Nigel Kane has taken a hell of a lot of criticism since he took over, most of it fully warranted. As stated before, he has made next to no new signings, appears to have no contacts, the players are clearly not playing for him, he makes strange substitutions, appears to have no Plan B, continually plays one up at home, shows very little from the touchline, plays players out of position...should I go on? and then he comes out with the most blunt and throw away comment in the Observer that he is not panicking and happy that most of our games are away from home and against teams in the bottom half, despite the fact we have played better against the teams in the top half of the table all season. Then to top it all off we understand he is trying to sign a player from Ringmer to add to the signing of Sam Willett from Westfield to halt the slide. You couldn't make it up!
There is no mention of Mondays dire performance from NK but happily he does take time out to mention that Taser was not happy about some comments from certain supporters.
So how is he shaping up against Maggsy, Terry and Dom?
Nigel Kane P12 W2 D1 L7 F8 A15 WIN RATIO 16%
Dom P11 W4 D3 L5 F20 A15 WIN RATIO 36%
Terry W P16 W5 D3 L8 F20 A17 WIN RATIO 31% (This season)
P23 W9 D3 L11 F37 A35 WIN RATIO 39% (Last season)
Maggsy P31 W17 D3 L9 F48 A38 WIN RATIO 55%
Not sure about anyone else but looking at those stats I would certainly be panicking!!.
Well, I supported Nigel's appointment; I do not think that a further change of manager would be at all helpful at this point; and I believe the probability is that we will survive. I do not like managers / owners 'apologising to the fans', since such words are typically perceived as hollow even when they are well meant. That said, some acknowledgement of Monday's awful performance and some clearer indication of how that might be avoided in the future would have been welcome.
I always respect your unbiased views Geoff. Based on what have you have seen since Nigel took charge and the comings and goings of players what makes you continue to believe we will be safe? We have the worst home record in the league, one of the lowest scorers, very poor away record against teams in the bottom half, performances getting steadily worse. Is this view solely based on the quality below us?
Thank you John and a fair question. Well, I certainly accept the possibility that we might go down and should that happen it would be in my view a disaster. I do not take the view that if we went down it might be a long term positive (i.e. public outcry, the club would have to change, DW might feel compelled to sell, etc). Rather, we would be entering uncharted waters with very high fixed costs relative to our potential income. Any business (and yes the club has to function as a business) in such circumstances is looking at a potential financial crisis and if things go utterly awry at extinction.
So, what if any reasons to think we will more likely stay up with Nigel at the helm? Well,before Monday, I saw it as positive that we had managed three home games without defeat, and our reported performances in away games (which I hadn't attended) had in part been positive, arguably with less reward than we might on another day have managed. But as you suggest, my primary reason for thinking we will likely stay up is the likely default of our rivals and the modest amount of points likely to be required. Ten points from our remaining games will be enough looking at past patterns and the clear probability is that even eight will likely do it. Past seasons' tables in this and other comparable leagues really make that clear (of course adjustment for the size of the league is required). Really, if Nigel - who let us not forget once got us promoted - cannot achieve that then I will be very surprised indeed.
The Observer states that Kane is chasing 21 year old attacking midfielder Jack McClean from Ringmer, who are currently 3rd from bottom of county 1. Some season stats to the wet the appetite.
Appearances 19 (4 as sub) Subbed 8 times Goals 5 (inc hat trick against East preston) 3 yellows.
Dont want to be negative and dont know anything about him in all fairness and might well turn out to be a very good prospect in time but as i said on the other thread this looks like a signing for Preseason IMO rather than now in a relegation dogfight.
Geoff, while I admire your positive approach, looking at our last 10 games, and the last 5 in particular ( 2 points out of 15), I think unless a miracle happens very very soon, we`re done for. I also do not think that a change of manager would necessary be a bad thing, if it was someone who has done it before and already knows the set up, what would he have to learn?
Re Pepper's comment: I never liked the look of our end of season fixtures when we were dreaming of the play-offs. But actually, in a relegation situation it is possible to be a little more positive (i.e. Faversham unable to catch Burgess Hill and secure in the playoffs, Walton nothing left to play for, Ramsgate a potentially vital game but in our own hands, etc). Certainly I don't want to go into the last 5 games in a worse situation vis a vis our rivals than the one which we are currently in. I don't expect anything from Guernsey, but I would hope that the following few games will go a long way to giving us what we need. If not - then OK, optimism will be in very short supply!
Re. the manager, of course we'll all have our own opinions, but most of us would agree that we've changed manager far too often of late. Although sometimes a new manager gets an initial positive boost from the team, that can often be followed with a slump (as of course we saw - albeit in a different context - with Dom).
some of you keep on about kane geting us promoted but kane did not sign all players as he took over early season also got the sack the next season . dont think he's got the contacts to sign players
Ollie, yes I for one will indeed continue to go on about Nigel getting us promoted, because that is something which has eluded all those who succeeded him after his (to my mind premature if not harsh) dismissal last time around. You might well be right that other potential managers might have better contacts, but for me the key point now is to get the best out of the players we have. He certainly showed in the promotion season that he could do that. I am not uncritical of all that he has done this time round. As others have said, playing with a lone striker is in my opinion a mistake at our level of football; and Monday's night's awful performance is something for which he must take primary responsibility. It simply is my opinion that to make yet another change of manager now will likely do more harm than good.
Everyone is blaming NK for lack of signings, but 1 individual has given this club such a bad reputation that to blame NK for lack of signings is a bit harsh.
What very upsetting and depressing reading the Observer was today. What ever will happen next season especially if we stay up with i doubt no prospect of any meaningful signings due to the clubs current plight.
Surely it is plain to see that the club needs a change from the very top.
If the chairman REALLY has got the best interests of the club at heart then sell it now and return the club to the supporters and town.
Pepper so its ok for people to slag Nigel off when it isn't his fault, is that fair? I know some on here love DW but many of us know the real reason for our plight and it isn't Nigel.
Yes but not for not being able to sign players, I don't think he should be in the job, but to blame him for not signing players I believe is wrong, for not being able to motivate what we have, and for his hapless comments and tactics, then he isn't up to it.
Do you know Chris, you may well be right on that , or in fact on other things, but every single thing you say is a dig at DW, as I have said before, I don`t love DW, but with you everything wrong is his fault, if the tea was cold on Saturday, I bet it would be his fault.
Oh! and my name is Mike (but as your a friend you can call me Pepper if you want)
I respect views on both sides. Please may I ask a couple of things, though? ChrisB's position is quite clear with regard to responsibility. I can't see who the avid/staunch supporters of the Chairman hold ultimately responsible for our position? Second, will those who support the current regime still do so when we rock up at Arundel next season? You may well not like ChrisB's direct approach but at the very least, his view is very much out in the open. As for the manager, it's currently a thankless task, trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, and unable to attract any decent players into a relegation battle at a club so palpably in decline. I actually feel rather sorry for him.
I certainly am not going down that road Overthehill. It's not in my opinion a case of whether one avidly supports the chairman or not at the moment - I have expressed my views to him in private and he gave me an hour of his time to do so. What he does with my opinion is of course up to him! Please do not confuse working for the club as wearing rose tinted spectacles because it isn't . I'm very concerned about our position but the time for the inquest has to be for another day. All involved at the club at whatever level of input have to focus on putting it right and nothing else. Pardon the pun but we have to be united in our approach and that includes on public fora .
I feel sorry for him as well but he apply for job and took it on so he is part to blame as think you should only do a job if you think you can. but who gave him job are ultimatly responsible. they need to act before it is to late
Personally I feel the responsibility for our current position over recent seasons is shared pretty equally among players, managers and yes of course decisions from the top. But feel it is far far too simple to hold an single individual up and say that he is the sole and only cause of our recent failures. Although I of course understand why people would want to push that case heavily on here if they want regime change.
You can make an argument that everything comes from the top of course but it's not one I believe as it is far far to simplistic and doesn't take into account events and complicated outside factors.
However yes being top of the tree means that ultimate responsibility does always rest there and that is burden that comes with the territory just as in politics where a PM may not have any direct responsibility for a certain failure but often has to fall on their sword when departments fail.
Personally certainly don't and haven't agree with everything the Chairman does but i do strongly believe that what is done is with the best intentions of the club.
Still to date there is no defined alternative out in the open and that is what worries me, the questions about possible rival fan groups financial ability to purchase and run using personal savings etc remain for me.
In my world a 'Lewes' model of thousands of '1 owner 1 share' would be ideal but I know that even 5 years down the line for them of fan ownership they struggle with finances each season and they are probably the best example of a fan owned non league club and so if they struggle with big crowds and excellent PR then we would have a huge task to replicate this from scratch.
Chris - read my post again. I'm not going to apportion blame on a public forum as it's more complex than that. If you want to blame the chairman and solely him then that's up to you, as narrow as that is.
My good he's like a scratched record dw this dw that I'm sure ur in love with him as u keep going on about him get over it he's not going he wants the best for the club have u ever chatted to dw and know what he wants y cant u just drop it and support the management and the owner of the club he's put money down for the players if we cant get the ones that we want then we can't get them simple as that have we ever been in in the red with him no so he runs the club perfect and don't run it as a loss every season so u want to piss the money up the wall then what will we have for next season no money at all to hopefully get a good team yes this season has been poor but its not all down to 1or 2 people tho only time u will be happy is when Hastings don't have a club anymore be a man and hush ur gums and support the team and everyone who is involved in the club as its not easy to run like u think I is
-- Edited by hastings85 on Saturday 28th of February 2015 11:38:37 AM
Hastings85, this debate had been going fairly politely why you feel the need for baiting I don't know. I agree that support is always needed but just refusing to question and support unquestioningly is not long term helpful.
It is interesting seeing the various posts and it would seem there are two problems (being aired) that coexist. one is the long term poor management and decline of the club, with strongly held views as to whether that is the fault of just one person, and the second is the current poor form, with blame being apportioned to one man.
Can either of these be remedied before the end of the season? Wif not what can be done to stop the rot before the season is over and it is too late?
There are people who, with reasons given, believe neither to true. What do you think has caused such a poor run of form? What can be done to save the club's place in tier 4?
Sorry if I came across badly but it just duz my nut in when u see dw this dw that he is trying his best he is human like I sad tho it must be hard running a club and seeing people saying dw out and that and also I don't want to comment on poor run of form as I'm no manager and also and what can be done os everyone to get behind the lads as u think its bloody hard for them to play football under the pressure of the negative side if u know what in saying
My good he's like a scratched record dw this dw that I'm sure ur in love with him as u keep going on about him get over it he's not going he wants the best for the club have u ever chatted to dw and know what he wants y cant u just drop it and support the management and the owner of the club he's put money down for the players if we cant get the ones that we want then we can't get them simple as that have we ever been in in the red with him no so he runs the club perfect and don't run it as a loss every season so u want to piss the money up the wall then what will we have for next season no money at all to hopefully get a good team yes this season has been poor but its not all down to 1or 2 people tho only time u will be happy is when Hastings don't have a club anymore be a man and hush ur gums and support the team and everyone who is involved in the club as its not easy to run like u think I is
-- Edited by hastings85 on Saturday 28th of February 2015 11:38:37 AM
its not just this year that has been poor,its been going on for some time you cant even say the cup run year was asuccess when we then got relegated.we have to find a way to get players to come here,it cant be just location,we have to show promise and future,and no im not blaming DW we don't seem to be able to attract enough quality players at one time,afraid im not cleaver enough to know where all the answers are but,im hopeing someone is.
Think the reactions of today's game against Carshalton says it all. Although i know Nigel not personally it seems he lost the control on and out the pitch. The results are very poor but if true and true Hasting supporters react as today there has very soon some action taken. The confidence seems very low and if key players can't be persuaded to get involved in a relation battle then there is something very wrong. Of course it is not only the darkest thought of relegation, but there is also a main issue and that is Hastings United itself. No one is bigger then the club and we have to have a captain out and players on the pitch who will give 100%. Not only for themselves but more for the future of this beautiful football club.
Bert, this is not a beautiful football club, this is a critically ill football club, that is sceptic and poisonous, sadly not living in Sussex means you don't realise the damage one man is doing, and though Nigel is partly to blame, he is not the reason for our plight.
Deadball or deadbrain, however you like to be called, defend the plight of our club and give your response to how things can approve with DW at the helm, its a cheap shot shooting the messenger, lets have a constructive post with your ideas.
So what can improve well that will be u to do one as all that u do is rip in to people and the team u think ur ssomething special don't u if u say a
Football brain y don't u bloody manage a team instead of going on alll the time yes I w
As there at the football yesterday and yes u lot was going on and on don't u know that we know how bad it is its like u and ur cronies only know how bad it is a
S u keep going on about it people like u tho that just don't know when to stop as u just love the attention as u prob don't get any at home lol
What ever u say what comes out ur mouth is bull.... If u know everything be a manager that's right u wont as u know people would rip in to u if things don't go right
It is regrettable that some posters on here just want to slag off others without putting forward any ideas or proposals to take the club forward. What has ChrisB's private life got to do with the future of our football club? I don't care whether ChrisB gets attention at home or not - it is totally irrelevant. Come on dead ball and hastings85 - how about something constructive and meaningful? The pro-regime changers on this forum have made their views very clear. Others haven't.
The end bit was a joke end of the day let the management try and sort it out
How would u feel being a manager trying it hardest to turn things around and all that u see is and he's is the manager don't know what he's doing and all the players r county player do u think any single player wants to hear that do they hell the players management need the support big time not a slagging match u know
The end bit was a joke end of the day let the management try and sort it out How would u feel being a manager trying ur hardest to turn things around and all that u see is and hear is the manager don't know what he's doing and all the players r county player do u think any single player wants to hear that do they hell the players management need the support big time not a slagging match u know
He's won 2 of 16 games and only Horsham have a marginally worse record on current form. He has now signed players from Ringmer, Westfield and Eastbourne, so he is signing county league players. He states in the paper that we are improving but we are clearly not. How long do you want to give him Wayne to sort this out? There are 7 games left between us and county league!
I agree. The trouble is, that support for the manager and players will dwindle the further down the league we go. We've only won 2 out of the last 15. I believe that supporters have a general tendency to put the last performance behind them, and turn up again more in hope than anticipation. That hope dwindles when we get repeat performances that are well below the basic standard we should expect. We even have examples of fans saying they won't travel any more. Also, the sort of players we need right now are those who can use criticism as a huge motivation. It's not just about the manager and the players, though. The whole club is a mess, and negative comment is bound to happen.
End of the day what ever happens I wont stop going to away games or home games as it my home town football club u say motivation yes that could happen but then in my eyes y do u think some players don't want to come to us in my eyes its what they read on here or facebook so its not really about the club I could be wrong if I was a player and see what is on her I would think sod that I ain't going there as I would get slagged off every game
The problem we have is one of reputation, and the behaviour of supporters is, in my view, well down the list of reasons why we cannot attract players. Players aren't stupid, they talk to each other, and to their managers too. Players won't be tempted by league position, standard of football, our facilities (apart from the pitch), mid-season wage trimming, turnover of players and managers, outlook and philosophy of the club, travel, ability of manager and coaching staff. There's a lot of reasons not to come before looking at how critical the supporters are. That's why we are largely able to recruit only from the County League. Somebody said a while ago we need a 20 goal a year striker on loan from a higher level. Wake up and smell the coffee. That is fantasy. This is the reality of Hastings United in 2015. The taxi awaits..........
And also some people say its not good with how many managers we have had this season what is right but some is calling for him to go I know terry wants to come back and has done for months now but as a coach y not see if he can bring back some training like he did last season but everyone has there own mind and we cant always think the same as others
I just think its funny tho everyone can say stuff about ew on hereafter y don't they say it to his face tho iv chatted to him nearly every game u don't understand how how much he loves this club and how much he want us to win he's all ways been upfront with me and always has time for people do u lot think he loves where we r in the table dose he hell
Players don't leave because of a fans forum, and if they do they are so pathetic they are not worth keeping. As has been said broken agreements regarding pay, poor coaching and man management do, DW can't pick and choose when and what he pays you lose all respect with that attitude. What a good chairman does is set a weekly budget at the start of the season, one he knows the club can afford, he then tells the manager what it is and let's the manager get on with it. If things go well and money is available you tell the manager just that and let him improve the squad. If it goes wrong you sack the manager and let someone else take charge to
But u got to look at the long goal if we splash all the money now and nothing changes u all will be like what a waste of money they was and what money would we have left over for the next season sod all u got to look out side the box if u know what I'm saying
What use is money in the County league? You make sure you stay up, without slashing the budget, then you make plans for next season and adjust the budget if required, not in the middle of a relegation scrap. If Tom Vickers was still here I'm not so sure we would be in this mess.
Bert, this is not a beautiful football club, this is a critically ill football club, that is sceptic and poisonous, sadly not living in Sussex means you don't realise the damage one man is doing, and though Nigel is partly to blame, he is not the reason for our plight.
Chris, this is a beautiful football club but the situation where we are in is critical; imo that is a huge difference. The last years , after the cup run, we had no much luck in picking the right manager; although the majority of this forum were almost 100% behind the choices. I can't deny there is a lot of negativity around the club, moaning and moaning. But isn't that always the case when a football club is not well as we all hope for? Of course there has been mistakes made; in and out the pitch. But whatever should stay is the 100% support of the club. Supporters, members are HUFC, players and managers go. NEC has relegated so much times, last year was maybe the worst ever.. And look now, we gonna promote again with a record of points, the supporters stayed and...........
Supporting your club is in your blood, your Family ties and so much more; being only negative ( not without criticism !! ) won't help although of course i can understand the sentiments.
And as I've said before, if the likes of Stuart Playford, Tony Burt, Stuart Myall and even Razor read your comments they would laugh. Leave because they don't feel wanted by the fans? These guys played because they were proper footballers, they couldn't give a toss if they were getting stick, it would just inspire them to try even harder, if that was possible with these guys. Doesn't that comment tell you everything about the modern day footballer? It's all about money these days and nothing about representing the badge. Very sad.
There u go u just answered it the money y pay stupid money for someone who will prob leave at the end of the season anyway and razor he's a Hastings boy same as Sammy they prob don't care about money at least razor came over to us yesterday and said sorry u could tell he was mad about what happened yesterday we want players who play for the club and not just the moneyb
And as I've said before, if the likes of Stuart Playford, Tony Burt, Stuart Myall and even Razor read your comments they would laugh. Leave because they don't feel wanted by the fans? These guys played because they were proper footballers, they couldn't give a toss if they were getting stick, it would just inspire them to try even harder, if that was possible with these guys. Doesn't that comment tell you everything about the modern day footballer? It's all about money these days and nothing about representing the badge. Very sad.
Bang on the money John. Trouble is when you have so many players through the books in one season they don't even know what the badge looks like let alone what it means to the supporters.
And as I've said before, if the likes of Stuart Playford, Tony Burt, Stuart Myall and even Razor read your comments they would laugh. Leave because they don't feel wanted by the fans? These guys played because they were proper footballers, they couldn't give a toss if they were getting stick, it would just inspire them to try even harder, if that was possible with these guys. Doesn't that comment tell you everything about the modern day footballer? It's all about money these days and nothing about representing the badge. Very sad.
Nothing to do with you Bert, it was the comments that players will leave if they do not feel loved by the fans, absolute rubbish, but we all have different opinions and I do respect all whether I agree or not.
Nothing to do with you Bert, it was the comments that players will leave if they do not feel loved by the fans, absolute rubbish, but we all have different opinions and I do respect all whether I agree or not.
No John, was asking in general. Players who playing for the badge for their club are such a minority. Like i proposed before i think
key players and who played a lot of games for a great club ( sorry once more ) like Sean Ray, Sam Adams, the Olorunda's and Josh Pelling have to stick together. They have so much credits and they must act, both on and out the pitch.
So what sort of discussions take place when budgets are cut?
The best people to ask that question would be Nigel or DW, I am sure that would be the only way to get the right answer, anyone else could only give their opinion as to what takes place, and there is enough incorrect opinions on this forum as it is.
I quite often meet players from Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge who are always very positive about the clubs they play for. Have also spoken to admittedly only one ex-Hastings player who was very critical of the way Hastings is run. The opinions of our players and many managers about their employer are probably the only ones that really matter and are crucial as to whether Hastings is the sort of club people want to play for. If they have a bad relationship with the Chairman then the spirit cannot be good in the club or on the pitch. It would be interesting to know the opinions of respected managers and players like John Maggs and Sean Ray about our Chairman.
Trying to be constructive I was concerned when my son Andy Corrigan informed me that 1st team training consisted of 1hour on a Thursday evening indoors at William Parker if this is accurate then a quick fix to improve team performance would be to train at the Pilot field till the end of the season this would improve morale and fitness and should start this week in preparation for Horsham. Remember we have so many new player that playing at home has little advantage so lets give these guys a chance. I could live with a worn pitch till the end of the season then the man can work his magic again Pre-season.
They have trained at the pilot field more this season under NK than under other recent appointments, the only shortfall being either weather or the 18s and 21s matches. however. Parker does have a full gym, and a full size indoor fusall pitch which is ideal to work on quick footwork and their passing game.
And your answer to the problem is ? At least my cronies and I believe we have an answer, you sure don't
Seriously though Chris, I , and I'm sure many others would like details of what the alternative consists of. That way you might get support of people on here for positive things, rather than just being an alternative to the status quo.
Your constant negativeness has come across to me as sour grapes, a bit like a spoilt child who cant get his way, taking every opportunity to critisise in order to further your own cause.
That's my perception, and I'd be happy for you to change that perception. Give us something positive to get behind, and you might be surprised.
Lewes are in the lower reaches of the next league up and they have stated on their web-site that they budget for 38 weeks at £3000 per weeks for players wages. Since the change of manager they have had a couple of players leave so the budget could have been supplemented a bit. Does anyone think we would be able to find a new owner/businessman who would be prepared to bankroll us for £114.00 per annum plus managers, rent, rates, electricity(which Sidley seemed to forget) laundry, kit, youth team, insurance and all other costs associated with the general upkeep.
DC I drive passed pilot field quite a lot of thursday and often lights are on not sure what going on maybe youth game but to many time for youth game so guess team train there but after saturday performance think they should go to boxing club and fight each other. manager clueless so dont think training help anyway but least the players might get some fight in there game which what we need now.
Downsman when you say that what you do with money for players it is so much money think players get to much money to play at this level and then you see no heart in performance like saturday and make it even worse
