Ross Stearn - is he right for Bath City?

Peteboa wrote:Gethin Jones. Fantastic club servant and fits those 4 adjectives perfectly. Sadly, he was embarrassingly out of his depth at conference level and cost us numerous goals (yet continued to start) Sorry if that ruffles a few feathers but its true.

Absolutely disagree.
Gethin had a tough second season in the Conference prem. but hardly a single player was free of criticism that season, and most looked to be playing beyond thier level. To single out Gethin as "embarrassingly out of his depth" is really insulting.
He was a key player in the promotions that got us there and the first season in that league. It's always easy to blame defenders when goals are conceded without remembering the constant pressure they were under in some games, due to the failure f the rest of the team to keep the ball.
And if you're talking about favourites, I would hardly say that applies to Gethin given the way he was dumped at the end of last season.

"Absolutely disagree.
Gethin had a tough second season in the Conference prem. but hardly a single player was free of criticism that season, and most looked to be playing beyond thier level"

I'm a bit confused by this....So you do agree then?! -but are unhappy about Jones being singled out. As a great club servant and an important player for many years I can see why there is an emotional attachment. I hear he also volunteered at the club bar as well. All genuinely really great things, but all sadly completely irrelevant when you simply aren't good enough.  

"It's always easy to blame defenders when goals are conceded without remembering the constant pressure they were under in some games, due to the failure f the rest of the team to keep the ball"

Equally as confusing. Our failure that season was due to the genius in charge starting the season with one p*ssin striker in the squad and our complete ineptitude at defending set pieces and crosses. Our ball retention was actually half decent. But you think Jones was let down by his team mates   

Agree totally with your analysis of why we didn't compete in that second season. we actually played some decent football especially in the second half after Scotty had threatended to leave if he wasn't played. He himself was guilty of being incredibly profligate with his shooting. But we didn't have the fire-power elsewhere.

Possibly Adie thought we were too open in that season and has steadily resorted to the tried and trusted over the last couple of seasons as a result. But we have definitely improved from last season and are moving in the right direction.

comrade powell wrote:i'm sure the management do pick what they consider to be the best team for each individual game. whether we like it or not, their opinion of who that 11 for a particular game is will be based on a host of reasons, many of which we will not be aware of. you talk of a best 11 - so they would be selected for every match, barring injury, irrespective of recent form, our opponents on the day, tactics, formation etc? that's not going to happen with any manager. Martin - please give me some credence. Of course all of the things you mention have to be thought of in order for the management to pick the best eleven for each match - I thought that those who read that statement by me would have taken that as read - I was wordy enough already. This does not detract though from the majority of fans wondering why him or him was not playing, especially when him or him are leading goalscorers and/or priceless little jewels like Ross. Oh, and in respect of another of your comments - Yes, I will always lay the blame for defeat at the feet of management. That is where the buck stops, and it is their responsibility to create a successful side.

yes, i did say the recruitment of better players was needed in some positions, i didn't say more expensive ones. i wonder how much it would have cost the club to bring in someone with bowman's quality and potential? if we really want to see us become established as a top level club, i think the way forward is to gradually recruit players who will serve us for several years. in the past the answer has been ex pros in the twighlight of their careers - surely more expensive than developing young, local talent. but the latter needs patience - it's not a quick fix!

 
Couldn't agree more - you know we feel the same about this point. Here lies the problem - we do not appear to have the team management that has the patience, unless one of them has changed his whole attitude. (He admitted his shortcomings a few years ago) and the other becomes less arrogant. As I have said before, I think that they have a lack of man-management ability - something that is crucial, both in managing yougsters and the likes of Ross and others before him. And they have left a bitter taste in the mouths of many for their apparent crude handling of the dismissals of Preece and Griffin. Over recent years the trend has been to sling money at the 'tried and trusted' or 'off the shelf' players, which has been our downfall financially. I hope that this stupid ideal of loan and short term contract deals will end - look at the latest array of dead wood this has brought to the club this year. We can all see glimmers of hope of the direction we need to go - Keats, Bowman, Mellor, Ball, Allan. This was the sole ray of sunshine out of the Strategy Plan; but it is the ray of hope that could enable us to break even eventually without dropping down another level; and it could be the foundation (excuse the pun) for our eternal hope of an upwards progression to League football!

Midsomer-steve wrote:

comrade powell wrote:i'm sure the management do pick what they consider to be the best team for each individual game. whether we like it or not, their opinion of who that 11 for a particular game is will be based on a host of reasons, many of which we will not be aware of. you talk of a best 11 - so they would be selected for every match, barring injury, irrespective of recent form, our opponents on the day, tactics, formation etc? that's not going to happen with any manager. Martin - please give me some credence. Of course all of the things you mention have to be thought of in order for the management to pick the best eleven for each match - I thought that those who read that statement by me would have taken that as read - I was wordy enough already. This does not detract though from the majority of fans wondering why him or him was not playing, especially when him or him are leading goalscorers and/or priceless little jewels like Ross. Oh, and in respect of another of your comments - Yes, I will always lay the blame for defeat at the feet of management. That is where the buck stops, and it is their responsibility to create a successful side.

yes, i did say the recruitment of better players was needed in some positions, i didn't say more expensive ones. i wonder how much it would have cost the club to bring in someone with bowman's quality and potential? if we really want to see us become established as a top level club, i think the way forward is to gradually recruit players who will serve us for several years. in the past the answer has been ex pros in the twighlight of their careers - surely more expensive than developing young, local talent. but the latter needs patience - it's not a quick fix!

 
Couldn't agree more - you know we feel the same about this point. Here lies the problem - we do not appear to have the team management that has the patience, unless one of them has changed his whole attitude. (He admitted his shortcomings a few years ago) and the other becomes less arrogant. As I have said before, I think that they have a lack of man-management ability - something that is crucial, both in managing yougsters and the likes of Ross and others before him. And they have left a bitter taste in the mouths of many for their apparent crude handling of the dismissals of Preece and Griffin. Over recent years the trend has been to sling money at the 'tried and trusted' or 'off the shelf' players, which has been our downfall financially. I hope that this stupid ideal of loan and short term contract deals will end - look at the latest array of dead wood this has brought to the club this year. We can all see glimmers of hope of the direction we need to go - Keats, Bowman, Mellor, Ball, Allan. This was the sole ray of sunshine out of the Strategy Plan; but it is the ray of hope that could enable us to break even eventually without dropping down another level; and it could be the foundation (excuse the pun) for our eternal hope of an upwards progression to League football!

Steve, yes I appreciate fans will always wonder at team selections - I'm sure it's the case at every club in the world. And of course the management will always be shot down for 'the wrong selections', but not applauded for the correct ones. I would argue that ours get the majority correct. Our views on the priceless jewel, Stearn, will have to differ - as I've said before, he is not as effective as his devotees seem to think if you look at our points gained when he starts/doesn't start. They are facts, not opinions. And as Yuffie has pointed out, his high goals tally was largely achieved in the 1st half of the season - I just don't see why some think he should be an automatic selection in recent months. I also disagree with your view that the management should be blamed for every defeat - assuming that the team has been properly prepared, surely the players have to be accountable as well.

I agree with much of your last paragraph, although I do think that sometimes our management have been proved correct in the long term. You will remember I was one of several on the old forum who continually championed Craig Davidge, failing to understand why he was not an automatic selection. Unfortunately he has disappeared without trace - was that because of poor man management at Twerton, or because weaknesses were evident which we were unaware of?

Always good to debate with you, Steve. And although we might not always agree, at least we don't rubbish each other's posts with insults like 'silly' and 'stupid'....

Well, I guess if Ross hasn't won you over then no one will!

Maybe when we find that well mannered gentleman who will excite the crowd and help us climb the league through his politeness and obedience we can all rejoice in his talents.  

Til then, we'll have to make do with Ross Stearn. Our little genius.

or sarcasm, steve.

Surely there's some middle ground here?
On his day, he's one of the first names on the team-sheet, but (certainly the 2nd half of the season), his 'day' hasn't been happening on a consistent basis.
This debate is getting a bit boring know, but in my opinion Ross has got to start producing a lot more regularly to be described as a "genius".

I'll start by saying that I'm a fan of the guy: when he's on form and everything falls into place for him it gets the old pulses racing! Having said that, the most telling thing I've read in all of this was the reference to Simmo remonstrating with Stern about not passing the ball on Tuesday night in the Somerset Cup game.  Simmo strikes me as being the most unassuming, patient and forgiving character to have ever played for us so if even he is finding it exasperating playing with Stern then the writing really is on the wall for the guy.

Lest we forget, football is a team game and Stern can never be more one eleventh of a team.  I really don't think that it's up to the management to point this out (even though it would be daft not to) but once he's twigged that he's going to be much better off playing with the rest of the team rather than trying to do everything himself things will certainly get better for everyone and yes, in so doing, he will be right for Bath City.

I would say Tuesday was the first time I could say he was really selfish. Ok at times he's maybe tried to take it on too much but he's a winger, that happens. You're not always going to make the right choice every time.

But Tuesday there were times he looked like he wanted to re-create Maradona's goal against England in '86 (or Jamie Cook at Hinckley in '04) when there was no need. The defenders just stood their ground and he lost possession a lot. He kept cutting more and more inside that it was more congested. If he was going to do that he should have looked for an outlet on the right, someone like Bowman bombing on to provide support.

Be interesting to see if he starts tomorrow.