“The teams with the most money are at the top. The teams with the least are at the bottom. It’s nothing new in football." Thus spake Manager Wellens recently when discussing the January transfer window with the DFP.
This time last year we were at the top and now we at the bottom. So I don’t think you need to be Doctor of Philosophy to see that there is something contradictory about this statement. A quick look at the Table today will reveal wealthy clubs who are not at the top and some of modest means who are. Several of the clubs above us are certainly not as well off as DRFC too. So another piece of nonsense from a man who is constantly looking for excuses.
You cannot have faith in the judgement of such an individual. During the week he sought to blame the Butler era for the low level of confidence suggesting that it was still working its way back. What will next week’s feeble excuse be?
Last week he got Taylor back who he claimed would make all the difference and we know what he did at that crucial moment in the first half. He has now lost the services of Bostock. Will he manage to find someone who passes the ball only sideways and backwards, doesn’t tackle and gestures to others to pass it upfield? A difficult act to follow, but in a good way.
So we continue our stagnant, yet treacherous wobble, clutching desperately to 23rd place managed by a man who thinks we only need a couple of players to comfortably climb to mid-table.
But there is a caveat; the clubs from whom we will acquire these players, players who are not playing regularly at the moment, may not wish to sell them. So there is an excuse already developing. Possibly too, they may not want to come here, especially if we are still shouldering most of the weight of League 1. And that is discounting the fact that with the exception of Rowe, Wellens has so far failed to bring out the best in any of the players he has signed on a permanent basis. They have all suffered the Butler effect In absentia; a curious proposition to digest for most people.
There are few grounds for hope.
3-0 to Burton, possibly more than 3.
DPL v Burton Albion
posted on 2/12/21
I see Hunt has departed as well.
posted on 2/12/21
I struggle to remember any real flowing moves at all this season. At the same time last year we had witnessed some really impressive football with the loanees figuring quite prominently, but we got good movement throughout the team, especially in attack. We had wing backs and midfielders who linked up brilliantly at times and we saw some superb goals.
The current squad show no signs whatsoever of being capable of sophisticated link-ups, nothing to make you proud to support the team. I struggle to think of anyone in the current squad that could produce the sort of stylish football that we saw in the promotion/play-off chasing sides of the last two or three years.
There would be applause for what Copps might produce and for neat defensive work, shots narrowly wide with the goalkeeper beaten. We’ve had none of that and there seems no one in that class.
Whereas the Wellens-lovers may still believe that his recruits have more to offer, I cannot really see it. Close is supposed to have talent, but it does not exactly shine out for me and the sooner the total failures like Gardner and Cukur can be ejected, the better.
posted on 2/12/21
Yes it's difficult to see how anybody could get this squad firing. The January window isn't likely to be our salvation either. Miracles do happen and they will need to if we are to avoid relegation. Michael Flynn did pull Newport away from oblivion with the same players who had put them there.
posted on 2/12/21
Even the performances of the better loanees - Dahlberg, Smith and Galbraith - seem to have dropped-off somewhat. Smith has acquired the "let's go backwards" style of play. and Galbraith's passing is not what it was. However, I hope we do not lose any of them in January.
Close has been a disappointment, and may be that is why Pompey let him go. Knoyle has been inconstant - good at times. I've said earlier that Ro-Shaun Williams nearly gives me heart attacks.
Gardner, Vilca, Cukur, and Hiwula need time in the National League or whatever the Conference is called these days.
Barlow and Olowu (and of course Rowe) are the only RW permanent additions that show potential.
If everyone was fully fit, who would you have as the team? I think this would be mine:
Dahlberg;
Seaman, Anderson. Olowu. John;
Galbraith, Smith, Rowe;
Taylor, Okenabirhie, Barlow.
Would that save us?
posted on 3/12/21
That team is probably more or less the best of what we have and I would be thinking of putting Bogle in too, a man who the dyed-in-the-wool faithful seem to hate, although no one discloses what problem Wellens had with him. If I were a player working within the sort of inflexible framework it could be implied that he created, I am not sure I would get on very well with him either. Wellens was not a striker and perhaps he totally dismissed the ideas of even experienced players who who may have wanted a bit of personal input. It seemed he did not even listen to his management team. I hope that those who had blind trust in him feel suitably chastened.
All this (barring my assumptions which might be inferred) is in Liam Hoden’s piece in the DFP https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/the-story-of-richie-wellens-sacking-by-doncaster-rovers-3480570 which bears out most of what we guessed about Wellens modus operandi. Flexibility, that vital ingredient of modern management, was not there and it is a shame that he did not draw fully on the wisdom of those around him. It has been suggested that he was on a mission to replicate the SOD era which makes his failure and indeed progress with such a poor bunch of players utterly laughable.
But he has gone now and I think he may have seriously damaged our club, so that his successor will do well to get us out of the relegation zone. What is worse is that he (or she - Emma Hayes has been mentioned) has and do it with the same players that mostly looked as though they had chosen the wrong sport, indeed perhaps sport was not for one or two of them in the first place.
posted on 3/12/21
Yes agree the players listed are our best combo. How to integrate them with the others to get a decent 11 will be the biggest challenge. Playing systems and roles become vital. It seems Wellens inflexibility on this and not heeding the advice of senior players lately was his major downfall. Difficult call for McSheffrey. Will he integrate more of our youngsters? Saturdays cup game now of greater interest.
posted on 3/12/21
Loved Richie as a player, cant say the same for his management techniques, it had to happen.
Let's hope this board appoint his successor quickly and someone other than the cheapest option in regards to ex players.
posted on 3/12/21
McSheffrey keeping his cards to his chest but his options open. He's really nothing to lose. Bogle not match fit. A couple of positional tweaks for tomorrow. That's about all he can do anyway.
posted on 3/12/21
He'd be the cheapest option too! 😊
posted on 3/12/21
Let's hope that better things are to come 👍
I think that Wellens took us back to the dark Dickov days 😐