Dramatic Decline

[Dr Bandler]

I am thinking back and it is only just over a year ago that things looked very different for the club that we all love.

We were in the Championship and playing fairly good passing football (remember the draw at Leeds in particular), and even though we were drawing too many games we were competing well against most teams. We had the latest (or so we thought at the time) in a series of good managers, and had permission for Flamer. Withdean was mostly full for nearly every game. The future was looking bright (and had been getting brighter since the days of Mickey Adams). I think this is a fairly accurate assessment of things in December 2005, although there were still people unhappy then.

Well, it seems we have fallen a long way since then - we can barely get 6,000 for home games, the away following has fallen off, the team is young and very poor at the moment, and there are the usual rumours but no new signings. Falmer rumbles on thanks to the government and Lewes Council. And we have a young, untried manager who has the support (for now) of the (remaining) crowd but with a very difficult job to do.

I am wondering what people think are the main factors for the dramatic decline. For me they are as follows:

1. No investment in a centre forward in January 2006 transfer window;
2. McGhee lost confidence in what he was trying to do in the second half of last season, and made poor decisions resulting in shmabolic team performances (e.g at QPR). He appears to have gone mad in the end (e.g. playing Revell wide righ at the start of this season).
3. Otaway injured and Carpenter falls off the pace. No midfield control or invention.
4. Still no new players.
5. Hendeson starts to make mistakes behind slow and shaky defence.

It seems to me the underlying cause is lack of investment in the team, which is down to Dick Knight. If we had invested in Gifton Noel-Williams, for example, last January, we may well have avoided relegation (and saved Mark McGhee's sanity and job). We would be getting higher crowds because of that and so more revenue, rather than being on this downward spiral.

The answer now, as then, is money for players. The alternative is relegation and crowds of 3,500. Your decision, Dick.

 

[RM-Taylor]

Well the fans are not turning up as we're not playing so called big teams anymore, no doubt when we play Forest at home it will be the biggest attendance for this season at Withdean.

 

[Dave the OAP]

I am thinking back and it is only just over a year ago that things looked very different for the club that we all love.

We were in the Championship and playing fairly good passing football (remember the draw at Leeds in particular), and even though we were drawing too many games we were competing well against most teams. We had the latest (or so we thought at the time) in a series of good managers, and had permission for Flamer. Withdean was mostly full for nearly every game. The future was looking bright (and had been getting brighter since the days of Mickey Adams). I think this is a fairly accurate assessment of things in December 2005, although there were still people unhappy then.

Well, it seems we have fallen a long way since then - we can barely get 6,000 for home games, the away following has fallen off, the team is young and very poor at the moment, and there are the usual rumours but no new signings. Falmer rumbles on thanks to the government and Lewes Council. And we have a young, untried manager who has the support (for now) of the (remaining) crowd but with a very difficult job to do.

I am wondering what people think are the main factors for the dramatic decline. For me they are as follows:

1. No investment in a centre forward in January 2006 transfer window;
2. McGhee lost confidence in what he was trying to do in the second half of last season, and made poor decisions resulting in shmabolic team performances (e.g at QPR). He appears to have gone mad in the end (e.g. playing Revell wide righ at the start of this season).
3. Otaway injured and Carpenter falls off the pace. No midfield control or invention.
4. Still no new players.
5. Hendeson starts to make mistakes behind slow and shaky defence.

It seems to me the underlying cause is lack of investment in the team, which is down to Dick Knight. If we had invested in Gifton Noel-Williams, for example, last January, we may well have avoided relegation (and saved Mark McGhee's sanity and job). We would be getting higher crowds because of that and so more revenue, rather than being on this downward spiral.

The answer now, as then, is money for players. The alternative is relegation and crowds of 3,500. Your decision, Dick.

Prepare yourself for a barrage of insults going on the lines of


" Yes but spending money on players does not guarantee you success, ie the jason Peake effect"


Basically you are right though

 

[Commander]

I am thinking back and it is only just over a year ago that things looked very different for the club that we all love.

We were in the Championship and playing fairly good passing football (remember the draw at Leeds in particular), and even though we were drawing too many games we were competing well against most teams. We had the latest (or so we thought at the time) in a series of good managers, and had permission for Flamer. Withdean was mostly full for nearly every game. The future was looking bright (and had been getting brighter since the days of Mickey Adams). I think this is a fairly accurate assessment of things in December 2005, although there were still people unhappy then.

Well, it seems we have fallen a long way since then - we can barely get 6,000 for home games, the away following has fallen off, the team is young and very poor at the moment, and there are the usual rumours but no new signings. Falmer rumbles on thanks to the government and Lewes Council. And we have a young, untried manager who has the support (for now) of the (remaining) crowd but with a very difficult job to do.

I am wondering what people think are the main factors for the dramatic decline. For me they are as follows:

1. No investment in a centre forward in January 2006 transfer window;
2. McGhee lost confidence in what he was trying to do in the second half of last season, and made poor decisions resulting in shmabolic team performances (e.g at QPR). He appears to have gone mad in the end (e.g. playing Revell wide righ at the start of this season).
3. Otaway injured and Carpenter falls off the pace. No midfield control or invention.
4. Still no new players.
5. Hendeson starts to make mistakes behind slow and shaky defence.

It seems to me the underlying cause is lack of investment in the team, which is down to Dick Knight. If we had invested in Gifton Noel-Williams, for example, last January, we may well have avoided relegation (and saved Mark McGhee's sanity and job). We would be getting higher crowds because of that and so more revenue, rather than being on this downward spiral.

The answer now, as then, is money for players. The alternative is relegation and crowds of 3,500. Your decision, Dick.

Cant really find too much to disagree with there.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I just think this latest knockback for Falmer due to the sheer masonic malice of LDC knocked the stuffing out of the club and the fans. Hard to remain upbeat when the future keeps receding into the distance. The cheap option of playing the youth team in League One is a direct result of that knockback.

I blame LDC.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I would agree with a lot of that, but I do not agree with the GNW statement. We were told we tried to intice him down, but were unable to as he made it clear he wanted to make his mark at Burnley and simply came to us, in the end, to get some games under his belt.

Were there other players of that standard to help us avoid relegation?! Bearing in mind we needed a creative midfielder, a goalscorer and an established left back.

 

[Goring Gull]

Re: Re: Dramatic Decline

Prepare yourself for a barrage of insults going on the lines of


" Yes but spending money on players does not guarantee you success, ie the jason Peake effect"


Basically you are right though

Chelsea may beg to differ.

 

[Ernest]

I am thinking back and it is only just over a year ago that things looked very different for the club that we all love.

We were in the Championship and playing fairly good passing football (remember the draw at Leeds in particular), and even though we were drawing too many games we were competing well against most teams. We had the latest (or so we thought at the time) in a series of good managers, and had permission for Flamer. Withdean was mostly full for nearly every game. The future was looking bright (and had been getting brighter since the days of Mickey Adams). I think this is a fairly accurate assessment of things in December 2005, although there were still people unhappy then.

Well, it seems we have fallen a long way since then - we can barely get 6,000 for home games, the away following has fallen off, the team is young and very poor at the moment, and there are the usual rumours but no new signings. Falmer rumbles on thanks to the government and Lewes Council. And we have a young, untried manager who has the support (for now) of the (remaining) crowd but with a very difficult job to do.

I am wondering what people think are the main factors for the dramatic decline. For me they are as follows:

1. No investment in a centre forward in January 2006 transfer window;
2. McGhee lost confidence in what he was trying to do in the second half of last season, and made poor decisions resulting in shmabolic team performances (e.g at QPR). He appears to have gone mad in the end (e.g. playing Revell wide righ at the start of this season).
3. Otaway injured and Carpenter falls off the pace. No midfield control or invention.
4. Still no new players.
5. Hendeson starts to make mistakes behind slow and shaky defence.

It seems to me the underlying cause is lack of investment in the team, which is down to Dick Knight. If we had invested in Gifton Noel-Williams, for example, last January, we may well have avoided relegation (and saved Mark McGhee's sanity and job). We would be getting higher crowds because of that and so more revenue, rather than being on this downward spiral.

The answer now, as then, is money for players. The alternative is relegation and crowds of 3,500. Your decision, Dick.

Perfectly put

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I'd say rather than the absence of Charlie Oatway, the absence of Paul Reid has left a big hole in the side.

 

[Yorkie]

I'd say rather than the absence of Charlie Oatway, the absence of Paul Reid has left a big hole in the side.

I would say both as any long injuries are going to hit a squad as thin as ours which is due to lack of investment in the team as stated in the first post.
Whether that lack of investment was down to Dick Knight or other directors with their own agenda is debatable.

 

[Ernest]

I'd say rather than the absence of Charlie Oatway, the absence of Paul Reid has left a big hole in the side.

The absence of an on field leader is far more harmful than a midfielder playing at right back or left back.

 

[Lokki 7]

I think the lack of signings during the Jan-06 transfer window eventually led to our collapse and relegation. I believe the same will happen this year if we fail to act. Very depressing.
Some still argue that there is no one available. Well, do you remember a promising defender who was shoved up front because we couldn't sign an effective target man? That was what, 3 years ago? Surely there was someone available in that time other than trolley and a loan of GNW? And supposedly we have/had £100k plus to spend. It's time to act or we will be in League 2 this time next year with one eye on the Conference.

 

[The Oldman]

Very fair summary of what a difference a year makes. However, I believe the fiasco over the Falmer decision by JP's office has had a massive detrimental affect on the Board. They were so certain that a) JP would say "yes" and b) that any objection would be minor and dealt with quickly.

To learn that a mistake by a civil servant left the door open for Lewes et al to stage a major objection and delay and then the removal of JP has left the board wondering if Falmer will ever happen. All they can see is more legal fees and due to inflation higher costs for the development if the go ahead is given. If Ruth Kelly says no then money has to be kept in reserve to deal with the aftermath.

With that scenario and no major injection of new funds there can only be minimal expenditure on Team Building. MM knew this and lost the plot. DW knows it better than anyone and knows loan players are all we can realistically afford. Results start going against us; crowds go down; money gets even tighter, morale at the club goes down.

Not a happy time. To all those who keep saying we cannot keep blaming Lewes DC and the Falmer delay, I suggest you are wrong.

 

[Napper]

You are right , DK needs to invest , even if just the WHU money which was bonus (I will ignore the previous numerous bonus moneys things we've recieved)

Basically this season is a knock on for no investment last season.

If we dont invest again NOW then this time next year things will be a whole lot worse.

SORT IT OUT NOW PLEASE , MAKE FUNDS AVAILABLE

 

[beorhthelm]

that a pretty fair comment. we know Dick Knight has our best interests at heart, he is after all a fan too, but he simply hasn't got the financial resources nor apparently the inclination to allow anyone with cash to get involved. Wilkins has made a good effort after a shaky start, but a couple of good months are showing in tired players and now the time comes again to make additions, but there wont be any.

 

[eastlondonseagull]

Excellent summary.

I do, however, blame LDC etc more than DK, because their actions have caused further delays and therefore caused utter deflation among supporters. We're growing tired of fighting.

Six games ago, we had a team that had scored 20+ goals in a handful of games, and who were playing great, spirited football (ie. Bradford away). The players we've got are not poor, we've had far worse, it's the confidence that's low. And a win will help sort that again.

The general dejection over Withdean / Falmer and the wankers at LDC will be a whole lot harder to dispel, however.

 

[RexCathedra]

...but he simply hasn't got the financial resources nor apparently the inclination to allow anyone with cash to get involved.

No arguments on part one -- the resources.

If part one is the case, then there is little to say against DK -- he can't mint money out of air.

On part two -- the inclination: do we know this, or is this a supposition based on what we as fans can see from the outside, so to speak.

It'certainly a plausible supposition -- it 'saves the phenomenon' as the historians of science say -- but the visible effects of one and two are indistinguishable.

If part two is the case, he has a good deal more to answer for.

 

[Dr Bandler]

I'd say rather than the absence of Charlie Oatway, the absence of Paul Reid has left a big hole in the side.

Yes, you are right. Do you remember Paul Reid's peformance in the home game against Leyton Orient when he was, at last, given the chance to play in central midfield. He did all the apparently simple things - like linking up play, passing accurately, and holding the ball well. Nobody seems able to do that now - I bet Dean Wilkins wishes he was fit.

 

[Rougvie]

Ask some of the stay away fans if they would come back even if Falmer was built and the answer may surprise you.

The standard of Set Play/Passing/Corners at the moment is conference standard, but we are not the worst in the Division by a long stretch.

He was offered help at the end of last season, but chose NOT to accept it

 

[byf]

4 MILLION IN PLAYER SALES.......OVER 3 YEARS!

AND WHO HAVE WE SIGNED??...theres your reason for decline!