Wheeler released

[3spirit]

An interesting comparison between the old and new management, Bateman would have given into his whinging and it would have been one of the many divides in his dressing room - Bateman was one to accommodate the big egos.

 

However the current managers are far more interested in a team approach where the team comes first and the egos have a choice - prefer the current setup as a team performance is far better than prima donnas. 

 

Really interesting point,Rebel1965. I think Steve Bateman struggled to keep order at times and was a bit of a soft touch and let players get away with a lot ie dissent to officials.

I would say Steve was good at attracting top names to the club but found it hard to get respect from some of them.

 

Neil and Jon seem to have a better strategy and understanding in how to make an organised team. I've been won over by them and think they are the managers to take our team forward.

My only reservation to this, is occasionally a hugely talented player becomes available and may have a strong personality but I wonder if Neil and Jon can handle players like this ie Victor Osobu.

I think he had a big ego but I believe he would have been useful to us,for a bit longer than he stayed.

 

This is not a criticism of our management,as I believe they are the best manager/s we've had for years,it's just sometimes one or two big ego's/characterful personalities make a difference to gaining success in these lower divisions.

For instance,Alex Brown not necessarily the best defender/footballer but what character to have around the squad and a likeable bloke to boot.Who remembers Simon Ullathorne? A lively sparky character but a bloody good footballer or Veli Hakki,by the sounds of it,a bit of a tearaway off the pitch but on it,at his peak,a class act in the centre of midfield.

 

Now Darren Wheeler has gone,I think Ed Smith is our spiky character and the catalyst that sparks our team.He can be infuriating,tetchy and nonchalant but as a player in our division,he's a class act and worth a place in the team. 

What do others think?

[Ian]

If you have big characters and egos in the squad you have to manage that and Jon/Neil are clearly doing that more effectively than has happened in the past. That can only bode well for the future.

[michaelSTFC]

Clearly Darren is a luxury player and a bit of a character and considering how integral he was to last season at Godalming and this season at Slough, Neil and Jon have done a good job managing him for the good of the club, but there comes a time when enough is enough. We'll regroup and improve with players who want to dig in and play for the shirt.

[readingrebel]

IMO our push for the play-offs will depend entirely on who Bakes and Unders can bring in to re-place the players who are either injured or leaving.

 

My fear is that trying to replace the likes of Foulser, Rummy, Jake, Guy and Wheeler might prove beyond even our managers.

 

We know we will definitely be without Rummy and Darren Wheeler, Adam Foulser could be out for a number of games and possibly the rest of the season.

 

Fingers crossed that Guy comes back soon and also that Jake Parsons tweaked hamstring isn't too serious.

[Neil Baker]

Jake is hopeful of training on Thursday, is not as bad as first feared, and pretty hopeful he will be fit for the bench at least on Saturday:

 

Guy trained tonight, whether we throw him straight back in for Daventry having not had any minutes since Burnham game 2 months ago, that is something we need to weigh up, however he is a fit lad, and should be able to slot back in pretty quickly, however we may make the decision that this might be the following week at Leighton, but either way Guy will be back for the run in:

 

We will have 3/4 coming in over the next week to 10 days:

 

We signed a left winger tonight, and a statement will come out tomorrow on this, however he was one of our targets pre season, but ended up having to work in Egypt for 6 months as a personal instructor at a top end hotel, however he came back last week and trained with us tonight.

 

He will be a bit rusty to start with, however he is someone that Jon and I have liked for a few years now, as he is strong, quick, good in the air and has a great left foot, he is obviously a fit lad too. 

 

We also have a very experienced central midfielder who has played most of his career in the conference south (but been out injured) step up his training with us, and we are hopeful will be signed and named in the squad over the next 2 weeks.

 

We will assess the scan on Foulser Thursday, and depending on the results, if it suggests he will not play again this season, or is out for a month for example, we are pretty confident we will get Dan Sintim with us on a dual registration to cover this.

 

There will also be at least one other addition if not two, however we are not rushing these decisions, until after the weekend, but it means that for the final 6 weeks of the season, we will have a slightly bigger squad than we have gone with all season.

 

Hopefully that brings you up to date for now.

[Hammer_rebel]

Thanks for the update! Seems you and Jon are defiantly on too of everything! Great to see

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

And things like the post above are reasons why I feel the club is in safe hands...

[michaelSTFC]

Wheeler's replacement is apparently Steve Duff from Chertsey.

 

 

Welcome aboard, Steve!

[Chris]

Welcome to the club Steve.

Edited March 12, 2014 by Chris

[readingrebel]

Welcome to the Rebels Steve Duff.

[3spirit]

Darren Wheeler has rejoined Godalming. 

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

Wow. Now that's a shock! Good luck to him.