Fitzgerald's warning

[JimLevack]

Chronicle doesn't come out for ages yet so thought I'd stick some of his post match stuff on.
In a nutshell he said (not verbatim)

"They have been told home truths for a few games now and words fail me at the moment.
It is now a case of having to get people in and the wheels have been in motion on that score for a couple of weeks now.
I knew the situation when I took the job so I am not going to sit here and say this is not my team.
I will take things on the chin because I know I could not have given any more over the past few weeks, but as for the players (level of commitment) you will have to ask the players about that.
Confidence is massive at the moment because if you are up there and doing well everyone wants the ball and they have an extra yard but if you're not you can have people who aren't on their toes and miss out on that couple of extra yards."

Fitzgerald said he would be getting people in during the transfer window - as soon as possible - and asked what areas he would focus on he said "the whole pitch".

He said the cuirrent squad had two games to prove to him and the fans they have a future with the football club.

"I told the players before the game that the door was not closed or open for anyone, but I said it is up to you to show me that you want to be here and want to keep us up, but they gave me my answer today.
"I have never been relegated as a player and I don;t intend to be relegated as a manager. People say what experience have you got of fighting relegation and I say I don't think that's a very positive way to come at it. I've got experience of playing football to get points with the right players."

He added: "It certainly isn't over yet. I knew the situation and I knew the players I had to work with. I have tried changing formation, personnel and styles of play and we have still not won so now you have to look at the players and I will be doing that even more closely over the next two games.

This is a massive challenge and I am up for it otherwise I would not have taken it on. I have put my coaching career on the line.
I am 100 per cent up for it and we will see in the next two games which of the players will be up for it."

 

[bees66]

thanks for that....

Fitz must be worried sh*tless

 

[Shirley Bee]

I knew the situation when I took the job so I am not going to sit here and say this is not my team.
I knew the situation and I knew the players I had to work with. I have tried changing formation, personnel and styles of play and we have still not won so now you have to look at the players and I will be doing that even more closely over the next two games.
This is a massive challenge and I am up for it otherwise I would not have taken it on. I have put my coaching career on the line.

I'm sorry, this doesn't add up. He knew what he was letting himself in for, and yet he's tried everything and nothing has worked.

Why did he put his coaching career on the line in this way? Coercion?

 

[readingbee]

So, 10 players in then, after the 1st January

 

[RoyalOakBee]

I'm sorry, this doesn't add up. He knew what he was letting himself in for, and yet he's tried everything and nothing has worked.

Why did he put his coaching career on the line in this way? Coercion?

Simple! he was assured that in January he would have money made available to dramatically alter the squad!

My guess is two in on January 2nd (deals already done)
two more are happy with offer but want to see the tide turned by first win before becoming involved. Both to arrive in or around Jan 16th.
As many out as poss, we are at 1 at moment so SF to keep working on that issue. from that point on 1 out will mean 1 in until Jan29th and then depending on survival chances at that point given the success / failure of the new ins, SF will be given the option for 1/2 more as required or not if corner not turned.

 

[GABS]

SF will be given the option for 1/2 more as required or not if corner not turned.

1/2 (half) a player? No thanks, enough of those at the club already !

 

[KD]

Simple! he was assured that in January he would have money made available to dramatically alter the squad!

My guess is two in on January 2nd (deals already done)
two more are happy with offer but want to see the tide turned by first win before becoming involved. Both to arrive in or around Jan 16th.
As many out as poss, we are at 1 at moment so SF to keep working on that issue. from that point on 1 out will mean 1 in until Jan29th and then depending on survival chances at that point given the success / failure of the new ins, SF will be given the option for 1/2 more as required or not if corner not turned.

Jim thanks for putting this on here. ROB is this really a guess or do you have some inside information? It sounds too detailed to be a complete fantasy but pleaaase for me and all the others who are hurting on here don't get our hopes up if this is being dreamed up in your head.

 

[Stanley]

.
"I have never been relegated as a player and I don;t intend to be relegated as a manager.

Heard that line before...I guess there is always a first.

 

[BoroBee]

We're too good to go down....... Oh no, we're not. Sorry, my mistake

 

[Stuardo]

i like what he says to be honest. i think Fitz is a good man - but sadly I haven't seen any turn of the tide yet. not quite sure what style we are supposed to be playing: direct, on the floor, wide? but i think the players have to look at themselves. hard. there is no pride there at all. they looked good at 3-0 down for about 3 minutes - but that is not enough.

but please please play Kuffour through the middle!

 

[mhead bee]

My guess is two in on January 2nd (deals already done)
two more are happy with offer but want to see the tide turned by first win before becoming involved. Both to arrive in or around Jan 16th.
As many out as poss, we are at 1 at moment so SF to keep working on that issue. from that point on 1 out will mean 1 in until Jan29th and then depending on survival chances at that point given the success / failure of the new ins, SF will be given the option for 1/2 more as required or not if corner not turned.

Thats a pretty wild and somewhat pointless guess really!

He could have lined up 3 dozen players on the 4th jan at 5.37 PM and 42 seconds for all we know

 

[Simon C]

i like what he says to be honest. i think Fitz is a good man - but sadly I haven't seen any turn of the tide yet.

but I'll wait to judge him on who he brings in. Personally I think it's too early for him and he won't be able to save us. He'd have been better off building something new from League 2 next year but if he can bring a few in who can show a bit more than Clyde and Fola and put a bit of fight back into the rest of the season people will be able to get on his side.

 

[mhead bee]

i like what he says to be honest. i think Fitz is a good man - but sadly I haven't seen any turn of the tide yet. not quite sure what style we are supposed to be playing: direct, on the floor, wide? but i think the players have to look at themselves. hard. there is no pride there at all. they looked good at 3-0 down for about 3 minutes - but that is not enough.

but please please play Kuffour through the middle!

Kuffour played up front the whole game yesterday. Cox played left wing and ide on the right!

 

[mhead bee]

Heard that line before...I guess there is always a first.

Yeah, maybe one day we might actually win the play offs too...but probably not

 

[VTG]

I think his main problem is that everyone already knew who he was when he got the job, so we didn't get the boost a team usually gets from having a new blooke come in and yell at them. Over-familiarity with him may actually be the hardest obstacle he has to overcome in the fight to get a rocket up some of these players' arses.

 

[Simon C]

Over-familiarity with him may actually be the hardest obstacle he has to overcome in the fight to get a rocket up some of these players' arses.

He hasn't got a hope of putting a rocket up their arses. All he can do is decide which players are putting the effort in, keep them in the team and surround them with new players.

 

[JimLevack]

VTG,

I don't think that will be an issue from what I've heard.
He kept them locked in the dressing room for nearly an hour yesterday, has had at least one in to the training ground office for a b***ocking and has deffed out the non-tryers.
If they thought they were going to get an easy ride I think they're in for a shock.

 

[Stuardo]

Kuffour played up front the whole game yesterday. Cox played left wing and ide on the right!

no he didn't!

Jo, only went through the middle at 2-0 down really. And then he did some damage - getting through the centre of their defence on a couple of occasions but not shooting!

 

[Simon C]

VTG,

I don't think that will be an issue from what I've heard.
He kept them locked in the dressing room for nearly an hour yesterday, has had at least one in to the training ground office for a b***ocking and has deffed out the non-tryers.
If they thought they were going to get an easy ride I think they're in for a shock.

I don't doubt that but what has it achieved? The slackers are no longer in the team so we're having to make do with Mousinho, Masters, Ide and Osbourne in the team when they're obviously not ready yet and O'Connor out of position. I hope for Fitz's sake he can move on Oli, Brooker and Pinault in January but I doubt it'll happen.

 

[Stuardo]

I don't doubt that but what has it achieved? The slackers are no longer in the team so we're having to make do with Mousinho, Masters, Ide and Osbourne in the team when they're obviously not ready yet and O'Connor out of position. I hope for Fitz's sake he can move on Oli, Brooker and Pinault in January but I doubt it'll happen.

But hasn't Brooker been scoring goals in the friendlies that we are playing?

But in all honesty - how many of the current team do you think deserve to be in the side at the moment?

Not easy to pick any out is it?

I didn't see a single crunching tackle yesterday - apart from Cox getting frustrated in the first half and chasing back, and I think that there may have been a couple in the 2nd half. THAT WAS A LONDON DERBY AGAINST THE SECOND BOTTOM TEAM YESTERDAY GUYS!

And Kevin O'Connor - you lose the captaincy now! Too many players standing around hands on hips, waiting to be beaten. Where is the leadership? You aren't doing it be example so you need to be doing something else!

 

[Stanley]

And Kevin O'Connor - you lose the captaincy now! Too many players standing around hands on hips, waiting to be beaten. Where is the leadership? You aren't doing it be example so you need to be doing something else!

A very contrasting point between the two teams yesterday.

Several of their players were shouting, organising and "communicating" the whole game, they were very vocal, particularly at the back....we were as quiet as mice in comparison...strikes me this has been a feature of our team for some timem years even.!

 

[Simon C]

But hasn't Brooker been scoring goals in the friendlies that we are playing?

Apparently but when it comes to the real thing we hear he's feeling a bit unwell. Diddums. Get rid.

But in all honesty - how many of the current team do you think deserve to be in the side at the moment?

Moore, Willock, Kuffour, Cox, Ide, Osbourne, Masters have all put the effort in when I've seen them. Trouble is that list is very inexperienced and deserves is very different to should. Some of those players should be getting used to League football from the bench but they're having to step up too fast because of the number of wasters we have in the squad.

And Kevin O'Connor - you lose the captaincy now! Too many players standing around hands on hips, waiting to be beaten. Where is the leadership? You aren't doing it be example so you need to be doing something else!

He's been a disaster as captain but I never thought he'd be any good. He's not a leader or a talker on the pitch. Frampton should have got it as at least he uses his mouth on the pitch. The two of them haven't stepped up and grasped the mantle of senior players like we expected. They've continued like they have for the past few years when they were surrounded by good players when we needed then to be much more.

 

[Stuardo]

Apparently but when it comes to the real thing we hear he's feeling a bit unwell. Diddums. Get rid.



Moore, Willock, Kuffour, Cox, Ide, Osbourne, Masters have all put the effort in when I've seen them. Trouble is that list is very inexperienced and deserves is very different to should. Some of those players should be getting used to League football from the bench but they're having to step up too fast because of the number of wasters we have in the squad.



He's been a disaster as captain but I never thought he'd be any good. He's not a leader or a talker on the pitch. Frampton should have got it as at least he uses his mouth on the pitch. The two of them haven't stepped up and grasped the mantle of senior players like we expected. They've continued like they have for the past few years when they were surrounded by good players when we needed then to be much more.

Good points well made, sir!

Just wanted to make a point re: Frampton that TBEE suggested yesterday - didn't he win the "most improved player award"? Can he be given the counter award "most gone backwards player" award?

 

[Simon C]

Just wanted to make a point re: Frampton that TBEE suggested yesterday - didn't he win the "most improved player award"? Can he be given the counter award "most gone backwards player" award?

lol That was an Allen thing wasn't it? Will be a joke if we do it this year.

 

[letsallgotolourdes]

New players?

A lot of people are banking on a whole set of players coming in january but realistically what half decent player in his right mind is going to subject himself and his reputation to this mess. We couldn't get a second rate manager, some people at the club actually think we're going to get first rate quality players breaking the doors down to get here.

 

[Gee Bee]

no he didn't!

Jo, only went through the middle at 2-0 down really. And then he did some damage - getting through the centre of their defence on a couple of occasions but not shooting!

Agreed. Started on the left and moved to the middle during 2nd half, although he did alternate occassionaly with Cox in the 1st half too.

 

[Streetboy]

A lot of people are banking on a whole set of players coming in january but realistically what half decent player in his right mind is going to subject himself and his reputation to this mess. We couldn't get a second rate manager, some people at the club actually think we're going to get first rate quality players breaking the doors down to get here.

The question is, does Fitz bring in players he knows will do a short-term job, get stuck in and drag us to safety with their experience - like a certain Scott Fitzgreald brought in by MA during the Great Escape, or buy players with the long term in mind and risk the worst?

 

[Downbeat Bee]

Yawn at Fitzgerald's comments

We need to get rid of about 10 players minimum how is that going to happen?

 

[JTofBFC]

Jim thanks for putting this on here. ROB is this really a guess or do you have some inside information? It sounds too detailed to be a complete fantasy but pleaaase for me and all the others who are hurting on here don't get our hopes up if this is being dreamed up in your head.

Its always a detailed guess from ROB made to sound like he's in the know. Take no notice.

 

[Simon C]

The question is, does Fitz bring in players he knows will do a short-term job, get stuck in and drag us to safety with their experience - like a certain Scott Fitzgreald brought in by MA during the Great Escape, or buy players with the long term in mind and risk the worst?

MA didn't bring in any players, Fitz was signed just after Wally was sacked but he'd been training with us in the last few days of Wally's reign.

You could say that Wally signed the players who saved us (Bull, Talbot and Fitz)

The Fighting Chance money is for loans, KD said on the OS when he announced Fitz as boss that money for loans was available and Fitz has only talked about loans from what I can see. I'd be surprised and upset to see any long term singings.

 

[JTofBFC]

And Kevin O'Connor - you lose the captaincy now! Too many players standing around hands on hips, waiting to be beaten. Where is the leadership? You aren't doing it be example so you need to be doing something else!

Waiting expectantly for Fitz to do this. Should have been the first thing he did when appointed and for me one of the negatives about Fitz so far is that he has not dealt with the things under his control.

We know he can't get midfielders, strikers and defenders in on loan for another 10 days or so.

What he can do is get a keeper and replace the ineffective captain.

Why hasn't he??

 

[West Wilts Bee]

I'm sorry, this doesn't add up. He knew what he was letting himself in for, and yet he's tried everything and nothing has worked.

Why did he put his coaching career on the line in this way? Coercion?

Of course it adds up, he's more or less saying the players are sh*t. What do you want him to say? Have you been to see this side lately? There has never been a team of bees players that are as woefull as this. Some posters have come on here to say Brooker is a disgrace, others defend him. Brooker is a big coward a bloody disgrace to himself and the team and us fans. how anyone can defend him is beyond me. that is one example multiply that by how many you want to. If Fitz gave most of this team the chop, he would not be able to field a team on the pitch. I get fed up with posters on here saying he aint the answer , give the man a chance. Name me a manager that can change this current crop of sh*t. I will tell you none. Get behind the man, better still get down to GP and see how bad this so called team really is.
This is not a rant at you , but it's obvious to me that a lot of our posters have not seen this current team play(Or try to play) This team needs rebuilding. Alas this means relegation, Fitz is ****ed here as would any other team manager would be that has these clowns under his wing, If you think I'm being harsh here well so be it. I want to see a tean of bravehearts step over the white line , not seven ofthem holding up white feathers .

 

[Stanley]

Waiting expectantly for Fitz to do this. Should have been the first thing he did when appointed and for me one of the negatives about Fitz so far is that he has not dealt with the things under his control.

We know he can't get midfielders, strikers and defenders in on loan for another 10 days or so.

What he can do is get a keeper and replace the ineffective captain.

Why hasn't he??

Maybe because KO is one of a very few players who you can say at this stage is likely to be in the side come the end of January..I cannot think of anyone else who might step up to be captain who is certain of their place.

 

[Mr Cynical]

So Fitz is basically saying he doesnt know what to do other than bring a load more players in.. Isn't anyone else worried about this? It was obvious he'd run out of ideas in the second half once we'd gone four up front nothing changed..

You can slag the players all you like but if there is no obvious game plan and no organisation in the team even the best players are going to struggle..

And I'm fed up with hearing this 'wait until he brings new players in and then criticise'. He is the manager NOW, regardless of what people say that is HIS team, playing HIS tactics and its HIS job to sort it out. If the only thing he can do is throw money at it then I suggest we've got the wrong man.....

 

[Simon C]

So Fitz is basically saying he doesnt know what to do other than bring a load more players in.. Isn't anyone else worried about this? It was obvious he'd run out of ideas in the second half once we'd gone four up front nothing changed..

You can slag the players all you like but if there is no obvious game plan and no organisation in the team even the best players are going to struggle..

And I'm fed up with hearing this 'wait until he brings new players in and then criticise'. He is the manager NOW, regardless of what people say that is HIS team, playing HIS tactics and its HIS job to sort it out. If the only thing he can do is throw money at it then I suggest we've got the wrong man.....

He's an inexperienced manager with an awful group of players. If you judge him on the dross Leroy left him with he'll never succeed, maybe thats what you want?

KD spoke of a survival plan and said that Fitz's ideas impressed the panel. We have to see what he can come up with when he's allowed to bring new players but in reality we all know we're doomed and the best he can do is restore some pride.

 

[Mr Cynical]

KD spoke of a survival plan and said that Fitz's ideas impressed the panel. We have to see what he can come up with when he's allowed to bring new players but in reality we all know we're doomed and the best he can do is restore some pride.

Well they can't have impressed that much because they offered the job to Patterson..

 

[Simon C]

Well they can't have impressed that much because they offered the job to Patterson..

:scratch: He was in the final 2, considering he's never done the job before thats good going. Unless he was the fall back option incase the first choice turned us down.

 

[Brickie Chap]

Well they can't have impressed that much because they offered the job to Patterson..

lol

 

[Simon W]

but please please play Kuffour through the middle!

I cant believe he is played anywhere other than down the middle ... when we went 3-0 down yesterday he started to terrorise the Millwall defence when he got hold of the ball and ran at them ..too little too late though

 

[shouldbee]

How come there's suddenly money for new players ?
It's now use having a go at the players, the problem is most of them aren't good enough at this level.
As for Frampton being made captain, well he doesn't exactly lead by example with his hoof-ball style, he gives the ball away too often.

 

[Bush Tuckerman]

I think we have to accept the fact that we decided to relegate Brentford back in September when we appointed Leroy!

I am still fuming at that decision...and the budget/transfer policy which was put in place at the same time! However I got alot, alot of stick for my persistant critisicism.

We have to accept now that we took a strategy to reduce costs at the club which will ultimately reduce the quality of the football we watch.

Whether you are prepared to watch that or not is up to you, however Brentford will be a league two club for some years now. I suggest that Fitz's appointment is a long term strategy to bring youth players through, and that we write of this season on the whole.

It was the strategy that was fundamentally flawed in my opinion...as stated at the outset...no manager (especially Leroy - who is a yes man) was going to be able to sustain any level of success with this mentality.

 

[wanderer paul]

are the loan rules that only 5 can play................ that f^cks that up then !!

6 of the current squad have to play and 5 subs.............. unless there are freebies around willing to sign 6 month permanent contracts..............

keeper, 2 x centre backs, 2 x centre mids and a forward...........thats 6 we desperately need..................good luck Fitz in finding the 6 we need....

 

[JimLevack]

It was the strategy that was fundamentally flawed in my opinion...as stated at the outset...no manager (especially Leroy - who is a yes man) was going to be able to sustain any level of success with this mentality.

Hear, hear.
The problem is that the board wanted someone malleable who they could dictate the cut, cut, cut philosophy to and who would adhere to it.
The follow on problem from that is that yes men are exactly the wrong type of person to kick, b***ock and bite a team of youngsters into shape.
I told Eddie Rogers yesterday after the game "Only an idiot would get rid of five quality players and replace them with cheap options" and he nodded sheepishly and walked off.
We are now paying the price for a board who were not prepared to restructure WHILE also maintaining some degree of quality on the pitch - it's a Catch 22 and I wouldn't fancy being in their shoes but as I've always said you have to speculate to accumulate or the long term outcome is invariably disastrous.

 

[Simon C]

are the loan rules that only 5 can play................ that f^cks that up then !!

6 of the current squad have to play and 5 subs.............. unless there are freebies around willing to sign 6 month permanent contracts..............

keeper, 2 x centre backs, 2 x centre mids and a forward...........thats 6 we desperately need..................good luck Fitz in finding the 6 we need....

There are players about who are on contracts that run out in the summer who would come for 6 months in the hope of earning a deal for next season.

 

[GP200]

......warning warning blah blah blah....I want to see actions not words...........

 

[Bush Tuckerman]

Hear, hear.
The problem is that the board wanted someone malleable who they could dictate the cut, cut, cut philosophy to and who would adhere to it.
The follow on problem from that is that yes men are exactly the wrong type of person to kick, b***ock and bite a team of youngsters into shape.
I told Eddie Rogers yesterday after the game "Only an idiot would get rid of five quality players and replace them with cheap options" and he nodded sheepishly and walked off.
We are now paying the price for a board who were not prepared to restructure WHILE also maintaining some degree of quality on the pitch - it's a Catch 22 and I wouldn't fancy being in their shoes but as I've always said you have to speculate to accumulate or the long term outcome is invariably disastrous.

Completely agree with you - I have seen this strategy being played out again and again in businesses with the same end result - the company has been dissolved or been sold for its customer base.

Where as companies which find themselves in this situation and come up with an innovative speculate to accumulate strategy tend to pull through.

We have to realise that football is a business these days and we have to provide the football to put bums on seats...we don't have any other assets to play with really!

 

[West Wilts Bee]

Hear, hear.
The problem is that the board wanted someone malleable who they could dictate the cut, cut, cut philosophy to and who would adhere to it.
The follow on problem from that is that yes men are exactly the wrong type of person to kick, b***ock and bite a team of youngsters into shape.
I told Eddie Rogers yesterday after the game "Only an idiot would get rid of five quality players and replace them with cheap options" and he nodded sheepishly and walked off.
We are now paying the price for a board who were not prepared to restructure WHILE also maintaining some degree of quality on the pitch - it's a Catch 22 and I wouldn't fancy being in their shoes but as I've always said you have to speculate to accumulate or the long term outcome is invariably disastrous.

Jim, I said all this before it actually happened. You would have had to have been a short sighted fool not to have seen it coming. What do this board of directors care? This playing budget was the biggest load of bollox , and how many of the self righteous were brainwashed. You have to compete on the pitch, If you don't well you can see the results for yourself. I would like to see how much money we have lost. We have players you cannot give away. Knocked out of the fa cup round 1. Fans that are now stating they are not coming back to gp to watch this sh*te. and now we have to spend money to stave off the impossible. Something that should have been done in the beginning with a proper manager. But hey ho what do I know. I still hear the drumming in my head of "What part of we aint got no money do you not understand.

 

[Ace Face]

Jim, I said all this before it actually happened. You would have had to have been a short sighted fool not to have seen it coming. What do this board of directors care? This playing budget was the biggest load of bollox , and how many of the self righteous were brainwashed. You have to compete on the pitch, If you don't well you can see the results for yourself. I would like to see how much money we have lost. We have players you cannot give away. Knocked out of the fa cup round 1. Fans that are now stating they are not coming back to gp to watch this sh*te. and now we have to spend money to stave off the impossible. Something that should have been done in the beginning with a proper manager. But hey ho what do I know. I still hear the drumming in my head of "What part of we aint got no money do you not understand.

My heart agrees with every word mate, but in defence of the BFC Board were they instructed by BU, that due to cashflow and liability limitations the playing budget must be reduced to £1,000.000 per annum? Did BFC have the financial backing to speculate to accumulate?

My main criticism is long contracts on silly money for players who we would never get a fee for?

There should be a £50,000 limit with add ons such as bonus for promtion, good crowds, goals etc.

 

[rebus]

Hear, hear.
The problem is that the board wanted someone malleable who they could dictate the cut, cut, cut philosophy to and who would adhere to it.
The follow on problem from that is that yes men are exactly the wrong type of person to kick, b***ock and bite a team of youngsters into shape.
I told Eddie Rogers yesterday after the game "Only an idiot would get rid of five quality players and replace them with cheap options" and he nodded sheepishly and walked off.
We are now paying the price for a board who were not prepared to restructure WHILE also maintaining some degree of quality on the pitch - it's a Catch 22 and I wouldn't fancy being in their shoes but as I've always said you have to speculate to accumulate or the long term outcome is invariably disastrous.

You suggest replacing quality with quality. This is all well and good but unless we tackle the 500k ongoing losses we cannot do that. You were all for handing over another 200k to Martin Allen but could not tell us where it was coming from.

 

[IsleofWight_Bee]

Mark for f**ks sake give the MA bit a rest will you. You and some of your ilk are wearing me out with this old record stuff.

Suffice to say if he had been given what he wanted we would not be staring down the barrell now or paying off Leroy or being stuck with a hopeless basketball player..or for that matter bloody winegum (who thankfully has gone at last).

By not upping the spending MA went and surprise surprise now we are in the mire extra money is available MK Dons? Wow they are suffering aren't they :sad: