Get Wilkins back in charge now!

[Mr Burns]

Right I'll let you all in on a little secret. I have a number of contacts at the club and get to hear most of the goings on there.

There was one reason and one reason alone why Dean Wilkins was sacked, and that is the board decided that he had no commerical pull. The dropping gates was the reason that they needed to bring back a "big name pull" and that is why Mickey Adams was brought back. It was felt that if Adams was in charge, the fans would come back to the Withdean. That, and that alone was the reason Wilkins was sacked.

It was not for personal reasons, it was not for footballing reasons, it was purely commerical. This is why he was offered the head coach role, and also why the rest of the management staff were offered coaching roles. IT was purely the club felt it needed to address the falling gates, and Dick Knight I can tell you know was not 100% behind the idea, but as you are probably aware, Dick Knight does NOT have the total control over this club he likes to make out, and if certain "backers" tells him strongly enough to jump, then he jumps.

Whether it was right or wrong, it happened. We probably still need to put commerical interests before footballing one at the moment, but there comes a time when Adams has got to deliver or the clubs plan will backfire. I dont think theres any doubt that Wilkins is a better manager and coach than Adams but whats done is done. The reason Adams done so well first time around, is he had good contacts and a lot of money. As he's moved to higher clubs he hasn't really had this failed, which is why he's back here, but I for one no longer "keep the faith" and think under Adams we have found our level in this division, and I think we have more chance of playing Crawley next year than we do Tottenham!

 

[pasty]

I believe the reason why Wilkins was sacked was to do with the falling crowds at Withdean. It was difficult to push on with Falmer if we were only getting crowds of 4K.

If our current home form continues much longer then we'll be lucky to get 4K at Withdean soon.

 

[Mr Burns]

I believe the reason why Wilkins was sacked was to do with the falling crowds at Withdean. It was difficult to push on with Falmer if we were only getting crowds of 4K. I don't think DK could give a stuff as to whether Wilkins was popular in the dressing room, in the same way he couldn't care less if Adams upsets Lynch, Cox, Robinson etc. 7th was an excellent place to finish last season but Wilkins personality meant he didn't connect with the fans and that was seen as the reason why the crowds were falling. Adams does create much more enthusiasm and there has been an increase in gates but that won't last unless we start winning some home games.

Is the correct answer

 

[BigGully]

What do you find bizaare about somebody that just wants to get behind the team and manager and not want to see stupid threads like this being started?

Why do people always do that 'I am not anti Adams' as though I was aiming it at YOU, i was saying it to anyone that it refers to. And of course he isn't going to return.

Of course there are going to be discussions about previous seasons, but starting a thread called 'Get Wilkins back in charge now' is hardly fair and doesn't help matters.

You say about Wilkins being allowed to put his own ethos and style in place, is exactly what people aren't giving Adams the time to do. I do acknowledge the 7th place finish, but it isn't what I base my opinion on, like you and many others do. To be honest I'm quite sick of spelling out why I didn't think Wilkins was good enough, and I'm also sick of people thinking he was so bloody great when so many times last season we were terrible and lost many games that we shouldn't.

Those games that you felt we lost that we should of won would probably of given us an automatic promotion place and I think Wilkins would of conceded that the team wasnt of that level then.

He might also argue that if given just part of the financial support afforded Adams then he might of been able to win those games you mention, offering a real push for promotion. Who knows ?

The debate is comparing the resources and status offered to our current manager by the club and the subsequent poor start.

Its a matter of fact that sacking a manager that is delivering progress is a risk, something that the less successful Chairman do with regualarity.

We have a team that is expensive, not playing good football and the local talent gradually displaced, the only way that can be tolerated is if we are winning and we are not.

 

[NS Herald]

It won't happen but what is happening is that we have a situation of 'you don't appreciate what you've got until its gone'.

Anyone with half a brain cell can see that the quality of 'football' is not there. it wasn't there in pre season against Burgess Hill, it wasn't there against Ipsiwch and it hasn't been there for most of the time in most of the games this season.

It was there against Man City but I would note the players had enough time on the ball to write a book compared to the hussle and bustle of 3rd div fayre.

Almost every single player is performing at a lower standard that last season and the new 'experienced' ones are not showing anything special (Thorton at home last week being the exception). So what is the common denominator?

 

[supaseagull]

Because we're all Brighton supporters on a Brighton & H A internet discussion forum, with differing opinions on the current regime?

Now why don't YOU f*** off back to brightonfans where you'll be welcome (as long as you have the same opinion as London Irish).

1 - I've never been on Brightonfans.com
2 - How can you call for a manager's head when the team's only lost 3 league games all season?
3 - Funny how after the Man City game everyone including you was saying MA was a genius
4 - We lost to Leeds on Saturday, who - whether you like it or not were the best team we've played in the League this season.
5 - A change of manager won't improve the situation we're in...new players and patience will.

Why do people think that we have a divine right to win every game? Yes - the football's disappointing at the moment, but if you thought that every game we played under Adams before was brilliant then you never watched us in his first season! Some of the football we played was dreadful but was perked up by the wins V Mansfield at Home, Chester away & Macclesfield at home.

 

[pasty]

Right I'll let you all in on a little secret. I have a number of contacts at the club and get to hear most of the goings on there.

There was one reason and one reason alone why Dean Wilkins was sacked, and that is the board decided that he had no commerical pull. The dropping gates was the reason that they needed to bring back a "big name pull" and that is why Mickey Adams was brought back. It was felt that if Adams was in charge, the fans would come back to the Withdean. That, and that alone was the reason Wilkins was sacked.

It was not for personal reasons, it was not for footballing reasons, it was purely commerical. This is why he was offered the head coach role, and also why the rest of the management staff were offered coaching roles. IT was purely the club felt it needed to address the falling gates, and Dick Knight I can tell you know was not 100% behind the idea, but as you are probably aware, Dick Knight does NOT have the total control over this club he likes to make out, and if certain "backers" tells him strongly enough to jump, then he jumps.

Whether it was right or wrong, it happened. We probably still need to put commerical interests before footballing one at the moment, but there comes a time when Adams has got to deliver or the clubs plan will backfire. I dont think theres any doubt that Wilkins is a better manager and coach than Adams but whats done is done. The reason Adams done so well first time around, is he had good contacts and a lot of money. As he's moved to higher clubs he hasn't really had this failed, which is why he's back here, but I for one no longer "keep the faith" and think under Adams we have found our level in this division, and I think we have more chance of playing Crawley next year than we do Tottenham!

If true, then that is a f***ing disgrace. Success on the pitch breeds commerical success. If the people in power were worried about falling gates, are they going to repeat the process when hardly anyone turns up for home games if our home form continues in its rich vein of crapness?

 

[Brovion]

No not the WHOLE season but 6 games in as US said. Yes it does start with pre-season and of course it helps but that doesn't mean everything will be right or perfect straight away, you don't always have the great start you want. Anyway you're picking, the point is Wilkins took over very, very early on in the season, not half way through and had plenty of time and I'm comparing this to Adams. One rule for one, one for the other.

Eh? I'm not picking and I'm not saying there was one rule for one and one for another. Where on earth did you get that from?

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

If true, then that is a f***ing disgrace. Success on the pitch breeds commerical success. If the people in power were worried about falling gates, are they going to repeat the process when hardly anyone turns up for home games if our home form continues in its rich vein of crapness?

Our average league gates for the last two seasons were:
2006/7 - 6047
2007/8 - 5936

The average (to date) this season is 5990.

 

[m20gull]

Anyone with half a brain cell can see that the quality of 'football' is not there. it wasn't there in pre season against Burgess Hill, it wasn't there against Ipsiwch and it hasn't been there for most of the time in most of the games this season.

And nor was it there last season. There seems a lot of rise-tinting going on just because we finished seventh.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

I'm waiting for BigGullys respone to Mr Burns' post, this could get interesting

 

[BigGully]

Right I'll let you all in on a little secret. I have a number of contacts at the club and get to hear most of the goings on there.

There was one reason and one reason alone why Dean Wilkins was sacked, and that is the board decided that he had no commerical pull. The dropping gates was the reason that they needed to bring back a "big name pull" and that is why Mickey Adams was brought back. It was felt that if Adams was in charge, the fans would come back to the Withdean. That, and that alone was the reason Wilkins was sacked.

It was not for personal reasons, it was not for footballing reasons, it was purely commerical. This is why he was offered the head coach role, and also why the rest of the management staff were offered coaching roles. IT was purely the club felt it needed to address the falling gates, and Dick Knight I can tell you know was not 100% behind the idea, but as you are probably aware, Dick Knight does NOT have the total control over this club he likes to make out, and if certain "backers" tells him strongly enough to jump, then he jumps.

Whether it was right or wrong, it happened. We probably still need to put commerical interests before footballing one at the moment, but there comes a time when Adams has got to deliver or the clubs plan will backfire. I dont think theres any doubt that Wilkins is a better manager and coach than Adams but whats done is done. The reason Adams done so well first time around, is he had good contacts and a lot of money. As he's moved to higher clubs he hasn't really had this failed, which is why he's back here, but I for one no longer "keep the faith" and think under Adams we have found our level in this division, and I think we have more chance of playing Crawley next year than we do Tottenham!

Although I think we are on the same side here, as far as not agreeing of the sacking of Wilkins, I do not think your post is entirely accurate.

The main reason for the dismissal of Wilkins was DK and Wilkins personal relationship, no doubt.

DK was the main antagonist in the whole issue, Wilkins felt he didnt get the support from DK that he had sort in December and DK didnt feel he should somehow be held accountable to his manager.

There was an uneasy relationship between them but nothing sinister beyond a grave disappointment from Wilkins on how with his support an even better finish might have been accomplished.

Of course it is easy to find many commercial reasons for a change if you look hard enough, but DK was the man that wanted Wilkins out.

 

[Silent Bob]

No not the WHOLE season but 6 games in as US said. Yes it does start with pre-season and of course it helps but that doesn't mean everything will be right or perfect straight away, you don't always have the great start you want. Anyway you're picking, the point is Wilkins took over very, very early on in the season, not half way through and had plenty of time and I'm comparing this to Adams. One rule for one, one for the other.

I just don't think it's an accurate comparison that's all.

Adams took over in May(?), I think that is very different from taking over in September, the number of games isn't the issue so much as the time to put a team together, in terms of personnel and in terms of tactics and technical issues.

 

[Peteinblack]

Even if the Board did want to get rid of MA, I don't see how they could afford to - isn't he on a 3-year contract, which I very much doubt they could afford to pay-up in full ?

So, for better or worse, it looks like MA will be here for quite some time.

 

[durrington gull]

Our average league gates for the last two seasons were:
2006/7 - 6047
2007/8 - 5936

The average (to date) this season is 5990.

Will do well to get 5990 v Hereford IMO - i predict 5100

 

[bhadeb]

Although I think we are on the same side here, as far as not agreeing of the sacking of Wilkins, I do not think your post is entirely accurate.

The main reason for the dismissal of Wilkins was DK and Wilkins personal relationship, no doubt.

DK was the main antagonist in the whole issue, Wilkins felt he didnt get the support from DK that he had sort in December and DK didnt feel he should somehow be held accountable to his manager.

There was an uneasy relationship between them but nothing sinister beyond a grave disappointment from Wilkins on how with his support an even better finish might have been accomplished.

Of course it is easy to find many commercial reasons for a change if you look hard enough, but DK was the man that wanted Wilkins out.

Spot on Big Gully - also if Dick didn't want Dean out then why did he say "I felt an the board agreed with me Dean had to go" and " Dean would have been sacked even if we got promoted" - Does that sound anything like someone that wanted Dean at the club - the man is full of shit and i have been saying it for month and getting slagged off - my main concern is now - if we lose on saturday and other results go against us how many will still be saying "give it time - micky can turn it around" - we could be right by the relegation!!!!! If Dick had kept his nose out we wouldn't need to be TURNING anything around

 

[empire]

Right I'll let you all in on a little secret. I have a number of contacts at the club and get to hear most of the goings on there.

There was one reason and one reason alone why Dean Wilkins was sacked, and that is the board decided that he had no commerical pull. The dropping gates was the reason that they needed to bring back a "big name pull" and that is why Mickey Adams was brought back. It was felt that if Adams was in charge, the fans would come back to the Withdean. That, and that alone was the reason Wilkins was sacked.

It was not for personal reasons, it was not for footballing reasons, it was purely commerical. This is why he was offered the head coach role, and also why the rest of the management staff were offered coaching roles. IT was purely the club felt it needed to address the falling gates, and Dick Knight I can tell you know was not 100% behind the idea, but as you are probably aware, Dick Knight does NOT have the total control over this club he likes to make out, and if certain "backers" tells him strongly enough to jump, then he jumps.

Whether it was right or wrong, it happened. We probably still need to put commerical interests before footballing one at the moment, but there comes a time when Adams has got to deliver or the clubs plan will backfire. I dont think theres any doubt that Wilkins is a better manager and coach than Adams but whats done is done. The reason Adams done so well first time around, is he had good contacts and a lot of money. As he's moved to higher clubs he hasn't really had this failed, which is why he's back here, but I for one no longer "keep the faith" and think under Adams we have found our level in this division, and I think we have more chance of playing Crawley next year than we do Tottenham!

post of the month

 

[Brovion]

Right I'll let you all in on a little secret. I have a number of contacts at the club and get to hear most of the goings on there.

There was one reason and one reason alone why Dean Wilkins was sacked, and that is the board decided that he had no commerical pull. The dropping gates was the reason that they needed to bring back a "big name pull" and that is why Mickey Adams was brought back. It was felt that if Adams was in charge, the fans would come back to the Withdean. That, and that alone was the reason Wilkins was sacked.

It was not for personal reasons, it was not for footballing reasons, it was purely commerical. This is why he was offered the head coach role, and also why the rest of the management staff were offered coaching roles. IT was purely the club felt it needed to address the falling gates, and Dick Knight I can tell you know was not 100% behind the idea, but as you are probably aware, Dick Knight does NOT have the total control over this club he likes to make out, and if certain "backers" tells him strongly enough to jump, then he jumps.

Whether it was right or wrong, it happened. We probably still need to put commerical interests before footballing one at the moment, but there comes a time when Adams has got to deliver or the clubs plan will backfire. I dont think theres any doubt that Wilkins is a better manager and coach than Adams but whats done is done. The reason Adams done so well first time around, is he had good contacts and a lot of money. As he's moved to higher clubs he hasn't really had this failed, which is why he's back here, but I for one no longer "keep the faith" and think under Adams we have found our level in this division, and I think we have more chance of playing Crawley next year than we do Tottenham!

Not being one of the 'inner circle' I don't know whether that's true or not, but let's say for the sake of argument that it IS true. That means that all the stuff we heard on here about Wilkins being sacked because of his handling of the Hammond situation etc was a load of rubbish?

Not sure which version I prefer tbh, both make the board sound like they're away with the fairies.

 

[HseagullsH]

There is no way that MA is attracting larger crowds to Withdean. We will probably have marginally higher average attendance this year but that is ONLY because of the reduced price for u21 and u16 season ticket holders.

Other than the season ticket holders, I don't think there are many people coming to the games. Isn't there like over 4000 season ticket holders anyway? meaning at maximum 2000 others coming to games now.

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

There is no way that MA is attracting larger crowds to Withdean. We will probably have marginally higher average attendance this year but that is ONLY because of the reduced price for u21 and u16 season ticket holders.

Other than the season ticket holders, I don't think there are many people coming to the games. Isn't there like over 4000 season ticket holders anyway? meaning at maximum 2000 others coming to games now.

It seems that the ST promotions at Huddersfield and Swindon have also had a positive effect; here's the current league attendance stats (average) from the rest of FL1 but excluding the promoted/relegated teams (2007/8 season in brackets):

Leeds 22826 (26546) -14.0%
Huddersfield 14149 (9391) +50.6%
Swindon 8533 (7169) +19.0%
Millwall 8142 (8664) -6.0%
Southend 7884 (8173) -3.5%
Carlisle 7601 (7835) -3.0%
Bristol Rovers 6784 (6936) -2.2%
Brighton 5990 (5936) +0.9%
Tranmere 5766 (6538) -11.8%
Oldham 5691 (5325) +6.9%
Northampton 5260 (5409) -2.8%
Yeovil 5061 (5467) -7.4%
Leyton Orient 4739 (5210) -9.0%
Walsall 4493 (5619) -20.0%
Cheltenham 4304 (4310) -0.1%
Hartlepool 3987 (4506) -11.5%
Crewe 3955 (4932) -19.8%