Millen - Do You Back Him?

[Roger Red Hat]

Why is there a poll about this?

[Nogbad the Bad]

There are many fans who have thought we would struggle to avoid relegation when KM was appointed.

It's got nothing to do with the few scrapped points we have achieved recently.

It's just a fickle vocal few on here, that makes people think one minute we are good and the next we aren't.

The polls said 70%+ against KM's appointment, though I'm certain 99% would WISH him to succeed.

I'm fed up with reading that one minute fans fear relegation and after a couple of wins are talking of the play offs, and therefore how fickle we supposedly are. Only a few get carried away and talk of the play offs, most people's opinions do not change due to a few results one way or another and realise we are in an entrenched fight against relegation this season.

As for KM, I was against his appointment. However, his signings have been excellent imo. and have all satisfied the criteria that we should only sign players better than what we had.

This is a big plus for him, as is his stated desire to play attacking, entertaining football.

However, despite a very good run following his initial disastrous period we are now struggling again and it's perfectly feasible we will be back in the relegation places in the near future.

We looked atrocious for most of the match at Reading and very poor again yesterday and on current form it will be touch and go as to whether we survive. I'm certainly not happy with the way this team is performing half a season into KM's tenure.

Steve Lansdown's managerial appointments are patchy at best so I don't accept for one minute he necessarily made the right choice in KM - it is up to Millen to convince us by further astute signings, improved tactics and substitutions, and most of all results.

It is to everyone's advantage that we now back him to do just this, but anyone who has absolutely no doubts that he can simply can't have watched the last few games.

[red badger]

Why is there a poll about this?

good question - I imagine it's to counter another poll asking the rather more pertinent question as to whether supporters are satisfied with the season to date...which might surface some dissatisfaction with developments in the past year...which some on here will find awkward.

[Luke_Ciderhead]

I have serious doubts.

I dont blame him for the position we are in. As others have said, this season was a virtual write-off from the point Coppell left us and Millen has done well to pick up the pieces and drag us out of the relegation zone.

However I dont think he's the long term answer for us. He doesnt appear to have the tactical knowledge, contacts in the fooballing world, or experience necessary to get us where we want to be - Which is challenging for a place in the Premier League.

[Chappers]

Johnson had lost the plot, Coppell never exactly had a plot and Millen now has to sort out the mess. He has made 4 signings, Rose has been disappointing, but Stead, Pitman and Caulker have all been good, and improved the squad. It's hardly his fault that some of Johnsons gave us a large, unbalanced squad packed with modest players, and Coppell just added to the mediocrity (Albert and DJ excepted). Add to that the youth policy under Johnson (Good stiff ignoring), the fact that the Chairman is looking to get the finances a lot closer to break-even, and you realise just what a hard job he has, and how well he has done to get us a few points clear of the relegation zone. We are still far from safe, have a very tough home game and a January to come, so we must just hope things are not too bad once February arrives.

Whoever is in charge, this season will be very tough, next season will also be tough, then it might finally start to improve.

BTW, what does anyone hope to gain by having 3 managers in a season? We have far greater need of stability than yet more upheaval, and this mythical 'big name' who can turn a pretty average squad into World-beaters.

[Donald]

Why is there a poll about this?

couple of people were saying a few days ago they felt alot of fans wanted him out, so thought only fair to put it to a vote.

[bcfc_Jamie]

Can't believe people are turning on him after a run of 3 bad games!

He got manager of the month for November for christ sakes!

I for one think he's done a fairly decent job since the whole Coppell scenario. He's brought in 4 players, Stead, Pitman, Caulker & Rose and I say have all improved the squad. People may say this is down to Wigley but who brought in Wigley? Millen.

Get behind the management staff and players!

These are the times they need us the most.

Starting with Cardiff Saturday!

COYR!

[red badger]

Can't believe people are turning on him after a run of 3 bad games!

He got manager of the month for November for christ sakes!

I for one think he's done a fairly decent job since the whole Coppell scenario. He's brought in 4 players, Stead, Pitman, Caulker & Rose and I say have all improved the squad. People may say this is down to Wigley but who brought in Wigley? Millen.

Get behind the management staff and players!

These are the times they need us the most.

Starting with Cardiff Saturday!

COYR!

to be fair there's not one post on this thread slating KM and "turning on him after a run of 3 bad games". There are a few people, myself included, waiting to be convinced that he's the man for the job. We're not unsupportive of the club, or indeed of Keith, and doubtless most of us will be there as ever - or there in spirit - on Saturday.

[bcfc_Jamie]

to be fair there's not one post on this thread slating KM and "turning on him after a run of 3 bad games". There are a few people, myself included, waiting to be convinced that he's the man for the job. We're not unsupportive of the club, or indeed of Keith, and doubtless most of us will be there as ever - or there in spirit - on Saturday.

i wasn't just refering to the comments made on here. The callers on BBC Bristol yesterday seemed to have it in for Millen.

[SJC]

Voted 'Having serious doubts', and genuinely fail to see how any of the other three are viable options.

Saying you voted 'I back Millen fully' because he is our manager doesnt mean anything, it's a completely redundant statement. This poll is asking you for your opinion on the situation, not a generic 'I back him because he's the man in charge' line. I wont be giving him abuse either on here or at games, id like to think no-one will whether it be during his time here or after, however criticism where it is perhaps due yes, stating that you have concerns with the situation should not automatically set you apart as someone who doesnt 'back' the manager.

The main issue here, the one that seems to absolve Millen of any 'wrong' doing, is that he inherited a mess. Quite frankly I think this is rubbish.

He certainly didnt inherit an enviable position, but this was more due to an extensive injury list, one that meant many players emerged from their personal pre-season 5-10 games into the campaign.

This apparent dramatic affect that Coppell had is a smokescreen. Of course it wasnt ideal, it wasnt how we'd hoped things would pan out, but Keith had been in charge for the final nine games of last season during which Coppell had little to no impact - apparently none, he then resumed his role as number two over the summer when the new man entered the fray, presumably continuing to have a great deal of input and guidance in his more familiar role.

Of our last 33 competitive fixtures, Keith Millen has occupied the managers chair for 31 of them.

Officially Coppell's tenure was 11th May - August 12th, three months - almost two of which involved tweaking the infrastrucure (although on appointment the setup present was praised, while it was implied little revamping was required), watching dvd's and making or handling enquires. We're not talking about half a season, we're not talking about a manager who came in for any amount of time to truly implement his own ideas, whether tactically or personnel wise, Steve Coppell came and went, for the vast majority of the past year Keith Millen has been the manager of Bristol City Football Club.

So we are to honestly believe that Steve Coppell, not to mention what a fantastic manager he is and thus the concept of him coming in like a wrecking ball is total nonsense, having taken to the training pitch on July 1st and resigned on August 12th, in the space of 43 days, wrote this club off for five months and counting? Not for me.

Of course people will cry Coppell's signings, and whilst Hunt, Cisse and Stewart certainly inspire me a great deal less than Millen's fantastic efforts, you must either believe that he signed those players in an attempt to deliberately sabotage the club or he is a bad manager, at least when it comes to recruiting. And then of course you are to suggest that those three players, all three of which have barely featured, have somehow caused a catastrophic implosion . . . . . . like ive said, sorry, for me, nonsense.

It is also remarkable how quickly expectation level has plummeted. Before the season start we were considered one of the promotion favourites, the Coppell factor clearly contributing, but we had a good squad, one that was capable of being in the mix. Several excellent additions later and where are we, scrapping for our lives, requiring last minute penalties to paper over the cracks of inept performances against relegation rivals. The chairman emerges saying survival is only aim, fans treat escaping the relegation zone as if we've established a four point gap infront of the play-off pack, those who {rightly} questioned the manager have it rubbed in their faces after we emerge, head barely above water, from the bottom three. All incredibly surreal and testament to the backward steps we've taken as a club, on pitch, in so little time.

One area where Millen has without question excelled is the transfer market, he has recruited superbly, of the highest order. Stead, Rose and Caulker all start in our strongest XI, Pittman was a shrewd piece of business.

He's clearly a good man, a good coach and im sure that given time he will become a decent manager. But, as was asked at the time of his appointment, with relegation hanging over our heads half way through the season, do we have the time to entertain his learning curve?

Dont be positive or negative, just say it how it is;

Our worst start in countless years, in my opinion without any absolute valid reason - although as mentioned injuries did hamper our pre-season, verged on inexcusable.

We then appeared to have turned a corner, good performances mixed with fortune.

Ironically as we found ourselves before we are entering a tough period, including fixtures against Cardiff and QPR, in poor form.

Hopefully Keith and the players can respond now as they did then, by putting together a good sequence of results.

[Tonto]

I find it incredible how some people think the Coppell era shouldn't and didn't have an impact on the team. Our pre-season was a write off, transfers were last minute and we only became settled at the end of September.

Similar to gj's early tenure hear I don't think we can call this a milly team until he's had at least 1 full transfer window to build what he thinks we need. Hes highlighted the need for a left back and a centre midfielder.

Milly inherited a team that was lacking stability, struggled for the majority of 09/10 and more importantly unbalanced. In a very short time he's brought in, on the whole, players who have improved the squad.

Lets give him the opportunity to bring in the "golf clubs" we need.

[Craven arms]

Weather you back him or not.One things for sure he wont be there next season........

[spudski]

Voted 'Having serious doubts', and genuinely fail to see how any of the other three are viable options.

Saying you voted 'I back Millen fully' because he is our manager doesnt mean anything, it's a completely redundant statement. This poll is asking you for your opinion on the situation, not a generic 'I back him because he's the man in charge' line. I wont be giving him abuse either on here or at games, id like to think no-one will whether it be during his time here or after, however criticism where it is perhaps due yes, stating that you have concerns with the situation should not automatically set you apart as someone who doesnt 'back' the manager.

The main issue here, the one that seems to absolve Millen of any 'wrong' doing, is that he inherited a mess. Quite frankly I think this is rubbish.

He certainly didnt inherit an enviable position, but this was more due to an extensive injury list, one that meant many players emerged from their personal pre-season 5-10 games into the campaign.

This apparent dramatic affect that Coppell had is a smokescreen. Of course it wasnt ideal, it wasnt how we'd hoped things would pan out, but Keith had been in charge for the final nine games of last season during which Coppell had little to no impact - apparently none, he then resumed his role as number two over the summer when the new man entered the fray, presumably continuing to have a great deal of input and guidance in his more familiar role.

Of our last 33 competitive fixtures, Keith Millen has occupied the managers chair for 31 of them.

Officially Coppell's tenure was 11th May - August 12th, three months - almost two of which involved tweaking the infrastrucure (although on appointment the setup present was praised, while it was implied little revamping was required), watching dvd's and making or handling enquires. We're not talking about half a season, we're not talking about a manager who came in for any amount of time to truly implement his own ideas, whether tactically or personnel wise, Steve Coppell came and went, for the vast majority of the past year Keith Millen has been the manager of Bristol City Football Club.

So we are to honestly believe that Steve Coppell, not to mention what a fantastic manager he is and thus the concept of him coming in like a wrecking ball is total nonsense, having taken to the training pitch on July 1st and resigned on August 12th, in the space of 43 days, wrote this club off for five months and counting? Not for me.

Of course people will cry Coppell's signings, and whilst Hunt, Cisse and Stewart certainly inspire me a great deal less than Millen's fantastic efforts, you must either believe that he signed those players in an attempt to deliberately sabotage the club or he is a bad manager, at least when it comes to recruiting. And then of course you are to suggest that those three players, all three of which have barely featured, have somehow caused a catastrophic implosion . . . . . . like ive said, sorry, for me, nonsense.

It is also remarkable how quickly expectation level has plummeted. Before the season start we were considered one of the promotion favourites, the Coppell factor clearly contributing, but we had a good squad, one that was capable of being in the mix. Several excellent additions later and where are we, scrapping for our lives, requiring last minute penalties to paper over the cracks of inept performances against relegation rivals. The chairman emerges saying survival is only aim, fans treat escaping the relegation zone as if we've established a four point gap infront of the play-off pack, those who {rightly} questioned the manager have it rubbed in their faces after we emerge, head barely above water, from the bottom three. All incredibly surreal and testament to the backward steps we've taken as a club, on pitch, in so little time.

One area where Millen has without question excelled is the transfer market, he has recruited superbly, of the highest order. Stead, Rose and Caulker all start in our strongest XI, Pittman was a shrewd piece of business.

He's clearly a good man, a good coach and im sure that given time he will become a decent manager. But, as was asked at the time of his appointment, with relegation hanging over our heads half way through the season, do we have the time to entertain his learning curve?

Dont be positive or negative, just say it how it is;

Our worst start in countless years, in my opinion without any absolute valid reason - although as mentioned injuries did hamper our pre-season, verged on inexcusable.

We then appeared to have turned a corner, good performances mixed with fortune.

Ironically as we found ourselves before we are entering a tough period, including fixtures against Cardiff and QPR, in poor form.

Hopefully Keith and the players can respond now as they did then, by putting together a good sequence of results.

Wow...what a great post, very well reasoned and tbh, i thought i was the only one on here who had similar views. Thanks for posting.

[red badger]

I find it incredible how some people think the Coppell era shouldn't and didn't have an impact on the team. Our pre-season was a write off, transfers were last minute and we only became settled at the end of September.

Similar to gj's early tenure hear I don't think we can call this a milly team until he's had at least 1 full transfer window to build what he thinks we need. Hes highlighted the need for a left back and a centre midfielder.

Milly inherited a team that was lacking stability, struggled for the majority of 09/10 and more importantly unbalanced. In a very short time he's brought in, on the whole, players who have improved the squad.

Lets give him the opportunity to bring in the "golf clubs" we need.

I think SJC has pretty much put a counter argument to the importance of the Coppell "era"...I happen to think he's got it spot on. I'm with Spudski - it's a great post.

I'd simply add that the observation that we need a left back and in central midfielder could have been made at any point in the past couple of years. That's what we were bringing in when Andre Blackman joined for his brief stint and when we signed Hartley and Sno. At that point many on here were acclaiming the most complete City squad in living memory...arguably the most talented ever. That team didn't struggle in the first half of 09/10. Indeed we were in a pretty tidy spot going into the new year a year ago. The decline has been over the past 12 months...Keith's not been a spectator in that period, he's been the boss or the number 2 throughout.

[chinapig]

Voted 'Having serious doubts', and genuinely fail to see how any of the other three are viable options.

Saying you voted 'I back Millen fully' because he is our manager doesnt mean anything, it's a completely redundant statement. This poll is asking you for your opinion on the situation, not a generic 'I back him because he's the man in charge' line. I wont be giving him abuse either on here or at games, id like to think no-one will whether it be during his time here or after, however criticism where it is perhaps due yes, stating that you have concerns with the situation should not automatically set you apart as someone who doesnt 'back' the manager.

The main issue here, the one that seems to absolve Millen of any 'wrong' doing, is that he inherited a mess. Quite frankly I think this is rubbish.

He certainly didnt inherit an enviable position, but this was more due to an extensive injury list, one that meant many players emerged from their personal pre-season 5-10 games into the campaign.

This apparent dramatic affect that Coppell had is a smokescreen. Of course it wasnt ideal, it wasnt how we'd hoped things would pan out, but Keith had been in charge for the final nine games of last season during which Coppell had little to no impact - apparently none, he then resumed his role as number two over the summer when the new man entered the fray, presumably continuing to have a great deal of input and guidance in his more familiar role.

Of our last 33 competitive fixtures, Keith Millen has occupied the managers chair for 31 of them.

Officially Coppell's tenure was 11th May - August 12th, three months - almost two of which involved tweaking the infrastrucure (although on appointment the setup present was praised, while it was implied little revamping was required), watching dvd's and making or handling enquires. We're not talking about half a season, we're not talking about a manager who came in for any amount of time to truly implement his own ideas, whether tactically or personnel wise, Steve Coppell came and went, for the vast majority of the past year Keith Millen has been the manager of Bristol City Football Club.

So we are to honestly believe that Steve Coppell, not to mention what a fantastic manager he is and thus the concept of him coming in like a wrecking ball is total nonsense, having taken to the training pitch on July 1st and resigned on August 12th, in the space of 43 days, wrote this club off for five months and counting? Not for me.

Of course people will cry Coppell's signings, and whilst Hunt, Cisse and Stewart certainly inspire me a great deal less than Millen's fantastic efforts, you must either believe that he signed those players in an attempt to deliberately sabotage the club or he is a bad manager, at least when it comes to recruiting. And then of course you are to suggest that those three players, all three of which have barely featured, have somehow caused a catastrophic implosion . . . . . . like ive said, sorry, for me, nonsense.

It is also remarkable how quickly expectation level has plummeted. Before the season start we were considered one of the promotion favourites, the Coppell factor clearly contributing, but we had a good squad, one that was capable of being in the mix. Several excellent additions later and where are we, scrapping for our lives, requiring last minute penalties to paper over the cracks of inept performances against relegation rivals. The chairman emerges saying survival is only aim, fans treat escaping the relegation zone as if we've established a four point gap infront of the play-off pack, those who {rightly} questioned the manager have it rubbed in their faces after we emerge, head barely above water, from the bottom three. All incredibly surreal and testament to the backward steps we've taken as a club, on pitch, in so little time.

One area where Millen has without question excelled is the transfer market, he has recruited superbly, of the highest order. Stead, Rose and Caulker all start in our strongest XI, Pittman was a shrewd piece of business.

He's clearly a good man, a good coach and im sure that given time he will become a decent manager. But, as was asked at the time of his appointment, with relegation hanging over our heads half way through the season, do we have the time to entertain his learning curve?

Dont be positive or negative, just say it how it is;

Our worst start in countless years, in my opinion without any absolute valid reason - although as mentioned injuries did hamper our pre-season, verged on inexcusable.

We then appeared to have turned a corner, good performances mixed with fortune.

Ironically as we found ourselves before we are entering a tough period, including fixtures against Cardiff and QPR, in poor form.

Hopefully Keith and the players can respond now as they did then, by putting together a good sequence of results.

Another fine, reasoned post.

Backing the manager regardless gives the impression of commendable loyalty. I can only assume anybody who does did the same for every manager from Gary Johnson to um, let's say Tony Pulis. Loyalty to the club does not require loyalty to anybody or everybody who happens to work for it; there are many players who have played for (and fleeced or let down) our club over the years for whom I had and have the greatest disdain. So no I do not unconditionally back Keith and regard him as any more beyond criticism (or praise) than any other manager.

You make another good case on the alleged Coppell factor. I certainly feel that injuries, both pre-season and since, have had an important impact but given Keith's long experience of the club, recent tenure and knowledge of the players (and coaching qualifications) Coppell's despicable behaviour should not, forgive me, be used as a cop out. I am much more struck by his swinging from saying he was not ready for the job to snapping it up and subsequently the strange tactical decisions and public statements he seems to make when things are not going well, which seem to suggest he does not handle pressure well; perhaps not surprising from a novice manager. It also worried me when after some time in charge he said we ( I assume he and Wigley) had not decided how they wanted to play.

Like you I applaud his signings (with reservations about Rose's attitude) which suggest good judgement and a preference for younger, hungry players over has-beens looking for a boost to their pension fund.

As to expectations, those are not Keith's fault. Sometimes Steve needs to be careful what he says too! But it seems that some are so desperate for Keith to succeed (as am I since I like to see the good guys do well) that they want to deny the perilous position we are in or to deny Keith bears any responsibilty, (though happy to praise him during a good run, praise he entirely deserved btw having stopped flailing around and settled on a straightforward formation and approach the players could actually cope with).

I find such a combination of denial and excuses shared by fans and manager alike (players of course take no responsibility for anything and hide behind the manager) worrying and a sign of a complacency that could threaten our survival. The first step to solving a problem is to admit you have one.

So, I do not back Keith regardless and since I believe managers have to be given a reasonable time (unless they're called Pulis, principles only go so far!) I don't call for his head either. But yes I have serious doubts as I cannot see any other rational option at this point.

[spudski]

How nice to see some well reasoned, and thought out posts for a change. Long may it continue.

[Tonto]

The no2 is very different to no1. The buck stops with the manager at the time, hence Johnson leaving.

On the whole our form/performance/entertainment in 09/10 was poor, whilst our league position at this time last year was ok our real position was found out some months later.

By the end of august we had 9 new players, our top scorer out with a long term injury and what was essentially a 3rd new manager in only 5 months. I dont you can consider milly being caretaker the same a full time manager. Always knowing a new manager would come in with his own ideas.

Coppell often commented it would be a hard struggle, which I presume was down to him wanting to change our style. This was then changed again following his departure.

Lansdown has only recently commented that survival is our only objective. Whilst disappointing to hear it's realistic for the position we find ourselves in. I fail to see what other manager could have done better as we were a team in decline before milly took over.

[spudski]

I find it interesting to note, that the so called experts who decide on what odds should be given to a team, when deciding whether will be promoted at the start of the season, made BCFC, under Coppell as dark horses to get promotion.

Did they take into consideration our playing staff when SC took over, or base it soley on SC's appointment? Surely both?...Which leads me to believe our playing staff were seen as half decent.

I would have loved to have seen the odds, based purely on KM's appointment with the same playing staff at the beginning of the season.

I'll never blame KM if he fails to keep us up. I don't blame the man for taking the job on. The blame soley lies with the man who appointed him. But for many he can do no wrong.

[red badger]

In my experience of many seasons counting the points the table doesn't lie. If anything a year ago we were in a poorer position that we should have been. We'd thrown away 6 points by conceding last gasp equalisers at home to Scunny, Peterborough and Reading. We could easily have been in the play-off positions. The table certainly doesn't lie now!

We had a bad run in GJs last days. And then picked up. I'm afraid the idea that we were a team in decline when Keith took over doesn't square with anything that was being said at the club or on here right up to the day Coppell left. I'm not sure why it's an idea that's gained currency on here amongst some posters...other than those who couldn't wait to see the back of Johnson and are now left having to either further rubbish his reputation or face the fact that he did rather a good job!

in my opinion we've declined as a direct result of appointing a manager with no experience to draw on, and who is having to learn as he goes along. Which isn't what Steve L promised us on the day he appointed GJs successor.

[Tonto]

In my experience of many seasons counting the points the table doesn't lie. If anything a year ago we were in a poorer position that we should have been. We'd thrown away 6 points by conceding last gasp equalisers at home to Scunny, Peterborough and Reading. We could easily have been in the play-off positions. The table certainly doesn't lie now!

We had a bad run in GJs last days. And then picked up. I'm afraid the idea that we were a team in decline when Keith took over doesn't square with anything that was being said at the club or on here right up to the day Coppell left. I'm not sure why it's an idea that's gained

currency on here amongst some posters...other than those who couldn't wait to see the back of Johnson and are now left having to either further rubbish his reputation or face the fact that he did rather a good job!

in my opinion we've declined as a direct result of appointing a manager with no experience to draw on, and who is having to learn as he goes along. Which isn't what Steve L promised us on the day he appointed GJs successor.

It's not a case of whether Johnson did a good job or not. That's been done to death! As for the last minute equalisers creating a poorer position that we were in, perhaps. However in many of those games we were playing very poorly against even poorer teams.

We picked up at the end of last year as a result of Milly taking over and I feel the euphoria was slightly unfounded once we saw a number of the signings play in the red and white!

From a season by season and game by game comparison I certainly wouldn't say our performances had improved from 08/09 to 09/10.

Would you agree we were a team going through a big transition with 9 new players and 3rd manager in 5 months?

[red66]

I back him because hes our manager, do i think hes the right man for this job at this time - NO

ditto,city through and through,

but who else?

[REDOXO]

Would you agree we were a team going through a big transition with 9 new players and 3rd manager in 8 months?

Yes!

Anyone can be a hindsight quarterback. It's simple look at what is going on and then say we/I should/would have done something different and everything would have been better.

IMO unless we had a chance at Alex Fergusson, Arsene Wenger or Martin O'Neal, Keith Millen was as good a choice as any. Yes he lacked managerial experience, however he worked closely with 5(?) managers at City and must have picked up some thoughts of his own on the way. On top of that he knows the players and the club, much akin to the Anfield Boot Room Boys that naturally progressed into managerial/senior roles at the club during and post the Shankly era, the most succesful era in the clubs history!!

I was as happy as the nexy girl when Steve Coppell accepted the job, however I was always a proponent of giving KM the job up until that point for exactly those reasons and I dont see any reason to change that position now.

KM inherited a club in complete disarray after the Coppell (knob) debacle and to boot he had one of the worst injury crisis in the clubs history to contain, this he did without complaint and with a very good dash of class.

He understood and acknowledged the supporters frustrations despite what have must have been a very stressfull time gradually bringing back players and giving those who had been brought in a chance, it was clear some would make it (Albert) some wouldn't (Nicky Hunt) and some may still (Cissee) and he bought in two exceptional talents in Pitman and John Stead plus Steven Caulker and Danny Rose who have all played their part in the begining of the Millen era.

Often it was said that GJ largely signed garbage with the exception of Maynard, Basso, Elliot among others, can anyone point to a single Millen signing that has been a failure...I cant... The guy has had the sense to bring in the country's number one youth coach who has more contacts than a power station and has stabilized the position of the club. Unfortunately we are having something of an injury crisis again and the guy has to send a team out to earn points while the Anti brigade snipe safely from their seats in the Dolman/Williams stand...

I will be attending my first match of the season on Saturday due to work comitments and the fact I live on a different continent, however I will be the one standing in the Dolman stand when KM walks onto the pitch, because the guy has earned our/my support and admiration

COYR

[spudski]

I can't understand why people say the Club were in total dissaray when Coppell left. Yes, it was a suprise, but only because he left of his own accord and was not sacked by the board.

The situation is no different to a Club sacking their manager...like Burnley today, and bringing in a New manager. The boot was just on the other foot.

I believe SL panicked. It was obvious a kick in the guts and maybe embarrassing. It was easy to replace Coppell from within the Club, to save face all round.

I hope KM keeps us up and proves me wrong. But if he doesn't...I won't blame him. Only SL. Giving a complete Rookie manager the job, in this league is asking for trouble imho.

[Portland Bill]

How nice to see some well reasoned, and thought out posts for a change. Long may it continue.

There's lots of very good posts on here every day, but 90% of those don't suit your agenda.

[REDOXO]

I can't understand why people say the Club were in total dissaray when Coppell left.

You cant! Let me help:

A manager will have a vision of what he wants to achieve when he starts a job and then goes about making his vision happen, as Coppell had started going about this task it makes it all the more difficult to unpick.

We lost our opening match at home 3-0 to Millwall and 72 hours later we went out of the League Cup away at Southend United. At that point Mr. Coppell knowing he was out of his depth and not having a clue what to do next jumped ship.

This was compounded by an injury crisis leaving us with one fit forward (Clarkson) a back four that included Nicky Hunt. A completely unecessary RB who was bought in on high wages as competion/first choice with/over Christian Ribeiro among a plethera of alternatives and Damion Stewart, (I will be careful what I say as he may be in on Saturday, however he just has lost his place to a utility in the heart of defence) bought for 4/5ths of the fee for Bradley Orr (fair value...my arse) is he better than what we had?

We also had a midfield that included the choice of several right wingers (JCR, Sproule, Albert and Haynes when fit) and no left sided/footed player at the entire club (in first team contention) with the exception of MacAlister! On top of that we had a central midfield with no playmaking back up for Lee Johnson and a completely untested first choice in the middle of Cissee and Elliot or Skuse

Thats quite enough disarray for me!!!!

[miketh2nd]

Are you drunk? This is OTIB afterall!

Is quite funny I can't see how people really thought we'd easily beat Palace considering our back four only caulker is a familiar face in that back four and Cisse and Nyganta have barely played Skuse a midfielder Haynes and JCR in so thats 5 changes and only two tactical changes.Caulker is great but he can't do everything!

[red badger]

From a season by season and game by game comparison I certainly wouldn't say our performances had improved from 08/09 to 09/10.

Would you agree we were a team going through a big transition with 9 new players and 3rd manager in 5 months?

I would certainly agree that 09/10 was a step back from 08/09...which was itself a great disappointment.

And yes - we are going through a big transition. In my opinion that's only translated into the abysmal season because the club's been led by a man with no experience and who's learning on the job. The transition hasn't been anything that isn't happening elsewhere in the division...Portsmouth started without enough players to fill the bench, Hull were bust, QPR have been through a massive change...they all appointed men of experience. Steve L didn't. That was a big gamble.

[red badger]

Anyone can be a hindsight quarterback. It's simple look at what is going on and then say we/I should/would have done something different and everything would have been better.

I hope we'll enjoy the match on Saturday...it's a long way to come and fair play to you...

...but the hindsight line doesn't work. The Millen sceptics were in large part sceptical from day one. Good wishes were expressed and all that but I can't be the only person who was dismayed by his appointment. I hope it works out ...it hasn't so far...

[mindjuicer]

Some great posts here.

Although we got rid of a few of the main culprits, we are still a confidence team. How else can you explain our long losing streak followed by a long winning streak?

The winning streak was quite something and a lot of credit has to go to Millen. His signings have been superb as SLC said.

But you can't win every game and because we're a confidence team, when we lose, it's likely to turn into a losing streak. I was happy with a point from Palace but to put things into perspective, that result will be forgotten by the end of the season.

I am cautiously optimistic. If we can hold Baadiff to a draw and get back on form Millen will have proved his worth to me.

[Martyn Hocking]

Brilliant, a week ago there was talk of playoffs, and now people have doubts about Millen. Fickle fans.

the whole appointment has been a dogs dinner but in reality we don't have the cash to do much about it. Sticking with Millen is the only option on the table.

SL has £300m in the bank - he can afford virtually any manager he wants if they are willing to come to AG. This is a red herring.