Will Still - Official: Sacked

[Saint86]

he has to go surely? If he gets another game it would be ridiculous.

[The Kraken]

2 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

he has to go surely? If he gets another game it would be ridiculous.

When you think you’ve hit rock bottom, this club have an unbelievable trait of reminding you that you haven’t yet.

[hypochondriac]

1 hour ago, SOTONSEASTSIDE said:

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/25589309.will-still-reveals-worried-defeat-preston/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNzTHxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBGbk5xbjl3bmtRM2NyeG1NAR60_lRaXY7gDOHURzQfxalX8dTU1y1xDIRuJZUPQRjy9eB5hlwbgK0pet6HSw_aem_GXaKLWH6McEQK7RRjOx7lg  Mmmmmm!!

If the players aren't working hard enough to be competitive against Preston then the buck stops with the manager I'm afraid.

[hypochondriac]

3 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

he has to go surely? If he gets another game it would be ridiculous.

It would be ridiculous if he doesn't go before the next game but knowing the people in charge, they will probably wait until we lose to Sheffield Wednesday.

[Wade Garrett]

3 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

If the players aren't working hard enough to be competitive against Preston then the buck stops with the manager I'm afraid.

Manager speaks so much shit I actually dislike him as a person now.  Another fucking gaslighting prick.

[Sheaf Saint]

I can't believe they've even let him do any media this evening. He should have been marched out of SMS with his P45 straight after the game.

The simple fact is that if we carry on performing as badly as we have been, we will undoubtedly get relegated. And that's in a league where the basket case bottom club has had a points deduction so realistically there's only two places to be decided.

I've seen nothing, and I mean literally NOTHING to suggest that he is capable of turning this round. If anything we're getting worse by the game, not better. 

If he is still in post when we go to QPR in a few days time then SR will be sending out a clear message that they do not give a flying fuck where we finish or what division we will be in next season, and that is totally unforgivable. 

[Saint86]

15 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

It would be ridiculous if he doesn't go before the next game but knowing the people in charge, they will probably wait until we lose to Sheffield Wednesday.

And you know its going to happen as well 😰

[Gloucester Saint]

3 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

I can't believe they've even let him do any media this evening. He should have been marched out of SMS with his P45 straight after the game.

The simple fact is that if we carry on performing as badly as we have been, we will undoubtedly get relegated. And that's in a league where the basket case bottom club has had a points deduction so realistically there's only two places to be decided.

I've seen nothing, and I mean literally NOTHING to suggest that he is capable of turning this round. If anything we're getting worse by the game, not better. 

If he is still in post when we go to QPR in a few days time then SR will be sending out a clear message that they do not give a flying fuck where we finish or what division we will be in next season, and that is totally unforgivable. 

Spors and Parsons need to go with him. And all of the coaches. 

[Matthew Le God]

Just now, Gloucester Saint said:

Spors and Parsons need to go with him. And all of the coaches. 

How will we get to away games?

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, Matthew Le God said:

How will we get to away games?

Ah, the old Shane Warne quote about John Buchanan.

[hypochondriac]

5 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

And you know its going to happen as well 😰

They waited miles too long to get rid of Ralph when they should have got rid of him in the summer when they wanted a change so they have form.

[Saint86]

4 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Spors and Parsons need to go with him. And all of the coaches. 

Spors i think has some credit in the bank. The fact parsons is still at the club given the money that's been spent elsewhere is very disappointing.

[Harry_SFC]

1 minute ago, Saint86 said:

Spors i think has some credit in the bank. The fact parsons is still at the club given the money that's been spent elsewhere is very disappointing.

I agree, would give Spors the benefit of the doubt for now. Parsons though - get rid. 

[Saint86]

2 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

I agree, would give Spors the benefit of the doubt for now. Parsons though - get rid. 

Honestly, i think it highlights a serious weakness in Solak's judgement that he's still here.

[aintforever]

14 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

Spors i think has some credit in the bank. The fact parsons is still at the club given the money that's been spent elsewhere is very disappointing.

If it is Spors that chose Still then he can fuck off as far as I’m concerned. Mental decision.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Feel for him, but he’s way out of his depth both in terms of not knowing how to get a decent performance out of the team and perhaps most importantly, how to tell SR that he’s going to coach and play the way he wants, as opposed to the Group’s principles/strategy.

I don’t think he’s being strong-armed as such to play in the way we’ve been witnessing - I think he actually agreed to the strategy when signing up to the club. I don’t think there’s any other explanation for the persistence of a system that has in general not worked.

Edited Saturday at 22:41 by Saint Fan CaM

[Saint86]

27 minutes ago, aintforever said:

If it is Spors that chose Still then he can fuck off as far as I’m concerned. Mental decision.

As Turkish said, Still was a brave/bold appointment that a lot of fans backed. It hasn't worked out. Generally though, spors' recruitment has been good. He has some credit in the bank.

[Paul_B]

It's weird because a lot of what Still says in that post match interview is true. It's what we're all saying. Calling out the sideways/backwards passing. The lack of winning second balls. Growing a pair etc. It's almost like he's saying that to try and appease the fans but telling the players something different. Or is it the fact the players are just completely ignoring him because they have zero respect for him?? I don't know. I don't even think I fucking care anymore. The whole club is a joke and should probably be disbanded at this point. Way more entertaining watching Eastleigh.

[Dark Munster]

14 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

As Turkish said, Still was a brave/bold appointment that a lot of fans backed. It hasn't worked out. Generally though, spors' recruitment has been good. He has some credit in the bank.

• Downs.
• Still.
• Shoehorn contract extension.
• No CF we've been crying out for (relying on Stewart to remain fit - sheer lunacy).
• That Norwich third rate GK, instead of bringing in an experienced number 1 (on loan if necessary).

Spors can f*ck off, along with Still, Nivea and the rest of the coaching clowns. And Dragan needs to talk to someone who actually knows about football to recommend a Spors replacement. And while he's at it, completely neuter Ankersen if he can't get rid of him.

[The Kraken]

17 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

As Turkish said, Still was a brave/bold appointment that a lot of fans backed. It hasn't worked out. Generally though, spors' recruitment has been good. He has some credit in the bank.

Let’s not go overboard. Still was a risk. A lot of fans got behind it and hoped for the best. “Backed it” is doing some heavy lifting.

Spors’ recruitment will be mostly judged on league position. He has little credit in the bank.

[saintant]

2 minutes ago, Paul_B said:

It's weird because a lot of what Still says in that post match interview is true. It's what we're all saying. Calling out the sideways/backwards passing. The lack of winning second balls. Growing a pair etc. It's almost like he's saying that to try and appease the fans but telling the players something different. Or is it the fact the players are just completely ignoring him because they have zero respect for him?? I don't know. I don't even think I fucking care anymore. The whole club is a joke and should probably be disbanded at this point. Way more entertaining watching Eastleigh.

Unless you have two decent wing backs who understand the role and have the speed and stamina required to play the position it's always going to mean a lot of pointless side and back passes. Reason being the two wing backs become standard full backs alongside 3 centre backs. This dilutes the team's ability to get the ball forward in numbers at speed so we get this continual walking football and negative passing. That's down to Still because he is the one who continues to persist with 3 centre backs. This system also negates our ability to press high up the pitch and win turn overs in advanced positions. You simply can't operate a press if most of the side are constantly playing in their own half.

[woodsaint1]

Really liked his appointment at the time and thought he could be very good for us. I also like that hes brutally honest in his assessment of our performances and our current position.

But ultimately the performances havent been there. Some of these players are a shower of bastards to put it nicely, but the buck stops with the manager. Insisting on 5 at the back no matter who we play, the Stephens sub last week and the lack of creativity gives me no confidence that he can turn it around.

We need a safe pair of hands right now, but I'm not even sure who that should be.....and I doubt SR do either

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

It would be ridiculous if he doesn't go before the next game but knowing the people in charge, they will probably wait until we lose to Sheffield Wednesday.

Sheffield Wednesday have a skeleton squad who have hardly been paid for months. ...and yet today showed exceptional spirit to get a 0-0 at West Brom today, will be the ultimate nail in the coffin next week showing up our bunch of misfits 

[Mboto Gorge]

2 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

It would be ridiculous if he doesn't go before the next game but knowing the people in charge, they will probably wait until we lose to Sheffield Wednesday.

That’s exactly what they’re going to do, just for the extra humiliation, as if the club and fans need any more 

[HarvSFC]

I thought this was what Jack Stephens was for?

Or, is it a case that the club/Spors in particular at the fans forum tried the gaslight the fans. Tell them he's a great leader and great for the club off the pitch. A metric they can't see, nor judge and have to blindly accept and take our word for it. 

Well, his fantastic leadership did nothing for us last season and is doing nothing for us this season and he's still an awful player.

[SWLondon Saint]

1 hour ago, saintant said:

Unless you have two decent wing backs who understand the role and have the speed and stamina required to play the position it's always going to mean a lot of pointless side and back passes. Reason being the two wing backs become standard full backs alongside 3 centre backs. This dilutes the team's ability to get the ball forward in numbers at speed so we get this continual walking football and negative passing. That's down to Still because he is the one who continues to persist with 3 centre backs. This system also negates our ability to press high up the pitch and win turn overs in advanced positions. You simply can't operate a press if most of the side are constantly playing in their own half.

You definitely can press with 3CBs, but I agree, you need wing backs who have the engine for it as typically you put them on the opposing full back. At the end of the day, pressing is just the fancy sounding modern version of man-to-man marking all over the pitch.

[washsaint]

Very unlike Adam Blackmore to be so vocal.  I think everyone who has any feeling for the club have reached the end of their tether.  While Still is clearly not ready for a job of this magnitude (his timid, defensive, long ball selections have shown that) the players are an utter disgrace to the club.

It's not like under Wotte and Poortevliet.....We have Armstrong, Downes, THB, Manning, Fraser, Stephens and others who are experienced and should be taking charge but appear unable, or unwilling, to.

[Smirking_Saint]

7 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Feel for him, but he’s way out of his depth both in terms of not knowing how to get a decent performance out of the team and perhaps most importantly, how to tell SR that he’s going to coach and play the way he wants, as opposed to the Group’s principles/strategy.

I don’t think he’s being strong-armed as such to play in the way we’ve been witnessing - I think he actually agreed to the strategy when signing up to the club. I don’t think there’s any other explanation for the persistence of a system that has in general not worked.

Can this narrative just die… Will Still isn’t being told to play a 5 atb, thats just complete shite

In fact… if he’s being instructed to play a certain way, it still points to him being a terrible manager as he hasn’t installed any vision into us whatsoever 

And the last point.. why would Spoors sign players to suit a 4231 and then push Still into playing 5 atb ? It makes no sense

SR are shit enough on their own to not need made up nonsense about tactical interference 

[Willo of Whiteley]

1 hour ago, Smirking_Saint said:

Can this narrative just die… Will Still isn’t being told to play a 5 atb, thats just complete shite

In fact… if he’s being instructed to play a certain way, it still points to him being a terrible manager as he hasn’t installed any vision into us whatsoever 

And the last point.. why would Spoors sign players to suit a 4231 and then push Still into playing 5 atb ? It makes no sense

SR are shit enough on their own to not need made up nonsense about tactical interference 

This entirely. Some people love a rumour though, or a conspiracy 😂

[Harry_SFC]

Just don't think they will sack him this week. Maybe after the Wednesday game if we don't win that. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

We won’t win against Wednesday. We have a team of babies with no bottle.

1-1 draw I reckon.

[Toussaint]

1 hour ago, Harry_SFC said:

Just don't think they will sack him this week. Maybe after the Wednesday game if we don't win that. 

Yep, he’ll get the next two games, then it’s the international break and offski. 

[LoyalSaintSO50]

Not been sacked yet then? I did originally assume they’d want to stumble on past the Sheff Weds game into the international break before any action taken but had hoped they’d notice our steep decline from shite into deep shite and crack on with the next ridiculous appointment 

[tdmickey3]

8 minutes ago, LoyalSaintSO50 said:

Not been sacked yet then? I did originally assume they’d want to stumble on past the Sheff Weds game into the international break before any action taken but had hoped they’d notice our steep decline from shite into deep shite and crack on with the next ridiculous appointment 

It will be after Christmas 

[Gloucester Saint]

2 hours ago, Smirking_Saint said:

Can this narrative just die… Will Still isn’t being told to play a 5 atb, thats just complete shite

In fact… if he’s being instructed to play a certain way, it still points to him being a terrible manager as he hasn’t installed any vision into us whatsoever 

And the last point.. why would Spoors sign players to suit a 4231 and then push Still into playing 5 atb ? It makes no sense

SR are shit enough on their own to not need made up nonsense about tactical interference 

I agree with you on a practical and rational basis but it has to be that the manager has fuelled it the pre-match press conferences.

If he says he wants to play 4231 and then selects 5 ATB and gets outplayed and loses yet again to a team with 10% of the budget, that’s so messed up and confused that conspiracy theories about deeply unpopular and loathed owners becomes easy.

Edited 19 hours ago by Gloucester Saint

[Saint Fan CaM]

2 hours ago, Smirking_Saint said:

Can this narrative just die… Will Still isn’t being told to play a 5 atb, thats just complete shite

In fact… if he’s being instructed to play a certain way, it still points to him being a terrible manager as he hasn’t installed any vision into us whatsoever 

And the last point.. why would Spoors sign players to suit a 4231 and then push Still into playing 5 atb ? It makes no sense

SR are shit enough on their own to not need made up nonsense about tactical interference 

Don’t be an idiot - it’s not ‘made up nonsense’ - it’s honest supporters reflecting on a Manager saying one thing and his team doing something else. And if Spors has given him the tools to play ‘his’ system, wtf does he keep doing something different? And it’s not just Still - the style of play is endemic across the SR group of clubs and at all levels. Lastly, it may not be as simple as Spors telling Still to play in a certain way…Still could have signed up to the tactical ideas instilled by the group. Try to open your mind a bit - not everything is black and white.

[Badger]

1 hour ago, Harry_SFC said:

Just don't think they will sack him this week. Maybe after the Wednesday game if we don't win that. 

 

25 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

Yep, he’ll get the next two games, then it’s the international break and offski. 

You’re probably right, but what is wrong with the people running the club ?
He isn’t up to it, should have gone last international break, yesterday or today. We can’t afford to let winnable games drain away. What a clueless bunch of dribbling retards  we must have at the helm of the club. 

[Jack]

You just know this will roll on and on and the board will stick with it until it’s far too late, before putting Still out of his misery. The more vocal the fans are the better for the next couple of games, probably best that we lose the next 2 to force their hand. What a fucking shambles 

[Daft Kerplunk]

For people with reasonable exposure to those in the know to be commenting on interference then there are probably some legs in it. 

It's unlikely that there are those forcing formations etc. but there are probably other elements being influential such as the player and sport science teams having an influence on who is available, how they're performing and what formations work best for the players available.  These people who are on lower salaries are probably more likely to follow any senior influence too.  I don't know if this is happening or not but the world of football has moved on significantly from the days of the manager being responsible for how all things work with the team. 

There are many voices, and this may lead to indecision, being unsure, not trusting your instincts etc.  Still was probably appointed on the basis that he's a young coach who might be more amenable to this approach.  He is also young and in the position this football club is in right now, you'd need a very power and capable head coach/manager to go against the wishes of those in charge.  You see this at bigger football teams than Saints where it's widely acknowledged that the owners, and boards have an influence on decisions and the first team coach/manager changes frequently.  Any next head coach is just going to be the head of the first team football department, and not the type manager that is increasinlgly rare.  

Edited 19 hours ago by Daft Kerplunk

[RedWillie]

He looks more and more uncomfortable than any Saints  manager i can rememberback to Lawrie. The man has no confidence, looks nervous and uncomfortable in every appearance. Uninspiring when talking and looks lost. There are managers and leaders.Unfortunately he is not the latter.

[Fabrice29]

10 minutes ago, Daft Kerplunk said:

For people with reasonable exposure to those in the know to be commenting on interference then there are probably some legs in it. 

It's unlikely that there are those forcing formations etc. but there are probably other elements being influential such as the player and sport science teams having an influence on who is available, how they're performing and what formations work best for the players available.  These people who are on lower salaries are probably more likely to follow any senior influence too.  I don't know if this is happening or not but the world of football has moved on significantly from the days of the manager being responsible for how all things work with the team. 

There are many voices, and this may lead to indecision, being unsure, not trusting your instincts etc.  Still was probably appointed on the basis that he's a young coach who might be more amenable to this approach.  He is also young and in the position this football club is in right now, you'd need a very power and capable head coach/manager to go against the wishes of those in charge.  You see this at bigger football teams than Saints where it's widely acknowledged that the owners, and boards have an influence on decisions and the first team coach/manager changes frequently.  Any next head coach is just going to be the head of the first team football department, and not the type manager that is increasinlgly rare.  

Apart from the fact that the idea Will Still is being told to play 5 at the back is quite obviously complete bollocks as well as the ‘those in the know’ line, the fact that Goztepe are riding high in Turkey means we should probably explore getting Rasmus to be more involved here again and give us some advice. Maybe even get him to appoint Nathan Jones again as he’s doing well. 

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, Fabrice29 said:

Apart from the fact that the idea Will Still is being told to play 5 at the back is quite obviously complete bollocks as well as the ‘those in the know’ line, the fact that Goztepe are riding high in Turkey means we should probably explore getting Rasmus to be more involved here again and give us some advice. Maybe even get him to appoint Nathan Jones again as he’s doing well. 

Atherley’s just left a message, Mr Parson’s suit and shirts will be ready for collection on Monday morning.

[Fabrice29]

4 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Atherley’s just left a message, Mr Parson’s suit and shirts will be ready for collection on Monday morning.

Keep making the same joke in all the different threads. One day someone might understand it and laugh.

[CB Fry]

35 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Don’t be an idiot - it’s not ‘made up nonsense’ - it’s honest supporters reflecting on a Manager saying one thing and his team doing something else. And if Spors has given him the tools to play ‘his’ system, wtf does he keep doing something different? And it’s not just Still - the style of play is endemic across the SR group of clubs and at all levels. Lastly, it may not be as simple as Spors telling Still to play in a certain way…Still could have signed up to the tactical ideas instilled by the group. Try to open your mind a bit - not everything is black and white.

It is made up nonsense.

If Will Still is being told to only to play a particular system, why isn't he being told to not speak in press conferences about playing a different system? Why does the SR all-controlling bogeyman controlling one element but not the other?

There's loads of things Still says in press conferences like the team working hard, being quick in transition, converting chances, scoring goals, winning etc etc etc but they're not doing that either. 

Maybe Still says stuff in press conferences that he can't actually achieve because he isn’t up to it? Maybe, just maybe, it's that.

[Toadhall Saint]

1 hour ago, Toussaint said:

Yep, he’ll get the next two games, then it’s the international break and offski. 

That’s my thoughts as well. Irrespective of the results. I expect feelers are out for a replacement as we type.

[Wade Garrett]

1 hour ago, Toussaint said:

Yep, he’ll get the next two games, then it’s the international break and offski. 

Two more games down the shitter then.

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

Woke up this morning hoping to see that he'd gone. 

Gutted that he's still here. 

Has there been a worse run club than Saints over the last 20 years? 

[Killers Knee]

This idea that the formation and tactics are being forced on Will Still has me inquisitive.  
 

It’s true that Will Stills footballing philosophy and preferred tactics have not been on display at Saints, ie:

A back four rather than five defenders
    •    More aggressive, possession-based football
    •    Systems that emphasized quick transitions and pressing

So is this formation a result of data crunchers looking for formations that could optimise financial return as opposed to footballing return?

[IFHP]

1 minute ago, Killers Knee said:

This idea that the formation and tactics are being forced on Will Still has me inquisitive.  
 

It’s true that Will Stills footballing philosophy and preferred tactics have not been on display at Saints, ie:

A back four rather than five defenders
    •    More aggressive, possession-based football
    •    Systems that emphasized quick transitions and pressing

So is this formation a result of data crunchers looking for formations that could optimise financial return as opposed to footballing return?

Nope, Will Still is just fucking shit.

 

[Fabrice29]

5 minutes ago, Killers Knee said:

This idea that the formation and tactics are being forced on Will Still has me inquisitive.  
 

It’s true that Will Stills footballing philosophy and preferred tactics have not been on display at Saints, ie:

A back four rather than five defenders
    •    More aggressive, possession-based football
    •    Systems that emphasized quick transitions and pressing

So is this formation a result of data crunchers looking for formations that could optimise financial return as opposed to footballing return?

Have we considered the conspiracy theory that when we play 4 at the back we also aren't very good?