valeparklife

I can forgive a bad window + a bad managerial appointment, but I feel there have been a number of mistakes made now that just defy common sense. Failure to address our poor striking options over 3 windows. Failure to recruit a balanced squad (How many CM's did we have at one point? Why did we start the season with 1 injury prone LWB? Why did we sign a winger when we don't play with wingers?). Failure to even consider other options for interview after Clarke left. After appointing Crosby, which we all knew was doomed to fail, failure to remove him in Oct/Nov. Now the latest lack of common sense is sacking Crosby a few days after the window shuts, which gives the next manager zero wiggle room in terms of personnel. Like I say, no owner is perfect and mistakes will be made everywhere - but these are just so simple and so avoidable that I don't have any confidence in our fortunes improving under Flitcroft. I am absolutely dreading the next appointment - I feel it's going to be some Premier League coach or someone that just obsesses over possession and nothing else.

I dont disagree, just saying how I think the DoF/HC model works well at other clubs. I think this 352 system stems from Flitcroft, first with Darell then Crosby, so continuity there. I think we still played passing football with Clarke, but we've just gone to the complete extreme under Crosby. Possession for possession sake. Another game today where we've had way more possession and no goals. Sent from my SM-G981B using onevalefan mobile app

This is an outdated view of football. The DoF + Head Coach model exists everywhere and a lot are very successful. It promotes consistency and continuity. Best way to describe it is to imagine a club had Arsene Wenger as manager, and then Tony Pulis. Wenger would sign loads of 5'4 technically skillful players, then when Pulis comes in, he sells the squad and replaces them with loads of 6'5 neanderthals. Extreme example, but you get the point. Having a DoF oversee the playing style/recruitment avoids this. Think of Brighton - Potter leaves, De Zerbi comes in like nothing has changed. Same for Brentford - Dean Smith leaves, Thomas Frank steps up. The idea is correct for us, but the execution isn't going so well so far. Crosby isn't the manager to take us forward. I support the model, just not the personnel.

Great post. I'm starting to think this way too. The DoF model can work and would be very good for us in terms of recruitment - DoF focuses on getting quality players in + Head Coach manages the players and the games. I was hoping for a raft of carefully scouted, astute signings - players that other clubs have overlooked (like Garrity), that would come in with a low/zero reputation and flourish. I'd probably say out of those 50+ players we've signed under Flitcroft, maybe 10-15 or so have been a success? I see Ephron Mason-Clark was sold to Coventry by Peterborough the other day for £4m. I know they are masters at it, but his record before Posh was hardly inspiring, yet they were able to see something and develop him into a £4m player! This forum would have had a meltdown if we'd signed him based on his record!

Thierry Small: Charlton sign former Southampton defender - BBC Sport WWW.BBC.CO.UK

I think Carlisle have had a good window and will escape. Armstrong, Kelly, Vela, Neal, Lewis are really solid signings. They've lost Moxon, but Vela is a good L1 player to replace him. Georgie Kelly would have been good for us. Played a fair bit of Championship football and a really warrior leading the line.

We're really going to have to get behind Ryan Loft. No more stupid booing. 100% support. Turn him into a cult hero like Reggie was.

I can't be doing with League Two again. It's horrible. Praying there are 4 teams worse than us!

There is no way we haven't made another signing. No chance. Or is there? Surely not?

Went to bed at 10pm last night fully expecting to wake up and see some more signings. What a depressing way to start the morning, UNLESS a striker and a LWB get announced. Still think it's been another shocking January window again though.

McDermott to Burnley reminds me a lot of Joe Davis to Leicester all those years ago.

Denver Hume gone to Grimsby. We were linked with him in the summer. LWB.

Scully was absolutely amazing at Lincoln. Surprised he's still only 24! More of a winger though so doesn't suit our daft formation.

Port Vale, Blackpool and Stockport County target eyed by Scottish club » The72 - Football League News THE72.CO.UK

Zac Sturge and a striker that's never played a competitive game is what I'd expect tomorrow.

Balmer in the bag! Kofi joins the Dons - News - AFC Wimbledon WWW.AFCWIMBLEDON.CO.UK

Little bit envious of Exeter's signings today. Mo Eisa from MK Dons always has a goal in him. Millenic Alli, a 23yo winger from Halifax with 7 goals in 21 games this season.

Good point, and something I'd forgotten about. Probably explains why were a bit short of cash currently, although 100% agree with the reasoning for upgrading the pitch.

Fair points, but are they moaning about "not being able to compete" too? Have we effectively "spent our overdraft" and now we're having to scrimp and save to make up for it? I just don't get it at the minute. Would love a deep dive into the finances.

I just don't understand this "we're skint and can't compete" narrative. For League One clubs, we all get the same TV money, then attendances + extra commercial revenue will dictate what we spend on top of that. We're 15th on the attendance list. Northampton, Exeter, Cambridge, Shrewsbury, Wycombe, Stevenage and Burton all have lower attendances - but are above us in the league. If we can't compete, then how can these teams compete? I'm not saying that your attendances dictate your league position (otherwise what is the point playing the games) but it's not as though we're in the Championship getting 7,000 a week and every other team is getting 20,000+

Just seems like we're becoming a training centre for other clubs. Feels like we're more bothered about building relationships with big clubs than actually winning games of football. This comment from DF on Thursday basically reads "we're trying to play like Man City, but it wasn't working and we needed to win so we scrapped it for a few games": DF: We have devised a way of playing based on a possession style of play, but we had to go a little longer into Uche at times because we have to find ways of winning certain games given the run that we were on. I like a lot of what DF has done so this isn't a dig, but I'm just amazed we're still persisting with this silly passing style that doesn't create any chances.

Murder on the Dan Gore.

I think some fan bases favour certain styles over others. Vale fans seem to prefer a more "up and at 'em" style, over patient, slow approach. Adams > Page Clarke > Crosby I think Stoke are the same. Must be an area thing?

I know it's not my money, but I'd be cautious to spending silly money on Young. 10 of his 16 league goals came across 4 games! Feels like when Cardiff spent £1m on Max Watters after scoring 13 in 15.

Port Vale and Bristol Rovers have looked at Crystal Palace defender Tayo Adaramola THE72.CO.UK Left back/left wingback!