What's Going Wrong?

By: Nick Osborne
Date: 21/10/2001

HAVING looked at our recent form and total lack of points in what is fast becoming a nose dive to a bottom three places I, like everyone else, was wondering what's going wrong. 2 points out of the last 24 isn't healthy.

Although we had a good start to the season, this was largely due to lady luck and the fact that the opposition didn't play very well. Firstly, it's only fair to point out we have a very small squad and we have to make do with players playing out of position and while not fully fit.

This particular problem can be put at two doors, the Managers and the Boards. As it's a choice I go for the board. It's very easy to blame the Manager, but he can only work with what he has got in his hand. The only way this can improve is if the board put some money into the club or find backers who have money to invest.

Some would say the board are doing all they can, given their financial limits, and maybe they are. Looking at the proposed new share issue which we are told is a must by the board, I wonder if it's going to be enough. Let's face it, the money raised isn't going to go very far is it?

I expect it to be swallowed up within two weeks in cash payments to appease the bank and to assist in the cash flow. The board have already said there is no way the bank will give or lend them any more funds, so I presume that's were it will be going, the bulk if not all.

2nd choice was the Manager: How many times has he said he wont be playing this formation or that formation ever again? I've lost count to be honest. So what's he doing?

Playing with such a small squad and coping with the injuries that we have can't be the easiest of tasks. Yet as soon as we lose a game or two we hear cries of 'sack LL'. I don't personally think that's the answer, playing a team that's not performing well and is quite obviously lacking in confidence is however, some thing he can sort out.

It's his job to motivate the players when they are feeling low isn't it? It's also his job to pick a team with players that can actually do the job. Seeing as how our front men are only small, playing the ball in the air isn't going to do them any favours and it's down to the manager to make sure they play to the best of their talents.

We all know, given the chance, he would love to have a big front man to work with, but this isn't possible because of a lack of investment in the team and the club. So it has to be down to the tactics he employs with the players he has available. Maybe that's were he is going wrong, using the wrong tactics and formations with the wrong team.

It's now time for the manager to have a good long look at the squad and see who can do what and in which position. Sacking the manager is not the answer. A new manager would only inherit the depleted squad we have and we would be left with the same problems.

A third option? The players: Looking tired and appearing to have no confidence or the will to play. Being "professionals" they should all be playing their hearts out in every game. Confidence does need to be lifted and the older players should be playing their part in that.

As for playing out of position, they will need to adjust. And if they can't, then that's back at the manager's door to pick someone who can. Which in turn goes back to the board's door because he hasn't the funds to buy players who can do the job.

The answer has to be further investment in the club. Without which, it's going to be a long hard struggle till the end of the season.

Nick Osborne

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