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Oatcake not happy again (at us again)

It’s so strange.

They have all the finance backing from Bet365. Probably the richest owner in the championship - or certainly one of them. Then on paper, they have a very good manager in Mark Robins.

But every time I see them, they look really shit.

They’re a long way off being promotion contenders.
On paper Robin's is an absolutely shite manager for the championship, probably averages around a 17th finish over about 10 seasons
 

Weren’t they flying at the start of the season or have I imagined that?
Do seem to remember them being in contention for the play-offs around Christmas/New Year time but their form has fallen off a cliff since then for whatever reason.

Only 3 league wins since early January and 2 of those have come against relegated sides.
 
Its quite incredible really- is it 14th-18th ish 10 years in a row now? Mental
No matter what they do they just can't seem to get their act together in that league. They need to follow a similar path we did, but just doesn't seem like the owners have any real plan other than paying the debts off and going for players, managers who have championship experience
 
No matter what they do they just can't seem to get their act together in that league. They need to follow a similar path we did, but just doesn't seem like the owners have any real plan other than paying the debts off and going for players, managers who have championship experience

They agree and are trying to follow a similar path to us ... by stealing our managers and players. RLB next on their target list 🤣 🤣 😇
 
10 bottom half finishes in a row according to that article.

They’re a long way from the days of Shaqiri, Arnautovic & Crouch etc.
Is this there natural level? Nowt against stoke tbh but most of my life bar that premier league period they were league one and bottom half ish of the championship. They spend money like a top half team but never either give something time or fully go in on something. The snake has shown with us and millwall given the reigns fully he produces.
 
No matter what they do they just can't seem to get their act together in that league. They need to follow a similar path we did, but just doesn't seem like the owners have any real plan other than paying the debts off and going for players, managers who have championship experience

Quite the opposite with players and managers? Our bigger money transfers have been very focused on foreign and young over the last few seasons and it's hamstrung us to a degree. They've taken ages to settle. Yes, we've signed experienced players but taken huge risks alongside them.

Manager wise, other than Rowett, Neil and Robins our managers have been very much lacking in Championship experience including one in his first ever job, two young lads either from League One or vast majority of their careers there and an international manager that had never managed in this country before.
 
Is this there natural level? Nowt against stoke tbh but most of my life bar that premier league period they were league one and bottom half ish of the championship. They spend money like a top half team but never either give something time or fully go in on something. The snake has shown with us and millwall given the reigns fully he produces.
The problem the snake had there seems to be precisely that he was given the reins. We kept him limited by not giving him full control of the club and he thrived. Think Millwall limit things a bit too. Stoke gave him full control (including seemingly giving him his hand picked DoF) and as much cash as they could and he failed miserably. He’s just not that good at transfers (and has a massively inflated opinion of his own talents).
 
A manager in charge of buying players is only interested in the here and now and his own future. A DOF will look for investments and the balance of success and what's right for the club. For a manager buying a team to get promoted might involve buying a load of 28 to 35 year olds who are established on good wages. Yes this might get you in top 6 but could be a absolute nightmare if you get promoted with PSR rules. Surely the manager and DOF have to work together with a 3 year plan of building a squad with youth and one or two experienced players good enough for that promotion push. Changing the squad and manager each year is just counter productive imo.
 
The problem the snake had there seems to be precisely that he was given the reins. We kept him limited by not giving him full control of the club and he thrived. Think Millwall limit things a bit too. Stoke gave him full control (including seemingly giving him his hand picked DoF) and as much cash as they could and he failed miserably. He’s just not that good at transfers (and has a massively inflated opinion of his own talents).
Not sure what his situation is at Millwall but at this level he’s done pretty well most place bar stoke and stoke have been so shit for a decade it starts to seem it’s stoke that has some deep seated issues.
 
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