Cifuentes OUT

[Chelmofox]

8 minutes ago, Lambert09 said:

I’m not saying it’s just as good, but monga is better than Kasey. 
 

Jordan James is a strong player at this level, not at kdh levels yet but not a big enough downgrade to break a system. 
 

wilf was overperforming …. Because of the manager. Who knows who else he may have got a tune out of. Christ Enzo may have even got soumare playing, I think he’s a much better manager than we give him credit for. 

not to mention that Enzo pushed for exactly what he wanted in the market, he would have found a striker for a loan and personally made it happen… Marti looks to have just been a passenger entirely. 

 

throw in the yougsters we’ve got, that talent wasn’t available in our dev squad  when he was here. I think he’d have us battling for top 2.

 

 

But I also think that’s just where we should be in general, this league is muck and I’m not suddenly believing this crop of players simply isn’t good enough. It needs to be back to basics where a manager picks a system that works with what he’s got and focuses on the best players … as every other champ side does. Playing your only attacking threat as a wing back… is simply disgusting behaviour 

Monga's output hasnt been as good as Kasey's. Monga is the better player, but he is still raw and needs to be left as impact sub.

 

Regarding the market, Enzo had an entire preseason wo work with, and the club were making actual signings. You. cant compare what Enzo had to Cifuentes.

 

Even Ric doesnt think you just throw the youngsters in as starters.

 

And lets not forget that the 2nd half of that Enzo season gave us some of the most embarrassing defeats and the loss of an over 10 point lead. It was all rosy times under a better team.

 

Also lets not forget that QPR (under cifuentes), Millwall, Plymouth and Middlesborough all beat us under Enzo. 

[coolhandfox]

Don't need him to be a world beater, but would like to be entertained watching my team.

 

[Mickyblueeyes]

4 minutes ago, coolhandfox said:

Don't need him to be a world beater, but would like to be entertained watching my team.

 

This is it isn’t it. Not even asking to ramp right up the league and challenge for the title. Yes, not as strong as Enzo’s squad but let’s not pretend it’s a squad that should be in a relegation fight struggling who should sit back hoping to scrape results against sides in this division. 
 

Even with the shortcomings, we are desperately underachieving and delivering a really poor standard of football.

[Lambert09]

31 minutes ago, Chelmofox said:

Monga's output hasnt been as good as Kasey's. Monga is the better player, but he is still raw and needs to be left as impact sub.

 

Regarding the market, Enzo had an entire preseason wo work with, and the club were making actual signings. You. cant compare what Enzo had to Cifuentes.

 

Even Ric doesnt think you just throw the youngsters in as starters.

 

And lets not forget that the 2nd half of that Enzo season gave us some of the most embarrassing defeats and the loss of an over 10 point lead. It was all rosy times under a better team.

 

Also lets not forget that QPR (under cifuentes), Millwall, Plymouth and Middlesborough all beat us under Enzo. 

That’s football though mate, there’s always bumps in the road. 
 

it was far from perfect but there’s no arguing he got us playing well. Whether you agreed with the style or not, there wasn’t a single game we got outplayed, with the possible exception of the first Leeds game. Other than that the blips were all upsets and snatch and grab games, which will happen over a 50+ game season. 
 

What mattered was when it came down to it, he got the important results 

 

this season, we’ve been played off the park most weeks. We were better against……. Swansea… maybe Birmingham…. Anyone else?  A good first half against a few teams but on the balance deserved to not win. It’s pathetic considering what we have at the club. 
 

I don’t think it’s an easy job but it’s a very doable job for a good manager. 

 

Edited 5 November 2025 by Lambert09

[Outfox the Fox]

1 hour ago, bald reynard said:

For me, the belief that Cifuentes needs to go has been set by his attitude towards Ben Nelson. The fact that this guy has been totally overlooked for over 2 months (not even getting on the bench) and then comes in, without ANY match practice (not even a game for the U21's), to be Man of the Match against Boro, is such a black mark against the Manager and his ability to man manage the team.

Clearly, Cifuentes can't cope - in his team selections, tactical abilities, awareness of substitution needs and general skill in dealing with the players.

Any future with us can't be justified.

I agree with all that. I've been giving him the benefit of doubt up to now, but the whole business of Ben Nelson, is so indicative of a Manager who hasn't got the nous to handle his team. Selections for the Boro game just illustrated his complete lack of awareness of what's needed and how to get the best out of his players. We know the squad is pretty sh**e, but surely other Manager's could wring something out of it (and their necks, if they didn't perform!)?

Edited 5 November 2025 by Outfox the Fox

[Outfox the Fox]

1 minute ago, Outfox the Fox said:

 

 

Edited 5 November 2025 by Outfox the Fox

[Chelmofox]

13 minutes ago, Lambert09 said:

That’s football though mate, there’s always bumps in the road. 
 

it was far from perfect but there’s no arguing he got us playing well. Whether you agreed with the style or not, there wasn’t a single game we got outplayed, with the possible exception of the first Leeds game. Other than that the blips were all upsets and snatch and grab games, which will happen over a 50+ game season. 
 

What mattered was when it came down to it, he got the important results 

 

this season, we’ve been played off the park most weeks. We were better against……. Swansea… maybe Birmingham…. Anyone else?  A good first half against a few teams but on the balance deserved to not win. It’s pathetic considering what we have at the club. 
 

I don’t think it’s an easy job but it’s a very doable job for a good manager. 

 

When we were slap bang in the slump people were calling for Enzo to be sacked. Thats football. We now have the luxury of largely remember the 1st half of that season.

 

Look at that season from the context of the 2nd half of it, and you started to see the many problems that are here today. We stumbled over the line and very nearly messed it up (i remember the day we dropped to 3rd). Luckily, Leeds and Ispwich also had poor form.

[filbertway]

7 hours ago, Dan said:

It's usually quite obvious early on if a manager is much good. Was very obvious very early on he was rubbish.

I'll be honest, alarm bells were ringing for me in the Wednesday game. When we went 2-1 up against an absolutely knackered, 10 man, half academy half reserves Wednesday side. 

 

He was very clearly asking the team to sit in and defend the lead rather than going for the kill. I'm not even exaggerating when I say we could probably have scored another 1 or 2 goals in that 8 minutes, they were dead on their feet.

I chalked it up to him wanting to try and secure a win in his first game, but I've seen nothing of the attacking and killer instinct he said he would bring.

 

Last night, sitting in for basically 45 mins and then sitting even deeper for the last 5. Allowing 10 man Boro to pepper crosses into our box has convinced me that he's another one that says what you want to hear but doesn't act on it accordingly.

 

I empathise with him having a grossly under-skilled, overpaid and apathetic squad. But he's not helping himself.

Edited 5 November 2025 by filbertway

[Bablemikey]

Is it possible that the management team recognise how poor we are at creating chances and scoring goals that if we do score first, then the less risky strategy is to try to defend that lead?

[Nolucklcfc]

2 hours ago, Joe90 said:

Yes we are shit and most people fully get your point, but unfortunately we can’t bin 10 players out our squad, the only realistic option will be part ways with the manager, who let’s be honest isn’t much better then the players, what has he actually done to warrant any credit? He was a bang average’s championship manger before he came here and still is now, we need a top end championship manger who will kick the players into shape! You have got to remember the championship this season is generally full of shite, there is no excuse we are so low down the table, manager has to take the hit! I’m sure points would pick up if we change 

I don’t think the players are much better than the position in the table suggests. They are bang average championship players, I mean that got proved last year when we got annihilated every week in the premier league. 
 

Form is very poor of course but I don’t think any of us should pretend we “should” be higher up, we’re exactly where the quality of the squad suggests we be. 
 

They have shown countless times, they are bang bang average. There’s a few exceptions maybe but most are shite like the rest of the league. 
 

I’ve no idea why people think with this squad we should be in the top 2 or should be in the top 6, based on what? 

[Dan]

The amount of times that Fiorentina friendly is referred to - I urge you to look at the Serie A table, and also remember that they were two weeks behind us in their preseason. It was not a barometer, they are in fact also rubbish.

[teblin]

12 minutes ago, Dan said:

The amount of times that Fiorentina friendly is referred to - I urge you to look at the Serie A table, and also remember that they were two weeks behind us in their preseason. It was not a barometer, they are in fact also rubbish.

Also wasn’t their full side either.

[Joe90]

35 minutes ago, Nolucklcfc said:

I don’t think the players are much better than the position in the table suggests. They are bang average championship players, I mean that got proved last year when we got annihilated every week in the premier league. 
 

Form is very poor of course but I don’t think any of us should pretend we “should” be higher up, we’re exactly where the quality of the squad suggests we be. 
 

They have shown countless times, they are bang bang average. There’s a few exceptions maybe but most are shite like the rest of the league. 
 

I’ve no idea why people think with this squad we should be in the top 2 or should be in the top 6, based on what? 

But teams we are playing are not individually better then us are they, that’s my point they work better as a team and don’t have players thinking they are better then they are! 

[ceebeefox]

30 minutes ago, Dan said:

The amount of times that Fiorentina friendly is referred to - I urge you to look at the Serie A table, and also remember that they were two weeks behind us in their preseason. It was not a barometer, they are in fact also rubbish.

And our best spell first half was against their reserves!

[Nolucklcfc]

7 minutes ago, Joe90 said:

But teams we are playing are not individually better then us are they, that’s my point they work better as a team and don’t have players thinking they are better then they are! 

He’s been here for 11 games … I’m not trying to defend him  (I know it sounds like I am) but it’s just we've been here so many times 

[Chelmofox]

6 minutes ago, Joe90 said:

But teams we are playing are not individually better then us are they, that’s my point they work better as a team and don’t have players thinking they are better then they are! 

What indicates they are / aren't.

 

We have have shocking for several years. We over achieved in the first half of Enzo's season, them stumbled across the line.

 

Last season we were one of the worst Premier teams ever. I have no idea why anyone thinks a weaker version of that team is anything other that mid table championship.

[whoareyaaa]

I think he will get until Jan at least, I still think we need to give him time.. he changed it last night and we did look better although still toothless in creating chances which can be worked on by brining in other players, still think he will work it out.

[Katy]

It’s been said before but we could bring Pep in and he still couldn’t get a tune out of this lot. Absolutely nothing will change until Nepo sells up, we just deteriorate with every new managerial appointment. We’re that bad it’s made me come out of FT retirement, so blame Aiyawatt for that! 

[Dan]

Had a bit of a delve into the shot on target stats of ours. They really are pathetic.

 

15 games so far in both competitions. We've failed to hit 3 shots on target in 7 of those 15, and failed to hit 4 in 9 of the 15.

 

Truly awful, horrendous.

[Claudio Fannieri]

5 hours ago, Chelmofox said:

I am not as angry at Cifuentes as others. 

 

The core of his team are those who have proven themselves not to be good enough. I am imagine a big part of his remit it to get a tune out of them. I imagine Ruud also had that remit and refused and fell out with many, hence all the issues last year.  I think Ruud got to the point that he no longer cared, and likely saw no future for himself in management full stop. I want more from the academy, but we have to consider there are expensive assets at the club, that physicality as a massive predicament when promoting youth,  and even the U21's are midtable in PL2. 

 

The team has been gutted, last years recruitment was pi55 poor. This years we effectively have one player we can use (James - who appears to be nursing an injury anyway). Some players are bang out of form and low on confidence.

 

Its a tough, tough hand. His interview last night he looked like he really gave a toss. He also made these players walk around the pitch after the Blackburn game. I don't buy that he doesn't give a crap.

 

I never thought we would get promoted this season. I always felt this needed to be viewed as a project where we get rid of as much deadwood as possible and rebuild the future. It is poor right now, but projects can take time. You have to give players runs of games (Caranza) etc to give them a chance to adapt. Fixing isn't as easy as 'just change everything and get rid of the bloke who played poorly last week'.

 

If Cifuentes is working to a remit then the ownership are complicit in how the project should go. Unless their heads change, they will go for the same type of approach whoever we hire. 

 

I cant see everyones head turning at the club and going for a completely different type of manager. I cant see someone else coming in and just fixing it. 

 

I think we are going to waddle to January mid table and see what that transfer window brings. We need to be prepared to be in this leauge for a few years while we rebuild.

Absolutely nails it for me 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[CloudFox]

2 hours ago, Dan said:

The amount of times that Fiorentina friendly is referred to - I urge you to look at the Serie A table, and also remember that they were two weeks behind us in their preseason. It was not a barometer, they are in fact also rubbish.

 

2 hours ago, teblin said:

Also wasn’t their full side either.

 

2 hours ago, ceebeefox said:

And our best spell first half was against their reserves!

I agree with all of this, but we played a completely different style. We played like he promised we would: Front foot, pressing in packs, attacking.

 

Regardless of the quality of opposition, we've not seen that since. It makes zero sense.

[DAS Boot]

17 minutes ago, CloudFox said:

 

 

I agree with all of this, but we played a completely different style. We played like he promised we would: Front foot, pressing in packs, attacking.

 

Regardless of the quality of opposition, we've not seen that since. It makes zero sense.

This is being missed a bit amongst the ‘Fiorentina are crap’ comments.

 

We’ve played a lot worse this year and hardly crossed the half way line.  Why?

 

Whilst QPR weren’t overly brilliant, they did seem to attack in the manner MC referenced when he arrived.  Makes no sense how he’s setting the team up and how we’re playing.

 

 

[JacobLCFC1234]

2 hours ago, Katy said:

It’s been said before but we could bring Pep in and he still couldn’t get a tune out of this lot. Absolutely nothing will change until Nepo sells up, we just deteriorate with every new managerial appointment. We’re that bad it’s made me come out of FT retirement, so blame Aiyawatt for that! 

I dont agree with this.

 

Im not saying there isnt boardroom level problems, but that doesnt grant crap managers a free pass to do a rubbish job.

 

By championship standards theres still plenty of talent here to be doing a LOT better.

[murphy]

3 hours ago, Bablemikey said:

Is it possible that the management team recognise how poor we are at creating chances and scoring goals that if we do score first, then the less risky strategy is to try to defend that lead?

Yes, but have they also recognised how bad we are at defending? 

[whoareyaaa]

7 minutes ago, JacobLCFC1234 said:

I dont agree with this.

 

Im not saying there isnt boardroom level problems, but that doesnt grant crap managers a free pass to do a rubbish job.

 

By championship standards theres still plenty of talent here to be doing a LOT better.

Who you would suggest ?