Johannes Spors

[Charlie Wayman]

On 27/10/2025 at 15:23, trousers said:

MLG and Dman both have valid points:

a) appointing a DoF that nobody else wants = not great

b) appointing DoFs that keep getting enticed elsewhere within months of joining Saints = not great

Is there an answer to this conundrum? Who knows. I'd probably look at other similar sized clubs to see how they manage to keep hold of decent DoFs and perhaps use them as a template for what we could/should do...

 

We could try poaching good ones from other clubs, why not? 

Die by the sword, live by the sword.

[Give it to Ron]

1 hour ago, Midfield_General said:

I thought he was great on Saturday too, but prior to that he hasn't exactly torn it up has he? 

Regardless of who's fault it is (and for the record, I agree that he's been poorly managed and I think he's a really good player who's just not really shown it for us yet), until he consistently makes a meaningful contribution surely the jury is still out on whether he has worked for us or not as a signing? I don't think anyone would say he's been a smash hit so far in the way that Scienza, and to a lesser degree Jander, have been, for example.

And bearing in mind the question is about Spors' performance, how much of that is down to Spors appointing a manager who clearly had no idea how to get the best out of him?

Spors performance is a worry for me and said as much after the fans forum - because it sounded like we were giving him way too much authority and reliance on his recruitment.

So far it’s 50/50 because Scienza, Fellows and Jansen are good.

But as you said Stephens 3 year deal and no keeper or Cf really irritates me.

[Saint86]

11 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

Spors performance is a worry for me and said as much after the fans forum - because it sounded like we were giving him way too much authority and reliance on his recruitment.

So far it’s 50/50 because Scienza, Fellows and Jansen are good.

But as you said Stephens 3 year deal and no keeper or Cf really irritates me.

He's made one very suspect signing in downs. But he also signed scienza who is pure quality. Plus fellows and azaz are best in class for the champ. We also signed roerslev and jelert, who are both quality players for the champ level, plus quarshie looks a good young player, and we've got romeu back... It's pretty good recruitment all in.

Add to that the fact that he oversaw a fairly impressive clear out in the summer, and I just don't know how realistic it is to expect much more from a dof this year, especially given the back drop of relegation and balancing the books?

Outside of doors, I suspect there is something wrong in the dressing room myself - although unclear what. We're still carrying macca, Stephens, Downes, and Manning from the awful relegation side last year - all of them defensively minded (or not as the case may be), and 3 of them were some of Martin's golden players... Are they bad eggs, or has last season caused some long term damage with respect to low standards / acceptance / giving up when we go behind... Hard to say ATM.

Edited Tuesday at 19:47 by Saint86

[Give it to Ron]

22 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

He's made one very suspect signing in downs. But he also signed scienza who is pure quality. Plus fellows and azaz are best in class for the champ. We also signed roerslev and jelert, who are both quality players for the champ level, plus quarshie looks a good young player, and we've got romeu back... It's pretty good recruitment all in.

Add to that the fact that he oversaw a fairly impressive clear out in the summer, and I just don't know how realistic it is to expect much more from a dof this year, especially given the back drop of relegation and balancing the books?

Outside of doors, I suspect there is something wrong in the dressing room myself - although unclear what. We're still carrying macca, Stephens, Downes, and Manning from the awful relegation side last year - all of them defensively minded (or not as the case may be), and 3 of them were some of Martin's golden players... Are they bad eggs, or has last season caused some long term damage with respect to low standards / acceptance / giving up when we go behind... Hard to say ATM.

But gambling on a 6m German 2 plus Stewart is down to him that is a massive clusterfuck of a decision.

Im not certain about dressing room but I would love to know what Matsuaki and Sesay have done wrong so much we risk playing an untried 18/19 year old ahead of them…..and Aribo!

[Saint86]

1 hour ago, Give it to Ron said:

But gambling on a 6m German 2 plus Stewart is down to him that is a massive clusterfuck of a decision.

Im not certain about dressing room but I would love to know what Matsuaki and Sesay have done wrong so much we risk playing an untried 18/19 year old ahead of them…..and Aribo!

Do you live in a parallel world where spors signed or could sell Stewart? Interesting...

And at the end of the day, the U21 manager gives an academy kid he knows well and trusts a game, he played well if not spectacular, didn't let the side down and we won... Not something saints fans really should be moaning about it tbh, especially in the grand scheme of things. Club is badly losing its way if this becomes a thing.

Edited Tuesday at 21:48 by Saint86

[Give it to Ron]

10 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

Do you live in a parallel world where spors signed or could sell Stewart? Interesting...

??? Gambling on his fitness was down to the DOF and recruiting isn’t it? it was made clear who is in charge at FF or are you ignoring that? 
Do you not agree that the failure to recruit a proven CF is costing us and probably Still his job? A manager recruited by Spors?

[Give it to Ron]

33 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

Do you live in a parallel world where spors signed or could sell Stewart? Interesting...

And at the end of the day, the U21 manager gives an academy kid he knows well and trusts a game, he played well if not spectacular, didn't let the side down and we won... Not something saints fans really should be moaning about it tbh, especially in the grand scheme of things. Club is badly losing its way if this becomes a thing.

Who said I was moaning? I just said it seemed odd that both Sesay and Matsuski who both had decent pre -seasons were left out for someone untried and played above them might help you actually read what’s written

[Saint86]

38 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

??? Gambling on his fitness was down to the DOF and recruiting isn’t it? it was made clear who is in charge at FF or are you ignoring that? 
Do you not agree that the failure to recruit a proven CF is costing us and probably Still his job? A manager recruited by Spors?

I just don't know what you expect in all seriousness. They had Stewart, AA, and Archer - thats a trio of proven strikers. Still obviously okay'd Downs, and its entirely the medical team's responsibility to advise on fitness - ditto on still to prepare and manager the team. Assume they okayed all that and let BBD go - its not Spors' fault, because ultimately that is enough of a strike force on paper to do very well in this division. And as for the midfield behind - Still had a super array of talent to work from - scienza, fellows, azaz, and AA, alone is a prolific front 4 at this level - let alone with the likes of Charles and Jander behind, and Downes if he could stay fit/interested.

Regardless of the Downs signing, we have a great squad for the championship.

[Give it to Ron]

1 hour ago, Saint86 said:

I just don't know what you expect in all seriousness. They had Stewart, AA, and Archer - thats a trio of proven strikers. Still obviously okay'd Downs, and its entirely the medical team's responsibility to advise on fitness - ditto on still to prepare and manager the team. Assume they okayed all that and let BBD go - its not Spors' fault, because ultimately that is enough of a strike force on paper to do very well in this division. And as for the midfield behind - Still had a super array of talent to work from - scienza, fellows, azaz, and AA, alone is a prolific front 4 at this level - let alone with the likes of Charles and Jander behind, and Downes if he could stay fit/interested.

Regardless of the Downs signing, we have a great squad for the championship.

Simple a decent proven target man to replace Adams which we didn’t do and it cost Still his job. None of those you mentioned are that type of striker .

Spors was responsible for recruitment it was clearly stated why are you ignoring that? 

As for Tonda knowing Barnaby well and trusting that’s some stretch given he didn’t join until end of July!!!

So you don’t think we need a forward to be a target man in January?

Edited Wednesday at 00:03 by Give it to Ron

[Midfield_General]

10 hours ago, Give it to Ron said:

Simple a decent proven target man to replace Adams which we didn’t do and it cost Still his job. None of those you mentioned are that type of striker .

Spors was responsible for recruitment it was clearly stated why are you ignoring that? 

As for Tonda knowing Barnaby well and trusting that’s some stretch given he didn’t join until end of July!!!

So you don’t think we need a forward to be a target man in January?

Agree. Going into a season where we were expected to be strong enough to challenge amongst the front runners with striking options of Armstrong, Archer, Stewart and Downs = midget, midget, crock and raw untried lower league gamble. Any fan off the street could have looked at that and said we are missing a strong, reliable physical presence who can hold the ball up, win headers and won’t break down after a few games but Spors didn’t see it.

Also failing to identify or sort the obvious goalkeeping mess that again every fan could see was a clusterfuck and that’s both ends of the pitch scuppered, and top it off with appointing one of the worst managers we’ve ever had and voila, bang goes promotion. 

Criminal incompetence IMO. 

Edited Wednesday at 10:06 by Midfield_General

[Saint Scott]

 

[Wade Garrett]

4 minutes ago, Saint Scott said:

 

Any chance he can stop tossing it off now and get us a new manager.

[Miltonaggro]

29 minutes ago, Saint Scott said:

 

 

[tdmickey3]

Get on with Spors, ask Ankerson if he can let you know who its going to be so we can know too

[Mboto Gorge]

Time to give this chump both barrels at games if he appoints Eckert. This basically shows that he has no idea what he’s doing, appointing an inexperienced manager when he didn’t need to , in Still, then just giving the job to an even younger and inexperienced coach who’s never been a manager, within a few months when his original appointment turned out to be yet another fuck up. It’s an absolute shambles and that’s before you even get into the playing side of things with the completely neglected spine of our team, barring midfield .

Edited 23 hours ago by Mboto Gorge

[HarvSFC]

We have a young squad, so why don't we appoint a manager with an experienced track record of bringing through, guiding and developing young talent, rather than getting someone new to the profession.

[coalman]

38 minutes ago, HarvSFC said:

We have a young squad, so why don't we appoint a manager with an experienced track record of bringing through, guiding and developing young talent, rather than getting someone new to the profession.

Because it doesn't make for a compelling Ted Talk.

[Wade Garrett]

Another clever fucking bollocks stat-driven nerd.  SR deserve this clown.

Edited 23 hours ago by Wade Garrett

[Sheaf Saint]

30 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Another clever fucking bollocks stat-driven nerd.  SR deserve this clown.

They do.

We don't.

[Mboto Gorge]

1 hour ago, Wade Garrett said:

Another clever fucking bollocks stat-driven nerd.  SR deserve this clown.

It makes sense now as to why he was appointed and why he was keen to come on board, because he’s cut from the same cloth as the owners - meaning he’s a complete fucking clown 

[Willo of Whiteley]

I have several questions for Spors and Sports Republic:

- What is it that they see in Tonda Eckhart that the fans aren’t aware of or don’t see?

- Do they plan on giving him sufficient backing? (If he’s successful)

- Will they give him a strong backroom team to support him and manage the players over-inflated egos?

- What is the thinking behind giving a man with no first team managerial experience his first shot at management in one of the toughest leagues in the world, when the fan base is divided, the fans and owners are distant, and the team are an absolute shambles?

- Have they taken into consideration that Saints aren’t all that far away from the play offs, a quarter of the way through the season with ninety-three points left to play for, why pick someone with no experience?

If any reputable journo could ask these questions that would be wonderful. (All TE dependant).

[rooney]

6 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

I have several questions for Spors and Sports Republic:

- What is it that they see in Tonda Eckhart that the fans aren’t aware of or don’t see?

- 

He talks like Thomas Tuchel.

[coalman]

Steve Jobs is meant to have said "As hire A players, Bs hire C players". The people running our club are, sadly, Cs.

The glaring issues with our squad were and have been for a while

- no striker since Ings. We got Archer last summer, Downs this summer and Stewart the summer before. We are now playing Armstrong through the middle

- goalkeeper. We brought in Ramsdale last summer. He didn't go that well and now he's sat on Newcastle's bench and we're left with Baz and McCarthy

- central midfield. Jander looks like a player but is a 34 year old Romeu going to make our midfield less porous? Probably not if we persist with our bat shit formation.

- bloated squad. It's still too bloated and reverts to Russball at the drop of a hat

- manager. Is it even possible to succeed at Saints?

- culture. No winning mentality and complacency. Extending captain Jack ensured continuity of this.

- defence. Ball watching. Out of position players who get in each others way. Weak against crosses. We brought in Quarshie who is a beast but raw and can't get a game, Jelert who can't get a game and Roerslev who barely gets a game.

- creating chances. We bought in Fellows who we're playing at wingback and Azaz who looks lost.

It's Spors job to fix this and no fix seems to be in sight. Picking Tinda as a continuity candidate is a bit mental because the last thing we need right now is continuity of the ineffective football we've produced over the last couple of years.

On paper we've got a squad that should be doing much better but we've recruited into an environment where players get worse and our team is considerably less than the sum of its parts

 

Edited 11 hours ago by coalman

[tdmickey3]

10 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

I have several questions for Spors and Sports Republic:

- What is it that they see in Tonda Eckhart that the fans aren’t aware of or don’t see?

- Do they plan on giving him sufficient backing? (If he’s successful)

- Will they give him a strong backroom team to support him and manage the players over-inflated egos?

- What is the thinking behind giving a man with no first team managerial experience his first shot at management in one of the toughest leagues in the world, when the fan base is divided, the fans and owners are distant, and the team are an absolute shambles?

- Have they taken into consideration that Saints aren’t all that far away from the play offs, a quarter of the way through the season with ninety-three points left to play for, why pick someone with no experience?

If any reputable journo could ask these questions that would be wonderful. (All TE dependant).

Cheap yes man

[trousers]

12 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

I have several questions for Spors and Sports Republic:

- What is it that they see in Tonda Eckhart that the fans aren’t aware of or don’t see?

- Do they plan on giving him sufficient backing? (If he’s successful)

- Will they give him a strong backroom team to support him and manage the players over-inflated egos?

- What is the thinking behind giving a man with no first team managerial experience his first shot at management in one of the toughest leagues in the world, when the fan base is divided, the fans and owners are distant, and the team are an absolute shambles?

- Have they taken into consideration that Saints aren’t all that far away from the play offs, a quarter of the way through the season with ninety-three points left to play for, why pick someone with no experience?

If any reputable journo could ask these questions that would be wonderful. (All TE dependant).

That would entail Spors and Sport Republic ceasing their accountability avoidance approach to running the club. Given Spors reportedly ducked out of a 'slated' interview during the last international break I wouldn't hold breath on them making themselves available for interview any time soon...

Edited 7 hours ago by trousers

[AlexLaw76]

Spors wants his man, Tonda.

Spors will be back in Germany before next season starts, leaving others to pick up the pieces