New Manager Debate

[CB Fry]

The more coaches we see leave, the better we get 

Edited 7 hours ago by CB Fry

[Junkyard Dog]

On 20/11/2025 at 22:19, StrangelyBrown said:

Tonda or Potter?

Potter overated

[Whitey Grandad]

Can we hope for 9?

[CB Fry]

Chopping and changing the manager never works.

[Thripp87]

On 13/11/2025 at 21:14, Mboto Gorge said:

 

🤣🤣🤣fuck about , I knew we had some clueless fans but this takes the piss, all on the basis of 2 wins against two very poor sides, with a squad worth 10 times the value of both, whilst being battered for the final 20 mins at QPR and hanging on pathetically for dear life with zero plan, and suddenly the man who’s never been a manager before is the best option above those other names, you couldn’t make this up.
 

I’ll give it to SR , they have definitely picked the right club to pull the wool over the fans eyes with how thick and easily pleased  some of ours are. 

What you want served with your humble pie? Clown.

 

[Turkish]

Maybe Paul Trollope was the problem? The new Eric Black?

[CB Fry]

15 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Maybe Paul Trollope was the problem? The new Eric Black?

Ben Reeves comes in and suddenly we score five? Coincidence? I'm not so sure.

Edited 6 hours ago by CB Fry

[Willo of Whiteley]

All the Tonda haters retreating back into the hedge…

[Whitey Grandad]

Nothing sticks to Teflon Downs. 

[Dusic]

Could still bring Frandsen in as an assistant?

[Whitey Grandad]

We're playing this too close to our goal.

[ally_uk]

Said give the lad a chance..... 

[Fabrice29]

3 at the back and the players like him oh no!

[saintant]

45 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

All the Tonda haters retreating back into the hedge…

Nobody hates him.

[UpweySaint]

Just now, saintant said:

Nobody hates him.

This. Nobody hates him because we know fuck all about him - nothing too hate. He’s a risk because of the lack of experience. If he keeps doing well then fair play, risk worth taking, credit to Spors. 

[Saint Matty 76]

Aaaanyway, still no need to rush into a decision.

A win vs Leicester might do it though, would be delighted with 4 points from that and Millwall away.

[sockeye]

57 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

All the Tonda haters retreating back into the hedge…

Nobody hated him. There were reservations about promoting another assistant/U21s manager after two attempts previously under Sport Republic failed. These kinds of comments just come across as meaningless point scoring, we're all fans here.

[S-Clarke]

Still no need to rush into any decision, I hope the club still hold their cards.

It's been a good 3 games, and it makes you really wonder what was going on before - but we really need a bigger sample size to come to a true conclusion.

If this does work out, SR haven't masterminded it - they fell into by accident. So they still don't get any real credit from me, but we still need to bide our time in my eyes.

[Dr Who?]

That is some turnaround, we have not taken anyone apart like that away from home for a long time. Not even in our last promotion season. 

[Wade Garrett]

3 wins on the bounce, brilliant.

I still think we should get a name manager in though.

Leicester game a good barometer to how good we are.

[Jimmy_D]

Feel sorry for Still to a certain extent as I think there’s a decent manager there, and obviously the team are playing with a hundred times more confidence now, that makes any tactic work far better.

Eckert benefited from Romeu coming back in at the same time, it’s difficult to read how much impact that’s made, as well as that most elusive aspect managers are always chasing, a bit of luck, especially getting that first win.

That said, if the team continues ticking over like this, and look like they’re this confident in the tactics, there’s absolutely no reason to disrupt that.

How often do we see a new manager bounce? Or a win after an international break? Or in more recent seasons, any sort of comfortable control of a game?

[AlexLaw76]

Fair play to TE. Got to day, today was sensational and clear differences with how we went about it.

Be interesting to see how this works against a solid back 4 (with a packed midfield)

[bugenhagen]

56 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Still no need to rush into any decision, I hope the club still hold their cards.

It's been a good 3 games, and it makes you really wonder what was going on before - but we really need a bigger sample size to come to a true conclusion.

If this does work out, SR haven't masterminded it - they fell into by accident. So they still don't get any real credit from me, but we still need to bide our time in my eyes.

Agree, and while I still think a more experienced manager is the way to go, SR would most likely fuck up that appointment as well, so the lesser evil is perhaps to stay with what they have fallen into here... for now.

Edited 4 hours ago by bugenhagen

[Suhari]

I think what Tonda has done is simply get our attacking players working to their strengths, and moving the ball quicker. We've clearly got some excellent attacking talent that has been stifled.

There's obviously more belief in the camp too.

Not sure how thus translates into him being the best option as manager for the next few years though. But hat's off: he's done pretty well so far.

Very interested to see how we perform in the next two 

[OldNick]

I still dont see the rush to get a permanent manager in or give it to Eckhert, give him more games and then see 

[Saint86]

3 minutes ago, OldNick said:

I still dont see the rush to get a permanent manager in or give it to Eckhert, give him more games and then see 

Have said this previously - it's the obvious thing to do, so we almost certainly won't go this route...

[RedArmy]

If nothing else then today was a good advert to prospective managers for how good we can be. It is a good squad, it just needs the right manager. 

[saintant]

1 hour ago, S-Clarke said:

Still no need to rush into any decision, I hope the club still hold their cards.

It's been a good 3 games, and it makes you really wonder what was going on before - but we really need a bigger sample size to come to a true conclusion.

If this does work out, SR haven't masterminded it - they fell into by accident. So they still don't get any real credit from me, but we still need to bide our time in my eyes.

Agree although today there were clear signs that Eckhert is aware of what has been going wrong and is taking the right steps to fix things. It was clear that we set up to get our wing backs much higher up the pitch as often as possible. If you're playing 3 centre backs this is essential and we did it far better today. We saw AA dropping deeper to receive the ball and hold it which he's good at and to compliment this players were looking to run past him into the space and through the channels. These subtle changes created the space and room to allow our better footballers to get on the ball and cause some havoc. It's a work in progress but there was much to admire and we seem at long last to be utilising our strengths and playing football that is easy on the eye. If Eckert is largely responsible for the improvement then he's earning his shot at the job but we need to see similar against both Leicester and Millwall because Charlton did play into our hands although maybe that was because we were too good on the day.

Edited 3 hours ago by saintant

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

32 minutes ago, Suhari said:

I think what Tonda has done is simply get our attacking players working to their strengths, and moving the ball quicker. We've clearly got some excellent attacking talent that has been stifled.

There's obviously more belief in the camp too.

Not sure how thus translates into him being the best option as manager for the next few years though. But hat's off: he's done pretty well so far.

Very interested to see how we perform in the next two 

Agree with this. Azaz is definitely better with faster one=touch football. Fellows was going forward today. And like I've always believed, confidence is such a massive thing and today you could see a team playing with confidence.

A lucky win against QPR. Beating a poor Sheff Wed and then a magic 20 minute spell. For me, that's not enough to give Tonda the job but it'll put pressure on those on the board holding out against his appointment.

[Wade Garrett]

2 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

All the Tonda haters retreating back into the hedge…

What a fucking ridiculous post.  Who hates him?

[saintant]

Arne Slot could be available soon 🙂

[James G]

1 hour ago, S-Clarke said:

Still no need to rush into any decision, I hope the club still hold their cards.

It's been a good 3 games, and it makes you really wonder what was going on before - but we really need a bigger sample size to come to a true conclusion.

If this does work out, SR haven't masterminded it - they fell into by accident. So they still don't get any real credit from me, but we still need to bide our time in my eyes.

I think what others have said, some subtle tweaks, playing to feet rather than in the air, playing to the strengths of how players play. Playing forward quickly. And I also thought they controlled it not too bad in the second half. There were a few other things I spotted as well.

It was quietly impressive 

[Dr. Kucho]

Still think we need a more experienced and respected manager. But Eckert has done really well and if he keeps on winning deserves to be in contention for the job. 

[LGTL]

Well he’s not doing himself any harm is he, let’s be honest. 

[Draino76]

47 minutes ago, saintant said:

Agree although today there were clear signs that Eckhert is aware of what has been going wrong and is taking the right steps to fix things. It was clear that we set up to get our wing backs much higher up the pitch as often as possible. If you're playing 3 centre backs this is essential and we did it far better today. We saw AA dropping deeper to receive the ball and hold it which he's good at and to compliment this players were looking to run past him into the space and through the channels. These subtle changes created the space and room to allow our better footballers to get on the ball and cause some havoc. It's a work in progress but there was much to admire and we seem at long last to be utilising our strengths and playing football that is easy on the eye. If Eckert is largely responsible for the improvement then he's earning his shot at the job but we need to see similar against both Leicester and Millwall because Charlton did play into our hands although maybe that was because we were too good on the day.

I would have liked 2 -3 paragraphs but you've nailed it. 

[Nolan]

Look at the table now and you can see these 9 points were essential. 

It seems that, other than top spot, everything is to play for from the position we're in.

The 9 points between us and 2nd spot is assailable if we keep on as we are. 

Leicester is going to be a fascinating game. 

I absolutely don't want any coaching changes at the moment.

 

[Saint Pete]

Great result and performance today but best we don't get too carried away. Our front 3 is very strong for this level so they are well capable of tearing defences apart as they did today given a half decently set up team. Confidence is clearly building iwith getting a few results in our favour which makes a huge difference. 

For me, not clear yet how much of today was down to the manager or just a spike in confidence from a couple of wins and goals for key players in previous games Appointing Tonda now would still be a massive gamble given his very limited experience but maybe having a look over another few weeks makes more sense now? 

[Toadhall Saint]

After QPR - no way should he get the gig

After Weds- not convinced

after today - let’s see where this goes

 

after Leicester - i’m hoping I’ll be saying give him the job. Fingers crossed eh

Edited 2 hours ago by Toadhall Saint

[Willo of Whiteley]

Leicester could be an interesting one.

They don’t look particularly good but are high in the table and grinding out results.

[West end Saints]

If he wins next two then surely it's a no-brainer to give him the job?

5 wins is a better run than we managed in our promotion season, even when building on good highly confident runs. 

Even more impressive these 3 wins (so far, fingers crossed) are on the back of 5 without a win.

Even if he loses both he has a good chance, particularly with the unexciting names linked.

(I reserve the right to be grumpy and want him replaced if we now have two bad defeats )

Even before the game the criticism and name calling on the match thread was ridiculous. Moaning about the keeper choice (which he has explained was conscious tactic to beat their press) and Bragg who was excellent.

[SuperSAINT]

On 18/11/2025 at 14:53, SuperSAINT said:

As a side note, it will be interesting to see how we look after 2 weeks of his coaching.  (Charlton are obviously a considerable level up from QPR & Weds, of course).

Decent 👀 

[Nolan]

27 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Leicester could be an interesting one.

They don’t look particularly good but are high in the table and grinding out results.

They're 3 points above us.

[wild-saint]

3 hours ago, Wade Garrett said:

3 wins on the bounce, brilliant.

I still think we should get a name manager in though.

Leicester game a good barometer to how good we are.

 

3 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Fair play to TE. Got to day, today was sensational and clear differences with how we went about it.

Be interesting to see how this works against a solid back 4 (with a packed midfield)

Was this not a good barometer? Were they not a solid back 4? They had conceded only 12 goals and have 6 clean sheets this season. 
 

seems like a solid challenge today.

think we have the chance to give it to go. Until the end of the season and see how it goes over a longer period. S

if someone came in for him and we had to make a decision right now on balance I’d say go for it. 
 

 

[Hopper]

Right now I'm in the camp of better the devil you know with Eckert. 

The other available condidates don't exactly excite me.

I'm not sure if he'll be the right appointment in the long run but I've seen enough to know he's competent, can clearly man manage and get the best out of the lads. Ruben Selles he is not.

Given the emotional fragility this side had I'd much sooner keep him in place and see what he can do with some time and backing than upend everything.

[Harry_SFC]

To be fair whilst initially against it, IF he gets 4 or more points from Leicester and Millwall then you'd have to say he probably deserves the job until the end of the season. From where we were, 13 or more points out of 15 would be pretty impressive. 

Leicester really aren't all that. As someone else mentioned, they are sort of grinding results out but as Blackburn showed a few weeks ago, you can certainly get at them. If we play like we did today then we will win, no trouble.