To our fans,
Before our monthly update, we would like to address Junior’s resignation yesterday. First of all we would like to thank Junior for his time at the club. He is a great individual and tried his best to move the club forward. We are happy to have provided him with the opportunity to start his managerial career in the UK and I’m sure he’s going to find success in the future.
We want to address some misconceptions about the club before we talk about what comes next. Junior received full support from the board at all times. We never interfered with team selection or formation. Like in any other club on the planet, ownership approves players that will be signed and released. All players signed or released this season were requested or released by Junior. Sometimes Junior would ask for a specific player but sometimes, given he is a new manager and did not know players at this level, he would request a “fast CB”, “hardworking/experienced midfielder” and Blake and our team would try to find him what he wanted. Once options were presented management would approve the signing (or not) and board would approve the financials to make sure it fits our budget. So much so that last week, a few days before his resignation, Junior decided to sign 2 new players. We promptly agreed as we take full responsibility for his appointment and believe showing support to the person in charge in a time of crisis is essential for success. Anyway, onto the issue at hand.
As the numbers will show the results and performances this season have been below expectations. We do not show enough intensity, lack creativity, do not create enough chances, and we’re being consistently outmatched and outrun by our opponents.
Let’s look at the numbers:
- xG: 1.83 this season vs 2.98 last season
- xG against: up to 1.32 vs 1.18 last season
- Shots on target per game: small drop from 14 to 13
- Shots on target against: much worse at 9.1 vs 6.83 from last year
- High Quality Chances for vs against: 3 vs 2.2. Last year 4.3 vs 1.7
- Goals per game: drop from 2.92 last year to 1.7 this year
- Goals against: big drop from 1.04 last year to 1.4 this year
- As a reference, teams that win the NCEL score on average 3 goals per game and concede less than 1 (0.91) so we are way below these standards.
Numbers don’t lie, we are a poor football team at the moment and by a significant margin compared to the team that finished 4th last season. It is worrisome as we don’t create nearly enough chances to win games, concede too many high quality chances and have insignificant press numbers. Having said that, we believe in this squad and are confident that under new leadership we can still push for the playoffs this season.
We are starting the interview process today and have received more than a dozen applications so far. Our target is to have a new manager in place by next weekend.
The new hire will be afforded the same unwavering support and freedom to work offered to our previous managers and we do believe that this is the most exciting job opportunity at this level of football. Yes, there is pressure as we’ve seen at yesterday’s game with fans asking for Junior’s head, but ultimately we have a good budget, good facilities, big fan base and incredible staff and volunteers. That’s a set-up that is attractive to a lot of managers as our applications show.
Finally, we have been in touch with all the players, they feel the responsibility and pressure but are rallying together and looking forward to getting a win on Tuesday and turning this campaign around.
Until the new manager is appointed, our assistant managers will take care of game day activities and practices.
Other topics
Facilities
We are working closely with the council to find an agreement that would satisfy Wakefield taxpayers and WAFC needs. As mentioned in our previous update, this project is self funded and will create jobs and sporting facilities that will be used by the community and local organizations at no cost to council. Progress has been slow, but we feel we’re moving in the right direction and at the moment we have identified one location that would satisfy the project needs.
Club store
Our leisurewear has finally been delivered and will be available for purchase on Tuesday. Our custom gear looks great and it’s easily the best ones we’ve designed so far. Stock is limited and Ellgren lead-time for hoodies and sweaters is 8 to 10 weeks so make sure to get yours from us in the next two games.
New Signings
Our plan is to keep the squad stable until the new manager arrives. Having said that, on Friday we have agreed to sign two additional players requested by Junior. These players will be announced on Monday/Tuesday and will be incorporated into the match day squad. It is an unusual situation but these are great players and we are confident the new manager will be happy to have them.
Well, this is it for now. The responsibility for our failures this season falls on us as we’ve selected the manager and signed off on the season’s plans. Ultimately it didn’t work but we will respond the only way we know how to, by putting our heads down, working hard and trying to find solutions to keep moving this club forward.
We thank you for your patience and team and staff count with your support during these difficult times. We’re sure we will get out of this as strong as ever.
WAFC board of directors