[Archived] Nicko's Thread Part 3

[gumboots]

But you can't suddenly change from one form of team to another. Arsenal kept the big guns from the previous regime while bringing through the nucleus of a young squad. We need to keep the fans we have and not alienate too many people and that's why it's so important to get this right. Too inexperienced and you run a lot of risks. Too past it or with the wrong reputation and you alienate those who think the profile of that manager doesn't fit. We don't have enough fans to risk losing even a few. We need an appointment that is acceptable to the majority of our current fans, exciting to some and possibly just exciting enough to bring a few waverers back or attract a few new ones. Poor choice won't do that, and the board need to be aware that whilst it's about money, you don't get any if your fans all desert you. Football is not just a business like any other and whilst quite rightly it is now more businesslike in its attitudes you also have to have a product people want to buy.

[j166429]

Coul dennis wise be the young loudish one?

[Ronin]

If Gary Johnson comes in, repeats the form of his last few jobs, does a good job with us and keeps us a top half club, he's far more likely to attract big names than if Shearer comes in and we drop like a stone.

At least we might be able to get some Latvian players

[nicko]

Nicko,

If you were chairman for the day and got to appoint our next gaffer,who would be your choice and why?

(Can you answer this question at this time?)

The trouble is you have to deal with the rest of the board too...

I would interview Shearer, find out whether he was serious and what his plans are.

The I would talk to Ten Cate and see whether he is a number one.

I would chuck most of the other names in the bin.

[gumboots]

Coul dennis wise be the young loudish one?

Don't make a bad night worse!

[j166429]

Don't make a bad night worse!

I'd rather prepare myself for something like that if they're really considering it

[rovers_rob]

This is a surprise twist but - as yet - not a major change. So, no panic please.

I don't know about anyone else but after reading the last few pages I am panicking.

[Manchester Blue]

One that has been mentioned but not really picked up one was Roberto Martinez as a off the wall one. I've heard lots of good comments about the work he has done at Swansea and more importantly the football they have been playing. Clearly it's not the big name some woud like but fo an up and coming one he has always impressed me when he is on Revista and may be worth interviewing.

[John]

Not liking what I am reading all of a sudden!!!

[gumboots]

I'd rather prepare myself for something like that if they're really considering it

I wouldn't. I'd rather do the knee jerk reaction when we get the huge disappointment after some of the names we've had bandied around. There are times it's better just not to know.

[percy]

Special people? I'm beginning to think only "special" people can make arguments for his candidature..

At least some are trying to voice their opinions without labelling others that disagree 'idiots' or 'special'. Unlike some.

In light of nicko's latest updates, I'd say at least Shearer catches the imagination and shows a little ambition. I really do think a managerial team fronted by Shearer would be alot more attractive for enticing players to the club / retaining our current stars.

Although Johnson has some experience and has made a promising start to his career, he hardly inspires does he? IMO, he'd almost be as much a gamble at this level as Shearer would be, but without the potential to be a 'pull' for younger players, etc.

Personally, I hope we push the boat out for Ten Cate.

[j166429]

I wouldn't. I'd rather do the knee jerk reaction when we get the huge disappointment after some of the names we've had bandied around. There are times it's better just not to know.

Actually..you're right Gumboots. Ignorance is bliss

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Henning Berg is on the list according to The Times:

Henning Berg - On the List

[John]

We have a lot of unsettled players at the club. I could hardly see the club appointing one of the lesser, lower profile names who are managing in the lower divisions.

[Hasta]

Roberto Martinez name has just appeared on the bottom of the Betfair market. No prices up as yet.

[bats]

We have a lot of unsettled players at the club. I could hardly see the club appointing one of the lesser, lower profile names who are managing in the lower divisions.

Totally agree!

[PAFELL]

I am picking up worrying rumours that there are some people on the board who would rather go for the cheap and hungry option...so frankly I don't know what way this will work out now.

Puzzled.

Could it not just be polite discussions - such as a person applies for a job and therefore politeness says you discuss it?

Just a thought Dave Jones (I think Cardiff) - has prem experience I believe and is some quaters considered a good manager.

The louder one could be Warnock - Pearce -

[den]

What is experience? Are you serious?! Experience means he's done the countless tasks that a manager has had to do. Experience means he's made mistakes and learned from them, that he's made good decisions and known to stick by them. Funny you pick one bad example of how it went wrong,

Experience isn't everything though, is it? There are a bucket load of managers out there who have been around a long time, that I personally wouldn't touch with a barge pole - Bryan Robson, Warnock, Megson, etc, etc. Don't forget that possibly the most experienced manager, with one of the best CV's we ever appointed, was a flop - Hodson. Experience guarantees nothing really.

IMO, what our club needs, is someone with drawing power, - someone who can attract the quality players to Ewood Park [particularly in our case where the name of the club isn't the attraction]. That was the case with Dalglish, Souness and Hughes - world class footballers who had the drawing power. They could get the players in, absolutely vital. Sign first division players, get first division football.

From that list of candidates, which is all we have to judge the situation, who could do that? One man stands head and shoulders above all the rest IMO. That man wasn't my choice a week ago, but I'm gradually changing my mind.

[USRoverME]

nicko has given us cheecky sly hints before, he told us candidate Z was "novel".... so what young managers are out there that share a name with an author, find out and that's our man (or woman)!

[Blueandwhitemike]

I think

Y is

aidy Boothroyd and

Z may well be Martinez

Watford are awful to watch but he might think he has a chance,

Martinez on the other hand has done a terrific job at Swansea, playing nice football, who knows? He could turn out to be a great manager, in the future

Interesting but, I think these are 2 names just on the edges of consideration

No need to panic

[Neil Weaver]

I could go on and on...

What do you mean, 'could'??

[ABBEY]

nicko has given us cheecky sly hints before, he told us candidate Z was "novel".... so what young managers are out there that share a name with an author, find out and that's our man (or woman)!

there ya go...A. SHEARER

[nicko]

I think

Y is

aidy Boothroyd and

Z may well be Martinez

Watford are awful to watch but he might think he has a chance,

Martinez on the other hand has done a terrific job at Swansea, playing nice football, who knows? He could turn out to be a great manager, in the future

Interesting but, I think these are 2 names just on the edges of consideration

No need to panic

As I'm not writing it - mainly because I find it so remarkable - I might as well admit that you have the two names.

And your final comments are accurate too.

I do feel there may be a bit of a power struggle at board level in terms of which way to go right now - cheap and cheerful or slightly bold.

I hope the latter faction wins.

[S15]

I'd like Laudrup, Bilic or Ten Cate. Shearer would be fourth choice, and I wouldn't be overly dislpleased with him.

However, if Boothroyd, Johnson, Grayson or Ince are employed, we can go the same way as the Charltons, the Southamptons and the Leicesters of this world very quickly. All these clubs replaced established managers with up and coming gaffers, all of which are now trying to rebuild careers for about the fourth time since destroying these clubs.

What Den is saying about attracting players is spot on. And in our case, for the sake of keeping our best players, it is vital the new man is able to demand instant respect purely due to past achievements at the highest possible level, be it as a player or a manager. Inces' personality rules him out instantly in my book.

Slightly worried, but still hopeful our Chairman will keep up his previous good records when it comes to appointments.

[nicko]

Henning Berg is on the list according to The Times:

Henning Berg - On the List

That would totally shock me. Almost as much as Boothroyd and Martinez.

I have noticed that Shearer and Ten Cate have been backed a bit on Betfair tonight.

As far as I am aware this was the evening when the invites were sent round...hope so.