Most liked posts in thread: Expectations of McCall this season?

Bronco,

I have certainly not written off this season. A couple of wins and we are back in the mix.

My point wasn't about writing off this season or writing off McCall.

The point I was trying to make was that given we believe we have hired a successful, experienced manager who understands and has intimate knowledge both of this division and of the club with a set of supporter that is willing to be patient and, we believe, a board that will back him, we should have an expectation of success not a hope. Whether that is achieved in the short or long term is unknown but it should be expected rather than hoped for.

I know I am likely getting boring and the 'Cult of McCall' will be looking for me but if it was anyone other than McCall we would absolutely be expecting success, at least a playoff place this season, so why do we water it down, accept less, when McCall is at the helm?

 

Has to play offs or he's failed short term.

 

What's that like?

 

Play offs are looking a tough ask for me now. Twice in McCall's 3 games we've been leading 1-0 going into the late stages of matches yet only got 1 point from them which has to be a concern whether that be managers tactics, players ability to see out matches or a combination of them both. We are still needing 20 or 21 points probably to get play offs and with only Newport (a), Leyton Orient (h), Macclesfield (h) and Walsall (h) left of teams in the bottom half so even if we get 4 wins from 4 against them we'd still be needing 8 or 9 points from the remaining 8 games and of them 8 5 are away from home and with our current away record that's a big ask.

 

It is, it's definitely within reach - but that doesn't mean it's likely.

I genuinely don't know yet, there hasn't been enough time.

 

It's very strange. Under Richmond, the rallying cry would be about how we will make it, how there are enough points to play for, etc

Even if we made such statements and we failed, it's not Stu's fault - the fans know that - so why the negativity?

 

But prior to McCall didn't we try Grayson, Collins,Hopkin, and Bowyer they all went well.
I'm not saying McCall is the answer but I can understand why Julian went down this road, the last time we had any success as a football club since Parkinson's days was under McCall.
And of course because its Stuart McCall he would get the backing of most fans, having read the article in today's T&A I find it amusing that fans are saying hes given up on this season and is looking longer term exactly what you are suggesting longtermism rather than a quick fix.
It looks to me whatever he says he can't win, but we all know McCall & Black will be doing all they can to get us back into a play off place.

 

As I posted he can't win then can he, if he does not get us promoted the honeymoon period will be over, yet you say you are happy with a longer term plan, which is what Stuart is suggesting in that article.

Why would you fear for the club, Rupp has too much money invested in Bradford City to walk, so it's either stay as we are with Rupp investing as little as possible to keep us ticking over, or he sells the club and once again there are no guarentees we may get future owners who talk the talk but don't walk the walk.

 

The only thing he is doing is trying to give himself time like Bowyer was doing when he said he needed 3 transfer window rubbish. He can win.. just concentrate on the here and now. So if McCall does not get us a play off place he won't have the likes of yourself saying he's not good enough he's only had 15 games to get us a play off place.

McCall isn't the problem. I have said I would of given him a 4 year contract. I've not seen the post where you said give Stuart a 4 year deal ? McCall is here and we need to give him time but he needs help. The club needs help. It needs to think about when McCall has gone.

I fear for the club due the points you've said. Rupp shows no ambition as an owner so why would a new owner? Rhodes running the club like he owned it. Rhodes is a yesterday's man and we need people that move with the times now. So basically we hope new owners come along and invest in the club as that seems the only option left unless we accept the club is going to be run as a self sufficient unit that generates it's own finance, I won't hold my breath.

We're standing still and that's why I fear for the club but some would say we are going backwards. I don't think there is any doubt as a club since Rahic & Rupp got involved the club has gone backwards that's not an opinion but a fact, they bought a very well run club club with little or no debt, monies still outstanding from past transfers, and a club that had improved season on season just missing out on Wembley when we were beaten by Millwall in the semi final play off, yet we're told Rupp believes our club is valued around £10m......and we thought Rahic was the deluded partner.

 

Most supporters can see that this squad has no goalscorer, no ball winner and no decent right back (just two crap ones). Bowyer built the squad and seemed happy with it despite creating those problems.
McCall didn’t build it and has had no chance to rectify it. Hence expectations on him should be less than the expectations that we had of Bowyer. And yes I’d be saying that no matter who the new manager was. I’m certainly no McCall apologist.

 

Excellent post. The majority of fans want progression, and they want a plan to buy into. Giving notice of price is absolutely the way to go.

 

I don't always agree with your posts Park but I do on this.

How many people on here have commented on the lack of numbers, the lack of atmosphere inside VP this season and last? Lack of away numbers compared to other seasons. It is down to lack of excitement on the field and can you imagine if we didn't have 12/13k season ticket holders how empty it would be then!! People weren't knocking the season ticket prices when we had nearly 20k against Sheff Utd vying for promotion. Like you say we have nearly been in the Championship through 'affordable' football so why can't it happen again?

I do agree with other posters about a long term plan, we don't seem to have one at all. We have not articulated a plan for a long time. I mean a 'plan' not just sound bites that we aim to be in the Championship in 5 years. Set out a strategy, we aim to play this style, we aim to redevelop the ground, we aim to buy it back, we aim to create our own training base, we aim to invest in our youth set up etc...

 

I'll never go there Ron, I'll stop watching the game before signing along with Leeds fans "Marching On Together" .

 

Thrilling chatter in this thread

 

Felt a lot more positive intent shown Saturday but that’s always gonna be seen as an improvement on Bowyer. Lot of work to do. A win tomorrow and it’s not a bad start

 

I do find it a bit strange how you choose to ignore the most important metric for a manger! On win percentage hes one of best mangers weve ever had! Scunny sacked paul hurst, who was my first choice at the time bowyer got appointed. Both Suart and Paul will do well.

 

Under the same circumstances?