Evidently Groves had used these last games to check out the squad a little, and various formations, but mainly because of injuries. Clive Loader presented Marc Pugh with Exiles Player of the Year trophy, one of several he received before the game. Exile Steve Hunt rang in with a.f.a.; a flat tyre seemed symbolic of the club’s season. The back 4 was the same as at Scunnie, with an adjustment in midfield with McDermott being the playmaker/wide-ish and Pugh mainly on the right. Cooper skippered – good. Taylor started up front again. Fletcher appeared on the bench, waving to the North Stand when his name was chanted.
PNE k.o. towards the North Stand; immediately a misplaced pass was picked up by Taylor who went straight through on a long run at inside-left only to balloon it over with his left. McDermott twice over-hit passes; Zubar was strong, bringing forth supportive chants. Pugh came in from the right, hitting over with his left. Boscombe played through midfield at nearly every opportunity. Addison was crocked for 2-3 minutes but came back on. McDermott fed Pugh who hit it wide of the near post. Thomas went on a diagonal run until knocked over; he and MacDonald then screwed up between them in the away area.
Taylor made a good defensive block, working hard for the team. PNE made inroads into the home area; Thomas relieved that spell of pressure by making space before hitting over. Pugh won a corner; subsequent play ended with the keeper saving at the near post. PNE had a shot from the end of the “D” that Jalal tipped low round the post. He then had to go down low for a close-range header. H-T: 0-0
Early in the second period was almost déjà vu again, with Taylor picking up on a mistake at inside-right but instead of shooting across the keeper with his right, he cut to his left and the left-footer was blocked. Again his moment had come and gone. But the ball had gone across the area; McDermott was felled at the front corner. The ref. made the right decision but was otherwise not particularly punctilious. Daniels dispatched the penalty as a throwback to Hammers’ Ray Stewart – a straight thump. Way to go! 1-0, 51. Then Pugh & especially McDermott showboated – pain. The match returned to tedium, allowing some Exiles to discuss UK, French & USA politics.
Cooper was yellowed for a back-track tackle; MacDonald’s defensive tackle (in Daniels’s area) conceded a corner – dealt with easily. PNE showed as much as a muchness, largely inept and making Boscombe look better than deserved. Then the change. McDermott & Taylor were replaced on 61 by Wakefield and Fletcher, the latter to big cheers from most quarters. Fletcher chested a nice touch to Thomas who went round the full-back and crossed over a whizzer. The Big Man just couldn’t quite reach it in time.
Wakefield made good diagonal runs to pick up Francis’s forward passes, and generally showed much willing. Daniels was pulled back going up the wing. Pugh hit a poor corner (straight behind) then a poor free (low to a nearby defender). Perhaps the bulging trophies in his back pocket were weighing him down at last. Wakefield put in Thomas, clear at inside-left; he tripped over the 18-yard line (or his metaphorical laces) which summed up his season since signing full-time.
On and off the pitch, everyone was by now demob-happy with both sides running down the clock. F-T: 1-0.
So the season, like (eventually) the universe, ends not with a bang but with a whimper. Other results meant a final position of 11th; 16 points short of a play-off place and ditto from the drop-zone. A good start to the next season is almost always preceded by a good end to the current one, so a series of wins in the last few games really was needed but didn’t materialise.
What follows is a personal view from your correspondent of possible managerial options and (regardless of contract status) who should (or not) be on the retained list. The squad really needs a thorough overhaul; strength-in-depth is required but keeping loads of moderate players is a waste of money – better to give the kids a chance.
On attending the execrable performance, and abject defeat, at Chesterfield, it was evident to this observer – and others – that a change of management was due; perhaps overdue. A manager is needed that will give the team and club a good shake-up, inject passion, commitment and drive, that will have the team dominate the opposition and take opponents by (metaphorically) the scruff of the neck. The pair in place (apparently the chairman’s favourite option at the time of writing) has no managerial experience at this level, but Groves was Avram Grant’s right-hand man at Pompey and Hammers. But then, Kevin Bond was & is Redknapp’s favourite no.2 so that’s no great recommendation. The current adjustment in playing style, having not particularly borne fruit in the last few games, makes a permanent position dubious. And Groves seems to be no better at post-match interview than his predecessor.
Then there’s Billy Davis, with experience (and unfinished business) at PNE, Derby and Forest. He would bring that experience and passion to the club but, as both he and the current chairman both give the impression that they could start a brawl in an empty room, behind-the-scenes might prove interesting.
Lee Clark started at Terriers looking to have that side play the way he did - & the way I’d like to see. But he did become, er, pragmatic.
Mick McCarthy would bring massive experience and, again, passion, but surely has no need to start again at the third level as he did with (I seem to recall) Millwall. It’s all about bringing out the best of the substantial talent in the squad – a playing system, and a desire. All these would attract better-quality players.
Inevitable rumours of Redknapp fils do not fill this reporter with optimism; a marquee option, a name to attract media interest and further investment, but no way a manager – please!
The Russian co-owner may have the connections to see Avram Grant coming in… Andy Scott lost it at Brentford and Millers, Paul Ince (now linked with Wolves) was a success first time round at Franchise but not in subsequent appointments, and as for Phil Brown or Martin Allen – I think not.
BabyFletch and SupaFletch might be worth a punt; both know the club inside-out (except, for BabyF, the changes since he left to seek fame, fortune and that FA Cup runners-up medal) and Carl has done an amazing job at Argyle simply to give that club its own Great Escape.
Sometime soon, Master (Ken) Bates will kick out Colin from Elland Road for having the temerity to demand funds from rebuilding. But Warnock would have a certain entertainment value, and probably run rings round the current board.
But whoever takes over (or is confirmed in situ), the forwards (or at least one of the pair) must play off the shoulder, and midfielders must go beyond the forward line; playing in front of the opposition defence is a waste of everyone’s time and money. Which makes one wonder about the role of Steve Gritt in recent months. If he had a big hand in recommending some of the signings then his judgement appears to be less than we’d presumed based on his previous track record. If he didn’t, then what is his role at the club?
As for the playing staff, here are suggestions by squad number.
1 Jalal – surely better than Flahavan at commanding the area, so retain.
3 Cook – for this level, class; must be first-choice as central defender. Could be a libero in a back-3 of him, Addison & Zubar. Retain – depending on outcome of imminent court case.
4 Cooper – ideal as quarter-back and to mind the shop; also (in extremis) stand-in central defender and (with no overlapping) at right-back. Retain.
5 Barrett – oh dear. Sorry, but this whole-hearted player is now injury-prone and has rarely been up to the mark. Possible role behind the scenes but best for all concerned if he is released to spend more time with his family still in the London/Essex area. Could do a job back at the Shrimpers or similar; only retain if Addison doesn’t sign (but see Baudry).
6 Partington – I would love it if this young guy could fulfil his promise. He could be a stand-in for Cooper as he can tackle, read a game, pass stylishly and perceptively, give out orders and has the height to help out at the back and at other set-pieces. But – injury-prone so perhaps might be better released to see if he can start again at Div.4 level. Heart says retain, especially as cover for Molesley and Purches (say for 6 months), but head says release and keep Baudry.
7 Pugh – if not signed by a Div.2 side (then only for a fat fee), then must be retained.
8 Arter – talent still not used to best effect but has ball-playing ability and an eye for a run for going beyond the forwards. Retain.
9 Thomas – retain. But must be given better service down better channels; he is nota target man. And shooting boots are needed, as well as better ball control, but at least his presence and mis-hits make opportunities for others.
10 Sheringham – having seen him lead the line for Dartford, and score, then once fit, he should be the main partner for Thomas, so retain.
11 Daniels – perhaps the injury limited his recent contributions but looks as if he should dominate more than he does. Not yet worth his (reputed) high wages, but good enough to retain if ability realised.
12 Fogden – retain if merely for his enthusiasm and work ethic. Needs to work on final delivery, and on going outside the full-back.
14 Taylor – sorry, but not quite there even after all the patience shown by successive managers. Div.4/Conference should be his level so release.
15 Gregory – main job has been to watch the ball passing by. Occasional good tackles, interceptions and passes, but should be released for Div.4/Conference.
16 MacDonald – must become the midfield driving force. Retain.
18 Francis – decent at back, useful stand-in centrally, and good going forward. Retain. However, neither Cooper nor Purches are fully decent stand-ins as they can’t do those surging runs down the wing any more.
19 Purches – presuming a full recovery, experience could see him being a Cooper stand-in (midfield) so retain.
20 Molesley – with so many other midfield options at Dean Court, perhaps at 31 he’s better off staying with Shots. But, for a time, seemed the midfielder we’d needed for a long time. Retain only if Purches (already a year older than Molesley) doesn’t make it back, although they’re different kinds of players. Release with regret and thanks.
21 Parsons – little opportunity but possibly a back-up for Fogden. Release might be a bad message for other kids, so perhaps retain.
22 Malone – retain. Doesn’t always convince, but he and Pugh should be the wide pair.
23 Flahavan – always decent enough at this level, but preferably as stand-in for Jalal.
24 Symes – best for him if he stays at ‘Dale; John Coleman brings the best out of him as happened at Stanley, and he was misused by Bradbury.
25 Tubbs – um. Desperation signing? (I’ve heard from 2 different sources that Tom Mitchell presented him to Bradbury on the training ground, the latter ignorant of the transfer, which was apparently for £150k + add-ons. This further queries Crawley’s motives for selling their 2 top scorers.)Will only produce at Div.3 level if he plays off the shoulder, as he lacks the pace of McQuoid or Ings to run at the defence. That means service from midfield, and management orders. Should be retained to try to repay the fee.
26 Baudry – limited opportunity but glimpses of a worthwhile player to cover at back or defensive midfield. Did so well at & for DagRed. Retain; this observer would prefer him to Barrett and perhaps Partington.
29 Stockley – needs really good coaching to fulfil undoubted promise. Should be stand-in for Thomas, so retain.
30 Hines – not really any better than permanent squad members, although works hard, so might be a luxury to keep. Release.
32 McDermott – offers different angles and extravagant skills (think back to the Twisty Kid, as Ron Atkinson labelled Peter Barnes), but perhaps best played up on the defensive line to spin off and put through. Retain – depending on disciplinary issues.
33 Fletcher – if as a player, release; time’s up. See above for possible managerial option.
34 Addison – if possible, sign, and be second-choice for central defender. Massive presence, and could be a midfield enforcer.
39 Wakefield – superb substitute performance at Scunnie, workmanlike in this game. Definitely retain; this guy evidently wants it and wants to learn.
40 Zubar – a little prone to dramatic mistakes, but telescopic legs and whole-hearted, so should be retained as stand-in for Cook and Addison.
Special mention for the kid Josh Carmichael, who came on at Exeter so impressively; I hope he can be retained and given decent coaching.
This correspondent has no knowledge of 27 Hester, 31 Strugnell or 37 Bowles, but in general the kids must have the incentive of coming through; too many first-team signings blocks off that avenue. The squad, thus reduced, should be top-8, but as many still have 3 years left on contracts it leaves little room for bringing in new, better, players. With Donnie Rovers back at our level, perhaps O’Connor, Hayter & Stock might consider a return; the last of these might offer some midfield subtlety but age would be a factor for all. Then it depends on what transfer budget Mr. Demin allows the manager. And why splash out on more players (even though better ones are needed) if the club doesn’t splash out on a proven, decent, manager? Some conspiracy theorists wonder if Mr. Demin – also apparently a big player at Fortuna Dusseldorf – might have a long game in mind regarding the chairman…
Zubar took the eye; Addison was big and strong; but I agree with match sponsors and texters in giving it, for (relative to the game) a near-complete performance by MacDonald.
AFCB: Jalal, Francis, Addison, Zubar, Daniels, McDermott, Cooper, MacDonald, Pugh, Thomas, Taylor
Subs: Flahavan, Malone, Gregory, Wakefield (for McDermott, 61 mins), Fletcher (for Taylor, 61 mins)
Peter Wicks, Bulford