Barney,

I love this sport and deperately want it to succeed in this country and this region, I feel we have solid ownership and management that wants to win.

It is because of that I am frustrated, I have seen how Cincinnati sport fans treat lower level sports, the results have never been pretty. The fact is we don't have enough hardcore fans who will keep coming back. Casual fans want wins and they want goals, and whether we like it or not those people are the majority of those in attendence.

Look at the USL Barney, how many clubs die after not making a splash within a few years? This leagues past is littered with failed clubs so yes I am worried that once again I will be left with no local club.

Just my two cents.

There is a world of difference between turning on a team and expressing constructive criticism.

This is not a time to panic. Yes the Kings have lost 2 in a row. First they were on the road and then lost to a former First Division team. While Barney B was a little strong, I feel he is correct, kingsfan7777 is sounding like the typical Cincinnati far weather fan. Kingsfan7777, I think you have went a little to far as well, at first I didn't think that Jon Pickup should have played. I thought he looked a little slow at times and out of place, but then as the game progressed he found his spot and his service on free kicks was excellent. For that reason, I would actually like to see him play more. You are right, speed kills and the kings need to utilize their speed more. As for the midfield being non-existent, that is not true, in the second half of the game the midfield did a good job and the Kings put together some nice attacking movements. As for the style, I am not sure what you want, but I agree, the Kings need to decide what they want, do they want to be a possession team attacking through the middle, do they want to utilize flank attacks and rely on crosses and service into the box, or do they want to be an over-the-top team and rely on the long ball to spring a free running striker or midfielder. As for the substitutions in the Richomd game, you can argue about them and complain about them all you want, but the team did play better in the second half after Hughes and Cummings went off. I also like Hughes in the attack, but at least in that game the team looked better after he subbed out. Finally, to say that player/coach is hardly ever done, it is done quit frequently especially in lower divisions in England and other European leagues and it does work fine for them. Mostly, everyone just relax the season is young and while their have been some problems, give it some time and see if it works itself out.

Agreed. Chances are, if they were truly turning on their team, then they wouldn't even bother coming on a message board about them

Given Kings travels 100 miles for a game, I would say he is a true fan, with the right to express a viewpoint for the fare he gets served up for his $$.

I like the comment about the next Kings coach has been riding the bench most of the season. If you're thinking about who I'm thinking about, then I agree that Wes Schulte would make an awesome coach. He has a vast knowledge of the game and has won the respect of the players as a leader on and off the field. He is also highly regarded in the local soccer community as evidenced by the young fans who cheer him on even when he is not on the field.

Correct, Wes Shulte is who i would expect to be the next head coach of the Kings. I am not pushing out Pickup, but i feel he should be either a coach or player.

Pickup may be the best person we had to start up the Kings, and has done a fine job, but at some point, you need someone to take your game to a higher level or higher consistency of play.

Just an opinion.

Now, in response to barneyb losing his mind while reading this discussion.
Nowhere did Kingsfan7777 or myself say we are turning on our team. We both mentioned some positive with the team and concerns about Pickup doing two jobs at once.
We both mention concerns for the future. Meaning we want the club to have a future.

It is people like Barney that read into these things way too much.
Then after someone calls them out on it, they backtrack.

Thanks to Doc and Snaggle for their support and understanding in this matter. Not necessarily for my comments vs. being able to express an opinion.

Also, being critical is part of being a fan. Yes, it would be great if we were winning all the time and the players are great, but i have yet to find any professional team in any sport like that.

All of that being said, Go Kings!

I think you're right about there being a need for consistency of play. We were on a winning track and things were working well. Then we had a tough game against Pittsburgh followed by an off-week with no game. That's when it looked to me like the coaches decided to change the game plan. I think we should stick to what was working in the beginning. Don't fix something if it's not broke! Or if we need to change things around to spark up the play, at least go with some speed up top and see if that will result in some goals.

DOES THAT MEAN SCHULTE WOULD RETIRE ! NO MORE PLAYING ? HOW OLD IS HE 30? WHAT EXPERIENCE DOES HE HAVE OTHER THAN COCHING U12 S ? NONE , PICKUP IS DOING A GOOD JOB UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES AND HE WILL CONTINUE WHETHER HE PLAYS OR NOT .