Tommy

[Alex]

Pleased he's staying,the last couple of seasons have been a great roller coaster ride and rejuvenated my enthusiasm to support the club.It was really dire before he arrived.The main issues can only be resolved by those in charge i.e the BOD and sadly I can't see that changing anytime soon.

+1

He's done a good job given the impediments that he and his team face, mainly finance

Also, he gets a lot of stick from people on football matters on which they know little. Faced with similar, I'd have been far less subdued with my responses.

Can you tell me, please, ST ... what are the football matters that TW wrongly gets stick on from people who know little? My own assessment of the criticism that he gets on Shotsweb is that it is generally valid and well informed. Of course, there will always be loudmouths at matches who yell ignorant criticisms in the heat of the moment, but I assume you are not referring to that?

One thing none of us (or most of us) know is what goes on in training, who’s maybe carrying a knock, or as TW often says, what’s going on in a players life. I guess there’s actually quite a few possible reasons why a player might not be picked, despite supporters thinking they should be?

[Charles Dickens]

Pleased he's staying,the last couple of seasons have been a great roller coaster ride and rejuvenated my enthusiasm to support the club.It was really dire before he arrived.The main issues can only be resolved by those in charge i.e the BOD and sadly I can't see that changing anytime soon.

+1

He's done a good job given the impediments that he and his team face, mainly finance

Also, he gets a lot of stick from people on football matters on which they know little. Faced with similar, I'd have been far less subdued with my responses.

Can you tell me, please, ST ... what are the football matters that TW wrongly gets stick on from people who know little? My own assessment of the criticism that he gets on Shotsweb is that it is generally valid and well informed. Of course, there will always be loudmouths at matches who yell ignorant criticisms in the heat of the moment, but I assume you are not referring to that?

I nominate OB for top comedy act for this season.

[Northcampshot]

TW has too many weaknesses for me, if he stays we can expect more of the same. I do agree that if Theo goes it might help with my stance on him but I'd rather he moved on. Tables never lie and I really can't see how he improves us as if he is here next year it is likely that most of this squad will be back.

I'd love to be proved wrong on all the above and then I too will be in the TW fan club.

[karlready]

I think TW has done his best with a very uncompetitive budget, he has assembled a group of players just about adequate for survival. He has had mixed fortunes with loanees, but got lucky with the young CBs, without whom I fear we would have been relegated. However, I am not sure I can tolerate another season of the disciplinary shenanigans and one-eyed favourite selection. I hope we win at Wembley, and he can depart with some gratitude.

[Old Bob]

+1

He's done a good job given the impediments that he and his team face, mainly finance

Also, he gets a lot of stick from people on football matters on which they know little. Faced with similar, I'd have been far less subdued with my responses.

Can you tell me, please, ST ... what are the football matters that TW wrongly gets stick on from people who know little? My own assessment of the criticism that he gets on Shotsweb is that it is generally valid and well informed. Of course, there will always be loudmouths at matches who yell ignorant criticisms in the heat of the moment, but I assume you are not referring to that?

I nominate OB for top comedy act for this season.

Thank you for your appreciation of my comedic talents, Chas. I'm not sure that you are the best judge of such matters, or even a half decent one, but I guess we have to take praise graciously in whatever form it comes.

[Gone West]

It feels to me that even the doubters, of which I am one, desperately want to love TW but he makes it so damn difficult by his actions. I could accept the ups and downs on the pitch as long as the players show desire, effort and commitment to the shirt.

TW has to look at himself in the mirror and see the negative traits that are clear to everyone else. Lose the big boss attitude and nurture a collaborative relationship with fans. Accept that accusations of nepotism are driving division and need to be dealt with starting by telling his son that the time has come to prove he is a footballer in his own right. If TW was right all along about his son and we were wrong then Theo should be able to get a regular starting place at any number of NL clubs. Cut him loose to sink or swim. Finally, make a concerted effort to improve the club’s disciplinary record starting with himself.

Tommy, the journey you mention would be so much more fulfilling and fun for all involved if you were prepared to become more in tune with supporters. You are actually wrong sometimes just like every one of us.

That’s it from me….I am now going into full on Wembley day out mode! All negativity suspended and whatever the result on Sunday let’s put the occasion up there with the small handful of historic days in Shots’ history.

I think what you are saying, GW, is that Tommy would be fine if he was a different person

I’d prefer “a capacity to change” I think.

[Alf W]

I think Tommy is severely restricted in terms of finance.There are no financial fair play rules in our league so we have mega rich owners prepared to throw good money after bad in their pursuit of league football etc.We also have no means of additional income through the week when compared to clubs who hire out facilities etc.I wish we could finish higher and there are exceptions who manage it without massive cash inflows eg Halifax, Gateshead but the reality we can’t compete with even the likes of Eastleigh and Sutton for better players !

[ShotOnTarget]

I think Tommy is severely restricted in terms of finance.There are no financial fair play rules in our league so we have mega rich owners prepared to throw good money after bad in their pursuit of league football etc.We also have no means of additional income through the week when compared to clubs who hire out facilities etc.I wish we could finish higher and there are exceptions who manage it without massive cash inflows eg Halifax, Gateshead but the reality we can’t compete with even the likes of Eastleigh and Sutton for better players !

i agree. I would add that the advantages we have over many of the other National League clubs is good passionate support at decent levels, plus a history, albeit by proxy from AFC 1926.

Unfortunately various boards over the years have not fully taken advantage of this.

[Silasgoldeen]

I think Tommy is severely restricted in terms of finance.There are no financial fair play rules in our league so we have mega rich owners prepared to throw good money after bad in their pursuit of league football etc.We also have no means of additional income through the week when compared to clubs who hire out facilities etc.I wish we could finish higher and there are exceptions who manage it without massive cash inflows eg Halifax, Gateshead but the reality we can’t compete with even the likes of Eastleigh and Sutton for better players !

that's the problem isn't it? If half the teams in the league are prepared to lose £1m a season then the teams trying to make ends meet can't compete. That puts a ceiling on what you can achieve. The ceiling gets lower and lower and eventually you run out of road.

[Birdman]

I think Tommy is severely restricted in terms of finance.There are no financial fair play rules in our league so we have mega rich owners prepared to throw good money after bad in their pursuit of league football etc.We also have no means of additional income through the week when compared to clubs who hire out facilities etc.I wish we could finish higher and there are exceptions who manage it without massive cash inflows eg Halifax, Gateshead but the reality we can’t compete with even the likes of Eastleigh and Sutton for better players !

that's the problem isn't it? If half the teams in the league are prepared to lose £1m a season then the teams trying to make ends meet can't compete. That puts a ceiling on what you can achieve. The ceiling gets lower and lower and eventually you run out of road.

I think that ‘run out of height’ might be more appropriate, Silas.

[Silasgoldeen]

I think Tommy is severely restricted in terms of finance.There are no financial fair play rules in our league so we have mega rich owners prepared to throw good money after bad in their pursuit of league football etc.We also have no means of additional income through the week when compared to clubs who hire out facilities etc.I wish we could finish higher and there are exceptions who manage it without massive cash inflows eg Halifax, Gateshead but the reality we can’t compete with even the likes of Eastleigh and Sutton for better players !

that's the problem isn't it? If half the teams in the league are prepared to lose £1m a season then the teams trying to make ends meet can't compete. That puts a ceiling on what you can achieve. The ceiling gets lower and lower and eventually you run out of road.

I think that ‘run out of height’ might be more appropriate, Silas.

good point, I could've mixed that metaphor more effectively!

[SteveyAsp]

It's hardly a big statement, he's got a deal until the end of next season and the club can't afford to sack him.
If he could get performances to match his ego he wouldn't have a problem.
The pressure will be on next season especially with ticket prices going up.

[Graham Stovold]

I think a lot of people are on the fence.

With Tommy you get plenty of drama , Theo, inconsistencies and unpredictable scorelines.

Following the news we don't have a pot to piss in, I think even the most pragmatic of supporters can see we simply can't afford to sack him.

I agree, I had my doubts after the defeat at Eastleigh. But that is in the past for me, the BOD would be taking a massive & expensive gamble if they decided to part ways with Tommy. Besides, who can we afford that fans think could do a better job, taking the financial situation into account ?

Tommy has earned the right to see out his year of his current contract, if it doesn’t work out, then the BOD can review it then. The squad needs improvement, this Summer will be his big test for us supporters.

[SteveyAsp]

I think a lot of people are on the fence.

With Tommy you get plenty of drama , Theo, inconsistencies and unpredictable scorelines.

Following the news we don't have a pot to piss in, I think even the most pragmatic of supporters can see we simply can't afford to sack him.

I agree, I had my doubts after the defeat at Eastleigh. But that is in the past for me, the BOD would be taking a massive & expensive gamble if they decided to part ways with Tommy. Besides, who can we afford that fans think could do a better job, taking the financial situation into account ?

Tommy has earned the right to see out his year of his current contract, if it doesn’t work out, then the BOD can review it then. The squad needs improvement, this Summer will be his big test for us supporters.

I never go along with this "Who would replace him" if the job goes up I'm pretty sure there would be plenty of decent candidates looking for a way back into the game.
The lottery is choosing the right one which hasn't been the BOD strongest point over the years.

[Charles Dickens]

The best way to improve the squad is to have a manager with football experience and with the personality to attract good players to join Aldershot on a limited budget. Tommy has these proven qualities, let him get on with the job.

I am now looking forward to next season, if I am still around of course.