Hessenthaler

[blueandwhite]

So what’s the verdict if the season so far? Given talk was of a top 10 position preseason with a push for the playoffs we are some way short so far. My own opinion is that if we stay clear of the relegation zone he will be safe, but if we are in In or around the bottom 4 come Christmas it may be time to dispense with his services.

[michaelefc]

So far so not very good. Can't see us sacking AH unless relegation looks likely. I don't believe relegation is likely, so, for now he is safe.

[martfergie]

I personally think he is the best man for the job by far!! The players like him, the fans like him, he plays good football etc and has a lot of contacts in the game that will help us.

if it wasn’t for all the injuries I don’t think anyone would be thinking about his position. The injuries are not his fault, it’s also not his fault that Cresswell and Reda are being paid more than league one players, hence the struggle to move them on, or so I’ve been told. 

Personally i I feel this year is all about just stay in the league and do ok, then when all these big contracts which were signed by SD have expired we can assess the club structure, see how much we can afford, and go again. Players like Josh Hare, who I’m told is one of the lowest paid, are the type of players we will be looking at. Hungry for success and not just a nice pay day!

if I’m right at the end of the season contracts expiring are as follows:

Ross Flitney
Graeme Stack
Reda Johnson
Ryan Cresswell
Andrew Boyce
Danny Hollands
Mark Yeates
Oscar Gobern
Chris Zebroski
Ben Williamson
Paul McCallum

i think from memory that’s all of them? Who have I missed? from that list there is a lot of wages, and all but 1 are SD signings so I imagine there is money tied up in there that’s now affecting the ability to get other players in. 

From the above list list who would you keep, and think about wages on this one! E.g yes Reda is very very good, but could we get 2-3 young fit and hungry players in for the wages he is reportedly on? 

Personally im feeling roll on next season even though there is a lot of this one left to go. Damage limitation this year, stay in the league etc. 

And yes, Hess is absolutely the man to take us forward and I have every confidence in him, the way the players are committed this season is awesome to see and that’s all come from him!

[taylov]

Sept 13, 2018 6:54:19 GMT michaelefc said:

So far so not very good. Can't see us sacking AH unless relegation looks likely. I don't believe relegation is likely, so, for now he is safe.

There doesn't seem to a problem that is down to Hess in any significant way. The ONLY reason we are in the position we're in at present are the legacy contracts that SD landed the club with in his desire to get to the Promised Land.  Even if we end up in the Connie South, it would be unfair to blame Hess.

[slewmcg]

I'm also happy with Hess. I don't think there's anyone out there at the level we're at that would be doing better. Think he is the best chance we've got of staying up this season then deserves a crack at the whip with the new budget next season. Seems to have an eye for a player as haven't been disappointed with any of his signings this season

[nobadspitfire]

Yes I'll go along with the comments about Hess. Where would we find anyone better at this level without it costing ££££?

As regards comments about players contracts being up at the end of this season, one notable omission from the list is Beano. However, my understanding is that the guys who came in this season are all on 1 year contracts, so theoretically the whole squad could leave at the end of the season, although that's probably unlikely.

[michaelefc]

Just to be clear I am in no way suggesting we should be looking to sack AH. I think right now we need stability, so yes keep him for the season, and look at it then. For me my biggest problem with AH is that we have a huge defensive problem, and as far as I can see no defensive coach. For all that I think we will be okay, but in truth I am never going to be particularly happy with ok. Alas we have been a little spoilt over the years.

[boyatthood]

Sept 13, 2018 13:21:42 GMT nobadspitfire said:

Yes I'll go along with the comments about Hess. Where would we find anyone better at this level without it costing ££££?

As regards comments about players contracts being up at the end of this season, one notable omission from the list is Beano. However, my understanding is that the guys who came in this season are all on 1 year contracts, so theoretically the whole squad could leave at the end of the season, although that's probably unlikely.

I think you hit the nail on the head about being unable to find anyone better without incurring a significant cost. However, this also suggests that the mediocrity currently being served up by the team and the manager is not likely to be challenged by the board. Is that healthy? I've said this before, if the team slip into the relegation zone this season the board won't know what to do. I don't think this will happen as we'll probably keep our heads above water-just but whether Hessenthaler can grow a young team in the future that can challenge the top half is debatable. He gets my backing for now though especially with the limited funds and injuries we've had.

[horseymchorseface]

Not much to attract potential fans is there? Mediocre rubbish at best. My advice? Get a national trust membership for under £100 and get educated.

[bomber]

Sept 13, 2018 21:49:20 GMT horseymchorseface said:

Not much to attract potential fans is there? Mediocre rubbish at best. My advice? Get a national trust membership for under £100 and get educated.

We get you think the football's boring. We get you found something else to do on Saturdays. We get you don't understand the concept of away travel to watch a poorly performing side. So will you concede that we all think your repetitious droning on...and on...and on is really really boring.

[nobadspitfire]

Sept 13, 2018 21:49:20 GMT horseymchorseface said:

Not much to attract potential fans is there? Mediocre rubbish at best. My advice? Get a national trust membership for under £100 and get educated.

I, and I'm sure others, do both, but I get far more value from my Eastleigh FC season ticket. Maybe at max visit 4 NatTrust places a year, you know what you're gonna get at most and I learn a bit. It's the unpredictability of EFC that makes it more appealing to me.

Anyway, back to AH. Best of luck to him and the team at Hartlepool tomorrow. Apparently the only injuries now are Greener, Williamson and Dowling. I'm not going, seeing a few NatTrust places this week.