Vote: Curle In or Curle Out

[Madrid Cobbler]

No mate. Its the appointment of **** managers that are the cause of the problem.

Perhaps, but how many of our recent managers would you have identified as crap when they were appointed. Most of them looked OK on paper and much of the fanbase was happy with their appointments. There are no guarantees re managers at our level.

[bungle]

He is very articulate and talks a good game

  'And again....and again....and again....'. The trouble with Curle is that his tactics are stuck rigidly in the 80s and 90s and the game has moved on, even in the basement division.

Anyway, IMO KT will be thinking about this one pragmatically. Curle has a contract until the end of this season. If KT pulls the trigger now he will have to pay 1. compensation to Curle     2. Wages/possible compensation for the new man  3. bundles of cash in January when the new fella inevitably decides he needs ten new players.


Alternatively, he could stick with Curle (providing we're not in genuine relegation trouble) set him some targets (e.g. play-offs, string more than three passes together, go a whole match without playing someone out of position etc) and if (when) he fails to meet them then get rid in the summer.

A summer change from a position of safety would hopefully shift us out of the cycle of panic appointments and panic buys and allow something resembling long-term thinking and proper recruitment to occur.

This personally is what I would advocate. It won't be fun but it might be the only way of getting us out of this perpetual cycle of stagnation.

[ClarenceInDefence]

  'And again....and again....and again....'. The trouble with Curle is that his tactics are stuck rigidly in the 80s and 90s and the game has moved on, even in the basement division.

Anyway, IMO KT will be thinking about this one pragmatically. Curle has a contract until the end of this season. If KT pulls the trigger now he will have to pay 1. compensation to Curle     2. Wages/possible compensation for the new man  3. bundles of cash in January when the new fella inevitably decides he needs ten new players.


Alternatively, he could stick with Curle (providing we're not in genuine relegation trouble) set him some targets (e.g. play-offs, string more than three passes together, go a whole match without playing someone out of position etc) and if (when) he fails to meet them then get rid in the summer.

A summer change from a position of safety would hopefully shift us out of the cycle of panic appointments and panic buys and allow something resembling long-term thinking and proper recruitment to occur.

This personally is what I would advocate. It won't be fun but it might be the only way of getting us out of this perpetual cycle of stagnation.

Agree completely. While I am disappointed in the sum-total of KC's summer transfer business, and the one-dimensional, negative way he is setting the team up in these early stages of the season, I think any talk of sacking is madness. Unless we are in genuine danger of relegation come January/February (which I don't think we will be) then Curle has to be given the whole season. However if KC achieves anything less than a top half finish (minimum) then the club can part ways with him in May.

[bungle]

On a positive, we look totally solid. 5 games in, w'eve only conceded (I think) 1 goal from open play, and the zonal marking has vastly improved this week when we are defending set pieces. Obviously its going forward where the problems lie, not helped by the fact we have 3 strikers whom have very similar attributes. And Hoskins.

Curle dumped plan A to quick, which was to have Warburton as the deeper forward. He needs to revert back to that in the next game because having 2 lumps up top is not effectively, and its horrible to watch. Against Walsall, we looked close to being a decent team. I didn't see us v Port Vale or Macclesfield, but obviously followed them closely. The last two games, we've not created anything of note, Adams has been crap, and there's zero creativity coming down the left or through the middle. Its not rocket science. The squad is decent on paper minus a left winger and a goal scorer. Its weird that 5 games in, we are not seeing those spaces filled. Has the money ran out?

Some good points from Drilling (as usual).

The main issue with Warburton is that he appears to be, as you say, a 'deeper  forward' rather than a creative, play-making no.10 type. This wouldn't be an issue if we had a creative left-winger to take the pressure off Adams as the sole provider.

However, as it is, when played together in a 4-2-3-1 Warburton and Hoskins (another 'deeper forward) are essentially competing for the same scraps, with neither playing the creative role. I'm not convinced that the two should play together.

Another related issue that puzzles me is that all through pre-season Curle appeared to be gearing up to play 3 at the back with wing-backs only to seemingly change his mind in the last friendly against MK in favour of 4-2-3-1. I was in favour of this switch at the time - and the MK game suggested it was promising - but only on the proviso of the all important left-sided attacker being brought in.

A young, pacy premiership loanee on a season-long loan might do the trick - it doesn't have to be a permanent signing necessarily. 



 

[Melbourne Cobbler]

A young, pacy premiership loanee on a season-long loan might do the trick - it doesn't have to be a permanent signing necessarily. 

I don’t know why, but I keep forgetting about this option? It’s just occurred to me that playing these U21 outfits might have some fringe benefits? Anyone seen a suitable candidate?

[west stand oap]

I don't recall any of the Arsenal U21's having a fringe.

[guest2995]

Agree completely. While I am disappointed in the sum-total of KC's summer transfer business, and the one-dimensional, negative way he is setting the team up in these early stages of the season, I think any talk of sacking is madness. Unless we are in genuine danger of relegation come January/February (which I don't think we will be) then Curle has to be given the whole season. However if KC achieves anything less than a top half finish (minimum) then the club can part ways with him in May.

From what I understand , there are deeper issues.
It centres around training and youth development . What we are seeing on the pitch represents a complete lack of structure all over the place .

[GrangeParkCobbler]

From what I understand , there are deeper issues.
It centres around training and youth development . What we are seeing on the pitch represents a complete lack of structure all over the place .

I have found it rather strange that for the past season or so Jon Brady has set up the U18's to play exciting, freeflowing, goalscoring football which has proved to be pretty successful, yet the senior team has been set up to be defensive, compact and the complete opposite of the youth setup.

Surely there should be some kind of "connect" between the two squads to allow smoother transition of the younger players to the senior setup?

U18's this season played 4 won 3 drawn 1, scored 18 (yes EIGHTEEN) conceded 6
Senior Team played 5 won 1 drawn 1 lost three, scored 3 conceded 5

[Why?]

From what I understand , there are deeper issues.
It centres around training and youth development . What we are seeing on the pitch represents a complete lack of structure all over the place .

The deeper issues (according to my sources) are more to do with the hands-off ownership by our current moneymen.

Much like the fate of the last few managers, if the owners don't set the right agenda & milestones, then what does a manager do, other than tread water (then go on to manage National squads - eg, B & P)?

Everyone needs targets and a sense that they are being measured.

The playing budget has been drastically reduced, which is good business.  Big tick for Mr.Curle

So long as the club survives a going concern, the owners have on-going dividends.  Big tick, Mr.Curle.

Distress is shown when crowds plummet, or season ticket sales fail.  Question, Mr.Curle?

Has Curle managed absolute s***e before?  No.

Have the Cobblers been absolute s***e before?  Yes, multiple times over the last 50 years.

Mr.Holmes.... your deduction, please?

[guest2995]

In response to the 2 posts above :
There is no synergy whatsoever between the youth and first team . It’s not Ajax put it that way .
KT is never in the country . Ask yourself who is running the show .

[1971cobbler]

In response to the 2 posts above :
There is no synergy whatsoever between the youth and first team . It’s not Ajax put it that way .
KT is never in the country . Ask yourself who is running the show .

Whiting?

[BrixworthCobbler]

The poll deems Curle In, so shut up and get behind him

[Clarity]

The poll deems Curle In, so shut up and get behind him

A win for remainers

[the grumpy old man]

I think we should have another poll, we could call it a 'peoples poll'.

[guest48]

I think we should have another poll, we could call it a 'peoples poll'.

I'm suggesting we prorogue this message board 

[Manwork04]

I think we should have another poll, we could call it a 'peoples poll'.

Fcuk it I want to keep have polls until it say Curle out 

[Horsham Cobbler]

I'm suggesting we prorogue this message board 

There are some on here who could do with a 15-day shutdown, that's for sure!

[guest3293]

How do so many people have insight into who is at the club each day and how the youth links are? Genuine question.

[guest3086]

Je ne comprend pas.

[Dan]

Think it is time to pull this back up.

Based on the tripe on display yesterday, I'd like to think that Keith doesn't have much longer in charge. He can take a good number of the players with him too.