Coaches

[graham b]

[robins72]

[graham b]

spot on graham I thought the hokey cokey was quite amusing before kick off all players holding hands! Seriously though we definitely need to get help for tinnion if he is to remain as manager and I can't understand for the life of me why SL hasn't done something already cos this has been lacking for a number of months not weeks. By the way what formation were we playing come the end of the game??

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I would guess 4-4-1. Only confident with Phillips,Brooker and with Lita (wide left!) Given up caring by then!

[RedUn]

Tinnion was given a difficult job. The lack of real coaching support has made it impossible.

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Aye, and he's only been full-time Manager for couple of weeks!

By comparisson, his predecessor was a manager of six years' experience whose entourage included a highly experienced (defensive) coach, an equally experienced sports psychologist and ****il "allowed to leave") a very well thought of fitness guru who had clearly made a difference to our players' condition.

As far as I can make out, Tinman and Millen have effectively been trying to cover all these bases between them as well as, in the manager's case, inadvisedly trying to stay on as a player. I have no idea what people or mechanisms were put in place as part of the succession planning that he could turn to for the guidance/advice anybody needs in a new role; actually, I do have an idea, I suspect the answer is none (it just looks to me like the good old footy-think "sink-or-swim" philosophy).

In summary, the balance of our managerial and coaching expertise has veered completely towards to 1) inexperience and 2) non-specialist personnel; note, that is not to say there is any lack of potential or enthusiasm in those people ... A question: has this situation arisen from business decisions or footballing ones?

Similarly, the balance of the squad is far too heavily weighed down with veterans (30+) at the expense of players in their prime years ... what is the explanation for the squad carrying seven players in their thirties and only four in the 24yrs to 29yrs band? If the balance of that headcount was the other way round we could expect a team on the pitch playing with a deal more determination, verve and consistency couldn't we? And the youngsters coming in could then think more about settling in to actually playing football instead of just knackering themselves running round doing the old boys' legwork for them. Same question: the impact of business decisions or footballing ones?

Finally, the high water mark of this season was the fine run of form that culminated in the 4-0 home win over Tranmere. The wheels then came off as the business decisions made to rearrange both the Brentford cup matches impacted firstly on preparations for the home tie then, more importantly, on the Sheff Weds league match.

Where am I going with this? Well, forgive me, good luck and all that, but I can't see anything other than next season in this division. Consequently, I can only hope that business decisions have already been made to wave bye-bye to the old guard of players then to move heaven and earth to replace them with the two or three players in their prime that will help weld the current batch of young pros into a winning outfit.

As for the coaching it amazes me that with all the sports science expertise of Bath University on our doorstep we continue to field teams at all levels who simply look so lightweight and/or out of condition compared to so many of our opponents. Let's get someone of Mark Hammond's ilk back into the coaching mix now, planning the best pre-season fitness programme this club has ever seen.

Bottom line: if the business is football let's make our football the business!

[graham b]

Finally, the high water mark of this season was the fine run of form that culminated in the 4-0 home win over Tranmere. The wheels then came off as the business decisions made to rearrange both the Brentford cup matches impacted firstly on preparations for the home tie then, more importantly, on the Sheff Weds league match.

Bottom line: if the business is football let's make our football the business!

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Excellent overview. Red Un!

I have highlighted the above as I agree that the turn around of on field performance for the season was created with the Brentford cup games and that was a business decision. However alongside that some poor footballing decisions have been made. Tinnion bemoaning Dinning's wage packet is rather ripe when it was Tinnion that wanted to give him a contract despite his reputation.

If I was confident that Tinnion was learning from his mistakes this season and had a back room staff that is capable of supporting him in his quest for success, I would be more than happy to contemplate bearing the pain of Saturday. However for all his desire, determination and hurt, I do not see the required underlying managerial ability on which the club can build success.

[GrahamC]

Good comments and more eloquent than I can manage this morning, but if the suspicion as you say is that Tinnion and Millen are trying to cover all bases then what exactly do Shaun Taylor, Alan Walsh and Tony Fawthrop do?

I went to the last reserve match (v Swindon) and Millen, Taylor and Walsh were all in the dugout, though from just behind them in the Williams I couldn't actually hear any of them shout anything or offer any encouragement.

We may have decided to cut costs this summer but Tinnion did choose his assistant...........