Can woody turn it around?

coluka said:
Zoo, I was not saying rob himself was showing blind faith, some people are doing just that though and clearly feel it wrong for anyone to highlight areas or poor or questionable performance. The odd poster or two on here don’t seem to understand that in order to improve you need to recognise areas for improvement. Some, have only recently started watching Boro to be fair, having previously seemingly preferred Champions League matches to the watching or even listening to the Boro games (although they would like you to think differently).

We have a voice too. The Boro’s media team will scan messageboards and even comment just like the gazette reporters do, i’m sure
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Col ok fair point of view. The only blind faith I seem to see is from those using it to be contrary but I might be missing it.

Anyway I’m trying to settle into a positive frame of mind for the season’s restart rather than recommence the criticisms. (For a start we are on a winning streak and unbeaten in two!!) The debate in earnest can come in August. We have a relegation battle to win.
 
First we had a disorganised team attempting to play a direct pressing game that didn't suit the players. Defence too slow and the team illdisiciplined in its pressing. We looked amateurish.
Then we saw some pragmatism as the team tried to solidly at the back rather than blindly attacking, but the results weren't there as we weren't scoring.
Then we saw a run of injuries which we adapted to well. Coulson Spence Tav and Roberts bringing some attacking flair, howson bringing composure.
Then we seemed to take our eye off the ball completely. Poor results turned into the worst run of the season and the confidence of the Christmas period evaporated. Wing was pretty much our only goalscoring threat.
I have no idea what the next period will bring. I am hoping we get the youngsters playing again and playing well, and that howson Ayala and Clayton will be in the team to provide the nous and defensive solidity. Could go either way though.
 
Caesium137 said:
From what I've seen of the players specifically identified in his power point I wouldn't let him sign anyone else.

I never get this argument, there are literally dozens of managers we could have out there. Do you believe Woody was the 'outstanding candidate' in the whole world of football, and he just happened to be a) already here, b) cheap and c) malleable to the chairman's whimsy...........
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I think he was the best that we could have got, who else would take this job lets be honest its not the most appealing. No money to spend, players on massive contracts who are impossible to move on, fair few players out of contract, attendances well down. Its really not a very attractive job plus the wage is ***** compared to what you could get elsewhere
 
coluka said:
Zoo, I was not saying rob himself was showing blind faith, some people are doing just that though and clearly feel it wrong for anyone to highlight areas or poor or questionable performance. The odd poster or two on here don’t seem to understand that in order to improve you need to recognise areas for improvement. Some, have only recently started watching Boro to be fair, having previously seemingly preferred Champions League matches to the watching or even listening to the Boro games (although they would like you to think differently).

We have a voice too. The Boro’s media team will scan messageboards and even comment just like the gazette reporters do, i’m sure
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See what you done there mate, 😉
 
There is a chance to rescue this season & maintain Championship status for next season, I hope that chance is taken..

Woodgate was always a massive risk - never in a million years, was he ever the 'outstanding' candidate.. he'd be lucky to have made the shortlist.. For me Pearson & Shakespeare were the outstanding - for us - pairing: both available, had won this league before (playing good football) - good manager & good coach, exactly what we needed..

JW has the best opportunity to see this season out & make a fresh start with us next year with the experience he will have - hopefully - gained & learned from, the break has allowed players to return to fitness - a full squad to choose from..
 
Redwurzel said:
The squad was small at the beginning of this season and the new signings were not up to full Championship standard and Woody was obviously brand new. We also had a lot new young debutees (the most I can ever remember) To me we improved as the season moved on, not dramatically but little bit by bit. The low point was the Leeds away defeat.
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coluka said:
1. We have one of the toughest run ins of those fighting for survival.
2. We have 7 players who are out of contract with no real buy in to our survival other than praying for their personal integrity and professionalism.
3. Our owner voted for the only outcome that could see us relegated, in part I agree mind, as football integrity is important. The selfish in me though says..... what a damn foolish thing to do.
4. We have the most inexperienced (and daftest) head coach in the division.
5. As they say on TikTok.............I think you know where this about to go :(
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Toughest run in ? - we have played Leeds, WBA and Fulham all twice - to me they are the top 3 sides in the division.
 
It’s a tough one for Woody, but I am of the opinion if he keeps us up he should remain as gaffer and hopefully be given better tools than he was at the start of the season, I didn’t want him at the start and I wanted him sacked earlier this season but now we have stuck with him if he can do well until season end I would give him the benefit of the doubt as long as we can back him up with some shrewd signings but that is the toughest part for me but also the most important for any manager, we must recruit a whole lot better.
 
I am definately in the minority here, but I think Woodgate will turn out to be a good manager. I think he is obviously learning on the job, and it was a difficult job to begin with. Here is why I think he will do well in the long run. Firstly I think he is a strong personality, which is an absoloute must in football management, particularly when things go wrong, which from time to time, they invariably do.

Secondly, he is clearly getting a tune out of the players on the rare occassion. We have definately played better, on odd occassions this year than our best last season. I don't think that is accidental. He needs to make that the norm, rather than the exception.

I think he backs his players when he should be, and is not afraid to discipline when it is required.

He is clearly lacking either in communicating his tactics, or just his tactical knowledge.

To answer the question, I think we will stay up, but it may well be despite the manager rather than because of him. I also think Woodgate will be here next season, and I sort of hope he is.

BTW I am not a fan of Woodgate, but I can, sorta see, if I squint, what he is trying to do.
 
There’s no way of knowing really I guess we’ll only find out once we kick off.

I hope to god we get off to a good start though...
 
Do people think gibbo will stick by woody? I think the summer transfer market will be the most interesting one in years, all those out of contract will probably leave so to see who we bring in will be very interesting
 
Laughing said:
I am definately in the minority here, but I think Woodgate will turn out to be a good manager. I think he is obviously learning on the job, and it was a difficult job to begin with. Here is why I think he will do well in the long run. Firstly I think he is a strong personality, which is an absoloute must in football management, particularly when things go wrong, which from time to time, they invariably do.

Secondly, he is clearly getting a tune out of the players on the rare occassion. We have definately played better, on odd occassions this year than our best last season. I don't think that is accidental. He needs to make that the norm, rather than the exception.

I think he backs his players when he should be, and is not afraid to discipline when it is required.

He is clearly lacking either in communicating his tactics, or just his tactical knowledge.

To answer the question, I think we will stay up, but it may well be despite the manager rather than because of him. I also think Woodgate will be here next season, and I sort of hope he is.

BTW I am not a fan of Woodgate, but I can, sorta see, if I squint, what he is trying to do.
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Laughing, when I heard his interview I wanted him to be given the job, yes I think he's had a tough start with the club needing to alter & change the structure & playing style, which seen some good games, some not so
Managers good, or bad have to start somewhere & the very best of em didn't find it easy to start, hopefully he steers us through the final 9 games successfully & is given another season at the helm
 
Erimus74 said:
Laughing, when I heard his interview I wanted him to be given the job, yes I think he's had a tough start with the club needing to alter & change the structure & playing style, which seen some good games, some not so
Managers good, or bad have to start somewhere & the very best of em didn't find it easy to start, hopefully he steers us through the final 9 games successfully & is given another season at the helm
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Ive been routing for woody since he came over from Liverpool, I really want him to do well, there have been some games this season where he's looked like a masterstroke and games where it looks like gibbos plucked someone from Isaac Wilson's to manage the team. I don't think all the injuries have helped him though. I would possibly give him one more transfer window and see where we go
 
I'm desperate for him to do well but I have to say he has not impressed me. Practically fell into some form when we had injuries and suspensions. He did not seem to know what to do as players returned. Little bit of form prior to lock down so fingers crossed it continues as I would love a local lad to lead us up the table..
 
JM14 said:
I think he was the best that we could have got, who else would take this job lets be honest its not the most appealing. No money to spend, players on massive contracts who are impossible to move on, fair few players out of contract, attendances well down. Its really not a very attractive job plus the wage is ***** compared to what you could get elsewhere
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Sorry but this is nonsense. A job at any good sized Championship club would be attractive to a lot of managers irrespective of constraints.
 
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