Vote of Confidence

I did say that there was a narrative behind the stats. People are sharing their views, all of which are compelling. It seems that what a lot of 'in' voters are describing can broadly be defined as 'faith', the definition of which is essentially 'a belief held without scientific or factual evidence'. All Town fans live on this of course, but to a certain extent, faith is often blind. How fantastic would it be to actually see some evidence and indication that this faith was likely to be rewarded. That these hopes were well founded? With these players we should be seeing the evidence and the credentials stack up. I don't think we are.

Remember pre-season, how excited everyone was about 'operation promotion', and then the credentials and the evidence largely failed to materialise, and the excitement started to dissipate? Blind faith is the residue.

Quoted from chaos33

I did say that there was a narrative behind the stats. People are sharing their views, all of which are compelling. It seems that what a lot of 'in' voters are describing can broadly be defined as 'faith', the definition of which is essentially 'a belief held without scientific or factual evidence'. All Town fans live on this of course, but to a certain extent, faith is often blind. How fantastic would it be to actually see some evidence and indication that this faith was likely to be rewarded. That these hopes were well founded? With these players we should be seeing the evidence and the credentials stack up. I don't think we are.

Remember pre-season, how excited everyone was about 'operation promotion', and then the credentials and the evidence largely failed to materialise, and the excitement started to dissipate? Blind faith is the residue.

Can't argue with that

Quoted from chaos33

I did say that there was a narrative behind the stats. People are sharing their views, all of which are compelling. It seems that what a lot of 'in' voters are describing can broadly be defined as 'faith', the definition of which is essentially 'a belief held without scientific or factual evidence'. All Town fans live on this of course, but to a certain extent, faith is often blind. How fantastic would it be to actually see some evidence and indication that this faith was likely to be rewarded. That these hopes were well founded? With these players we should be seeing the evidence and the credentials stack up. I don't think we are.

Remember pre-season, how excited everyone was about 'operation promotion', and then the credentials and the evidence largely failed to materialise, and the excitement started to dissipate? Blind faith is the residue.

I guess the only factual thing that can be pointed to is that we have improved season by season in league position and play-off performance. For me, the point at which that won't be the case again - so when we can't reach the play offs or when we fail in them again is the time to make a change.

I still think the depth of our squad could tell post Christmas and I really think we're fine margins away but like you say that's more faith than fact.

Good points RM.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

I guess the only factual thing that can be pointed to is that we have improved season by season in league position and play-off performance. For me, the point at which that won't be the case again - so when we can't reach the play offs or when we fail in them again is the time to make a change.

I still think the depth of our squad could tell post Christmas and I really think we're fine margins away but like you say that's more faith than fact.

I agree with the last bit Rodley, it is fine margins. Very often it's that bit of inspirational management that makes all the difference.

Been a good thread this one has. Honest opinions from both sides, poll very close, still going on since the game last Friday, but the saddest thing to come from this is that the fans are well and truly split over Hurst.....and that's not a good thing for any club IMO  

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

I agree with the last bit Rodley, it is fine margins. Very often it's that bit of inspirational management that makes all the difference.

Or a player making the right decision or a refereeing decision or a bit of luck.......

The players seem to be getting little or no criticism for us not being where we all hoped or expected to be. I reckon individual mistakes have cost us 6 or 7 points this season. If it wasn't for those we wouldn't be having these discussions but they happened and we are. If we were top of the league it wouldn't all be down to the manager and us being in ninth isn't solely down to him either.

Quoted from ackomariner

Been a good thread this one has. Honest opinions from both sides, poll very close, still going on since the game last Friday, but the saddest thing to come from this is that the fans are well and truly split over Hurst.....and that's not a good thing for any club IMO  

I don't think that's quite right Acko.

I think this thread has highlighted various frustrations which nearly all of us share regarding the manager, it's just to what degree you deem them to be worthy of his sacking. Some are prepared to continue to tolerate, some aren't but most if not all see midfield as a weakness and also PH's tactics and unwillingness to use early subs.

Why make it complicated with all these scenarios. It's simple, takes us up this season then Hurst is a hero and stays on, anything less and he's history. Obviously if promotion is out of reach before the play-offs then move on as fast as possible to get the upper hand against rivals.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

Or a player making the right decision or a refereeing decision or a bit of luck.......

The players seem to be getting little or no criticism for us not being where we all hoped or expected to be. I reckon individual mistakes have cost us 6 or 7 points this season. If it wasn't for those we wouldn't be having these discussions but they happened and we are. If we were top of the league it wouldn't all be down to the manager and us being in ninth isn't solely down to him either.

Of course the individual performances of players make a difference. A GK slip up can cost points, a penalty miss can cost points. But those are not what people are concerned about are they? All teams have those issues from time to time. How management reacts to them matters. One of the criticisms of Hurst for instance is that he is poor at substitutions and lacking in tactical nous before and during games. Ending up with 3 full backs on the park and 2 wingers on the bench in a game you are losing doesn't fill supporters with confidence. The players do seem to play for him but he does not seem able to get the most out of individuals consistently or tweak his tactics to get the most out of the team consistently.

But like you say, we just have to wait and see. Trouble is, even standing still still costs!