wellfan

Fair enough. We may not have been getting steadily worse, but not winning for over 3.5 months and scraping a few draws instead of losses isn't necessarily an improvement when the bigger picture is considered.

I think this is sugarcoating things. The reality is that we haven't won a game under him in over 3 and a half months.

We're away to Aberdeen midweek as well. All three will be pivotal games in his/our fight for survival.

I agree with this. If Kettlewell somehow survives several more defeats & draws, then Daws has to go before the January window if Kettlewell is to get a fair chance to prove himself to the Board and fans. However, the whole ‘hanging my hat’ nonsense gives me little faith in his ability to identify and sign the type of players required to improve us. In the end, it may be that they both need to be relieved of their duties before the next window, which is highly unlikely given that the Board seems to be focusing its energies on a transition plan and ignoring the reality of our current awful run.

It's probably impossible to have a reasoned discussion on this topic without individuals nailing their colours/biases/misunderstandings to the mast, so maybe let’s move on and return this thread to a discussion about former players.

Based on my belief that Kettlewell is invincible because the Board doesn't want to or can't afford to act, here are my three views: Rangers will thump us, scoring at least one penalty. Kettlewell will still be the manager in January. Fuck VAR.

I am not piling on, I am adding my tuppence worth to broaden out your point. I think the wider fiscal context is important to consider when discussing the new tax rates for Scotland. What do people living and working in Scotland get for 'free' at the point of service/provision that they would have to pay for in England? And does that 'saving' outweigh or balance with the extra taxation? Succinctly, and for example, some will now pay more tax in Scotland to help pay for certain public services and education, whereas those equivalent pay less tax in England but have to pay for certain public services and education. Progressive taxation allows people living and working in Scotland to access public services, which footballers also need and use. Therefore, I think the new tax brackets are ultimately a moot point to footballers, and everyone else earning a good wage in Scotland, when the wider fiscal context is understood, which I am sure most sensibly-minded people in Scotland are aware of. It's pretty depressing to see those earning £100K+ per year complaining in the media recently about having to pay a few extra pence of tax on the pound when the average salary of those around them is about a third of what they're earning. Tl;dr - we get things for 'free' in Scotland as we pay tax to get them; they pay for things in England as they don't pay the same levels of tax required to get them for 'free'. I realise this is a simple summary, but it's also based on fact.

It's evident from their signings and his tactics that neither of them seems to know what they're doing. The dots just don't join up.

Daws needs to go.

This stament from McMahon is very interesting, although perhaps signals the end of majority fan ownership: “It has become very clear over the last few years that for the club to operate on a sustainable basis, provide the manager with a competitive player budget, meet the vastly increased cost of our other activities including having a successful Woman’s Team and maintaining a fit for purpose Stadium, Training Ground and Academy facility, that it will require significant investment; funding on a similar scale to that received by many others in the SPFL. We have undertaken a large amount of work and held numerous discussions to explore how we could best achieve this. The final stages of a fund-raising initiative are almost complete and will be ready to be shared early in the New Year.“

We haven't. Neil Doncaster has.

It's unpredictable, but our run of form suggests a draw or defeat is most likely in all three matches. However, I wouldn't be surprised if we beat the Rangers.

I think we’ll lose to the Rangers and Aberdeen then secure a last minute draw against Livi.

I don't expect a miraculous turnaround in form for Livi. I think they'll be relegated and I think we’ll finish 11th at best unless we start winning games.

The Club celebrating 5 draws from 7 matches in an attempt to move the narrative away from 0 wins from 14 isn't going to wash with me. Look at the table. Livi are 5 points behind and with 2 games in hand, and Aberdeen are on equal points and with 3 games in hand. We need 3 points to drag us out of this mess, as more draws will likely only solidify us in 11th at best. Is Kettlewell able to conjure a win over the Rangers or Livi? Doubtful.

Enough is enough and business is business. Kettlewell won't do.

I'm pretty sure that a feasibility study is planned and the basic details were disclosed at the most recent Well Society AGM. I attended it virtually, but others may be able to confirm/correct this point. It was also mentioned at the AGM that approval for such things would be sought via consultation with members. Nonetheless, if you're a member of the WS, attending events in person or online is the best way to access information and make your feelings heard. If not, I'm not sure of the answer as Club and WS comms are varied.

Every decision made by the club in recent years suggests that it's reacting to situations rather than following a proactive strategy. I'd also suggest that the Aberdeen machine is much better oiled and resourced than ours.

He'll probably need to adapt if we are to start winning games. However, the problem is that he's painted himself into a corner through how he's shaped the current squad through his signings and who he's released/sold/loaned out. That's why all the attempted adaptions we've seen so far have been square pegs in round holes and schoolboys covering injuries. The latter probably isn't his fault, as he had to cut the squad size, but the former is due to his transfer business being geared to Plan A, and that plan only, which quickly fizzled out.

Freudian slip.

It's clear that the club is, and has been for some time, in an almost rudderless holding pattern, haemorrhaging money and goals throughout. It's beyond disappointing, and I would expect better from a professional football club, but the lack of clear leadership and strategy explains why we're in the mess we are, both on and off the park. It's a worrying time to be a Well fan.

Update from the Well Society on the CEO position: "A few of you have been in touch – or have taken to social media – to ask questions of the Society around the CEO position, and to seek reassurance about the direction of travel. We've noted your comments and concerns. As the majority shareholder, the Society has received regular updates over the past few months from Acting CEO, Derek Weir, and the Chairman, Jim McMahon. Here's an update of what has been happening... Despite interviewing a shortlist of potential candidates earlier in the year the club was unable to appoint a suitable CEO earlier in the year. Former vice chair of the club Derek Weir then agreed to step into the role on an interim basis. At that time there were a number of outstanding issues which needed attention, including: Agreeing the continued use of Braidhurst High School for the Academy and Dalziel Park for first team training. Working with the manager and head of recruitment regarding contract issues. This included, amongst others, extending Lennon Miller’s contract and getting the player budget to a realistic and manageable level. This required Derek to stay in the role – supported by heads of department - longer than first envisaged. During the last six months he has committed significant time to the role with positive progress made in a number of areas. It is currently the intention to re-start the process of hiring a permanent CEO in the New Year."

You could say this about several players, and we all know who's fault that is.

What's the script? I think there isn't one.

That's now 13 games without a win, the last victory coming on 3 September. I'm beginning to think Kettlewell is Teflon.