Devon Rover

Embarrassing

Along with what looks like a piece of A4 paper stuck on the away team chairs to designate them as such. I'm surprised we have a working printer.

Or stealing your presents to give to his other family, abroad.

Horrible start to second half.

Some positive elements but mostly I'm frustrated at us not taking control of the momentum of this game. Forshaw should be nowhere near the starting 11. Bring ST on at half time

It's another match. But it really feels like a particularly huge one for the remainder of the season. Today can set a tone and I believe the new manager can galvanise the team to do that. But I feel more nervous and excited for a match than I have all season.

He has looked shaky in all of them. Perhaps a run of games will help. But goalkeeper is one of several positions the club has dumbed down to the point where mediocrity would be celebrated as something great.

Now I know this is on more than one of the team, but I'm approaching the point where, if I see the starting line up includes Hedges, and particularly alongside weiman and dolan, then it isn't worth bothering looking out for how things go.

So does Gyles Brandreth. Neither should be in the running for this job. Both have probably been interviewed for it.

Secret transcript of BRFC job interview with George Boateng: Steve W: So, George, you have a very impressive CV George B: *Looks confused* Steve W: ... Connections with both Coventry AND Middlesbrough football clubs?! *licks lips, raises eyebrows to Rudy suggestively and slurps on chocolate milkshake* George B: Erm, yes, but, that's not all... Steve W: Good, good. Lets explore that a bit. So, on a scale of 1 to 10, how, shall we say, desperate, are you - if 1 is, oh I don't know, 'walk out on my employer when our mutually agreed release clause is met, like a fuck1ng greedy Judas'... *Rudy looks disgusted and spits on the floor*... and 10 is, let's say... 'will do whatever the club board tells me to do and will respectfully expect absolutely no contact, nor funding whatsoever from, the owners'? George B: Twelve Steve W: Good lad. I like you. Any compensation issues we should be aware of? George B: None at all Steve W: Mmmm..*rubs hands together gleefully, crumbs fall on table*. What's your wage expectations? George B: I'm not really in a position to be too choosy, to be fair Steve W: Wonderful, wonderful. Rudy, get some paper from the safe, and the good pen. Bring in that lad who knows how to write contracts - we didn't fire that one, did we? George, you were always our number 1 candidate, son. Now go and lead this team to the promised land: To 7th, and not beyond.

I honestly can't see the point of an appointment like that, or a foreign-based coach with no Championship experience. May as well just keep the current coaching team covering it. Any addition needs to bring relevant experience that would add to the set up. It would smack of VenkyValues, though (a cheap, and maleable, option).

Good news. We needed that whole embarrassing debacle closed so we can move on. Hopefully not just to the next embarrassing debacle.... Things do feel so much more positive this morning.

One of the (few) good ones.

Good statement. Long overdue, but appreciated. Where is this going to be published?

Ouch. I'd love to say "hang on in there" or "there will come a day when they are gone and we are still here". But I don't really believe that anymore. I kind of just want it all to go up in flames now. Our club is dead.

Is this some kind of irony?!?

I know what you are saying. But I don't think this is a case of someone "forcing a move". He has a release clause, he is unhappy with the lack of investment and security being provided by his employer, he has asked them to give him that, they have said no. I don't see he has any choice, or any real decision to make. On a basic level, the club agreed his release clause. So it is tough shit. They should have worked harder to keep him happy by offering some genuine hope - I suspect he would have stayed a lot longer if they had. But they never will. This is ALL on Venkys.

I suggest the nature of the statement and the repeated total lack of respect combined with sheer lies should help you with this. I don't blame him for a second for getting out while he can.

That statement has made me more furious at Venkys and Waggot than I've ever been. I really don't think I want to put myself through more of this abuse. I need to get out of it.

Really good post. Assuming all of that is spot on, though, what is their strategy here (ha!) and/or why not just sell/relinquish a loss-making arm that they seem to have no interest in, beyond staving off admin/liquidation?

🤣 brilliant! If football clubs were people!

I get that. Genune anecdote, though: I currently work for a "high/over performing" organisation. My career might continue to flourish just by being part of it. But my senior officers don't particularly respect or appreciate my views, nor my requests for the resource my team needs to continue to grow and meet the challenges on the horizon. I feel down about this and frustrated. I am intending applying for a similar job at an organisation considered to be "underperforming" but which is keen to improve and to invest in what will enable that. If offered, I will probably move on, quite happily. The question, in both scenarios, is what is the genuine degree of ambition at the alternative employer and will the employee feel happier going into work each day. But what is certain is that my current organisation is a wonderful place compared to what it must be like working for Venkys, Waggot, Pasha and Gestede. There are more important things than league position or your organisation's current "level" when deciding on a such a big life change. I wouldn't blame Eustace in the slightest.

They might. But I'm not sure those desperate to get any job will often be decent. Look at those who might be in that position right now. I'd genuinely like a couple of decent realistic names to hold onto for if, as seems likely, we have no manager tomorrow.

Fair enough. But the situation at the club now is worse than before. And I doubt plenty of decent managers will be lining up to be part of the circus.

I'm not so sure about the "decent" bit. Who do you have in mind?