should be extremely careful what they wish for. The big question for me is now: can he consolidate our status in this league for more than two seasons (something we've consistently failed to do over the last 30 years)? And: can he evolve the playing style into something a bit more sophisticated? Time will tell, but he's more than earned a sustained crack at it IMO.

I currently work every other weekend, i bought a season ticket knowing this on the chance that when i did get to go id see some decent football having stepped up a league. Alas im not a happy clapper ,the quality is dire , averaging about 30-35% possession per game. and cant pass for toffee, luckily we have the return of holmes and McWilliams, that ,as i can see is our only hope of staying up. lose them we are in big trouble. Given that we are not getting our moneys worth as supporters with the dire i follow coverage , there is no chance i shall be renewing my season ticket next season if Curle is still here.

All things considered, I honestly think that Curle is doing a decent job. He arguably overachieved last year by delivering promotion and raking in substantial funds from the sale of Goode and the cup run. This year is about managing expectations. Here's what I would say are realistic targets:

Minimum expectation: stay in the league
Medium expectation: finish mid table and evolve the playing style - less hoofball, more passing. Develop the youngsters. Have a cup run.
Wildest dreams: sneak into the play-offs.

We currently sit 16th in the league. I would say that our performances in our 'mini-survival' league suggest that we are capable of surviving at this level, which would be an achievement in itself.

I would also argue that Keith is gradually learning that overly-direct football produces limited success at this level. He is starting slowly to mix it up a bit and incorporate a bit more passing; the introduction of Holmes has added some much-needed guile in midfield. It is also pleasing to see youngsters like Chucks and McWilliams getting some game time and development.


The style of play is still rarely easy on the eye. However, I'm not sure I would enjoy watching the ineffective tikka taka pass-to-death-before-powder-puff-finish approach of MK Dongs or Rochdale any more than I enjoy watching us. I think the best teams at this level know how to mix it up and combine direct play and crisp passing in order to pose a more unpredictable threat.

The main disappointments so far have been the FA Cup debacle, which was caused by an arrogant team selection, and the performance of the defence (we have conceded 23 goals, the third highest number in the division.) However, Curle has taken some positive steps to address this issue by signing Sheehan and we look a lot more solid with McWilliams screening the back three from midfield. I also actually think Bolger is better than people give him credit for.

Aside from Wilder and Stuart Gray, I would struggle to name many of our previous incumbents over the last 20-odd years who have done a more effective job than Keith. I can name a huge raft of managers who have been a damn sight worse, and I think people who call for his head should be extremely careful what they wish for. The big question for me is now: can he consolidate our status in this league for more than two seasons (something we've consistently failed to do over the last 30 years)? And: can he evolve the playing style into something a bit more sophisticated? Time will tell, but he's more than earned a sustained crack at it IMO.






 

All things considered, I honestly think that Curle is doing a decent job. He arguably overachieved last year by delivering promotion and raking in substantial funds from the sale of Goode and the cup run. This year is about managing expectations. Here's what I would say are realistic targets:

Minimum expectation: stay in the league
Medium expectation: finish mid table and evolve the playing style - less hoofball, more passing. Develop the youngsters. Have a cup run.
Wildest dreams: sneak into the play-offs.

We currently sit 16th in the league. I would say that our performances in our 'mini-survival' league suggest that we are capable of surviving at this level, which would be an achievement in itself.

I would also argue that Keith is gradually learning that overly-direct football produces limited success at this level. He is starting slowly to mix it up a bit and incorporate a bit more passing; the introduction of Holmes has added some much-needed guile in midfield. It is also pleasing to see youngsters like Chucks and McWilliams getting some game time and development.


The style of play is still rarely easy on the eye. However, I'm not sure I would enjoy watching the ineffective tikka taka pass-to-death-before-powder-puff-finish approach of MK Dongs or Rochdale any more than I enjoy watching us. I think the best teams at this level know how to mix it up and combine direct play and crisp passing in order to pose a more unpredictable threat.

The main disappointments so far have been the FA Cup debacle, which was caused by an arrogant team selection, and the performance of the defence (we have conceded 23 goals, the third highest number in the division.) However, Curle has taken some positive steps to address this issue by signing Sheehan and we look a lot more solid with McWilliams screening the back three from midfield. I also actually think Bolger is better than people give him credit for.

Aside from Wilder and Stuart Gray, I would struggle to name many of our previous incumbents over the last 20-odd years who have done a more effective job than Keith. I can name a huge raft of managers who have been a damn sight worse, and I think people who call for his head should be extremely careful what they wish for. The big question for me is now: can he consolidate our status in this league for more than two seasons (something we've consistently failed to do over the last 30 years)? And: can he evolve the playing style into something a bit more sophisticated? Time will tell, but he's more than earned a sustained crack at it IMO.






 

Good well reasoned post bungle, I have to take issue with a couple of points,
1) when you posted this we were indeed 16th in the league, this as a completely false position as nearly all the teams below us have games in hand and as I write this we are 17th after Swindles win over Poxford, I fully expect us to drop another couple of positions once we have all played the same number of games.
2) if we loose a couple of our key players, Holmes or Sheehan for example we are in deep sh1t, the squad in nowhere near strong enough.
3) to say Curle is doing a decent job is IMO just not correct, the debacle at Oxford City, his bizarre substitutions and the general fitness of the team dropping deeper and deeper second half of games are big question marks for me.
IF KT give Curlio some money to spend in Jan, we need two or three L1 standard players, I think there is a chance we can finish outside of the bottom four, otherwise no chance.

As much as I want to back Curle. He can’t be allowed to get us in a position where relegation is inevitable. If he starts heading that way, he needs to go.

I think we should stick with him even if we go down.Noyou don't. >:(
Good housekeeping is the priority.Yes, even if it means losing to non league teams in the cup, not like clubs that speculate to accumulate, like the P*sh >:D
Paying someone off if we go down can’t be in the financial plans during these challenging timesTrue :)
Loads of posters on here state that just having a club is good enough.Most posters say survival of the club in the current climate is enough and they would be very happy to survive in League1. :)
Therefore let’s not get fixated on what division we are in and let’s stick with Keith  >:DAt the moment that's sensible. ;)

I think this will be KTs mindset too mate and it’s pretty hard to disagree with.

The manager isn't the problem, it's the money - or lack of.

Someone should tell Accrington Stanley, they seem to be doing ok with much less money than we have.

For every Accrington there is a dozen Bury, Bolton's.

My issue with replacing managers has always been the same, a clear plan and strategy regarding who and what comes next? If it was my decision I would like a candidate who has a proven track record of building a squad from scratch at this level. Definitely a promotion or 2 and a use of tactics that promote exciting football. No obvious failures or justified sackings at this level would be preferable with a hunger and desire to succeed? In addition there would need to be a budget to support such an appointment in terms of their salary, length of contract and to develop and mould the squad to achieve the desired result, otherwise what’s the point? On the other hand use the plan most adopt on here which is to kick out the current manager 3 months into a season after a promotion in some knee jerk ill thought out petulant reaction and worry about all that b0ll0ks once they’ve been shown the door? Brilliant!

Keith Curle would have never got near the place had your criteria been used a couple of years ago!!

2) if we loose a couple of our key players, Holmes or Sheehan for example we are in deep sh1t, the squad in nowhere near strong enough.
3) to say Curle is doing a decent job is IMO just not correct, the debacle at Oxford City, his bizarre substitutions and the general fitness of the team dropping deeper and deeper second half of games are big question marks for me.
IF KT give Curlio some money to spend in Jan, we need two or three L1 standard players, I think there is a chance we can finish outside of the bottom four, otherwise no chance.

Interesting points. I agree with you that the depth of the squad is a bit of a concern. I think getting in some decent loanees might be the answer. Curle used the loan market really effectively last year (Wharton and Morton) but for whatever reason he hasn't managed to bring in comparable quality this season (Racic, Nuttall). I think Curle will be well aware of the need for reinforcements, especially in defence and I think we'll see some movement there.

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he has purposely churned up the pitch to give an advantage over teams that play proper football the way it should be played .
Moulton school and Covid is probably a convenient excuse

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he has purposely churned up the pitch to give an advantage over teams that play proper football the way it should be played .
Moulton school and Covid is probably a convenient excuse

Fleetwood hardly had any direct shot on goal which had to be saved. Not sure how you can make an absurd comment that a poor pitch helps. If you have the quality then that is the determining factor. The side which resolutely defends often gets some reward.

You seem to be in violent agreement with me .
It stops good sides playing - exactly my point which you say is absurd !
I think Curle has used Covid as an excuse for perpetrating it .

This thread should be renamed CURLE IN

Still Curle out for me. Watching this drivel is no pleasure. The only blip of delight is when a goal goes in or any points are gained after 90+ minutes of painful angst.

Now that supporters are allowed back into the ground , I am not sure Curle will be able to get away with some of the dross served up at home .
He has admitted himself that the pitch has forced us to play even more directly than before .
Watching is soak up swathes of pressure and hoping to score from a set piece as we sit on the edge of our penalty area, kicking the ball away is simply not acceptable as entertainment.
Keith constantly states everyone buys into what we are trying to do .... well I don’t .

No point bleating miserably on here all the time. The majority don’t share your views.

The results seem to suggest the pitch hinders rather than helped before last night.

And I completely agree. It is dire to watch.

For those who remember the County Ground, this is a bowling green.

'The thing I hate about you, everblite, is the way you give Coca-Cola to your scum, and your best teddy bear to Oxfam, and expect us to lick your frigid fingers for the rest of your frigid life.'

'The thing I hate about you, everblite, is the way you give Coca-Cola to your scum, and your best teddy bear to Oxfam, and expect us to lick your frigid fingers for the rest of your frigid life.'

Agreed but also most pitches then were a mud fest by winter with little or no grass in the goals or centre

In my head the pitch was like a putting green, the sun was always shining and the stands were packed with happy smiling fans. Every game was a pulse raising roller coaster of entertainment and our team packed full of players who deserved an international call up? I seem to vaguely remember the odd mishap and moment of frustration somewhere, but that’s all a distant memory now?

For those who remember the County Ground, this is a bowling green.

And I completely agree. It is dire to watch.

Now Evers, don't expect me to explain that one!  ;D

You have been moaning about the Cobblers style of play for years. Reckon you gave up going some time ago but still happy to have a moan.  It's your opinion so it matters!

You have been moaning about the Cobblers style of play for years. Reckon you gave up going some time ago but still happy to have a moan.  It's your opinion so it matters!

Correct. Boothroyd, JFH, and Curly have done it for me. Nice to see that you have gone back to your "you were not there" mantra.

And before that it was Johnson, Gray, Calderwood and Fenwick. Has it ever occurred to you that you might be setting the bar a bit high?

And before that it was Johnson, Gray, Calderwood and Fenwick. Has it ever occurred to you that you might be setting the bar a bit high?

I actually didnt mind Stuart Gray, until that fiasco culminating at Leeds. He totally lost the plot. And I am now banned from Elland Road.

Fair play to you. I’ve tried for the best part of 40+ years to get banned from Elland Road, not succeeded once..

Fair play to you. I’ve tried for the best part of 40+ years to get banned from Elland Road, not succeeded once..

I don't see why you have to be so critical when others suggest that the Cobblers style of play this and last season is less than pleasing on the eye. I would have thought that was a statement of fact. I actually think that we have quite a few players who are quite useful, it's just that they have been taught to sit back, defend like dogs and hoof.  20-30% possession will not see us winning many games. Perhaps things will 'evolve' over the next 10 games and opinions may change.

Yes it is fact; unfortunately we do not have the players to justify a more expansive game. Holmes in the Championship season is a good example of what is possible. It’s a relatively rare occurrence to have a Holmes or even an Goode in the side. So KC adopts his team to the resources available.  Would advise you to expect several more performances similar to the Fleetwood game. It’s a pity some expect displays which then chronically disappoints, then exhibit woeful disillusioned comments. Some even have a fixation of anti club rhetoric against current management. They may well be correct in their opinion but seem to ignore/blind to the current financial situation. As far as I can remember it has always generally been the case here! Don’t see the
point in expressing the same negative comments ad finitum ; perhaps a change of scenery might help you?
Have a good Christmas and be alert!

Once again. Why do you feel that it is your responsibility to moderate this board and suggest that members have 'a change of scenery?'
Maybe you should take heed of your own advice?

I think you have missed the point as it is not uncommon on here for punters to express similar comments yet receive no admonishment from you. At the end of the day, it is merely my opinion. Unfortunately due to the current polarised views on here regarding KC's playing style those with the loudest shout assume they are right. Anybody who challenges their views is invariably mocked with personal repetitive l comments. I don't feel the necessity, the responsibility, or even the desire to moderate this board at all. Perhaps some of the more extreme recent polarised comments on here are more worthy of your attention. Not everybody shares their views and know enough on here that that is a shared view. Incidentally, my post was in reply to Sainty and not meant as a riposte to all on here::).  Apologies for apparent ambiguity.

Once again. Why do you feel that it is your responsibility to moderate this board and suggest that members have 'a change of scenery?'
Maybe you should take heed of your own advice?

I think you have missed the point as it is not uncommon on here for punters to express similar comments yet receive no admonishment from you. At the end of the day, it is merely my opinion. Unfortunately due to the current polarised views on here regarding KC's playing style those with the loudest shout assume they are right. Anybody who challenges their views is invariably mocked with personal repetitive l comments. I don't feel the necessity, the responsibility, or even the desire to moderate this board at all. Perhaps some of the more extreme recent polarised comments on here are more worthy of your attention. Not everybody shares their views and know enough on here that that is a shared view. Incidentally, my post was in reply to Sainty and not meant as a riposte to all on here::).  Apologies for apparent ambiguity.

This is a forum, the point is that everyone participating feels they are right and/or enlightened and share their thoughts/views/opinions with others.

If the subject matter in-hand generates polarised views, then so be it.

It's called the fine art of discussion/debate.

I think a large number of board members have taken a "change of scenery" due to the postings of some on here.

Thanks for the lecture 8) But your second sentence reveals your misunderstanding of debate. Generally, my view is that you either disagree or agree on a given subject. Some can merely accept the opinions but sooner and later they will agree/disagree on something. If you don't challenge an opinion either way the Forum merely becomes a news media to interested parties. Clearly, you generally(imo) prefer a more passive viewpoint which given the polarity of views on here is commendable.

  

Out of interest, do you speak or socialise with anyone else on a daily basis other than on this message board?

Out of interest, do you speak or socialise with anyone else on a daily basis other than on this message board? Am also a member of various Clubs\Institutions.

;D Cecil gets owned again

Out of interest, do you speak or socialise with anyone else on a daily basis other than on this message board?

Possession stats of many teams at the weekend seem to continue to support Curle's line of argument. For example, Spurs had 31% against Arsenal yet were always in control. I still think we need a less error prone defence though to allow us to win many with our lack of possession.

Is the topic 'Curle Out' or 'Evers Out'?

What a strange question; of course, have a spread of relatives around the Northampton area including two sons. Like many on here am wary of public gatherings. Am also a member of a few Clubs\Institutions.

How about you - do you socialize publically? Do let me know::)

Do you still belong to the car club Tony?

What a strange question; of course, have a spread of relatives around the Northampton area including two sons. Like many on here am wary of public gatherings. Am also a member of a few Clubs\Institutions.

How about you - do you socialize publically? Do let me know::)

Get this clown out now.

But he got us promoted........ ;)

Get this clown out now.

Even though we won at Exeter on Tuesday!?

Even though we won at Exeter on Tuesday!?

You back up my point completely
Able to compete as a league two club
Unable to compete as a league one club

Much more investment is needed in order for us to be competitive as a sustainable league one club.

Even though we won at Exeter on Tuesday!?

To be fair, Exeter made 9 changes to their previous league line-up, so in effect we were playing a League two reserve team!

It was a win at the end of the day, and you can only beat what's put in front of you!

Of course we did...... so how can you judge that victory against any other game? It was almost two different teams to the norm......

Who do you know that wants to buy the club or are you just pontificating the same anti NTFC stance every posting?

Rather than moan why not ask KT if he has said that to be a sustainable league one club we need extra investment....

As you have asked I know of a couple of people who could buy the club with their loose change....
I asked one who looked into it....
He said he would willingly buy the club for £1 as long as it was debt free )ie )the current owners would write off all the debt they have amassed during their tenure.

He said he would knock the current stadium down and build a fit for purpose 25,000 seater stadium.
No bulls***.

The chap is worth we’ll over £500M

I also know another chap whose wealth dwarfs that....
He is foreign though lives in London.

I know these people through my horse racing ventures.

To put things in perspective one of them has spent £40m on bloodstock this calendar year the other is a multi billionaire.

When things are better and the redevelopment is finished il be happy to attend sixfields again and you can meet me if you wish.
I can even introduce you to one of them.

I don’t make statements that I can’t back up.

He will have been the most successful businessman to ever step foot in sixfields end of.

One of them actually stated that NTFC are actually a brilliant investment opportunity for someone with the right nous.
However he said in all his business ventures he would never pay an inflated price on the back of others financial decisions ie) you run a business and accrue millions of pounds of debt don’t expect me to pay for your bad decisions.

That’s it in a nutshell.

Oh actually I do know a third...
He is Irish and is going to buy his local GAA team and turn them into a force
He is going to pump a paltry £25M into them as a hobby so I doubt he’d be interested in the cobblers!!

In fairness you chose the right person to ask !!! ;)

Somebody should tell the likes of Accrington, Crewe and AFC Wimbledon that they don’t have the finances to be where they are in league one at the moment and would they mind dropping down the league as it’s not possible to be where they are with players on the wages they pay.

I also know millionaires. Two brothers that I have been working for in central London. And their father is a billionaire. But their interest is in property renovation. Not football. So, now that I have trumped you, where are we going to play when your boys demolish Sixfields ? ;D

I know a guy who owns a mobile home in Cromer.

But did he go away for the weekend, smoke something funny, and come back on Monday and say that he wants a swimming pool on the roof?  That took us six months to underpin the building, and put in the steel supports. He didnt care. More money than sense.

You know him too?

I agree that KC’s brand of football is dull but I just don’t see how the current level of relegation danger is greater than the risk of getting a new manager in. Yes it’s difficult to watch and I for one do not agree with the tactics from today’s game but when KC took this job it’s likely he would have been tasked with getting us promoted and then keeping us in league one. He successfully achieved part one in his first full season. This season has been a struggle (as we all expected it would be) but it’s not as if we’re at the foot of the table and 6 points adrift. We’re not even currently in the relegation zone. At the start of the season a lot of us would have been happy with just surviving this year. We’re over a third of the way into the season and whist it hasn’t been the easiest watch, we are managing to keep our head above water.

Would it be nice to see more entertaining football? Absolutely. Would I prefer to see different tactics? Yes. But despite this, sacking KC now would be very harsh, nonsensical and ultimately a risk which I do not believe is necessary for us to take at this stage.

I agree that KC’s brand of football is dull but I just don’t see how the current level of relegation danger is greater than the risk of getting a new manager in. Yes it’s difficult to watch and I for one do not agree with the tactics from today’s game but when KC took this job it’s likely he would have been tasked with getting us promoted and then keeping us in league one. He successfully achieved part one in his first full season. This season has been a struggle (as we all expected it would be) but it’s not as if we’re at the foot of the table and 6 points adrift. We’re not even currently in the relegation zone. At the start of the season a lot of us would have been happy with just surviving this year. We’re over a third of the way into the season and whist it hasn’t been the easiest watch, we are managing to keep our head above water.

Would it be nice to see more entertaining football? Absolutely. Would I prefer to see different tactics? Yes. But despite this, sacking KC now would be very harsh, nonsensical and ultimately a risk which I do not believe is necessary for us to take at this stage.

Serious question CC......

Do you think the situation would be any different if we were getting 6000-7000 home crowds and upwards of 1000 travelling away from home? Would the pressure from the stands after performances like we are turning in make a difference?

It would certainly add more pressure on KC for sure. I do believe the fact that the majority of this season has been played behind closed doors means he has been able to play a more negative style. Maybe when more of us are back in he will be forced to be more positive in games. I still don’t think having a packed stadium would change things from Kelvin Thomas’ view though. It is very likely he will have said to KC this year ‘just keep us in the division’. Based on where we sit today, I think KT will still be confident that KC can hit that target.

How the fcuk is want Curle out “nonsensical “ 😂

Fair comment.....not so sure about what KT might have said to KC though....KT in the press kept going on about a competitive budget, made reference to Wycombe on more than one occasion, "if they can do it why can't we?"..... would be pretty negative just to hope for 20th this season.....in my opinion of course.

We're 5 points off the bottom of the league, 2 points off the relegation zone, above six other teams of whom four have a game in hand on us. Oxford on Tuesday night is a huge game.

I also know millionaires. Two brothers that I have been working for in central London. And their father is a billionaire. But their interest is in property renovation. Not football. So, now that I have trumped you, where are we going to play when your boys demolish Sixfields ? ;D

Serious question CC......

Do you think the situation would be any different if we were getting 6000-7000 home crowds and upwards of 1000 travelling away from home? Would the pressure from the stands after performances like we are turning in make a difference?

Rather than moan why not ask KT if he has said that to be a sustainable league one club we need extra investment....

As you have asked I know of a couple of people who could buy the club with their loose change....
I asked one who looked into it....
He said he would willingly buy the club for £1 as long as it was debt free )ie )the current owners would write off all the debt they have amassed during their tenure.

He said he would knock the current stadium down and build a fit for purpose 25,000 seater stadium.
No bulls***.

The chap is worth we’ll over £500M

I also know another chap whose wealth dwarfs that....
He is foreign though lives in London.

I know these people through my horse racing ventures.

To put things in perspective one of them has spent £40m on bloodstock this calendar year the other is a multi billionaire.

When things are better and the redevelopment is finished il be happy to attend sixfields again and you can meet me if you wish.
I can even introduce you to one of them.

I don’t make statements that I can’t back up.

He will have been the most successful businessman to ever step foot in sixfields end of.

One of them actually stated that NTFC are actually a brilliant investment opportunity for someone with the right nous.
However he said in all his business ventures he would never pay an inflated price on the back of others financial decisions ie) you run a business and accrue millions of pounds of debt don’t expect me to pay for your bad decisions.

That’s it in a nutshell.

Oh actually I do know a third...
He is Irish and is going to buy his local GAA team and turn them into a force
He is going to pump a paltry £25M into them as a hobby so I doubt he’d be interested in the cobblers!!

In fairness you chose the right person to ask !!! ;)

Reduced to empty rhetoric and conjecture? I really don't understand the lengths you go to belittle the support in order to suit your line of thought. Are you really a fan?

If your comments are to believed why did he not buy it for a pound when KT and DC stepped up to the plate?

My same comment to you, as it is now to KT, is it's easy to 'talk the talk, try walking the walk'!!!

I have to say Evers, how could you have possibly come up with this reply based on the question that was posed?

I can only conclude that you have a personal agenda against the previous poster?

Believe me when I tell you that you haven’t trumped me
Read my post again
One is a multi billionaire.....
I can say no more....

Believe me when I tell you that you haven’t trumped me
Read my post again
One is a multi billionaire.....
I can say no more....

Interestingly one of the people I know is a brother who works in property renovation in London.
Could be the same chap....
Are they local???

Interestingly in my friends opinion the best place to build a stadium would be just off the motorway towards blisworth
This area will soon be a large industrial site being linked to the rail network (freight initially) but my friend would take a punt that what with climate change and an eagerness in the future to get cars off roads in his opinion in years to come it will carry passengers.
A 25,000 seater stadium in that area a stones throw from junction 15a and with potential to have a rail link would be the way forward....
Sixfields would be houses(or whatever the council desire)

That was what he told me he would do were he to purchase the football club.
He also said basically any club with a capacity under 10,000 would never be a sustainable entity in football terms in years to come.
He said that there will eventually be a second premier league in some guise where big clubs with big capacities will get 50% less than the prem for tv rights etc.
He claimed this would be natural progression in football terms with the top 40 teams getting great financial rewards from tv rights where as the rest of the teams 50 odd would wither on the vine.
In his opinion ntfc needed to be a sustainable championship club with a 25,000 seater stadium selling out to have any chance of jumping on the gravy train.

That is why he said the club is a potential goldmine if they have the finance to speculate and turn the club from a traditional lower league club into a club that with significant investment could rival the likes of Leicester,wolves and West Brom and significant year on year growth being a one county team.


The only thing stopping this for the last twenty years has been anyone with the vision and finance to realise this...

He hasn’t got where he is by getting things wrong!!!

I have to say Evers, how could you have possibly come up with this reply based on the question that was posed?

I can only conclude that you have a personal agenda against the previous poster?

Are there any multi billionaires in the uk?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/oliverwilliams1/2019/11/20/exactly-how-many-billionaires-are-there-in-the-uk/?sh=62d80be819b7

https://www.forbes.com/sites/oliverwilliams1/2019/11/20/exactly-how-many-billionaires-are-there-in-the-uk/?sh=62d80be819b7

He’s wrong.

The communist party lying, surely not  ;D

In your opinion which is fine.
Without being rude to you I very much doubt he will lose sleep worrying about your opinion
He is a multi millionaire businessman who could buy the club with his loose change and he hasn’t got to that stage by being a bad businessman.
He certainly hasn’t purchased the cobblers and racked up a large debt over the last few years...
His own business ventures turn a large profit.
The cobblers as a company have lost millions of pounds over the last few seasons.
In an extraordinary parallel max Griggs was a very successful businessman.
He would have been the best/most successful businessman that the club could ever have had....

They don’t have much luck with mega rich owners but they’ve had chances and there are still very rich local businessmen out there.....

As my friend said last year...
Either something is for sale or it is not.
That is totally different to we are here to be spoken to...
That means nothing in the eyes of real businessmen
If it’s for sale there is a price to purchase
Anything else is just twaddle

Those are very wise words.

I don’t mean to disrespect any owners that have been in charge during the 40 years I’ve been a fan but none would have had the financial clout to make the cobblers a championship club.

Interestingly one of the people I know is a brother who works in property renovation in London.
Could be the same chap....
Are they local???

Is he a multi million or billionaire? You keep changing your description of him.

Depends which country he’s in? Is anyone getting involved in this trivia challenge or am I wasting my time?

We are all billionaires in Venezuela  ;D

Nope. Swedish.
On another note, when I was 16 I went to college with a lad, who told us all that he was going to be a millionaire. At the time, he was an apprentice panel beater at Dutton Forshaw in Kettering. And drove around in an old mini van. He recently sold his business empire for 110 million.
This is all pointless though, as none of them are going to invest in us.

I knew a bloke who every year claimed that this time next year il be a millionaire.
It never came to pass until one day when he found a very valuable watch in his garage and it sold for millions at auction.
He won’t be investing in the cobblers either.

He didnt start saying that at sixteen though. But to be fair, they both had dodgy vans.  ;D

Right, since no one is taking it seriously I’ll tell you. It’s because generally speaking English speaking countries use the short scale numerical system. This means that a billion is a thousand million, a trillion is a thousand billion, a quadrillion is a thousand trillion and so on. Non English speaking countries generally (although not always) use the long scale system. In this format a billion is a million million, a trillion is a million billion and so on. Hence as a general rule billionaires only exist in English speaking countries. Sorry for boring everyone?

No you’re not!

XE Currency Converter: 1 GBP to VES = 695,958.35 Venezuelan Bolívares.
I think the sun is getting to you Melly either that or being upside down has fcuked up your brain.

In your opinion which is fine.
Without being rude to you I very much doubt he will lose sleep worrying about your opinion
He is a multi millionaire businessman who could buy the club with his loose change and he hasn’t got to that stage by being a bad businessman.
He certainly hasn’t purchased the cobblers and racked up a large debt over the last few years...
His own business ventures turn a large profit.
The cobblers as a company have lost millions of pounds over the last few seasons.
In an extraordinary parallel max Griggs was a very successful businessman.
He would have been the best/most successful businessman that the club could ever have had....

They don’t have much luck with mega rich owners but they’ve had chances and there are still very rich local businessmen out there.....

As my friend said last year...
Either something is for sale or it is not.
That is totally different to we are here to be spoken to...
That means nothing in the eyes of real businessmen
If it’s for sale there is a price to purchase
Anything else is just twaddle

Those are very wise words.

Rather than moan why not ask KT if he has said that to be a sustainable league one club we need extra investment....

As you have asked I know of a couple of people who could buy the club with their loose change....
I asked one who looked into it....
He said he would willingly buy the club for £1 as long as it was debt free )ie )the current owners would write off all the debt they have amassed during their tenure.

He said he would knock the current stadium down and build a fit for purpose 25,000 seater stadium.
No bulls***.

The chap is worth we’ll over £500M

I also know another chap whose wealth dwarfs that....
He is foreign though lives in London.

I know these people through my horse racing ventures.

To put things in perspective one of them has spent £40m on bloodstock this calendar year the other is a multi billionaire.

When things are better and the redevelopment is finished il be happy to attend sixfields again and you can meet me if you wish.
I can even introduce you to one of them.

I don’t make statements that I can’t back up.

He will have been the most successful businessman to ever step foot in sixfields end of.

One of them actually stated that NTFC are actually a brilliant investment opportunity for someone with the right nous.
However he said in all his business ventures he would never pay an inflated price on the back of others financial decisions ie) you run a business and accrue millions of pounds of debt don’t expect me to pay for your bad decisions.

That’s it in a nutshell.

Oh actually I do know a third...
He is Irish and is going to buy his local GAA team and turn them into a force
He is going to pump a paltry £25M into them as a hobby so I doubt he’d be interested in the cobblers!!

In fairness you chose the right person to ask !!! ;)

Max Griggs over reached himself taking a small club to League 1, so he could have taken the Cobblers to...  where they are now!

Your mate(?) says the club is a potential goldmine and you say he could buy it with his small change, so clearing any debt would need just a little more small change for a multi billionaire. So why doesn't he? Surely a multi billionaire would like a very cheap goldmine, is he in fact a billion red herrings? If not, great!, tell him to step up and show everyone how to run a football club.

Not taking the mick here I'd love to see this happen to my little club.

Then why are they hesitating about the asking price?

. How much is the richest person on the planet currently worth then and who is it?

Max Griggs over reached himself taking a small club to League 1, so he could have taken the Cobblers to...  where they are now!

Max's problem is that he took over 2 clubs with a fan base of around 300 each. He thought, wrongly, that the Cobblers would go bust and that our fans would go to Artlenock for our football. If he had have put £30M into NTFC, with a potential fan base of 25000+, it would have been a success. Such a shame as he was a life long Cobblers fan until someone upset him.  :(

He has no need to buy the club and as discussed as a matter of principal he wouldn’t pay off debt incurred by previous incumbents.
That’s the crux of it.
He’s currently considering investing into another sporting venture, as I explained earlier the cobblers venture is one that needed taking on a few years back.
The current owners are the ones who could take the club forward if they had the finance in place.
As far as I know the club is not for sale.

I have got a couple of issues with this. Namely £30 million, and 25000. Random figures I would suggest.

Jeff Bezos. Amazon. 139 billion pounds. Dont get excited though.
He has a huge warehouse next to the M1 at Milton Keynes. Unlikely to be excited by us.
Now then, whilst we are talking complete bollox, whatever happened to Shaquille o`neal? Hes worth a few bob.

XE Currency Converter: 1 GBP to VES = 695,958.35 Venezuelan Bolívares.
I think the sun is getting to you Melly either that or being upside down has fcuked up your brain.

Got here to late. I knew of that distinction. Didnt a billion get watered down to a thousand million by the yanks the same way they have a knack of altering most things to siot their own and then us Brits since followed suit? Sure I learnt about a billion being a million squared when at school.
Quite surprised that no one individual can yet call himself a true billionaire (million x million) asset wise in this day and age. How much is the richest person on the planet currently worth then and who is it?

Back end of last season and then this season....

24 League games (since the Derby FA Cup Replay defeat)........7 wins......3 draws.....14 defeats......25 goals scored.....36 goals conceded

Just so this doesn't get derailed, this is why he should go. Form has been awful all year.

I have got a couple of issues with this. Namely £30 million, and 25000. Random figures I would suggest.

Oh yeah that Amazon guy. About a seventh of a proper billion then. Thought someone might have a bit more in their back pocket than that.

Just so this doesn't get derailed, this is why he should go. Form has been awful all year.

Just so this doesn't get derailed, this is why he should go. Form has been awful all year.

As SOG points out Nene Park cost £30M and we had a solid fan base of 15,000 in the mid 60's when the population of Northampton was only half of what it is today. Do you not think, if we were in the Championship and with the capacity we couldn't pull in 25,000? Northampton is bigger than Portsmouth, nearly twice the size of Norwich, Ipswich and Blackburn and nearly 3 times the size of Burnley

Without being argumentative Dan I return to the same thing, change often results in a step backwards rather than forwards. To that end if it were me I would at least have clear indicators of what constitutes acceptable performance? For example, in your eyes what would equate to success in what time frame? Alternatively what would constitute failure, again in what time frame? Who in particular would you bring into the club as a replacement and how have they performed previously in comparison to the parameters you have set? This all might be a bit tedious, but as a club owner if you at least have some clear direction in your decision making you are less likely to suffer the very real financial impact, turmoil and significant consequences as a result of poor judgment? If we are honest and applied some reasonable measures to all this, I think anyone would be hard pushed to come up with a convincing case to dismiss Curle short of subjective opinion at best? For me that’s nowhere near worth the risk and cost?

Should have gone for Paul Tisdale..... took over at Bristol Rovers and has won 4 in 7, they are now above us. From those 7 games he has overseen a 6-0 win over Darlington in the FA Cup, a 4-2 win at AFC Wimbledon in the league, and a 3-0 win yesterday over Plymouth. Hardly a backwards step?
Lee Johnson? Two wins from 3 for Sunderland including a 4-0 win at Lincoln yesterday.
Steve Cotterill? One defeat in 5 since taking over at Shrewsbury and a 1-0 win at leaders Hull City yesterday?

John Sheridan is the only one who hasn't seen an upturn in form yet, not recorded a victory at Swindon since taking over.

Still, three out of four ain't bad!  ;D

All those three are in our division, and all are performing better than those whom they replaced.

Valid but I think a longer term view over a season would perhaps be a better indication. Also if we had a figure with regards to our budget and how that positions us with the rest of the division compared to our league position would be a pretty fair indicator?

Should have gone for Paul Tisdale..... took over at Bristol Rovers and has won 4 in 7, they are now above us. From those 7 games he has overseen a 6-0 win over Darlington in the FA Cup, a 4-2 win at AFC Wimbledon in the league, and a 3-0 win yesterday over Plymouth. Hardly a backwards step?
Lee Johnson? Two wins from 3 for Sunderland including a 4-0 win at Lincoln yesterday.
Steve Cotterill? One defeat in 5 since taking over at Shrewsbury and a 1-0 win at leaders Hull City yesterday?

John Sheridan is the only one who hasn't seen an upturn in form yet, not recorded a victory at Swindon since taking over.

Still, three out of four ain't bad!  ;D

All those three are in our division, and all are performing better than those whom they replaced.

No I dont. I dont care about comparisons. They have a comunity sense, that we do not. I rarely see anybody walking around with a claret shirt on. There is no pride in this town, just apathy. And dont start on about Wembley attendances. How many of the glory hunters came back? We are what we are.
And by the way, "if we were in the championship" wont apply for a long time.

Of course, many clubs experience that new manager "bounce".... keeping it going is the hard thing!

Back to your post itself, acceptable performance for me would be an improvement in results (not that much, I don't think we'll win every game!) but an improvement in the style of play and the tactics used. For me, these are more important than the results we have been getting! I personally don't think the results would be worse if we had a new man at the helm.

I believe that Holmes and Adams will have a combined influence on how we play in the future after Holmes has demonstrated his confidence to go public on his concerns.

I wonder how Holmes comments sit with Curle? It’s almost as if he’s ‘gone rogue’ with him coming out with those views. There was an article last week about him taking the reins off....
he gives a good interview so the media are going to keep going back to him now. Will be interesting to see what happens.
Also noticed that despite Holmes scoring from Hoskins cross on Saturday, Ricky ran past Sam without seemingly an acknowledgement for the cross, and ran to meet up and celebrate with Adams, he who took the quick free kick.
Two senior pros, two good mates and seemingly two growing influences within the squad.

The very reason there are not many Claret shirts around town is because, apart from odd years, we are unsuccessful. If you had walked around Brighton 20 years ago you wouldn't have seen too many Albion shirts the year they just avoided relegation to the Conference and now look where they are. The "Glory Hunters" didn't come back because we've had no glory! I don't buy this "No pride" & "apathy" in the town, we only need something to be proud of !
      "If we were in the Championship" could apply, how many Bournemouth fans would have believed they would be playing in the Premiership back in 2008 when they were bottom of League 2. Unexpected things happen in Football

I wonder how Holmes comments sit with Curle? It’s almost as if he’s ‘gone rogue’ with him coming out with those views. There was an article last week about him taking the reins off....
he gives a good interview so the media are going to keep going back to him now. Will be interesting to see what happens.
Also noticed that despite Holmes scoring from Hoskins cross on Saturday, Ricky ran past Sam without seemingly an acknowledgement for the cross, and ran to meet up and celebrate with Adams, he who took the quick free kick.
Two senior pros, two good mates and seemingly two growing influences within the squad.

I wonder how Holmes comments sit with Curle? It’s almost as if he’s ‘gone rogue’ with him coming out with those views. There was an article last week about him taking the reins off....
he gives a good interview so the media are going to keep going back to him now. Will be interesting to see what happens.
Also noticed that despite Holmes scoring from Hoskins cross on Saturday, Ricky ran past Sam without seemingly an acknowledgement for the cross, and ran to meet up and celebrate with Adams, he who took the quick free kick.
Two senior pros, two good mates and seemingly two growing influences within the squad.

You read exactly what I was intimating.  ;)

You dont think KC will see Holmes honesty in front of the press (still haven't heard it) as a 'mistake' in the same way he did Mitchells kick which gave possession back to the opposition leading to a goal and drop him tomorrow?
He also took both Holmes and Adam's off on 60 mins on Saturday, how much of that was tactical and how much of that was down to what was spoken at halftime?
I seruously hope not but I wouldn't be surprised if Curle backed himself over Holmes (and to a lesser extent Adams) and starts by dropping him tomorrow.

You dont think KC will see Holmes honesty in front of the press (still haven't heard it) as a 'mistake' in the same way he did Mitchells kick which gave possession back to the opposition leading to a goal and drop him tomorrow?
He also took both Holmes and Adam's off on 60 mins on Saturday, how much of that was tactical and how much of that was down to what was spoken at halftime?
I seruously hope not but I wouldn't be surprised if Curle backed himself over Holmes (and to a lesser extent Adams) and starts by dropping him tomorrow.

Yes, but I would also assume that Holmes has assessed that he is relatively 'safe' by virtue of him making those comments?
We don't know, but future selections and performances may provide some indication?

Possibly, and they will indeed.
As said, I've not heard the interview, i was going off an assumption that Ricky was being critical of KC when describing the way we've been playing like he did.

Of course, many clubs experience that new manager "bounce".... keeping it going is the hard thing!

Back to your post itself, acceptable performance for me would be an improvement in results (not that much, I don't think we'll win every game!) but an improvement in the style of play and the tactics used. For me, these are more important than the results we have been getting! I personally don't think the results would be worse if we had a new man at the helm.

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/curle-responds-criticism-his-style-play-and-reveals-long-term-plan-evolve-cobblers-philosophy-3066901

That was a good read, I enjoyed that.

I was always getting into bother for defending Keith on the Carlisle board so here I go again  :)

When Keith took us over we were cast adrift at the bottom of League Two looking well and truly finished with a squad that many a supporter would agree to being the worst Carlisle United team they had ever seen, in comes Keith and we are still rubbish but he brings in his pal Derek Asamoah and I don't know how but we managed to scrape enough points together to avoid going down to to non-league level, properly saved us then he was allowed to build his own team and as I have previously mentioned we never got promotion but he turned us into contenders on a yearly basis.

This however was not enough for some fans and they were split, you got the regular 'Curle has never won a promotion and never will' brigade to the more appreciative fan like myself who enjoyed being in the thick of promotion chasing rather than scrapping about at the bottom of the league, it was a no brainer in my eyes.

When Keith's contract ran out he was offered a new one which he turned down, this could have been a really low offer so the club would say 'look we wanted him to stay' but the general feeling was that they wanted shot of him and his budget would have been drastically cut, had he stayed I think that he would have been living on borrowed time in the job so he left with his stocks still relatively high and was in a rare position for a manager to get a standing ovation after the final game as a manager is normally sacked or leaves acrimoniously so it was a little strange.

Another thing that split fans was that Curle was constantly on the radio or the tv giving opinions on various things and many Carlisle United supporter thought that he was bigging himself up looking for a better role - again this never bothered me as for Curle to have left Carlisle then we would have got money for him as he was under contract and just as important was that for anyone to actually want him we would have to be flying high in the league and doing well.

It was no surprise that after Curle, with a few tweaks Sheridan took us instantly to the top but did his normal thing and left abruptly, but the players were mainly the quality that Curle brought in that he was using - this is when the problems started when they brought in Pressley to 'build his own squad' and fast forward less than a year and we are scrapping around at the bottom of League 2 looking for a 'Keith Curle type' to come and save us.

With your recent promotion Curle has proved that he has got more in his cannon than a reliable manager to bring in if anyone is struggling with relegation issues but reading that interview with him he has stayed with his tinkerman methods and this will be his making or his downfall and he knows this, it drove our fans crackers when he would disrupt the team that won the last game when we were on a run and we would lose but you also forget that during this run he was doing the same thing changing things but it didn't matter because we were winning, he will rarely tell you how badly a player is injured and how long they will be out but this is common practice with some managers so as not to tip off leaking the team to the opposing manager.

Definitely an interesting bloke, one of his best qualities is that he endears himself to the fans and has all the time in the world for the supporters - he was getting a bit of stick from some of ours and so he invited them down to the ground for a bit of a crack and they came away with nothing bad to say about him - there was some bloke though that had his leg knee down in a massive tattoo of Keith - going a bit too far that though for example :) 

Currently Munchy on this Board there a few who just cannot stand him as does not play in a way to suit fancy Dan(no pun intended) play. The fact we have not got sufficient quality onboard is ignored and we are endlessly compared with the likes of Accrington Stanley. He is blamed for every ill that falls upon us. The majority of fans just hope we stay in L1 this season and sod the flowing football scene. A few big hitters would rather see us lose but play so 'jolly' well. Nuts to that!  Has Northampton ever been known for fancy Dan football! Should imagine about a total of 2/3 years from 1970. Generall we thrive on a solid defence and competent midfielders plus a decent striker.
but play really well in doing so.

How come I didn't get a cryptic mention?  :D

Labouring the point a bit...... learn the hard way if you must?

Hmm. I don't think the majority of cobblers supporters would take Curle's football if it meant winning at all costs in all honestly, but imagine there's a lot in the middle who aren't best pleased with it but are somewhat understanding of the restrictions we're under at the moment.

I'd say that it's probably no worse that Hasselbaink, or Edinburgh, or Rob Page or the second year of Stuart Gray - it's definitely not good to watch, but I'm not exactly expecting that it was going to be good either as we do not do well in League 1 and never have.

Not having a go Welly but “probably no worse than Hasselbaink”? Curle won promotion for us last season and has a win ratio of 40%. Hasselbaink won nothing, failed to win any of his last nine games in charge and had us in the relegation zone with a total win ratio of 23.8%. Curle is not not worse than or even equal to Hasselbaink by any reasonable measure I can come up with? However if you can come up with some evidence beyond subjective opinion to contradict this then I’ll be the first to retract all of this? Apologies if I come across as frustrated, but when is someone going to come up with a convincing argument for a sacking in this debate?

Not having a go Welly but “probably no worse than Hasselbaink”? Curle won promotion for us last season and has a win ratio of 40%. Hasselbaink won nothing, failed to win any of his last nine games in charge and had us in the relegation zone with a total win ratio of 23.8%. Curle is not not worse than or even equal to Hasselbaink by any reasonable measure I can come up with? However if you can come up with some evidence beyond subjective opinion to contradict this then I’ll be the first to retract all of this? Apologies if I come across as frustrated, but when is someone going to come up with a convincing argument for a sacking in this debate?

Well, I'm not advocating for his sacking if it helps, I just can understand why people would start to be, and i'm not 100% convinced the majority of cobblers fans are still behind him. Curles 40%+ win rate puts him down as one of the more succesful managers in our history, which is important context, but that looks a lot less successful if we're looking at the League 1 level results alone that the other managers listed were also charged with facing. I don't personally think hes doing a job anywhere near as poor Hasselbaink did, as he half the budget and missing a lot of the talent Jimmy had to play with... but the results aren't a lot better and I think five or so games in a row with sub 35% possession (admittedly with 10 men for a bulk of it) at the moment doesnt elevate him above the others named at cutting it at League. He's not doing a worse job either though, which was the point I was originally trying to make.

Labouring the point a bit, granted, but I think you will find Munchys post is fairly typical of the impact football clubs achieve when changing managers. Since Keith Curle, Carlisle have failed to improve their standing. Even the current manager Chris Beech is behind Keith Curle on win ratios (38.2 vrs 37.78). What do you imagine the financial impact of all those managerial changes have been with regards to changing the squad, the instability it brings, I could go on and on, and apparently am? What I am trying to repeatedly emphasise is that any change will statistically get the opposite effect to the desired one? What this also means is a change in players and those players will invariably be a lower standard than you would like because you don’t have the budget and the downward spiral starts. If you have to fire a manager then at least set some clearly defined failure standards and have a clear criteria for the manager you want to bring in? However, giving all this and understanding that getting rid of a manager rarely works, firing a bloke on a whim because we are a bit boring 17 league games after a promotion is absolute b0ll0cks. I challenge anyone on here to come up with the aforementioned failure standards and a reasonable recruitment criteria for an available manager that currently comes up with a conclusion that gets anywhere near justifying removing Curle? I tell you in advance, don’t bother because you won’t manage it? As I said it’s there’s no denying that performances on the pitch are important, but changing managers on the back of “it’s currently a bit boring” is just plain bonkers. It wasn’t boring a Wembley a couple of months ago was it? And please remember this is all taking place in the current context of the financial impact of Covid. FFS get a grip will you, what’s being suggested by many on here currently makes absolutely no sense on any conceivable level? That may change but at the moment it doesn’t? If I am wrong then come up with a reasonable case along the lines I have suggested, but you won’t because you can’t? Anyway, there’s no point me continually banging on about it, learn the hard way if you must?

[Maybe some of those who are calling for Curle to go are frustrated because they believe we can play a better more attractive type of football with the players we have AND achieve better results? I assume Curle sets us up to play the way we do because he believes this is our best shot at gaining points and staying in the division.
Me? I dont know, but I am frustrated he doesnt seem to allow the players to take it to the opposition a little more.
Holmes, Marshall, Adams, Rose, Chuk, Sowerby, Missilou, Watson, Harriman, Sheehan, Bolger, and Mills when fit, I think are all good enough to offer us an alternative playing style. Some of the others like Horsefall have also put in better performances recently. Curle seems like a likeable fella to me and deserves respect because of what he's done in the game but it's his tactics I think that many question.
You might argue  we have been 'unlucky' with bookings and sendings off recently, so that will limit options, but there is no doubt tonight is a big game.
/quote]

I agree with all this and you could add McWilliams to the list as well. I have said in conversation we are a second division team masquerading in the first and that we lack quality but analysis of the squad, in my opinion, means we could compete with midtable teams without resorting to the miserable defensive stuff that we have witnessed on far too many occasions this season.

I really can’t see the point in all this.
KC is KTs man
He is under contract and the club can’t afford to compete at this level let alone pay off managers...
When the board have always stated that they need extra investment to compete at league one level how can anyone actually expect them to sack and pay off a manager and buy the quality needed to stay in this division.

Let’s be honest/realistic here
We know that the required quality of signings will not be purchased in January (we couldn’t afford them before the season started and lost out to other clubs)
KC is the yes man who tows the line.
His job will be safe because he does as is told and alternatives will be more expensive and expect a realistic budget to keep us up.
Keith will do as he is told and implement the peanuts + budget that is proving so successful at this level.

The blindingly obvious conclusion is that the club will stick with Keith even after relegation and we will be able to compete at our natural league two level.

It will remain this way until the club is taken over by, in the current owners own words those who can “take us to the next level”

Isn’t it a pity the extra investment couldn’t come from kelvins close friend and self confessed cobblers fan shaquille o neill
I find it funny at a time the board are clamouring for extra investment no one has asked kelvin if he has approached his multi millionaire friend to invest and join the board???

To lay my cards on the table right from the off, I'm still not in the "Curle Out" camp. That said....

He's properly starting to get on my wick, and the interview in the Chron yesterday sums it all up with his talk of evolution and identity. It's bluster and bullsh1t, designed to blow smoke up everyone's backside and make it seem like our current trevails are all just a part of his masterplan that the meer layman cannot hope to see, woeful shake of head, forgive them for they know not what they do...

.

So I'm not the only one that thinks this then, even though Evers and his mates say so. His comments are more repetitive than the Tory party Brexit slogans were.

I don't think we should worry. Because of our 'good housekeeping' we are in a better financial situation than others. At least 4 clubs will go bust and we'll stay up even though finishing bottom.  ;D ;D ;D

So I'm not the only one that thinks this then, even though Evers and his mates say so. His comments are more repetitive than the Tory party Brexit slogans were.

To lay my cards on the table right from the off, I'm still not in the "Curle Out" camp. That said....

He's properly starting to get on my wick, and the interview in the Chron yesterday sums it all up with his talk of evolution and identity. It's bluster and bullsh1t, designed to blow smoke up everyone's backside and make it seem like our current trevails are all just a part of his masterplan that the meer layman cannot hope to see, woeful shake of head, forgive them for they know not what they do...

I'm realistic in my hopes for this season. Finishing one place above the relegation zone would be a result.

I'm not a purest either. Long ball, physical stuff can be every bit as entertaining as nice, tippy tappy football. I really used to enjoy watching Atkin's much-derided brand of football.

I also understand that we're minnows in this league and if we are up against your Ipswichs, Sunderlands, Charltons, Pompeys and Hulls then we are going to be outgunned and will need to batten down the hatches at times.

Having said that, there is one unalienable truth - you are more likely to win a football match if you at least try and score a goal. We seem content to contain the opposition and hope to nick something from a set piece. Take Saturday as a prime example; nick an early goal from an admittedly very good set piece and then sit back. Not just sitting back a bit though, completely sitting back and inviting wave after wave of pressure. If we were playing one of the aformentioned big boys then OK, I get it, hang on to what you've got but, not being funny, we were playing Crewe. Yes, they are a decent side but they came up with us last year and going into the game were only 2 points above us in the table - we shouldn't be scared of them, for god's sake! Have a go! A nice footballing side like Crewe are the very ones our more direct and physical style is likely to upset, so once you've got a goal and they have to push on a bit more, have a bloody good go at them and try for a second!

Did we do that though? No. We rolled up into a ball like a timid hedgehog and let them give us a good shoeing. They were afforded all the space and time in the world while we cowered away and they were in their element. The winning goal may have taken a while to come but when it did it was certainly deserved.

We simply aren't good enough defensively to play like this. OK, it worked against Fleetwood the other week but there are plently of times already this year where it hasn't and on another day that Fleetwood game would have seen them take something from the game because we were at no point in charge of proceedings, it was just one desperate last ditch challenge or block after the other.

Want to play long ball stuff? Great. Want to play on the counter? Fine. Want to allow the other team lots of possession? OK, possession is one of the most overrated stats in the game, so why not. Want to nullify the opposition? Again, fine if you are actually going to do that, but that involves holding your shape and stopping them playing all over the park, not doing what we do: take up camp in our own half and hope to stop them scoring!

Come on Keith, show some guts - give it a go. Attack on occasion. Show that you have built a team with more about them than a good chin, because however good that chin is, if you land enough punches on it eventually even the toughest fighter is going down.

Strange comments at least a few support your views! Who are these four clubs destined to go bust? You sound like a remainer?

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/curle-encourage-cobblers-play-more-front-foot-after-defending-too-deep-against-crewe-3068053

Anyone who wants him to stay isn’t a Cobblers fan.

Perhaps Mysterious if you think the manager is a clown you should change your name to Mysterious Clown.
This is the clown that turned the ship around 2 seasons ago after we had taken 7 points from the first 10 games. This is the clown that got us promoted last season. This is the clown that took us on a FA Cup run that brought in £750,000. This is the clown that spotted Charlie Goode, who could not hold down a place at Sc***horpe, and developed him into a player that we sold for £1 to £1.5 million. Don't you just love clowns?.  

Anyone who wants him to stay isn’t a Cobblers fan.

Anyone who wants him to stay isn’t a Cobblers fan.

I disagree actually Melbourne. What’s not helpful is people defending the indefensible. We were fortunate to not get this result on Saturday and deservedly have received it today.

Our manager is 100% not good enough for League 1. The time is now to get rid of him and give us a chance of league 1 stability.

curle is clueless and his style of football is an embarrassment to this football club.
it was no better last season and we struck lucky over a couple of playoff matches . The rest of the season was dire .
We have played the worst football of all 92 clubs in the football league and listened to the man’s pseudo philosophies for too long .
i don’t like his arrogance , i don’t like his football and i don’t want him at this club any longer .
Time to move on and do it before Christmas .

You have to ask what hope/expectation/proof is there that he is capable of turning things around? What green shoots are there that we can cling to in the hope that we will eventually blossom?

For me, 116 games into your managerial reign is a tad too late to still be talking of "building something" and "creating an identity"

I’m a fan Dan and I want him to stay

We are owned by owners who haven’t the financial clout to run us as a league one club.
They spend all their time bumbling on about a redevelopment that won’t be worth two bob when it’s done
8,000 seater stadium WOW
If they spent more money on the actual football club than constantly going on about their failed redevelopment that’d be a start.
Why not have a fans forum regards the football situation and their plans to improve things on the pitch

Sometimes I believe this redevelopment (or adding a couple of boxes and a couple of hundred seats) is actually a very convenient smoke stream that constantly deflects everything away from how they have got themselves millions of pounds in debt whilst being unable to sustain anything other than league two football

Bollox to the redevelopment it’s all utter tripe that goes on year after year after year.

Let’s forget that and ask what they are going to do about getting in the quality of player needed to build a league one team.
I don’t see a fans forum on the horizon if those sort of questions need answering.

KC is today’s fall guy
They’ll be plenty more after him

KT was 'handed' another opportunity to build NTFC via playoffs, strengthened by the £1m ? selling of a centre-back

Sorry but I can't believe that KC, how ever bad he is, thought that this team would have any chance of staying in L1.

Horsfield is the WORST centre half I have ever seen in an NTFC, he doesn't even have the excuse of being old or overweight.

GK's are both useless, their footwork is absolutely diabolical

A team with Hoskins as the talisman, well  .........

Smith upfront, what a joke

However who in the whole club is any much better?  

Last season KC / KT talked about plans, leaders, really clever planning etc etc. All a pile of crap, simply we benefited from other clubs having to play actual football after a long layoff with little preparation, although we had a good spine of CBs, CM, and ST's and booted it up the pitch.

If it's KC out then surely KT can't be far behind ??  




 
 

Let’s face it NTFC are a 4th division side with a 4th division manager, a 4th division owner, a 4th division ground and a set of 4th division players. Oh, and a set of 4th division supporters as well - us!

A truer word never ever spoke on this forum. Sorry but I do think the supporters are included too because most are very happy to accept and justify the rest of the statement.

Many of these fans have supported this club through years of 3rd and 4th division struggles, that makes them Premier League supporters in my eyes.

https://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/20202/december/9_2021_a_reaction/

Ramblings of a desperate man......

We’ve heard it all before Keith.

That’s me done then - wasted 50 years of my life, spent £Ks on season tickets, given my self an emotional roller coaster every weekend and Dan says I’m not a fan. Fcuk!

Let’s face it NTFC are a 4th division side with a 4th division manager, a 4th division owner, a 4th division ground and a set of 4th division players. Oh, and a set of 4th division supporters as well - us!
Sure, we (more accurately the town/ catchment area) have potential but that’s worth bugger all in the grand scheme of things.

Given all the above, maybe we should just relax and enjoy our brief dalliances with moderate levels of success (getting to the 3rd division for a bit!) and wait for a saviour or a fanatical investor to come along and give us a sustained period of success? Meantime I’m happy to watch my team, cheer them when they win / work their socks off, build myself back up when they disappoint. But, as Dan points out ... I’m not a fan so what the fcuk!

Blue touch paper lit.

I disagree actually Melbourne. What’s not helpful is people defending the indefensible. We were fortunate to not get this result on Saturday and deservedly have received it today.

Our manager is 100% not good enough for League 1. The time is now to get rid of him and give us a chance of league 1 stability.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion mate, I don’t agree but it doesn’t make you not a fan.

I think you need to understand that what gets said on here won’t influence squat Dan. Whether he goes or stays will not be “helped” by either of us? Not so long ago we had an issue with Hasselbaink and replaced him with a more attacking minded manager in the form of Austin? Turned out to be a waste of time and crucially money? If you are to change managers then the vital aspect is who comes next, why and are they available? Other wise you swap the squad from horse sh1t to dog sh1t, accelerate the downward spiral and blow any remaining budget you have? To be fair I gave you an opportunity to voice your opinion on the benchmarks for success and more importantly the criteria for bringing in a new bloke? You choose to ignore all that and accuse anyone who doesn’t agree with you of not being a supporter in some childish foot stamping attempt to suppress opinion? This kind of wool headed thinking is what has done for the likes of Bury and all the others that are on the brink? Therefore it could be argued that this boom and bust, hire and fire em, sh1t for brains thinking without care and consideration for consequence is not the mentality of “real” supporters? Rather it’s the mentality of confused glory hunters who have backed the wrong horse in their quest to have the biggest pair of b0ll0cks in the football supporters club? That’s not true either though is it? People with all sorts of opinion have stood on the Hotel End or West Stand (I won’t say East) come rain or shine? That entitles them to a voice and opinion, it might differ to mine and might cause us to have a right old debate about it on here and elsewhere? The fact that justbbecause their opinion differs to mine will never make me accuse them of not being a supporter. The very fact that they spend hours on here arguing and fretting about our future indicates that they deeply care about the future of the club? As do you and I Dan, we just come at it from different angles? So say I am not a supporter if you wish Dan, but you won’t catch me levelling that accusation at you anytime soon. Just take this into consideration?

Thanks Manny. With my fan status reinstated I can climb into my Cobblers jimjams and go to bed. Tomorrow, as they say, is another day!

Anyone who wants him to stay isn’t a Cobblers fan.

curle questioning the mentality of his players post match.
Maybe so Keith but you brought those players in and put so much emphasis on their mental strength and hunger.
You are the one trying to build a DNA and culture within the club which appears to have progressed very little .
You are the one that stated after the last game that your teams take time to develop into passing footballing teams , but 116 games in your teams play the most negative , uncultured football imaginable .
You are the one that hasn’t managed to bring in a decent centre half this season and both goalkeepers look below standard.
Time to stop the pseudo rhetoric and man up to your responsibilities

It’s fair to say that KC knew this team wasn’t good enough.
He had plenty of decent players in for talks but wasn’t given the backing to sign these targets.
Whose fault is that???

If KC is out of his depth as a league one manager then KT is out of his depth as a league one chairman.
One will go and we will be lumbered with the other.

Let's ride out the COVID-19 crisis, if we are still operating as a football club and able to once again watch Professional League football I'm not too fussed about which division we are in.
We are not sufficiently flushed in the financial department to sack our current manager,.  He wasn't allowed to sign the players he had targeted after our surprise promotion, because of the limited funding available which was tailored based on the lack of prospective income during the crisis.  
How much of last season's (2019-20) buying plan was based on staying another season in the Fourth Division? Our promotion was not necessarily part of and probably put a spanner into the works of that 'long term' plan?
Any new manager will have the same financial constraints placed on him and will be demanding more to replace the current squad to make it 'his own' squad.
KC is a good manager and like any other manager, if given the opportunity to sign the right players, will be able to play/maintain the level 'expected'.  
Sacking our manager at this time is not the answer, I would also argue that it's not necessarily the correct question.  Maintaining a Professional League football team is the answer.  We have the safety net of the Fourth Division in order to give us a better chance of surviving, there are clubs in the Fourth who do not have that safety net.

I don't have to justify or prove to anyone my credentials for being a Cobblers fan.

I total respect your view mate, I just think it’s gone a bit too far for Curle, it looked last night he’d lost the dressing room couple that with Holmes outburst and I think the players hate playing this way as well as the fans hate watching it.
There is absolutely no pace in the side, which for a counter attacking team is a bit of a problem.
I am in two minds as to watch on Saturday, Lincoln are a far better team than Oxford, who don’t forget we’re below us in the table before last night.
BUT Curle has an uncanny nack of pulling out results when he needs them so who knows.
Another heavy defeat and it will turn ugly.

Disagree.

It’s public knowledge he has under spent his budget. He has focused on trying to be clever by having great housekeeping!

Anyone pinning the blame on KT for this mess needs to rethink .
Curle by his own admission had a healthy enough budget to work with but refused to get drawn by certain players .
We also have a comparative or better budget than some teams that have played us off the park this season.
Furthermore , it may have gone unnoticed but there is a pandemic on which has resulted in extreme prudence and quite rightly so .
KT is not responsible for the complete and utter garbage football served up week after week - give it a rest .

This....although it would be nice to hear from KT as his last meaningful communication was back in September I believe

Fair comment and hard to argue with much of it.

I would guess/hope that due to his Oxford connections KT did at least watch last nights "show"....... I wonder what he made of it?

Anyone pinning the blame on KT for this mess needs to rethink .
Curle by his own admission had a healthy enough budget to work with but refused to get drawn by certain players .
We also have a comparative or better budget than some teams that have played us off the park this season.
Furthermore , it may have gone unnoticed but there is a pandemic on which has resulted in extreme prudence and quite rightly so .
KT is not responsible for the complete and utter garbage football served up week after week - give it a rest .

Oh that’s great news
We can expect a big transfer window in January with all this left over cash that KC didn’t spend.
I’ve cheered up no end now
I can see a couple of ex championship defenders , a captain and leader who has been there and done it at the heart of midfield and a couple of league one standard strikers being signed.

Good old kelvin I knew he wouldn’t let us down ::) ::)

Get back to me at the end of January when the cheap youth team players with no experience and a couple of loans have turned up.

You can’t beat building for the future with a solid foundation.

KC may go but the tide is turning regards KT
Another **** poor excuse for a transfer window along with his dreams of a two bob 8,000 seater stadium un- redevelopment and he will have cooked his own goose.
He will have lost the fans which may not concern him too much but he will also lose their money going forward and that always seems to concentrate the mind.

Let's ride out the COVID-19 crisis, if we are still operating as a football club and able to once again watch Professional League football I'm not too fussed about which division we are in.
We are not sufficiently flushed in the financial department to sack our current manager,.  He wasn't allowed to sign the players he had targeted after our surprise promotion, because of the limited funding available which was tailored based on the lack of prospective income during the crisis.  
How much of last season's (2019-20) buying plan was based on staying another season in the Fourth Division? Our promotion was not necessarily part of and probably put a spanner into the works of that 'long term' plan?
Any new manager will have the same financial constraints placed on him and will be demanding more to replace the current squad to make it 'his own' squad.
KC is a good manager and like any other manager, if given the opportunity to sign the right players, will be able to play/maintain the level 'expected'.  
Sacking our manager at this time is not the answer, I would also argue that it's not necessarily the correct question.  Maintaining a Professional League football team is the answer.  We have the safety net of the Fourth Division in order to give us a better chance of surviving, there are clubs in the Fourth who do not have that safety net.

I don't have to justify or prove to anyone my credentials for being a Cobblers fan.

To put it in layman's terms, I'll even make it festive for you...

It's like me giving you £40 to go and buy a Christmas turkey to feed 10 people. You think you're clever and decide to spend £20 on a 6 person turkey and save the rest for a bit of housekeeping. Christmas day comes and everyone goes hungry as there isn't enough turkey.

Strangely you think it would be my fault, whereas the majority think it's yours.

Your argument is essentially that I should have given you more than £40 which would have given us a bigger turkey than needed, doesn't really make sense to me?

Swap turkey for player costs.
Swap people for competitive league 1 budget.

Bingo.

That not even mentioning the £ you pissed up the wall buying nut roasts and all that vegan s***e.

Swap nut roasts and vegan s***e for Seal, Horsfall, Korboa, Mitchell etc..

To put it in layman's terms, I'll even make it festive for you...

It's like me giving you £40 to go and buy a Christmas turkey to feed 10 people. You think you're clever and decide to spend £20 on a 6 person turkey and save the rest for a bit of housekeeping. Christmas day comes and everyone goes hungry as there isn't enough turkey.

Strangely you think it would be my fault, whereas the majority think it's yours.

Your argument is essentially that I should have given you more than £40 which would have given us a bigger turkey than needed, doesn't really make sense to me?

Swap turkey for player costs.
Swap people for competitive league 1 budget.

Bingo.

That not even mentioning the £ you pissed up the wall buying nut roasts and all that vegan s***e.

Swap nut roasts and vegan s***e for Seal, Horsfall, Korboa, Mitchell etc..

I think you need to understand that what gets said on here won’t influence squat Dan. Whether he goes or stays will not be “helped” by either of us? Not so long ago we had an issue with Hasselbaink and replaced him with a more attacking minded manager in the form of Austin? Turned out to be a waste of time and crucially money? If you are to change managers then the vital aspect is who comes next, why and are they available? Other wise you swap the squad from horse sh1t to dog sh1t, accelerate the downward spiral and blow any remaining budget you have? To be fair I gave you an opportunity to voice your opinion on the benchmarks for success and more importantly the criteria for bringing in a new bloke? You choose to ignore all that and accuse anyone who doesn’t agree with you of not being a supporter in some childish foot stamping attempt to suppress opinion? This kind of wool headed thinking is what has done for the likes of Bury and all the others that are on the brink? Therefore it could be argued that this boom and bust, hire and fire em, sh1t for brains thinking without care and consideration for consequence is not the mentality of “real” supporters? Rather it’s the mentality of confused glory hunters who have backed the wrong horse in their quest to have the biggest pair of b0ll0cks in the football supporters club? That’s not true either though is it? People with all sorts of opinion have stood on the Hotel End or West Stand (I won’t say East) come rain or shine? That entitles them to a voice and opinion, it might differ to mine and might cause us to have a right old debate about it on here and elsewhere? The fact that just because their opinion differs to mine will never make me accuse them of not being a supporter. The very fact that they spend hours on here arguing and fretting about our future indicates that they deeply care about the future of the club? As do you and I Dan, we just come at it from different angles? So say I am not a supporter if you wish Dan, but you won’t catch me levelling that accusation at you anytime soon. Just take this into consideration?

Let's ride out the COVID-19 crisis, if we are still operating as a football club and able to once again watch Professional League football I'm not too fussed about which division we are in.
We are not sufficiently flushed in the financial department to sack our current manager,.  He wasn't allowed to sign the players he had targeted after our surprise promotion, because of the limited funding available which was tailored based on the lack of prospective income during the crisis.  
How much of last season's (2019-20) buying plan was based on staying another season in the Fourth Division? Our promotion was not necessarily part of and probably put a spanner into the works of that 'long term' plan?
Any new manager will have the same financial constraints placed on him and will be demanding more to replace the current squad to make it 'his own' squad.
KC is a good manager and like any other manager, if given the opportunity to sign the right players, will be able to play/maintain the level 'expected'.  
Sacking our manager at this time is not the answer, I would also argue that it's not necessarily the correct question.  Maintaining a Professional League football team is the answer.  We have the safety net of the Fourth Division in order to give us a better chance of surviving, there are clubs in the Fourth who do not have that safety net.

I don't have to justify or prove to anyone my credentials for being a Cobblers fan.

Folk go on about not replacing the manager because it achieves nothing. Au contraire, it is part of the game, that is why managers have been hired and fired since the game began. They are given a lot of responsibility and in return have to deliver. Be it Arteta at the Arse or Curle at the Cobbs. A new manager brings new ways, ideas and methods. This side is done, it needs that input. There has to be hope, once the trust is lost, you cannot perservere or the fans will fade away. The club will always maintain a group of so many but those around the periphery who represent growth will not follow a bunch of lifeless losers.

That would be the picture if you believe what you have been told.
I think Shoemaker is suggesting it's not quite as transparent as that and that KC has become a bit of a patsy for KT. signing confidentiality agreements which prevent him from telling the full budgetary story.
Who knows, stranger things have happened.
I know if I was KT and was watching the crap served up atm I wouldnt be happy that my manager was sitting on the funds given to him instead of spending them.
Perhaps KC will get binned by KT for being to prudent. Wouldn't that be a thing?

Exactly this. Not sure where Shoemaker is coming from with his anti KT agenda.
[/quote
I’ve no anti KT agenda and have said many times that I’m happy for him to try and turn a profit.
The fact is I feel he has achieved no more than his predecessor in advancing us on or off the pitch.
He has been here long enough and accrued enough debt with nothing to show for it other than a sub standard team and a ground that is in no better condition than the day he got here....

There has to be a time limit as regards his tenure when there is absolutely no progress on or off the pitch.

Are fans expected to accept the club stagnating and in limbo under him for an unspecified amount of time because correct me if I’m wrong another year has passed,nobody has any idea when any work on our state of the art 8,000 capacity ground will start and anyone of sound mind can see the council will not budge until money is spent on tarting the ground up.

Is that not where we are in reality?

I hear all this "We can't afford to sack KC", OK don't sack him, just swap him and Jon Brady. It might knacker the U18's this season but the 1st team would stand a chance of staying up.

Sammo as interim manager through to the end of the season. You heard it here first! (because I just made it up ;D)

Silly question, of course he is still in charge. Oh you also forgot the ?

Convincing Holmes & Sheehan to stay until the end of the season could be the difference between up or down. Possible few additions as well at the back and still lacking quality in Centre mid and forward line.

If there are 4 worse teams than us then that’s a successful season. Not sure who those teams are though

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/curle-warns-towns-weak-characters-stop-sulking-and-start-delivering-after-collapsing-against-oxford-united-3070816

Anyone want to hazard a guess at who the "sulking faces" are?

Obviously not the likes of Horsfall, Hoskins or Harriman who are regular starters, and not players such as Dyche, Holmes, Smith or even Arnold.  Those who were given a chance would be Lines, Rose, Missilou perhaps even Watson who had been out of the side. Adams too maybe?

Be interesting to see how players react on Saturday, the vast majority of those players will be involved again purely on the basis that there isn't anyone else!

Guess we will find out if he has “lost” the dressing room or not.
What the fcuk Marshall has done to be left out in the cold?

Don’t hold your breath, KC ain’t going anywhere. I predict minimal financial spending until Covid is resolved? Financial longevity was clearly the overriding priority, and that strategy won’t change anytime soon, irrespective of what happens on the pitch? I’ll be amazed if it turns out otherwise.

Don’t hold your breath, KC ain’t going anywhere. I predict minimal financial spending until Covid is resolved? Financial longevity was clearly the overriding priority, and that strategy won’t change anytime soon, irrespective of what happens on the pitch? I’ll be amazed if it turns out otherwise.

i am predicting Curle to be sacked over Christmas .
Players not behind him and he has thrown them under the bus .
Someone will break ranks .
It is an unhappy ship

I must admit I fully expect us to go down without making any effort to stay up

Well you would! As with the Trust you had significant issues and left. Now you on here big time with your persistent negativity. You will be disappointed to be proved wrong?

He sounds like David Brent.

Under the circumstances I thought the interview was typical of a manager under some pressure. By the end he appeared to be resolute and determined. The amount of time you take to express your personal dislike of the current manager is extraordinary. Does he owe you money or similar? You never offer a constructive comment on how we get out of the current poor form.

Agreed B&S. All the signs are that the end is very nigh.

Also can see him getting a result tomorrow to delay the inevitable slightly.

He's in the Chron having a pop at his midfielders today. Not saying any of them put in a good performance on Tuesday night, but it's pretty difficult for them to impose themselves on the game when they spend 90% of the time watching the ball sail over their heads.

By the end we appeared to be playing in a 4-2-4 formation so it's hardly surprising they were overrun. I say "appeared" because to be honest it was very tricky to see who was meant to be playing where during the second half...

Agreed B&S. All the signs are that the end is very nigh.

Also can see him getting a result tomorrow to delay the inevitable slightly.

Curle is a master of getting results when the pressure is on. I also wouldn't be surprised if we get a win tomorrow, then at struggling Ipswich and home to Gillingham. Then he'll be back in the good books  ;)

Curle is a master of getting results when the pressure is on. I also wouldn't be surprised if we get a win tomorrow, then at struggling Ipswich and home to Gillingham. Then he'll be back in the good books  ;)

If we take 9 points from those games he'll bloody deserve to keep his job!!!  ;D

Yeah, but apart from beating Lincoln, Ipswich and Gillingham...what has Curle ever done for us?  ;D

So are we going for Sowerby, Watson, Lines and Holmes as the fall guys seeing as "none of them played a forward pass"......? Ties in too with the fact that Watson and Lines had been out of the team, got their chance and in Curles eyes failed to deliver after feeling sorry for themselves because they weren't in the starting 11......

Surely you don't just get four midfielders who independently decide to all play defensively on the night?  Isn't it more likely they were "told" to play this way?

He was right to criticise the midfield as the game I was watching they collectively failed to impress. Lines did not register at all, Sowerby went awol. Watson for me was the pick of a poor bunch although his passing was hit and miss. Holmes was  'much ado about nothing'. So much depends on him to get us motoring! As the Chron says Lines is unlikely to figure again.   

I would be very happy to get these results, and so should you. It would mean we've turned the corner.

Curle is a master of getting results when the pressure is on. I also wouldn't be surprised if we get a win tomorrow, then at struggling Ipswich and home to Gillingham. Then he'll be back in the good books  ;)

OK, I am normally a lurker on threads such as this, but I want to make an observation.
It would appear there a few on here that would almost be happy for us to go down and Curle to remain in charge of our yo-yo team.
Others would want him gone sooner than later, coming out with such comments as "tactically inept, lost the dressing room, going to take us down".
Others blame the lack of investment by the owners, poor transfers etc.
Not many seem to be pointing the fickle finger of fate at the players. From what I have observed on an at times very sketchy I-Player is players who are here for no other reason than the paycheck at the end of the month. They couldn't give a flying fúck about the result, the team or their own performance and are most likely trying to line themselves up a deal for the January tranfer window. With players like that in the side we're doomed(imagine this in a Scottish accent).
I would rather see the subs bench start every week and play their hearts out than the dross served up by players whose belief in their abilities is far outweighs what they are actually capable of producing.
In the real world these players who under perform would be shít canned from a normal job.
Having said that the same would apply to Curle. As a manager his main task is to get the best out of his players in order to produce results(This whole thing of paying out an under performer for the length of his contract is so very wrong).
So we come to options.

1. Dump Curle now and see if a new manager can get something out of these prima donnas(I would assume that there will be no money available in January).

2. Give Curle a suitcase frull of cash in January and tell him fill his boots(very unlikely).

3. Give Curle the chance in January to off load the hangers on and get some long term loanees in to take us to the end of a relegation avoiding season.

4. Carry on as we are and rely on other teams going to the wall to keep us up as some on here have suggested might happen.

For me option three would be the way to go, but I am concerned about January. I honestly can't see it going any other way.

I don't know why anyone on here is expecting us to do any better than we currently are. We've got a reasonable League 2 squad and this is the best we can expect.
Bower is a rich man but he's worked hard for his money and there's no reason he should toss it all away at a club he has no infinity for without any prospect of a return. Sacking Curle and appointing another manger with similar credentials would waste money that could be spent on players to help get us to mid table safety.
Some of you have really got to get this cult of manager out of your heads. They are all coaches that work within the budgets they have and follow the same pretty tough FA coaching courses they've all studied in order to get the badges to do the job. It's football, not rocket science or voodoo. If Wayne Rooney can do it at Championship level then who can't?
We've had nine managers in as many years, let's try sticking with a manager through the good and not so good times, it can't be any worse than the current policy.

I don't know why anyone on here is expecting us to do any better than we currently are. We've got a reasonable League 2 squad and this is the best we can expect.
Bower is a rich man but he's worked hard for his money and there's no reason he should toss it all away at a club he has no infinity for without any prospect of a return. Sacking Curle and appointing another manger with similar credentials would waste money that could be spent on players to help get us to mid table safety.
Some of you have really got to get this cult of manager out of your heads. They are all coaches that work within the budgets they have and follow the same pretty tough FA coaching courses they've all studied in order to get the badges to do the job. It's football, not rocket science or voodoo. If Wayne Rooney can do it at Championship level then who can't?
We've had nine managers in as many years, let's try sticking with a manager through the good and not so good times, it can't be any worse than the current policy.

How do you know Bowers has worked hard for his money?

Would you advocate retaining a manager for maybe five or six years in an attempt to build a side that can perform at a higher level?

How do you know Bowers has worked hard for his money? If we don't expect to do any better than we are then what is the point? Did Cov. or Wycombe or Rotherham or Luton etc not expect to do better?

I don't know why anyone on here is expecting us to do any better than we currently are. We've got a reasonable League 2 squad and this is the best we can expect.
Bower is a rich man but he's worked hard for his money and there's no reason he should toss it all away at a club he has no infinity for without any prospect of a return. Sacking Curle and appointing another manger with similar credentials would waste money that could be spent on players to help get us to mid table safety.
Some of you have really got to get this cult of manager out of your heads. They are all coaches that work within the budgets they have and follow the same pretty tough FA coaching courses they've all studied in order to get the badges to do the job. It's football, not rocket science or voodoo. If Wayne Rooney can do it at Championship level then who can't?
We've had nine managers in as many years, let's try sticking with a manager through the good and not so good times, it can't be any worse than the current policy.

If we gave a manger five or six years we'd be in the Championship at least.

Managers are not magicians, they are football coaches. There's no reason why one manger should outperform any other except for the budget they are operating with. For every Burton or Bournemouth that flirt with success I give you Man City and Liverpool that buy it. Klopp and Guardiola are great tv personalities but their managerial skills rely entirely on huge budgets. How come Solskjæ, sacked at Cardiff after relegation to the Championship, is now top six with Man Utd? Same manager, different budget.

Reading all this is fascinating stuff. When you think about it logically it’s fairly typical of what goes on in many a board room? For me an appraisal of where we are goes like this. Covid strikes and there is immediate concern for the future of many clubs. For years many financial experts have been warning about the unsustainable spending of football clubs and Covid is widely predicted to be the final straw? We have a successful season get ourselves into the playoffs and win promotion off the back of some outstanding performances. By any measure after a rather typical showing in recent times it appears our 5th manager has brought success after 4 previous failures? The club then has a decision to make. Crowds are barred from attending matches money is pouring out of the club, what is the priority for any CEO at this point? My view is that it would irresponsible and incompetent to do anything other than come up with a strategy that gives the club as much financial longevity as possible. The owners duty is to ensure the football club survives for future generations to enjoy. Division 1 survival comes a very distant second, especially when it is highly likely that many clubs may not see out the season and it is a distinct possibility that the season may even not finish? The previous season fixtures were suspended so all of these are reasonable assumptions. Therefore the decisions are made, minimal spending, a restricted wage budget and off load any high earners or players with excessive demands? It is almost unthinkable that other clubs won’t follow suit especially as many are already in a precarious financial position so there should be a number of desirable players without a club? My view is this is exactly what needed to occur and I for one was on my feet applauding it. These decisions are not being made with hindsight, there are no guarantees these actions will save us or things will play out as predicted. You play the percentages, think with your head not your heart and steer the club down the most likely route to mean you have acted in the best interests of the club?

(For you JHFI) So approaching the midpoint of the season where are we at? Well, 2 things have occurred outside of the club that stand out. The first was that the curb on spending at other clubs clearly didn’t quite pan out as expected. That for me was beyond incredible. I would say Gillingham outbidding us for Vadaine was beyond all reasonable logic given their troubles? The second was the financial bailout which whilst not beyond imaginable, could never have been relied upon with any degree of certainty? Therefore the stay of execution for many clubs has undoubtedly been extended? On the pitch things have played out as expected? We are low on the usual quality required to survive in division 1. We have suffered some unfortunate injuries, particularly to who turned out to be probably our marquee signing at the start of the season, Mills? This has been compounded comparatively by many other clubs continuing to be being run with staggering incompetence financially? As a result we are just above the relegation zone and have been over run on occasions. However, it has to be said that we have also had some wins and have held our own in some games. That being said some of the performances have been woeful but given the circumstances not entirely unexpected?

So what actions do we take now and right here is where many boardrooms fail their clubs and leave all responsibilities and competencies in the Mercedes in the car park? A decision has been taken regarding the best strategy for the football club. What you don’t do at this point is hit the panic button and start trying to spend your way out of trouble. For a start off, statistically it doesn’t work or change anything? All of the financial planning goes out of the window and you push the club closer to, if not over the brink? This kind of panicked irrational thinking borne of weakness is what has driven many clubs to where they are now? What is needed at this point is responsible logical thinking and the strength of character to see it through. Changing a manager who has had to perform with one if not both hands tied behind his back following undoubted success and have a January squad clear out in some act of self indulgence all in contradiction to the original strategy is nothing short of absolute lunacy in my opinion. Particularly when the proposed strategy has proven time and again most likely not to work and come at god knows what cost? FFS give me a break there is no guarantee that this season will even finish? That being said it must also be acknowledged that football supporters are not a charity. They have every right to expect certain standards from anyone who pulls on the shirt and are also within there rights to expect a level of performance on the pitch? For that reason I would neither criticise another supporter who took a stand and demanded action or proposed a change? I would however criticise a board for acting without prudence or restraint particularly in the midst of this pandemic. So for me the overwhelmingly correct thing to do is stick to the plan of financial restraint even if this means relegation. My view is that the board and we are merely custodians of the club and our priority is and should remain the protection of the club for future generations? I understand this may be unpopular and I accept it comes at a risk that offers no guarantee that it will work? I also accept that the other strategies being proposed on here may work and bring the desired impact? I just happen to think it is the wrong decision, it was at the start of the season and it is now? May I just request that other supporters take this view onboard and accept it is not without merit?

Wycombe? How long has Ainsworth been their manager?

Dude, get a life  ;D

How much have you had to drink?

Not enough Sing, I’m in the midst of doing some planning of my own to change that.

Business plans, project plans, finacial forecasts. I quit all that and became a truck driver.

Any jobs going, I’m fcuking things up my end?

Semi-retirement. Drive the truck part time for something to do and beer tokens.

Sensible planning Sing, a rare commodity on here

Others, who watched it, were saying that the airborne method of defence (the hoof ball) didn't allow the midfield to have an influence?

The difference between company performances and football clubs is that companies don't compete literally head on with each other. A company can quietly be successful gaining sales and everything is ticketty boo.
The league structure means clubs at the lower end are deemed to be failures no matter how good they are. Chris Wilder, once the golden boy of English no-nonsense mangers is apparently performing appallingly this season. How has he changed? The players are practically identical to last season's successful campaign and he's the same manger as he's always been. If Sheffield have any sense they will hang on to Wilder and even if they get relegated they will have a good chance of bouncing thanks to a settled playing staff. It's the same with Burnley, hang onto Dyche, meaning they keep a settled side and they will keep punching above their weight.
It's not the manager but the stability. The myth of the new manager bounce has been disproved on so many surveys it's depressing how ignorant people still trot it out.

Shrewsbury. Bristol Rovers. There's two straight away to counteract that. Both are having big improvements which are currently having a detrimental effect to us.

Our clubs biggest problem is the fact that apathy is so rife among supporters and that there are a good chunk who are happy to accept zero ambition year after year. I've been guilty of that over the years myself. We are the ones who will outstay every player/ manager/ owner and invest year after year. We are entitled to want better. Maybe Shoey, Beds Cobbler etc are the wise ones among us.

As a club, we have forgiven our manager for **** poor form for too long and we as fans deserve better. We've played 28 league games since we were done by Derby in Feb (over half a season). 9 wins, 3 draws and 16 defeats.

We definitely can compete with teams in this league IF our flair players are allowed to play their natural games. IF KC lets them do this, he may turn things around. IF he doesn't, like all the previous bad appointments, he will go into the management wilderness.

I don't know why anyone on here is expecting us to do any better than we currently are. We've got a reasonable League 2 squad and this is the best we can expect.
Bower is a rich man but he's worked hard for his money and there's no reason he should toss it all away at a club he has no infinity for without any prospect of a return. Sacking Curle and appointing another manger with similar credentials would waste money that could be spent on players to help get us to mid table safety.
Some of you have really got to get this cult of manager out of your heads. They are all coaches that work within the budgets they have and follow the same pretty tough FA coaching courses they've all studied in order to get the badges to do the job. It's football, not rocket science or voodoo. If Wayne Rooney can do it at Championship level then who can't?
We've had nine managers in as many years, let's try sticking with a manager through the good and not so good times, it can't be any worse than the current policy.