Manager/Coach Robinsons future - Change of view?

[Scotchegg]

It’s obvious to anyone with half a brain that significant money was not spent in that transfer window, neither on transfers, nor wages.
It’s also obvious that we will need to spend further significant monies (£millions) if we want to finish top two in this league, and also common knowledge that our new owners have enough money to make that happen.

Based on all evidence and known facts, it’s highly likely that we are currently “treading water“ while waiting for planning permission to be granted for the new stadium. So KR will be kept during this “holding” period, and given a bit more money in January if we really look in danger of relegation (which we currently do).

We can expect a new manager to be put in place next summer (or following the stadium plans being rubber stamped by the council, whichever is sooner), with the promise of £x amount to spend. Until then, I guess we need to get behind the team and encourage them. Get to the magical 50 points, then plan for next season. Whether he goes now, goes Xmas, or goes in the Summer, KR is a ”dead man walking”. He must realise this by now, and tbh I feel sorry for him. The players will also realise this, and this explains why most of them are looking so uninterested: they realise that their long term future isn’t at the football club. There are exceptions, and we can only surmise that a handful have been reassured that their long term futures are here (e.g. Brannagan and McGuane). KR hasn’t lost the changing room, the owners have…….. which is fine, just so long as the Council pull their finger out and get the planning permission granted asap.

I don't think you've presented the "known facts" accurately. Money was available, both for transfer fees and wages. We spent well on several players without the marquee signings, but still very competitively. There was talk of top 4 budgets, but we didn't spend it all. I'd guess that we were still in the top 8 for actual spending, but I couldn't say for certain exactly where.

The problem was that the players we wanted didn't arrive, and there were various reasons for that.

Ryan Hardie simply didn't want to leave Plymouth, and you have to respect that in the same way as we respect Cam for staying. Thomas-Asante knew that there was Championship interested and waited for those bids.

Others chose other league one sides over us. Unfortunately, despite looking to compete, I'm not sure that we are yet able to match the likes of Sheff Wed, Ipswich and a couple of others as serious promotion candidates (even before the season started). Also they and others were paying wages much higher than we would have wanted to pay.

However, there were also players that we should have looked at. Jack Tucker, Darragh Burns and Dawson Devoy were players we should have been looking at over MK Dons as examples. Others wouldn't have stretched the budget but would have been solid squad players to build on.

We were genuinely looking at players like Tyler Morton and I think we got a little star struck with some of those on our radar and rather than have one or two marquee signings to add sparkle to the team, we missed the opportunity to get the basics right.

The idea that the club are looking to treadwater may have a little validity, it's hard to tell when we're going off one 15 minute interview 12 months ago to know exactly what they want from the footballing side. However, I think we can see in the pressure Robinson is clearly under we're seriously under performing.

If Robiinson stays, and I like the guy so would be more patient than most, then we badly need people in and around the club to help him. I don't buy the ego stuff that some label him with. Every successful football manager has an ego! But I'm sure he's open to working with others, especially if it takes some of the nonsense off his workload.

We need to move the club forward and improve every area of the club from top to bottom. There's some fantastic people behind the scenes who live and breath Oxford United, but they can't do it on their own. And I include Robinson in that.

The next few weeks and months are crucial and we have to hear from those at the top to truly understand what their ambitions are, and how they will be achieved.

 

[RyanioBirdio]

It’s obvious to anyone with half a brain that significant money was not spent in that transfer window, neither on transfers, nor wages.

You must be a seriously rich individual if you can class the money we have spent in fees (transfer, signing on, loan and agents), plus the wages on some of the permanent recruits, the loans and the record breaking new contracts for existing squad members this season, as insignificant.

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

The transfer window wasn't good enough and we're seeing the consequences of that.

Unbelievable.

So everything you posted so vociferously this Summer can be consigned to the bin?

You spent weeks pushing back on any and every legitimate concern.

When did you come to this realisation? You were still pushing the positive narrative even on deadline day.

I'm afraid you don't get to hide in New Stadium threads until it's blown over and then emerge as though none of this happened.

I know some will think it's unfair to pull posters up like this, but when you put so much time and energy into gaslighting those with legitimate concerns - concerns that have been proven correct - you shouldn't be able to pretend none of it happened.

 

[Oxford1996]

Unbelievable.

So everything you posted so vociferously this Summer can be consigned to the bin?

You spent weeks pushing back on any and every legitimate concern.

When did you come to this realisation? You were still pushing the positive narrative even on deadline day.

I'm afraid you don't get to hide in New Stadium threads until it's blown over and then emerge as though none of this happened.

I know some will think it's unfair to pull posters up like this, but when you put so much time and energy into gaslighting those with legitimate concerns - concerns that have been proven correct - you shouldn't be able to pretend none of it happened.

Unbelievable!

 

[Scotchegg]

Unbelievable.

So everything you posted so vociferously this Summer can be consigned to the bin?

You spent weeks pushing back on any and every legitimate concern.

When did you come to this realisation? You were still pushing the positive narrative even on deadline day.

I'm afraid you don't get to hide in New Stadium threads until it's blown over and then emerge as though none of this happened.

I know some will think it's unfair to pull posters up like this, but when you put so much time and energy into gaslighting those with legitimate concerns - concerns that have been proven correct - you shouldn't be able to pretend none of it happened.

Sorry if I don't post exactly as you wish!!

Maybe I should post negative shite every single day and wait for something to go wrong so I can score points!!

I have my opinion, and I'll express it how and when I like. You're free to do the same!

 

[werthersoriginal]

some premier league level willy waving here!! I suspect the the truth is a combination of the various views expressed here

 

[Mellowyellow]

The transfer window wasn't good enough and we're seeing the consequences of that. They are the facts alone, without the need to make things up.

The owners did not pull any deals or prevent money from being available.

As for the "not wanting to play for Robinson" that is all conjecture. In fact the only player we were looking at that could arguable have come to that conclusion would have been Nicky Cadden, but that wouldn't explain why there was genuine interest from all parties last summer.

Along with the stuff about having favourite agents, the Robbie Fowler stuff, and the distasteful shite shared tonight, this is all getting a bit tabloid!!

Any decision on Robinson's future should be made entirely on footballing matters and whether he can quickly turn around performances and results. And there is enough to mean that he's on very thin ice as it is without the need to churn up all sorts of other speculation and rubbish.

Your opposite stance is also conjecture, of them wanting to play for robinson.
Again, you talk as if you are in on goings on in the club, when there have been so many occasions you have been wrong.

I have never said I am in the now at all, but I can tell you 100% that there were players who said no thank you. There may have been others. As you say to others believe what you want to, but maybe ask the person who feeds you your information to be honest to you.

This business about funds being withdrawn being shot down by you is interesting, especially after your first sentence, "The transfer window wasn't good enough and we're seeing the consequences of that."
Why wasn't it good enough, and ask yourself why truthfully if as you say the money was there, why wasn't it spent during the last week?

 

[Mellowyellow]

That’s wrong there. As you can add 2 from last season to Nicky Cadden.

Both Nathan Holland & Gavin Whyte both turned down returns here this summer.

That’s the truth, if you want to believe it or not is up to you.

(I didn’t really want either back to be honest as thought we’d sign improvements on them) Unfortunately we didn’t..

The problem, regardless of the truth scotchy doesn't want to believe the truth, as it paints kr in his true colours. As did the great post from Ryan last night about the way he treats certain players.

 

[Mellowyellow]

It was absolute shite on Saturday, but I'm not conviced at this stage we should force a change in manager (hard hat on!) at the end of the day we are only in September?

So how long would you give the genuius to get us away from the relegation zone. But its deeper than that, 4 years deeper of failings.

 

[Mellowyellow]

I struggle to understand the Gavin Whyte situation. Given the fees (where appropriate), wages and overall packages we have apparently given to Browne, Murphy, Wildschut, Findlay, Anderson, and new contracts to CB, JH etc… i can’t see that Gavin Whyte would have wanted or cost us significantly more than some of those? And surely he couldn’t have been on significantly more at Cardiff, if the packages/wages we are paying the above named, are anywhere near the figures suggested in recent weeks on this forum?

Personally I wish we’d landed him, I know some agree and some disagree with that, but I’d have thought at the very least money alone wasn’t the reason we didn’t?

You seem to think the money was the problem. He had played under robinson on two previous occasions remember.

 

[werthersoriginal]

So how long would you give the genuius to get us away from the relegation zone. But its deeper than that, 4 years deeper of failings.

Didn’t we win more home games in 2021 than any other league club? Regardless of how poor we are right now, if all you can see in that is the failings you’ll never be happy.

 

[Mellowyellow]

I agree Tim, but we have been in worse positions later in the season under Robbo and come good, just saying. As regards the poor recruitment, I do do believe Robbo is at fault here. Some people are blaming the recuitment team, but actually there job is to look for the type players requested by the manager/coach once presented to them it's their choice, this is where a DOF is needed.

But kr is the man who sells the club to these people, encourages them to play for him and the club, sells the stadium, budget etc. Unfortunately, there were weeks in the summer when he couldn't do this as he stayed in Spain when the squad returned, and it wasn't for his holiday.
A potential new recruit could well think that if the manager cant be bothered to be here when I visit the club, what will he be like to play for.

Unbelievable.

So everything you posted so vociferously this Summer can be consigned to the bin?

You spent weeks pushing back on any and every legitimate concern.

When did you come to this realisation? You were still pushing the positive narrative even on deadline day.

I'm afraid you don't get to hide in New Stadium threads until it's blown over and then emerge as though none of this happened.

I know some will think it's unfair to pull posters up like this, but when you put so much time and energy into gaslighting those with legitimate concerns - concerns that have been proven correct - you shouldn't be able to pretend none of it happened.

Sorry if I don't post exactly as you wish!!

Maybe I should post negative shite every single day and wait for something to go wrong so I can score points!!

I have my opinion, and I'll express it how and when I like. You're free to do the same!

Just read that single word again, "Unbelievable." You cant hide yourself away from what is unravelling at the moment. You post as if we are in the promotion hunt, with your I'd be prepared to give him more time mantra.
Even on deadline day, and how appropriate that phrase is becoming, and days leading up to it we knew what was going to play out with robinson. More excuses and either a croc, or obscure player from abroad, who hasn't played for months. And it came true. Yet you still came forward with your authoritative source winding you up like a top

 

[Scotchegg]

But kr is the man who sells the club to these people, encourages them to play for him and the club, sells the stadium, budget etc. Unfortunately, there were weeks in the summer when he couldn't do this as he stayed in Spain when the squad returned, and it wasn't for his holiday.
A potential new recruit could well think that if the manager cant be bothered to be here when I visit the club, what will he be like to play for.


Just read that single word again, "Unbelievable." You cant hide yourself away from what is unravelling at the moment. You post as if we are in the promotion hunt, with your I'd be prepared to give him more time mantra.
Even on deadline day, and how appropriate that phrase is becoming, and days leading up to it we knew what was going to play out with robinson. More excuses and either a croc, or obscure player from abroad, who hasn't played for months. And it came true. Yet you still came forward with your authoritative source winding you up like a top

I don't know what's worse, being accused of hiding away on this forum, or being expected to respond to these types of post?!

What we've seen in recent days is that this place gets a little ugly when things aren't going well.

I'll continue to post, and have had some fairly balanced responses from those at the polar opposite end of the KR debate. But these nonsensical posts, the point scoring, and the down right disgraceful personal allegations are making this a pretty unpleasant place to be.

 

[Oxymoron]

I have never said I am in the now at all, but I can tell you 100% that there were players who said no thank you.

Surely you would have to be "in the now" [sic] to be able to tell 100%. If not, isn't that just supposition?

 

[Mellowyellow]

Surely you would have to be "in the now" [sic] to be able to tell 100%. If not, isn't that just supposition?

I am too much in the know regarding this scenario. I could be really in the know if I asked questions, but its too close, family.

 

[Mellowyellow]

I don't know what's worse, being accused of hiding away on this forum, or being expected to respond to these types of post?!

What we've seen in recent days is that this place gets a little ugly when things aren't going well.

I'll continue to post, and have had some fairly balanced responses from those at the polar opposite end of the KR debate. But these nonsensical posts, the point scoring, and the down right disgraceful personal allegations are making this a pretty unpleasant place to be.

Yet you still will not respond regarding where your information comes from, or whether it is simply blind faith supporting an entity that has single handidly messed up this clubs best chance of promotion in 10 years.

 

[Essexyellows]

I don't think you've presented the "known facts" accurately. Money was available, both for transfer fees and wages. We spent well on several players without the marquee signings, but still very competitively. There was talk of top 4 budgets, but we didn't spend it all. I'd guess that we were still in the top 8 for actual spending, but I couldn't say for certain exactly where.

The problem was that the players we wanted didn't arrive, and there were various reasons for that.

Ryan Hardie simply didn't want to leave Plymouth, and you have to respect that in the same way as we respect Cam for staying. Thomas-Asante knew that there was Championship interested and waited for those bids.

Others chose other league one sides over us. Unfortunately, despite looking to compete, I'm not sure that we are yet able to match the likes of Sheff Wed, Ipswich and a couple of others as serious promotion candidates (even before the season started). Also they and others were paying wages much higher than we would have wanted to pay.

However, there were also players that we should have looked at. Jack Tucker, Darragh Burns and Dawson Devoy were players we should have been looking at over MK Dons as examples. Others wouldn't have stretched the budget but would have been solid squad players to build on.

We were genuinely looking at players like Tyler Morton and I think we got a little star struck with some of those on our radar and rather than have one or two marquee signings to add sparkle to the team, we missed the opportunity to get the basics right.

The idea that the club are looking to treadwater may have a little validity, it's hard to tell when we're going off one 15 minute interview 12 months ago to know exactly what they want from the footballing side. However, I think we can see in the pressure Robinson is clearly under we're seriously under performing.

If Robiinson stays, and I like the guy so would be more patient than most, then we badly need people in and around the club to help him. I don't buy the ego stuff that some label him with. Every successful football manager has an ego! But I'm sure he's open to working with others, especially if it takes some of the nonsense off his workload.

We need to move the club forward and improve every area of the club from top to bottom. There's some fantastic people behind the scenes who live and breath Oxford United, but they can't do it on their own. And I include Robinson in that.

The next few weeks and months are crucial and we have to hear from those at the top to truly understand what their ambitions are, and how they will be achieved.

As per my previous post, the Plan A failed, had a knock effect on Plans B,C & D and we ended up with 40% of what was needed,

As for those at the top ...........if we get PP they stay & invest, if we don`t then stand in the car park and wave them, and the soon to be homeless club, goodbye.

Personally I would give KR until Christmas/New Year to allow the injuries to be less debilitating and see what happens, it is only September and there is a long way to go yet.

I don`t think the board or KR would be "tactically disappointed" if we finish mid-table or either side of it but would expect "panic" if we are looking at relegation.

 

[yellowbow]

As per my previous post, the Plan A failed, had a knock effect on Plans B,C & D and we ended up with 40% of what was needed,

As for those at the top ...........if we get PP they stay & invest, if we don`t then stand in the car park and wave them, and the soon to be homeless club, goodbye.

Personally I would give KR until Christmas/New Year to allow the injuries to be less debilitating and see what happens, it is only September and there is a long way to go yet.

I don`t think the board or KR would be "tactically disappointed" if we finish mid-table or either side of it but would expect "panic" if we are looking at relegation.

Hmmm…. I think you’re discounting what the general feeling among the fan base will be like in that scenario.. If we bumble about mid table this season, or just below, and KR announces that he was happy with that and starts talking about how next season will be different I think he’ll be drowned out by the boos. And that’s if he’s lucky! Things have already got very toxic. I think his position as already got close to untenable.

Having said that, some of the stuff flying about in the last 24 hours has been quite shameful. We can all have an opinion about someone’s performance as a manager but the personal stuff, especially when there’s nothing substantial to back it up, is totally out of order.

 

[Nadi-]

Think I’ll just throw it out there.
Michael O’Neill as dof

 

[5aside]

Think I’ll just throw it out there.
Michael O’Neill as dof

Would be good but O’Neill let his feeling be known about Robinson when Gavin Whyte was first called up for NI so I’m not sure he would come to us