Reasons why we should not fire Rob Kelly

[BartonFox]

[Loake]

because we won't be able to attract a great new manager

[shen]

He's brought in some of our talented youngsters which no other manager in our recent past would've done (Logan, O'Grady, Porter and to some extent Wesolowski)... And umm... that's just about it really...

[lookwhaticando]

If we sack another, we won't attract any kind of manager

[Steven]

If we sack another, we won't attract any kind of manager

There are plenty of large egos out there that will find a way past that.

[Mark]

He's brought in some of our talented youngsters which no other manager in our recent past would've done (Logan, O'Grady, Porter and to some extent Wesolowski)... And umm... that's just about it really...

The former two have done well but I'm still not sure about Logan and O'Grady. Logan had a decent debut, but I feel we took advantage of his ability to lump the ball into the oppositions area too much. On the other hand he's totally ignored players like Sheehan and Gradel in favour of such average ineffective players in Low and Johansson.

I wanted him to do well but he doesn't seem to learn.. how many more games do we have to fail to score in? It's simple, we need a more positive approach instead of focusing on the defense side of things in all areas of the field.

[shen]

The former two have done well but I'm still not sure about Logan and O'Grady. Logan had a decent debut, but I feel we took advantage of his ability to lump the ball into the oppositions area too much. On the other hand he's totally ignored players like Sheehan and Gradel in favour of such average ineffective players in Low and Johansson.

I wanted him to do well but he doesn't seem to learn.. how many more games do we have to fail to score in? It's simple, we need a more positive approach instead of focusing on the defense side of things in all areas of the field.

He said himself that we need to dare to get into scoring positions. We need to gamble more.

Logan has done little wrong so far, and fair play to RK for giving him a chance. It is something Micky or Craig would NEVER have done. You could argue that O'Grady is a failure since his scoring record is about as abysmal as Hammond's, but in some games he's been amongst our best players... Not that it means alot considering the performances of his teammates!

[Mort]

He’s out of his depth, but there is simply no one else who’s going to even think about coming near us [sigh]… in short we’re screwed for the foreseeable future, the experiment with RK simply hasn’t worked he did his job well at the end of last season but it was an emergency measure and a new manger was needed then and they are still needed now… Walsh still interested in a manager’s job?

[Thracian]

Kelly's had a decent stint now and show no signs of building a proper football team cos that was a shambles.

He's another who doesn't seem to learn.

It was stated loud and clear that he shouldn't play Hughes on the right. He's indifferent at best but that performance was beyond any defending.

It was stated we needed someone breaking forward from midfield. Hume is the only option unless you look to Academy youngster Andy King and Hume went he came on showed just how much he could have tormented Colchester's big but slow-turning centre-backs. He should have been there with Fryatt and O'Grady not as are placement for one of them.

Even had we used all three we needed otherenergetic players around to compliment them.

Kenton was okay defensively but his attacking support was barely noticeable. Stearman as well as making two vital headed defensive clearances launched more attacks in a quarter of the game then Kenton did throughout. Yes, some of his efforts went awry but the intent was there.

Johnson was as bad as Hughes really because he was playing in his chosen positionand when did he ever pass and move?.

Times I watched someone on the ball desperately looking for assistanceor an outlet ball and all the players around were static. No-one was making space, not even Wesolowski although he did seem better when Hughes went off.

People say Kelly's at home on the training ground but these criticisms were relevent last season too. And what'sbeen done since?. Passing and moving is paramount.

The first team should watch some cameos of Beaglehome's Academy team because, yet again, they attacked and supported each other in droves. Did it cost them defensively? Did it hell. Cardiff were just glad to get the ball occasionally for a bit of respite.

The big difference is when an Academy player plays an attacking pass he gives it and goes to a new supporting position but our players look as if their frozen in fear to their own pre-set location.Even simple passes were underhit or misdirected, a sure sign that there's alack of confidence, belief and concentration.

Creatively, only Porter looked like a footballer today. He was up against a good, tight-marking opponent who'd obviously been told about him yet Porter still created five/six clear chances from open play and set pieces at least some of which which should have been converted to settle the game for us.

Times though he was forced to cross the ball when he would have preferred an outlet pass which would have been more dangerous. He looked but there was rarely anyone in sight because Nils considered feeding Porter was his work done (which I'll forgive him cos he was playing to his limitations) but where were supporting midfielders?.

There were bright spots. Logan made three excellent saves and looked commanding and the centre-back McCarthy and McAuley were much more effective than I expected perhaps because Colchester didn't look too bothered as an attacking force, but they could only deal with what they were up against and they did so with ease for our third clean sheet in nine League games.

With eight goals conceded in those nine it is plain that what I've said all along, that the scoring of goals, is and would be our problem and that is down first and foremost to Kelly's team selection and tactics. We need more attackers in the side at full-back and midfield and nobody playing out of position.

Then our players concerted crash course in passing, moving and supporting each other at all times in all places and with the ball not allowed to go above waist height.

I'll say no more because none of it would compliment our decision makers today. And I've never seen so many stunned and disillusioned faces leaving a ground. They werenit raging,just quietly shaking their heads really. Something really must be done.

There were no signs we have any idea how to sustain attacks but sure as day follows night we'll have to learn pretty quickly and it starts with the team selection.

[Ultra]

Kelly's had a decent stint now and show no signs of building a proper football team cos that was a shambles.

He's another who doesn't seem to learn.

It was stated loud and clear that he shouldn't play Hughes on the right. He's indifferent at best but that performance was beyond any defending.

It was stated we needed someone breaking forward from midfield. Hume is the only option unless you look to Academy youngster Andy King and Hume went he came on showed just how much he could have tormented Colchester's big but slow-turning centre-backs. He should have been there with Fryatt and O'Grady not as are placement for one of them.

Even had we used all three we needed otherenergetic players around to compliment them.

Kenton was okay defensively but his attacking support was barely noticeable. Stearman as well as making two vital headed defensive clearances launched more attacks in a quarter of the game then Kenton did throughout. Yes, some of his efforts went awry but the intent was there.

Johnson was as bad as Hughes really because he was playing in his chosen positionand when did he ever pass and move?.

Times I watched someone on the ball desperately looking for assistanceor an outlet ball and all the players around were static. No-one was making space, not even Wesolowski although he did seem better when Hughes went off.

People say Kelly's at home on the training ground but these criticisms were relevent last season too. And what'sbeen done since?. Passing and moving is paramount.

The first team should watch some cameos of Beaglehome's Academy team because, yet again, they attacked and supported each other in droves. Did it cost them defensively? Did it hell. Cardiff were just glad to get the ball occasionally for a bit of respite.

The big difference is when an Academy player plays an attacking pass he gives it and goes to a new supporting position but our players look as if their frozen in fear to their own pre-set location.Even simple passes were underhit or misdirected, a sure sign that there's alack of confidence, belief and concentration.

Creatively, only Porter looked like a footballer today. He was up against a good, tight-marking opponent who'd obviously been told about him yet Porter still created five/six clear chances from open play and set pieces at least some of which which should have been converted to settle the game for us.

Times though he was forced to cross the ball when he would have preferred an outlet pass which would have been more dangerous. He looked but there was rarely anyone in sight because Nils considered feeding Porter was his work done (which I'll forgive him cos he was playing to his limitations) but where were supporting midfielders?.

There were bright spots. Logan made three excellent saves and looked commanding and the centre-back McCarthy and McAuley were much more effective than I expected perhaps because Colchester didn't look too bothered as an attacking force, but they could only deal with what they were up against and they did so with ease for our third clean sheet in nine League games.

With eight goals conceded in those nine it is plain that what I've said all along, that the scoring of goals, is and would be our problem and that is down first and foremost to Kelly's team selection and tactics. We need more attackers in the side at full-back and midfield and nobody playing out of position.

Then our players concerted crash course in passing, moving and supporting each other at all times in all places and with the ball not allowed to go above waist height.

I'll say no more because none of it would compliment our decision makers today. And I've never seen so many stunned and disillusioned faces leaving a ground. They werenit raging,just quietly shaking their heads really. Something really must be done.

There were no signs we have any idea how to sustain attacks but sure as day follows night we'll have to learn pretty quickly and it starts with the team selection.

Thracian, surely even YOU must accept that overloading the side with ever MORE youngsters is a surefire recipe for relegation.

We need to bring players in who can master basic techniques. Too many of our current side - even so-called wonderboy Weso - are lacking in the basic skills that we should expect of any fortunate enough to wear the blue shirt.

Sadly too many of our fellow fans appear to accept, even welcome, such ineptitude. Those in the Kop who APPLAUDED the team off this afternoon (presumably because we didn't lose?) caused me even more annoyance than Kelly and the players!

[Hullfox]

Creatively, only Porter looked like a footballer today. He was up against a good, tight-marking opponent who'd obviously been told about him yet Porter still created five/six clear chances from open play and set pieces at least some of which which should have been converted to settle the game for us.

That is complete and utter bollocks.

Not once did he get past a man and deliver a cross. He was as bad as the rest of them, it's about time you started noticing the flaws in your own chosen men.

[Leicester Lass]

That is complete and utter bollocks.

Not once did he get past a man and deliver a cross. He was as bad as the rest of them, it's about time you started noticing the flaws in your own chosen men.

I agree, too many times today he tried to get the ball into the box too quickly and more often than not failed to clear the first man.

[Milky]

That is complete and utter bollocks.

Not once did he get past a man and deliver a cross. He was as bad as the rest of them, it's about time you started noticing the flaws in your own chosen men.

he was up against one of the most promising right backs in the country

[Thracian]

That is complete and utter bollocks.

Not once did he get past a man and deliver a cross. He was as bad as the rest of them, it's about time you started noticing the flaws in your own chosen men.

I've said countless times that Porter is not a winger who's fast enough to run by people he's a passer. He needs people to pass to but if you look at the video you will see that virtually all the chances we created involved his passes.

And the only time the crowd buzzed around me was when he got the ball - and when Hume did on occasions near the end.

[davieG]

Thracian, surely even YOU must accept that overloading the side with ever MORE youngsters is a surefire recipe for relegation.

We need to bring players in who can master basic techniques. Too many of our current side - even so-called wonderboy Weso - are lacking in the basic skills that we should expect of any fortunate enough to wear the blue shirt.

Sadly too many of our fellow fans appear to accept, even welcome, such ineptitude. Those in the Kop who APPLAUDED the team off this afternoon (presumably because we didn't lose?) caused me even more annoyance than Kelly and the players!

The worse players on the pitch today, in terms of contribution were Johnson, Hughes and Johansson, experience counts I see

[Ultra]

We need experienced players with a bit of quality about them, who can provide leadership.

The fact that many in the Kop were BEGGING for Tiatto to come on showed how bad it was today.

[davieG]

We need experienced players with a bit of quality about them, who can provide leadership.

The fact that many in the Kop were BEGGING for Tiatto to come on showed how bad it was today.

That's the whole point though, we can't afford "experienced players with a bit of quality about them, who can provide leadership" So the alternative is experience that is crap or youth with potential. I know which I prefer.

[Daggers]

I thought the talk of sacking Kelly two games into the season was pathetic...but the idea now has the Disco Bob seal of approval, like it needed it

I don't care who we appoint in his place, someone from the youth team? Someone from the burger van outside? A small piece of expanded polystyrene? It really doesn't matter because it will be an improvement on the current absence of wherewithall being exhibited by Kelly.

Where is the desire to win? Hughes put in a performance that would have embarrased someone playing for a school side. He lost balls everytime, his passes never found a blue shirt and that was when he wasn't just standing watching the game. What did Kelly do? Nothing, until the belated sub. Pathetic.

I've had my fill now. I've tried to put a positive spin on this - but from one end of the pitch to the other we were bollox. He has to assume responsibility for this and correct it now or **** off.

[Loake]

Thracian, surely even YOU must accept that overloading the side with ever MORE youngsters is a surefire recipe for relegation.

We need to bring players in who can master basic techniques. Too many of our current side - even so-called wonderboy Weso - are lacking in the basic skills that we should expect of any fortunate enough to wear the blue shirt.

Sadly too many of our fellow fans appear to accept, even welcome, such ineptitude. Those in the Kop who APPLAUDED the team off this afternoon (presumably because we didn't lose?) caused me even more annoyance than Kelly and the players!

or maybe some fans appreciate our captain applauding our support, and appreciate him helping to keep a clean sheet.

[Thracian]

The worse players on the pitch today, in terms of contribution were Johnson, Hughes and Johansson, experience counts I see

The best today were McCarthy, Porter, Logan, Stearman, McAuley ... and the best this season overall are Kisnorbo, and Porter. Arguably our only older "success" has been Kenton.

[Population-1]

It is a sad state of affairs that I feel no real affinity for any of our current players. Back in 1997-98 I could reel them off (Lennon, Izzet, Elliott, Keller, Heskey, Claridge) - for this current crop its pure apathy. Kenton, Kisnorbo, McCarthy, Fryatt would be the best I could muster at the moment. Fryatt is a very talented player but is drowning in this sea of unimagination on behalf of our midfield and management.

The one thing I hate to see is a player's potential go unreached due to him being surrounded by poor tacticians and colleagues. This club used to have a habit of bringing out the best in players, who would then look back and revel in their best playing years being spent with LCFC. Now, not only do we have sub-standard players but those with any real potential are either farmed out on loan or crumble with frustration as they are starved of service or players on the same wavelength. They then start to appear mediocre before being sold and re-born...and inevitably coming back to haunt us.

[Hullfox]

The best today were McCarthy, Porter, Logan, Stearman, McAuley ... and the best this season overall are Kisnorbo, and Porter. Arguably our only older "success" has been Kenton.

Some times I actually think that you are starting to believe yourself.

[Suffolk_fox]

I have stated this in another thread, and a bit of searching will back this up - I have always been one of the last of the posters on here to call for any managers' heads. But it is clear to see that RK is out of his depth. His honeymoon period saved us from relegation, but reality has hit home.

He need a manager with more than a couple of years worth of experience!

[Jonbluefox9]

• If we fire Rob Kelly we will have to pay-up his contract, admittedly he will always only have one year left on his contract if that's how this rolling deal works.
  

• The state we are in financially, and we are in a state as far as I know, would dictate that we would have to appoint a manager who is currently out of work to avoid compensation having to be paid to the new manager's previous employer.
  

• You have to find a manager who is willing to come to a club that has got through three managers in the space of two seasons and assure them they will be given time to turn things around although their budget will be almost nothing. An attractive prospect to any potential incoming manager I'm sure.
  

• You could tell them we've got some good young players coming through to attract a decent manager but if the new manager does his research before coming in he will know that a fair few of these good young players have been playing and were part of a team that got the previous manager the boot, and he will also realise that our squad is not that big so his options will be limited.
  

• He'll have to work with what he's got and looking at our current crop of central midfielders at the moment, it is all much of a muchness. People who think Gareth Williams will come in and all of a sudden we'll be creating chances left, right and centre are forgetting that Gareth Williams is a lazy footballer who has created very few chances over his last two seasons at the club.
  

It is frustrating at the moment. Don't think I don't care just because I don't think we should sack another manager. Just look at the names that came up to replace Levein. The list will be even less inspiring if it is written up again so soon imo. I don't think there's anyone out there who can come in and change things a great deal. It's sad but true. The reason we are where we are is down to a lack of quality and no matter who's in charge, they won't be able to bring in any new players to improve us.

[Thracian]

• If we fire Rob Kelly we will have to pay-up his contract, admittedly he will always only have one year left on his contract if that's how this rolling deal works.
  

• The state we are in financially, and we are in a state as far as I know, would dictate that we would have to appoint a manager who is currently out of work to avoid compensation having to be paid to the new manager's previous employer.
  

• You have to find a manager who is willing to come to a club that has got through three managers in the space of two seasons and assure them they will be given time to turn things around although their budget will be almost nothing. An attractive prospect to any potential incoming manager I'm sure.
  

• You could tell them we've got some good young players coming through to attract a decent manager but if the new manager does his research before coming in he will know that a fair few of these good young players have been playing and were part of a team that got the previous manager the boot, and he will also realise that our squad is not that big so his options will be limited.
  

• He'll have to work with what he's got and looking at our current crop of central midfielders at the moment, it is all much of a muchness. People who think Gareth Williams will come in and all of a sudden we'll be creating chances left, right and centre are forgetting that Gareth Williams is a lazy footballer who has created very few chances over his last two seasons at the club.
  

It is frustrating at the moment. Don't think I don't care just because I don't think we should sack another manager. Just look at the names that came up to replace Levein. The list will be even less inspiring if it is written up again so soon imo. I don't think there's anyone out there who can come in and change things a great deal. It's sad but true. The reason we are where we are is down to a lack of quality and no matter who's in charge, they won't be able to bring in any new players to improve us.

There's much in what you say but the reason we are down at the bottom end of the table is our obsession with having extra defenders and, consequently, Kelly's ridiculous team selections and ineffective/illogical substitutions .

.