Mike Ford

[hedges]

OK,so I haven't really gone along with the whole suggestion of sacking Fordy, generally staying in the camp that says its up to the players to perform. But tonight, in my opinion was crunch night, a 6 pointer for both teams, and we came up against a Halesowen team that is allegedly in disarray backroom and there performance on the pitch was mediocre at best......ours however was equally so and I'm beginning to sway in favor of the increasing 'Fordy out' bandwagon.

Staying behind for a swift bevvy after the game I over heard an Oxford player comment 'That is the worst team we're going to play this season and we still couldn't score', which of course hasn't gone unnoticed in the stands, as more than once in the last couple of games, different fans have commented that Oxford 'Couldn't score in a brothel', which as results show, is probably true....not taken literally of course.

Add to that rumors of discontent amongst City players, with Dave Savage and Richard Knight allegedly leaving the club.... we're waiting on confirmation of this.

If this proves to be true, this is bad for everyone connected to City, players,fans and staff. Since many people have perceived Sav as being involved for the long haul. He has had his critics this season myself included, who think he has lost a touch more pace from last season but even so, I thought he was destined to take a Coaching or even Managerial role within City.

Richard Knight who has been superb this season is also a massive loss and many of the games we have drawn and lost would look much worse if he hadn't performed between the sticks.

So where does that leave us?

Still second from from bottom with only 6 points with 13 games played, scored 5 goals and conceded 16...not only this but the teams around us are still in at least one of the cups and have 1,2 or even 3 games in hand.

But financially we are better off without these key, experienced players....or is that the real issue here?

In terms of the team we now have no real experience out there....the spine which was immense last season has totally gone (Knight,Gunn,Sav,Steele) and honestly I don't see us replacing that anytime soon.
Prichard on his second appearance did OK, he was bringing the ball down quite well, but never really had a sight of goal the whole game. Clarky was at Centre back tonight and so couldn't express himself with his pace and crosses, Janes again played a determined game which ultimately came to nothing. Malone continued his midfield grafting as he has done all season....

these are some of the players which will need to step up and be counted if we have any chance (I mean any chance) of staying in this division, but to do that they need support, from the fans, from each other and most of all the gaffer.

The question is are they getting that support?

[lomax]

Time for a poll. Think it's about time we addressed some points. Please explain your answers. Thanks.

[lomax]

My opinion is that it's definitely time for a change.
Let Ballard take a training session this week and take the team to Banbury.
Give us two and half weeks before Cirencester away (6th Novemeber) to find a new manager. I just think it's gone to far really. Last night was Fordy's last chance, but still no win. Not good enough

[halesowenharry]

I'm sure you don't want an opposition's fans view point, but here you go.
I have to say we are the poorest side in this division by far. And that's not just because of recent results but also everything else that's going on behind the scenes. Our average gate has dipped close to 170 in the last couple of home matches (from a decent 400+ last season, and a massive 1,300 when we were first in the southern league prem all those moons ago), basically what you saw last night was a team made up of youngsters pretty much playing for free (except our goalkeeper who was our man of the match, which says it all, he won't be with us much longer by all accounts).
I'd suggest you do need to make a change if the manager has been given his chance and not taken it. It comes down to money so that'll be up to your committee / board, but it didn't strike me as being a place in turmoil in the boardroom last night and you have got a really good set up. You'd get more support if you were winning I'm certain of that as you're relatively well priced and it's a nice ground etc.
As for your team, some of your players looked very capable of performing at this level and keeping you out of the bottom 4. I noticed you'd played a hell of a lot of top half sides and last night was your first real test against a side you should beat. So maybe it was confidence and a change in manager plus a couple of wins would set you up to fight the looming relegation battle. That's my war and peace. I hope our paths cross again once this season is over. But I think liquidation looks a distinct possibilty for us

[ChrisB]

Oct 20, 2010 9:19:51 GMT halesowenharry said:

I'm sure you don't want an opposition's fans view point, but here you go.
I have to say we are the poorest side in this division by far. And that's not just because of recent results but also everything else that's going on behind the scenes. Our average gate has dipped close to 170 in the last couple of home matches (from a decent 400+ last season, and a massive 1,300 when we were first in the southern league prem all those moons ago), basically what you saw last night was a team made up of youngsters pretty much playing for free (except our goalkeeper who was our man of the match, which says it all, he won't be with us much longer by all accounts).
I'd suggest you do need to make a change if the manager has been given his chance and not taken it. It comes down to money so that'll be up to your committee / board, but it didn't strike me as being a place in turmoil in the boardroom last night and you have got a really good set up. You'd get more support if you were winning I'm certain of that as you're relatively well priced and it's a nice ground etc.
As for your team, some of your players looked very capable of performing at this level and keeping you out of the bottom 4. I noticed you'd played a hell of a lot of top half sides and last night was your first real test against a side you should beat. So maybe it was confidence and a change in manager plus a couple of wins would set you up to fight the looming relegation battle. That's my war and peace. I hope our paths cross again once this season is over. But I think liquidation looks a distinct possibilty for us

Certainly your keeper was the driving force behind the performance yesterday and all stuck to their tasks well...but we really should have made sure of a win.
I hope both our situations improve and things will be less gloomy all round when we visit you in April.

[lomax]

Oct 20, 2010 9:19:51 GMT halesowenharry said:

I'm sure you don't want an opposition's fans view point, but here you go.
I have to say we are the poorest side in this division by far. And that's not just because of recent results but also everything else that's going on behind the scenes. Our average gate has dipped close to 170 in the last couple of home matches (from a decent 400+ last season, and a massive 1,300 when we were first in the southern league prem all those moons ago), basically what you saw last night was a team made up of youngsters pretty much playing for free (except our goalkeeper who was our man of the match, which says it all, he won't be with us much longer by all accounts).
I'd suggest you do need to make a change if the manager has been given his chance and not taken it. It comes down to money so that'll be up to your committee / board, but it didn't strike me as being a place in turmoil in the boardroom last night and you have got a really good set up. You'd get more support if you were winning I'm certain of that as you're relatively well priced and it's a nice ground etc.
As for your team, some of your players looked very capable of performing at this level and keeping you out of the bottom 4. I noticed you'd played a hell of a lot of top half sides and last night was your first real test against a side you should beat. So maybe it was confidence and a change in manager plus a couple of wins would set you up to fight the looming relegation battle. That's my war and peace. I hope our paths cross again once this season is over. But I think liquidation looks a distinct possibilty for us

We appreciate your input and obviously your lot are in a really bad situation at the moment. But if you look at the facts: No league win in 13 attempts. Out of both the FA Cup and FA Trophy at the first stage. It really doesn't make for good reading.

[13a]

What's the alternative? Who would step in?

[lomax]

I don't know who the alternative is, but there has got to be another option. To quote another poster on this forum:

Oct 19, 2010 13:01:04 GMT clive said:

should Ford leave the club I don't think City would have any problem in finding a good replacement. There would be many good applicants from ex-managers at Conference level downwards, as well as there being around half a dozen young, promising managers in the Hellenic and Zameretto Central/South West looking to step up.

We're a promising club going in the right direction. I really don't think we'd struggle to get a new manager.

[guest]

Well as in any business or walk of life before removing someone make sure you have a replacement. To manage a club like city at this level the manager must have one of two things. Experience of playing at the highest level as well as ideally finishing at this sort of level or the qualification required. A eufa a coaching badge. ideally both. who is around to replace Fordy. Still the best man for the job who by his actions clearly cares.

[superkillie]

For what I have seen this season I really don't see a team that is confident in what they are doing. I won't go as far as saying that Fordy has lost the changing room but I think if the players are beginning to question where the next goals are going to come from then you really have to question the management. The start of the season has been nothing short of appalling and the league table doesn't lie, the buck stops with the manager im afraid....

[R CHERRY]

to face it it was alway going to be a hard job to keep us in this league and as the resession hits its get harder, money is always the key! with the new developement almost there just maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel !
i dont think mike should leave i think he should just get a diffrent view of things, he is under a lot off pressure and thats very negative, so what i think we should all do is just support him and are club" who" ever the manager is let them get on with it, and if we have got to fight it out at the bottom of the league, then let it be , but lets not start chasing for new managers as that is not what we need at the moment as then more players leave and new ones come in and we loose more games ,so no quik fix, it as simple as just goals and they will come along with the magic. hopefully soon ;D

[Ash]

I'm sure Fordy is working his arse off trying to sort out the lack of goals and he should be given the support of the fans. Like already stated who is there with the same experience and qualifications? I think we support Fordy and I'm sure the team will break that duck and start shooting up the table.

[lomax]

I love the optimism! When do we turn around and say enough is enough then? When we've still not won by Christmas? or will you still all be supporting him.

I thought this Halesowen match was supposed to be THE GAME THAT WE WOULD WIN? If we can't if score past them, what chance have City got?

You lot keep piling on the excuses. Sure, I'll hold my hands up if we go and beat Banbury then start to score goals and win. But I really think some people need to take a step back and look at the situation we're in.

These three games were THE PERFECT CHANCE to turn our season around. And what happened? Scored a penalty and got a draw to Hednesford (not ideal but I actually thought that was a good start), then went out of the Trophy in a pathetic fashion, then couldn't even score let alone win against a Halesowen side that is totally up the shitter. Look at some of the comments on here & their forum prior to the game, we should have won that game. Maybe then we could have overlooked the Trophy exit and said, yes four points from two home games, good stuff.

But instead it looks no brighter than before the Hednesford game. And our run of games don't look great. We've got two away games on the spin now. Then two home games. Perhaps then we can start up the "THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO TURN THE SEASON AROUND" bullshit.

I don't expect anyone to reason with this. Continue making excuses.

[OCFC Fan]

Its simple! Mike has to go!! he has been so quick to chop and change players, getting rid of our best performers (Gunn, Steele, Sandy) and killing the confidence of the players we still have! janesy wanted to leave because of him, dave savage obviously thought about leaving! Richard Knight leaving, even Dan Holman leaving! we can all see the players dont want to play for mike anymore! we are what 15 games without a win?? what other manager in the world of football would still have a job after a run like that??

[guest]

in reply to the last posts. who would replace him and yes he will still get support from many whatever you may argue. do you think then he should quit? like keegan and a sven will turn up at cpr and save the day. not a chance. still best man for the job.

[lomax]

Well Sven has just signed for Leicester, so that rules him out.

You make it seem like no one would want to manage Oxford City. By making rash "Sven and Keegan" statements you gloss over a point that needs serious consideration. Do you really think there is no one out there that can turn this team around? Do you not think that there are managers living locally that would jump at the chance of managing City?

[Padz]

There may well be coaches around who would jump at the chance of taking over City, but they won't do it for nothing, If Mike was removed as manager theres not suddenly going to be a load of money floating around to pay these top coaches.

People can harp on about players leaving, Steele was a travelling issue, the guy was coming down from Liverpool to play & the club tried bloody hard to persuade him to return on a few occasions, he's not some greedy ex-pro but with that sort of travelling distance i don't blame him for wanting enough money to make it worth his time and effort, Sandy was on decent money and admitted himself he wasn't doing the business and there was an obvious issue between Gunny & Fordy long before he departed, theres only two men who knew the issue there so how you can blame one party is beyond me.

Obviously Sav was going to consider a move to St Neots, he said himself it was possibly a last chance to win a trophy, and i'm sure he would've been financially happy (they are paying Stefan Moore £1500 a week!), fair play to him for staying with us he's still a top player.

Richard Knight was again part a travelling issue (living in burton) and part attitude in my opinion, many said his injury problems last season were exaggerated to a certain extent, he missed a large portion of the season and i was suprised to see him back this season (although he has been class this term)

Is Janesy really a player with a destroyed confidence??, he's one of our brightest young players who to me doesn't look to be lacking in any confidence

I'm not saying we're in an exceptable position in the league, but do you think the manager and coaches don't know that, theres plenty that want Fordy out but theres also plenty who are still behind the manager and the club

[localscout]

Really interesting debate this one – can see both sides of the discussion. There is no doubting Mike’s passion for the team or his commitment in helping the club move towards its longer term goals. However I do share the concerns regarding the performances this season and the loss of players like Gunn & Sandy as these wouldn’t appear to be down to financial constraints. Also if you look at the success of the manager appointments made by the likes of Abingdon United and Thatcham Town at the start of the season this would support the view that there may not be the managers about which people think there are.

I think it’s a really difficult decision for the club and people who come on here and are quick to criticise should be careful what they wish for. My preference would be to give Mike till the New Year when things will hopefully improve and if they don’t then it may be time for a change. In the meantime I would encourage Mike to look at strengthening his management team possibly by looking to bring in an assistant or a coach with fresh and slightly different ideas –Andy Slater and Richard Hill are names that come to mind and there is a rumour on the street that all may not be well at the Loop.

Come on City and what better way to kick start the season than with 3 points in the local derby on Saturday.

[local anorak]

There are plenty of young coaches/managers out there who'd be happy at coming to Oxford City to prove their worth by keeping the club up.

Someone mentioned about the managerial appointemnts at Abingdon Utd and Thatcham over the summer as being an example of "poor" decisions based on the results this season.

I think you need to look into what has happened at, for example, the two clubs mentioned above before stating that management change or the two managers appointed at those clubs was wrong.

Abingdon Utd started the season very well. They were top and unbeaten for, I think, the opening 7 games. Ok they have lost form in recent weeks but why has that happened?? Is there an injury crisis? Have other clubs noticed them doing well and come in prized away a couple of key assets? A club like Abingdon are probably at best mid-table level in the South & West. I'd say their manager has made a pretty decent start.........so why couldn't he do a similar job here?

Thatcham was a different situation. They lost almost a complete team during the summer and the new guy had to rebuild the squad. We played them pre-season and even then they looked a very decent outfit. Talking to their supporters they were expecting the season to be transitional one but were very excited by the appointment of the new manager. I watched their league game against Abingdon Utd where Thatcham ended Abingdon's unbeaten run (4-0 victory) and Thatcham were very good. They were just below mid-table when they let the manager go.....nobody really knows why they did that (although many local anoraks say there was a clash between the manager and the director of football). Notice they had to close their forum due to cricitism of the way the new manager was treated. Could he not come to Oxford City and rebuild?

We look doomed as it stands so why not give a young manager (the two above are just examples there maybe others as well) the chance, with renewed enthusiasm and new ideas, to keep us up? Seems to me we really do not have a lot to lose as it currently stands. A change might just do the club good.

[onlooker]

I think the people that run the club do a great job ,BUT when it comes to making a decision like changing the manager they do not have the bottle ,and with all the criticism of Mick Ford not a word of support from them in the paper or on the official club web site ,if they are happy with the way thing are panning out this season come out and say that the SOUTH & WEST LEAGUE is where they would be happy in

[clive]

I agree the board have been lousy in communication with the supporters - as nothing has been said about budget cut-backs then do we assume all the coming and goings of the players are purely decisions by Ford ? Or are there other factors which if known would lead to more sympathy for Ford's position ? Have they given any public support to the manager ? Is there any strategy

Reviewing some of the other recent postings :

- why was it always going to be hard job to stay in the division ? Everyone is affected by the recession, 6 teams in the Division had lower average attendances last season and a few more were only a small amount higher. Also, with the problems at Weymouth and Halesowen, City should now only have to find 2 other clubs to be better than. Expectations at the start of the season for most supporters was in the region of maybe play-offs but at least mid-table

- Fordy is working his arse off - so we reward effort rather than results ? Maybe it should be work smarter rather than harder ?

- They won't do it for nothing - Ford is doing this for free ?? What do other managers in this league get paid ?

- Didcot - they are at their highest place in the pyramid ever and still their supporters are complaining. Peace may make some odd team selections and tactics, but no-one in the history of Didcot has achieved better. They are obvious candidates for the Alan Curbishley syndrome

- Abingdon United - after the way they finished last season, the results so far this season must have surpassed expectations andt hey are having some injury problems

- Thatcham - thrashed Didcot in a pre-season friendly, good home league form, much unrest on their forum over the sacking of the manager which apparently has nothing to do with results

[Stumpy DTFC]

"Didcot - they are at their highest place in the pyramid ever and still their supporters are complaining. Peace may make some odd team selections and tactics, but no-one in the history of Didcot has achieved better. They are obvious candidates for the Alan Curbishley syndrome"

LOL I don't see calls for Peacey to be sacked on our forum bud!

It's just typical banter that really you should expect at these times and I'm sure that when all's said and done we would all acknowledge what he has done for the club and that he also did it for free.

And if it helps I'm watching and hoping that your situation improves.


Come on !!!

Up The OXOIANS !!!!!