Beachcomber
Well-known member
Diverse estimations of the Head Coach have been rumbling on all season. As we approach season's end, it's clear to me that while Critch's (obvious) forte is player on player coaching, his flaws are all about indecisiveness, i.e. not being sure about or having confidence in altering the formation to suit the opponents of the day, or optimally knowing when to make substitutions (and, if so, how many).
Some forum members argued earlier in the season that Critch would learn as he went, but that doesn't appear to be happening. Others, including myself, opined that finding a suitable foil for the chief (Calderwood, as it turned out) would bring out the best in both of them. However, although it looked at one time as if that ploy was working - and to be honest, Calderwood has improved our defensive organisation no end - the team has now seemingly regressed to the lacklustre and ineffectual style of the first few games.
While it's true that key injuries (especially to attacking players) at different times have hampered our progress, the answer to that was surely to qualitatively strengthen the striker department during the last window. (In other words, Simms wasn't enough). Be that as it may, after Ballard, Lawrence-Gabriel and Simms return to their respective clubs at the end of term, we'll be able to welcome back Howe, Sarkic and Lubala.
No doubt another shake-up will be required - maybe half-a-dozen incomers with a similar number moving on - but I certainly hope that (a) the next crop of signings are of a higher calibre than future outgoers, & (b) that promising youngsters (not least, Antwi, Apter and Holmes) will be further developed and given a fair chance in similar fashion to the aforesaid loanees.
As for the apparent lack of tactical nous that continues to plague the coaching staff, I, for one, have no firm idea how that can be cured. Whether or not moving Garrity to Academy duties and acquiring an experienced offensive coach who could possibly complement Calderwood's defensive acumen is merely a suggestion. But while it could be argued that that would be a case of 'too many cooks' I'm nonetheless convinced that someone (likely Messrs Sadler and Stephenson between them) will have to make further telling decisions come summer.
Some forum members argued earlier in the season that Critch would learn as he went, but that doesn't appear to be happening. Others, including myself, opined that finding a suitable foil for the chief (Calderwood, as it turned out) would bring out the best in both of them. However, although it looked at one time as if that ploy was working - and to be honest, Calderwood has improved our defensive organisation no end - the team has now seemingly regressed to the lacklustre and ineffectual style of the first few games.
While it's true that key injuries (especially to attacking players) at different times have hampered our progress, the answer to that was surely to qualitatively strengthen the striker department during the last window. (In other words, Simms wasn't enough). Be that as it may, after Ballard, Lawrence-Gabriel and Simms return to their respective clubs at the end of term, we'll be able to welcome back Howe, Sarkic and Lubala.
No doubt another shake-up will be required - maybe half-a-dozen incomers with a similar number moving on - but I certainly hope that (a) the next crop of signings are of a higher calibre than future outgoers, & (b) that promising youngsters (not least, Antwi, Apter and Holmes) will be further developed and given a fair chance in similar fashion to the aforesaid loanees.
As for the apparent lack of tactical nous that continues to plague the coaching staff, I, for one, have no firm idea how that can be cured. Whether or not moving Garrity to Academy duties and acquiring an experienced offensive coach who could possibly complement Calderwood's defensive acumen is merely a suggestion. But while it could be argued that that would be a case of 'too many cooks' I'm nonetheless convinced that someone (likely Messrs Sadler and Stephenson between them) will have to make further telling decisions come summer.