Let's just all stop

Oh come on.
I want to complain about having nothing to complain about.
It’s just not what we’re used to 🤷‍♂️

I predicted we'd finish 18th. There's still time to get there!

For sure.

interestingly some viewed the step up from NL to League 2 to be not much.  Similarly from League 2 to League 1.  But I see the jumps as significant.  I see the odd NL game, Eastleigh for example and the jump in class is huge.  To think that not so long ago we were NL is frankly amazing.  We have come so far and quickly.  

it’s quite astonishing what Justin and Richie achieved. Not forgetting our Directors.  I think the OP is correct in reminding us of how far we have come.  I need no reminding, I hated us in NL with a passion. No disrespect intended, I frequently watch NL and Wessex league and find it enjoyable,  But league 1 is fantastic in comparison.

But if our top management have longer term ambitions to push on, that’s great by me.  I’ll continue to do my modest bit on Saturdays.  Loving football life right now.

It all comes down to one person the manager. Yes our board is magnificent and I’ve said it many times, in all honesty the best this club has ever had in all probability. If we look at our history of appointments since T&T took over it’s only Justin and Richie who were and are winners. They are both cut from a different cloth. The rest were useless in all honesty and let’s not forget they both came to us, we didn’t go to either of them. So how crucial is the manager?

Man Utd floundered for years despite backing successive managers until Sir Alex came along and you could argue they’ve struggled since he left once more.
Liverpool was a title and cup wining machine but as soon as the last boot room person left they struggled despite lots of money and high profile names until Kloop arrived.

The manager is the most important person in a football club who is rightly supported by his wider team, by his dof, and by the owners all pulling in the same direction. If Richie goes we’re going back to the embleton and Davis type appointments so it’s crucial this current incumbent is backed and supported in a sustainable as possible way as he will deliver what the owners want. This is a special time to be an O and it’s only after RW goes will some realise how good a match he and the club and fans were.

Totally agree.  Both RW and Justin a step above the others for us.  Let’s hope RW enjoys his time with us as much as we do.  It will end one day but enjoy it whilst it lasts.  Top man.  Great football manager and charismatic person. Rare combination.  

To be fair, managers who can achieve like Justin and Ritchie are quite rare. Most managers fail. That’s why the average length of employment of an EFL manager is just under a year. Any club that can appoint a Ritchie or a Justin every time would he be one hell of a club.

The type of players play a huge role in the success of the team too. All well and good bringing in players that are a cut above the rest of the squad, but if they are only in it for themselves then not only will they tend to not get on with their teammates, but will also belittle the manager. Just have to look back to our dark days and compare with the same situation Southend went through. We had senior players that refused to play as weren't getting paid, whereas the Southend players just knuckled down when they were in the same position.

I agree that RW and JE are/were the biggest influencers but as someone who has headed up large teams (50, 70, 20), I see it more like putting a jigsaw together. Granted that RW is a big piece in that jigsaw but the other pieces have to fit perfectly in the overall picture as well or else it doesnt work. RW did well at Swindon but then didn't succeed at Salford or Doncaster where the pieces didn't fit properly.

Look at Poch at Chelsea, den Haag at Man U. Both good managers but struggling.

Finally RW needs to always bear in mind that the grass isn't always greener elsewhere - something that I had to learn the hard way in my business career.

The jigsaw analogy is spot on Duvb.  A great observation based on experience. When it all comes together it’s great. But that is not all that common in my experience. Personalities and attitudes sometime more valuable than skills, which of course must still exist.  Something I believe we got wrong with Jackett and Fletcher but right with JE and RW.

i agree sometimes the grass is not always greener elsewhere.  Most of us have probably experienced that.  However I don’t believe that prospect should stop ambitious people trying.  Sometimes the grass ends up being a whole lot more greener.