Bostock and now Anderson are the latest players wheeled out to say positive things about the club and endorse the manager. They do not exactly contradict Coppinger’s criticism of the players’ attitude, but it is a necessary coming-together.
Only when things go wrong do you examine the relationship between team and manager and it would be true to say that probably sometimes a team is carrying their manager, but they are the people he puts in place, so their success is not unrelated to his role. When things go wrong, critics look first at the manager. That is the way of any business or administrative body. If a failing organisation is taken over, a manager will not ignore the quality of the workers as the key to better performance, especially in a sporting context. And of course players do tend to be asked to voice support for managers if things are going wrong. When Dickov was in post player after player would be heard telling the press how they were behind him and we know how he failed and how difficult it was to warm to him and his largely unsuccessful management.
Butler who seems nice enough as a man, took over an outfit that had been successful and had suddenly begun to be vulnerable. It is possible that no one could have done better, but probably unlikely. It is irrefutably true that he has failed so far. If some players are not putting themselves out for him, he needs to replace them with some with a better attitude. We have seen several introduced who are no better; perhaps Horton or Greaves might have a future, but their presence has not made that much difference. The defenders in Moore’s 11 seem to apply themselves conscientiously anyway however and you could not say Smith or Robertson is not giving 100% even though they may make mistakes. Goalkeeping errors apart, it comes down to the front line where the ball is lost and perhaps it is those individuals that are the biggest failures. Is is really lack of effort or lack of tactical advice? There is a lot of wasted or misdirected energy by players like Lokilo and Richards too for that matter, things that were not apparent in Richards game to begin with. Simoes has skill and one assumes Moore felt he could channel it more effectively, but he did not really get started on it and his development is stagnant in a sense. In fact the more one reflects, the more it can be related to the tactical performance of the forwards.
And of course, Butler is an ex defender and Gerrard was/is the goalkeeping coach and incidentally probably responsible for the dubious promotion of Jones. Are either properly qualified to advise young forwards?
Wigan play better away than at home and are midway in the away from table compared with our 16th place (on the last 6) in home form. Overall we are of course below everyone in the last 6 games, so on that basis the money should be on Wigan. Based on our current position in all matches we are of course 24th. However we must have a slim chance of a point if Wigan do not play at their best especially if our management team can somehow get something extra out of his seemingly disenchanted crew.
My confidence has little basis but hope and perhaps a week of considerable revelation of home truths might wake them up, but the correlation between coaching of forwards and management expertise sticks. It may not be easily rectified, so I’m saying 0-0. Of course I still hope we’ll win. If we lose this one and I were Butler I might fall on my sword, metaphorically of course
DPL v Wigan Athletic
posted on 10/4/21
Rovers 2-1 Wiggin
Bogle to score.
posted on 10/4/21
I did not expect Sims to start - will he do 90 minutes? With Richards on the bench I'm now with most of you saying Bogle to get the first, and I'll add an assist from Sims!
posted on 10/4/21
Looking at the team, Coppinger’s absence is a surprise and not even a sub. Is this a reprimand for his criticism?
With Sims back and I hope 100% I am now more hopeful of a win, say 2-0 and Sims with the first.
posted on 10/4/21
Copps failed a fitness test pre match. Good start!! Woeful defending
posted on 10/4/21
That's enough for me - can't watch anymore! I did not think it could be worse than last weekend.
posted on 10/4/21
I thought we were dead as a Dodoo. Possibly not now!
posted on 10/4/21
Wigan looked a different class and we were disorganised with several players less energetic than their counterparts. We know who is responsible for organisation, fitness and motivation. The defence failed badly, particularly in their marking and that is supposed to be where the managerial strength should be evident.
Sims worked hard as did Smith, but neither were very successful in their efforts. Lokilo wastes a lot of energy and makes bad decisions, but he did work hard. There were lots of times when players passed backwards after progressing upfield which is not likely to lead to many goals. No one seems to run into empty space and the passing in general is very lax.
Rovers are playing like a team well adrift of 23rd place which I suppose is borne out by the Form Table anyway, rather like a team with no manager.
posted on 11/4/21
I like Butts, but is it a little like Lampard at Chelsea - a respected player who was not critical enough as manager?
With so many players out of contract, you would think they would be showing how good they are to get a contract at what they think is a better team? Or is it "Rovers will keep hiring us, no matter what?"
I'd hate to think that was the case, but I'd be interested in whom you all would like to keep for League One next season.
posted on 11/4/21
Surely the board now realize AB is struggling as a suitable manager for the now and for the future! They should therefore take some action. Either supporting him for the rest of the season or, more sensibly, starting the recruitment process in which AB would be considered.
posted on 11/4/21
Butler is hopelessly under-qualified and was very fortunate to get this chance. You might say the erstwhile head of recruitment should share some of the blame since he was responsible for the more recent additions to the squad whose attitude is now questioned. Those who poured out their grief at his departure might be re-examining their judgement of his ability. Of course a good manager should be able to get the best out of almost any player and you wonder what Baldwin and Blount are thinking.
From where I am, I see only the televised image, press reports and team results of the various managers and ex-managers, so I have no favourite candidate. I’m sure though, there must be several people either in or out of work who would be suitable. What would be good would be to hire someone with the loyalty of a Sean O’Driscoll. Both McCann and Moore let us down and even Fergie gave up on us in the end. We can’t keep going back to the drawing board. Bramall’s vision for Club Doncaster is ever fragile when our future is entrusted to managers who have no lasting commitment to taking the club forward in conjunction with their own careers. This probably demands a better remuneration package with perhaps a link to shares in the company, otherwise the cycle will be repeated and we will be back to square one yet again.
They must get on with the recruitment process now and not leave the future of the current staff in the hands of AB. This has to be done in the expectation of a brighter future under new leadership. A line has to be drawn; the current management team cannot be allowed to preside over more disaster.
Gary McSheffery who has played at levels higher than Butler could assume temporary control.