oldskyblue58
CCFC Finance Director
You know what irritates me is the two opposing attitudes on AT when no solutions or alternatives are offered. I sit somewhere in the middle of those views taking I think a more pragmatic view. Reality is we dont have the money, we shouldnt just expect it either, we have a small squad that is not bereft of all quality, our stats aside from scoring match most teams in this division, but the table doesnt lie and we are under achieving. Youthfulness is a factor, but so too is the manager and a host of other things - but all have positive elements (youngsters tend not to be afraid to play for a start) aswell as negative ones
Those in favour of AT often plead the poor guy never had a chance no money no players what did you expect ..... but AT is a good manager despite that. Just an opinion not a fact - like it or not in 10 years time all folk will remember is how many games he won
Those against AT often harangue him for his faults give no credit for things he gets right. Strangely he is human and as such prone to mistakes, the important thing is does he learn from them. I think he has but not as quick as perhaps he should have. But he does get some things right - Leeds game yes team picked itself but it played on the front foot closed players down and supported each other AT must have had an input in that
Both sides look to statistics to prove their arguement - often the same statistic looked at a different way.
It isnt about AT really it is about our club and whether we as paying fans are getting the best we can from it. He isnt to blame for all of it but he has certainly contributed in ways that have nothing to do with lack of players money or quality. I do not feel that as a supporter we have had the best out of any element of our club this season. In particular the players & manager should have done better - they are capable of it but they have under achieved. Just surviving one place above relegation would be an achievement of sorts but for me that sets the target way too low - that is not over achieving that seems to me to be lack of ambition
Have the mind that there is nearly always something that can be done - just how I was brought up. Similarly it is very rarely just one persons fault. AT can do better for folk to say he cannot simply doesnt compute with me even given the limitations he has been given. AT is replaceable and the next person may or may not do better we simply dont know. AT makes mistakes that are nothing to do with the limitations he works within - would go a long way with me if once or twice he comes out and says he got it wrong.
Yes we have a young squad - but it isnt as if they have only played a couple of games now, most are holding their own in this division (or are the performances not decent generally ?) Take the long term view, the fact they are learning the hard way will only make them better players - too much is made of players being too young to play. I reckon we have better young players than most teams but what we need is decent strong leadership - we dont have that at any level in CCFC. Our team captain isnt a strong leader and neither is AT - it might be fun in training, might show encouraging signs but thats not where we win points - a strong leader would demand more and know how to get it.
so to match my comments in the first paragraph - solutions
Certainly I would make Keogh captain - part of the solution but not ideal - Clingan isnt it. I would continue with the kids they are our future not some of the senior players, use them in preference to some of the senior players if able to choose. If i was AT i would spend a lot of time honestly analysing my own performance and getting that right, but that requires knowledge certainly above Level 2 FA .
just my opinion
Those in favour of AT often plead the poor guy never had a chance no money no players what did you expect ..... but AT is a good manager despite that. Just an opinion not a fact - like it or not in 10 years time all folk will remember is how many games he won
Those against AT often harangue him for his faults give no credit for things he gets right. Strangely he is human and as such prone to mistakes, the important thing is does he learn from them. I think he has but not as quick as perhaps he should have. But he does get some things right - Leeds game yes team picked itself but it played on the front foot closed players down and supported each other AT must have had an input in that
Both sides look to statistics to prove their arguement - often the same statistic looked at a different way.
It isnt about AT really it is about our club and whether we as paying fans are getting the best we can from it. He isnt to blame for all of it but he has certainly contributed in ways that have nothing to do with lack of players money or quality. I do not feel that as a supporter we have had the best out of any element of our club this season. In particular the players & manager should have done better - they are capable of it but they have under achieved. Just surviving one place above relegation would be an achievement of sorts but for me that sets the target way too low - that is not over achieving that seems to me to be lack of ambition
Have the mind that there is nearly always something that can be done - just how I was brought up. Similarly it is very rarely just one persons fault. AT can do better for folk to say he cannot simply doesnt compute with me even given the limitations he has been given. AT is replaceable and the next person may or may not do better we simply dont know. AT makes mistakes that are nothing to do with the limitations he works within - would go a long way with me if once or twice he comes out and says he got it wrong.
Yes we have a young squad - but it isnt as if they have only played a couple of games now, most are holding their own in this division (or are the performances not decent generally ?) Take the long term view, the fact they are learning the hard way will only make them better players - too much is made of players being too young to play. I reckon we have better young players than most teams but what we need is decent strong leadership - we dont have that at any level in CCFC. Our team captain isnt a strong leader and neither is AT - it might be fun in training, might show encouraging signs but thats not where we win points - a strong leader would demand more and know how to get it.
so to match my comments in the first paragraph - solutions
Certainly I would make Keogh captain - part of the solution but not ideal - Clingan isnt it. I would continue with the kids they are our future not some of the senior players, use them in preference to some of the senior players if able to choose. If i was AT i would spend a lot of time honestly analysing my own performance and getting that right, but that requires knowledge certainly above Level 2 FA .
just my opinion
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