[Archived] Do You Approve Of The New Manager?

[Majiball]

The club has been in turmoil.

While I support Ince until results prove otherwise, I do feel he has not been set up to succeed by the Chairman. I never understood why every position in the club had to be filled by the Taffia; Assistant Manager and Head Coach yes, but Reserve Team Manager, Chief Scout, Bottle washer etc etc? Never in our history has one man, Hughes, been allowed to stack the club in this manner. Kenny Dalgeish worked with Parkes and Darracot ffs. And by any definition they were all Hughes's 'mates' and 'cronies', or did Welsh football overtake Brazil and Italy while I was asleep?

Ince did not invent the concept of cronyism, he had no choice. For a young, inexperienced manage to have to face replacing every position of any significance in a top-seven club within a fortnight was a ridiculous position to have been put in. Williams rolled over too easily letting Hughes create the problem and, I believe, did not realise the impact when Hughes inevitably departed, depsite having six months notice to think about it.

Nice to see someone else giving the situation that Ince walked into a little bit of perspective. It was a ridiculous position to be put in, but at the same time I'm not 100% certain that blame should fall with JW. JW would have no choice but to back Hughes appointments, but at least when Hughes came in there where people to replace.

I do not remember the last time in the game that any manager has walked into a situation where he was the only member of coaching/scouting staff on his first day. It is rare as rocking horse pooh for that to happen in any industry. Its a situation that I'm sure no-one in the game would envy, his first job is not the planning of pre-season training, sitting down discussing the current crop of players with his staff, as most managers would have had. Instead it was finding people to have a conversation with in the first place, its no surprise he went with people he knew and trusted, what would you have done?

Knox is the one that surprised me I will admit the rest where expected and anyone who felt different well your just deluded and naieve. Trust is a rare thing in football, but yet you need it to suceed, hence why manager are generally partnerships. I am more than certain that the first call Ince made was to a certain Sir Alex Ferguson, and I'm sure that is how Knox came to be hear. Now while I have posted that Knox lacks the promised recent premiership experience, at the same time you cannot argue with the recommendation of the most successful manager of the modern era.

We are slowly seeing the fruits of their labours, youngsters are coming in even if only on trial, Barry was a shrewd move, his global knowledge of players under the age of 18 is extensive, he spent the last two years doing nothing else at Liverpool. Howard is a pioneer within football science open minded and willing to try new idea's (after watching the Olympics get yourselve to China and find out what they are on!!). People on here have already commented that the majority look fitter, that can only be good, Bolton with Howard where notorious for starting well, Sam always gave him credit for this. Hopefully he'll get the rovers players doing the same.

[Exiled in Toronto]

That said, Hughes showed that bringing in a complete team could work very well for the club.

I disagree re the complete thing. In my opinion, the appointment of Hodges and Rigg, for example, did nothing whatsoever other than just make the next managers job even harder.

Bu tI do agree there should be clarity on where the manager has a remit to bring people in and where he doesn't. Currently, it is too wide.

[imy9]

Brad wanted to leave when Hughes was here?!

Could you please tell me how many of our backroom staff have even had experience, let alone success, at the level we need them to be capable of?

Fowler is a complete waste of a space in our squad. We all know he wont cut it in the Premier League, we're wasting our time. We should be out actively looking to improve the team. We don't seem to be doing that.

Those must be the only two options then?

It has been confirmed that Brad handed in a transfer after the Birmingham game, this was whilst Hughes was in charge, The Axe handed one in, Roberts, Bentley and Ooijer, this is not Ince's fault is it?

Which of Hughes' staff had the necessary experience/success at this level, lets have a look, I will compare like for like:

HUGHES: Managed Wales to.... nothing they did not qualify, they beat Italy and drew with Germany, Toshack has stated on a number of ocassions that Hughes left him with an aging team and no youngsters were brought through (this rings a bell at Rovers).

INCE: Managed Macclesfield, took them 12 points adrift of football league to safety playing attractive football, then managed MK Dons to promotion plus a trophy in his first season. I would suggest Ince is MORE successful than Hughes when he arrived! ONE FOR INCE.

MATHIAS: Lower league experience

BOWEN:When he joined us he was Wales Assistant manager with Birmingham First team coach too. ONE FOR HUGHES.

KNOX: Does he need any introduction? European cups, league trophies, one of the most successful No 2's going at the moment.

EDDIE N: Reserve team coach at Arsenal....?? ONE FOR INCE.

HITCHCOCK: Goal keeping coach at Wrexham before he joined Rovers.

MIMMS: Has developed 3 super up and coming goal keepers at Wolves (one of whom is arguably the best young keeper in the country) again no contest: ONE FOR INCE.

Ince's team are by far more qualified than Hughes' team (when he arrived at Rovers). I have not included the Sports Science bloke who is the best in the country.

Out of interest there was not ONE member of Hughes' team that has won ANYTHING in the top flight, that is still true today at City.

Nobody knows what Fowler can do, that is for Ince to decide, I recall the uproar when Sav signed for Rovers, £3.5 million for a 31 year old, he was a success, Fowler can be too.

[T4E]

It has been confirmed that Brad handed in a transfer after the Birmingham game

Confirmed where? I would be surprised if that was the case.

Lee claims that he handed one in the day after Hughes left, are you thinking of that?

[den]

It has been confirmed that Brad handed in a transfer after the Birmingham game, this was whilst Hughes was in charge,

You'll have no problem providing a link to that, then?

[imy9]

Confirmed where? I would be surprised if that was the case.

Lee claims that he handed one in the day after Hughes left, are you thinking of that?

Sorry my mistake that was what I was referring to.

[Silencio]

Sorry my mistake that was what I was referring to.

Imy9 you really are full of it!

"Nobody knows what he can do" - We know what he can't do, play Premiership football any longer.

You believe Knox is better than Eddie N. I think if you asked round the Premier League you'd find most clubs would employ Eddie first because Knox is past it...

At least you almost admitted Mathias is a waste of space...

Get real...

[gazsimm]

They must do gaz. F is nowhere near S on a keyboard.

it is on mine as least it cheered you up a little bit!!!!

[waggy]

the season starts on saturday back our manager

[b12_simon]

Lee claims that he handed one in the day after Hughes left, are you thinking of that?

Someone explain to me why everyone's blaming Ince for this. He was manager of MK Dons at the time!

[T4E]

He was if you believe it. If it's true, I'm not sure why Brad said this -

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3709839,00.html

"I only know Sam Allardyce and Steve McClaren though playing against them and seeing them out the odd time, but both seem like good guys too - I am not sure who the candidates are, I spoke with John Williams [blackburn chairman] and he assured me they are going to make the appointment quite soon."

[DingleBaiter]

Sorry my mistake that was what I was referring to.

Certain people with access to the Internet are as dangerous as a horny Dingle in a livestock field at a Mormon fair.

[b12_simon]

He was if you believe it. If it's true, I'm not sure why Brad said this -

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3709839,00.html

"I only know Sam Allardyce and Steve McClaren though playing against them and seeing them out the odd time, but both seem like good guys too - I am not sure who the candidates are, I spoke with John Williams [blackburn chairman] and he assured me they are going to make the appointment quite soon."

So Brad handed in a transfer request when we had no manager. When McClown, BFS, Laudrup, whoever else were all in contention for the job. YET THE ANTI-INCE LOBBY SPIN THIS AS "INCE LOST US OUR KEEPER".

Well anti-Ince lobby the facts show you're all talking out of your jacksies.

[DingleBaiter]

Can't help but wonder this; seems to be MH has been suckered somewhat on the whole City 'dream'. I'm sure it's not 100% about money, can't believe someone could be so naive, surely? Anyways, could it not be the case that MH tapped up certain players - Brad, Warnock etc as the timeline fits with the start of their apparent 'unsettlement'? Only since then have certain factors come apparent, leaving them in a 'oh sheet' moment?

Kinda of poetic justice - they must be poor poker players - they've tried to draw out moves and made their present situation untenable, only for the trick to flop - Chelsea didn't come in, City had no money etc. Luckily, Brad's face was saved somewhat because of the contract (providing Lee's story is true). Wonder if Warnock is using Newcastle as a patsy to try and get a move to Manchester - worked for Rooney.

Although Ince may (or may not be) a factor in any of these moves, he's not the reason; what he is though, is a scapegoat for some gullible and prejudiced people.

[Head Rover Heels]

Can't help but wonder this; seems to be MH has been suckered somewhat on the whole City 'dream'. I'm sure it's not 100% about money, can't believe someone could be so naive, surely? Anyways, could it not be the case that MH tapped up certain players - Brad, Warnock etc as the timeline fits with the start of their apparent 'unsettlement'? Only since then have certain factors come apparent, leaving them in a 'oh sheet' moment?

Oh, nice. I have to own up to not having thought that, which is rather embarrasing for a self confessed conspiracy theorist.

I know it sounds a little far fetched, but i honestly think there may be legs in that - He "had a word" with Bellamy to convince him to come here, there was a reported bid from City for Friedel - Maybe Bentley was on the list but quite clearly out of range once he'd got his feet under the table.

[T4E]

So Brad handed in a transfer request when we had no manager. When McClown, BFS, Laudrup, whoever else were all in contention for the job. YET THE ANTI-INCE LOBBY SPIN THIS AS "INCE LOST US OUR KEEPER".

Well anti-Ince lobby the facts show you're all talking out of your jacksies.

As I said, if you believe Brad handed in a request while we had no manager, why was he saying in public that JW had assured him we'd have a new manager soon? Also, why did he come out and say he hoped Ince got the job? Hardly the comments of a man on his way out, are they?

[b12_simon]

As I said, if you believe Brad handed in a request while we had no manager, why was he saying in public that JW had assured him we'd have a new manager soon? Also, why did he come out and say he hoped Ince got the job? Hardly the comments of a man on his way out, are they?

Lee said he handed in a transfer request the day after Hughes left. I believe Lee.

He came out and said that he hoped Ince got the job, true. True its hardly the comments of someone on his way out - also not the comments of someone who's anti-Ince.

I think we can agree that Brad was spinning most of what he said to the press between Hughes leaving and leaving himself. I just don't accept that Brad's spin means he thinks Ince is crap - to me it means Rovers minus Hughes will be crap.

[T4E]

I don't for one second think that Brad was anti-Ince.

[den]

It also seems that Ince's comments that he would have to sit down and have a chat with Brad, were because Ince knew Brad wanted away, not because they were best of friends.

[b12_simon]

I don't for one second think that Brad was anti-Ince.

There are folks on this board blaming Ince for Brad's departure. That's what I've been arguing against.

[T4E]

There are folks on this board blaming Ince for Brad's departure. That's what I've been arguing against.

Wouldn't that make Ince anti-Brad?

[Majiball]

MGP, has just been asked about unrest at rovers on sky sports.

He said new man new ideas but no unrest.

we look sharp and are fit and ready to go.

[b12_simon]

Wouldn't that make Ince anti-Brad?

If you accept Lee's take on the timing of Brad's request it makes Ince irrelevant. At the time he was just one of (IIRC) around 40 - according to JW - candidates.

[T4E]

I don't accept it, hence the last 5 posts I've made on this thread!

[AndyC]

Nice to see someone else giving the situation that Ince walked into a little bit of perspective. It was a ridiculous position to be put in, but at the same time I'm not 100% certain that blame should fall with JW. JW would have no choice but to back Hughes appointments, but at least when Hughes came in there where people to replace.

I do not remember the last time in the game that any manager has walked into a situation where he was the only member of coaching/scouting staff on his first day. It is rare as rocking horse pooh for that to happen in any industry. Its a situation that I'm sure no-one in the game would envy, his first job is not the planning of pre-season training, sitting down discussing the current crop of players with his staff, as most managers would have had. Instead it was finding people to have a conversation with in the first place, its no surprise he went with people he knew and trusted, what would you have done?

Knox is the one that surprised me I will admit the rest where expected and anyone who felt different well your just deluded and naieve. Trust is a rare thing in football, but yet you need it to suceed, hence why manager are generally partnerships. I am more than certain that the first call Ince made was to a certain Sir Alex Ferguson, and I'm sure that is how Knox came to be hear. Now while I have posted that Knox lacks the promised recent premiership experience, at the same time you cannot argue with the recommendation of the most successful manager of the modern era.

We are slowly seeing the fruits of their labours, youngsters are coming in even if only on trial, Barry was a shrewd move, his global knowledge of players under the age of 18 is extensive, he spent the last two years doing nothing else at Liverpool. Howard is a pioneer within football science open minded and willing to try new idea's (after watching the Olympics get yourselve to China and find out what they are on!!). People on here have already commented that the majority look fitter, that can only be good, Bolton with Howard where notorious for starting well, Sam always gave him credit for this. Hopefully he'll get the rovers players doing the same.

eit and majiball - very good reasoned debate!

more of that on this board please!