Q - Why hasn't Craig Davies been involved despite a lack of goals?
A - I have been told that his fitness levels have not been good enough for his starting games. Think it has taken him quite a while to get over his recent injury.
Q - Any plans for the January transfer window (in or out)?
A - I'd imagine that both loan players (McNaughton and Danns) are serious prospects to be signed. A striker and another winger are also high up the list of priorities but get the feeling that the club will use the loan system again before January.
Q - whats the latest on m davies... + any other injured players.
A - Mark Davies should be back in contention by mid December. He's back training and it shouldn't be long before he plays in the reserves, opposition and venue depending. Will be a massive lift having him back, by the way. One of the best midfielders in the Championship when fit in my view.
Q - Email from Chris Manning (Batnan): Marc, if DF is removed, would you go with youth again or experience? Any names in mind?
A - Well Chris - I've no indication that a replacement is being considered. It has been a poor start and Eddie Davies/Phil Gartside have the final say but I don't think it's fair to start speculating at this point. I'd also place on record that I think DF can get the club moving back up the table.
That's not being an apologist, that's a genuine belief.
Q - Has dougie thought about doing a behind closed doors game of first team vs. under 21s and whoever impresses makes the match day squad? Or is that not an option?
A - Freedman plans much further ahead than that, by all accounts.
Q - is DF likely to move any of the bigger wage earners on? Who are the top paid players?
A - Easier said than done, isn't it? Not privvy to salary information but there are players who remain on the books from the Premier League days who are not getting regular football. I'd imagine that by January they will natually want to move on.
Beyond that, if the club are to spend another season in the Championship then there will be more cloth-cutting necessary.
Q - How do the players Freedman inherited speak about him compared to those brought in during last 12 months?
A - Good question. There are some (Beckford/Danns) who played alongside DF and so have a slightly different relationship, which does come through. But the lads are extremely respectful. There will be an interview in tomorrow's paper with Andy Lonergan that gives quite a lot of insight on this front. You'd perhaps expect him to have an axe to grind but he explains how he and the manager have dealt with the situation. It's interesting stuff.
Q - Do you think dougie should bring some more of the youth players through the ranks? Rather than buying more as Bolger went on loan to Colchester and they kept a clean sheet... Do you think dougie should play rob hall more? what do you think needs to be done about the missing gaps and leaky defence?
A - 1) Bolger was never going to get past Ream/Mills/Knight for a place in the first team and sounds like he was in a position where he needed games.
It's a huge leap up from development squad to first team level and I'd suggest only Josh Vela is quite at that level.
Others aren't far away like Chris Lester, Sanmi Odelusi, Tom Youngs et al - but chucking them into the situation Wanderers are in at the moment might be a bit much? Maybe not?
2) Actually, I mentioned Josh Vela as one of the younger players capable of going straight in, and forgot all about Hall. Yes, I'd love to see him playing more regularly because I like his style. Has the same ability to beat a man as Liam Feeney does/did.
3) I actually think the back four have done OK just recently. Admit that Alex Baptiste looks more comfortable on right side (or in middle) but can't really complain with the job he is doing. Perhaps a specialist left-back is something to consider on loan?
Q - is dougies job still safe. I think he should of gone after the yeovil game. its getting worse. I think he is a very poor manager.
A - It's all down to what Eddie Davies (and to an extent Phil Gartside) think.
I'm not of the opinion that chopping and changing automatically does you any good - and believe me, I've seen enough between the Allardyce era and the current regime. It really does rip the heart out of the place. There's no doubt that result have to improve at some point - but personally I'd back Freedman to turn them round. As I said before, though, I'm not the one making decisions!
Q - Tactfully answered. So you detect no negativity from the inherited players to the changes introduced?
A - No tact involved. No player likes being out of the team, so if you asked someone not involved you might get a different answer... But then I've spoken to Pratley/Lonergan recently and neither were critical of how things were being handled.
Any time there is pressure put on a manager there is talk of "losing the dressing room"... but nine times out of 10 it's nonsense.
Q - Wondering how the word goes on the youngsters brought in by DF. Jan Gregus, Cian Bolger, the guy from Hamilton, Fraser? Are they players destined to hit the first team-squad any time this year? Or aren’t they any good? Given the performances from the “stars” one thinks it would not be too much of a gamble to try them!
A - Bolger has now gone on loan to Colchester but get feeling that Gregus is being geared towards next season.
Gary Fraser has also been loaned out and a lot might hinge on the outcome of him being sent off recently.
Q - No pace attacking. Walking pace and sideways Football. Compare Chelsea v City and their desire. Thoughts?
A - Don't think there is an issue with "desire" more with confidence. That's DF's big issue - he hasn't got the finances to bring players in, so has to find a way of coaxing performances out of some players who are struggling. It's down to his coaching now, rather than his management in many ways.
Q - any chance CYL can learn from Feeney? Go OUTSIDE his opponent instead if cutting inside? Simple game.
A - Don't think I need to add anything to that. Anyone who sits around the press box will have heard me scream exactly the same thing on several occasions!
Q - Hi Marc,
Just wanted to draw your attention to the pattern occurring within BWFC managerial hiring and firing.
Since Sam Allardyce left:
Megson. Decent start, saved us from relegation. Terrible next 12 months or so. Got fired.
Coyle: Decent start, playing excellent football. FA Cup semi, 8th in Prem. Terrible next 12 months or so. Got fired.
Freedman: Decent start, saved us from relegation. Even playing ok towards end of last season. This season terrible. Next 12 months or so???
My point is, that BWFC hierarchy have been too quick to fire managers as soon as going has gotten tough, for one reason or another. I'm worried now about DF. This is make or break time for him. Fans now becoming restless. Board have to stick or twist. Firstly, Marc, do you think the board will stick by DF no matter what now, or if they fire him, will we be in the same situation as we are now with a different unfortunate manager that has been conned into taking the job in the first place?
I agree that a change is needed. But that change should be to not change. What's more important now? Consistency and belief in DF's long term plan, or a change for another quick boost, but inevitably no real progression long term?
A - As I said before, it's only really when you see behind the scenes that you realise what a change in manager really involves. Massive number of staff come and go and it stands to reason that the decision costs a massive amount of money to carry through.
DF has just got the backroom somewhere near his liking after one year in charge and I'd guesstimate that in terms of playing staff, his job is not even halfway done.
He does have a lot of players inherited from a previous regime and moving them on is not an easy task with some of the salaries involved.
The financial climate and playing budget at Wanderers is as tight as it has been in years - but the two men who control that are also the ones who do the hiring and firing.
Q - If you were the owner of BWFC What would be your plan of action now?
A - Crikey... If I were in that position I'd try and be as up front as possible. Tend to find there is a lot more frustration at football clubs when there is no dialogue from the top - not an indictment of BWFC, more a general point of view.
I'd also insist on a ban on cheesy 1980s music before games...
Q - what do you know about #bwfc strategy for the medium-long term? AND - The club doesn't seem to comment on 'objectives' anymore on & off the pitch. And silence isn't managing expectations. Any view?
A - Both of these Qs seem to address the same issue. Agree it does make sense to keep fans in the loop so will pass on your comments.
I know the club are working towards standing on their own two feet financially, as FFP means they cannot continue on the current business model outside the Premier League. Lots of costs have been reduced and there is plenty of talk about producing our own players/adopting different transfer policies etc.
But I'll hold my hands up, I'm not a financial journalist, so if you need anything more than a layman's view of these sort of things then you're looking at the wrong guy!
Q- No doubting Baptiste's ability he has been great and put in 100% every game but the squad seem to lose focus when going a goal up... nerves? I think we are missing a playmaker (Mark Davies) everybody thought Moritz would do that but he hasn't had much opportunity with his fitness and his injury, possible loan move? or Danns to fill the void until Davies Is back from injury? Will dougie be given any kind of funds in January or will it be a case of get a few out to get a few in?
A - Again, more of a question for chairman or owner to answer but I'd be surprised of DF doesn't get some financial backing in Jan, particularly if we're anywhere near the top half of the table. Too much at stake not to have a real go.
I'm looking forward to seeing Moritz get a game, I must say.
Last edited by Sluffy on Tue Oct 29 2013, 16:44; edited 1 time in total