Cherries: This is what you should have said, Paul (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Cherries: This is what you should have said, Paul
7:00am Monday 24th September 2012 in Sport
By Neil Perrett
WILTSHIRE WOE: Paul Groves with Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio on Saturday
WHEN asked by BBC Radio Solent’s Andrew Hawes how he felt about fans calling for change, Cherries boss Paul Groves replied: “You can understand the fans’ frustrations. Who wants to travel and watch a team get beaten like that today – nobody.”
Here is what Groves should have said...
“I would like to apologise, unreservedly, to our supporters for a quite dreadful performance. From start to finish, we were appalling. We were beaten 4-0 and the scoreline flattered us. It was embarrassing.
“Swindon outclassed us in every department. Their finishing was clinical, ours was comical. Their defenders were strong, ours were weak. They were creative and inventive in midfield, we were devoid of ideas.
“I am told supporters paid £25 for a ticket and I know they would also have incurred other expenses. Our display was totally unacceptable and I will be speaking to the players about the possibility of them stumping up for refunds.
“The group are well paid and it would be the least they could do. I will also be speaking to the chairman about the possibility of arranging free coach travel to our next away game at Crawley.
“Although we had a few injuries, there can be no excuse whatsoever for such an abject showing. We lost Simon Francis, Marc Pugh and Harry Arter but were able to bring in players of the calibre of Steve Cook and Donal McDermott, both of whom we paid good money for.
“At the start of the season, people said we had strength in depth and some felt we were so strong that we could have fielded a reserve team in this division. Don’t forget, we have added to our squad since then.
“Today, we had to dig deep into our resources because we had no fewer than 12 players injured. However, some of those who came in were found wanting, especially Donal.
“We have kept faith with Donal and gave him his chance against Swindon. He repaid us by metaphorically sticking up two fingers to us.
“Once I have analysed the DVD, it will probably dawn on me that I should have taken a leaf from Paolo Di Canio’s book and substituted Donal after 20 minutes. He seemed disinterested.
“It would, however, be unfair to lay the blame at the door of one player. In fact, we should all take responsibility and I am certainly going to take my share. I picked the team, I have assembled the squad, they were my tactics and game-plan and I was the one responsible for motivating the players.
“We knew Swindon’s danger man would be Matt Ritchie. He is one of the best players in the division and that is why we have tried to sign him on a couple of occasions.
“We set out to try to man-mark Ritchie. But, after only 12 minutes, Wes Fogden cheaply squandered possession to him and he made us pay by drilling home an unstoppable drive from 25 yards to give them the lead.
“The goal prompted chants of “you’ll never sign Matt Ritchie” from the Swindon fans and they were probably right. Why would he want to join us when the two clubs look like they are heading in opposite directions?
“I thought the goal would have been a wake-up call but didn’t realise how wrong I could have been. Just a few minutes later, we gave him a free hit on the edge of the box and, fortunately, he shot wide.
“After Miles Addison had headed a corner inches wide for us, we were guilty of some kamikaze defending, the like of which I wouldn’t have expected from such experienced players.
“Although we knew all about the aerial threat of Andy Williams, we decided to give him a free header just six yards from goal. I couldn’t believe what I was watching.
“I know I don’t show my emotions like Paolo, but my blood was boiling by this time and I was ready to give the lads both barrels at half-time.
“Then, just before the break, we were thrown a lifeline when Tubbsy went through with just the keeper to beat. He simply must starting putting away those chances and it was like the one his missed against Brentford.
“Although their third goal was a bit of a fluke, I was extremely concerned as we seemed to hoist the white flag after Ritchie’s free-kick from near the touchline had made it 3-0.
“I know our supporters can take losing but nobody is going to stomach seeing the lads go down without a fight. For me, that was the most alarming and disappointing aspect of today – we threw in the towel.
“They continued to carve us open and it was no surprise when Williams hit the post and Adam Rooney scored a fourth late on.
“I was lost for words.”
Comments(52)
Wilkie
says...
7:16am Mon 24 Sep 12
Football banning order yob
says...
7:19am Mon 24 Sep 12
TedMacsCherryPants
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7:21am Mon 24 Sep 12
Well said Neil, the next moveis surely an Echo poll!!!
Nick68
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7:24am Mon 24 Sep 12
Just would like a slight tweek. Add at the end:-
"The match was not a one-off, but further indication of how we have been ineffective and only won one match in nine. I take full repsonisbility and will be meeting with the chairman on Monday to offer my resignation."
afcb-mark
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7:32am Mon 24 Sep 12
Bobcat
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7:39am Mon 24 Sep 12
Mitchell will dig his heels and continue to destroy the club from within.So much for this phantom Max Demin who seems spineless to take on the Clan, I do really wonder why ?
lockandload
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7:56am Mon 24 Sep 12
lockandload
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7:56am Mon 24 Sep 12
Awayfor247days
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8:10am Mon 24 Sep 12
pauls55
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8:15am Mon 24 Sep 12
lofty1971
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8:16am Mon 24 Sep 12
Bobcat
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8:33am Mon 24 Sep 12
Does Max Demin have no say in it at all and is he scared of EM and his little boy wonder, the Director of Football ?
Perhaps Mr.Perrett could start to get some answers for us all ?
Luffbracherry
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8:36am Mon 24 Sep 12
the amazon returns again
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8:38am Mon 24 Sep 12
MITCHELL OUT
Frankiesbackfromhollywood
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8:40am Mon 24 Sep 12
djd
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8:41am Mon 24 Sep 12
Oooops, forgot Mitchell's are running the show, its just a dream.
Mike Oxbig
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8:56am Mon 24 Sep 12
simong
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8:59am Mon 24 Sep 12
lymicherry
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9:00am Mon 24 Sep 12
hotdog350
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9:00am Mon 24 Sep 12
First he allows Harry in as an advisor, not even Bradbury would accept that.
No after match interview on the football league show . I wonder why? lol
Resign MAN and get a backbone!
ifordcherry
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9:48am Mon 24 Sep 12
ducky24
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9:57am Mon 24 Sep 12
mgdrreams
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10:06am Mon 24 Sep 12
mgdrreams
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10:07am Mon 24 Sep 12
The Renegade Master
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10:21am Mon 24 Sep 12
This had to be said though and it's a fair assessment of what a decent manager should have said after Saturday's debacle. In my opinion Groves & Brooks should grow a pair and admit that they're out of their depth managing a League One side with a huge squad of players and resign immediately. Even Mitchell knows they're clueless or he wouldn't have asked Harry Redknapp to get involved!
It's time for Mitchell to put his giant inebriated ego to one side and listen to the people who pay for his and his entourage's luxury life style. The fans DEMAND that Groves & Brooks are sacked or demoted and a proper proven manager brought in to salvage a season that's pretty much descended into a farce. Harry Redknapp would soon have these players performing at their best, no question about that! He's my choice.
Don't wait too long though Mitchell or Dean Court will be empty in a few weeks time.
nonnogeppetto
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11:39am Mon 24 Sep 12
scottie190
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12:06pm Mon 24 Sep 12
rml12
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12:54pm Mon 24 Sep 12
rml12
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12:54pm Mon 24 Sep 12
West moors 1
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1:07pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Swindon1984
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2:48pm Mon 24 Sep 12
boyerboy
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3:28pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Rebel_phish
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4:06pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Paolo caused a sensation by substituting out keeper Fodderingham after 21 mins, you may have heard about it. It’s not the first time that our beloved Leader has acted swiftly with a tactical change early in a match. Hey, he’s even subbed a sub for the same reason. Some say that its going too far – as with Fodders – even Rio Ferdinand got involved on Twitter, saying that it undermined his confidence. But it’s plain to see that at the County Ground, Paolo is in charge, he acts decisively and quickly for what he thinks is the good of the team. May not get it right all the time, but HE DOES ACT.
To say that Groves should follow Paolo’s tactics and should have made an early substitution by bringing Donal McDermott off – Paolo would have had him off after 15mins, buy the way – Groves only had 3 subs he could have brought on. It wouldn’t have been enough to change your influence on the game. 6 or 7 maybe. Your team lacked desire, passion, sense of purpose, direction and your manager did nothing to improve the situation. Two subs at half time did show some intent to change the game, but by then it was already a lost cause in the eyes of your players. Our 3rd goal sealed it.
Paolo has instilled a high fitness level at our club, along with drive, ambition, passion, commitment, sense of purpose, a willingness to play – a try your best or else, if you like. Whatever people think, its working, people are starting to sit up and take notice.
You have a good set of players and should be doing better than you currently are. Given the right leadership, instil a sense of pride and passion and you will become a team to challenge for the play-offs, if not higher. But it has to happen soon for you or you will quickly be drawn into a battle for survival.
You the fans deserve more, YOU ARE DEMANDING MORE, but the change needed can only come from the powers to be. And, at the moment that change, for whatever the reason, is being resisted.
Swindon needed relegation for change to happen. It may sound ridiculous, but in a way I for one am glad we were relegated at the end of 2010/11. Didn't feel like that at the time though.
I really do wish you, the fans the best for the future, as in all cases, Players come and go, Managers and Chairmen, come and go....
BUT THE FANS ALWAYS REMAIN.
Piston_Broke
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4:07pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Swindon1984 wrote:Thanks for the sympathies. Unfortunately, you're probably right that only one bloke will lose his job, as our nepotistic Fuhrer decided to install his something-in-law as The Clueless One's unable assistant, and will cause a family row if he sacks him too. You're right that the manager got it all wrong on Saturday, but the blame for the almighty mess we are in lies firmly at the Chairman's door, as he appointed the most uninspiring manager in English Football, despite universal opinion that it would be a mistake.
Swindon fan in peace. Have to offer some sympathy after Saturday, tactically the manager got it all wrong, and your players really did throw in the towel. Something needs to change, and unfortunately that will probably mean at least one bloke losing his job. Not nice but for the good of your club it needs to happen. Bournemouth have brought in some decent players and should be looking at least at a top ten finish, can't see it happening under the current regime. Best of luck.
Have we bought some decent players? Who knows? From what we've seen so far, we have in our possesion a splendid collection of overpaid prima donnas, whose reputation far exceeds ability in most cases. That's what comes from having a 23 year-old "Director Of Football" (the Chairman's Son) buying players after taking advice from his PC game and watching YouTube clips of them 6 years ago. We are becoming a laughing stock (if we're not already), and it's going to get a whole lot worse when the money runs out.
k12afcb
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4:30pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Bishop7
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5:10pm Mon 24 Sep 12
pauls55 wrote:Such a quality post !
I was one of the 752 who made the trip and have never seen such a spineless, passionless, inept performance from any Cherries side. Sure the team would have been a lot different if it wasn't for injuries, but the regular players were the most guilty. Grabban was presented to us as a wide forward but to date I have yet to see him beat any player one to one. Addison gave a captain's performance, the captain of the Fat Ox pub team after a night on the razzle. At one point In a piece of sublime skill he turned with all the grace of a sherman tank and hoofed the ball back to Jalal so hard and wide it went for a corner. Mcqouid then gave us a cameo on why he can't cut it in League 1, let alone the Championship. The rest of the team were engaged in a competition over who could pass the ball best to the opposition. Fogden won with a precision pass to Ritche who fired in their opener. And the mastermind behind this debacle, step forward Paul Groves to receive your first class honours degree from the Jimmy Quinn School of mis-management. How jealous we were of the rampant enthuisiasm of Di Canio while Groves stood staring into space, no doubt pondering on where to plant his petunias during his forthcoming gardening leave. I left the ground just grateful I wasn't wearing the club's colours they made me so ashamed. Championship Mr Mitchell? Please, stop now, you really are making me laugh.
hamster1973
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5:34pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Rednblackarmy1
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6:54pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Rustyfootballer
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7:18pm Mon 24 Sep 12
hotdog350
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7:37pm Mon 24 Sep 12
hamster1973 wrote:Yawn................
Bournemouth are a small club who cant even fill their own stadium. Its about time the so called fans got behind their team instead of slagging off their manager at every opportunity. Look at southampton, 4 straight defeats and the press calling for his head and then they spank villa at the weekend. All those that want the magical harry back, forget it. He is used to managing professionals and at world class level not overpaid sunday morning so called footballers.
.....
raypike
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7:46pm Mon 24 Sep 12
lionheart
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7:52pm Mon 24 Sep 12
hamster1973 wrote:Take it you weren't at Swindon or at Quicksands Stadium for the Hartlepool game.
Bournemouth are a small club who cant even fill their own stadium. Its about time the so called fans got behind their team instead of slagging off their manager at every opportunity. Look at southampton, 4 straight defeats and the press calling for his head and then they spank villa at the weekend. All those that want the magical harry back, forget it. He is used to managing professionals and at world class level not overpaid sunday morning so called footballers.
Groves is clueless.
goatty
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8:02pm Mon 24 Sep 12
lionheart
says...
8:04pm Mon 24 Sep 12
I went Saturday. It was a local derby. It was embarrassing. We played like a bunch of cardboard cut outs. So many basic errors. No tempo, no passion, no plan, no ball retention, unable to pass the ball, move into space or play as a team and with a manager who hadn't got a clue. Groves and Brooks are out of their depth.
Swindon were everything that we weren't. Let's put the youth team out on Saturday. They would have done better than the overpaid collection we have at the moment who are masquerading as footballers.
Max Demin should insist the players wages are docked to reimburse the 752 who were subject to that performance.
susi.m
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8:07pm Mon 24 Sep 12
goatty wrote:I fear it could be coming.
Its time for another drunken rant on the pitch
More embarrassment heaped on he club by Mitchell.
Local fan
says...
8:38am Tue 25 Sep 12
Regrettably for someone who seems a genuinely nice guy I agree that Paul Groves should go. His post match comments were weak. Being a manager is a hard job, constantly under the spotlight, that's why good managers are few and mostly working at the top level. Chanting "Groves Out" is not a solution, the poor results speak for themselves.
There are good aspects of our play, but they can be overlooked. The manager needs to point out what is good but he can't simply adopt an ostrich approach to what is bad.
An astute chairman knows when to take action.
grazzer
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9:36am Tue 25 Sep 12
stevobath
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12:43pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Bishop7 wrote:Hilarious! LMAO....Shame though.Id rather be reading headlines 'MITCHELL CAPITULATES & ADMITS GROVES HAD TO GO'...
pauls55 wrote:Such a quality post !
I was one of the 752 who made the trip and have never seen such a spineless, passionless, inept performance from any Cherries side. Sure the team would have been a lot different if it wasn't for injuries, but the regular players were the most guilty. Grabban was presented to us as a wide forward but to date I have yet to see him beat any player one to one. Addison gave a captain's performance, the captain of the Fat Ox pub team after a night on the razzle. At one point In a piece of sublime skill he turned with all the grace of a sherman tank and hoofed the ball back to Jalal so hard and wide it went for a corner. Mcqouid then gave us a cameo on why he can't cut it in League 1, let alone the Championship. The rest of the team were engaged in a competition over who could pass the ball best to the opposition. Fogden won with a precision pass to Ritche who fired in their opener. And the mastermind behind this debacle, step forward Paul Groves to receive your first class honours degree from the Jimmy Quinn School of mis-management. How jealous we were of the rampant enthuisiasm of Di Canio while Groves stood staring into space, no doubt pondering on where to plant his petunias during his forthcoming gardening leave. I left the ground just grateful I wasn't wearing the club's colours they made me so ashamed. Championship Mr Mitchell? Please, stop now, you really are making me laugh.
stevobath
says...
12:47pm Tue 25 Sep 12
hamster1973 wrote:Get back on your wheel.
Bournemouth are a small club who cant even fill their own stadium. Its about time the so called fans got behind their team instead of slagging off their manager at every opportunity. Look at southampton, 4 straight defeats and the press calling for his head and then they spank villa at the weekend. All those that want the magical harry back, forget it. He is used to managing professionals and at world class level not overpaid sunday morning so called footballers.
Nickolai
says...
5:01pm Tue 25 Sep 12
grazzer wrote:Erm ?
Cheries cant play football for toffy and coulden fyte there way outer a papper bag.Necks time we come to Bournemouth wheel make mints meet of you and we dont even have to ask who are yah cos we already nose innit
What on earth are you on about , you illiterate fool ?
Good luck Michael Gove with your education reforms.....though it may be too late for you grazzer.
countrycherry
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12:57pm Wed 26 Sep 12
gbzpto says...
7:14am Mon 24 Sep 12