Enfield Town v Leatherhead

[Castorman]

I have always supported AL, I believe everyone should be given a chance and for me, this season is AL’s “probationary period”, so as this season ends, I agree with previous comments that’s he needs to be looking at next season. Some players need to go now, not AL, but should nothing have changed come September, my view point will be different. I have to say Albury Walker, when you love a club as much as some of the people on this forum, they are entitled to be frustrated (as am I) as the same issues seem to have arisen week, after week, with the odd reprise on occasion. AL is a manager, and come next season, will be expected to do his job and MANAGE football, which in turn, should produce some better results....and if not, no one can expect a man to be paid for a job that isn’t being done.

Edited February 25, 2018 by Castorman

[Theodopolous]

Loyalty is a wonderful thing 53 seasons but as the saying goes " loyalty doth butter no parsnips "...

[Raingod]

I agree that at times this forum can get a bit too negative. I wasnt there yesterday and sorry to hear the fans there on this forum did not enjoy their afternoon

 

However:

 

- previous 3 games Kingstonian, Burgess (I was at) and Dulwich were 3 good performances by all accounts .. so is there some over reaction when we have had a lesser performance yesterday?

 

- new players - Tyler, Samir, Brad, Dernell - are four GOOD signings we have made recently 

 

- AL is in agreement through his interviews on where things need to be improved.

I was at the Burgess Hil game - and the atmosphere reflected on this forum at times was not evident in my view.

 

- 53 seasons - very good point - will future players/managers be put off joiinig us if they went onto this website? I am proud of being an ETFC fan (with no "real team" as many ask!) - as the club is forward thinking,incusive, etc

 

 

By all means this should be an open forum where people can give honest opinions but sometimes recently if feels a bit TOO negative.

[53 seasons]

I would just add to Raingods summary that Leatherhead are second in the last 10 games form table (above Billericay) ; invested heavily in players this year; and we lost by a deflected free kick having spurned two good chances.

[4wembleyfinals]

Why is it always considered negative by some when others views oppose theirs? 

 

I have well documented why my opinions over the passed couple of months have been based on the consensus of views reports by others. In answer to both 53 seasons and Castorman's previous observations I would suggest that most that is written is not based on negativity but pure disillusionment by a majority of concerned supporters.

 

As to their assumption that certain views will deter future managers from taking up the post, is rather naive and some what lacks knowledge of the motivation that governs prospective football managers.

 

But perhaps they could give me their insight as to why, if we agree that we have acquired of late several

better players,  we are still prone to lapse into the same style as we were at the beginning of the season.

Surely the manager is responsible for this or is the players? Even though they have change.

As previously reported AL was alleged to have said he doesn't tell the players to play the way they do, if true, is in it self an admission of failure?

 

As to my loyalty to the cause, I first went to Southbury Road in 1947 and I have followed Enfield ever since. Even in my playing days and National Service. So I think I have earned the right to be critical of what I have seen and read regarding what has happened during the current season.

Edited February 25, 2018 by 4wembleyfinals

[53 seasons]

Please read carefully what I wrote 4WF. I corrected what I believe was an error by you regarding this year's budget. I did not directly accuse you of being negative but some comments on this thread certainly are. People, and that includes managers and players, are usually motivated by positive feedback and lose confidence and are adversely affected by being slagged off. It is unhelpful to the Club  to just continue to blame the present management after every adverse result without regard to the mess they inherited and the prospect of a brighter season next year through building a more stable squad.

[Theodopolous]

The concern is this season is now coming to an end ... only 11 matches left and there are no signs we are going to go into next season with any positive signs... that also has consequences for player retention... obviously I don't know players situations and ambitions but if I was Joe Wright or Sam Youngs or Arun Greene I'm not sure I'd want to commit to a side that will definitely struggle continuing down this path.... ETFC with its supporters and ground should be a magnet for good Ryman players but I'm not sure it is at the moment with AL admitting he can't get certain players in....

[4wembleyfinals]

53 seasons, on 25 Feb 2018 - 07:18 AM, said:

 

I understood from the AGM 4WF that the budget is actually smaller than last year, including the FA cup money which Andy and Darren's tactics help to bring. I am amazed that I am agreeing with a Cheshunt supporter on a supposedly Town website. Those who criticise so vehemently on a website accessible to the globe, should reflect on the damage they do to our Club as a good employer which gives managers a decent chance of doing a job. They certainly do not represent my views.

 

+ that written by Castorman this morning.

I did read both of your recent the above posts quite diligently. I never considered that you accused me of being negative and when commenting on the Budget I carefully used the words " I understand". Since you you used the word " actually" you are obviously better placed than me not having seen the clubs estimated Income and Expenditure account. I presume that I am also wrong in thinking that the increase in entrance fee also had anything to do with players budget.

 

What I was attempting to address is what I consider to be a false premise on your part in respect of the criticism of the current sate of affairs. You argue that because some supporters have been out spoken in this pursuit it could deter future managers in joining the club. I would take an opposite view in that some managers would see from the  criticism by some supporters and recognise their passion for the club. I believe he would conclude that with the right manager/team the club has real potential. This I believe was what attracted BQ, after all the club was in a similar state. The difference being is that the then Board took quick steps to correct the situation.

Edited February 25, 2018 by 4wembleyfinals

[andyetfc]

If managers thought about going to manage a Premiership club, and read comments in the press or on social media, then no club would ever have a manager. The knives are out for Arsene Wenger again because his team didn't win the League cup today. Who would then go to the Emerate's stadium looking for his job after all the bad press he gets?

[Theodopolous]

Is that a joke andy... they'll be queuing around the emirates... same as for every managers job that becomes available....

[53 seasons]

4WF I was merely reporting what I heard at the AGM. BQ was already with us as a player and left us in a desperate situation IMO. AndyETFC it is foolish to compare this job with a premiership position where they earn our entire squad annual playing budget  in a couple of weeks.

 

Enough said I think. My point is keep the faith; support the Club and you will get the rewards in time. No pain no gain.

[andyetfc]

I was comparing the situation.

[4wembleyfinals]

 As stated I readily accept the position, as described by you, regarding the budget.

 

However, I cannot accept that by voicing  disapproval of the manger's style of football management and ability will deter other future managers. If we all were to accept this then we would have to close down the forum or censor it so that and  only post reports of a sycophantic nature.

 

My main point, however, was that in recent years the Board have taken swift action regarding managers

when they perceived they weren't living up to expectations. One can only assume that at present they must be content with the current situation. Yes I agree that pain often precedes gain but is only acceptable for a short period. This has been going on for months. Pain for that period time is often hard to get over.

 

However, we can only hope that the next few games give us positive results and ensure our safety within this league so that we are allocated a place in a league at the same level next year.

Edited February 26, 2018 by 4wembleyfinals

[4wembleyfinals]

Sorry I forgot to specifically address my remarks to 53 Seasons as part our on going friendly discussion. 

Edited February 26, 2018 by 4wembleyfinals

[Benjrider10]

Shock horror, I find myself agreeing with Albury Walker . He's well placed to comment as an impartial observer. Let's not forget that it's generally the same dozen or so contributors on this forum and I suspect several, like me, are getting put off by the niggly, negative vibe.

 

I also agree with 53 seasons' input. I'm tired/bored (delete as appropriate) of reading posts blaming the manager when clearly the players aren't following his instructions. Yes, I know he brought most of them in, but good to see that he seems to have drawn a line and is now looking to be ruthless and start moving dead wood on. Several regular contributors find many faults with the manager but the comment I offer is that he has been too loyal to some of the players. He needed to be a bit harder earlier in the season.

 

Just watched the interview with AL on YouTube and thought, once again, that he came across well. He has already brought new players in (and some returnees) and they will improve the team, given the chance. He also made it clear that the squad are playing for their places next season, which is exactly as it should be.

 

The team lacks confidence, and only a run of wins will address that. The first half against Burgess Hill at home (which I got to see) showed the possibilities. The second half, when we were awful, showed how much confidence plays a part in the game. We played like we expected to lose a 3 goal lead.

 

I hope the players play the rest of the season without fear. We're not going to get relegated or promoted, so even though some may say we have nothing to play for, I think the entire squad has everything to play for. Let's see some character and leadership on the field and in this regard, many congratulations to Ryan Blackman for being appointed playing captain. Well deserved and a good, forward-looking move.

 

The next few weeks will prove very interesting and I trust the manager to make suitable decisions with next season in mind.

[lovely stuff]

I feel the manager needs a decent run of results until the end of the season.Plus the semblance of a settled side beginning to emerge and some momentum to take us into next season.

 

If there is no improvement of what we have been seeing for the last few months,then his position could be in jeopardy come the end of the season.

[TJFootie]

I've been following Enfield from near and far since the early 80s, since I discovered one of my PE teachers at secondary school (Bishop Stopford) was a centre half, for those of you with long memories, it was Dave Waite. After bouncing around watching various non clubs in the area, I decided that this season I would focus on watching Enfield. Now I've read a lot on this forum this season, with quotes from 'reliable sources' and 'it's my understanding' etc and whilst I agree that some of the performances haven't been good, I've found that some of the criticism being levelled at the manager has been way over the top. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and whilst I respect yours, as a payer at the turnstiles, I also have mine. My opinion is that the manager has done a job this season and he has got something to build on for next season. The man needs time and it takes time to build, if you want quick success, support Man City. Can't remember who put the comment on that he was out of his depth, but what a stupid comment that was. How can you say that about a manager who has managed this level for over 20 years, I'd also be interested in your experience at managing this level for you to back up that comment. I don't know what the budget is, but I'm afraid that the bigger the budget the better the players you can get, he doesn't have unlimited resources, that's football today. Some posters have been negative about him from the start and are quick to post after a defeat even if they haven't seen the game, also backed up by very few comments after the creditable draw recently at Dulwich. To those of you who say he is unapproachable, have you actually tried to have a conversation with the man? Well I have, I've spoken to him 3 or 4 times after a game in the bar, does he not say in his programme notes you can do that, but if your going to be half pissed and start slagging him off how do you thing he's going to react to you. I approached him and started a conversation about the game and got talking about football in general, and despite him being a Stoke City fan, his knowledge and passion was so evident. He wants to do well and will try his very best, the start of the season was the revolution now is the time for evolution, but like all things that takes time and in my opinion he will get it right. Sorry for the long first post, I don't particularly like posting on forums and in future I will try to contribute where I can.