Northampton Town 1 (Harding 45+3) Oxford United 0 (From The Oxford Times)

It is inevitable, we just don't have the calibre of farwards to score or the finesse to find a way through.

Oh for a couple of strikers, always said Beano (aka James Constable) was not really the answer nor Craddock nor Smalley. As for the question of the timing of Northampton's goal? thought the golden rule of football was play to the whistle, so no compliants or excuses as yet again we should have had won the game especially in the second half. Do the team want to go up? NO. Do the management want to go up? NO. For me we have achieved our aim which was not to get relegated but to preserve Div 2 football. Need a squad of 23 players who are hungry and want to play and win for Oxford United. Need a hungry management team ( Michael Owen wants to break into Management, but maybe a forward coach first?? just a thought). As for a manager if Wilder goes Peter Reid is available, has experience and maybe could get a better quality of players who want to win.

Same old story, 3 strikers on that can't hit a barn door. So CW is after another midfielder, is he watching the same game as us,,badly need a striker that can finish, the games we have chucked away this season because of not finishing we should be out of sight at the top.

Peter Reid would be ideal, did a great job down at Argyle with no money. Don't agree Owen, we need someone with experience. Yes, I know David's is doing a great job at Barnet

Southstandupper wrote:
Oh for a couple of strikers, always said Beano (aka James Constable) was not really the answer nor Craddock nor Smalley. As for the question of the timing of Northampton's goal? thought the golden rule of football was play to the whistle, so no compliants or excuses as yet again we should have had won the game especially in the second half. Do the team want to go up? NO. Do the management want to go up? NO. For me we have achieved our aim which was not to get relegated but to preserve Div 2 football. Need a squad of 23 players who are hungry and want to play and win for Oxford United. Need a hungry management team ( Michael Owen wants to break into Management, but maybe a forward coach first?? just a thought). As for a manager if Wilder goes Peter Reid is available, has experience and maybe could get a better quality of players who want to win.

Could you imagine them both at our club. What a backroom staff.

We need a striker so we let Tyrone Marsh go to Staines, !!!!!!!!!

We need a creative midfielder like I need a hole in the head.

We need a fit quick midfield.

We need coaches who encourage and cajole players to perform.

We don't need Wilder, or Lewis, or Melville, we actually need intelligent tactically aware staff.

One day perhaps, pigs in pink tutu's might fly as well.

Peter Reid? Are you serious? He's just an older Wilder with a Plan A or bust approach to management - he did a crap job at Plymouth and he's the last thing we need in my opinion. Plenty of young managers making their way in non league and this is where we should be looking. Wilder has to go along with Melville,Lewis and at least half the playing squad. This time last year we went on a 7 game winless run and limped out of the playoffs - this season we're actually worse. Lenagan needs to consider how to keep the fanbase next season - hanging on to Wilder is not the answer.

Need to get shot of barn door constable said for months clearly not good enough bsp standard at best

CW is (at 8th) one of the longest serving league managers, 5 seasons, even if you take away the non-league time he's still in the top 20. He has had plenty of time in a notoriously unstable profession, he'll find another job very quickly so is it loyalty or finances that stops IL from saying enough is enough? If it's loyalty it's misplaced, if it's financial - fair enough - but at least tell the fans, especially the ones who won't renew next season if CW is still here, what your plans are. Maybe you've planned to give him one more season.
We lost today at a club that recruited their manager not so long ago - the person he replaced got a job straight away and is up into the thirties of the longest serving managers already! Don't worry about Chris - he'll survive.

If CW contract is up at end of season there is no way that I L will get rid of him before then, makes sense financially from his point of view, bringing someone new in now is surely too late for this season although he would have six games to assess what we have to keep and what to get shot of

Bathyellow wrote:
If CW contract is up at end of season there is no way that I L will get rid of him before then, makes sense financially from his point of view, bringing someone new in now is surely too late for this season although he would have six games to assess what we have to keep and what to get shot of

Absolutely.

Where's my mate Oldun lately?

foxvox wrote:
CW is (at 8th) one of the longest serving league managers, 5 seasons, even if you take away the non-league time he's still in the top 20. He has had plenty of time in a notoriously unstable profession, he'll find another job very quickly so is it loyalty or finances that stops IL from saying enough is enough? If it's loyalty it's misplaced, if it's financial - fair enough - but at least tell the fans, especially the ones who won't renew next season if CW is still here, what your plans are. Maybe you've planned to give him one more season.
We lost today at a club that recruited their manager not so long ago - the person he replaced got a job straight away and is up into the thirties of the longest serving managers already! Don't worry about Chris - he'll survive.

Absolutely. His long tenure as a manager must finish - unless we go up . Many (yes, yes, many ) better than him for United will apply when he goes . COYY - of course, we can go up at the end of the season - highly unlikely but ...

So prior to the game, the manager puts forward that what is missing is a replacement for Leven and this is his primary objective!! Maybe he needs to review this as in the last 2 games we have had something like 27 attempts on goal with no conversion of chances. Once again we had a front line hanging the wrong side of the defender's and getting caught offside time and time again otherwise we would have had even more chances and as it's going at the minute I still don't think they would have found the net.
Finally what an inspirational substitution taking off a guys who had pace to get past their back line, and putting Smalley on and removing 50% of the source of balls in to the box.
Time for a rethink Mr Wilder from your views in the Mail on Friday :-[

Chish and Fips wrote:
Where's my mate Oldun lately?

Hi Chish - at my age it ain't easy to remember how to switch on a computer

Can you hear the fat lady sing Mr Wilder? Sad to see our club fading away.....

Its plain and simple, either the players don't want promotion badly enough or, they just aren't good enough.

If you're asking for a step-up in calibre of striker from Constable, Craddock, Smalley and Pitman, then I think what you're really asking for is a different chairman...i.e. one who is willing to spend the money required to acquire and pay the wages of people capable of giving us our 25 goals a season. Alternatively, we ship out the ones we've got, and get others in on frees and hope they turn out to be gems.

If you're asking for a new manager from the likes of Peter Reid or Michael Owen, then you're probably also asking for a new chairman, i.e. one who would pay their wages and give them the required playing budget. Alternatively, you give a young manager from the BSP a break and hope he turns into a gem at this level.

If you're asking for specialised positional coaches (e.g. forwards coach) then I think you're asking for a new chairman, e.g. one who is happy to pay for specialised coaching staff (who do not come cheap) in addition to the regular coaching setup.

If you are fed up with the inconsistent performances this season, then you probably need a new chairman who is willing to provide the investment necessary to acquire players who are capable of turning in class performances each week.

I don't believe that the problems we have seen this season are all down to Chris Wilder. I think he's now pretty experienced at this level (which I accept is down to the club sticking with him) and I think the chairman we currently have will stick with him again next season, swapping out certain players for others on free transfers, and we'll roll the dice again next season, and I personally will be hoping that Wilder uses his experience to get us promoted.

If you want a new manager and better players, I think what you really want is a new chairman.

I see that your "old boy" Midson is still scoring, why did you sell him, he seems to be the answer you are looking for.
He scored again yesterday.

Midson, Green and even Chapman can score elsewhere, our lot seem to think the white bar between the posts is the minimum height for the ball to go.

Donkey midfeild is what we have, at leastnwemhave a defence and a couple of keepers otherwise we would be struggling.

Wlder and his team should go, pure and simple.

For the information of BigAlBiker there are only about five teams in the Division who have let in more goals than us.This is all about the team and the quality or lack of it, of most of the players at CW has brought to the club.

I have been watching Oxford Utd and before that Headngton Utd for too many years and when I think of the quality Centre Halves/Backs we have had like Kyle, Clarke, Roberts, Briggs, Elliott, Melville and Purse and now we have Reynes a player who lacks any mobility or pace it is little wonder to me that we have had another poor season.

In a post I made in November 2011, I said CW did not have the tactical awareness to manage a Fooball League Team or the ability to create a team that could fight for promotion and that is still the case. It has nothng to do with money just ask Burton or Cheltenham who both have gates of under 3,000 and if CW is still the manager next season nothing will change.

Brian Gibbs wrote:
For the information of BigAlBiker there are only about five teams in the Division who have let in more goals than us.This is all about the team and the quality or lack of it, of most of the players at CW has brought to the club.

I have been watching Oxford Utd and before that Headngton Utd for too many years and when I think of the quality Centre Halves/Backs we have had like Kyle, Clarke, Roberts, Briggs, Elliott, Melville and Purse and now we have Reynes a player who lacks any mobility or pace it is little wonder to me that we have had another poor season.

In a post I made in November 2011, I said CW did not have the tactical awareness to manage a Fooball League Team or the ability to create a team that could fight for promotion and that is still the case. It has nothng to do with money just ask Burton or Cheltenham who both have gates of under 3,000 and if CW is still the manager next season nothing will change.

Hear , hear!

Brian Gibbs is right, I also have moaned about CW's tactical ineptitude and players he has brought into the club over the last couple of years. In my opinion Lewis Guy was the worst followed by this Montrose donkey.

Years ago Dave Roberts the blond centre half busted his leg, him and Nicky Lowe anther centre half took me and a mate down to watch QPR play Oxford, memories, that's what I have of my beloved Oxford, today's lot would not get into the team, Briggs was the best centre half we ever had.

Anyways, despondent supporters is what we will have with CW now.

People say younger managers with lower league experience are the answer, but is not what we got with Wilder, Lewis and Melville? Ok Peter Reid maybe not the answer but he has expeience, knowledge of higher leagues and contacts with whom he could bring better quality quality players and loan players. Reid maybe a one plan manager but he has been there done it and always was a competitive player who wanted to win and I am sure expects nothing less from his players. As for Owen would his wages really be so high? as an inexperienced coach learning his trade with and experienced hand such as Reid (at least Owen knows how to score and could only benefit any striker we have). I believe in IL but I am sure his hands are tied with the fiasco of FK who is breaking us.

Southend have this afternoon done what we should do and that's give the manager the rest of the season off and bring in someone who can **** what we have and build again for next season, rumours say Phil Brown is going to take the job and if so this is the type of person we should be going for, as much as Michael Owen wants to go into management he won't come down here with his wife's stable business up north,

Southend's chairman has balls, ours does not.

Oh for the days of Yosser Briggs and Shotton, they only went past them once after that it was hospital

Sid Snakey wrote:
If you're asking for a step-up in calibre of striker from Constable, Craddock, Smalley and Pitman, then I think what you're really asking for is a different chairman...i.e. one who is willing to spend the money required to acquire and pay the wages of people capable of giving us our 25 goals a season. Alternatively, we ship out the ones we've got, and get others in on frees and hope they turn out to be gems.

If you're asking for a new manager from the likes of Peter Reid or Michael Owen, then you're probably also asking for a new chairman, i.e. one who would pay their wages and give them the required playing budget. Alternatively, you give a young manager from the BSP a break and hope he turns into a gem at this level.

If you're asking for specialised positional coaches (e.g. forwards coach) then I think you're asking for a new chairman, e.g. one who is happy to pay for specialised coaching staff (who do not come cheap) in addition to the regular coaching setup.

If you are fed up with the inconsistent performances this season, then you probably need a new chairman who is willing to provide the investment necessary to acquire players who are capable of turning in class performances each week.

I don't believe that the problems we have seen this season are all down to Chris Wilder. I think he's now pretty experienced at this level (which I accept is down to the club sticking with him) and I think the chairman we currently have will stick with him again next season, swapping out certain players for others on free transfers, and we'll roll the dice again next season, and I personally will be hoping that Wilder uses his experience to get us promoted.

If you want a new manager and better players, I think what you really want is a new chairman.

there arent loads of chairmen out there prepared to sub the club for more than the current 750k or so a year.

whether cw is decent or not isnt really the point, the problem is the fans have got bored of him now. everyone, and especially the guy bankrolling the losses, needs a new manager in to get people excited again and sell some season tickets. cw wont.

BigAlBiker wrote:
Southend have this afternoon done what we should do and that's give the manager the rest of the season off and bring in someone who can **** what we have and build again for next season, rumours say Phil Brown is going to take the job and if so this is the type of person we should be going for, as much as Michael Owen wants to go into management he won't come down here with his wife's stable business up north,

Southend's chairman has balls, ours does not.

Michael Owen - manager - - no, no, no ! He wouldn't come darn sarff - except to a much bigger club. Big names as managers ? Nobby Stiles, Sir Bobby Charlton, Mr Geoff Hurst (Chelsea) , Billy Wright (Arsenal) - nothing special as managers . Not sure that IN GENERAL star players do any better in management than do much less able players - such as the average CW (much less resources than those World cup winners or Billy Wright ) or Jim Smith, Ron Saunders, Brian Horton, Dario Gradi, Bertie Mee (Arsenal), Dave Sexton (Chelsea) , Mourinho or that graceless former Aberdeen manager who gets away with whatever he likes . Oh, unusually, I forgot to mention Charlton's former team mate who took both Huddersfield and Bolton to the championship of the second tier and who saved United from 4th div footer . Give me a modern day Ian Greaves over a Michael Owen - he might not prove to be a Steve Coppell or a Brian Clough!!

After 63 years of support I to am getting fed up with what we are having to put up with season after season, just like the government lots of promises then unable to deliver time after time. Will still probably have season ticket again,OUFC are like a drug you can't let go, at least I can remember the roaring eighties. Think Hamilton and Aldridge can still do a better job than that lot we have now.

Before we decide who our next manager is going to be, we need to know if IL is either willing or financially able to supply the cash needed to get us a decent manager and some decent (at least) players. What are his plans, as to our future.

Tell us, Mr. Lenagan - no more 'spin' please!

I've been freezing my arse off watching my beloved heroes, who don't appear to 'want' to progress up the league.

Oldun I didn't mention Owen as manager but coach, especially to work with the forwards, with Reid or another experieced manager at the helm. Of course IL has to firstly decide what he really wants from Oxford United,is he just happy to stay where we are or does he want to progress. If he really want the team to progress then he must show his intent, and we the true fans must follow and support him. I agree that the time has come for him to tell us his position and real vision for the next few years.

BigAlBiker wrote:
Midson, Green and even Chapman can score elsewhere, our lot seem to think the white bar between the posts is the minimum height for the ball to go.

Donkey midfeild is what we have, at leastnwemhave a defence and a couple of keepers otherwise we would be struggling.

Wlder and his team should go, pure and simple.

Absolutely right Al. I have been saying all season that we need a striker. Beano (also known as thump it high over the bar with just the keeper to beat) is a decent conference striker but needs a better one next to him to survive. Do we EVER practise corners and set pieces? It's not rocket science Wilder.

Southstandupper wrote:
People say younger managers with lower league experience are the answer, but is not what we got with Wilder, Lewis and Melville? Ok Peter Reid maybe not the answer but he has expeience, knowledge of higher leagues and contacts with whom he could bring better quality quality players and loan players. Reid maybe a one plan manager but he has been there done it and always was a competitive player who wanted to win and I am sure expects nothing less from his players. As for Owen would his wages really be so high? as an inexperienced coach learning his trade with and experienced hand such as Reid (at least Owen knows how to score and could only benefit any striker we have). I believe in IL but I am sure his hands are tied with the fiasco of FK who is breaking us.

Reid is so good he hasn't had a managerial job for a while. He's past his sell by date. wilder was initially a good appointment he got his break and eventually took it but he's not astute enough to move things on and he's stuck in his ways with stale ideas - just like Peter Reid was. I think Wilder being here next year is a disaster waiting to happen. What will he do that's different from last 4 years? He won't change his style, he'll probably sign a few more duds and we'll limp along to lower mid table or relegation. We need a change.

Southstandupper wrote:
Oldun I didn't mention Owen as manager but coach, especially to work with the forwards, with Reid or another experieced manager at the helm. Of course IL has to firstly decide what he really wants from Oxford United,is he just happy to stay where we are or does he want to progress. If he really want the team to progress then he must show his intent, and we the true fans must follow and support him. I agree that the time has come for him to tell us his position and real vision for the next few years.

Apologies

while i undestand fans frustration at the amount of goal chances that we are missing once they step on the pitch there is not a lot the manager can do about it as neil warnock said the other day . as for fans saying that the players and club dont want to go up that is just ridiculous as the players are playing for new contracts and the club would welcome the extra revenue that promotion would bring. as for ils investment his money is keeping us afloat as the turnstile revenue is nowhere enough to sustain us. as our near neighbours found out there are not many people willing to plough money into football clubs these days espescialy at the lower end of the football scale. we would all welcome big investment but its hard to see where it could come from

bigchet wrote:
while i undestand fans frustration at the amount of goal chances that we are missing once they step on the pitch there is not a lot the manager can do about it as neil warnock said the other day . as for fans saying that the players and club dont want to go up that is just ridiculous as the players are playing for new contracts and the club would welcome the extra revenue that promotion would bring. as for ils investment his money is keeping us afloat as the turnstile revenue is nowhere enough to sustain us. as our near neighbours found out there are not many people willing to plough money into football clubs these days espescialy at the lower end of the football scale. we would all welcome big investment but its hard to see where it could come from

Many clubs have got recently promotion from the fourth with very limited resources

"recently got" rather than "got recently" - durrr!

So BigAlBiker is this the Phil Brown of Hull and Preston fame? Not a great win percentage but could do a good job as he did at Hull to get them into the top flight. However if he took the job would that mean he would bring his sidekick one Mr Brian Horton (who left us to join Man City) back to us in the management team? Time for IL to show his true ambition for the club one way or the other.

Southstandupper wrote:
So BigAlBiker is this the Phil Brown of Hull and Preston fame? Not a great win percentage but could do a good job as he did at Hull to get them into the top flight. However if he took the job would that mean he would bring his sidekick one Mr Brian Horton (who left us to join Man City) back to us in the management team? Time for IL to show his true ambition for the club one way or the other.

I did say this is the type of person not the actual person, to explain more fully someone who has experience of league's above us, perhaps has been involved in better recruitment of players, one who has a network of scouts etc.

Actually i would not mind Phil Brown but there has to be someone around (not Paul Sturrock) who can do a decent job, this incumbant is well past his sell by by date.

Horton in!

The Southend issue with manager is interesting. Its exactly what we should have done weeks ago. Get rid of Wilder, bring in a new man to assess ahead of the close season.

It was mentioned above, our chairman lacks the balls pull the trigger.

Also, what was the hassle outside ground with Wilder raring up at fans again? Not to keen on hearing a few home truths no doubt?!

Doctor69 wrote:
The Southend issue with manager is interesting. Its exactly what we should have done weeks ago. Get rid of Wilder, bring in a new man to assess ahead of the close season.

It was mentioned above, our chairman lacks the balls pull the trigger.

Also, what was the hassle outside ground with Wilder raring up at fans again? Not to keen on hearing a few home truths no doubt?!

He has so often made a fool of himself with his brittle nature with critical fans - it is "part of the territory" - remember him firing off about fans when we slipped from top place to end third in our play off promotion season. Worst I remember for that was Kemp - lose, lose, lose - swearing at a middle aged fan standing behind the home dugout at the Manor. CW - take us up this season - then we will need eight better players in order to survive in div 3 . COYY

Unless many results go our way and we win every game, which is highly unlikely, we will still be in Division 4 next season, we will still have the same inept manager and coaching team, still have the same chairman who was unhappy with last seasons injuries so bought in rugby league type fitness regime this season and what have we had, more long term injuries than ever. We will still have players that give away soft goals, players that run themselves ragged without any purpose, players that look lame and lazy and players that think they must shoot wide or high, (somebody please tell them it's only the ones that go between the posts and under the bar that count) and we will still be here, paying our gate money and having our moans, that's football, that's life!

35 year fan wrote:

Sid Snakey wrote:
If you're asking for a step-up in calibre of striker from Constable, Craddock, Smalley and Pitman, then I think what you're really asking for is a different chairman...i.e. one who is willing to spend the money required to acquire and pay the wages of people capable of giving us our 25 goals a season. Alternatively, we ship out the ones we've got, and get others in on frees and hope they turn out to be gems.

If you're asking for a new manager from the likes of Peter Reid or Michael Owen, then you're probably also asking for a new chairman, i.e. one who would pay their wages and give them the required playing budget. Alternatively, you give a young manager from the BSP a break and hope he turns into a gem at this level.

If you're asking for specialised positional coaches (e.g. forwards coach) then I think you're asking for a new chairman, e.g. one who is happy to pay for specialised coaching staff (who do not come cheap) in addition to the regular coaching setup.

If you are fed up with the inconsistent performances this season, then you probably need a new chairman who is willing to provide the investment necessary to acquire players who are capable of turning in class performances each week.

I don't believe that the problems we have seen this season are all down to Chris Wilder. I think he's now pretty experienced at this level (which I accept is down to the club sticking with him) and I think the chairman we currently have will stick with him again next season, swapping out certain players for others on free transfers, and we'll roll the dice again next season, and I personally will be hoping that Wilder uses his experience to get us promoted.

If you want a new manager and better players, I think what you really want is a new chairman.

there arent loads of chairmen out there prepared to sub the club for more than the current 750k or so a year.

whether cw is decent or not isnt really the point, the problem is the fans have got bored of him now. everyone, and especially the guy bankrolling the losses, needs a new manager in to get people excited again and sell some season tickets. cw wont.

"there arent loads of chairmen out there prepared to sub the club for more than the current 750k or so a year. whether cw is decent or not isnt really the point, the problem is the fans have got bored of him now. everyone, and especially the guy bankrolling the losses, needs a new manager in to get people excited again and sell some season tickets. cw wont."

And that's what annoys me about the CW situation. The fans are bored with him and that's the top and bottom of it. Okay, let's bring in a new manager and roll the dice. And you wonder why IL doesn't agree with this approach?

You say it doesn't matter whether he's a decent manager or not? What crazy thinking! Whether he's a decent manager should be absolutely at the heart of this! If he's a decent manager then let's stick with him and support him, if he's a poor manager then of course get rid.

Guys, are we sheep who just follow the "We're bored - Wilder Out" crowd or do we think he deserves one more season? Churning over our managers every couple of seasons is getting us nowhere. There is no rich sugar Daddy going to come and get us out of this division, and Wilder is getting closer I believe. Yes, it's been a very inconsistent season but some of our play at times has been very very good. Let's let him make his changes in the summer and get behind him.

Sid Snakey wrote:

35 year fan wrote:

Sid Snakey wrote:
If you're asking for a step-up in calibre of striker from Constable, Craddock, Smalley and Pitman, then I think what you're really asking for is a different chairman...i.e. one who is willing to spend the money required to acquire and pay the wages of people capable of giving us our 25 goals a season. Alternatively, we ship out the ones we've got, and get others in on frees and hope they turn out to be gems.

If you're asking for a new manager from the likes of Peter Reid or Michael Owen, then you're probably also asking for a new chairman, i.e. one who would pay their wages and give them the required playing budget. Alternatively, you give a young manager from the BSP a break and hope he turns into a gem at this level.

If you're asking for specialised positional coaches (e.g. forwards coach) then I think you're asking for a new chairman, e.g. one who is happy to pay for specialised coaching staff (who do not come cheap) in addition to the regular coaching setup.

If you are fed up with the inconsistent performances this season, then you probably need a new chairman who is willing to provide the investment necessary to acquire players who are capable of turning in class performances each week.

I don't believe that the problems we have seen this season are all down to Chris Wilder. I think he's now pretty experienced at this level (which I accept is down to the club sticking with him) and I think the chairman we currently have will stick with him again next season, swapping out certain players for others on free transfers, and we'll roll the dice again next season, and I personally will be hoping that Wilder uses his experience to get us promoted.

If you want a new manager and better players, I think what you really want is a new chairman.

there arent loads of chairmen out there prepared to sub the club for more than the current 750k or so a year.

whether cw is decent or not isnt really the point, the problem is the fans have got bored of him now. everyone, and especially the guy bankrolling the losses, needs a new manager in to get people excited again and sell some season tickets. cw wont.

"there arent loads of chairmen out there prepared to sub the club for more than the current 750k or so a year. whether cw is decent or not isnt really the point, the problem is the fans have got bored of him now. everyone, and especially the guy bankrolling the losses, needs a new manager in to get people excited again and sell some season tickets. cw wont."

And that's what annoys me about the CW situation. The fans are bored with him and that's the top and bottom of it. Okay, let's bring in a new manager and roll the dice. And you wonder why IL doesn't agree with this approach?

You say it doesn't matter whether he's a decent manager or not? What crazy thinking! Whether he's a decent manager should be absolutely at the heart of this! If he's a decent manager then let's stick with him and support him, if he's a poor manager then of course get rid.

Guys, are we sheep who just follow the "We're bored - Wilder Out" crowd or do we think he deserves one more season? Churning over our managers every couple of seasons is getting us nowhere. There is no rich sugar Daddy going to come and get us out of this division, and Wilder is getting closer I believe. Yes, it's been a very inconsistent season but some of our play at times has been very very good. Let's let him make his changes in the summer and get behind him.

Disappointed rather than bored .... He has had a good whack - we are moving backwards - in the 4th division . Surely, few would give him more than 4 out of ten for his performance over the past twelve months - would you?