Next season’s pecking order..

[DearneValleyRover]

Interesting strategic development at Home Park today. Derek Adams has had his contract extended to 2023, and his title becomes Head of Football. He now has more of a say on the development of the youngesters side of things. My reading of this is first that our Chair, James Brent, a non-football man is very comfortable with Adams and wants to keep him a long time. Second, there has been a debate amongst the fans as to why our youngsters have not kicked on. Adams has strongly implied that this is because they are not good enough beyond the periphery. I suspect he wants root and branch change at every age level within the club, and this gives him the power to do that. Third, Adams is clearly ambitious and if someone else wants him the bill just went up.

Does anyone else have a Head of Football who is also the manager? if so, how does it work? It rather reminds me of the role many of the old style managers like Shankley and dare I say it Ferguson had.

Although Fergie doesn’t have such a grandiose title it’s exactly what he has been doing for the last 2 1/2 years with us, changing the whole youth set up to try and bring youngsters through as well as trying to find good youth players in non league. We have young Amos who has come through the youth and played first team this season along with Beestin who we signed from Tadcaster, just signed Max Watters from Ashford another promising non league youngster. It seems that you are following our blueprint

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Although Fergie doesn’t have such a grandiose title it’s exactly what he has been doing for the last 2 1/2 years with us, changing the whole youth set up to try and bring youngsters through as well as trying to find good youth players in non league. We have young Amos who has come through the youth and played first team this season along with Beestin who we signed from Tadcaster, just signed Max Watters from Ashford another promising non league youngster. It seems that you are following our blueprint

Sorry, I obviously was not being clear I meant Alex Ferguson, but interesting what you say about Darren.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Sorry, I obviously was not being clear I meant Alex Ferguson, but interesting what you say about Darren.

I understood you

 

[K-Win]

Not surprising. Clubs all over the world are following the Doncaster Rovers blueprint.

 

[Hooped Wizard]

Although Fergie doesn’t have such a grandiose title it’s exactly what he has been doing for the last 2 1/2 years with us, changing the whole youth set up to try and bring youngsters through as well as trying to find good youth players in non league. We have young Amos who has come through the youth and played first team this season along with Beestin who we signed from Tadcaster, just signed Max Watters from Ashford another promising non league youngster. It seems that you are following our blueprint

I especially like it when he gives them 3 year contracts before transfer listing them in the next window, never to play again

Our model is so good

 

[DearneValleyRover]

I especially like it when he gives them 3 year contracts before transfer listing them in the next window, never to play again

Our model is so good

That’s a different matter entirely to the restructuring of the club from youth level up but it’s one of the few things I agree with you on.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Not surprising. Clubs all over the world are following the Doncaster Rovers blueprint.

The Portsmouth supporters group certainly came to us for advise when they went through taking ownership

 

[Bucket_]

Bumping this as we’re 4 days out and have a little more context than May..

Pompey are one striker away from looking really solid, I’d say 4th/5th is a (hopefully) realistic ambition, even if we don’t sign one.

Who are the dark horses gonna be?

 

[K-Win]

I've a sneaking feeling that Wycombe will shithouse their way into the top half, defying expectations.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Think I said on another thread but i reckon we are about mid table looking just from the other squads I have seen.

Probably wont trouble the playoffs, might kid ourselves into thinking we have an outside shot until early March time before the reality hits. Think we are strong enough to not have to look over our shoulders too much but looking at our first lot of fixtures I think we may have a rocky start.

Excited to see how it plays out, this was level I first started watching us at so excited to be back at it and see whats changed.

 

[Bottega Don]

We’ve lost all of our best players except two, who are now both injured. We haven’t brought anyone in to replace them. We won’t be able to fill the bench on Saturday. Barring some great signings before the window closes we’re are in big trouble.

 

[thewwfc]

A fair few on here think we're down before a ball has been kicked because we have some older players but i'm sure Ainsworth will bring in some younger players in before August so i'm not worried,not going straight back down like we have in recent seasons will be a good season for us.

Well we've just lost Luke O'Nien and only really signed Darius Charles (who I'm happy with), Allsop in goal (also good) plus Curtis Thompson (short-term contract) and Randell Williams (loan) both of whom were here last season. I don't think that's really strengthening enough. I fully expect to see some more loan signings, but as ever, the problem with loans is that if they do too well, they'll be recalled.

I'm not really complaining, there's no new money coming in from anywhere - I don't think you get money for getting promoted any more - you do get slightly more of the Prem TV windfall money, but then players probably expect to get paid more at this level too.

But the last 2 times we came up, we completely failed to strengthen the squad and went straight back down - I thought it was going to be different this time, but I'm going to be worried unless we get 2 or 3 decent L1 quality players. Most likely to be promising kids from a higher division.

I've a sneaking feeling that Wycombe will shithouse their way into the top half, defying expectations.

Not. A. Fucking. Chance.

I'll be happy with anything above 20th.

 

[Bobbin']

We’ve lost all of our best players except two, who are now both injured. We haven’t brought anyone in to replace them. We won’t be able to fill the bench on Saturday. Barring some great signings before the window closes we’re are in big trouble.

Snap. The only difference being we should be able to fill the bench with kids at least.

 

[Shrimper92]

Charlton will struggle I reckon.

Any idea what's happening to the two who were arrested in Ibiza?

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Need to wait to see who our forward options are going to be, season hinges on it.

 

[Bobbin']

Charlton will struggle I reckon.

Any idea what's happening to the two who were arrested in Ibiza?

Our only fit strikers currently, other than Ajose who is supposedly also on his way out.

To answer your question though, they are both on bail and having to report to the Spanish Embassy fortnightly. Hopefully nothing will come of it as forensics have apparently found no evidence that the girl was raped and the judge has stated he has ‘reasonable doubts’ that a sex attack took place.

We shall see.

 

[Gandalf the Grey]

Who are the dark horses gonna be?

Rochdale?

 

[Fedora Dale]

Rochdale?

Who am I to doubt the word of the Istari?

 

[Maple Hatter]

Firstly, great to see so many Luton fans contributing to this board but I find the expectations confusing.

They have just been promoted to League One behind Accy but so many of their fans seem to be confident of the play offs as a minimum. Nathan Jones is undoubtedly a talented manager but is someone pumping in a load of dosh for the upgrades a team normally needs after promotion? More than Portsmouth who attracted Jackett but still had to settle for mid table?

We actually won League Two a few years back, albeit with a Mad Dog team of old pros, but struggled at the start of the following season before changing most of the team and reaching safety late.

Conversely, Seaside Kurt and the Blackpool fans seemed to be convinced they are doomed despite also have an excellent manager and having recently torn Bradford City a new one and gubbed us on our own turf. I know the Oyston thing is blowing up again but that has been going on for years.

Have I missed something?

Are Luton going to be the new Oldham this season, going on about the playoffs until they realise they’re shit?

Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Sorry couldn't resist.

Medals in the post.

 

[Gassy]

Wasn’t only 2 weeks ago Luton fans were saying:

“Even we can’t f*ck it up from here can we?”
“You have to feel sorry for us”
“I like Harford, but a manager he is not”

Sorry, couldn’t resist

 

[Maple Hatter]

Medals in the post.

Enjoy league 2

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Enjoy league 2

I will, maybe we'll see you in a years time again.

 

[GEORGE]

I will, maybe we'll see you in a years time again.

Get the right players in and you'll be back straight away. As I stated on a previous thread , you have some good players in the small midfielder & Scannel.