| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” 09:21 - Mar 16 with 21764 views | TK1 |
Saw this on the way to the game, Cifuentes describing how difficult the season's been, "not just the results", but "things the fans don't see" - particularly the last few weeks.
Interesting that he thinks this has been "by far" harder than taking over one of the worst teams I can remember last season.
Seems significant. I wonder what's been happening - and I wonder where that leaves him for next season.
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| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 12:37 - Mar 17 with 2233 views | bosh67 |
The injury list he's faced this year has been ridiculous. |  |
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| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 12:44 - Mar 17 with 2188 views | BostonR |
All workplace environments operate differently be it corporate, civil service and sporting companies.
With football clubs (in my experience) it ultimately comes down to the owners who eventually call the shots, even though they have a CEO in situ. In all this bluster about Marti, it’s worth remembering the owners are still ploughing in some £2M a month to keep the club solvent.
Given some of the sources being touted on some messages, I doubt it would take long for the club to work out who’s gobbing off and whether they are right or wrong.
If the sources are close to Marti and it’s confirmed, I would walk him out the door today. I doubt he is that stupid and naive - he knows what he wants in his career.
It’s ok at the top level in organisations to disagree - in fact it’s healthy. I suspect like many of us (I’ve been watching for over 55yrs) it’s become difficult to raise any enthusiasm, given the club stays afloat in Championship no-man’s land season after season.
Perhaps Marti is articulating what we all think, but ultimately he and the CEO have to fix it and work together, otherwise the owners will pull the trigger and we’re on the merry -go-round again. |  | | |
| (No subject) on 12:44 - Mar 17 with 2186 views | GaryHaddock |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 12:16 - Mar 17 by Hunterhoop |
What I found strange is what some people expect ITK posters to post.
Are they going to name their source, quote them verbatim, date it, get a signature? Come on! It would cause that source a huge problem professionally. They can’t.
If someone is genuinely “in the know” either because they work behind the scenes, have had access, or have spoken directly to people who are/have, would you rather they did not post anything or did?
I completely understand a poster’s mindset, especially a QPR fan, in wanting to flag to unaware fans what is really happening. Of course, you can have the Billy BS merchants who make it up to feel big behind an online username.
Ultimately, it’s everyone’s individual call as to which motive they want to believe.
But expecting anyone to give more details than they are is, in my opinion, a bit silly.
I’ve been on this MB for decades, several of you have met me face to face. I’ve spoken to one or two people with access to people at the club this season, they’ve reiterated the same things and told me of others who think the same. If anyone wants my two pence worth, I think a lot of what Lassel has said over the months rings true. |
Some people have rock solid set narratives don’t they, and the anger usually comes out when that’s challenged.
Any posts speaking in a negative way about Nourry is liking rubbing alladin’s lamp I find. Reminds me of the days of Paliadini‘s attack dogs, except Nourry‘s ones don’t get free tickets and signed shirts for it I assume. [Post edited 17 Mar 12:49]
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| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 13:00 - Mar 17 with 2112 views | mart_Goblin |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 12:16 - Mar 17 by Hunterhoop |
What I found strange is what some people expect ITK posters to post.
Are they going to name their source, quote them verbatim, date it, get a signature? Come on! It would cause that source a huge problem professionally. They can’t.
If someone is genuinely “in the know” either because they work behind the scenes, have had access, or have spoken directly to people who are/have, would you rather they did not post anything or did?
I completely understand a poster’s mindset, especially a QPR fan, in wanting to flag to unaware fans what is really happening. Of course, you can have the Billy BS merchants who make it up to feel big behind an online username.
Ultimately, it’s everyone’s individual call as to which motive they want to believe.
But expecting anyone to give more details than they are is, in my opinion, a bit silly.
I’ve been on this MB for decades, several of you have met me face to face. I’ve spoken to one or two people with access to people at the club this season, they’ve reiterated the same things and told me of others who think the same. If anyone wants my two pence worth, I think a lot of what Lassel has said over the months rings true. |
I think some people would rather nothing was posted .
Had the same last year when I very naively spoke about Lyndon and knowing stuff and got lambasted like Lassel is now. I love talking and discussing Rangers so just wanted to share some info to ‘likeminded’ fans but big mistake .
My mistake , no one else’s . Reached out privately to a few to explain, some were lovely some didn’t want to hear an explanation.
That’s ok too.
People want proof and if you can’t provide it for whatever reason then it’s just seen as lies , mainly because it goes against a certain narrative ,if people are honest with themselves, but it’s also understandable given the nonsense that’s spewed on social media etc.
Easier to just say nothing and let people argue the toss . 😄 [Post edited 17 Mar 13:02]
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| (No subject) on 13:02 - Mar 17 with 2098 views | JamesB1979 |
| (No subject) on 12:44 - Mar 17 by GaryHaddock |
Some people have rock solid set narratives don’t they, and the anger usually comes out when that’s challenged.
Any posts speaking in a negative way about Nourry is liking rubbing alladin’s lamp I find. Reminds me of the days of Paliadini‘s attack dogs, except Nourry‘s ones don’t get free tickets and signed shirts for it I assume. [Post edited 17 Mar 12:49]
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I’d say it’s completely the opposite. There’s a group that love to bring Nourry into any argument that becomes negative about the club. But anyway, what is true is that whatever side of fence or if you sit in the middle, nothing anyone says on here is going to change your view. | | | |
| (No subject) on 13:05 - Mar 17 with 2089 views | mart_Goblin |
| (No subject) on 13:02 - Mar 17 by JamesB1979 |
I’d say it’s completely the opposite. There’s a group that love to bring Nourry into any argument that becomes negative about the club. But anyway, what is true is that whatever side of fence or if you sit in the middle, nothing anyone says on here is going to change your view. |
I think your last sentence is spot on .
People have their views and ideas and ain’t going to change. | | | |
| (No subject) on 13:10 - Mar 17 with 2061 views | GaryHaddock |
| (No subject) on 13:02 - Mar 17 by JamesB1979 |
I’d say it’s completely the opposite. There’s a group that love to bring Nourry into any argument that becomes negative about the club. But anyway, what is true is that whatever side of fence or if you sit in the middle, nothing anyone says on here is going to change your view. |
Well, you’ve sort of made my point by replying.
My view on Nourry has shifted if that’s any consolation. | | | |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 13:28 - Mar 17 with 1995 views | R_from_afar |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 21:31 - Mar 16 by Northernr |
A thing to consider here...
QPR are never backwards in coming forwards when something is going even remotely well. We printed Ledesma t-shirts after a hat trick in a first round League Cup game. Koki Saito scores one goal away against a rank Hull side and we're printing Japanese language on the replica tops. Kieran Morgan has a good dozen games running on adrenalin and he's getting deep dive pieces in The Athletic.
They love it. They love it when something is going even very remotely well. It makes them look like hey know what they're doing. They hype the fck out of it.
Marti Cifuentes is just about the most popular manager we've had here since Warnock. The fans love him. They make flags with him on, they sing his name, he gets a complete free pass whenever we go on a winless run.
And yet QPR, the club of the Ledesma t-shirts, won't let me, won't let the other podcasts, won't let a (let's be honest, pretty tame) fans forum audience within 1000 yards of him. They obfuscate and say "oh we wanted this to be a forum about more off the pitch issues", they kick the can down the road with "there'll be forum with the football side of the business later in the year", they hope you'll forget they said that, then when you remember they say "oh, send us some qs on email and we'll ask the ones we like the best in a controlled, edited environment, involving all the coaching staff".
The most popular manager we've had in a decade, in theory an enormous success story for the club, and they are terrified of him speaking in any unfiltered, long form way that they cannot control. They don't want you and me speaking to him.
You can attack the "ITKs", you can dismiss it as gossip, you can talk about airing dirty linen in public, or whatever, but at the very least you should be curious about why that is.
Why is that? |
"Why is that?"
I don't like the way fan communication with Marti is being heavily controlled but I think - and I have zero inside knowledge - that it could be attributed to insecurity and a lack of self confidence on the part of Nourry.
I expect Nourry is only too aware that:
- He is replacing a legendary player and very high profile person in Sir Les
- Many fans don't see the point of a DoF anyway
- He has no playing experience
- He is very young
- No-one had heard of him before his company took on that consultancy project for QPR
All these things could make him feel exposed, desperate to keep an iron grip on the narrative and worried about public disagreements with the head coach.
As I said at the outset, I agree that it's poor that our access to Marti is being limited. |  |
| "Things had started becoming increasingly desperate at Loftus Road but QPR have been handed a massive lifeline and the place has absolutely erupted. it's carnage. It's bedlam. It's 1-1." |
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| (No subject) on 13:45 - Mar 17 with 1919 views | TheChef |
| (No subject) on 09:45 - Mar 16 by Dorse |
Based on a complete lack of evidence, I propose we start a series of unfounded rumours.
Alfie Lloyd isn't allowed to talk to Kieron Morgan after their mums fell out at the Bingo.
Nicholas Madsen's pet axolotl, Marvin, is fighting for his life against amphibian flu.
No-one has seen Sam Field's car keys, so stop asking.
Michael Frey won't stop whistling songs by J-Pop group Haku, accompanied by knuckle cracking and armpit fart noises. |
Yeah well done Dorse, hiding the facts in plain sight.
I mean I am convinced that Frey actually does that. |  |
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| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 14:00 - Mar 17 with 1850 views | gazza1 |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 13:28 - Mar 17 by R_from_afar |
"Why is that?"
I don't like the way fan communication with Marti is being heavily controlled but I think - and I have zero inside knowledge - that it could be attributed to insecurity and a lack of self confidence on the part of Nourry.
I expect Nourry is only too aware that:
- He is replacing a legendary player and very high profile person in Sir Les
- Many fans don't see the point of a DoF anyway
- He has no playing experience
- He is very young
- No-one had heard of him before his company took on that consultancy project for QPR
All these things could make him feel exposed, desperate to keep an iron grip on the narrative and worried about public disagreements with the head coach.
As I said at the outset, I agree that it's poor that our access to Marti is being limited. |
I think it is a 'load of old rubbish' that Nourry has anything of any real football stuff to do with the DOF role......not sure why posters think he has. Why would he??
If I ever see him the first question to him after saying hello how are you?? would be what DOF stuff do you do for the club!!! | | | |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 14:27 - Mar 17 with 1762 views | wombat |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 19:25 - Mar 16 by dmm |
On the recruitment issue, earlier in the season it was said that Nourry, Belk and Cifuentes were involved in signings. I agree the squad is unbalanced but I don't think that's solely down to Nourry, and I'm not a fan of his. |
but to what level is he involved in players coming in ? is it hi marti here is ur new right back , looks great on FM so thats good enough for me , good luck |  |
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| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 14:31 - Mar 17 with 1746 views | daveB |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 14:00 - Mar 17 by gazza1 |
I think it is a 'load of old rubbish' that Nourry has anything of any real football stuff to do with the DOF role......not sure why posters think he has. Why would he??
If I ever see him the first question to him after saying hello how are you?? would be what DOF stuff do you do for the club!!! |
Every interview I've seen with him he's spoke about his role being on the football side, He refers to himself as a sports minded ceo.
In his first interview he spoke about changing the game model of the club to restructure all teams in this vision. he's massivley invovled in the football side whether you think he's doing well or not |  | | |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:01 - Mar 17 with 1583 views | gazza1 |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 14:31 - Mar 17 by daveB |
Every interview I've seen with him he's spoke about his role being on the football side, He refers to himself as a sports minded ceo.
In his first interview he spoke about changing the game model of the club to restructure all teams in this vision. he's massivley invovled in the football side whether you think he's doing well or not |
Nourry's main responsibilty is running the club(not football wise).....the DOF is mainly football orientated.
MC job is managing the Team and that includes the players and systems that we play.
All this other nonsense about Nourry is as I say nonsense. Next thing I will be reading is that Nourry is on the training pitch deciding how we execute free kicks and defending the penalty area. Its nonsense. | | | |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:05 - Mar 17 with 1555 views | Hunterhoop |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 14:50 - Mar 17 by Superhoops2808 |
I think you and Hunter have hit the nail on the head
If you are ITK, keep it to yourself. There is a reason you (Not you Mart) are ITK because you are privy to some info that others are not. So just leave it like that... Dont drip feed it into certain arguments because you will be pulled up to provide evidence.
Many here love the conspiracies anyway so leave them to it  |
Devils advocate here but isn’t that an odd stance to take?
You’re effectively saying “I’d rather not hear something that doesn’t align with my existing opinion unless you can evidence it, even though I know you can’t publicly evidence a source if you happen to be ITK.”
It’s tantamount to “I don’t want to hear any opposing thoughts”. Do you ask people giving positive opinions to evidence them with inside information they have heard that show it was down to him?
On Lassel, has it ever occurred to you that he is perhaps rather “ITK”, and what he is saying is true?
Even if you have doubts, is it still not better to hear these different opinions/insights? It’s a forum afterall.
As I said, I’ve spoken to a few people who are or have had more access into the club, or certainly speak with people who do, and I think a lot (not all) of what Lassel says rings true. |  | | |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:09 - Mar 17 with 1518 views | Hunterhoop |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:01 - Mar 17 by gazza1 |
Nourry's main responsibilty is running the club(not football wise).....the DOF is mainly football orientated.
MC job is managing the Team and that includes the players and systems that we play.
All this other nonsense about Nourry is as I say nonsense. Next thing I will be reading is that Nourry is on the training pitch deciding how we execute free kicks and defending the penalty area. Its nonsense. |
Hahaha.
Gazza, I know it’s hard to believe but I don’t think you’re right on this.
Believe it or not, but Nourry has his own initialled tracksuit and I understand is often at the training ground. From what I have heard he is FAR more DOF than CEO. What is clear is he is doing both roles. He has said so himself. | | | |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:15 - Mar 17 with 1493 views | BrianMcCarthy |
I think with ITK stuuf, we have to consider whether it helps our club or not to release it. Does it help Rangers for a poster on LFW to claim that Cifuentes has told someone who told someone who told someone that Cifuentes and Nourry weren't talking last summer? Or that Nourry is not trusted by those who've worked with him at Rangers?
Lassel's posting stuff on here that sounds right to some of us, but that's only because it ties in with other rumours that we've heard.
Also, Lassel's info is at least third-hand and - let's face it - we have absolutely no way of knowing how true it is, and why it would be leaked and/or spun.
After all, Lassel's source told him last winter that Cifuentes had actually been sacked. |  |
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| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:16 - Mar 17 with 1476 views | gazza1 |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:09 - Mar 17 by Hunterhoop |
Hahaha.
Gazza, I know it’s hard to believe but I don’t think you’re right on this.
Believe it or not, but Nourry has his own initialled tracksuit and I understand is often at the training ground. From what I have heard he is FAR more DOF than CEO. What is clear is he is doing both roles. He has said so himself. |
Shocking that Hunter, proper shocking. I just cannot believe it, really. If I ever get an opportunity, and im going to make sure I attend, to go to the next FF I will ask him even if I have to cause a commotion. If he says he is the DOF I will ask him what he does. I want to get to the bottom of this once & for all.
A tracksuit with his initials.....well, well well, what can I say - i want a picture in the programme. | | | |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:19 - Mar 17 with 1467 views | daveB |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:01 - Mar 17 by gazza1 |
Nourry's main responsibilty is running the club(not football wise).....the DOF is mainly football orientated.
MC job is managing the Team and that includes the players and systems that we play.
All this other nonsense about Nourry is as I say nonsense. Next thing I will be reading is that Nourry is on the training pitch deciding how we execute free kicks and defending the penalty area. Its nonsense. |
I'm just going off what the man himself as said. He's heavily involved in the football side, not to the extent of being involved in training of course but setting the philosophy for how the teams play, who we sign, who we keep etc is all in his remit
He doesn't do it alone of course same as Ferdinand he has people working under him but ultimately he's in charge. His role is a hybrid role merging the DOF and CEO role into one | | | |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:26 - Mar 17 with 1409 views | Hunterhoop |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:15 - Mar 17 by BrianMcCarthy |
I think with ITK stuuf, we have to consider whether it helps our club or not to release it. Does it help Rangers for a poster on LFW to claim that Cifuentes has told someone who told someone who told someone that Cifuentes and Nourry weren't talking last summer? Or that Nourry is not trusted by those who've worked with him at Rangers?
Lassel's posting stuff on here that sounds right to some of us, but that's only because it ties in with other rumours that we've heard.
Also, Lassel's info is at least third-hand and - let's face it - we have absolutely no way of knowing how true it is, and why it would be leaked and/or spun.
After all, Lassel's source told him last winter that Cifuentes had actually been sacked. |
As ever, Bri, the crux of the issue is reached.
Is it the right thing to do for the club?
Personally, I think that depends on whether your focus is the short or long term and what you personally think is best for the club.
If you were to think that the CEO or DOF was a danger to the long term fortunes of the club (due to a combination of things), and given too much freedom will take us down, split the fanbase, jump ship as soon as a bigger role emerges elsewhere, and leave our finances in a dangerous place, you might feel compelled to speak up “for the good of the club”.
Of course, you might be wrong in such an assessment! And as we rocket into the Prem, you’ll look silly. But none of us can see into the future and know that now. So it’s hard to judge, isn’t it? I think there are a lot of people holding that peace at the moment in a way perhaps Lassel is not.
Is it helpful? Depends entirely on your perspective.
The facts remains, a highly popular manager has outwardly said this has been his hardest year by far in football (mad comparing to last season!!), and this same manager has not been present at a fans’ forum or allowed to do a proper sit down interview like previous managers with the likes of Clive. | | | |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:27 - Mar 17 with 1403 views | gazza1 |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:19 - Mar 17 by daveB |
I'm just going off what the man himself as said. He's heavily involved in the football side, not to the extent of being involved in training of course but setting the philosophy for how the teams play, who we sign, who we keep etc is all in his remit
He doesn't do it alone of course same as Ferdinand he has people working under him but ultimately he's in charge. His role is a hybrid role merging the DOF and CEO role into one |
He may have a say in the playing side but MC has the final say ........ 99.9% of the time.
Next thing I will being told he picks the Team and who takesall of the dead ball situation!!!!! | | | |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:34 - Mar 17 with 1369 views | daveB |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:27 - Mar 17 by gazza1 |
He may have a say in the playing side but MC has the final say ........ 99.9% of the time.
Next thing I will being told he picks the Team and who takesall of the dead ball situation!!!!! |
Oh yes I'm not suggesting he's picking the team or anything like that but he's the one in charge of the entire ship at the moment | | | |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:35 - Mar 17 with 1366 views | BrianMcCarthy |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 15:26 - Mar 17 by Hunterhoop |
As ever, Bri, the crux of the issue is reached.
Is it the right thing to do for the club?
Personally, I think that depends on whether your focus is the short or long term and what you personally think is best for the club.
If you were to think that the CEO or DOF was a danger to the long term fortunes of the club (due to a combination of things), and given too much freedom will take us down, split the fanbase, jump ship as soon as a bigger role emerges elsewhere, and leave our finances in a dangerous place, you might feel compelled to speak up “for the good of the club”.
Of course, you might be wrong in such an assessment! And as we rocket into the Prem, you’ll look silly. But none of us can see into the future and know that now. So it’s hard to judge, isn’t it? I think there are a lot of people holding that peace at the moment in a way perhaps Lassel is not.
Is it helpful? Depends entirely on your perspective.
The facts remains, a highly popular manager has outwardly said this has been his hardest year by far in football (mad comparing to last season!!), and this same manager has not been present at a fans’ forum or allowed to do a proper sit down interview like previous managers with the likes of Clive. |
Good post, Hunter. | |
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| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 16:17 - Mar 17 with 1199 views | TK1 |
The "ITK" stuff is neither here nor there. It may annoy, but objectively you either think it and the sources ring true or not. If you know the truth of something you can disprove or ignore them. We can't.
The only way to clear away conspiracies or rumours is to shine a light on everything, to be open with loyal fans as much as is practical. Whatever anyone thought of the Ferdinand, Hoos, Warburton axis, I think they got open communication pretty much spot on. They all let us in two or three times a year, sometimes together, sometimes apart. They faced up when it was tough, too. They were self-respecting adults about it.
Nourry could kill every rumour, every ITK stone dead with a proper, in-person, unfiltered Fans Forum with Cifuentes and himself. That he doesn't tells me everything. That he chooses to instead present a "Football Panel" whereby our head coach shares a platform with seven others including the Head of Methodology, Head of Performance Services and Head of Women’s Operations to answer vetted questions before an audience of just scholars and the women's team before edited answers are shared on "channels" should tell all more than any ITK rumour. It's laughably, transparently controlling. With due respect to everyone else on the panel, let's hear from the head coach and the recruitment on one panel please, the academy, methodology etc on another, and the women's on their own. It's insulting to think he believes fans really buy this nonsense. | | | |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 16:23 - Mar 17 with 1169 views | GaryHaddock |
| "By far the most challenging season of my career!” on 16:17 - Mar 17 by TK1 |
The "ITK" stuff is neither here nor there. It may annoy, but objectively you either think it and the sources ring true or not. If you know the truth of something you can disprove or ignore them. We can't.
The only way to clear away conspiracies or rumours is to shine a light on everything, to be open with loyal fans as much as is practical. Whatever anyone thought of the Ferdinand, Hoos, Warburton axis, I think they got open communication pretty much spot on. They all let us in two or three times a year, sometimes together, sometimes apart. They faced up when it was tough, too. They were self-respecting adults about it.
Nourry could kill every rumour, every ITK stone dead with a proper, in-person, unfiltered Fans Forum with Cifuentes and himself. That he doesn't tells me everything. That he chooses to instead present a "Football Panel" whereby our head coach shares a platform with seven others including the Head of Methodology, Head of Performance Services and Head of Women’s Operations to answer vetted questions before an audience of just scholars and the women's team before edited answers are shared on "channels" should tell all more than any ITK rumour. It's laughably, transparently controlling. With due respect to everyone else on the panel, let's hear from the head coach and the recruitment on one panel please, the academy, methodology etc on another, and the women's on their own. It's insulting to think he believes fans really buy this nonsense. |
Where I am 100% | | | |
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