| end of an era, start of another 20:01 - Oct 27 with 2651 views | basilrobbiereborn |
The only good thing about today's news really is that it puts a lot of people out of a very prolonged misery. I doubt the manager has enjoyed much if any of the last four months or so, and for that reason alone I think he'll be relieved as much as disappointed tonight.
I daresay a lot of people - like me - will have mixed feelings about it all. A great many people liked him for his stoicism and what was perceived as the quietly dignified way he went about things. On the downside, he was also perceived by many to be just as stubborn as the chairman, and it was clearly not a marriage made in heaven from the word go.
Most people have decided to put the blame for their dysfunctionality squarely at the door of the chairman, but there is another school of thought which says he had unrealistic expectations about what he would be able to spend, and still others who felt that having his agent in the middle of his dialogue with the chairman undermined them from the word go. I don't think any of us will really know who is to blame for what, but clearly they brought out the worst in one another too much of the time.
Such is the antipathy towards the chairman though, that Riga's appalling record on the pitch is going to go largely unremarked by many. It was so poor that he even managed a lower points per game ratio than Barry Ferguson, which takes some doing. In my time watching the club, perhaps the most reviled manager of all was the short-lived Graham Carr. He managed 23 points in 19 games ; what would we give for that now?
More to the point, he leaves us with a group of players whose collective ability and potential remains very uncertain. Some of them are clearly good players, and on occasions this year we have played some neat and attractive, if not very incisive football. But we have a plethora of midfield players who seem unable to create anything for the front players, nor protect a noble but beleaguered back five.
He also leaves us paper thin in certain positions, notably across the whole of the back line, and it is inevitable that arguments will rage about how much of it is his fault, and how much is that of a chairman who clearly lost faith in him quite a while ago.
And yet, despite all this, and not really being a fan of him, I have real reservations about whether he should have gone. We have had very little continuity in the last couple of years, and now we face yet more uncertainty whilst we await a new appointment. The new man has a big job on his hands, and whilst we shouldn't give this season up as a bad job yet, in some ways he will need to use the remaining 30 odd games as a platform to get us right for next year, wherever we may be.
As ever, the onus now is upon the chairman to be decisive and quick in finding a replacement. His recent track record in this regard is appalling, and he needs to recognise that the new man will be constrained enough by the situation we are in without the chairman adding further degrees of difficulty. He has more to lose from us being in L1 than anyone, so let's hope that has a galvanising effect.
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| end of an era, start of another on 20:12 - Oct 27 with 2079 views | Poolman |
I still don't really get what will be achieved by the sacking of Riga other than it will have given Karl great pleasure to do so. Wonder if Riga had made any contact with Belokon?! | |
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| end of an era, start of another on 20:16 - Oct 27 with 2067 views | steve_g |
| end of an era, start of another on 20:12 - Oct 27 by Poolman |
I still don't really get what will be achieved by the sacking of Riga other than it will have given Karl great pleasure to do so. Wonder if Riga had made any contact with Belokon?! |
Very eloquent and well written piece Robbie - think you hit many nails on their heads! | |
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| end of an era, start of another on 20:28 - Oct 27 with 2056 views | Plumbs |
It seems to have gone down hill for you guys since Ollie left,when Robbie you were saying almost the same thing about him.
Just saying | |
| Real fans go to pubs like the HITW or the Welly |
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| end of an era, start of another on 20:36 - Oct 27 with 1973 views | STHolder |
| end of an era, start of another on 20:28 - Oct 27 by Plumbs |
It seems to have gone down hill for you guys since Ollie left,when Robbie you were saying almost the same thing about him.
Just saying |
What the hell do you do with this group of weird collection of players. Get the feeling a lot will be nothing more than passengers for the rest of the season. Oyston said we need 4/5 players - where do you get those from in October!! | | | |
| end of an era, start of another on 20:46 - Oct 27 with 1895 views | straightatthewall |
| end of an era, start of another on 20:36 - Oct 27 by STHolder |
What the hell do you do with this group of weird collection of players. Get the feeling a lot will be nothing more than passengers for the rest of the season. Oyston said we need 4/5 players - where do you get those from in October!! |
Why do you think Oyston will get those 4-5 players? We've needed them since June and he's done nothing to make it happen. Please let's not add to this utter farce by thinking that maybe Karl has been hard done to. He's 100% to blame for where we are. His Dad too. There is nothing else to say or do on the subject.
Brilliant line about Karl having the most to lose by us going down Robbie. Fecking genius mate. Odd, but I'd have thought you as much as anyone would have remembered that we once got into the Premier League and you then get 4 seasons of massive wads of cash for doing so. |  |
| We got Bogdanovic, Oyston got very rich |
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| end of an era, start of another on 20:56 - Oct 27 with 1844 views | Mephistopheles |
I know it's dismissed as agenda driven anti-O bile but no matter how much we debate, what we believe etc., the one common denominator in all this that has caused so many failed management appointments and so much undoing of a great thing is KO.
The only time we ever went against the grain of how the club is run was when Belokon invested directly in the team. If he hadn't the rot that is now well back under way would have continued straight after Hendry left.
Until 'they' leave there is simply no way we are ever going to compete like we briefly did a few years ago. | | | |
| end of an era, start of another on 20:57 - Oct 27 with 1843 views | PNENIL |
It took long enough to appoint Riga and talks with him went on for a fair while so why wasn't due diligence done by KO when appointing him? The problems started immediately and there was a stand off for a month which has cost us dearly... I cant understand why these things didn't flag up at interview because they were poles apart on player recruitment .
Its hard to judge Riga's record here because the players brought in apart from Cubero were probably not his choices. This isn't inter Milan or somewhere where the manager has little input on the players he brings in and just coaches . He should have been able to recruit and the fact that he's remained , fronted up and stayed professional earns him a bit of respect from me. If KO really couldn't work with him then he should have acted sooner . As it is , he's let the weeks and games roll on and we are closer to League 1.
In saying all that, i still think after today we have a better chance now of staying up. KO needs to act fast and back the new manager whoever he may be. If he doesn't this club is really going to get out of control . We need some stability . | | | |
| end of an era, start of another on 21:02 - Oct 27 with 1820 views | Grayth |
Riga wanted to bring in better players, but wasn't allowed to by the chairman. Do you understand this basilrobbie? [Post edited 27 Oct 2014 22:16]
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| end of an era, start of another on 21:18 - Oct 27 with 1781 views | BISONS |
| end of an era, start of another on 21:02 - Oct 27 by Grayth |
Riga wanted to bring in better players, but wasn't allowed to by the chairman. Do you understand this basilrobbie? [Post edited 27 Oct 2014 22:16]
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He doesn't get it. Never has. He just rereads his posts back to himself in the mirror.
Oyston will have told him the budget. That budget never materialized. £300k on Cubero. The rest free transfers. Ranger on £200 a week gives you an inside into the budget. | | | |
| end of an era, start of another on 21:21 - Oct 27 with 1768 views | Stemroach |
| end of an era, start of another on 21:02 - Oct 27 by Grayth |
Riga wanted to bring in better players, but wasn't allowed to by the chairman. Do you understand this basilrobbie? [Post edited 27 Oct 2014 22:16]
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No, I'm fairly certain he doesn't |  |
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| end of an era, start of another on 21:38 - Oct 27 with 1714 views | 1953Original |
| end of an era, start of another on 21:21 - Oct 27 by Stemroach |
No, I'm fairly certain he doesn't |
I think the whole Riga saga will never be fully reported from both sides. Riga did bring 20 odd players in who he scouted, felt could improve the team and were his players that's a fact. His judgement on at least half of those was questionable.
HOWEVER (and this is the bit most will want to read) for whatever reason Karl didn't back Riga for the players he really wanted. Why this was we'll never know but there is no doubt he didn't get the players he wanted and wasn't offered support.
In hindsight he shouldn't have filled the squad with some of the crap he did and made a point that way but sadly whoever comes in has got a lot of crap and will have to try and sort out an unwholly mess. | |
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| end of an era, start of another on 22:10 - Oct 27 with 1655 views | stu |
I liked Riga, he went about his business in a dignified way. Unfortunately when the Chaiman and the manager lock horns, there's only ever going to be one winner. That said, despite the fact the players seemed to be squarely behind the manager, there is no doubting Riga made mistakes during his tenure. Perkins at left back on Saturday, Delna in the same position against Huddersfield and the decision to let Barkhuizen go to Morecambe being notable examples. Of course you can argue Riga was never given the resources to operate effectively, but I can't help feel his stubborn character meant he wasn't willing to give existing players a fair crack of the whip? Maybe not world beaters, but Grant, Barkhuizen, Davies were all proven at Championship level and Dunne is a specialist left back. All in all, another sorry chapter in the BFC story. No winners but lots of losers and a sadly divided fan base. All the more galling when our two near neighbours show what can be achieved by a modicum of stability and reasonable level of investment. |  |
| Tangerine is the new black |
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| end of an era, start of another on 22:13 - Oct 27 with 1642 views | Happy_Satsuma |
| end of an era, start of another on 22:10 - Oct 27 by stu |
I liked Riga, he went about his business in a dignified way. Unfortunately when the Chaiman and the manager lock horns, there's only ever going to be one winner. That said, despite the fact the players seemed to be squarely behind the manager, there is no doubting Riga made mistakes during his tenure. Perkins at left back on Saturday, Delna in the same position against Huddersfield and the decision to let Barkhuizen go to Morecambe being notable examples. Of course you can argue Riga was never given the resources to operate effectively, but I can't help feel his stubborn character meant he wasn't willing to give existing players a fair crack of the whip? Maybe not world beaters, but Grant, Barkhuizen, Davies were all proven at Championship level and Dunne is a specialist left back. All in all, another sorry chapter in the BFC story. No winners but lots of losers and a sadly divided fan base. All the more galling when our two near neighbours show what can be achieved by a modicum of stability and reasonable level of investment. |
Totally agree about not giving up on this season - I can see 5 wins if we get our squad sorted before the end of the year - OK 21 points would make for an uphill struggle in the second part of the season but would give us a fighting chance.
Sat 1 Nov 3:00pm Ipswich Town H
Wed 5 Nov 8:00pm Fulham A
Sat 8 Nov 3:00pm Leeds United A
Sat 22 Nov 3:00pm Bolton Wanderers H
Sat 29 Nov 3:00pm Rotherham United A
Sat 6 Dec 3:00pm Birmingham City H
Sat 13 Dec 3:00pm Charlton Athletic A
Sat 20 Dec 3:00pm AFC Bournemouth H
Fri 26 Dec 3:00pm Sheffield Wednesday A
Sun 28 Dec 3:00pm Rotherham United H |  |
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| end of an era, start of another on 23:27 - Oct 27 with 1550 views | Curryman |
I know I'm going to get mullered by some for what I say here and i start by repeating myself and repeating what others have said, the only man that is responsible for this mess is the Boss, Karl Oyston. It is he who has employed poor manager after poor manager (read my blog about forward planning).
It is he who has refused all managers the players that they have recommended either by not wanting to pay the going rate or by simply refusing to pay agents or transfer fees.
It is he who spent so much time appointing JR during the summer that we ended up with no pre season and a hotch potch of journeymen, inadequates and cast offs who didn't have any time to gell.
That said, and I have backed JR all the way in his struggle to patch a team together against all the odds, when I met JR at Huddersfield, he didn't impress me, he was a grey man in a grey suit in my eyes and I feel awful saying that.
Basically another mistake from the one to blame, if my opinion after one meeting was just that how come Karl could not or would not see it? He has allowed this situation to fester and then develop into the present crisis that we find ourselves in. Now we find out he is in Scotland, what for? He should be behind his desk ensuring that the current situation is not allowed to become even more critical than it already is, why hasn't he had a manager lined up instead of, once again, fire fighting with the few staff we have left?
If I was a psychologist I would probably understand how an dunderhead's brain worked, but I'm not so I don't, so like all other supporters I'll just have to wait and see what the next piece of the jigsaw, you know the one with one piece missing, is.
You couldn't make it up. |  |
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| end of an era, start of another on 00:04 - Oct 28 with 1523 views | ArchibaldKnox |
| end of an era, start of another on 23:27 - Oct 27 by Curryman |
I know I'm going to get mullered by some for what I say here and i start by repeating myself and repeating what others have said, the only man that is responsible for this mess is the Boss, Karl Oyston. It is he who has employed poor manager after poor manager (read my blog about forward planning).
It is he who has refused all managers the players that they have recommended either by not wanting to pay the going rate or by simply refusing to pay agents or transfer fees.
It is he who spent so much time appointing JR during the summer that we ended up with no pre season and a hotch potch of journeymen, inadequates and cast offs who didn't have any time to gell.
That said, and I have backed JR all the way in his struggle to patch a team together against all the odds, when I met JR at Huddersfield, he didn't impress me, he was a grey man in a grey suit in my eyes and I feel awful saying that.
Basically another mistake from the one to blame, if my opinion after one meeting was just that how come Karl could not or would not see it? He has allowed this situation to fester and then develop into the present crisis that we find ourselves in. Now we find out he is in Scotland, what for? He should be behind his desk ensuring that the current situation is not allowed to become even more critical than it already is, why hasn't he had a manager lined up instead of, once again, fire fighting with the few staff we have left?
If I was a psychologist I would probably understand how an dunderhead's brain worked, but I'm not so I don't, so like all other supporters I'll just have to wait and see what the next piece of the jigsaw, you know the one with one piece missing, is.
You couldn't make it up. |
End of an era? Just more of the same. Blather... | | | |
| end of an era, start of another on 00:17 - Oct 28 with 1509 views | stu |
| end of an era, start of another on 00:04 - Oct 28 by ArchibaldKnox |
End of an era? Just more of the same. Blather... |
And there was me thinking you were an intelligent bloke Archie. | |
| Tangerine is the new black |
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| end of an era, start of another on 00:27 - Oct 28 with 1505 views | ArchibaldKnox |
| end of an era, start of another on 00:17 - Oct 28 by stu |
And there was me thinking you were an intelligent bloke Archie. |
Employ manager, starve him of resources, then isolate him, hope he will resign, eventually sack him. And repeat. And it's really going to be different this time, isn't it, because KO has learned a whole new set of lessons?
End of an era? An "era" should last a little more than 15 games. So... blather.
Edit: Last bit deleted as probably a little too rude, Stu. I would never have said the same thing about you... [Post edited 28 Oct 2014 0:45]
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| end of an era, start of another on 10:35 - Oct 28 with 1379 views | Tejas |
| end of an era, start of another on 23:27 - Oct 27 by Curryman |
I know I'm going to get mullered by some for what I say here and i start by repeating myself and repeating what others have said, the only man that is responsible for this mess is the Boss, Karl Oyston. It is he who has employed poor manager after poor manager (read my blog about forward planning).
It is he who has refused all managers the players that they have recommended either by not wanting to pay the going rate or by simply refusing to pay agents or transfer fees.
It is he who spent so much time appointing JR during the summer that we ended up with no pre season and a hotch potch of journeymen, inadequates and cast offs who didn't have any time to gell.
That said, and I have backed JR all the way in his struggle to patch a team together against all the odds, when I met JR at Huddersfield, he didn't impress me, he was a grey man in a grey suit in my eyes and I feel awful saying that.
Basically another mistake from the one to blame, if my opinion after one meeting was just that how come Karl could not or would not see it? He has allowed this situation to fester and then develop into the present crisis that we find ourselves in. Now we find out he is in Scotland, what for? He should be behind his desk ensuring that the current situation is not allowed to become even more critical than it already is, why hasn't he had a manager lined up instead of, once again, fire fighting with the few staff we have left?
If I was a psychologist I would probably understand how an dunderhead's brain worked, but I'm not so I don't, so like all other supporters I'll just have to wait and see what the next piece of the jigsaw, you know the one with one piece missing, is.
You couldn't make it up. |
No reason why you should get Mullered for that, or any post Curryman. I’ve not been to nearly as many games as you this season due to work commitments, so I respect your view of Riga and I know personally how supportive you’ve been.
I really wanted Riga to work, because I liked him, and still believe that with the right backing by a progressive board and Chairman, he will make a half decent Championship Manager. After the Ince fiasco I was very pleased we got someone of his quality and potential, I was beginning to think the worst. However, looking back, and reflecting on your post, I think your point about KO’s managerial selection history is especially relevant. I remember, discussing this when Holloway left, with you and our usual “mob” in the South. I was convinced by that debate that Oyston had made some good choices with managerial positions, so why worry about the future.
At that time though, we were still basking over the outcome of the Grayson/Ollie era and things seemed much more optimistic then. However, it’s very clear now that actually Karl Oyston has an abysmal record with Managers, with both selection and support. After his breathtakingly childish “spat” with Riga, which would shame the most junior manager in my organisation, I’m struggling to get my head round where he is going to take us next. Whoever comes in MUST be his choice and work to his rules, that’s not unique to Blackpool, it’s the same at all clubs — the Management/Chairman relationship is key. But with his rules, that don’t appear to be competitive with any other club in any other professional league and his arrogant stance that he’s right and everyone one else in the game is wrong! I can see no further than a continuation of the “managed decline” that is so obviously an Oyston strategy.
I will support the Pool regardless, I will never boycott games, I think it’s counterproductive. But with Oyston at the helm “Progress” is on hold — don’t expect me to be happy with that, and I know you’re not either. | | | |
| end of an era, start of another on 10:46 - Oct 28 with 1369 views | Lala |
| end of an era, start of another on 10:35 - Oct 28 by Tejas |
No reason why you should get Mullered for that, or any post Curryman. I’ve not been to nearly as many games as you this season due to work commitments, so I respect your view of Riga and I know personally how supportive you’ve been.
I really wanted Riga to work, because I liked him, and still believe that with the right backing by a progressive board and Chairman, he will make a half decent Championship Manager. After the Ince fiasco I was very pleased we got someone of his quality and potential, I was beginning to think the worst. However, looking back, and reflecting on your post, I think your point about KO’s managerial selection history is especially relevant. I remember, discussing this when Holloway left, with you and our usual “mob” in the South. I was convinced by that debate that Oyston had made some good choices with managerial positions, so why worry about the future.
At that time though, we were still basking over the outcome of the Grayson/Ollie era and things seemed much more optimistic then. However, it’s very clear now that actually Karl Oyston has an abysmal record with Managers, with both selection and support. After his breathtakingly childish “spat” with Riga, which would shame the most junior manager in my organisation, I’m struggling to get my head round where he is going to take us next. Whoever comes in MUST be his choice and work to his rules, that’s not unique to Blackpool, it’s the same at all clubs — the Management/Chairman relationship is key. But with his rules, that don’t appear to be competitive with any other club in any other professional league and his arrogant stance that he’s right and everyone one else in the game is wrong! I can see no further than a continuation of the “managed decline” that is so obviously an Oyston strategy.
I will support the Pool regardless, I will never boycott games, I think it’s counterproductive. But with Oyston at the helm “Progress” is on hold — don’t expect me to be happy with that, and I know you’re not either. |
Good, fair OP.
I am content that Riga has gone, not because of any issue I have with the guy, but because his relationship with the Chairman has been doomed from day 2, if not day 1.
Take aside blame (go on, I dare you), and just take a simple look at how this relationship has affected the club negatively. How long could that continue, certainly not for too much longer, so why not end it now.
I think we need to see what a new manager can do with this current squad, and what Riga can do with another squad before judgement can be truly passed.
Onwards and upwards - as they say...........if God gives you lemons, make lemondade.. |  |
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| end of an era, start of another on 11:02 - Oct 28 with 1354 views | West_Stand_Ultra |
| end of an era, start of another on 10:46 - Oct 28 by Lala |
Good, fair OP.
I am content that Riga has gone, not because of any issue I have with the guy, but because his relationship with the Chairman has been doomed from day 2, if not day 1.
Take aside blame (go on, I dare you), and just take a simple look at how this relationship has affected the club negatively. How long could that continue, certainly not for too much longer, so why not end it now.
I think we need to see what a new manager can do with this current squad, and what Riga can do with another squad before judgement can be truly passed.
Onwards and upwards - as they say...........if God gives you lemons, make lemondade.. |
I will be glad when the Oyston era has finished we may have a chance then ,the pillock should have backed his manager in the first place ,hence we are where we are its all down to him I would say. | | | |
| end of an era, start of another on 11:14 - Oct 28 with 1345 views | Curryman |
| end of an era, start of another on 10:35 - Oct 28 by Tejas |
No reason why you should get Mullered for that, or any post Curryman. I’ve not been to nearly as many games as you this season due to work commitments, so I respect your view of Riga and I know personally how supportive you’ve been.
I really wanted Riga to work, because I liked him, and still believe that with the right backing by a progressive board and Chairman, he will make a half decent Championship Manager. After the Ince fiasco I was very pleased we got someone of his quality and potential, I was beginning to think the worst. However, looking back, and reflecting on your post, I think your point about KO’s managerial selection history is especially relevant. I remember, discussing this when Holloway left, with you and our usual “mob” in the South. I was convinced by that debate that Oyston had made some good choices with managerial positions, so why worry about the future.
At that time though, we were still basking over the outcome of the Grayson/Ollie era and things seemed much more optimistic then. However, it’s very clear now that actually Karl Oyston has an abysmal record with Managers, with both selection and support. After his breathtakingly childish “spat” with Riga, which would shame the most junior manager in my organisation, I’m struggling to get my head round where he is going to take us next. Whoever comes in MUST be his choice and work to his rules, that’s not unique to Blackpool, it’s the same at all clubs — the Management/Chairman relationship is key. But with his rules, that don’t appear to be competitive with any other club in any other professional league and his arrogant stance that he’s right and everyone one else in the game is wrong! I can see no further than a continuation of the “managed decline” that is so obviously an Oyston strategy.
I will support the Pool regardless, I will never boycott games, I think it’s counterproductive. But with Oyston at the helm “Progress” is on hold — don’t expect me to be happy with that, and I know you’re not either. |
Thanks for your support TJ. Hope to see you Saturday if I'm not barred before then.  | |
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| end of an era, start of another on 11:20 - Oct 28 with 1329 views | Tejas |
| end of an era, start of another on 11:14 - Oct 28 by Curryman |
Thanks for your support TJ. Hope to see you Saturday if I'm not barred before then. |
I'll be there Curryman. I've got some business in the North West on Thursday, so me and Mrs Tejas will be driving up to the Lancashire Riviera on Wednesday night. | | | |
| end of an era, start of another on 11:32 - Oct 28 with 1315 views | crewcut |
The day Riga introduced Karl to his agent was the day he signed his own death warrant. It was just a matter of time till the Inevitable crash to his forgettable piloting of Pool.
In some ways it should have been easy for him. Expectancy levels were low here and that is always a bonus for a new man in charge at a football club. He also managed to get the fans on his side early on.
Despite this he made a poor fist of it, with little help from the Chairman it has to be said (see first sentence), but did bring some poor players into the squad.
Anyway its over and I am sure he will not be leaving with empty pockets. A pay off for a failed tenure. Its happening across the board in the game these days. |  | | |
| end of an era, start of another on 15:58 - Oct 28 with 1224 views | CashCow |
I think you're right Basil to talk about the start of an era - one thing I was thinking after Birmingham, Blackpool should be a breeze for Clark!! | | | |
| end of an era, start of another on 16:33 - Oct 28 with 1207 views | Old_Laytonian |
| end of an era, start of another on 10:46 - Oct 28 by Lala |
Good, fair OP.
I am content that Riga has gone, not because of any issue I have with the guy, but because his relationship with the Chairman has been doomed from day 2, if not day 1.
Take aside blame (go on, I dare you), and just take a simple look at how this relationship has affected the club negatively. How long could that continue, certainly not for too much longer, so why not end it now.
I think we need to see what a new manager can do with this current squad, and what Riga can do with another squad before judgement can be truly passed.
Onwards and upwards - as they say...........if God gives you lemons, make lemondade.. |
If God gave me lemons I'd make Gin & Tonics  |  | | |
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