I’d say get rid in January. It was a strange signing because when we had him first time round apart from a decent goal he was actually pretty naff and he’s spent a lot of time injured since then.
That would make sense why Dougall stopped doing it. The same bloke who under Critchley scored both goals at Wembley that earned us promotion, both from outside the area. Critchley was a stickler for sticking to the (stupid) plan and would openly throw players under the proverbial bus in his pressers if they didn't obey him. So absolutely no coincidence at all that so many players look far better this season now they are playing with more freedom to express themselves.
Absolutely spot on. Perhaps Sadler has his mind focused elsewhere (for obvious reasons) and has entrusted all matters of a football nature to someone else who is just getting paid a wage and doesn't care so much about stuff like 'for the love of the club?'
That assault he perpetrated on the Burton winger I've seen the replay back and it seems to be borne out of sheer frustration and was pretty much nasty!
If Critchley, even 2.0, is 'the worst manager we've had that you can remember', I'd be concerned for your memory
He loved to overcomplicate things, it's proven that if you do the basics well at this level then you have a great chance at going up. Duff is doing the same at Huddersfield right now and getting the same results we had last season. Pepball needs to be kept for the best teams in the world, not league 1.
His reputation as a manager has taken a huge hit. He hasn't the same 'reputation' as that fella who got Blackpool promoted at first attempt. In fact, now he's got an awful reputation
wasn't the worst manager we've had by a long chalk. It’s also good to see how much Dobbie and Keogh seem to be enjoying themselves. They’re definitely not bit players. Critchley would never have involved them like this yet we’ve seen that the players have responded well to them. SB himself has alluded to how things were done in the past, in a not so veiled criticism. He must have got that from the players and other staff members.
It bodes well that we have such enthusiasm right through the coaching team. Dobbs and Uncle Richard always played with massive belief and it's rubbing off on the players, especially the younger players. Midweek the starting 11 had an average age of under 24 and 25 if you count the subs.
Think that was a silly rumour made up by someone.
Not saying it’s true - I heard that Connolly had an argument with Critchley last season
He had different backroom staff. When Calderwood and McCall were in his ear we played well.
The thing that'll always baffle me is the marked difference between the two tenures.
Mk1 we played lovely football with a resolute defence, solid midfield and good attacking options.
Mk2 was a shadow of those times, being scared of losing rather than going out to win.
Whatever happened in between those two stints ruined him as a manager and he would probably do well to fall back into a coaching roll as being a manager isn't for him.
What any club doing their due diligence don't want is Sadlers famous ( infamous?) 50 page dossier.
The worst manager we’ve ever had? I’d go and get a memory test then. And how could you possibly know it from the start? It’s the same bullshit you come out with about SS. It’s like you do it from day one on the off chance you’re right about it and you can claim to see something that nobody else did. All based on nothing but a hunch.
It looked a nasty challenge from where I was in the West.
You've got a reputation on here for coming out with reactionary shite.
I’d heard Joseph and Gabriel had spoken out about things and were told they could leave.
Agree - the difference is obvious now, but don't slate Sadler for not getting rid earlier. Just remember that we had a chance of the play-offs going into the final game of last season, so statistically that wasn't a bad position to end up in. It's only now that we know just what the players are capable of. Once the season had started (clearly badly) he reacted, and that's a good thing without the benefit of hindsight.
"When you say the start" can't be a selective moment based on happenings after that point.
Of course it can, he started to show his true colours when he was first with us but he soon got Caldwell installed, as the powers that be could clearly see it was needed and it was only after MvVall eft the the writing was on the wall and that was the start of his downfall, he walked out, which was a blessing and then for some unforeseen reason he was reappointed after a disastrous season and frankly he was just bloody awful from then on.
Oh, and I've had a look back at your meagre offerings on the board and funny how every single football post is having a go at your fellow supporters. What a bell end.
You weren't exactly Critchley's number one fan or have you forgotten?
99.9% were happy that he got us promoted and kept us in the Championship. Nobody is saying they thought he was great last season (and even with how poor we were away from home we nearly made the play offs) To suggest he was worse than some of the names mentioned above is absolute nonsense. It was absolutely the right time for a change and we are now seeing what the squad was probably always capable of.
Good lord you talk some bollocks.
I haven’t forgotten anything. I was always balanced in my opinion and certainly wasn’t calling for his head as soon as others. In fact, I can remember saying I wouldn’t pot him after a couple of the horrendous results against the bottom six last season.
I certainly won't be doing that! Cartmell and then the Stains, I doubt anyone could match either of them and as I have said many times SS has done some great things and some not so great things, mainly down to naivety and inexperience, certainly not maliciously, we'll be able to compare him the the next owner soon no doubt.
I'm not disagreeing we have had some terrible managers, but Critchley was hailed as some sort of hero and he was just a fraud, he can be proud added to that list.
