When do we start to question Hopkin?

Further to all this DH critisism, cast your minds back and try find a season that has been hampered by so many injuries. It’s quite incredible just how many there have been, meaning that DH has had to patchwork an already weak team, for virtually EVERY game!

Last night case in point. We currently have virtually zero pace or width within our ‘fit to play’ squad. The only player with any, Seedorf, has his best game in a city shirt last night then bang, walks off injured in the second half. I’m not saying Seedorf is the new Ronaldo or the answer to our issues, however my point being that DH may have been considering him as an option and now that option may not be available.

You tell me who else could come in and make better of this situation we are currently experiencing?

 

You're well down my list @Craven Cottager, but you are on it .

 

If we were a professionally run club, who'd had a professionally run pre-season to condition the players to the right level, we wouldn't have that problem.

 

He knew we had a squad, which on paper had a few players who’ve played at a higher or equivalent level. What he didn’t know was their character and weaknesses. A squad put together with no cohesion.

He also wouldn’t have known about the non existent preseason, the poor level of fitness, the lack of quality on the coaching side etc, etc.

As he recently stated “most coaches get to do their preseason behind closed doors” he’s had to complete his during league competition.

I’m not happy with results but it’s not as if we’re not creating chances. Had we put away half the chances created, we wouldn’t be where we are now. Unfortunately the defence is so poor that we know we’re going to concede, whilst knowing that we aren’t going to out score the opponents. That’s when heads drop and the cycle continues.

If he can bring in a half decent striker amongst others, we may have a slim hope.

 

I was sympathetic with Hopkin initially, then I started to lose patience as the players weren't even looking orgainsed and fit - qualities he should improve no matter how poor the players are. More recently though, we have seen a bit more fight so I am willing to give him longer.

I would like to see him bring in his own staff and also the chance to bring in players in January. All along he has had to muddle along without a proper target man. Kai doesn't count he's that bad, and that is the sort of player he builds his side around.

It does beg the question as to why Edin appointed him, knowing we lacked a proper target man. Maybe he just hoped getting in anybody would improve results.

We need to spend whatever it takes to get a decent L1 target man in. Let Doyle and Ball play off them. It is our last hope. Oh, yeah, and a new CB so we don't have to rely on NKP anymore.

 

Indeed. So lets see what Hopkin can do to turn things around. Yes results aren't good enough but under four different managers this calendar year they haven't been good.

Parkinson nearly took us out the league and went on to be one of our greatest. We surely haven't forgotten that stability was a huge factor in the success of that time - there were plenty of times when change could have been implemented.

Hopkin needs time and thankfully I think he will be afforded it. It might be too late to save this season but don't forget that Hopkin actually took Livingston down in his first season which was then followed by consecutive promotions. That is proof that he can turn a club around given time.

 

People keep saying he needs to bring in his own backroom team. The team that saw back to back promotions with Livingston do not want to leave to come to our circus. I believe that Hopkin wanted to bring them south of the border and they all declined.
Who can blame them.

 

That is fair enough. But Abbott and Drury are still part of the problem. Neither them, or Collins, should have been appointed in the summer.

They are the ghosts of the Collins era and we need rid of both. Fresh input from new faces on the training ground. We aren't even midway through November and there is ages to go until January. That is assuming we will even sign anyone and provide Hopkin with funds of note to spend.

Changing the coaching staff is one of the changes we can make immediately to try shake things up and try move on to a more successful chapter. We are desperate .

 

I wonder if he knows what budget he’ll be given? Maybe with Julian onboard they can sit down and work out where the priorities are. I don’t envisage there being a bottomless pit, so maybe he’s taking his time to spend the money wisely. Something the transfer committee should have done in the summer.

 

True. I am more hopeful now Rhodes is here though that a few extra quid will be made available.

Rhodes and Lawn regularly went overbudget if it meant bringing in players that PP needed (whether it was sustainable in the long run or not in this instance I think it is a positive they always backed PP) so I hope Rhodes will convince Stefan to cough up to give Hopkin a fighting chance.

Realistically, we might have to rely on more loan deals on the playing side?

 

Discipline would be the key thing I think this crop need from the coaching staff. I don't know anything about Drury or Abbott's coaching style but I can't see them instilling much discipline. And that shows in the number of errors, cards and general brainfart moments.

The recent T&A article regarding a refresh of the coaching staff was good to see. Hopefully it materialises sooner rather than later.

 

You might be right with regards the guys who were his backroom staff at Livingston, I'm sure David Hopkin can find others who will only have ties to him and come with fresh idea's.

 

I will judge the results after January. We seriously need to offload lots and bring in some to steady the ship. Grayson is not a bad manager at this level and he did crap.

 

Grayson was the answer if given the reigns and some money. His record speaks for itself. While Rahic is at the club we won't be successful.

 

I never understand this about managers not coming. Of course they will. If we pay more than they are on or they are out of work they will take the job.

Regardless of what a basket case club fans think we are, someone will always want the job

 

Completely agree.

 

Yes I have no doubt, but I don’t think the under 15 coach who is desperate to break into 1st team coaching is going to steady the ship and get us winning games though.

 

But Grayson decided he would rather be unemployed than stay with us......

 

Well I didn’t like Grayson, but was prepared to put up with himprovided he was able to get the results. However, my first instincts were correct. Arrogant, and full of BS. An overblown view of himself and his capabilities, and then leaves spouting I am too good for you or words to that effect.

 

Maybe paid more from Job Seekers Allowance ?.