Firstly I am all for being positive but I am also a realist. The reality is we need to recognise that we are still in a downward spiral. We don't have a deep enough squad, moreover we still have players who are mentally shot (far too used to losing) and as a result we have no character, spirit or belief.
The kids look like there maybe talent but they cannot in any way be relied upon to be the way forward. Allowing them to develop in an environment that has essentially become used to losing and has lost all collective and individual belief will be wholly damaging to their development.
What really worries me is that PH may think the kids are good enough and our "better" players will find their form. I don't think either are true. Carlos cannot be expected to lift players who are mentally on the floor and he equally cannot be expected to integrate potentially talented youngsters into such an environment.
At some point someone has to wake up and smell the coffee and start getting real. When you look at clubs who have unravelled you observe and think "how the hell was that allowed to happen"? Well I hate to say it but it's happening right in front of our eyes. That's not being negative or disrespectful to anyone. It is a cold hard fact.
Someone in charge, be it PH, MD, LB, CC or DH (I assume he still has some sort of a say) has to be honest and say it as it is. Positive words are valueless. Most people know that black isn't white and won't be persuaded by an argument that something is bright grey. As with any problem in life you first have to admit that it exists before you can hope to address it.
I fear that there still is a delusional bunker mentality at the top of the club that things are actually better than they are. I've news for them, they aren't and it's about time there was some humility and positive action to acknowledge and address this.
Irrespective of the fact that we have seen the club generate revenues far in excess of anything previously invested in the club (It's sobering to think our Premier League stay generated over 4 times what DH invested) there are fundamental issues that need addressing. Recruitment has been poor. There has been a tacit lack of a coherent strategy (the decision to bring in Carlos needs more than hoping he's a magician). The engagement with the fans has become increasingly shoddy, we are left with the feeling we should be grateful for the success we had and if it goes pear shaped well you can wait another 45 years.
The really galling thing to me is that the arguments always revolve around money. Money guarantees nothing. Were we not proud of achieving the "miracle" on a tight budget? Why the hell didn't we have a plan to sustain a longer period of success in the same vein? No one can tell me that the way the club has gone in the past 2 years isn't bloody amateur hour and as embarrassing as it is alarming.
I completely accept that the Carlos plan will take time. I also accept that the current world circumstances mean that things are more difficult but at the moment I don't see any semblance of a plan to move us forward. We are selling players, when it is clear our squad is clearly lacking.
The shadow of the decision to sack the Cowleys will lengthen with every poor result and performance. Whatever your view on that call it is something people will point back to.
I have just renewed my season ticket. It's what I do, I support the club. This doesn't make me a hero, any more entitled to an opinion or in any way special. It does depress me to see such a wonderful period of success disintegrate before my eyes. It is so sad. It's even worse when you feel those in charge are essentially taking you for granted and feel you should be sustained by 2 magical years in a lifetime of hopes largely dashed. I don't feel entitled to anything as a HTAFC fan other than hard work, honesty and integrity. Some of those qualities are in precious little evidence at the moment.
The rot has to be stopped. There's only a handful of people who can do this. Their first job is to acknowledge it is happening and then do something about it.
Over the past few months I feel I'm a stuck record. I genuinely hope for the best but can't be blindly optimistic when the facts are clear.
Optimistic, pessimistic, angry, frustrated, disillusioned or simply disinterested. Which ever camp you are in we all went better for our club. I hope those who can make a positive change feel the same and actually realise that work needs to be done.
UTT