Commiserations One & All

Rahic is out of our club ? .

 

I was talking about supporters who are trying to be positive about the future and a fresh start watching a Gary Bowyer created team. Just because some other supporters take a more negative view of things that is no excuse for using insulting terminology to refer to people with a more positive slant on life my dear chap.

 

I'm all for the reality of embracing relegation, but I'm not going to accept the doom and gloom.

You forget to mention that two of last seasons relegated teams occupy the current L2 Top 4. One of the others still has a play-off chance, despite themselves having several managers in less than a year. The lowest positioned one is comfortably safe, despite huge financial problems

In addition, the team we just played plus Blackpool who's manager we now have, both bounced back when they went down.

It seems to be how well organised and confident you are when you get relegated. For instance, spookily similar to Rupp/Rhodes, MK Dons owner Peter Winkelman apologised profusely (see below) but at the same time gave a very optimistic final section where he even said they'd have one of the best budgets. He went and got Tisdale - someone else who's got a club out of that Division (and on a very small budget)

https://www.mkdons.com/news/2018/april/a-message-from-the-chairman/


A club of our size should have a similar advantage provided we are ready, focussed and quietly confident. No reason with the structure now in place, to doubt that

I also think this narrative, that fans often spout "the players...never came to terms with what it means to play for Bradford City" misses the point. Often they seem like that because they are simply finding it hard to get their heads around what's gone wrong

Again, let's use an example Kieran Agard, who we all felt used to be a good player (and we were disappointed to miss out on him to MK Dons three / four seasons back) was terrible last season and has re-invented himself this season. Like it or not, some of the current underachieving bunch (because that's what they are) will be needed

Because we've got a contrite and committed owner. A Chairman who's been in L2 and made a success (plus significantly made errors, so know's not what to do) plus a Manager who has been a recent L2 success, I'm more optimistic than I was last time

But yes, it's doesn't mean a row of beans, if we've 16th at Xmas. And yes, we've one season before the financial impact would be significantly negative

 

I don't see why you think this. Why should we "very very unlikely" not be able to do what what several clubs have done in current and last couple of seasons?

We've no idea what Rupp's spending plans are. He might throw caution to the wind (within FFP rules of course!!) as he'll realise that this is the best way to bounce back, i.e. like others have done

Clubs can have a disaster season and bounce back

I think we'll be OK, but yes, I wouldn't put money on it. I'm know great positive or negative view and I won't until I see what we do pre-season

 

Overall I agree @banbrotam, just the one point with regards Agrad, you say he's reinvented himself, is that the same as "he gives a f**k this season" .

 

I think I calculated that Bury and MK Dons have around 12 'dead wood' players - who have put them in the Top 3

I honestly don't think we're used to having a relegation when a Chairman has been as publicly optimistic as Rupp has. Why's Rhodes staying if it's going to be such a disaster? What on earth would he want his reputation damaging for?

 

Probably!! But like me you're old enough to know and relate to the fact that most football players, with respect, are not the most sensible of people (I didn't mean you Jordan Pickford ). That means like some relatives we will have they will be more prone to not having the ability to psych themselves out of bad spells. Suddenly, like my 4 year old Grandson who often refuses to get dressed, something gets their enthusiasm going and they are back doing what they are told to do

I'm always wary of the 100% castigation / character assassination of players - hence my Happy Clapper reputation and yes, occasional wrong call (don't mention Matthew Bates!!). But there is nothing about Chicksen or NKP that indicates they are uncaring - they are simply very mentally weak

 

Agard is scoring goals now because defending in league two is not as good as league one.Look at Charlie Wyke scored boat loads in the lowere league and hasn’t come near since moving up.

 

Aren't those two's contracts up this June if so I can't see Bowyer resigning them.

 

If Bowyer gets chance to bring his own players in and gets his ethos across to his new squad then i expect us to be in the playoffs at least.

 

Don't you figure that's easily answered?

Why is Rupp being so publicly optimistic?

We're trying to sell tickets, no?

Honestly wouldn't read much into that, it's just the club doing the right and sensible thing.

 

Rhodes and Lawn were not mind readers when they sold to Rahic and Rupp. How are they to blame? No way id blame Abbott either. We were a game away from the Championship but nobody was pointing fingers then.

 

Agree they can't be held responsible for that has happend at our club once these two took over, I've said it before I bet Rahic was giving it large to Stefan with what Stuart achieved that season, they couldn't believe their luck, this football game is a piece of p**s.
Yet when Rahic wanted Stuart to leave during the first closed season after Wembley Stefan backed him, I'm not sure about the Abbott situation I fully expected Greg to walk (after the sacking of McCall) certainly when he saw and knew the way Rahic run the club.

 

I just wonder if he might if they are cheap enough even if just as squad/back up players, maybe Chicksen more than NKP as he is younger.. Are left footed players still hard to come by? Tin hat at the ready

 

Ahar mate, I admire your persistent defence of chicksen, but I swear if either him or NKP get offered new deals, I want a refund on my ST.

 

haha yes I have stuck up for Chicksen a bit over the season I suppose. I just think he is totally devoid of confidence at the mo and could still be a back up left back if we don't have to pay him much

 

LOL -- at the moment you'd be better off asking me about our sides/records in the 90s! You're right though, perspective is needed. But that gets us into the head vs. heart argument, and the heart tends to dominate -- yes we can win 5 in a row and stay up!! -- whilst the head just shakes itself sadly. And then the heart says of course we will challenge for promotion next season; the head just continues shaking... I'd like us to do so, but fear we are in for a few seasons of div. 4 before we will. Besides movement of players in and out, there is the damage to the rest of the club to see to as well.

One good thing is that we are rid of the bad owner before serious damage turned fatal. Orient and Hereford Utd, for example, weren't so fortunate. The latter shows too that our own wide boys and chancers don't take a back seat to any Johnny Foreigner when it comes to destroying clubs!

Just for fun I did look at a few seasons before your list started, and noted the following: in 05/6 the sides relegated to the fourth tier were Hartlepool, MK Dons, Swindon, and dead last, Walsall. In 06/7 the top four in the fourth tier were Walsall (1st), Hartlepool, Swindon, and MK Dons! (Thanks to the playoffs though, MKD did not get promoted.)

RCB

 

I disagree with most of this but respect your opinion