Manager/Coach Robbo to WBA

[Foley]

He also cares very much for the football club.

I don’t give a monkeys how much someone cares, they are paid to do a job, and it’s a points business.

There are patterns forming!

We always start slowly why?
We can’t beat the better clubs in the league why?
We always blow hot and cold have a good run followed by a bad one why?
KR never starts Agyei when it’s deserved why?
He always makes his subs too late for them to make an impact why?
He’s not very pro active of flexible with his formations why?
KR is obsessed with wingers why?
KR never accepts the blame for poor results why?
KR puts players under the bus why?
KR always mentions things about possible transfers and tells us they are imminent, yet we must wait longer why? Better to say nothing at all!

I could go on

Goodness.
We have come in the top 6 twice in a row (the highest for over 2 decades) and you write a long list of negatives.
At least you are not claiming any remote balance in your post.

 

[Eaststanding]

You’re exaggerating though, I’m pretty sure if we’d won everything then no-one at all would be questioning the manager. You could just as well say ‘I swear if Robinson got us back to back relegations down to non-league someone on here would be saying ‘yeah but he really cares about the club and does so much behind the scenes’’

Don’t get me wrong, I think that playoffs two seasons in a row is good, I’m just saying that some of the criticism he gets is due to the perceived failure, and it’s too much to say it would still be said on here if for example we’d gone up last season and stayed up in the Championship this year

you’re exaggerating though, I’m pretty sure if we’d won everything then no-one at all would be questioning the manager.

I’m pretty sure they would, because some people, not all people, are never entirely happy.

 

[Scotchegg]

you’re exaggerating though, I’m pretty sure if we’d won everything then no-one at all would be questioning the manager.

I’m pretty sure they would, because some people, not all people, are never entirely happy.

Some would still only "tolerate" Robinson!!!

 

[beyondthefourth]

Portsmouth if they didn’t bow to supporter pressure and thinking like Sunderland that they should be PL and stayed with Kenny Jackett would have made the playoffs. Their blow was unbelievable

So Portsmouth bowed to supporter pressure, and sacked a manager that has failed to get them promoted for the last three seasons on a decent budget. You disagree, and say they should have kept Jackett. Yet you're asking us to make a change of manager that has gone a step further than Portsmouth in each of the last two seasons?

It's all very well if we have someone ready to replace him, that can do the exact same thing as KR in terms of youth, communication, developing saleable assets... and is good enough to gain us 20 extra points a season for automatic promotion ahead of the 8/9 teams that are better set up for championship football than us.

Do you have any candidates?

 

[Symp59]

KR and his staff are Brilliant we aren't Sunderland there budget when they came down that first season was 11million. We are a small club punching above our wait I will be gutted if and when he goes.

 

[LeftSideBoy]

Yes, he's great at putting his nose up people's arses, and raising his profile.

Absolutely ridiculous. Is that any different to a player playing as well as they can, in order to secure a move to a bigger club? KR’s performance is directly linked to the performance of the players and the performance of the players, is directly linked to the success of the club. He has helped to raise the profile of our club, and I don’t really care what you say about that, because that’s a fact. 2 successive play off runs, big cup games against premier league sides, and all of that has been done with a budget that’s much smaller than some of the teams that we have finished above!

For all his flaws, we could much worse than Karl! We could quite easily that club down the A420. Sometimes, a bit of perspective is needed..

 

[IsleofWightYellow]

you’re exaggerating though, I’m pretty sure if we’d won everything then no-one at all would be questioning the manager.

I’m pretty sure they would, because some people, not all people, are never entirely happy.

Yes and I’m pretty sure if we got relegated some people would still be defending him. You get idiots at both ends of the spectrum...

 

[Mad Dog]

Jack Stevens. Apart from Stevens are there any academy players who have become a fixture in the first team during Robinson's tenure? (Long and Ruffels debuted in or before 2015 and were both established players when he arrived)

I can think of several who make a debut, are the bigged up by Robbo and disappear shortly after (Lopez, Jones, L-CP...) Napa's the only one I can think of and he made 14 appearances.

If I'm not wrong the academy is either not performing or Robbo's not brought a single player through.

Ruffels and Long were introduced to the first team squad in 2013, as was Callum O'dowda, by Chris Wilder, and were only fringe players, throughout both Wilder and Mapps reign, with the exception of O'dowda, who progressed well under Mapp.

But who did Mapp himself bring through the ranks? Off the top of my head, I can't think of anyone, other than occasionally using Ruffels at left back or midfield in an emergency, and he helped O'dowda progress, but we all agree he was a great manager for us.

Robinson has brought through a number of youth team players, and helped them to progress, maybe some of them haven't made the grade with us, but that's not Robbo's fault, he's brought them through nonetheless, given them opportunities, and continues to do so.

He has also nurtured Ruffels and Long, helping them become top league one full backs, with Ruffels being eyed up by Championship clubs, and both Ruffs and Long winning players and supporters player of the season awards, and given Jack Stevens the chance to kick on, and become our new number one, winning young player of the season, and who is now also being watched by Championship clubs. So Robbo must be doing something right.

But it's not always about who a manager has brought through the ranks, as if there's nothing particularly special coming through the youth teams during their reign, then thats hard luck, bad timing, and not the managers fault.

Even Alex Ferguson will admit, he got lucky, that just when his original title winning squad was ageing and going stale, a whole new crop of freakishly good talent was coming through, all at once, at just the right time, it was up to him to nurture that talent, and he did.

So just because we might not be producing gems left right and centre from the academy right now, doesn't mean Robbo is responsible for that, maybe the talent just isn't there right now, but nobody can claim he isn't giving some of them opportunities.

But Robbo has also brought in players for their first professional contracts, such as Atkinson, Whyte, Agyei and Moore, with Atkinson attracting interest from Championship clubs, and Whyte already being snapped up by a Championship club after one season.

In the same way Mapp brought in players like Lundstram, Roofe, Ledson and Rothwell for their first senior contracts, and helped them progress, but for some reason Robbo doesn't get the same recognition or credit.

OK, he has his faults, and does display a tactical nativity at times, and can be guilty of stubborn arrogance and pigheadedness, like a lot of managers, and maybe thats why he's still managing in league one, but he's our manager, and he's done well since he's been here, helping us progress even more, since Mapp had taken us up a level before him, and Wilder before him, and he deserves credit for that.

I believe he's capable of getting us promoted to the Championship, do I believe he could keep us at that level, maybe, do I believe he could take us higher, maybe not, but I'm pleased with the progress we've made since he's been here, even if some of his decision making at times can confuse and frustrate me!

But unless Mapp was miraculously available all of a sudden, right now I can't think of anyone else I'd choose to replace Robbo, and do a better job.

Let's just hope he learns from the mistakes he has made, and takes us to the next level next season...

 

[Marked Ox]

For all his flaws, we could much worse than Karl! We could quite easily that club down the A420. Sometimes, a bit of perspective is needed..

In our case, I'd say Pep Clotet.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

Ruffels and Long were introduced to the first team squad in 2013, as was Callum O'dowda, by Chris Wilder, and were only fringe players, throughout both Wilder and Mapps reign, with the exception of O'dowda, who progressed well under Mapp.

But who did Mapp himself bring through the ranks? Off the top of my head, I can't think of anyone, other than occasionally using Ruffels at left back or midfield in an emergency, and he helped O'dowda progress, but we all agree he was a great manager for us.

Robinson has brought through a number of youth team players, and helped them to progress, maybe some of them haven't made the grade with us, but that's not Robbo's fault, he's brought them through nonetheless, given them opportunities, and continues to do so.

He has also nurtured Ruffels and Long, helping them become top league one full backs, with Ruffels being eyed up by Championship clubs, and both Ruffs and Long winning players and supporters player of the season awards, and given Jack Stevens the chance to kick on, and become our new number one, winning young player of the season, and who is now also being watched by Championship clubs. So Robbo must be doing something right.

But it's not always about who a manager has brought through the ranks, as if there's nothing particularly special coming through the youth teams during their reign, then thats hard luck, bad timing, and not the managers fault.

Even Alex Ferguson will admit, he got lucky, that just when his original title winning squad was ageing and going stale, a whole new crop of freakishly good talent was coming through, all at once, at just the right time, it was up to him to nurture that talent, and he did.

So just because we might not be producing gems left right and centre from the academy right now, doesn't mean Robbo is responsible for that, maybe the talent just isn't there right now, but nobody can claim he isn't giving some of them opportunities.

But Robbo has also brought in players for their first professional contracts, such as Atkinson, Whyte, Agyei and Moore, with Atkinson attracting interest from Championship clubs, and Whyte already being snapped up by a Championship club after one season.

In the same way Mapp brought in players like Lundstram, Roofe, Ledson and Rothwell for their first senior contracts, and helped them progress, but for some reason Robbo doesn't get the same recognition or credit.

OK, he has his faults, and does display a tactical nativity at times, and can be guilty of stubborn arrogance and pigheadedness, like a lot of managers, and maybe thats why he's still managing in league one, but he's our manager, and he's done well since he's been here, helping us progress even more, since Mapp had taken us up a level before him, and Wilder before him, and he deserves credit for that.

I believe he's capable of getting us promoted to the Championship, do I believe he could keep us at that level, maybe, do I believe he could take us higher, maybe not, but I'm pleased with the progress we've made since he's been here, even if some of his decision making at times can confuse and frustrate me!

But unless Mapp was miraculously available all of a sudden, right now I can't think of anyone else I'd choose to replace Robbo, and do a better job.

Let's just hope he learns from the mistakes he has made, and takes us to the next level next season...

I’d also say it was down to Robinson with regards to selling Shandon for a good fee. He brought him into the first team and developed him. He is was also very clever at giving him the armband vs Man City.

I’m not sure Mapp would of done the same.

 

[Mad Dog]

I’d also say it was down to Robinson with regards to selling Shandon for a good fee. He brought him into the first team and developed him. He is was also very clever at giving him the armband vs Man City.

I’m not sure Mapp would of done the same.

Blimey, I'd forgotten all about Baptiste!

 

[CPOUFC]

Ruffels and Long were introduced to the first team squad in 2013, as was Callum O'dowda, by Chris Wilder, and were only fringe players, throughout both Wilder and Mapps reign, with the exception of O'dowda, who progressed well under Mapp.

But who did Mapp himself bring through the ranks? Off the top of my head, I can't think of anyone, other than occasionally using Ruffels at left back or midfield in an emergency, and he helped O'dowda progress, but we all agree he was a great manager for us.

Robinson has brought through a number of youth team players, and helped them to progress, maybe some of them haven't made the grade with us, but that's not Robbo's fault, he's brought them through nonetheless, given them opportunities, and continues to do so.

He has also nurtured Ruffels and Long, helping them become top league one full backs, with Ruffels being eyed up by Championship clubs, and both Ruffs and Long winning players and supporters player of the season awards, and given Jack Stevens the chance to kick on, and become our new number one, winning young player of the season, and who is now also being watched by Championship clubs. So Robbo must be doing something right.

But it's not always about who a manager has brought through the ranks, as if there's nothing particularly special coming through the youth teams during their reign, then thats hard luck, bad timing, and not the managers fault.

Even Alex Ferguson will admit, he got lucky, that just when his original title winning squad was ageing and going stale, a whole new crop of freakishly good talent was coming through, all at once, at just the right time, it was up to him to nurture that talent, and he did.

So just because we might not be producing gems left right and centre from the academy right now, doesn't mean Robbo is responsible for that, maybe the talent just isn't there right now, but nobody can claim he isn't giving some of them opportunities.

But Robbo has also brought in players for their first professional contracts, such as Atkinson, Whyte, Agyei and Moore, with Atkinson attracting interest from Championship clubs, and Whyte already being snapped up by a Championship club after one season.

In the same way Mapp brought in players like Lundstram, Roofe, Ledson and Rothwell for their first senior contracts, and helped them progress, but for some reason Robbo doesn't get the same recognition or credit.

OK, he has his faults, and does display a tactical nativity at times, and can be guilty of stubborn arrogance and pigheadedness, like a lot of managers, and maybe thats why he's still managing in league one, but he's our manager, and he's done well since he's been here, helping us progress even more, since Mapp had taken us up a level before him, and Wilder before him, and he deserves credit for that.

I believe he's capable of getting us promoted to the Championship, do I believe he could keep us at that level, maybe, do I believe he could take us higher, maybe not, but I'm pleased with the progress we've made since he's been here, even if some of his decision making at times can confuse and frustrate me!

But unless Mapp was miraculously available all of a sudden, right now I can't think of anyone else I'd choose to replace Robbo, and do a better job.

Let's just hope he learns from the mistakes he has made, and takes us to the next level next season...

Great post.

 

[LeftSideBoy]

Ruffels and Long were introduced to the first team squad in 2013, as was Callum O'dowda, by Chris Wilder, and were only fringe players, throughout both Wilder and Mapps reign, with the exception of O'dowda, who progressed well under Mapp.

But who did Mapp himself bring through the ranks? Off the top of my head, I can't think of anyone, other than occasionally using Ruffels at left back or midfield in an emergency, and he helped O'dowda progress, but we all agree he was a great manager for us.

Robinson has brought through a number of youth team players, and helped them to progress, maybe some of them haven't made the grade with us, but that's not Robbo's fault, he's brought them through nonetheless, given them opportunities, and continues to do so.

He has also nurtured Ruffels and Long, helping them become top league one full backs, with Ruffels being eyed up by Championship clubs, and both Ruffs and Long winning players and supporters player of the season awards, and given Jack Stevens the chance to kick on, and become our new number one, winning young player of the season, and who is now also being watched by Championship clubs. So Robbo must be doing something right.

But it's not always about who a manager has brought through the ranks, as if there's nothing particularly special coming through the youth teams during their reign, then thats hard luck, bad timing, and not the managers fault.

Even Alex Ferguson will admit, he got lucky, that just when his original title winning squad was ageing and going stale, a whole new crop of freakishly good talent was coming through, all at once, at just the right time, it was up to him to nurture that talent, and he did.

So just because we might not be producing gems left right and centre from the academy right now, doesn't mean Robbo is responsible for that, maybe the talent just isn't there right now, but nobody can claim he isn't giving some of them opportunities.

But Robbo has also brought in players for their first professional contracts, such as Atkinson, Whyte, Agyei and Moore, with Atkinson attracting interest from Championship clubs, and Whyte already being snapped up by a Championship club after one season.

In the same way Mapp brought in players like Lundstram, Roofe, Ledson and Rothwell for their first senior contracts, and helped them progress, but for some reason Robbo doesn't get the same recognition or credit.

OK, he has his faults, and does display a tactical nativity at times, and can be guilty of stubborn arrogance and pigheadedness, like a lot of managers, and maybe thats why he's still managing in league one, but he's our manager, and he's done well since he's been here, helping us progress even more, since Mapp had taken us up a level before him, and Wilder before him, and he deserves credit for that.

I believe he's capable of getting us promoted to the Championship, do I believe he could keep us at that level, maybe, do I believe he could take us higher, maybe not, but I'm pleased with the progress we've made since he's been here, even if some of his decision making at times can confuse and frustrate me!

But unless Mapp was miraculously available all of a sudden, right now I can't think of anyone else I'd choose to replace Robbo, and do a better job.

Let's just hope he learns from the mistakes he has made, and takes us to the next level next season...

Spot on!

 

[battman]

Goodness.
We have come in the top 6 twice in a row (the highest for over 2 decades) and you write a long list of negatives.
At least you are not claiming any remote balance in your post.

He's writing a long list of negatives because they're the exact things that those who praise Karl to the hilt never acknowledge, let alone try to explain.

I can't speak for anyone else, but when I justify my reasons for thinking we can do better than the current manager, I say that despite our league finishes, because there are fundamental basic mistakes that are being made that really hinder this group of players from achieving their very best: Championship football. The repeated mistakes include the unbalanced squad building, the tactical inflexibility, the regular poor runs of form and the odd aberration of a result (Wycombe, Swindon, Tranmere).

What I haven't seen from anyone who wants Karl to stay is a defence of his methods. It's always about 'we finished in the play-offs' etc. And did we win them? No, we're still in League One so it comes down to nothing, especially in the way we lost to Wycombe and were brushed aside by Blackpool.

What I'd like you or any of Karl's supporters to do is to pick one of Leysboy's points and actually address them. Because whilst Karl may in your eyes have done some great things for the football club, let's stop pretending he's a perfect manager who can escape criticism due to a few favourable league positions.

 

[bashamwonderland]

He's writing a long list of negatives because they're the exact things that those who praise Karl to the hilt never acknowledge, let alone try to explain.

I can't speak for anyone else, but when I justify my reasons for thinking we can do better than the current manager, I say that despite our league finishes, because there are fundamental basic mistakes that are being made that really hinder this group of players from achieving their very best: Championship football. The repeated mistakes include the unbalanced squad building, the tactical inflexibility, the regular poor runs of form and the odd aberration of a result (Wycombe, Swindon, Tranmere).

What I haven't seen from anyone who wants Karl to stay is a defence of his methods. It's always about 'we finished in the play-offs' etc. And did we win them? No, we're still in League One so it comes down to nothing, especially in the way we lost to Wycombe and were brushed aside by Blackpool.

What I'd like you or any of Karl's supporters to do is to pick one of Leysboy's points and actually address them. Because whilst Karl may in your eyes have done some great things for the football club, let's stop pretending he's a perfect manager who can escape criticism due to a few favourable league positions.

Nail on the head.

For me Karl is like Allardyce, Bruce etc. You get him in to do the job and on a results only basis, he gets that job done. He's not a poor manager. He's a good stabilising force (even if the team seems go to on very strong runs of good and bad form during the season). He's a "well the league table doesn't lie does it" manager.

But the thing that happens with Bruce, Allardyce etc. is that the fans eventually want to see some creativity. A move forward. They don't just want the "why", but also the "how".

Whether we make that move forward is going to be clear once we've seen whether he learns from last year's calamitous summer transfer season.

 

[Osleroad]

I would have Mapp back in a heartbeat, I think he’s that good.

But let’s be fair to Robbo, in the three full seasons he’s been here, he’s got us into the playoffs 2 seasons in a row, the final of one, and the quarterfinals of the League cup, thrashing a premiership club in the process.

He has done well. Very well in fact.

MApp was very good but even he lost two Wembley finals with us and I don't remember people being too pleased when he upped and left for Leicester.

 

[Thomas/Brock/Jones]

MApp was very good but even he lost two Wembley finals with us and I don't remember people being too pleased when he upped and left for Leicester.

Interestingly against a dreadful Coventry side we were by far the favourites so does App get the same ' bottle job team ' inflexible tactics thrown at him that Robbo does ?
And we played really poorly against Cov whereas against Wyc deserved to win .

 

[werthersoriginal]

Nail on the head.

For me Karl is like Allardyce, Bruce etc. You get him in to do the job and on a results only basis, he gets that job done. He's not a poor manager. He's a good stabilising force (even if the team seems go to on very strong runs of good and bad form during the season). He's a "well the league table doesn't lie does it" manager.

But the thing that happens with Bruce, Allardyce etc. is that the fans eventually want to see some creativity. A move forward. They don't just want the "why", but also the "how".

Whether we make that move forward is going to be clear once we've seen whether he learns from last year's calamitous summer transfer season.

That’s odd, he’s the exact opposite of Bruce, Allardyce etc, in that he’s not ever going to be consistent but he does give creativity and exciting football. Maybe some fans will eventually decide they want less creativity and more predictable football in order to move forwards.

 

[DevilsAvocado]

Nail on the head.

For me Karl is like Allardyce, Bruce etc. You get him in to do the job and on a results only basis, he gets that job done. He's not a poor manager. He's a good stabilising force (even if the team seems go to on very strong runs of good and bad form during the season). He's a "well the league table doesn't lie does it" manager.

But the thing that happens with Bruce, Allardyce etc. is that the fans eventually want to see some creativity. A move forward. They don't just want the "why", but also the "how".

Whether we make that move forward is going to be clear once we've seen whether he learns from last year's calamitous summer transfer season.

Allardyce and Bruce ? Is that a joke ?

Stabilising force ? Two seasons in a row we have made the play offs and have ended up in our highest league positions for years !

Calamitous summer transfer season ? Such a calamity we were lucky not to get relegated ! Not much hyperbole in that statement...

On that last point i can see what you are saying and yes mistakes were made but given the short turn around and the new squad
cap it was always going to be a bit difficult, of the 3 teams that made the play offs last year that didnt go up we finished the
highest.

The problem with hope is that when it becomes expectation its a slippery slope to entitlement and thats not a good look.

 

[Thomas/Brock/Jones]

Allardyce and Bruce ? Is that a joke ?

Stabilising force ? Two seasons in a row we have made the play offs and have ended up in our highest league positions for years !

Calamitous summer transfer season ? Such a calamity we were lucky not to get relegated ! Not much hyperbole in that statement...

On that last point i can see what you are saying and yes mistakes were made but given the short turn around and the new squad
cap it was always going to be a bit difficult, of the 3 teams that made the play offs last year that didnt go up we finished the
highest.

The problem with hope is that when it becomes expectation its a slippery slope to entitlement and thats not a good look.

Completely agree