Andy Scott

[scruff puppy pup]

Come on mate, you know as well as i do they lined Lambert up before he left Carrow Rd on the saturday.

My point is, it's not the firing, it's the replacing.
I would also hope that MB has someone already in mind to replace AS. If he knows a man of Paul Lambert's qualities managing in the Blue Square Premiership, then by all means go out and get him.
.......and no, Andy Scott is not Paul Lambert.

 

[scruff puppy pup]

he'll go to Derby or Leicester next

Off topic, but good shout. Or maybe Brizzle City if he can convince himself they are big enough. I don't think he's ever been north of London.
And where's Curbishley these days?

 

[RoyalOakBee]

I seem to remember this old argument being trawled out when the fans were after Butcher's head.......who should replace him ?.......well it's not for the supporters to decide, it's a decision that belongs to the people who own this club.

The fact is Scott doesn't know how to coach a team to play attractive and more importantly winning football, his tactics are basic kick and rush and hope the opposition defence make a mistake, well I'm afraid it won't do.

Added to that it's driving away fans and 4700 for a club who have invested heavily is not acceptable. I'm sure Mr Benham is wondering WTF is going on and will only allow it to continue for so long.

I would give him 4 more games to turn it around or decide in the best interest of his long term commitment and serious financial investment in the club it's time to take a different route and find a manager who can bring out the best in this squad.

At last!

Only thing I disagree with is this continued give him four more games or five or six or seven.

He has to win 2 games in every four til the end of the season to achieve 7th which is success yet failure. Its progress but its not the play offs.
Whilst winning two out of every four he has the luxury of only being able to lose one in four and the other must at least be a draw.

If we lose on Tues, what would you do then if you were MB?
wait to see if we lose on Sat? I dont think so.

AS needs at least a spirited draw on Tues and I do not care how he gets it.
Then on Saturday he needs two things
1) three points
2) to demonstrate that he can adapt, inspire, motivate, change and manage.

I have no dislike of him personally - dont know the man.
Never been a fan of his as a coach or Manager or tactician but football is a results based business. Another poor result on Tues and I predict he will be gone before Charlton plot up next Saturday.

Timing is everything and if it is to be Pardew then next Saturday would be the perfect time for him to come in.

If we win on Tues, roll on Sat and good luck Andy Scott.

 

[Banana]

I seem to remember this old argument being trawled out when the fans were after Butcher's head.......who should replace him ?.......well it's not for the supporters to decide, it's a decision that belongs to the people who own this club.

Without agreeing or disagreeing with your statement, you do know that supporters own the club don't you!?

 

[nick logan]

I would also hope that MB has someone already in mind to replace AS.

Of course he hasn't. You don't give up on a successful manager after a few games.

 

[RoyalOakBee]

Of course he hasn't. You don't give up on a successful manager after a few games.

No you dont but Andy has had 140 games and his win % is 40% which will not be good enough from here on in to achieve a push for the playoffs.

MB wont be thinking about how many games he has had, or how many players he has fallen out with, it will be about what return we are going to get for the £3.5M playing budget he has had this season.

 

[TeddyBee]

No you dont but Andy has had 140 games and his win % is 40% which will not be good enough from here on in to achieve a push for the playoffs.

MB wont be thinking about how many games he has had, or how many players he has fallen out with, it will be about what return we are going to get for the £3.5M playing budget he has had this season.

to be fair, 40% win rate isn't bad.

 

[westy]

Bring back Brickie Chap!

 

[beebopalula]

We need to know what his win rate is at league 1 level. I'm exhausted by all this . Let's wait for the Brighton performance and result. Anyone for tea?

 

[RoyalOakBee]

to be fair, 40% win rate isn't bad.

your dead right and that is why I did not vote for him to be sacked after Friday. Maybe he needs somebody upstairs, Director of Football to guide him through this tricky patch and to show him the error of his ways.

Terry Venables - two days a week on the training ground for two hours.

 

[nick logan]

No you dont but Andy has had 140 games and his win % is 40% which will not be good enough from here on in to achieve a push for the playoffs.

MB wont be thinking about how many games he has had, or how many players he has fallen out with, it will be about what return we are going to get for the £3.5M playing budget he has had this season.

I am pretty sure MB can see the quality in the squad and that it will turn round soon. We have stopped conceding so many goals the rest will follow. He isn't chairman anyway yet. Putting money in won't make him think he has to interfere. I am sure he has trust in the people making the calls.

 

[RoyalOakBee]

We need to know what his win rate is at league 1 level. I'm exhausted by all this . Let's wait for the Brighton performance and result. Anyone for tea?

He has lost more than he has won at L1 level.

Played 54 Won 15 Drawn 23 and Lost 16 so his win % is..... rushes to find calculator.... less than 33% at L1 level.....still can find calculator

 

[davewfilms]

I can't believe all this lets give Andy Scott a chance to sort the team out as we have a lot of new players and they need time to gel,we have only lost 4 games out of the 12 played people on here are going on like we have been hammered every game.

 

[scruff puppy pup]

At last!

Timing is everything and if it is to be Pardew then next Saturday would be the perfect time for him to come in.

If we win on Tues, roll on Sat and good luck Andy Scott.

...Errr, ROB, sorry to rain on your parade, but I really don't think Alan Pardew is going to be Brentford's manager any time soon.

 

[beebopalula]

He has lost more than he has won at L1 level.

Played 54 Won 15 Drawn 23 and Lost 16 so his win % is..... rushes to find calculator.... less than 33% at L1 level.....still can find calculator

so on crude maths that's 27.7% win rate and 42.5% draw rate which gives us an unadjusted total of 57.6 points this season. I bet MB has worked that one out [ in his head].

 

[hypa123]

Another poor result on Tues and I predict he will be gone before Charlton plot up next Saturday.

Utter nonsense.

It's notable that the "Scott out now" score has been on the slide consistently since this debate got under way. It's now down to 25% and falling further by the hour. Good to see that the vast majority of GPGers have got their heads on their shoulders.

 

[SQUELCH]

Still only 38 years old so still a young gaffer and still learning the ropes IMO. I'd hope that TB is able to speak up and offer some ideas through his many years of experience. Its a good little combo and i hope between them they can iron out plan B, have players in mind for loan and get the whole squad gelling in the right direction.

 

[RoyalOakBee]

so on crude maths that's 27.7% win rate and 42.5% draw rate which gives us an unadjusted total of 57.6 points this season. I bet MB has worked that one out [ in his head].

Where as Alan Pardew's L1 record is
Played 64 Won 34 (53.13%) Drawn 17 (26.56%) and Lost 13 (20.32%)

If Pardew came in with 37 games to go and won 53.13% of those games we would have 64 points before you add on the 10 draws. Thats 74 points and that is a team pushing hard for the play offs.

 

[NorthamptonBee]

Utter nonsense.

It's notable that the "Scott out now" score has been on the slide consistently since this debate got under way. It's now down to 25% and falling further by the hour. Good to see that the vast majority of GPGers have got their heads on their shoulders.

My head is on my shoulders and my money will remain in my pocket as I won't spend loads chasing a dream only to watch nightmare after fecking nightmare.

 

[busheybee]

I don't get all this. Think back to how proud we felt last time out holding Leeds home and away, the charlton home game, even MK and Millwall away and how we overcame a dodgy start to sit happily in mid-table, a far beter outcome than the other promoted teams achieved. Since AS took over we've had some great highs. We're still a small club in this league, so punching above our weight. Did people really think we were going to run away with this league this year? At the start of the season we conceded too many. AS sorted things and we achieved a run of games without conceding. That's the first thing any manager would seek to achieve. He's got some useful goalscoreres in place so, if the defence can stay firm at the back, backed up by a good (consistent) goalkeeper then he has the time to work on the attacking bits. It's not that long ago that we witnessed horrendous, embarrassing performances under Wally, Leroy, Fitzgerald and Butcher. At least now the team looks to have some cohesion and purpose and they are at least fit enough to compete. If they were winning every game and never making mistakes they wouldn't be plying their trade in the thrid division. It's not perfection (even Chelsea lost yesterday!) but it's a lot, lot better than we witnessed not that long ago.

 

[nick logan]

I don't get all this. Think back to how proud we felt last time out holding Leeds home and away, the charlton home game, even MK and Millwall away and how we overcame a dodgy start to sit happily in mid-table, a far beter outcome than the other promoted teams achieved. Since AS took over we've had some great highs. We're still a small club in this league, so punching above our weight. Did people really think we were going to run away with this league this year? At the start of the season we conceded too many. AS sorted things and we achieved a run of games without conceding. That's the first thing any manager would seek to achieve. He's got some useful goalscoreres in place so, if the defence can stay firm at the back, backed up by a good (consistent) goalkeeper then he has the time to work on the attacking bits. It's not that long ago that we witnessed horrendous, embarrassing performances under Wally, Leroy, Fitzgerald and Butcher. At least now the team looks to have some cohesion and purpose and they are at least fit enough to compete. If they were winning every game and never making mistakes they wouldn't be plying their trade in the thrid division. It's not perfection (even Chelsea lost yesterday!) but it's a lot, lot better than we witnessed not that long ago.

Top post.

 

[shouldbee]

Without agreeing or disagreeing with your statement, you do know that supporters own the club don't you!?

I'm a supporter so can I have a say ?

 

[NorthamptonBee]

I don't get all this. Think back to how proud we felt last time out holding Leeds home and away, the charlton home game, even MK and Millwall away and how we overcame a dodgy start to sit happily in mid-table, a far beter outcome than the other promoted teams achieved. Since AS took over we've had some great highs. We're still a small club in this league, so punching above our weight. Did people really think we were going to run away with this league this year? At the start of the season we conceded too many. AS sorted things and we achieved a run of games without conceding. That's the first thing any manager would seek to achieve. He's got some useful goalscoreres in place so, if the defence can stay firm at the back, backed up by a good (consistent) goalkeeper then he has the time to work on the attacking bits. It's not that long ago that we witnessed horrendous, embarrassing performances under Wally, Leroy, Fitzgerald and Butcher. At least now the team looks to have some cohesion and purpose and they are at least fit enough to compete. If they were winning every game and never making mistakes they wouldn't be plying their trade in the thrid division. It's not perfection (even Chelsea lost yesterday!) but it's a lot, lot better than we witnessed not that long ago.

Hartlepool and Orient were both as pathetic as what they served up a budget way off the current one, Carlisle, Rochdale and Walsall were poor and that's being kind. Swindon and Bristol had glimpses of someting good but both felt like defeats as we should have won both with ease, Sheff Wed was brilliant. Cheltenham was lucky as we were well and truly battered in that 2nd half, great display against Hull and a determined performance v Everton. At Stevenage it was Lee and Osborne against them after we scored.
None of those managers you mentioned had a pot to piss in whereas we now have a stunning range of toilets to choose from.

I give up.

 

[SmiffyBee]

Its fair to say we haven't had a great start to the season.
However any fan suggesting the club bin Andy Scott is not looking at the big picture.
The club are not in a position to make rash decisions only ten or so games into the season.
Andy Scott has been a success for this club.

 

[RoyalOakBee]

Its fair to say we haven't had a great start to the season.
However any fan suggesting the club bin Andy Scott is not looking at the big picture.
The club are not in a position to make rash decisions only ten or so games into the season.
Andy Scott has been a success for this club.

banghead

We are fecked if intelligent people like you Smiffy cant see that the big picture IS that 10 games is excatly enough time.
If we had spent £1m on wages then we could wait until Christmas.
We have spent £3.5M Smiffy, that means that we need a squad that is pushing for the playoffs.
Are we doing that? NO
Do the crowds for home games reflect the optimism despite our poor start? NO
Is the football of a standard that, if we were to be successful in reaching the play offs and obtaining promotion, would stand up to the test of The Chamoionship? NO
Has Andy Scott shown clearly that he is the man for the continued success of the club that he has very much been part of and responsible for over the last two years? NO

We must have progress this season with the increased budget so thats 9th or better ...pushing for the play offs

 

[Owlsmoor_Bee]

Where as Alan Pardew's L1 record is
Played 64 Won 34 (53.13%) Drawn 17 (26.56%) and Lost 13 (20.32%)

If Pardew came in with 37 games to go and won 53.13% of those games we would have 64 points before you add on the 10 draws. Thats 74 points and that is a team pushing hard for the play offs.

Oh come off it FFS ROB. The vast majority of AS's win / loss record that you've calculated is based on last season. How did AS's budget compare to the enormous amount of money made available to Pardew to spend ? It's like comparing apples and oranges.

 

[Davee]

Where are all the Sammy Moore fans now........?

....and Billy Clarke......for that matter

I still like them both, for different reasons. Like my dad said Brentford are always sh*t against rubbish, and then surprise you when playing quality teams. His main argument is our record against Arsenal!
Silly old sod! But in a way he is right, we might surprise people on Tuesday night, be typical Brentford. Innit?

Gonna be Gus's tippy tappy against direct Andy Pandy, but who is the winner? Only one way to decide.....

 

[nick logan]

Hartlepool and Orient were both as pathetic as what they served up

Simply not true.

 

[North London Bee]

What I would like to know from those who suggest canning AS now or within a couple of weeks is, realistically who they would replace him with and given the dictates of the transfer window, how they would change things given the current personnel.

I think the key point in the 500+ comments in this thread is that we all love the club and want it to prosper, are unhappy with the style of play, see no evidence of Plan B and think we are under-performing given the current resources and raised expectation levels.

Remember there is no guarantee that any new manager would turn things around or do anything better or differently.

I think that for many good reasons the current board have invested heavily into AS and bought into his approach and way of doing things.

That is not to say that things cannot change but change for change's sake is merely a knee jerk reaction.

There is also a massive sense of impatience here as if we have a God given right to succeed, and even some spoiled foot stamping. But that is not to say that we shouldn't be doing far better than we are.

I think there is a lot to admire about AS and to a degree if he listened to everything that is said or written here then he would never get anywhere.

He needs to be his own person but if it ain't working then he would be terribly stupid and be digging a massive hole for himself if he ploughs on down his lonely furrow without taking good advice from people he trusts - not yes men, and adapt what is going on.

I believe that the board would be loath to change managers midstream unless it goes totally tits up and AS shows no sign of amending matters and results do not pick up.

I would hope and expect that AS is thinking hard about what needs to be done and is actually trying to make the changes happen.

I hope and expect that no action will need to be taken and that this will be seen down the line as a mere blip, but an important one, that demonstrates that he is still learning (as we all are) and needs to make changes and also listen where necessary.

Nothing major can be done with the squad until January and IMO it is not until then that there should be any serious thoughts of a change of manager, and only then if we are seen to be drifting on with no changes to style, approach or results.

 

[davewfilms]

Why do people keep saying we have spent 3.5m on transfer fees/wages? as season is just over a month old what players on 100 grand a week?.I don't what his budget was but he did state that there are still monies available if he needs more players in January so he hasn't spent all of his budget yet.

 

[NorthamptonBee]

Why do people keep saying we have spent 3.5m on transfer fees/wages? as season is just over a month old what players on 100 grand a week?.I don't what his budget was but he did state that there are still monies available if he needs more players in January so he hasn't spent all of his budget yet.

That's correct, I believe there is money available but we do a decent budget and find ourelves joint bottom and back to square one after our recent forays in the league.

 

[hypa123]

What I would like to know from those who suggest canning AS now or within a couple of weeks is, realistically who they would replace him with and given the dictates of the transfer window, how they would change things given the current personnel.

I think the key point in the 500+ comments in this thread is that we all love the club and want it to prosper, are unhappy with the style of play, see no evidence of Plan B and think we are under-performing given the current resources and raised expectation levels.

Remember there is no guarantee that any new manager would turn things around or do anything better or differently.

I think that for many good reasons the current board have invested heavily into AS and bought into his approach and way of doing things.

That is not to say that things cannot change but change for change's sake is merely a knee jerk reaction.

There is also a massive sense of impatience here as if we have a God given right to succeed, and even some spoiled foot stamping. But that is not to say that we shouldn't be doing far better than we are.

I think there is a lot to admire about AS and to a degree if he listened to everything that is said or written here then he would never get anywhere.

He needs to be his own person but if it ain't working then he would be terribly stupid and be digging a massive hole for himself if he ploughs on down his lonely furrow without taking good advice from people he trusts - not yes men, and adapt what is going on.

I believe that the board would be loath to change managers midstream unless it goes totally tits up and AS shows no sign of amending matters and results do not pick up.

I would hope and expect that AS is thinking hard about what needs to be done and is actually trying to make the changes happen.

I hope and expect that no action will need to be taken and that this will be seen down the line as a mere blip, but an important one, that demonstrates that he is still learning (as we all are) and needs to make changes and also listen where necessary.

Nothing major can be done with the squad until January and IMO it is not until then that there should be any serious thoughts of a change of manager, and only then if we are seen to be drifting on with no changes to style, approach or results.

This is good sound sense.

 

[NorthamptonBee]

, and only then if we are seen to be drifting on with no changes to style, approach or results.

Think of your own words please.

 

[Owlsmoor_Bee]

This is good sound sense.

I agree with everything NLB says in his post above.

 

[TonkTony]

To an extent, the squad we got should be able to pass it around well enough to put teams away.

I've said it before, when we do play tippy tappy, we look dangerous with our short quick passes. E.G. Charlies goal against SheffWeds

 

[beebopalula]

What I would like to know from those who suggest canning AS now or within a couple of weeks is, realistically who they would replace him with and given the dictates of the transfer window, how they would change things given the current personnel.

I think the key point in the 500+ comments in this thread is that we all love the club and want it to prosper, are unhappy with the style of play, see no evidence of Plan B and think we are under-performing given the current resources and raised expectation levels.

Remember there is no guarantee that any new manager would turn things around or do anything better or differently.

I think that for many good reasons the current board have invested heavily into AS and bought into his approach and way of doing things.

That is not to say that things cannot change but change for change's sake is merely a knee jerk reaction.

There is also a massive sense of impatience here as if we have a God given right to succeed, and even some spoiled foot stamping. But that is not to say that we shouldn't be doing far better than we are.

I think there is a lot to admire about AS and to a degree if he listened to everything that is said or written here then he would never get anywhere.

He needs to be his own person but if it ain't working then he would be terribly stupid and be digging a massive hole for himself if he ploughs on down his lonely furrow without taking good advice from people he trusts - not yes men, and adapt what is going on.

I believe that the board would be loath to change managers midstream unless it goes totally tits up and AS shows no sign of amending matters and results do not pick up.

I would hope and expect that AS is thinking hard about what needs to be done and is actually trying to make the changes happen.

I hope and expect that no action will need to be taken and that this will be seen down the line as a mere blip, but an important one, that demonstrates that he is still learning (as we all are) and needs to make changes and also listen where necessary.

Nothing major can be done with the squad until January and IMO it is not until then that there should be any serious thoughts of a change of manager, and only then if we are seen to be drifting on with no changes to style, approach or results.

I agree that there's an absence of a strong contender at the mo. Often replacing managers comes at a time when a particular individual is available. Curbishley is available and I doubt that anyone would complain if he could be brought in if AS continues to fail to deliver.

 

[BYFLEET BEE]

Dont often post so here goes.All of the above make interesting reading. i for one would like to think the board will give As more time but i can understand the impatience being shown.Not being nosey, but does anyone know how much approx As earns.Lets just say Mr Pardrew was appraoched ,how much money do you think he would demand to be our manager?.Any thoughts folks.

 

[Bill Benn]

Dont often post so here goes.All of the above make interesting reading. i for one would like to think the board will give As more time but i can understand the impatience being shown.Not being nosey, but does anyone know how much approx As earns.Lets just say Mr Pardrew was appraoched ,how much money do you think he would demand to be our manager?.Any thoughts folks.

Would think AS is on 120kish plus bonus,wouldnt want Pardrew anywhere near our club doubt if he ever needs to work again with the pay offs he's had.Can't see what the atraction is with him ,first degree to55er.

 

[jlove]

I wonder if Maradona has been in touch?

 

[Guildford Bee]

I agree that there's an absence of a strong contender at the mo. Often replacing managers comes at a time when a particular individual is available. Curbishley is available and I doubt that anyone would complain if he could be brought in if AS continues to fail to deliver.

No chance. You are talking about someone who was linked with the Villa job not long ago for crying out loud.

If Andy Scott were to get the boot - and he absolutely shouldn't - the only realistic and attractive contender would be Paul Buckle IMO.

 

[Low End Bee]

We could always try bringing in a director of football. That always works...

 

[Bigbee]

Its a no brainer really

I wonder how below budget our gate figures are so far..............

Any way ,dont worry this cant go on much longer .AS will either have to adapt to playing other styles or we will get relegated,or he will be sacked ,end of.

I think I could manage a team that just plays the ball to wingers.

 

[NorthamptonBee]

I wonder how below budget our gate figures are so far..............

Any way ,dont worry this cant go on much longer .AS will either have to adapt to playing other styles or we will get relegated,or he will be sacked ,end of.

I think I could manage a team that just plays the ball to wingers.

I reckon you'd be more fun with it. I could easily stand next to you and tell the fans behind to feck off and reassure them that they are indeed pr!cks, shall we apply?

 

[NorthamptonBee]

We could always try bringing in a director of football. That always works...

Howard Dinosaur Wilkinson likes long ball, very low on charisma, when does he start?

 

[RoyalOakBee]

No chance. You are talking about someone who was linked with the Villa job not long ago for crying out loud.

If Andy Scott were to get the boot - and he absolutely shouldn't - the only realistic and attractive contender would be Paul Buckle IMO.

Good shout as is Deano, Andy Sinton, Bob Booker.........

However, we do not need to worry about scrimping about for a cheap manager anymore and this experience will show that you cant just give a rookie manager a £3.5M playing budget and expect it to work.

The new Manager will be a name and he will be out of work but ready to take a job straight away on a bonus incentified salary package based on team performance and increased gate revenue.

 

[Bigbee]

I reckon you'd be more fun with it. I could easily stand next to you and tell the fans behind to feck off and reassure them that they are indeed pr!cks, shall we apply?

You apply for the managers job and I'll go for the assistant role.Every one always tells me Id be a great number two.

 

[longdistancebee]

I agree with everything NLB says in his post above.

Me too, and i think that the only point where we deviate is this statement from NLB:

"I believe that the board would be loath to change managers midstream unless it goes totally tits up and AS shows no sign of amending matters and results do not pick up."

My view, and that of some others here, is that we are perilously close to that time (being, going tits up and no sign of any likely amending). Yourself, and many others too, feel that we have not yet reached, or even come close to, that point.

My view also is that we are missing a great opportunity with this squad - ie., it is not being managed particularly well - and that the longer this continues, the more i can see the opportunity to mount a serious play-off challenge, going down the tubes. IMHO of course......

 

[RoyalOakBee]

What I would like to know from those who suggest canning AS now or within a couple of weeks is, realistically who they would replace him with and given the dictates of the transfer window, how they would change things given the current personnel.

The following Managers are out of work and available acvcording to LMA website (apologies for any errors if not upto date)

Martin ONeill
Steve Coppell
Paul Jewell
Steve Tillson
Kevin Blackwell lol
Paul Ince :shrug:
Lawrie Sanchez rofl
Stan Ternant
Steve Staunton

Oh and Alan Pardew................

 

[BYFLEET BEE]

Surely we are limited to who we can go for ie a big name because of our limited Salary package. I think Big Ben mentioned that As earns £120,000 a year, so how much do we think we can up to regadring the Managers Salary

 

[Guildford Bee]

Good shout as is Deano, Andy Sinton, Bob Booker.........

However, we do not need to worry about scrimping about for a cheap manager anymore and this experience will show that you cant just give a rookie manager a £3.5M playing budget and expect it to work.

The new Manager will be a name and he will be out of work but ready to take a job straight away on a bonus incentified salary package based on team performance and increased gate revenue.

I wouldn't be comfortable with Sinton or Holdsworth. Deano is obviously a good prospect but has only managed in the conference for a couple of months. Sinton never took Fleet out of Rhyman One despite several cracks at the play-offs. I'm not sure that qualifies him to manage in League One.

I think it would be ridiculous to get rid of Scott though. Posters can fudge the stats anyway they want. I can't be bothered to look them all up but on one end of the spectrum, Nick Logan will say we've only lost one in eight and conceded two goals in six games. Northampton Bee will point out that we've only won eight out of 30 (or something like that), while I think it was Hanworth that said Charlie has only scored two in 16. The most worrying stat for me is four goals in eight games and that happens to be the one that AS has acknowledged.

If there was no sign that things could improve, then I would say 'yes, let's get Scott out'. But during the periods people are talking about we hammered Huddersfield 3-0, matched Millwall at their place, hammered Sheffield Wednesday and had one of the best night's in the club's history last week. Yes, AS has much greater resources than the likes of Leroy, Fitz, Butcher etc. but the difference is he shows us signs that we can do something - the other three didn't.

Yes, he has made mistakes. I think Lee should've kept his place, I dopn't think Forster is being used effectively, I can't see any reasoning in dropping Saunders off the bench for Hudson on Friday. Yes, the football is awful at times but at times - Swindon, Sheff Wed - we have played some great stuff. AS is young and inexperienced, he will make mistakes but just think about the difference when he took over from Butcher - the team and the belief was transformed almost overnight; that wasn't down to luck. The following season we won the league and last year we came in the top 10 regardless of whether we "limped over the line" or not.

By my reckoning he is now our longest serving manager since the mid-90s, this is the first major problem he's encountered and it beggars belief that people are calling for his head.