Why is everyone willing to give him until the end of the season?
His man management has been appealing this season. His tactics have been just as bad and it would appear, in my opinion, the players aren’t playing for him now and that’s just a recipe for disaster.
If we don’t act now the season will be gone and we’ll lose our better players in the summer and winning promotion will be so much more difficult.
The players are some of the best in this division. Play them correctly and we’ll get promoted.
This is how I felt early January. I haven’t changed my opinion. We’re delaying the inevitable.
I made quite clear that those wanting change six weeks or so ago were imo far too soon off the mark with it and there were factors that needed to be taken into consideration and were overwhelmingly pointing towards, stability, giving time, giving a chance for Bowyer to work through this period.
But its getting harder and harder to maintain that stance and it feels heavy heart territory is potentially approaching quite quickly.
Cold facts are just 3 wins in 13, 13 points out of 36. That’s not good enough against anyone at our clubs expectations in L1, including Bowyer i’m sure.
More importantly than the results, performances are just not picking up and the whole season has been a drought where it comes to ‘good performances’.
Unless a miracle happens now I think it’s looking almost certain that Bowyer won’t be managing us next season. I suspect there’s all sorts of strategy and financial considerations on whether to enforce the change earlier or not, but further poor performances and result in the next few games may hasten it regardless.
This is quite funny. An evolution over six weeks which make the 'factors' no longer relevant?
Or a simple realisation of what many of us knew back then?
I was taught that it is acceptable to criticise ... but ... only if you have suggestions for improvement. After all, we can all be negative. The question is ... what have you got that's better?
Some simple observations from today, which underline why Bowyer has to go:
1) We had players today who barely touched the ball (Schwartz, for sure, in the First Half ... and even Smith who, as a central midfield player, should be repeatedly involved. Similarly, Washington in the Second Half).
What did they do about it? What did Bowyer do about it?
If you are a forward player who isn't getting into the game, you go looking for the ball. You make things happen. You get simple touches. You get yourself involved. Otherwise, it's 11v10.
2) At the start, we played a midfield four. Millar on the right, Smith and Pratley in the middle, and Shinnie sort of middle-left. Fleetwood got some joy down our left as Maatsen had little cover. What cover he may have had was going to come from Shinnie.
Hmmm ... nice idea, Lee.
Here's what you do, Lee ... you play Millar on the left, you play Shinnie in the middle (because that's where he is going to play anyway) and you play Jaiyesimi on the right.
Yes, that's Jaiyesimi ... our Championship player. Where was he today?
3) When things were going badly at the start of the Second Half, Bowyer made a triple substitution. Washington, Morgan and Watson for Schwartz, Smith and Pratley.
Except ... it's really just like-for-like, isn't it? Nothing really changes. It's a set of substitutions born of Hope.
No change to the game plan (whatever that was). Just put good players out on the field, Lee, and the rest will take care of itself.
We should have got Washington to drop deeper, we should have played with two wingers (Millar on the left, Jaiyesimi on the right) and mix up play by hitting short balls to Stockley's feet and crosses to his head. We did absolutely zero of any of that, and yielded most of the Second Half to a limited Fleetwood team ... and Bowyer did nothing about it.
4) Finally (before I turn into Grapevine) ... this squad is going nowhere. Are you listening, Thomas?
Successful teams have a 'feel' to them. You don't get success by scuffing out results. You know that things will go your way most times. There is an inner confidence ... a calmness ... a tranquillity. Knowing that, if you do the things that you are good at, then results will generally go your way.
This squad doesn't know which day of the week it is.
And they get that from Bowyer.
Quite funny how last week putting DJ on instead of the ‘clear and obvious’ Matt smith was a mistake
Today was sh*t, but all the hindsight warriors need to just give it a rest
I don't remember saying that, but maybe someone did.
Also, there's no hindsight in my post. As I said, suggestions for improvement ... most of which I said during the game (time-stamped e-mail evidence available for the sceptics, on request).
Was that all that you disagreed with?
You might want to get the cotton wool out of your ears.
We, as a club, always will require a Charlton manager that has had a previous affiliation with us.
We're not a West brom. We can't just have any old name that would be willing to take the job...because they simply just...want a job.
I wouldn't have curbs back though as I don't think he would want to manage again. The blokes had enough and the game has changed. We also have a very good history with him and it's unnecessary to spoil it.
He is and was an outstanding manager though. That's a difficult one. Not too sure about it either way.
I honestly wouldn't actually mind the potential of a Danish saandguard connection. Someone that has managed in their national side, perhaps. Or Copenhagen...high up and respected.
Sounds awfully hypocritical...considering the Roland Belgian waffles reaction and the fact that I said a charlton connection is needed.
I would personally take an experienced Danish manager...if we was to choose an outsider.
I made quite clear that those wanting change six weeks or so ago were imo far too soon off the mark with it and there were factors that needed to be taken into consideration and were overwhelmingly pointing towards, stability, giving time, giving a chance for Bowyer to work through this period.
But its getting harder and harder to maintain that stance and it feels heavy heart territory is potentially approaching quite quickly.
Cold facts are just 3 wins in 13, 13 points out of 36. That’s not good enough against anyone at our clubs expectations in L1, including Bowyer i’m sure.
More importantly than the results, performances are just not picking up and the whole season has been a drought where it comes to ‘good performances’.
Unless a miracle happens now I think it’s looking almost certain that Bowyer won’t be managing us next season. I suspect there’s all sorts of strategy and financial considerations on whether to enforce the change earlier or not, but further poor performances and result in the next few games may hasten it regardless.
Agree with AFKA that it is indeed heavy heart territory now for those of us who were willing to give the gaffer more time to enable his squad to gell following the antics behind the scenes in the close season.
It's not easy to chalk off the success of promotion in 2019 & dismiss it as "that was then..." The great memories of that season and of course that magic day we enjoyed at Wembley will be forever with us. But now it's our heads, not our hearts that are the most important factor in where we go from here.
Clearly, 13 points out of 36 is not acceptable and although some cite the last couple of months as the beginning of our demise, I seem to recall that it was the International break in November that heralded the start of our problems....a full 3 months ago. Where did it all go wrong ?
It's well documented by the faithful that injuries to our 2 outstanding centre backs was a devastating blow & their absence from the squad inevitably caused huge problems for Bow. Sadly, this proved to be an area that he has failed to adequately deal with on a regular basis with numerous options tried and then cast aside....Together with the loss of young Alfie and the frailties of our main striker, times have definitely been challenging for the management team.
Whether Bow managed to get the best from his players that were fit , and presumably keen to show what they could do to secure their places on a regular basis, is debatable. Maybe, therein lies the issue that is currently clouding consistent performances.
I'd love to see the manager oversee a decent run & prove that he is still capable of obtaining a degree of success this season, as I'm certain would most loyal Addicks. But I now have serious doubts that this is possible.
Whether Thomas is willing to give Bow the benefit of the doubt and allow him to see out the current term before making a decision is questionable.
With the recent announcement of a vacancy for a fan to " help with the growth of the club's fanbase" and another, close on its heels, welcoming Supporter Groups to officially affiliate with the club, it's clear that our owner has ambitions to widen support & attract more fans to attend matches at The Valley.
With that in mind, it must be concerning for him to read/hear that existing fans are questioning their support at this moment in time due to poor results, but more so, to inadequate performances. With attendances at live games hopefully not too far away, the club will soon be looking at season tickets for 2021-22 & will be hoping that those who purchased last summer will wish to continue for another term but also that others boycotting during the Duchatelet era will be seeking to purchase once again.
A team completing the season in a downward spiral will not instill confidence in those who are wavering, regardless of their desire to support their team. A large cash outlay may be a step too far for the many who will have been affected financially by the pandemic.
Maybe these issues are being pondered already back in Colorado and no decision will be taken lightly. And it is hoped that Thomas will discuss the situation with others more experienced in such matters...... Peter Varney would be top of my list of candidates.
We all want what is best for our beloved club. That goes without saying.
What that IS at this moment in time is the question.
Backed him and continue to do so but it’s worrying. We have a very good squad and they’ve looked devoid of ideas, shape or consistency.
Bowyer’s subs today were just bizarre.
I get the feeling he doesn’t know what system to play, which means the players don’t know what to do either.
Consistency is the key and we just haven’t had any of it all season.
Given your observations, I genuinely don't understand why you are still backing him.
Because he’s a decent manager. He’s proved that over the last two seasons. There have been mitigating circumstances this season, although I agree, those excuses are wearing thin.
I’m just tired of the upheaval and mess of the last few years and don’t fancy more of it by binning off Bowywr and going through another cycle of big name/big reputation managers who want to change the squad AGAIN and don’t work out.
I think it’ll be very interesting to see what Thomas does. His first big decision, really. I hope he doesn’t bring in an unknown Dane, however well intentioned that might be.
Backed him and continue to do so but it’s worrying. We have a very good squad and they’ve looked devoid of ideas, shape or consistency.
Bowyer’s subs today were just bizarre.
I get the feeling he doesn’t know what system to play, which means the players don’t know what to do either.
Consistency is the key and we just haven’t had any of it all season.
Given your observations, I genuinely don't understand why you are still backing him.
Because he’s a decent manager. He’s proved that over the last two seasons. There have been mitigating circumstances this season, although I agree, those excuses are wearing thin.
I’m just tired of the upheaval and mess of the last few years and don’t fancy more of it by binning off Bowywr and going through another cycle of big name/big reputation managers who want to change the squad AGAIN and don’t work out.
I think it’ll be very interesting to see what Thomas does. His first big decision, really. I hope he doesn’t bring in an unknown Dane, however well intentioned that might be.
We didn't go through any big name managers.. They were all foreign no marks brought in by Roland the rat.
Backed him and continue to do so but it’s worrying. We have a very good squad and they’ve looked devoid of ideas, shape or consistency.
Bowyer’s subs today were just bizarre.
I get the feeling he doesn’t know what system to play, which means the players don’t know what to do either.
Consistency is the key and we just haven’t had any of it all season.
Given your observations, I genuinely don't understand why you are still backing him.
Because he’s a decent manager. He’s proved that over the last two seasons. There have been mitigating circumstances this season, although I agree, those excuses are wearing thin.
I’m just tired of the upheaval and mess of the last few years and don’t fancy more of it by binning off Bowywr and going through another cycle of big name/big reputation managers who want to change the squad AGAIN and don’t work out.
I think it’ll be very interesting to see what Thomas does. His first big decision, really. I hope he doesn’t bring in an unknown Dane, however well intentioned that might be.
We didn't go through any big name managers.. They were all foreign no marks brought in by Roland the rat.
I was thinking of Robinson. A well respected League 1 boss who was heralded when appointed.
Who is out there that you’d realistically want instead of Bowyer?
19 different defences, 26 midfields and 23 forward lines now.
Rochdale and Gillingham the only two consecutive 11s.
Obsessed
Being that the only enforced changes were JFC for Smith and Schwartz for Aneke...
Switching Shinnie and Millar disrupted both players though Shinnie did get a decent assist.
Bringing Famewo in for me changed nothing other than messing with chemistry a bit. But it was obvious he was coming in and it was great to see him back.
I said on the Match thread I had little complaint about the squad selection, I just wanted to show that we have played 19 different defences, 26 midfields and 23 forward lines this season. You can not honestly believe that isn't too much fiddling around with the squad.
my concern today though was the effort on display and obviously the scoreline. As the game went on it became obvious that our players still aren't playing as a team.
You'd also note if you weren't so obsessed about slating fans for their opinions that I haven't criticised Bowyer at all today. I have simply voiced concerns about how things appeared.
Realistically what chance have we got coming up against a well oiled machine like Fleetwood , who are a work in progress and have had years to build up to this match with better facilities , bigger wage budgets and a proper footballing structure . A great point for Charlton , in the words of Tony Mowbray(sort of) Fleetwood should be beating the likes of Charlton .
Load of shit, it’s fucking painful now and a few weeks back when I was of the opinion we should have changed manager , I still thought there was a small chance he could turn it around but now it’s genuinely painful and I feel really sorry for Bowyer , it feels like he’s well out of his depth now and it’s getting really painful .
It all comes down to believing in the person. Do you believe in Bowyer or not? I do. This is his first job and we all learn by our mistakes, Most of us actually get better through our experiences. Yet football managers are not given that chance to grow without getting fired.
We are not going to be relegated and this is a guy who has a completely different starting 11 than from Leeds game barely 7 months ago and not by choice. He’s shown too much quality up until the last few months. Il be with him to the end not just out of loyalty but because I believe in his ability.
So how is Bowyer learning from his mistakes, as we all do?
Managing people doesn’t work like that IMHO. You have a team of people who believe in you back in July and were 3 points away from staying up, You then lose all your best employees and you have to basically start again in a completely unstable work environment. We have no idea what is going on in the background and by the comment I assume unless you see a big improvement in results he’s not learning anything. Who knows it could be a month or it could be 6 months by the time we are back on track. We’ve had some shocking managers over the last 5 or 6 years and Bowyer as shown us he’s a good manager. Again completely different personnel from 7 months ago, I don’t understand the rush for him to leave.
6 months til we improve? Backing Bowyer over the success of Charlton. I just don't get it.
We’ve been pretty much awful for the last 15 years barring 1 or 2 seasons. I’d rather give the guy responsible for 1 of those good seasons more time because I believe that’s what’s best for the club in the long run. Just think back to Slade or Robinson, wasted seasons wouldn’t you agree? People assume the next manager will be better in the long term, but it could be more wasted seasons. I know it’s not a popular view and we all just want the team to do well.
We, as a club, always will require a Charlton manager that has had a previous affiliation with us.
We're not a West brom. We can't just have any old name that would be willing to take the job...because they simply just...want a job.
I wouldn't have curbs back though as I don't think he would want to manage again. The blokes had enough and the game has changed. We also have a very good history with him and it's unnecessary to spoil it.
He is and was an outstanding manager though. That's a difficult one. Not too sure about it either way.
I honestly wouldn't actually mind the potential of a Danish saandguard connection. Someone that has managed in their national side, perhaps. Or Copenhagen...high up and respected.
Sounds awfully hypocritical...considering the Roland Belgian waffles reaction and the fact that I said a charlton connection is needed.
I would personally take an experienced Danish manager...if we was to choose an outsider.
I get the feeling Curbs appetite has been whetted by his involvement on Valley pass and the idea of working with our new owner appeals to him.
Difficult to add anything new. I think Dave Rudd’s comments further above are a pretty fair summary that mirror my views. When the triple substitution was made early in the second half my wife turned to me and said “Is he looking to try something different tactically or is that simply three like-for-like substations”. It did indeed turn out to be the latter with absolutely no improvement.
It has been clear for some time that Maatsen is more comfortable going forward, but looks a little suspect in his defending, with Purrington the direct opposite. Am not sure why he rotated back to Maatsen for this particular game and it did feel like there was a lack of cover in front of him in the first half.
It is somewhat subjective but I look at our squad and it does seem to me that on paper we have much more strength in depth than the majority of league 1 clubs and we should be performing much better. I was hoping that Bowyer was the man to take us forward under Sandgaard (god knows he deserves a chance to manage with some stability and support from a good owner). However, despite achieving promotion two years ago and manfully trying to keep us up last year, I don’t think he now has the fight or tactical nous in him to take us forward. I would be pleased if I am wrong.
Would another year in league 1 under Bowyer with the platform of a proper pre-season and a well planned summer recruitment process result in success? I am not convinced right now and you have to assume Sandgaard is at least mulling this over given his ambitions for the club.
Happy to write this season off as a season of consolidation and give bow a proper summer transfer window. He needs to learn from his many mistakes this year such as constantly tinkering with he team and making block substitutions. Again, we’ve had horrendous injuries and get rid of all these fucking loan players!!!
I saw enough from Bowyer in the two years previous to know there's a good manager in there. That for me is enough to give him a full pre season and summer window with a owner that will back him. If we aren't in contention by mid October with a squad he has built then that's the time to go. Everyone is desperate to get out of this league which I get but give him a chance without he's hands tied behind his back for once. If he stays until the summer I can see about 15 players leaving
I saw enough from Bowyer in the two years previous to know there's a good manager in there. That for me is enough to give him a full pre season and summer window with a owner that will back him. If we aren't in contention by mid October with a squad he has built then that's the time to go. Everyone is desperate to get out of this league which I get but give him a chance without he's hands tied behind his back for once. If he stays until the summer I can see about 15 players leaving
Whoever is in charge next season, I think it will be Bowyer still I hope they won’t make these two mistakes in the summer.
1) Stop getting the maximum amount of loan players in. Get the bare minimum not maximum.
2) Sign younger demographic of players. Need to reduce the average of the squad and not increase it.
Bowyer to me seems exhausted from what's gone on off the pitch.
The mess off the pitch began in Late November and lasted till September. That's around 9 months of uncertainty that nearly led to us going under.
The stress and uncertainty from that was a nightmare for fans, staff and players
Bowyer knew it early on when he did that interview for the Hull Game on sky last year. 9 months of not knowing what was going to happen would have damaging long term effect on anyone decision making and feelings towards their position.
This period also saw our best player and goalscorer refuse to play in a relegation battle, when as a manager you rely on these players to help you out in the bad times. If we had of stayed up, it would have given bowyer a huge boost and possibly rejuvenated him. Considering that would be just a big of an achievment as winning promotion and with Sangaard over him, imo we would comfortably mid table in the championship or at least giving it a right go.
Roland, Meire, Southall, Nimer, Farnell and Elliot and all the others have done huge damage long term that means that we have to plan long term, so I understand why people would want Bowyer to stay.
But tactically he has been bad this season. The chopping and changing of starting 11s just suggests no belief in the players he has and unsure on the team he has and a lot of that comes from long term off the pitch problems, not the whole reason but it's a huge factor.
I think we need a fresh start, who that is I don't know, but I don't think under Bowyer we're going up anytime soon
I think all the speculation of if/when Thomas sacks him is irrelevant.
He will walk, and soon.
You can suggest he has or hasn't lost the dressing room but they aren't running through walls for him and he now knows it.
I hope the next manager doesn't regret Williams going.
We seem to be on the same page in terms of the need for Bowyer to go and have been for a while. But a difference is that you believe, from that comment, that Bowyer is more loyal than I do. I am not saying he is disloyal, but he is loyal like a footballer with an affection for a club is loyal. If he walks away, he loses around £1m. I don't believe he is ever going to walk, and that is probably an understandable reason why Thomas is reluctant to sack him.
I saw enough from Bowyer in the two years previous to know there's a good manager in there. That for me is enough to give him a full pre season and summer window with a owner that will back him. If we aren't in contention by mid October with a squad he has built then that's the time to go. Everyone is desperate to get out of this league which I get but give him a chance without he's hands tied behind his back for once. If he stays until the summer I can see about 15 players leaving
Whoever is in charge next season, I think it will be Bowyer still I hope they won’t make these two mistakes in the summer.
1) Stop getting the maximum amount of loan players in. Get the bare minimum not maximum.
2) Sign younger demographic of players. Need to reduce the average of the squad and not increase it.
Yes I agree. There's nothing wrong with a loan signing but if you've got 5 in a starting 11 that's half the team that are temporary. I think it would also be wise to have loan slots free for later in the season. 3 players I'd sign first thing in the summer would be Baxter on loan from Chelsea he's Accrington keeper. Balogun on loan from Arsenal who's a young forward that looks rapid and can score goals and Also Bishop from Accrington a young forward who has come up from non league and looks hungry. I'd be inclined to try and sign Stockley and if we could I'd probably let Aneke go. As much as I like Pratley it's probably time to say bye and start building a midfield around JFC and Morgan. 2 decent CBs are needed urgently too
I think Bowyer has lost it and I don't understand those who want to persevere with him. I desperately wanted him to succeed but there are no signs of improvement and it's all getting a bit depressing.
We're one of the worst sides in L1 at present based on form since December - far beyond a blip. There haven't been any convincing or fluent performances and our squad should be capable of better than this.
We can't just stick with Bowyer out of sentiment or the fear that the next manager might do even worse.
If you were TS would you trust Bowyer to launch a promotion campaign next season?
Bowyer to me seems exhausted from what's gone on off the pitch.
The mess off the pitch began in Late November and lasted till September. That's around 9 months of uncertainty that nearly led to us going under.
The stress and uncertainty from that was a nightmare for fans, staff and players
Bowyer knew it early on when he did that interview for the Hull Game on sky last year. 9 months of not knowing what was going to happen would have damaging long term effect on anyone decision making and feelings towards their position.
This period also saw our best player and goalscorer refuse to play in a relegation battle, when as a manager you rely on these players to help you out in the bad times. If we had of stayed up, it would have given bowyer a huge boost and possibly rejuvenated him. Considering that would be just a big of an achievment as winning promotion and with Sangaard over him, imo we would comfortably mid table in the championship or at least giving it a right go.
Roland, Meire, Southall, Nimer, Farnell and Elliot and all the others have done huge damage long term that means that we have to plan long term, so I understand why people would want Bowyer to stay.
But tactically he has been bad this season. The chopping and changing of starting 11s just suggests no belief in the players he has and unsure on the team he has and a lot of that comes from long term off the pitch problems, not the whole reason but it's a huge factor.
I think we need a fresh start, who that is I don't know, but I don't think under Bowyer we're going up anytime soon
In any normal walk of life Bowyer would of had a proper break after the summer window shut. It probably would have made the world of difference.
The reasons it's got to this stage are undeniable, but that doesn't change the fact we have.
Most of us are formed from situations as young adults, it's telling the amount of times he references getting dropped by Graham at Leeds. IMO Bowyer's solution to any football problem is work harder, try more things, try and be more clever with "wacky" formations.
If we stick with Bowyer through the summer he is going to get, what, a week off? Then come back and have to deal with 20 odd transfers?
If you going to do that give him April off although you run the risk of an up turn in performances "proving" he was the problem.
I think all the speculation of if/when Thomas sacks him is irrelevant.
He will walk, and soon.
You can suggest he has or hasn't lost the dressing room but they aren't running through walls for him and he now knows it.
I hope the next manager doesn't regret Williams going.
We seem to be on the same page in terms of the need for Bowyer to go and have been for a while. But a difference is that you believe, from that comment, that Bowyer is more loyal than I do. I am not saying he is disloyal, but he is loyal like a footballer with an affection for a club is loyal. If he walks away, he loses around £1m. I don't believe he is ever going to walk, and that is probably an understandable reason why Thomas is reluctant to sack him.
I don't think it's loyalty as such. I don't think he would have taken the job in the 1st place if he didn't think we could get promoted, I equally don't think he would have stayed if he didn't think he could keep us in the championship. Even with Roland's budget.
Can’t see Thomas sacking Bowyer anytime soon, I think he will review at the end of the season and see where things are. The club needs stability and making a change so quickly will not benefit anyone! Like many id be tempted to change but who realistically would we get in now to change anything?
Cook cowleys curbs powell (I wouldn’t) euell neil Harris (sorry) a young coach from a bigger club sol Campbell (joke)
nows the time so that a new man has time to assess and draw up targets, decide who to keep and who to move on.
Cook or Cowleys are a shout. They’d come as well. Would take Powell back but unsure if it’ll be the same as last time.
I think Bowyer has lost it and I don't understand those who want to persevere with him. I desperately wanted him to succeed but there are no signs of improvement and it's all getting a bit depressing.
We're one of the worst sides in L1 at present based on form since December - far beyond a blip. There haven't been any convincing or fluent performances and our squad should be capable of better than this.
We can't just stick with Bowyer out of sentiment or the fear that the next manager might do even worse.
If you were TS would you trust Bowyer to launch a promotion campaign next season?
I know we are coming from different perspectives and we all want the best for Charlton. It’s just a discussion, but having faith in someone who has delivered for the most part under difficult circumstances and is having a bad run of form why isn’t that seen as a possible way out or not something that’s possible to understand / consider?
It is @GenevaCharlton and it’s very easy for fans to ‘make’ these decisions when it’s not them that actually have to make it and have a full insight into the other considerations and impacts attached to it (financial etc).
Interesting though on where roughly your trigger point is for not having faith in taking forward next year, as I’m hovering around mine.
I think Bowyer has lost it and I don't understand those who want to persevere with him. I desperately wanted him to succeed but there are no signs of improvement and it's all getting a bit depressing.
We're one of the worst sides in L1 at present based on form since December - far beyond a blip. There haven't been any convincing or fluent performances and our squad should be capable of better than this.
We can't just stick with Bowyer out of sentiment or the fear that the next manager might do even worse.
If you were TS would you trust Bowyer to launch a promotion campaign next season?
I know we are coming from different perspectives and we all want the best for Charlton. It’s just a discussion, but having faith in someone who has delivered for the most part under difficult circumstances and is having a bad run of form why isn’t that seen as a possible way out or not something that’s possible to understand / consider?
Or in the last 15 months we've been woeful other than a brief good spell earlier this season . In which case the blip was the good form.
Personally I thought we got promoted with a good bunch of players as I thought we should have. I think Bowyer lucked out with Gallacher and as soon as he left he had no idea how to arrest the slump and we played some awful, tactically inept, negative football which got us relegated, and this season we have continued in the same vein other than a brief positive blip.
Yet despite all that I wanted him to stay, and succeed, because I felt he deserved the chance for not jumping ship when things were going well.
He's had that chance. It's getting worse. I don't want him replaced today because I think someone else can come in and get us promoted. I want him removed so we have time to bring in a replacement who will have a full transfer window to build, and to work out how to get the best out of the players we do have.
Finally it's def not about results for me. I'm used to us losing games. It's the performances. It's the utter lack of hope or expectation. It's never thinking we're going to turn up and win a game. It's knowing when we do win that we easily could have lost it. It's watching team after team outplay us. Every game. That is the thing that pushed me over about 5 games ago. Since then it's got much worse.
Comments
Bowyer’s subs today were just bizarre.
Consistency is the key and we just haven’t had any of it all season.
Also, there's no hindsight in my post. As I said, suggestions for improvement ... most of which I said during the game (time-stamped e-mail evidence available for the sceptics, on request).
Was that all that you disagreed with?
You might want to get the cotton wool out of your ears.
We're not a West brom. We can't just have any old name that would be willing to take the job...because they simply just...want a job.
I wouldn't have curbs back though as I don't think he would want to manage again. The blokes had enough and the game has changed. We also have a very good history with him and it's unnecessary to spoil it.
He is and was an outstanding manager though.
That's a difficult one. Not too sure about it either way.
I honestly wouldn't actually mind the potential of a Danish saandguard connection. Someone that has managed in their national side, perhaps. Or Copenhagen...high up and respected.
Sounds awfully hypocritical...considering the Roland Belgian waffles reaction and the fact that I said a charlton connection is needed.
I would personally take an experienced Danish manager...if we was to choose an outsider.
It's not easy to chalk off the success of promotion in 2019 & dismiss it as "that was then..." The great memories of that season and of course that magic day we enjoyed at Wembley will be forever with us. But now it's our heads, not our hearts that are the most important factor in where we go from here.
Clearly, 13 points out of 36 is not acceptable and although some cite the last couple of months as the beginning of our demise, I seem to recall that it was the International break in November that heralded the start of our problems....a full 3 months ago. Where did it all go wrong ?
It's well documented by the faithful that injuries to our 2 outstanding centre backs was a devastating blow & their absence from the squad inevitably caused huge problems for Bow. Sadly, this proved to be an area that he has failed to adequately deal with on a regular basis with numerous options tried and then cast aside....Together with the loss of young Alfie and the frailties of our main striker, times have definitely been challenging for the management team.
Whether Bow managed to get the best from his players that were fit , and presumably keen to show what they could do to secure their places on a regular basis, is debatable. Maybe, therein lies the issue that is currently clouding consistent performances.
I'd love to see the manager oversee a decent run & prove that he is still capable of obtaining a degree of success this season, as I'm certain would most loyal Addicks. But I now have serious doubts that this is possible.
Whether Thomas is willing to give Bow the benefit of the doubt and allow him to see out the current term before making a decision is questionable.
With the recent announcement of a vacancy for a fan to " help with the growth of the club's fanbase" and another, close on its heels, welcoming Supporter Groups to officially affiliate with the club, it's clear that our owner has ambitions to widen support & attract more fans to attend matches at The Valley.
With that in mind, it must be concerning for him to read/hear that existing fans are questioning their support at this moment in time due to poor results, but more so, to inadequate performances. With attendances at live games hopefully not too far away, the club will soon be looking at season tickets for 2021-22 & will be hoping that those who purchased last summer will wish to continue for another term but also that others boycotting during the Duchatelet era will be seeking to purchase once again.
A team completing the season in a downward spiral will not instill confidence in those who are wavering, regardless of their desire to support their team. A large cash outlay may be a step too far for the many who will have been affected financially by the pandemic.
Maybe these issues are being pondered already back in Colorado and no decision will be taken lightly. And it is hoped that Thomas will discuss the situation with others more experienced in such matters...... Peter Varney would be top of my list of candidates.
We all want what is best for our beloved club. That goes without saying.
What that IS at this moment in time is the question.
I’m just tired of the upheaval and mess of the last few years and don’t fancy more of it by binning off Bowywr and going through another cycle of big name/big reputation managers who want to change the squad AGAIN and don’t work out.
I think it’ll be very interesting to see what Thomas does. His first big decision, really. I hope he doesn’t bring in an unknown Dane, however well intentioned that might be.
Switching Shinnie and Millar disrupted both players though Shinnie did get a decent assist.
Bringing Famewo in for me changed nothing other than messing with chemistry a bit. But it was obvious he was coming in and it was great to see him back.
I said on the Match thread I had little complaint about the squad selection, I just wanted to show that we have played 19 different defences, 26 midfields and 23 forward lines this season. You can not honestly believe that isn't too much fiddling around with the squad.
my concern today though was the effort on display and obviously the scoreline. As the game went on it became obvious that our players still aren't playing as a team.
You'd also note if you weren't so obsessed about slating fans for their opinions that I haven't criticised Bowyer at all today. I have simply voiced concerns about how things appeared.
A great point for Charlton , in the words of Tony Mowbray(sort of) Fleetwood should be beating the likes of Charlton .
Load of shit, it’s fucking painful now and a few weeks back when I was of the opinion we should have changed manager , I still thought there was a small chance he could turn it around but now it’s genuinely painful and I feel really sorry for Bowyer , it feels like he’s well out of his depth now and it’s getting really painful .
It has been clear for some time that Maatsen is more comfortable going forward, but looks a little suspect in his defending, with Purrington the direct opposite. Am not sure why he rotated back to Maatsen for this particular game and it did feel like there was a lack of cover in front of him in the first half.
It is somewhat subjective but I look at our squad and it does seem to me that on paper we have much more strength in depth than the majority of league 1 clubs and we should be performing much better. I was hoping that Bowyer was the man to take us forward under Sandgaard (god knows he deserves a chance to manage with some stability and support from a good owner). However, despite achieving promotion two years ago and manfully trying to keep us up last year, I don’t think he now has the fight or tactical nous in him to take us forward. I would be pleased if I am wrong.
1) Stop getting the maximum amount of loan players in. Get the bare minimum not maximum.
2) Sign younger demographic of players. Need to reduce the average of the squad and not increase it.
The mess off the pitch began in Late November and lasted till September. That's around 9 months of uncertainty that nearly led to us going under.
The stress and uncertainty from that was a nightmare for fans, staff and players
Bowyer knew it early on when he did that interview for the Hull Game on sky last year. 9 months of not knowing what was going to happen would have damaging long term effect on anyone decision making and feelings towards their position.
This period also saw our best player and goalscorer refuse to play in a relegation battle, when as a manager you rely on these players to help you out in the bad times. If we had of stayed up, it would have given bowyer a huge boost and possibly rejuvenated him. Considering that would be just a big of an achievment as winning promotion and with Sangaard over him, imo we would comfortably mid table in the championship or at least giving it a right go.
Roland, Meire, Southall, Nimer, Farnell and Elliot and all the others have done huge damage long term that means that we have to plan long term, so I understand why people would want Bowyer to stay.
But tactically he has been bad this season. The chopping and changing of starting 11s just suggests no belief in the players he has and unsure on the team he has and a lot of that comes from long term off the pitch problems, not the whole reason but it's a huge factor.
I think we need a fresh start, who that is I don't know, but I don't think under Bowyer we're going up anytime soon
I'd be inclined to try and sign Stockley and if we could I'd probably let Aneke go. As much as I like Pratley it's probably time to say bye and start building a midfield around JFC and Morgan. 2 decent CBs are needed urgently too
We're one of the worst sides in L1 at present based on form since December - far beyond a blip. There haven't been any convincing or fluent performances and our squad should be capable of better than this.
We can't just stick with Bowyer out of sentiment or the fear that the next manager might do even worse.
If you were TS would you trust Bowyer to launch a promotion campaign next season?
The reasons it's got to this stage are undeniable, but that doesn't change the fact we have.
Most of us are formed from situations as young adults, it's telling the amount of times he references getting dropped by Graham at Leeds. IMO Bowyer's solution to any football problem is work harder, try more things, try and be more clever with "wacky" formations.
If we stick with Bowyer through the summer he is going to get, what, a week off? Then come back and have to deal with 20 odd transfers?
If you going to do that give him April off although you run the risk of an up turn in performances "proving" he was the problem.
Interesting though on where roughly your trigger point is for not having faith in taking forward next year, as I’m hovering around mine.