James McCarron

[Claudio Fannieri]

I don’t have an issue with what he said about dominating the game and territory, if you have 70% then you absolutely should win more than you lose, however there were a couple of things he said that I am not seeing enough of in this team and thats intensity and passion. Also if we are to dominate territory we need to stop playing so slowly and fart arseing around at the back. 
 

So as DoF he should be asking RM why are we playing so slowly and without purpose in possession and why are we so open and weak as piss at the back, because if we are in control and dominating then we shouldn’t be getting caught out so often and conceding a bagful. 
 

Man City dominate possession and they don’t leak goals like a sieve, the issue is Martin cannot set up a team to dominate possession, play with intensity and have a good out of possession shape. 

Edited Monday at 18:47 by Claudio Fannieri

[em9999]

Control of the football means nothing when one long ball and your cut open like a tin of sardines 

 

All teams need to do is wait till we misplace a pass and bang ..

 

Absolutely shite 😴 

[CruzNoir]

17 hours ago, CL Fox said:

Thoughts @CruzNoir mate?

Your going to be shocked at my opinion 

 

I think he’s done his job with a lot of credibility 

 

What’s he supposed to do? Clear out the squad and rebuild a new one? well he’s done that in spades.
 

Drastically cut the wage bill? Well he’s done that in spades too.

 

Manage the staff bringing new ones in creating a new atmosphere and culture at Seagrave, none of us know for sure as we aren’t there, but all the noises around the place is that all that has also changed, which frustratingly hasn’t transferred to the pitch yet which brings me on to my next part.

 

We all know the not so secretive obsession with Martin our board have had for some time, I don’t feel McCarron was behind the hiring of Martin personally, is that exonerating him? Probably but I believe it to be true, if he was then yes that’ll be the one big thing he got wrong, however I feel this was always the direction sadly that this board before his appointment was wanting to take. All McCarron can do is what he’s been asked to do, build a squad for the incoming manage, clear out the trash and bring the diabolical wage bill down ta very much.

 

No one can Argue he hasn’t done that?? 
 

the problem is the manager he’s built a squad up for is unfortunately not up to the task, and I just don’t see how after years of our board being obsessed with Martin, is something he had a hand in, could be wrong but that’s what I think.

 

i thought in his bbc interview he came across painfully well when you look at the inept morons we’ve got around him that he’s got to work with no names needed.

 

What are my criticisms of him before I’m told that I am him

 

Allowing Martin to continue with this style and seemingly not having a chat about trying another way, I think on the hole the transfer window was decent for this level regarding players brought in although there’s a few head scratchers, I’d have liked to have perhaps heard more from him since he came in, not that it would have made loads of difference in the bigger picture of things.

 

But yeh so far I think he’s the only capable operator at the Club tragically surrounded by charlatans.

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 11:01 by CruzNoir

[BlueBus]

48 minutes ago, CruzNoir said:

Your going to be shocked at my opinion 

 

I think he’s done his job with a lot of credibility 

 

What’s he supposed to do? Clear out the squad and rebuild a new one? well he’s done that in spades.
 

Drastically cut the wage bill? Well he’s done that in spades too.

 

Manage the staff bringing new ones in creating a new atmosphere and culture at Seagrave, none of us know for sure as we aren’t there, but all the noises around the place is that all that has also changed, which frustratingly hasn’t transferred to the pitch yet which brings me on to my next part.

 

We all know the not so secretive obsession with Martin our board have had for some time, I don’t feel McCarron was behind the hiring of Martin personally, is that exonerating him? Probably but I believe it to be true, if he was then yes that’ll be the one big thing he got wrong, however I feel this was always the direction sadly that this board before his appointment was wanting to take. All McCarron can do is what he’s been asked to do, build a squad for the incoming manage, clear out the trash and bring the diabolical wage bill down ta very much.

 

No one can Argue he hasn’t done that?? 
 

the problem is the manager he’s built a squad up for is unfortunately not up to the task, and I just don’t see how after years of our board being obsessed with Martin, is something he had a hand in, could be wrong but that’s what I think.

 

i thought in his bbc interview he came across painfully well when you look at the inept morons we’ve got around him that he’s got to work with no names needed.

 

What are my criticisms of him before I’m told that I am him

 

Allowing Martin to continue with this style and seemingly not having a chat about trying another way, I think on the hole the transfer window was decent for this level regarding players brought in although there’s a few head scratchers, I’d have liked to have perhaps heard more from him since he came in, not that it would have made loads of difference in the bigger picture of things.

 

But yeh so far I think he’s the only capable operator at the Club tragically surrounded by charlatans.

 

 

I don't want to burst your bubble but do you think our squad and manager would look any different in McCarron wasn't there?
 

We went for Russell Martin (as per usual)

Our experienced signings all have a history of injuries and barely played much last season (as per usual) 
We've signed some unknowns from abroad and we're not playing them (as per usual) 

We don't seem to trust any of our loan signings (as per usual) 
and we don't have any leaders in our team (as per usual) 

[murphy]

1 hour ago, CruzNoir said:

Your going to be shocked at my opinion 

 

I think he’s done his job with a lot of credibility 

 

What’s he supposed to do? Clear out the squad and rebuild a new one? well he’s done that in spades.
 

Drastically cut the wage bill? Well he’s done that in spades too.

 

Manage the staff bringing new ones in creating a new atmosphere and culture at Seagrave, none of us know for sure as we aren’t there, but all the noises around the place is that all that has also changed, which frustratingly hasn’t transferred to the pitch yet which brings me on to my next part.

 

We all know the not so secretive obsession with Martin our board have had for some time, I don’t feel McCarron was behind the hiring of Martin personally, is that exonerating him? Probably but I believe it to be true, if he was then yes that’ll be the one big thing he got wrong, however I feel this was always the direction sadly that this board before his appointment was wanting to take. All McCarron can do is what he’s been asked to do, build a squad for the incoming manage, clear out the trash and bring the diabolical wage bill down ta very much.

 

No one can Argue he hasn’t done that?? 
 

the problem is the manager he’s built a squad up for is unfortunately not up to the task, and I just don’t see how after years of our board being obsessed with Martin, is something he had a hand in, could be wrong but that’s what I think.

 

i thought in his bbc interview he came across painfully well when you look at the inept morons we’ve got around him that he’s got to work with no names needed.

 

What are my criticisms of him before I’m told that I am him

 

Allowing Martin to continue with this style and seemingly not having a chat about trying another way, I think on the hole the transfer window was decent for this level regarding players brought in although there’s a few head scratchers, I’d have liked to have perhaps heard more from him since he came in, not that it would have made loads of difference in the bigger picture of things.

 

But yeh so far I think he’s the only capable operator at the Club tragically surrounded by charlatans.

 

 

I imagine it is quite easy to offload players when you are relegated to the third division.  I imagine there was a stampede for the door.

 

What I was hoping for from a new director of football was a change in direction and fresh ideas.  He is just following Rudkin and Top down the same path and speaks from the KP copybook which I suppose is why he was hired.

 

Recruitment has been poor.  Managerial recruitment inexplicably poor, the old patterns and mistakes are still being made.

[CruzNoir]

3 minutes ago, BlueBus said:

I don't want to burst your bubble but do you think our squad and manager would look any different in McCarron wasn't there?
 

We went for Russell Martin (as per usual)

Our experienced signings all have a history of injuries and barely played much last season (as per usual) 
We've signed some unknowns from abroad and we're not playing them (as per usual) 

We don't seem to trust any of our loan signings (as per usual) 
and we don't have any leaders in our team (as per usual) 

I think all that sounds like the right things to say when you’ve got a failing manager in charge of the squad

 

Regardless to experienced signings being injured, the squads we’ve been putting out are more than good enough to be doing better, yes I know, we sad that last season bla bla bla

 

I far prefer this squad than last season! 
 

I just have no faith in the orchestrator of this squad and assembling them to be as effective as what they should be, and that person is Martin

 

For once we’ve backed a manager!! I heard on a podcast the other day a fan saying as useless as what Martin is, Martins just another manager for the board to throw under the bus!….no he’s not! He’s be backed more than any manager we’ve had in god knows how long! And yet 12 games in when you include the cup games he’s no clue how to put the jigsaw together.

 

McCarron aside this board have ultimately f’d us, they messed it all up, but right here and right now with the tools Russels been given, we shouldn’t be where we are.

 

i strongly believe any capable manager with the squad does the job.

[Globalfox]

On 13/10/2026 at 11:59, CruzNoir said:

Your going to be shocked at my opinion 

 

I think he’s done his job with a lot of credibility 

 

What’s he supposed to do? Clear out the squad and rebuild a new one? well he’s done that in spades.
 

Drastically cut the wage bill? Well he’s done that in spades too.

 

Manage the staff bringing new ones in creating a new atmosphere and culture at Seagrave, none of us know for sure as we aren’t there, but all the noises around the place is that all that has also changed, which frustratingly hasn’t transferred to the pitch yet which brings me on to my next part.

 

We all know the not so secretive obsession with Martin our board have had for some time, I don’t feel McCarron was behind the hiring of Martin personally, is that exonerating him? Probably but I believe it to be true, if he was then yes that’ll be the one big thing he got wrong, however I feel this was always the direction sadly that this board before his appointment was wanting to take. All McCarron can do is what he’s been asked to do, build a squad for the incoming manage, clear out the trash and bring the diabolical wage bill down ta very much.

 

No one can Argue he hasn’t done that?? 
 

the problem is the manager he’s built a squad up for is unfortunately not up to the task, and I just don’t see how after years of our board being obsessed with Martin, is something he had a hand in, could be wrong but that’s what I think.

 

i thought in his bbc interview he came across painfully well when you look at the inept morons we’ve got around him that he’s got to work with no names needed.

 

What are my criticisms of him before I’m told that I am him

 

Allowing Martin to continue with this style and seemingly not having a chat about trying another way, I think on the hole the transfer window was decent for this level regarding players brought in although there’s a few head scratchers, I’d have liked to have perhaps heard more from him since he came in, not that it would have made loads of difference in the bigger picture of things.

 

But yeh so far I think he’s the only capable operator at the Club tragically surrounded by charlatans.

 

 

Fair post however do you really feel that Cullen, Burns, Bristric, sicknote Chaplin, Lundstrum have all been useful signings because their performances to date would have you questioning Mr McCarrons capabilities unless you accept he is not responsible for rebuilding the squad. 

[JonnyBoy]

11 minutes ago, Globalfox said:

Fair post however do you really feel that Cullen, Burns, Bristric, sicknote Chaplin, Lundstrum have all been useful signings because their performances to date would have you questioning Mr McCarrons capabilities unless you accept he is not responsible for rebuilding the squad. 

 

TBF Cullen has scored a couple of goals, albeit not looked great. Burns (yes, crap so far), Bristric - everyone was crying out for an unknown entity with potential. Chaplin not seen enough of yet and Lundstrum had a good game, a bad game and still not seen enough of him. Need a good half season to asses where players are at 

[5waller5]

On 11/10/2026 at 15:39, Cincinnati Fox said:

Scary interview….

 

this tied with Martin I don’t see how we stay up and not getting promotion this year probably means liquidation 

Vid from 1.45-2.45 is insanity 

Wow, that is scary. 
 

“what’s the positive from the 1st half of the season?”

 

”We gave more minutes to young players than any other side”

 

”What will the new players add to the squad?”

 

”They’re older”

 

Seems the entire analytical breakdown from the Performance Director on transfer strategy was focussed on age, nothing else discussed

[inckley fox]

On 13/10/2026 at 12:59, CruzNoir said:

Your going to be shocked at my opinion 

 

I think he’s done his job with a lot of credibility 

 

What’s he supposed to do? Clear out the squad and rebuild a new one? well he’s done that in spades.
 

Drastically cut the wage bill? Well he’s done that in spades too.

 

Manage the staff bringing new ones in creating a new atmosphere and culture at Seagrave, none of us know for sure as we aren’t there, but all the noises around the place is that all that has also changed, which frustratingly hasn’t transferred to the pitch yet which brings me on to my next part.

 

We all know the not so secretive obsession with Martin our board have had for some time, I don’t feel McCarron was behind the hiring of Martin personally, is that exonerating him? Probably but I believe it to be true, if he was then yes that’ll be the one big thing he got wrong, however I feel this was always the direction sadly that this board before his appointment was wanting to take. All McCarron can do is what he’s been asked to do, build a squad for the incoming manage, clear out the trash and bring the diabolical wage bill down ta very much.

 

No one can Argue he hasn’t done that?? 
 

the problem is the manager he’s built a squad up for is unfortunately not up to the task, and I just don’t see how after years of our board being obsessed with Martin, is something he had a hand in, could be wrong but that’s what I think.

 

i thought in his bbc interview he came across painfully well when you look at the inept morons we’ve got around him that he’s got to work with no names needed.

 

What are my criticisms of him before I’m told that I am him

 

Allowing Martin to continue with this style and seemingly not having a chat about trying another way, I think on the hole the transfer window was decent for this level regarding players brought in although there’s a few head scratchers, I’d have liked to have perhaps heard more from him since he came in, not that it would have made loads of difference in the bigger picture of things.

 

But yeh so far I think he’s the only capable operator at the Club tragically surrounded by charlatans.

 

 

I love the optimism! It's much-needed. Sadly, I can't say I entirely share it on this occasion.

 

Ultimately whether Rudkin or McCarron are doing their jobs this year will be judged on three things: the balancing of books, the standard of that squad they have assembled and, following on from that, the results their managerial appointment delivers. We're probably the biggest favourites ever, and certainly among them, for promotion from this division - in spite of us knowing it's going to be a bit trickier than that after the past few seasons - so it'll be damning if the second and third of those priorities aren't met, or at least amply worked towards.

 

So when it comes to Priority One, most of the clearing of decks was done for him. The contracts of Pereira, Daka, Ayew and a whole bunch of others simply expired. Well done for negotiating decent fees here and there, e.g. Fatawu, and mutually cancelling a contract or two, but there is nothing exceptional in his work there to make him stand out against what SDs everywhere do when a big club drops to the third tier.

 

On the second and third points, so far it looks pretty grim. The squad, whether it looks great for this level on paper or not, isn't getting results with the manager in charge (who he presumably was involved in appointing). We're not unfamiliar with saying those exact same words over past seasons, so on these issues I don't see the improvement we needed.

 

Appointing Martin, subscribing to the board's long-standing 'sustainable football' philosophy (arguing it brings success when we've seen it doesn't with our own eyes), backing RM publicly at a time when you need to think about sacking him if you want to go up, suggesting he's been successful at levels where he's bombed, assembling various high-wage / long-contract / zero sell-on players who haven't yet fit in; and supposedly setting a points target for automatic promotion which isn't enough for automatic promotion (re Percy) are also pretty worrying signs. That's a long sentence, I know, but what's alarming is that it needs to be.

 

And, above all else, the fact that the people who thought he was precisely the man for the job were Top and Rudkin, which is sufficient cause for concern by itself.

[ceebeefox]

On 12/10/2026 at 20:00, em9999 said:

Control of the football means nothing when one long ball and your cut open like a tin of sardines 

 

All teams need to do is wait till we misplace a pass and bang ..

 

Absolutely shite 😴 

And even Man City in their worst moments or during rebuild are susceptible to a long ball over the top.

[em9999]

9 hours ago, ceebeefox said:

And even Man City in their worst moments or during rebuild are susceptible to a long ball over the top.

We defend like ****wits

[Tuna]

Needs to go too when Martin is sacked. Accountability.

[Cincinnati Fox]

On 15/10/2026 at 05:17, 5waller5 said:

Wow, that is scary. 
 

“what’s the positive from the 1st half of the season?”

 

”We gave more minutes to young players than any other side”

 

”What will the new players add to the squad?”

 

”They’re older”

 

Seems the entire analytical breakdown from the Performance Director on transfer strategy was focussed on age, nothing else discussed

From the school of Russell Martin, I see!!

 

Data says we should have won x games, so we will ignore reality and say we have done really well! Let’s say 135 shots in 5 games, which proves we are playing attacking football (apparently!!), despite the eye test and results saying we are absolutely dog shite. We play suicidal football, taking massive risks for little reward! With players like McCarthy who are absolutely incapable of doing it.

Slow and sideways, allowing the opposition to get 10 men behind the ball. As a result, create next to no big chances and stat pad with shots from distance, have zero pace in the side despite signing 16 players, and continue to play Luke ****ing Thomas... all despite having the largest wage bill by a mile.

How anybody is backing this and Martin is lunatic behavior.