Training?

[moynkeepthefaith]

Originally Posted by Red Light

Long range thunderbolt shots into the top of the net - I recall a different one - we were trailing 0 - 1 at home to Fulham when he let fly from a long way out into the Tech End net to get us a draw in a 1 - 1.

I stand to be corrected but Graham W had a very short playing career due to a knee injury - finished well before the age of 30 - I also remember with great fondness his brother Alan playing for Everton back in the Championship winning team of 1970 when Everton were the big money club under John Moores - Alan was often named sub but similar to David Fairclough at Liverpool had the knack of changing a game - bright blonde hair which made him stand out in the days of West, Labone, Harvey, Ball, Kendall, Royle and Morrisey - think Alan later played for Crystal Palace. Wonder where both are now - seems a lifetime ago doesn't it ?

Yes you are right and maybe heresy to say it on here but Arfon did him no favours playing him at full back while already injured. I can also recall a goal against Middlesbrough in a friendly when he scored while sat on the pitch doing his laces ! And of course Carlisle away when he scored all 4 in a 4-1 thrashing.
As you say - a long time ago but still makes me smile.

[oldtimer]

Originally Posted by Corner Flag

I have not ripped apart the whole training progamme just stated what I saw over a 15 min period. I have watched the training a few times and Keates has taken some previous sessions but he appeared to take a back seat today. If you think all is well at our club well good luck with that . There is a consistancy in the club that is leading to continued and ever increasing failure on the pitch. Darlington I am sure means well but how on earth can a coach pop in for a few hours once a week and then expect the players to have a clue what to do when I expect others in Darlingtons absence give them alternate or opposings ideas ?

Its only my opinion for what its worth but you can clearly see that the tactics etc are often wrong with some players not having a clue what to do on match days and those that do get frustrated by being told one thing then another .

I really hope that the team , coaches, managers etc etc have turned a corner now and we get some consistency into our play and results ( winning not losing)

Finally why dont more of you that can spend the time pop down and watch the training ? pick up a nice bacon roll and a Costa from the Spar ( only £3 I think) and sit there and watch and decide for yourselves if all is well

My opinion for what its worth having done coaching/managing. I have watched them train a few times when visiting albeit mostly in pre season. All fine and well letting the coach take a training session but as above all I see is the manager standing by while Darlington took the sessions. Now I have no problem with him doing this now and again but is there one day a week and runs the show. Do the players respect him as he has done nothing football wise and seems to have his backside covered with the board. Would the players respect the managers more and understand what was required tactically if he was the one explaining and giving the orders at ALL sessions? Moyes took over at West Ham this week and first day he is on the training ground giving the orders and they gained a 4-0 win. The players know who is in charge from the start and respect that person. Maybe a bit like a relief teacher coming in you took the pi$$ as there was going to be no punishment.

[moynkeepthefaith]

Originally Posted by gazwxm

So someone watched 15 minutes of a training session and now it’s turned into a Keates/Darlington bashing thread, Ridiculous really, Keates is manager so would obviously delegate some sessions to his staff (Davies and Darlington) if they didn’t do anything then the same morons would be saying they don’t do anything. This place really is a case of the lunatics taking over the asylum

I would tend to agree. Storm in a teacup.

[Corner Flag]

Originally Posted by moynkeepthefaith

I would tend to agree. Storm in a teacup.

Yes you must be right , our results since Keates returned plus our performances under previous managers with Darlington as coach clearly show all is well !!

[sparky]

Originally Posted by oldtimer

My opinion for what its worth having done coaching/managing. I have watched them train a few times when visiting albeit mostly in pre season. All fine and well letting the coach take a training session but as above all I see is the manager standing by while Darlington took the sessions. Now I have no problem with him doing this now and again but is there one day a week and runs the show. Do the players respect him as he has done nothing football wise and seems to have his backside covered with the board. Would the players respect the managers more and understand what was required tactically if he was the one explaining and giving the orders at ALL sessions? Moyes took over at West Ham this week and first day he is on the training ground giving the orders and they gained a 4-0 win. The players know who is in charge from the start and respect that person. Maybe a bit like a relief teacher coming in you took the pi$$ as there was going to be no punishment.

Very much this. Also, how many different systems have these players played under Darlington? One week it's four at the back, then it's three/five, before that it's a diamond etc. Yes he may well be carrying out orders but has there been too much tactical water that has gone under the bridge for for the players to be really buying into what he says anymore.

[moynkeepthefaith]

Originally Posted by Corner Flag

Yes you must be right , our results since Keates returned plus our performances under previous managers with Darlington as coach clearly show all is well !!

One thing does not prove the other as I’m sure you know. The point is that watching for 15 minutes hardly constitutes a comprehensive analysis.
Nobody says all is well but this is hardly proof positive.

[davewilli]

Originally Posted by moynkeepthefaith

One thing does not prove the other as I’m sure you know. The point is that watching for 15 minutes hardly constitutes a comprehensive analysis.
Nobody says all is well but this is hardly proof positive.

True, for me the bottom line is the manager instability over the last few seasons is the route cause of our issues. Regain some stability and we will progress.

[moynkeepthefaith]

Originally Posted by davewilli

True, for me the bottom line is the manager instability over the last few seasons is the route cause of our issues. Regain some stability and we will progress.

I agree and there are many reasons for that not least of which is poor manager selection by the board particularly in the case of Barrow and Hughes. The jury simply has to be out on Keates and I hope he keeps us up and then let’s see.
The supporters need to be able to believe in the board structure and that ,for me, means a considerably more professional approach. Corner Flag may well be right and there may be problems at coaching level but I am unconvinced by the evidence proffered to date.

[Red Light]

Originally Posted by moynkeepthefaith

I agree and there are many reasons for that not least of which is poor manager selection by the board particularly in the case of Barrow and Hughes. The jury simply has to be out on Keates and I hope he keeps us up and then let’s see.
The supporters need to be able to believe in the board structure and that ,for me, means a considerably more professional approach. Corner Flag may well be right and there may be problems at coaching level but I am unconvinced by the evidence proffered to date.

And if Darlington only gets involved in coaching for one day a week can he really do that much damage ? What happens in the other four days of the week between weekends ? There is almost an argument for asking the simple question 'why do we bother with him if his time input is so minimal - do we really need him ? Or is he really involved in training much more than one day a week ?