What would you do if you were Justin Rees

[ms brush]

In fairness, despite some of the frankly awful showings we have had this season, I would still stick with Kev and the backroom staff for the time being. With a 10 point deduction, a very small squad, bulldog spirit and backs against the wall we massively overachieved last season, then we lost a number of important players during the summer. Then we got "Ron'd" again, with the embargo and almost near death of the club in the summer last year, which really wasnt helpful.

I will be more concerned if we havent identified and pinned down some targets for next season in May. We need to release a few, and replace them with talented, hungry up and coming youngsters and keep a few experienced pro's around to help guide them. If we can sell one or two others to bring some funds in for replacements, even better! Not naming any names, as all of the players we have are talented and bring something to the table, even if that doesnt always translate to amazing performances on the pitch! We used to sign players on longer deals and sell them on, and longer contracts seem to be something we get hung up on - reality is we would get a fee if they leave!

Now we have decent custodians, a new training ground and a bit of stability, we will look a more attractive prospect for players to want to come to join us, and with the time to properly plan and get the deals done at the right time, you arent scrambling around trying to put square pegs into round holes.

We need to give Kev until at least one summer and full pre-season to have any real idea of whether we can get out of this league next time round!

 

[Strykr]

I imagine justin will probably just crack open a tinny and proceed with the plan.

If we are near the bottom of the table at xmas he will sack maher.

It may well just be a case of Maher being here too long now. Too many people want him out or are on the fence. He can win 2 then lose one and the knives are instantly back out.

 

[McShrimper]

Tom L confirmed the management team signed long term contracts last year. Do we have confirmation of how long they were. Until summer 27, 28…?
That may be a decisive factor in any possible changes should we be struggling next season, let’s say outside playoffs and way off pace come Xmas

 

[bazzashrimper]

Just before the transfer deadline, a poster on here made mention of another uncovered Ron debt reappearing meaning we wouldn’t be signing anyone in the short term. Bringing in another forward then would likely have pushed us to the play offs. But we are still suffering from Ron. Hopefully this is the end of it.

COSU should do what they can to help Kev find a new club for 3 or 4 of our contracted players who aren’t cutting the mustard. COSU should support Kev in recruitment of around 6 new players who can cut the mustard, or might be able to, within reasonable budget constraints.

 

[fbm]

A request to all those who aren't entertained by the style of football every week... please don't come. It's not compulsory, you can vote with your feet and your wallet, that's your prerogative. It really is that simple.

Personally however, I will be forever grateful to the management team and players who played through last season, sometimes without reward, and all so that we can have a club to support. I'm constantly grateful for that and that buys them a lot of credit in my book. I said in an earlier thread that I think they need a complete 1.5 seasons in charge WITHOUT HAVING THEIR HANDS TIED BEHIND THEIR BACKS before their roles are questioned. That takes us to mid 2026/27 season.

That feeling will subside I'm sure, and there is no reason we should accept constant mediocrity obviously. But the time to change it is not now. In fact, I would be more likely to not renew my season ticket if they did get rid of Maher. That would show incredibly poor judgement, and I would not feel my club were in safer hands at all.

Also, feel free to NOT renew your season tickets. I've been in far lower crowds and seen far worse performances than what we've had this season. In fact, if we sell fewer season tickets but have a good season so that you decide to come and watch again, you'll actually be helping the club as you'll be paying more on the gate, so the revenues will actually increase.

I very much doubt COSU will be that bothered. And don't worry about what they'll do to try and get the extra revenue; that's their problem, not yours.

 

[Strykr]

A request to all those who aren't entertained by the style of football every week... please don't come. It's not compulsory, you can vote with your feet and your wallet, that's your prerogative. It really is that simple.

Personally however, I will be forever grateful to the management team and players who played through last season, sometimes without reward, and all so that we can have a club to support. I'm constantly grateful for that and that buys them a lot of credit in my book. I said in an earlier thread that I think they need a complete 1.5 seasons in charge WITHOUT HAVING THEIR HANDS TIED BEHIND THEIR BACKS before their roles are questioned. That takes us to mid 2026/27 season.

That feeling will subside I'm sure, and there is no reason we should accept constant mediocrity obviously. But the time to change it is not now. In fact, I would be more likely to not renew my season ticket if they did get rid of Maher. That would show incredibly poor judgement, and I would not feel my club were in safer hands at all.

Also, feel free to NOT renew your season tickets. I've been in far lower crowds and seen far worse performances than what we've had this season. In fact, if we sell fewer season tickets but have a good season so that you decide to come and watch again, you'll actually be helping the club as you'll be paying more on the gate, so the revenues will actually increase.

I very much doubt COSU will be that bothered. And don't worry about what they'll do to try and get the extra revenue; that's their problem, not yours.

Not sure if its as easy as that if you love your club and want more from it.

 

[Avl1983]

I appreciate people were going months unpaid etc and that should never happen in any walk of life but I don’t agree that also means we have to just tolerate them with a smile on our face when they’re not performing very well.

Mid 2026-27 is absolutely bonkers in my opinion but each to their own. I can understand people asking to give them a full pre season with no issues etc, that’s fair but 1.5 years isn’t realistic. I don’t think any modern managers get those sort of timescales nowadays.

I certainly won’t be not attending though, we’re all entitled to our view and if you’re satisfied then fantastic but many of us aren’t. To not attend would mean I’m not supporting the club and that’s not going to happen. It’s a huge part of mine and my families lives which is sadly being ruined, as it was under Phil Brown. Phil Brown had more respect for the fans though, he wasn’t constantly shouting and swearing at them. Maher cannot handle criticism at all. As soon as he thinks something negative is being said from the stands he starts shouting, swearing, throwing his hands about. It’s not professional, he should be able to rise above it. He’s the same with the officials.

 

[OldBlueLady]

He had agreed terms with us….

I’ve had that confirmed from both sides, and first heard it from the Pearce camp…

We can’t blame the embargo for anything though of course.

I stand corrected then, I'd heard the opposite.

 

[OldBlueLady]

I appreciate people were going months unpaid etc and that should never happen in any walk of life but I don’t agree that also means we have to just tolerate them with a smile on our face when they’re not performing very well.

Mid 2026-27 is absolutely bonkers in my opinion but each to their own. I can understand people asking to give them a full pre season with no issues etc, that’s fair but 1.5 years isn’t realistic. I don’t think any modern managers get those sort of timescales nowadays.

I certainly won’t be not attending though, we’re all entitled to our view and if you’re satisfied then fantastic but many of us aren’t. To not attend would mean I’m not supporting the club and that’s not going to happen. It’s a huge part of mine and my families lives which is sadly being ruined, as it was under Phil Brown. Phil Brown had more respect for the fans though, he wasn’t constantly shouting and swearing at them. Maher cannot handle criticism at all. As soon as he thinks something negative is being said from the stands he starts shouting, swearing, throwing his hands about. It’s not professional, he should be able to rise above it. He’s the same with the officials.

I think that's fair comment, and maybe someone from within should telling him to behave better towards fans during matches.

 

[fbm]

I appreciate people were going months unpaid etc and that should never happen in any walk of life but I don’t agree that also means we have to just tolerate them with a smile on our face when they’re not performing very well.

Mid 2026-27 is absolutely bonkers in my opinion but each to their own. I can understand people asking to give them a full pre season with no issues etc, that’s fair but 1.5 years isn’t realistic. I don’t think any modern managers get those sort of timescales nowadays.

I certainly won’t be not attending though, we’re all entitled to our view and if you’re satisfied then fantastic but many of us aren’t. To not attend would mean I’m not supporting the club and that’s not going to happen. It’s a huge part of mine and my families lives which is sadly being ruined, as it was under Phil Brown. Phil Brown had more respect for the fans though, he wasn’t constantly shouting and swearing at them. Maher cannot handle criticism at all. As soon as he thinks something negative is being said from the stands he starts shouting, swearing, throwing his hands about. It’s not professional, he should be able to rise above it. He’s the same with the officials.

We don't have to tolerate mediocrity for ever, no. But this year is very much transitional. After all, it took Wrexham 2 seasons to get out of the NL and they had millions to throw at it from day 1.

If we lose a load of games at the start of next season and are nowhere near the play offs, having had a full pre season with no financial issues or embargos then questions are rightly going to be asked. But if we are there or thereabouts, then I will not be clamouring for managerial change.

Either way, all this talk of getting rid of Maher now is as bonkers to me as my thoughts are to you, if not more so. Whether you like his style or not (and I don't to be totally honest) we are only in a position to discuss it because of what he, Currie and Bentley have done. That deserves respect, gratitude and reward, and getting rid of them now (when the season started with us not being able to sign anyone, yet here we are just outside the playoffs) would be a cruel decision in my opinion.

 

[Avl1983]

We don't have to tolerate mediocrity for ever, no. But this year is very much transitional. After all, it took Wrexham 2 seasons to get out of the NL and they had millions to throw at it from day 1.

If we lose a load of games at the start of next season and are nowhere near the play offs, having had a full pre season with no financial issues or embargos then questions are rightly going to be asked. But if we are there or thereabouts, then I will not be clamouring for managerial change.

Either way, all this talk of getting rid of Maher now is as bonkers to me as my thoughts are to you, if not more so. Whether you like his style or not (and I don't to be totally honest) we are only in a position to discuss it because of what he, Currie and Bentley have done. That deserves respect, gratitude and reward, and getting rid of them now (when the season started with us not being able to sign anyone, yet here we are just outside the playoffs) would be a cruel decision in my opinion.

I can appreciate a lot of that, I mean we did have a few weeks to sign players if my memory serves me correctly but we were definitely hindered, I’d never suggest otherwise but, what I’ve seen this season gives me no confidence he’s the right man to take us forward personally and I really don’t want to waste another year and be in the same position. I can’t stand this league and the officials.

Maher does and has been given a lot of respect and I very rarely see negative comments regarding Currie and Bentley. There are some of course but I do wonder whether there’s less negativity towards them because Maher is the manager or if it’s because he doesn’t show the fans respect in return. He’s so quick to turn on the fans. I sit just behind him and the language and behavior of the man I think it’s awful! He showed the club loyalty and last season done amazingly but in my view that doesn’t give him the right to shout and swear at fans pretty much every game. I take my 7 year old son with me and I’m not a fan of his language that he directs towards us fans. What sort of impression is that? Where is his professionalism? He’s certainly alienating some of the fans with this I know that for a fact.

 

[tottenham541]

Very small margins in football and it can change just like that, and given the comments on here just shows that so well.

 

[GBJ]

I sit just behind him and the language and behavior of the man I think it’s awful! He showed the club loyalty and last season done amazingly but in my view that doesn’t give him the right to shout and swear at fans pretty much every game. I take my 7 year old son with me and I’m not a fan of his language that he directs towards us fans. What sort of impression is that? Where is his professionalism? He’s certainly alienating some of the fans with this I know that for a fact.

Sadly over the course of the last 20 years or so, more and more people have been emboldened into speaking their minds and saying whatever they like, whenever they like, without fear of reprisals & consequences. Whether that’s online or from the safety of a crowd.

Kev has had to put up with plenty of ****, just as every manager does, but sometimes it’s gone well past the line.

Like the time he was harangued and abused by some “fans” whilst trying to exit the stadium and get into his car with his wife and young kids.

So frankly, I’m not surprised he’s a bit prickly at times. And honestly, I’m all for this approach. I was always taught that you don’t dish it out if you can’t take it back. I wish more footballers/managers/pundits would do it, instead of these carbon copied, robotic, clean-cut wet lettuces that have sanitised the sport.

 

[* ORM *]

I might start with some grammar lessons.

 

[Linda Loan Shark]

I cant see much changing to be honest. Players under contract so we cant release as it will cost COSU money and the main priority is that we are sustainable. Promotion is not there priority untill they sort out the mess Ron has left. They will provide transfer funds to prob bring in 4/5 players so we can give it a good go with getting into the playoffs.

We will finally get a full pre season so we are on par with our rivals for once.

 

[Benfleet Blue]

I would venture Dean Bennan is far from outstanding.
After all, it's taken four years to get Barnet to where they are now. Yes, they've been in the play-off picture during that time, but so have we.
Brennan has suffered none of the shackles our current management has faced.
In fact, scroll back through the successful NL managers over the last four seasons, and I venture Sutton are the one outlier without cash.
And look what subsequently happened to them.

But Dean Brennan is a forward thinking attack minded manager. Barnet without stars are streets ahead of our heavily shackled sideways and backwards dictated players. So predictable is K M that I could name the 60 minute changes on Friday! Always takes off our creative players, 1 0 down on Saturday and instead of going for it , as we might just as well lose by 2 or 3 makes no difference as our goal difference is so dire, he stays with 2 up front replacing a forward with a forward. Sorry but we’re going nowhere under KM

 

[Avl1983]

Sadly over the course of the last 20 years or so, more and more people have been emboldened into speaking their minds and saying whatever they like, whenever they like, without fear of reprisals & consequences. Whether that’s online or from the safety of a crowd.

Kev has had to put up with plenty of ****, just as every manager does, but sometimes it’s gone well past the line.

Like the time he was harangued and abused by some “fans” whilst trying to exit the stadium and get into his car with his wife and young kids.

So frankly, I’m not surprised he’s a bit prickly at times. And honestly, I’m all for this approach. I was always taught that you don’t dish it out if you can’t take it back. I wish more footballers/managers/pundits would do it, instead of these carbon copied, robotic, clean-cut wet lettuces that have sanitised the sport.

Find it strange that you’re encouraging it to be honest. I would never defend the fans behaving that way either but as a manager it’s not about being a wet lettuce it’s about being professional and he’s lacking in that way.

You’re always going to get a few idiots in a fan base who make the rest of us look bad but how are we going to promote respect in the sport etc if the man at the top is as bad as the fans?
I’d also suggest that it’s not ‘at times’ it’s almost always. The slightest thing and he’s ready to turn on the fans. I find it very odd as for the most part we’d have his back but we are also entitled to an opinion. I don’t think it’s good enough. It’s about standards I suppose and I expect better from the manager. He’s got a position many people would love and the way he conducts himself isn’t good enough. I’m guessing but I wouldn’t be surprised if he has the worst disciplinary record of a manager in the league.

 

[dusterman]

Sadly over the course of the last 20 years or so, more and more people have been emboldened into speaking their minds and saying whatever they like, whenever they like, without fear of reprisals & consequences. Whether that’s online or from the safety of a crowd.

Kev has had to put up with plenty of ****, just as every manager does, but sometimes it’s gone well past the line.

Like the time he was harangued and abused by some “fans” whilst trying to exit the stadium and get into his car with his wife and young kids.

So frankly, I’m not surprised he’s a bit prickly at times. And honestly, I’m all for this approach. I was always taught that you don’t dish it out if you can’t take it back. I wish more footballers/managers/pundits would do it, instead of these carbon copied, robotic, clean-cut wet lettuces that have sanitised the sport.

I still have fond memories of Kev putting in a series of rubbish free kicks as a player and me giving him stick from the West (younger and more naive then) shouting 1 out of 5 ain’t bad Maher and he turned round and flicked me the V’s. I never really abused a player after that.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

But Dean Brennan is a forward thinking attack minded manager. Barnet without stars are streets ahead of our heavily shackled sideways and backwards dictated players. So predictable is K M that I could name the 60 minute changes on Friday! Always takes off our creative players, 1 0 down on Saturday and instead of going for it , as we might just as well lose by 2 or 3 makes no difference as our goal difference is so dire, he stays with 2 up front replacing a forward with a forward. Sorry but we’re going nowhere under KM

I would venture Saturday's subs has much to do with a Parillion yet to be 90 minutes full pelt - because that's the player he is.
And KAF comes and goes. Some great games and some where he's less effective.
I might agree the available subs, apart from Miley, are so what?
By the way, can you, apart from the resulting joke that names Kev, tell me a manager who doesn't want to attack?
I'm not sure you would score many goals passing amongst yourselves in midfield!

 

[Avl1983]

I would venture Saturday's subs has much to do with a Parillion yet to be 90 minutes full pelt - because that's the player he is.
And KAF comes and goes. Some great games and some where he's less effective.
I might agree the available subs, apart from Miley, are so what?
By the way, can you, apart from the resulting joke that names Kev, tell me a manager who doesn't want to attack?
I'm not sure you would score many goals passing amongst yourselves in midfield!

I’ve always thought it’s not that he doesn’t want to attack, it’s more he’s more concerned about not conceding so is too cautious or puts too much emphasis on not losing than going for the win.