[Official Site] MARKUS SCHOPP POST-MIDDLESBROUGH

I’ve said it before but when we’re in the championship we still seem to run the club with a league one mentality and that’s why most seasons are a struggle.

 

I think the main immediate impact would be the players hopefully getting a boost from not being "led" by Schopp anymore. The likes of Woodrow, Styles, Brittain, Helik, J Williams, are all playing way below what they're capable of - I suspect that's largely because of who they're being coached by, although I accept part of this may be down to lack of fitness due to the summer.

The other thing is will a replacement coach actually play players in their correct positions and play to our (limited) strengths like Val did? You would hope so.

I honestly don't think think a fully fit squad would do miles better under this guy. He just isn't up to the job.

 

We might get a better team selection and tactics from a new manager. How on earth, for example, does Adeboyejo get into the pitch as a "striker", with 4 goals in over 60 appearances for us, and 9 in over 120 overall in his career thus far? Cole was very promising in the game v Blackburn, then he suddenly vanishes from the scene again. Playing the right-footed Jordan Williams in a defensive role on the left is also asking for trouble.

 

I'm not sure how significant the change would be. We also do have to consider financially.

We'll have to pay him off. Most or all of his contract. Maybe the coaches too if the next chap doesn't rate them. Or they have to use people they don't know and maybe after knowing them, still don't rate. Then we'll likely have to pay compensation for a new coach and maybe assistants. Who'll have another different way of playing and preferring a different formation. Who if from the continent has to settle, and is probably going to be stuck with the same depleted coaching set up.

It's just more of the same, and the same, as we're seeing this season, doesn't equate to linear progress.

 

That only leaves the burning pitchforks option then...

 

Jordan Williams has operated at times on the left under other coaches, pretty sure Ismael played him there a few times and Struber used him in the back three. Ismael played Halme in midfield a fair bit. Struber played him up top at the end of games.

We've converted many a player down the years from one position to another, and even players like Stuart Gray who played everywhere bar goalkeeper!

Schopp said Cole and Sibbick weren't fit for last night but should be available for the weekend.

We've had so many injuries. He's got to select a team around that, he can't pick players to limp around... obviously he'd get slated for that too.

 

Yes there have been injuries and yes Mowatt and Dike aren't here anymore that's true. But what's also true is that out of the players still here from last year there is only one who is playing anywhere near the level of last season Collins and that's the biggest reason Schopp should go he is ruining good young players the swagger and self belief from last season as gone the bloke is sucking the life out of the club and with every passing game it's getting worse. Whatever the cost he needs to go now! not after Sunday not after Christmas NOW!!!!!!!!!!

 

I'm not sure how a change to a coach that can organise the team properly with some clarity / simplicity in the plan wouldn't make anything but a significant positive difference. There'll still be constraints, but we're at a very low level at the moment.

Put it this way, if he stays, we'll be in league 1, and will need a firesale to cut costs down to League 1 level. The question is whether it's too late already, in which case there's no point getting rid.

 

As mentioned 4pts from 11 games… WTAF. If it was a Manager from any other club surely they’d be gone by now. But oh no, not us. Owners must think he’s doing a grand job.

 

Who says we won't have a firesale in January anyway?

 

I think Jordan Williams only started one game at LWB under Ismael, and was hooked at half time. Second half of the season, he was more likely to play on the right with Brittain moving infield to replace Palmer.

The selections at LWB has had a definite tinkerman approach to it.

Blackburn - Styles, then Odour
Blackpool - Ben Williams
Forest - Styles, then Jordan Williams when Benson ruled out.
Millwall - Ben Williams
Reading - Jordan Williams
Boro - Jordan Williams

So last night was the first time we've not had a change at LWB since the Blackburn game. And I don't think many of the changes were forced, given options available. Similar story up front, either side of Woodrow. No chance for any understanding to be built. And again, a lot of changes through choice.

 

We might do. But all part of the same downsizing to League 1 levels anyway. Depends on if the club want to try and stay in this league or not. If they do, Schopp needs to go now. If not, may as well keep him and get some cash in the bank.

 

So are you saying he should keep picking the same team week in week out despite niggling injuries, and maybe even more significant.... while losing games?

It's usually the first thing a coach goes for, changing personnel around.

 

It wouldn't surprise me if significant numbers go in January... the owners have to get their coin somehow, and now they've breached the pledge of investing all proceeds back into the club.... well, whats to stop them just getting their pound of flesh from player sales while they can?

 

It might be worth reflecting on why we have so many injuries. Is this just bad luck, or is it down to what they do in training? Last year, when the players looked much fitter generally, we had hardly any. Was this solely down to good luck? When Keith Hill was manager, we had 4 or 5 players out at the same time with hamstring injuries. Just bad luck, or something wrong with the training schedule?

 

The constant changes don't help with the team looking like complete strangers. We drew with Blackburn, in what was an ok point and performance. With Styles at LWB. We then moved him into the middle, and Ben Williams at LWB, despite having Gomes and Palmer on the bench.

Then, against Forest, he decides to put Styles back there and when Benson pulls up in the warm up he then decides against Gomes as a straight swap, puts J Williams on his weaker side and puts Styles inside. At this point, Ben Williams has gone from first choice to third choice in the space of a few days. He's then back to starting the game against Millwall, only to be immediately dropped again.

It's too much tinkering, and has had the effect of converting draws we were previously getting into losses.

 

I am in total agreement.

 

Exactly. In fact, it's virtually impossible to think of any redeeming feature in Schopp's tenure thus far.

 

Yes there is a point even if it's too late already and L1 is beckoning imagine what further damage would be done to our young players losing week in week out with him in charge constantly sapping their confidence with his non existent game plan and attempts to pass the buck on to them for every defeat.

 

Injurys Injurys Injurys... you could have mentioned them before.
Sacking him would stop this tippy tappy style he likes to play when we don't have the players fot it.

The dressing room looks lost players criticising training methods in interviews.

Look all over the place on the pitch no organisation

Strange team selections.

Strange subs.

Poor man management of players

No connection to the fans. 3k travel to sesspool to watch us look like a Sunday league side and as soon as the whistle goes he bolted down the tunnell

There are some of the reasons I would like to see him gone.

I agree the off the field issues look worrying and I think it was doug o kane who said the summer transfers were conway off his own back.