Warnock let too many top players go: On several occasions of late, I have been requested, through the Bury Times and the club programme, to put my differences and opinions to one side and get behind the team! I have tried to adhere to this but given the seasons conclusion, I feel it more appropriate to offer an opinion. Quite simply, I cant subscribe to Mr. Robinsons view that Warnock "has done the best he can with the resources available," especially if we take the following resources into account who have departed this season under Mr. Warnock. Bryan Small the classiest left back I have seen in 20 years of watching Bury.
Tony Ellis averaged two goals per league start for Bury (and Stockport). Rob Matthews The one player who could go past players with pace and create goal scoring opportunities. Lennie Johnrose By Warnocks own admission, the sort of player who would run through a brick wall for Bury. The calibre of replacements has not matched the departures and it is with dismay that I read that Mr. Warnock appears to be remaining at the club. If plenty of other clubs would like him as manager (as reported in last Mondays press), let us see if another club will believe his own publicity! Having travelled away on ten occasions this season, I can recommend my one victory a pity it was in Portsmouth in a dry dock!
Mr P Gainsworthy, Prestwich
A Lack of motivation has been the problem: I have been a Bury supporter for over 30 years. I have known the joy of promotion and the sadness of relegation many times. To go down last Sunday was one of the saddest moments I have known at Gigg Lane, not because of the relegation, but because of the way Relegation came about. I dont mean the result of the "Friendly" between QPR and Crystal Palace, I mean the Systematic de-motivation of the team by the manager. I mean his negative comments about the players lack of ability and about the club: "Little", "No Money", "Un-Fashionable", "Cant compete". I mean his negative tactics, especially in the second half of games. How many times did the team play well in the first half, only to come out after the break to defend in their own half with ten men in the hope of getting a point? Mr. Warnock thinks the fans are "on a different planet" and dont understand the financial restrictions the club has to work under. Of course the fans understand, it has always been the same. What fans do not understand is the managers lack of ambition and belief in the team. It was clear when we played Bolton that the team can compete and do well when properly motivated, either by pride, revenge, or in the case of some, the presence of TV cameras. It is the managers job to instil belief into the team. To motivate them to work hard for the club and then allow them to play. Mr. Warnock has failed to do this and should go. After all, he said himself that he did not expect to be still here if the team was relegated.
D Barrat, Tottington.
Boss is so Unpopular: I have been a supporter of Bury FC for 40 years but I am afraid I cannot recall a manager who has proved to be so unpopular with the fans in such a short period of time and I suggest the reasons for this:? 1. His attitude to supporters, which regrettably comes across as condescending and patronising He appears to have a confrontational manner with fans if they do not agree with his viewpoint. Incidentally, this would also appear to be a characteristic that he shares with the chairman, whom I have met on occasions.? 2. His constant excuses throughout the season whenever things have not gone right.?? 3. Perhaps a contentious point, but his stubborn obsession in continually selecting Chris Billy. As he should have realised, he is not a fans favourite and it almost appeared that his reason for refusing to drop him was to "pull rank" on the supporters.? I fully appreciate that my views are from the outside looking in and I am sure there are factors that I am not aware of. However, myself and the vast majority of supporters are totally familiar with the financial restrictions within which Neil Warnock has to work (bear in mind that we have been associated with Bury for much longer than him). His reported comments that "People who dont seem to understand are on another planet" are insulting. He stated that he resigned from Oldham Athletic because of the financial restrictions he had to work under. Surely, he must have been aware that hed be working under even tighter restrictions at Gigg Lane. My next issue concerns his dealings in the transfer market. With the exception of Laurent DJaffo and Steve Redmond, I do not believe that any of his signings were good enough to play First Division football. (Perhaps that point has been proved). I find it difficult to accept that, even taking into consideration that the distinct lack of funds available, there were not better players procurable than Division Two reserves who had played for him before.? On balance, the team now is weaker than the one he inherited and the strength of the team was in the already established players. The style of unattractive football effectively preached by his predecessor ( and clearly advocated by the chairman) in the lower divisions, was patently not good enough for Division One, particularly when allied to the lack of quality in the team. May I say that, as a long-term supporter, I am not proud that my team have been labelled a big boot team. Whenever I talk to anybody about football and state that I support Bury, the first comment is "Bury kick and rush team". This disagreeable mode of play is the major reason why the public of Bury will not turn out in their greater numbers to lend their support.
Mike Bailey
Do the decent thing:? Well, the inevitable has happened and after just two seasons in the First Division we have been relegated.? A quick glance at the final league table tells it's own story - ten wins and 35 goals scored in 46 matches.? However, I think there is a lot more to it than mere statistics.? The one consistent thing all season has been Neil Warnock's catalogue of excuses - if it hasn't been finding suitable training facilities (does not only rain in Bury) then it is that we are a "small club and nobody likes us, we have no luck etc, etc. ?? Come on Neil, look at yourself in the mirror - I make it you have signed approximately 16/17 players, including loan players, of which seven are strikers, yet we are the lowest scorers in the football league.? How many systems have we played? ? Tony Ellis was sold cheaply and has scored six goals in 15 games for Stockport. ? Where have certain players disappeared to - the likes of Barrick, Jemson and Avdiu. ? I could go on for hours but hopefully I have aired the views of the majority of true shakers supporters.? Finally according to quotes from Neil Warnock after Sunday's game, he still believes he is the right man for the job and that we were not relegated on? the last day, but at West Brom the week earlier by not grabbing a point.? I totally disagree, I pinpoint many inept displays earlier in the season - namely games at Bolton, Port Vale, Crewe and Tranmere - as major reasons for our relegation.? Do the decent thing Neil, walk away and let someone else try and pick up the pieces, otherwise I don't see any positives next season.
J N Travis, Tottington.