Tonda Eckert

[St Louis]

17 hours ago, Mr X said:

Tricky question would Tonda not achieving promotion with this team be seen as a failure? It wouldn't on my part but I think he knows how much potential he and the team has and would be bitterly disappointed and it's only going to get harder next year! 

I dont think its a tricky question, and the answer is No, it wouldn't/shouldn't be seen as failure (despite any disappointment). He can only make a difference in the part of the season he has managed, and we've scored more than anyone else and have more points than anyone else, and had a cup run to the semi-final (beating 2 Prem teams along the way... and nearly a 3rd).
So his achievement has been incredible, whether we lose out in the lottery of the playoffs or not. To even get us to the Playoffs was unthinkable when he took over the sinking ship.

Edited 2 hours ago by St Louis

[St Louis]

....

Edited 2 hours ago by St Louis
(oops, posted twice)

[Toadhall Saint]

1 hour ago, St Louis said:

I dont think its a tricky question, and the answer is No, it wouldn't/shouldn't be seen as failure (despite any disappointment). He can only make a difference in the part of the season he has managed, and we've scored more than anyone else and have more points than anyone else, and had a cup run to the semi-final (beating 2 Prem teams along the way... and nearly a 3rd).
So his achievement has been incredible, whether we lose out in the lottery of the playoffs or not. To even get us to the Playoffs was unthinkable when he took over the sinking ship.

I’m not sure I could even name a manager/head coach that has done better - certainly not a Saints one.

[LiberalCommunist]

Really like Tonda, and I'm looking forward to this relationship blossoming over the coming seasons.

But. Does anyone else remember mid Dec- mid Jan. 

There was some absolutely crap performances and results over that time. 

Weird how he took over and immediately won five out of six, then descended into this dreadful run.

Changing to a back four and employing a goalkeeper was crucial. But this season seems to be made up of four stages. 

1 Will Still

2 Temp

3 Honeymoon

4 Perertz

Hoping part five is just a continuation of four. 

[Patrick Bateman]

26 minutes ago, LiberalCommunist said:

Really like Tonda, and I'm looking forward to this relationship blossoming over the coming seasons.

But. Does anyone else remember mid Dec- mid Jan. 

There was some absolutely crap performances and results over that time. 

Weird how he took over and immediately won five out of six, then descended into this dreadful run.

Changing to a back four and employing a goalkeeper was crucial. But this season seems to be made up of four stages. 

1 Will Still

2 Temp

3 Honeymoon

4 Perertz

Hoping part five is just a continuation of four. 

I still think the camp wasn't happy, couple of 1st team players left after mid-Jan, plus we got Bree, Peretz and Larin in, HUGE difference in quality. I also think Peretz might be pretty vocal and influential in the dressing room and the pitch. 

So I see it as:

1. Still

2. Players want to play for new manager

3. Current cracks in squad getting on start to appear again

4. Cracks moved on, quality brought in