Colchester United sack manager John Ward after poor start to season (From Essex County Standard)

I don't care who comes in now, just as long we can play some more attractive football.

Woohoo about time, at least we can now hopefully see some attacking football. Hopefully we attract a new manager soon as well. Now we can say ' UP THE U'S'

Come on Joey Dunne, make it yours!

Dont be so ridiculous. Joe Dunne is the last person we want. Thank you John Ward for your efforts but clearly they werent good enough. Well done Robbie Cowling on the right decision. Now another right decision has to be made. A young Manager in touch with the modern game please and someone who can kick butt and get the best out of a decent squad.

Brilliant news. Maybe now we can salvage something out of this season. Up the U's.

Totally agree with Mr Honest - we need a young ambitious manager who can motivate the players and get them going. I don't think Joe Dunne is that man as we need someone from the outside. If the new manager is successful and moves on, so be it - at least it means the team has been successful. This is what happened with Parky who presided over the best U's team I have seen so far in my lifetime (and that runs from Cyril Lea to the present.....). Sean Dyche would be as good appointment whereas Teddy Sheringham would be bad.

Sorry guys its not brilliant news, that is very hard faced. It's sad, nobody wants to see anyone lose their job unless you are very vindictive but guess the board had little choice after this terrible run. Good luck John, you tried. We are better than this on paper though thats for sure. Who next we wonder. Guess we will have the usual big name suggestions we can't afford.

A change was needed but things never worked out for J.W. as i'm sure he had planned. None of us will know exactly if it was players themselves or the tactics employed that has caused this downfall. Not going to be easy for John to get another job in football at his age but whatever come may, I wish him good luck for the future. Being honest and a nice guy has not paid off for him, which is a pity but in modern day living you have to be a bas-ard to succeed which he is not. Not going to mention a name but was told at the open day two seasons back when J.W. was first appointed that he can be stubborn in his ways and not keen to make changes to his own ideas. Its been obvious at games that Joe Dunne has gone up to J.W. on the touchline pointing things out that he has seen. For me give Joe Dunne a month to prove his worth and get our teams first win on Saturday. I'm hoping now that everyone on this site will turn up on Saturday and give the lads the encouragment they need. Some of the younger players will now feel like they have just lost a father, so we must be patient and not get on their backs. Life is tough but we must move on .

About time, JW you may be a good guy. But unfortunately we have struggled under you, and our position says it all. All the best.

On another note... Who will the next guy be? Paul Ince?

If and i say If the we go out and hammer Hartlepool this weekend with the same squad, then the team want their arse's kicked for letting Ward down.
Not a good day for ColU!

itsawedge wrote:
If and i say If the we go out and hammer Hartlepool this weekend with the same squad, then the team want their arse's kicked for letting Ward down. Not a good day for ColU!

The players play to the managers orders. Its obvious John has been to defensive minded in his tactics. The man in charge on Saturday can then change things around by ordering the players to push forward which i feel will happen, and who knows we may score a couple of goals. If this does happen then you cant blame the players. However I still feel certain players John Ward has selected for the team are not up to Div 1 standard and a fresh manager will address this. Naturally its a sad day for anyone getting the sack, and I hope he does find another job in football.

i agree with Originally From and
itsawedge.We have not only lost
a hard working,conscientiou
s
and decent man and manager
who has created the nucleus of what could become a very good team,but we have also lost one of the best contacts books in the business.If John Ward wishes to work again,I don't think he will have any problems finding another job and I wish him well.
.

So!! who's name is in the hat??

Heard Teddy Sheringham wants the job, he'd be good. As an attacker, he'll bring some good attacking football to the club, which is totally different to Ward's tactics.

To be honest, who comes in they have a good squad with the likes of F.Sears, C.Morrison, O'Toole, M.Bean, D.Wright etc. all these players needed was a change in formation to attacking. Hopefully the new manager can provide that.

Surb wrote:
To be honest, who comes in they have a good squad with the likes of F.Sears, C.Morrison, O'Toole, M.Bean, D.Wright etc. all these players needed was a change in formation to attacking. Hopefully the new manager can provide that.

Not forgetting G.Massey, and F.Ladapo.

Steve86 wrote:
Heard Teddy Sheringham wants the job, he'd be good. As an attacker, he'll bring some good attacking football to the club, which is totally different to Ward's tactics.

Come on Steve once bitten twice shy. Teddy has never been a manager as far as I know and big names dont always make good managers. Loads of names will be thrown into the hat and as long as its not Garry Megson or Alec Mcleish then I will be happy. Loads of big names already being mentioned on the betting sites Burley,Cotterill ,Ince,Brown but none that tick the boxes for me. The only outstanding person for me would be Sean Dyche. Played in the lower divisions, and once had Brian Clough as his manager. Did well in his first season at Watford but then got sacked so Zola could take over. Now favourite for the Chesterfield managers job plus he lives in Norhamptonshire so not likely to want a job in Essex. I think Joe Dunne will be given a month to show his worth while the search goes on and Robbie makes his decision. Hope you will be at the match on Saturday as we need every ones support .

Can't believe some of the comments above. JW might have been the nicest guy in football but he just wasn't cutting it. and was certainly heading towards the saying "nice guys finish last". I wish him all the best but we did need to change things and change them quickly.

As for losing one of the best contacts in football, There are plenty of people with lots of contacts.

The team on paper is a good team but wasn't performing under Ward.

Well done to RC who clearly made a decision that he found very difficult.

Onwards and upwards. The future is already looking more optimistic.

Up the U's

I'm slightly worried. Not had any comments as yet from Nora and Super Woopa.

Whoever takes the job, will need to wear a stab-proof vest,
There are a few faceless backstabbers out there, wearing a Col U badge..

Just hope we get a few good results, and pretty soon.. 'Else' the usual assassins will 'no doubt' will be waiting to pounce. on the next guy.

Thanks John you gave it your best shot, you could only play the cards you were dealt with..

I heard at the weekend that George Burley had been seen at the weekend and wants to return to the UK to manage.Could be just coincidence but it also brings speculation about the Ipswich post. One man we do not want at Colchester is Mr Jewell! I am glad that Mr Cowling finally saw sense and removed our uninspiring manager at long last. Just hope that Joe Dunne doesn't get the job, we do not want more of the same. A new broom please, Mr Cowling. Up the U's!!

25414nora wrote:
Whoever takes the job, will need to wear a stab-proof vest, There are a few faceless backstabbers out there, wearing a Col U badge.. Just hope we get a few good results, and pretty soon.. 'Else' the usual assassins will 'no doubt' will be waiting to pounce. on the next guy. Thanks John you gave it your best shot, you could only play the cards you were dealt with..

That's a bit harsh refering to loyal supporters as backstabbers, and saying we have knifes. Abit childish nora...grow up.

We are the loyal supporters that only want GOOD for the club. We stand there thick and thin in supporting a team, and we only want value for money, so we will support them and tell them as it is, as in the end of the day... we pay their wages.

You need to grow up and accept that everyone has their own opinions, and are not restricted to what YOU want to hear.

25414nora wrote:
Whoever takes the job, will need to wear a stab-proof vest,
There are a few faceless backstabbers out there, wearing a Col U badge..

Just hope we get a few good results, and pretty soon.. 'Else' the usual assassins will 'no doubt' will be waiting to pounce. on the next guy.

Thanks John you gave it your best shot, you could only play the cards you were dealt with..

Nora you make me laugh, your comments are always so funny!
Are they meant to be in a jokey sense.
You should do stand up, I grow tomatoes at home ... And would like to use them.

Sean Dyche!

I cannot add a lot to what has already been said. But I will say this.....

The daggers had been out for John Ward since the day he got the job. Nobody wants to see the assistant manager promoted to manager. Everyone wants to see some one exciting transfered or mysterious figure arrive, regardless of what club you support.
As a result I fear for Joe Dunne should he be offered the position. He has not even been offered the position and already some fans think they know he will mess things up. How stupid do you have to be to predict this!!!!

If John Ward does read this board I would like him to know that some fans did appreciate some of the things he did for the u's. He got two top 10 finishes in league 1 and he signed what I think are some of our best players in years including Sears who has the potential to easily be our highest ever sell when the day comes.

I think Ward knew this was coming as we all did.

I only hope that who ever gets the job does well now and keeps us in league 1. I am not to bothered who it is. I will give them the chance to prove themselves before judging them as I did Ward. I just hope for his own sake that it is not Dunne this time.

Had to be done I'm afraid. For all his 'we want to play the right way and pass it' we must not forget he was assistant to Graham Taylor and Boothroyd for several years! Nice guy but he's playing system had gone stale.

Difficult to say with ex-players such as Sheringham, they seem to make great or terrible managers with little in between. He was certainly one of most intelligent footballers on the pitch. Swindon and Brighton took gambles and they paid off, however, it can also back fire big time!

Just no Megson, Dowie, Cotterill or other of similar ilk please.

We wait with interest.

Steve86 wrote:
Heard Teddy Sheringham wants the job, he'd be good. As an attacker, he'll bring some good attacking football to the club, which is totally different to Ward's tactics.

Hi Steve, I'm not picking on you, but you do need to be corrected for your startling inconsistency with your comments on this forum.

I recall you condeming mr Cowling for bringing Teddy Sherringham to Colchester a while back, at the time you wrote some quite offensive remarks against Teddy, saying what a waste of money he was.

Now you are saying he should be our manager.. I dont think anything you write can be taken seriously.

If you have a bad memory you shouldent tell porkies, because people will eventually realise you are talking ****.

25414nora wrote:
Whoever takes the job, will need to wear a stab-proof vest,
There are a few faceless backstabbers out there, wearing a Col U badge..

Just hope we get a few good results, and pretty soon.. 'Else' the usual assassins will 'no doubt' will be waiting to pounce. on the next guy.

Thanks John you gave it your best shot, you could only play the cards you were dealt with..

Agree with Surb.

Nora, your comments are a joke. If you want loyalty buy a dog.

Football has come on a long way since the days you seem to talk about so much.

I wonder if your comment about playing the cards you're dealt with will come back to haunt you. With the bunch of players JW had, we should have had a FULL HOUSE, instead we've ended up with a bunch of JOKERS. Lets see what the next manager can do.

@ Super Waluigi....

I haven't always seen eye to eye with you - but i commend your last gracious post. It is both reflective and realistic.

@ Nora

You have to be kidding!

at £19 a time for adults, £418 was spent to witness 3 points in a single match.

You do the math and work out why it was not viable for John Ward to go on to one win in 23 matches,,,,,,,My word!!!!

Nora, go do one along with that other muppet Boris. You two talk so much crap. Ward wont get another job. Too old. Plenty of young managers out there. It would be pointless to sack Ward and give Dunne the job. As Assistant Manager he has to take a lot of the blame for results too. We need a clean slate, a fresh start. Someone who can come in and ship out Izzet, Heath, Bond, Rose and Duguid.I think we are going to win on Saturday. Its a poor Hartlepool side and I think we will get the 3 points but I hope it doesnt mean everyone jumps on the Joe Dunne bandwagon. Long term I dont think he is right. We all have choices on the next Manager. Mine would have been Martin Allen but he wont leave Gillingham and Cowling wont pay compensation so I think we should go for Paul Ince. The Teddy Sheringham talk is rubbish. He is good mates with Cowling but doesnt want to manage.

super waluigi

You say "I will give them the chance to prove themselves before judging them as I did Ward". Well you backed Ward right until the end so you have poor judgment in my opinion.

I think the expectations of a few people by bringing in a new manager is the immediate answer. It's certainly not the answer and not always does it work. You only have to look 15 miles North at Ipswich and further North at Norwich where things dont look to rosy at the moment. We do have a few good players but also four to five that are not up to div 1 standard. That takes time to sort. It's going to be a tough time ahead and we will need patience.

Lets get the facts right Gazette its not just about the poor start to this season its about the poor start and the two mediocre seasons before this one as well.

Mr Honest wrote:
Nora, go do one along with that other muppet Boris. You two talk so much crap. Ward wont get another job. Too old. Plenty of young managers out there. It would be pointless to sack Ward and give Dunne the job. As Assistant Manager he has to take a lot of the blame for results too. We need a clean slate, a fresh start. Someone who can come in and ship out Izzet, Heath, Bond, Rose and Duguid.I think we are going to win on Saturday. Its a poor Hartlepool side and I think we will get the 3 points but I hope it doesnt mean everyone jumps on the Joe Dunne bandwagon. Long term I dont think he is right. We all have choices on the next Manager. Mine would have been Martin Allen but he wont leave Gillingham and Cowling wont pay compensation so I think we should go for Paul Ince. The Teddy Sheringham talk is rubbish. He is good mates with Cowling but doesnt want to manage.

I agree with almost everything you've said Mr Honest.

The one thing we need to keep in mind though, is the finances. I agree that the likes of Izzet, Heath, Bond, Rose and Duguid are not the best but we don't have the money to bring in others at this moment in time. They are good as squad players, and managed in the correct way, will still be able to do a job for us.

Crazy, do you think keeping Ward was the best thing to do then ? I think most fans on here know it's not going to be a quick fix with a new manager and most people are realistic about that. One thing that's for certain, the football can't get any worse than it was under Ward.

You use Norwich and Ipswich as examples of new managers not working out but what about when Williams left ? Did the club not improve under Lambert ? (even if was for the short term)

fabian wilnis??

Gotta love the tweets from the Japanese. She certainly seems up for it.

We're not singing anymore!!! wrote:

Mr Honest wrote: Nora, go do one along with that other muppet Boris. You two talk so much crap. Ward wont get another job. Too old. Plenty of young managers out there. It would be pointless to sack Ward and give Dunne the job. As Assistant Manager he has to take a lot of the blame for results too. We need a clean slate, a fresh start. Someone who can come in and ship out Izzet, Heath, Bond, Rose and Duguid.I think we are going to win on Saturday. Its a poor Hartlepool side and I think we will get the 3 points but I hope it doesnt mean everyone jumps on the Joe Dunne bandwagon. Long term I dont think he is right. We all have choices on the next Manager. Mine would have been Martin Allen but he wont leave Gillingham and Cowling wont pay compensation so I think we should go for Paul Ince. The Teddy Sheringham talk is rubbish. He is good mates with Cowling but doesnt want to manage.

I agree with almost everything you've said Mr Honest. The one thing we need to keep in mind though, is the finances. I agree that the likes of Izzet, Heath, Bond, Rose and Duguid are not the best but we don't have the money to bring in others at this moment in time. They are good as squad players, and managed in the correct way, will still be able to do a job for us. Crazy, do you think keeping Ward was the best thing to do then ? I think most fans on here know it's not going to be a quick fix with a new manager and most people are realistic about that. One thing that's for certain, the football can't get any worse than it was under Ward. You use Norwich and Ipswich as examples of new managers not working out but what about when Williams left ? Did the club not improve under Lambert ? (even if was for the short term)

I agree the football was awful to watch and having to travel a long distance to Essex and back to Hampshire many times I thought to myself I must be mad doing this. Yes im glad we are going to have a change of manager. I think if we can get the right man in then we should avoid relegation, but as said it will not be a quick fix. I agree when Lambert took over and even Parky things did not happen straight away. I read Kem Izzets article today in the gazette, and he admitted that John Ward was sometimes a litle to nice. The times I blogged on this site that he was to nice and needed to harden up. Its a great shame because he was a good honest northern bloke and personally some of the names he has been called on this site by certain people, he does not deserve

25414nora wrote:

Steve86 wrote:
Heard Teddy Sheringham wants the job, he'd be good. As an attacker, he'll bring some good attacking football to the club, which is totally different to Ward's tactics.

Hi Steve, I'm not picking on you, but you do need to be corrected for your startling inconsistency with your comments on this forum.

I recall you condeming mr Cowling for bringing Teddy Sherringham to Colchester a while back, at the time you wrote some quite offensive remarks against Teddy, saying what a waste of money he was.

Now you are saying he should be our manager.. I dont think anything you write can be taken seriously.

If you have a bad memory you shouldent tell porkies, because people will eventually realise you are talking ****.

I said that paying him wages as he was a player, was a waste as he was too old to play, and was on a lot of wage. But playing is a bit different to managing Nora!! As a manager he will get a manager salary. I've always been a fan of Teddy, but thought that they wasted money on him when they had him as a player. Nora, I bet you're crying inside, after Ward's departure.

Lots has been said and lots has now happened but this Tim Waddington has a habit of getting my back up. His comments last week really irritated me suggesting that because the results had been "fair" that supporters shouldnt be as upset. Then backing Ward 100% and now these callous comments effectively saying that now Ward has gone people should come back. No real grasp of why people were upset but just that it's a numbers game.
Much of what he has said seems to have missed some people why Ward got the battering.I think it's a shame Ward had to go, he was a lovely guy and he has done a lot around the club. Maybe that's how he should have been emplyed perhaps? In a support and development role. But he stepped in for us, was slated immediately for not being the "marquee" manager people wanted and has been battered ever since. I'm not defending him, his record this season is woefully below par as is the 20+ games without a win, in fact I'd join super "on the fence"but his behind the scnes work should not be called into question due to the lack of results at, as RC puts it, "the sharp end".
Whoever gets the job now lets back them from the start regardless of initial interpretation and focus on a successful Col Utd.
Ward, like Boothroyd and Lambert before him, had his faults of course but, like those two, he did receive a lot of unjust criticism for simply being John Ward and not someone else. When we were in the play off picture for irtually a whole season under Boothroyd people slated him for the style of football, Parky came in for the odd slating too and Lambert only become God's gift after he buggered off. As a club and group of fans we need to change our mind set some what and focus on our joint desire of following a successful club. I also think the players have been far too protected in this. To say they need motivating to do a job and that has to come from a manager? TO some extent yes but what about doing your professional duty? Theyre paid good money to do a job most of us would swap ours for tomorow and should be motivated enough regardless of what a manager says. I've had my fair share of bosses, some I liked, some I respect, some I couldnt stand, and some I have no respect for but either way I accept my responsibility to do the job day in day to the best of my ability regardless of my opinion of my boss. Whether they liked or respected Ward or not is irrelevant. Theyre paid to represent the club and paid, in some capacity by us.
Ward was let down by some of those guys quite badly in my opinion. Hopefully whoever comes in can give them a timely reminder of their responsibilities. Ability is one thing, a winning mentality is another thing altogether. Perhaps some of them ar too comfortable.
I just hope whoever comes in Joe Dunne keeps some kind of role. One day, (not now in my opinion), he could become a legend of a manager for us and I would watch himt leave with a very heavy heart. I fear him taking over now and becoming our Bryan Gunn. If it is Joes time now then, of course, he has my 100% backing, As will whoever takes over.
As fans of our local football team lets all get down there Saturday and give Joe and the team our backing and drive our season forward.”

Eddy D wrote:
Lots has been said and lots has now happened but this Tim Waddington has a habit of getting my back up. His comments last week really irritated me suggesting that because the results had been "fair" that supporters shouldnt be as upset. Then backing Ward 100% and now these callous comments effectively saying that now Ward has gone people should come back. No real grasp of why people were upset but just that it's a numbers game.
Much of what he has said seems to have missed some people why Ward got the battering.I think it's a shame Ward had to go, he was a lovely guy and he has done a lot around the club. Maybe that's how he should have been emplyed perhaps? In a support and development role. But he stepped in for us, was slated immediately for not being the "marquee" manager people wanted and has been battered ever since. I'm not defending him, his record this season is woefully below par as is the 20+ games without a win, in fact I'd join super "on the fence"but his behind the scnes work should not be called into question due to the lack of results at, as RC puts it, "the sharp end".
Whoever gets the job now lets back them from the start regardless of initial interpretation and focus on a successful Col Utd.
Ward, like Boothroyd and Lambert before him, had his faults of course but, like those two, he did receive a lot of unjust criticism for simply being John Ward and not someone else. When we were in the play off picture for irtually a whole season under Boothroyd people slated him for the style of football, Parky came in for the odd slating too and Lambert only become God's gift after he buggered off. As a club and group of fans we need to change our mind set some what and focus on our joint desire of following a successful club. I also think the players have been far too protected in this. To say they need motivating to do a job and that has to come from a manager? TO some extent yes but what about doing your professional duty? Theyre paid good money to do a job most of us would swap ours for tomorow and should be motivated enough regardless of what a manager says. I've had my fair share of bosses, some I liked, some I respect, some I couldnt stand, and some I have no respect for but either way I accept my responsibility to do the job day in day to the best of my ability regardless of my opinion of my boss. Whether they liked or respected Ward or not is irrelevant. Theyre paid to represent the club and paid, in some capacity by us.
Ward was let down by some of those guys quite badly in my opinion. Hopefully whoever comes in can give them a timely reminder of their responsibilities. Ability is one thing, a winning mentality is another thing altogether. Perhaps some of them ar too comfortable.
I just hope whoever comes in Joe Dunne keeps some kind of role. One day, (not now in my opinion), he could become a legend of a manager for us and I would watch himt leave with a very heavy heart. I fear him taking over now and becoming our Bryan Gunn. If it is Joes time now then, of course, he has my 100% backing, As will whoever takes over.
As fans of our local football team lets all get down there Saturday and give Joe and the team our backing and drive our season forward.”

Cobblers. Ta ta Ward. Up the U's!

Feisty CBC wrote:

Eddy D wrote:
Lots has been said and lots has now happened but this Tim Waddington has a habit of getting my back up. His comments last week really irritated me suggesting that because the results had been "fair" that supporters shouldnt be as upset. Then backing Ward 100% and now these callous comments effectively saying that now Ward has gone people should come back. No real grasp of why people were upset but just that it's a numbers game.
Much of what he has said seems to have missed some people why Ward got the battering.I think it's a shame Ward had to go, he was a lovely guy and he has done a lot around the club. Maybe that's how he should have been emplyed perhaps? In a support and development role. But he stepped in for us, was slated immediately for not being the "marquee" manager people wanted and has been battered ever since. I'm not defending him, his record this season is woefully below par as is the 20+ games without a win, in fact I'd join super "on the fence"but his behind the scnes work should not be called into question due to the lack of results at, as RC puts it, "the sharp end".
Whoever gets the job now lets back them from the start regardless of initial interpretation and focus on a successful Col Utd.
Ward, like Boothroyd and Lambert before him, had his faults of course but, like those two, he did receive a lot of unjust criticism for simply being John Ward and not someone else. When we were in the play off picture for irtually a whole season under Boothroyd people slated him for the style of football, Parky came in for the odd slating too and Lambert only become God's gift after he buggered off. As a club and group of fans we need to change our mind set some what and focus on our joint desire of following a successful club. I also think the players have been far too protected in this. To say they need motivating to do a job and that has to come from a manager? TO some extent yes but what about doing your professional duty? Theyre paid good money to do a job most of us would swap ours for tomorow and should be motivated enough regardless of what a manager says. I've had my fair share of bosses, some I liked, some I respect, some I couldnt stand, and some I have no respect for but either way I accept my responsibility to do the job day in day to the best of my ability regardless of my opinion of my boss. Whether they liked or respected Ward or not is irrelevant. Theyre paid to represent the club and paid, in some capacity by us.
Ward was let down by some of those guys quite badly in my opinion. Hopefully whoever comes in can give them a timely reminder of their responsibilities. Ability is one thing, a winning mentality is another thing altogether. Perhaps some of them ar too comfortable.
I just hope whoever comes in Joe Dunne keeps some kind of role. One day, (not now in my opinion), he could become a legend of a manager for us and I would watch himt leave with a very heavy heart. I fear him taking over now and becoming our Bryan Gunn. If it is Joes time now then, of course, he has my 100% backing, As will whoever takes over.
As fans of our local football team lets all get down there Saturday and give Joe and the team our backing and drive our season forward.”

Cobblers. Ta ta Ward. Up the U's!

Eddy D is right to criticise the players. Their performance this season has been very similar to that of the the team in the final six weeks or so under George Williams. They appeared to be purposely playing badly so as to get Williams sacked. The current squad have behaved in the same way.
As for Tim Waddington, I remember that last winter when some of us went to the ground to help clear the snow, it was John Ward who was there working as hard as anyone, while Mr Waddington and a couple of other marketing types stood around in suits, chatting and serving tea and sandwiches, but staying well clear of the shovels and wheelbarrows.
Up the U's.

Boris wrote:

Feisty CBC wrote:

Eddy D wrote: Lots has been said and lots has now happened but this Tim Waddington has a habit of getting my back up. His comments last week really irritated me suggesting that because the results had been "fair" that supporters shouldnt be as upset. Then backing Ward 100% and now these callous comments effectively saying that now Ward has gone people should come back. No real grasp of why people were upset but just that it's a numbers game. Much of what he has said seems to have missed some people why Ward got the battering.I think it's a shame Ward had to go, he was a lovely guy and he has done a lot around the club. Maybe that's how he should have been emplyed perhaps? In a support and development role. But he stepped in for us, was slated immediately for not being the "marquee" manager people wanted and has been battered ever since. I'm not defending him, his record this season is woefully below par as is the 20+ games without a win, in fact I'd join super "on the fence"but his behind the scnes work should not be called into question due to the lack of results at, as RC puts it, "the sharp end". Whoever gets the job now lets back them from the start regardless of initial interpretation and focus on a successful Col Utd. Ward, like Boothroyd and Lambert before him, had his faults of course but, like those two, he did receive a lot of unjust criticism for simply being John Ward and not someone else. When we were in the play off picture for irtually a whole season under Boothroyd people slated him for the style of football, Parky came in for the odd slating too and Lambert only become God's gift after he buggered off. As a club and group of fans we need to change our mind set some what and focus on our joint desire of following a successful club. I also think the players have been far too protected in this. To say they need motivating to do a job and that has to come from a manager? TO some extent yes but what about doing your professional duty? Theyre paid good money to do a job most of us would swap ours for tomorow and should be motivated enough regardless of what a manager says. I've had my fair share of bosses, some I liked, some I respect, some I couldnt stand, and some I have no respect for but either way I accept my responsibility to do the job day in day to the best of my ability regardless of my opinion of my boss. Whether they liked or respected Ward or not is irrelevant. Theyre paid to represent the club and paid, in some capacity by us. Ward was let down by some of those guys quite badly in my opinion. Hopefully whoever comes in can give them a timely reminder of their responsibilities. Ability is one thing, a winning mentality is another thing altogether. Perhaps some of them ar too comfortable. I just hope whoever comes in Joe Dunne keeps some kind of role. One day, (not now in my opinion), he could become a legend of a manager for us and I would watch himt leave with a very heavy heart. I fear him taking over now and becoming our Bryan Gunn. If it is Joes time now then, of course, he has my 100% backing, As will whoever takes over. As fans of our local football team lets all get down there Saturday and give Joe and the team our backing and drive our season forward.”

Cobblers. Ta ta Ward. Up the U's!

Eddy D is right to criticise the players. Their performance this season has been very similar to that of the the team in the final six weeks or so under George Williams. They appeared to be purposely playing badly so as to get Williams sacked. The current squad have behaved in the same way. As for Tim Waddington, I remember that last winter when some of us went to the ground to help clear the snow, it was John Ward who was there working as hard as anyone, while Mr Waddington and a couple of other marketing types stood around in suits, chatting and serving tea and sandwiches, but staying well clear of the shovels and wheelbarrows. Up the U's.

If the players were not performing then the buck starts and stops with the manager. JW was there to manage, train and motivate them. He had a squad big enough to drop the one's who he thought were slacking but continued to play them. He could have dropped them and released a statement explaining why and I'm fairly certain most of us fans would have understood and even backed him. (Wordsworth and Henderson to name the laziest two).

In any company/job/football team if the staff are not performing you have to question if they are the right people for the job or if the right training is/has been given. Ward had been the manager for two years so you would expect by now he would have had all the players he felt he needed on the budget available. So that brings into question his training.

The players are not totally blameless but JW had every chance to change things and didn't. He might be a nice guy and I wish him all the luck but I am glad he's gone.

Borris, as for using the example of seeing JW shovelling snow from the pitch when the suits stood around and watched. What percentage of fans would recognise Tim Waddington compared to John Ward ? This was as much as a publicity stunt as actually putting hard graft into it and showing that JW did everything around WHCS. This is an entertainments business as much as it is a football club and stories like that are just done for a positive spin. You only have to read the match reports on the club website to know we must have one of the best ‘Spin Doctors’ available. I’ve read the reports after attending the matches and wondered if I was the same game!!!!

Up the U’s

Who's Tim Waddington?

Mr Honest wrote:
Dont be so ridiculous. Joe Dunne is the last person we want. Thank you John Ward for your efforts but clearly they werent good enough. Well done Robbie Cowling on the right decision. Now another right decision has to be made. A young Manager in touch with the modern game please and someone who can kick butt and get the best out of a decent squad.

Not so ridiculous now eh?