Last time we spoke to Yeovil fans Tom Cuff and Kurtis West the Glovers were competing in the Championship, now after a year of freefall they find themselves in League Two. So what's gone so wrong?
Focusing on last season, what went so wrong, why did you drop straight through League One?
TC: I don't really think that you can pin last year’s relegation on any one reason. We really struggled to build a competitive League 1 side last summer and spent a lot of our budget on under par players that never made the cut at that level. After being in the drop zone at Christmas it was just a downhill tumble and we never really looked like we were going to revive and stay up.
KW: Last season was a true disaster and it's hard to pinpoint one sole reason, so this may take a while. Firstly we had to replace the whole defence from the Championship season. We lost all five of our back line (including goalkeeper Marek Stech) which was a huge blow for us and we never really found good enough replacements. In fact of the five players who started in defence against Doncaster on the first day of the season, only one of them was even at the club by the season closer against MK Dons.
Secondly, Gary Johnson just simply got it all wrong, the famous 'Gary Gambles' (kind of) really didn't work out for us. We massively lacked a goal scoring threat and had problems in net all season. Finally I just think Johnson was relieved of his duties too late, he was sacked a few days after the transfer window had shut, meaning anyone new coming in couldn't change what was a truly woeful team. As Yeovil do, we replaced him with assistant Terry Skiverton, who was also in the job too long. Two wins in 13 games meant Sturrock's first game, a draw with Notts County, sent us down to League 2, a truly awful season.
Looking slightly wider, last time we met you were in with a shout of staying in the Championship and now you’re League Two where did it go so wrong?
TC: It's difficult to say, it's crazy to think 2 years ago we had just won our first ever second tier game at Milwall and now we have just lost to Exeter (no disrespect! They were much better!) in the fourth tier. A lot of poor decisions off the football pitch, mainly from the management didn't help our cause in the championship and last year we just weren't good enough and did not have the fight or desire.
KW: Looking back, the Championship season has probably affected us more than we could've ever imagined. I remember that sunny day in March when we visited Loftus Road and we still had a real chance of staying up, it feels like a lifetime ago. In truth the Championship season was one I will never forget, sadly the loss of many key players at the end of that season really hit us hard and we never really recovered.
Gary Johnson was the manager who took you to the second tier, and took you down, and is now long gone. How is he remembered, why was he sacked, what did he do right, what did he do wrong?
TC: That's a lot of questions there! Johnson, and quite rightly so will forever be remembered as the manager that took 'Little Old Yeovil' to the second tier of English football and bought teams to Huish Park to play on a level playing field such as Queens Park Rangers, Leeds, Derby, Reading, Nottingham Forest, Burnley etc. However last year will leave a will leave a sour taste in many supporters mouths.
I think there were too many poor decisions that were made in our Championship campaign - the transfer listing and selling of Paddy Madden, our League One top goal scorer the year before, for instance. The management of many of our better players such as Ishmael Miller, Shane Duffy, Ed Upson and just generally too many questionable decisions that cost us in our bigger games. In the end his 'Ego" got the better of him unfortunately, this was clear to see in our starting 11 in many of our post-Christmas fixtures.
Even when relegated you couldn't help but praise what he had managed to achieve, however last summer’s spending was not short of dreadful. Many poor signings and we never managed to find a group of players that could compete. Relegation was inevitable after the Man Utd cup tie.
KW: Gary Johnson will always be remembered as a Yeovil legend. He took us from the Conference to the dizzy heights of the Championship and we'll never forget that. The way Gary had to work at Yeovil was always a huge risk - the budget meant he really didn't have the resources to bring in proven players, it was a philosophy that was deemed to fail one day. The one thing Yeovil fans will always say about Johnson was his poor man management - we lost so many talented players through his huge ego and that's something that always leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. It was obviously a sad day to see him go, but he probably got longer in the job than he would've ever had at any other club and that's truly because of his legendary status. Thanks for the memories and all that.
What do you make of Paul Sturrock so far? Experienced, great success at Plymouth, but ageing…
TC: Exactly what we needed. We required a fresh start and new squad which is exactly what he bought. A complete clear out this summer. I think it will take time for the new team to gel however the squad that Sturrock as assembled squad will come good in the long run. He has a proven track record at this level and am sure will bring the life back to Somerset again.
KW: KW: When we first appointed Paul Sturrock back in April, I was obviously delighted. We had brought in a manager with a hugely impressive record in this league and in his career as a whole. He has a calming influence which I think was massively needed after the disastrous season, he's got his style of football and hopefully the new lads he brought in can adapt to that. He seems to be a firm believer in letting the fans know what is happening which I to hear. He's brought in 17 players (So far), after only keeping five of last year's team. That was a brave decision for him to make but was probably one he had to make in order for the club to move forward. I do admit he is ageing but I do not see him as a long term replacement. He's clearly been brought into the steady the ship and there's probably not a better man we could've brought in (on our budget) to do it in this division.
Who came and who went over the summer? What do you make of the new look Yeovil?
TC: How long do you have? As mentioned in my previous answer Sturrock had a complete clear out this summer and a huge rebuilding job. Matthew Dolan who joined after being released from Bradford will bring a calm presence to our midfield and can also make things happen. He will be a key player this season and is also nice to have him return following a loan spell in 2013. It will take time to gel but believe this team will comfortably consolidate and push for promotion next year.
KW: After the season finished we needed a clear-out and that's exactly what Sturrock did, only keeping Artur Krysiak, Chris Weale, Jakub Sokolik, Nathan Smith, Simon Gillet and Kevin Dawson. All others being relegated or offered early terminations just one year into their contracts. Sturrock started the window off by signing former Wembley hero Matt Dolan, a great replacement for captain Joe Edwards who joined Colchester. Sturrock clearly has a game plan, get it on the wings and cross it into the big men. We've signed three strikers all over 6 foot and plenty of wingers to add to fans favourite Dawson. Crawley player of the year, Ryan Dickson, joined the club and was installed as captain by Sturrock. In all Sturrock has done some good business and I'm sure there will still be a few more to come in.
Things you learnt from the opening day defeat at Exeter?
TC: Very poor showing first half, deserved nothing more than being 0-2 down at the break. Positives were the fight back to 2-2 and the more attacking play in the second half. Typical League 2 football from both teams in that the ball was more in the air than not. Worried about our deference, especially our left hand side, I feel that will be vulnerable if exploited by pace and trickery from your right hand side.
KW: Can I just say the Exeter game was a special day for both sets of fans, celebrating the life of Adam Stansfield who played for both Exeter and Yeovil and sadly died five years ago today after a battle with cancer. In terms of the game, we started very poorly and Exeter were 2-0 up by half time. We got back into the game seconds into the second half and equalised just after with a penalty of our own. It showed us that this team had plenty of fight in them and done well to recover against a good side, unfortunately we fell asleep near the end and let in a late goal but it was a pleasing performance seeming there was eight new players in the starting 11 alone. I think we can definitely push on and give you a good game on Tuesday. It was pleasing to see the players playing for the shirt and that's all we can ask for as fans. We seem a pretty direct team this season so expect a lot of long balls up to Marcus Beck on Tuesday.
Key men and weak links in your team?
TC: Matthew Dolan in central midfield has the ability to score and pick a defence splitting pass. Although in my eyes was poor on Saturday. Steven Arthurworry our centre back will hopefully provide stability and reassurance for our defence not just on Tuesday but going forward. Again just my opinion but I think we are vulnerable on the left hand side with Nathan Smith too easy to get past and a liability when on the ball.
KW: . Let’s get the weak links out the way: it's hard to tell from just one game and a handful of pre-season games but I still think we seem a bit light up front. Also another problem for me on Saturday was the concentration of goalkeeper Chris Weale, he made two very poor errors of judgment which cost us two goals, it would not surprise me if Sturrock opted for Artur Krysiak in goal on Saturday but the goalkeeping situation seems to be a slight worry for Yeovil fans.
Onto the strong links and I genuinely think we have one of the best midfields in League Two, especially when the injured Dawson and Gillet get back we could be a real force. I also think we've got huge amounts of depth in midfield and we look relatively solid at the back, Stephen Arturworrey, a particular highlight in defence who is on loan from Fulham. He was with us last year and did very well, despite the season we had as a whole so definitely look out for him on Tuesday. Also loanee Cornick looked dangerous when coming on and he will be starting on Tuesday meaning your full backs could be in for a long game.
Short, medium and long term aims for the club?
TC:Consolidation this year and promotion next!
I would like to wish QPR, and everyone associated with the club all the success this year and hoping for a quick return to the Prem. I had a great day out there in March 2014 and although beaten was great to watch both teams play on a level playing field! I watched QPR vs Man City last November (2-2, Aguero ran the show!) and was crazy to think that only a few months back I was stood in the same away end with Yeovil.
KW: I'll answer this very simply:
Short term- Stabilise ourselves and don't get relegated out of the league.
Medium term- Get back into League One
Long term- Establish ourselves in League One and be competitive
The Twitter @loftforwords, @tomcuff
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