| DoF 19:57 - Jan 7 with 18772 views | RuislipHoop |
Les F and Chris R have been in charge of Football at this club since 2015,recruitment,technical and all playing matters with not a sign of success at any level,at wot point do the owners think “ maybe this isnt working ?” |  | | |  |
| DoF on 12:02 - Jan 8 with 2070 views | rickywelton |
| DoF on 10:57 - Jan 8 by stowmarketrange |
I get that fans only moan when we lose,but they were the same people as last season when we looked good for a playoff place until Christmas,and they were the same people who were in charge when we got to the top of the table in October.
The only other constant is the players who are meant to be doing their jobs on the pitch.As someone else posted,you can tolerate getting beaten if the players give 100%,but it’s inexcusable to lose a game of football when they haven’t busted a gut to get a result.And you can’t blame the DOF for what happens when these professionals cross the white line. |
The Players are at fault for yesterday, but whose responsible for bringing those players in, the DOF! Ferdinand has been here since 2014 what has exactly improved? Where are the youth players coming through and being sold for a profit? What youth and development coaches has he brought in that have gone onto bigger and better things?
The club is shambolic in terms of recruitment and youth development, it was only last year both our U18/21 finished bottom of their leagues. At any other club he and several of the youth and development coaches would have been replaced but we seem to accept poor performances at all levels.
It’s a result based business and should be run as such! | | | |
| DoF on 12:08 - Jan 8 with 2026 views | Dixie_CT |
| DoF on 09:58 - Jan 8 by 89_50 |
I appreciate emotions are high right now, but this 'sack Les, sack the board, get new owners' reaction won't solve anything.
From the moment we were relegated, it was always going to be a case of reduce the wage bill, keep the club away from further free-fall and build a more sustainable financial ground - given the size and length of fine that was waiting for us the moment we set foot back in the Championship.
Les and Lee have done that.
It's difficult to be competitive, challenge for promotion, and do that all at once - perhaps nearly impossible.
The change in recruitment strategy, of finding unpolished players or players with questionable injury histories and fixing them is only a recent thing, in the grand scheme, and I'd say this approach has been positive. It's allowed us to play a certain style, get up on the fringes of playoffs (even if we don't sustain that challenge), and looks to be trending in the right direction.
However, some of the decisions around player retention, through contract renewals (BOS, Manning, now Willock), and decisions to hand long contracts to, frankly, crap players (Hammalainen, etc), have to sit firmly with Lee and Les, and that's an area they can rightfully be criticised.
As can the decision to blindly bring in players that a manager wants, that have no resale value, purely because a manager worked with them before.
This is something that needs cutting out, and is the reason we've been lumbered with some ex-Prem players on hefty wages, phoning in sub-par performances.
I don't think sacking Les is the right decision, but he certainly needs to front up and justify some of these questionable choices. |
In regards to Les’s achievements in his tenure:
Alan: Who was that man who was boring me at the funeral?
Chris: Oh, Peter Linehan? Well, he’s just revamped News and Current Affairs.
Alan: Yeah, but he’s finished revamping it now. So, give him a painting of a Spitfire, and let him go.
Chris: OK. |  | | |
| DoF on 12:12 - Jan 8 with 2003 views | stowmarketrange |
| DoF on 12:02 - Jan 8 by rickywelton |
The Players are at fault for yesterday, but whose responsible for bringing those players in, the DOF! Ferdinand has been here since 2014 what has exactly improved? Where are the youth players coming through and being sold for a profit? What youth and development coaches has he brought in that have gone onto bigger and better things?
The club is shambolic in terms of recruitment and youth development, it was only last year both our U18/21 finished bottom of their leagues. At any other club he and several of the youth and development coaches would have been replaced but we seem to accept poor performances at all levels.
It’s a result based business and should be run as such! |
How many players have through from the youth team in 30 years?Probably only a handful. |  | | |
| DoF on 12:16 - Jan 8 with 1969 views | DejR_vu |
| DoF on 09:47 - Jan 8 by paulhoop2 |
I always wonder would people be slagging of sir Les and CR if they were white ? Just a thought…. I believe our club has had worse over the years admin / league 1 etc. the owners keep writing the blank cheque to keep us going be very careful what you wish for. |
Seriously. FFS | |
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| DoF on 12:28 - Jan 8 with 1925 views | PlanetHonneywood |
| DoF on 09:47 - Jan 8 by paulhoop2 |
I always wonder would people be slagging of sir Les and CR if they were white ? Just a thought…. I believe our club has had worse over the years admin / league 1 etc. the owners keep writing the blank cheque to keep us going be very careful what you wish for. |
Well, given the treatment meted out to Hughes and Redknapp gor example, the answer would appear to be no!
Further, given how people like Paul Parker, Les himself, Eze etc. are held in high regard and, recalling the anti-John Terry stance and support for Anton, would be further evidence of results based views as to the 'performance' of several employees of longstanding as opposed to the colour of their skin. |  |
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| DoF on 12:29 - Jan 8 with 1924 views | traininvain |
| DoF on 09:59 - Jan 8 by DejR_vu |
The problem imo, is that we don’t have a DoF equipped to deal with the challenges the club faces.
IMO, LF was a political appointment to take the heat off TF. There was nothing, as far as I can see, to suggest he was equipped to do it. He has learnt on the job, and been found wanting, again imo. He’s had 8 years, a change is long overdue. If there were any standards whatsoever at the club, that change would have been made a long time ago. If this was anyone other than one of our greatest players, would they still be in the job?
I’m reluctant to be too hard on the ownership at this point because that are, indeed, keeping us afloat. That said, they made dreadful mistakes when we were in the Prem, mistakes that have altered our future for the worse and left us in this position, something we may never recover from. But, at this stage what can they do other than to stick around and try to put it right? My issue with them at the moment is more that the club appears to remain a rich man’s toy, but the rich men seem to bored of it and have thrown it in the corner. Surely, surely, they can see what’s going on isn’t acceptable and surely they can recognise the constants over the last few years? |
All valid points and I completely agree that Les etc shouldn’t be above criticism. I wouldn’t get rid of Les right now but I’d be asking questions if I was one of the owners.
My response was directed more towards those (not you!) calling for the owners to go. Any new owners would face the same financial reality as the current lot and I’m sure Fernandes et al would like nothing more than to go on a spending spree in January but FFP would soon catch up with the club.
I know we’re all angry but I don’t think hounding the owners out of the club will help the situation. Be careful what you wish for! |  | | |
| DoF on 12:31 - Jan 8 with 1913 views | bongo_king |
| DoF on 09:58 - Jan 8 by 89_50 |
I appreciate emotions are high right now, but this 'sack Les, sack the board, get new owners' reaction won't solve anything.
From the moment we were relegated, it was always going to be a case of reduce the wage bill, keep the club away from further free-fall and build a more sustainable financial ground - given the size and length of fine that was waiting for us the moment we set foot back in the Championship.
Les and Lee have done that.
It's difficult to be competitive, challenge for promotion, and do that all at once - perhaps nearly impossible.
The change in recruitment strategy, of finding unpolished players or players with questionable injury histories and fixing them is only a recent thing, in the grand scheme, and I'd say this approach has been positive. It's allowed us to play a certain style, get up on the fringes of playoffs (even if we don't sustain that challenge), and looks to be trending in the right direction.
However, some of the decisions around player retention, through contract renewals (BOS, Manning, now Willock), and decisions to hand long contracts to, frankly, crap players (Hammalainen, etc), have to sit firmly with Lee and Les, and that's an area they can rightfully be criticised.
As can the decision to blindly bring in players that a manager wants, that have no resale value, purely because a manager worked with them before.
This is something that needs cutting out, and is the reason we've been lumbered with some ex-Prem players on hefty wages, phoning in sub-par performances.
I don't think sacking Les is the right decision, but he certainly needs to front up and justify some of these questionable choices. |
Almost entirely agree.
Les and board have made mistakes, but have got it more right than wrong overall. If you want to put in context across all the clubs in the football league, I'd hazard a guess that at least 50 of the 92 have a worse set up than us (including some big names) so be careful before wishing a roll of that dice to chance our setup... odds are against us getting an upgrade.
I'd say the board (ex TF) have also had bits of bad luck. I personally was pretty down when Warbs left, he felt so right for our club, despite the mass drop off in form and was pretty devistated to see him go. I doubted we'd get someone who could make us better. Beale's appointment was a pleasant left-field surprise, and ticked the right boxes. Some may say the board should have seen the risk of his ambition, but I'd say It's tough to rule for a 41 year old whose spent 15 years in the shadows to turn out to be such a monumental pr!ck that he'll screw over the first club that gives him a chance... after hiding those 15 years in the shadows. There is a parallel universe where PBBC is not such a PBBC, he's still here and we are in the top 6 still, so it still looks like the stroke of genius appointment it was just a few months back.
That said, there are plenty of questions to be asked.... notably the long contracts for hamaleinen in particular as a knee jerk to the BOS saga... and the massive rift with Warbs from this time last year on.
So yes some things to answer for but sacking him unlikely to make it better. | | | |
| DoF on 12:55 - Jan 8 with 1842 views | DejR_vu |
| DoF on 12:28 - Jan 8 by PlanetHonneywood |
Well, given the treatment meted out to Hughes and Redknapp gor example, the answer would appear to be no!
Further, given how people like Paul Parker, Les himself, Eze etc. are held in high regard and, recalling the anti-John Terry stance and support for Anton, would be further evidence of results based views as to the 'performance' of several employees of longstanding as opposed to the colour of their skin. |
Throwing around unfounded insinuations like that is repulsive | |
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| DoF on 13:14 - Jan 8 with 1795 views | 08olesen |
Les and Ramsey have to go, Andy Belk too.
We seem incapable of thinking outside the box which is desperately needed on our budget. Other than Paal (who has done well tbf), every player we seem to sign is a run of the mill efl player.
Look at what Brentford have done with Maupay, Benrahma, Norgaard etc. in recent years. There is no chance would would have the creative thought to sign those players.
If you sign lower half championship players, the chances are that you will be a lower-half championship team.
We need experienced people who have been part of well run clubs not jobs for the boys. It has worked well with Lee Hoos and now we need to do the same thing with the roles of Les, AB and CR. |  |
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| DoF on 13:32 - Jan 8 with 1761 views | stanistheman |
| DoF on 10:26 - Jan 8 by stowmarketrange |
I don’t doubt that some fans would never be happy with what’s gone on since LF was made DOF,but it’s only when we get a run of results like this that the majority of anti Les posts get aired. |
That could be because if we post anti Les comments during such a run we would be accused of not being satisfied and just always expecting better.
However after 8 seasons of not going anywhere and not making the play offs even once, after seeing a succession of poor striker signings, some poor management appointments, no young prospects from our youth ranks, surely someone has to be held responsible.
QPR are going backwards and have been overtaken by a number of small clubs like Brighton Brentford and Bournemouth and the likes of Luton Preston Millwall will also be looking to overtake us. But let’s not put the blame on the DoF. If it isn’t his fault then just what is he directing? | | | |
| DoF on 13:42 - Jan 8 with 1746 views | Terry49 |
Why even think Critchley will not be here. The only way he will leave is if he resigns. What idiot would give a 3.5 year contract to somebody who has only been a manager once. Simply cannot afford to sack him even if we wanted to. | | | |
| DoF on 13:47 - Jan 8 with 1729 views | rickywelton |
| DoF on 12:12 - Jan 8 by stowmarketrange |
How many players have through from the youth team in 30 years?Probably only a handful. |
Agreed but is his job to improve that and he hasn’t we have gone backwards in terms of youth development! | | | |
| DoF on 14:13 - Jan 8 with 1664 views | themodfather |
have we progressed with les and co?
ok we flirt with top 6 and collapse away, but we are not hovering over the drop zone as some years before and then sweating on other results, "must win" games, er they all are!
are the youth players coming thru, getting games and being sold at a profit, to bring revenue in?
how many "hand picked/ targeted" players have we had ? washington , smyth, gladwin?? few do anything, so if not chosen by the manager of the day, who does the scouting? | | | |
| DoF on 14:22 - Jan 8 with 1623 views | Sonofpugwash |
From today's Twitter
"Seeing a lot of negative reactions to him(Critchley). I'm a Blackpool fan, and honestly, stay patient and stick with him. The guy knows his stuff and knows how to set up. He started really slow at Blackpool, after his first 7 games we were in the relegation zone in league 1. We then went up"
Lots of rather vitriolic stuff on social media about yesterday as you might imagine. |  |
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| DoF on 14:24 - Jan 8 with 1613 views | paulhoop2 |
I stand by the comment to an extent as it’s always them
Getting the stick - Andy belk escapes most criticism I just wondered why that is? Sir Les and CR are doing a good job on the whole. New Training Ground - tick , Stability in academy - tick , advising owners on football matters - tick.
The real question I would ask is this…. Who else would
You want in those roles that that are crucial these days in football? Who else out there would be willing to write the millions needed to just break even? Who else would touch the club financially ? Finally where else would the club afford to move too? Obviously would sell LR for millions but where is the land for This ? Ground share with Fulham would potentially work but most fans would not accept this. If I offended people on here I apologies that wasn’t my intention but I do believe a valid point to raise. | |
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| DoF on 14:37 - Jan 8 with 1565 views | aston_hoop |
The problem we have now is that we have a relegation budget but with fans who expect promotion. Not really sure what the people in charge can do about that, suspect we'll find out soon enough that the grass is also rotten on the other side. Maybe even worse than where we are now. |  |
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| DoF on 14:45 - Jan 8 with 1552 views | Spaghetti_Hoops |
One of the funny things about this sort of thread is the general lack of appreciation that there are 23 other teams in this division all busting a gut to try to climb the greasy pole to promotion. All but a few have bigger, more modern grounds, bigger crowds, more income and overall better infrastructure. Because of those things they can often attract better players.
The guys that are running our club are fighting those clubs with one hand tied behind their backs. The basic reason is Loftus Road. You can't grow a following in the good times with a small stadium like ours. So in the ordinary times there just isn't the income.
Unless the stars align with an exceptional manager or an Adel Taarabt or a flukey Play-Off win promotion is beyond us. Otherwise the guys running the club are doing OK. In my opinion they are improving. Mainly learning from their mistakes and trying their best. Its just a very greasy pole. | | | |
| DoF on 14:54 - Jan 8 with 1535 views | Dixie_CT |
| DoF on 14:45 - Jan 8 by Spaghetti_Hoops |
One of the funny things about this sort of thread is the general lack of appreciation that there are 23 other teams in this division all busting a gut to try to climb the greasy pole to promotion. All but a few have bigger, more modern grounds, bigger crowds, more income and overall better infrastructure. Because of those things they can often attract better players.
The guys that are running our club are fighting those clubs with one hand tied behind their backs. The basic reason is Loftus Road. You can't grow a following in the good times with a small stadium like ours. So in the ordinary times there just isn't the income.
Unless the stars align with an exceptional manager or an Adel Taarabt or a flukey Play-Off win promotion is beyond us. Otherwise the guys running the club are doing OK. In my opinion they are improving. Mainly learning from their mistakes and trying their best. Its just a very greasy pole. |
If Loftus Road is the problem, and I don’t think it is and definitely not in isolation,10 years and no closer to a new stadium. | | | |
| DoF on 15:01 - Jan 8 with 1488 views | Damo1962 |
| DoF on 14:37 - Jan 8 by aston_hoop |
The problem we have now is that we have a relegation budget but with fans who expect promotion. Not really sure what the people in charge can do about that, suspect we'll find out soon enough that the grass is also rotten on the other side. Maybe even worse than where we are now. |
I certainly don't expect promotion. Anyone with sense can see the restraints the club is under, but that is not an excuse for tolerating half-arsed players and performances. Even with that tart Beale, I never expected us to be anything more than top ten at best, as I have known for quite a while, the limitations of a lot of this squad. If Critchley can keep us out of trouble...he will have achieved his first goal. I just want our pride back...and not be seen as a laughing stock. Is that too much to ask for? | | | |
| DoF on 15:14 - Jan 8 with 1461 views | Spaghetti_Hoops |
| DoF on 15:01 - Jan 8 by Damo1962 |
I certainly don't expect promotion. Anyone with sense can see the restraints the club is under, but that is not an excuse for tolerating half-arsed players and performances. Even with that tart Beale, I never expected us to be anything more than top ten at best, as I have known for quite a while, the limitations of a lot of this squad. If Critchley can keep us out of trouble...he will have achieved his first goal. I just want our pride back...and not be seen as a laughing stock. Is that too much to ask for? |
We are not a laughing stock. Most of the teams in the Championship would have done exactly the same as us against Fleetwood i.e. not a priority, so, not 100% on our game, so, easy to beat by a motivated League One team.
We have seen the same scenario played out over and over again.
For me we got our pride back against Sheff Utd. The cup is best forgotten. | | | |
| DoF on 15:30 - Jan 8 with 1403 views | OldPedro |
| DoF on 14:54 - Jan 8 by Dixie_CT |
If Loftus Road is the problem, and I don’t think it is and definitely not in isolation,10 years and no closer to a new stadium. |
Surely the issue with a new stadium is location - unless we move out of the area, very few sites are available |  |
| Extra mature cheddar......a simple cheese for a simple man |
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| DoF on 15:31 - Jan 8 with 1392 views | Damo1962 |
| DoF on 15:14 - Jan 8 by Spaghetti_Hoops |
We are not a laughing stock. Most of the teams in the Championship would have done exactly the same as us against Fleetwood i.e. not a priority, so, not 100% on our game, so, easy to beat by a motivated League One team.
We have seen the same scenario played out over and over again.
For me we got our pride back against Sheff Utd. The cup is best forgotten. |
When we string a few more performances like Sheff Utd together, then I'll agree with you. Doesn't matter what competition we are playing in, yesterday, and a lot of games prior to it( especially at LR) - have been unacceptable. | | | |
| DoF on 15:42 - Jan 8 with 1384 views | davman |
| DoF on 15:30 - Jan 8 by OldPedro |
Surely the issue with a new stadium is location - unless we move out of the area, very few sites are available |
...and whilst moving to Milton Keynes is a massive no no, moving a borough or two to safeguard the future of the club and maybe get a few new fans interested wouldn't exactly be a bad thing, right?
The Owners keep telling us that they want to hang around and invest, but can't because of the S&P restrictions, but a new ground wouldn't come under those rules, so...
(Or maybe they don't want to "invest" any more than the £18m per year they are currently covering our losses with...).
Seriously, though, if it really will make a difference, why are so many opposed from a move Westward? [Post edited 8 Jan 2023 15:47]
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| DoF on 16:01 - Jan 8 with 1347 views | Dixie_CT |
| DoF on 15:30 - Jan 8 by OldPedro |
Surely the issue with a new stadium is location - unless we move out of the area, very few sites are available |
There have been and are local options but we have made a bit of a pigs ear of the relationships needed to get the planning. Whether that is with H & F, Car Giant, or the OPDC.
We have however managed to build some flats at Oaklands Rise: https://www.nhg.org.uk/building-homes/developments/oaklands-old-oak-common/
Go figure! | | | |
| DoF on 16:27 - Jan 8 with 1290 views | HOOPNO7 |
| DoF on 15:14 - Jan 8 by Spaghetti_Hoops |
We are not a laughing stock. Most of the teams in the Championship would have done exactly the same as us against Fleetwood i.e. not a priority, so, not 100% on our game, so, easy to beat by a motivated League One team.
We have seen the same scenario played out over and over again.
For me we got our pride back against Sheff Utd. The cup is best forgotten. |
If the club doesn't see the cups as a priority then why bother registering to play in them.
Yesterdays team was second best all over the field & that is down to the manager to motivate the players. Once they are on the pitch the players need to show desire, passion & leadership all of which was non existent.
LF has had 8 years in the role & what has he achieved? Time for a new DOF |  | | |
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