[Archived] Paul Ince

[my_name_is_Earl]

The People story is a result of several months of gleaning what has been going on.

You may recall I turned down the info given to me by someone at the club and let the Daily Mail run the early 'disharmony' stories because I felt it was [a] too early and was coming from chatter by unhappy people.

However there has been trouble brewing again lately. This is known to your club which is why in recent weeks there have been questions asked from the top about what is going on - and going wrong.

I was happy to stay out of it and not write anything because it was up to the club to act.

When calls were made about potential new managers at the end of last week the cat was out of the bag. I know of a second club - apart from Sunderland - who had the exact same call. But I stayed quiet on that. The minute I knew other papers were onto it I had to run the Mirror story on Saturday.

However the point is that other managers are being checked out, with the Man U game probably the final straw in terms of performance, but other issues also mounting up like transfer targets and the standard of coaching.

Also, because several people from this board have been good enough and concerned enough to keep me in touch with other confidential side-issues, I feel it was right to give you this background here as well as in print.

I'm not going into any more details.

If the club wants to carry through what it started on Thursday and Friday, then they should do so.

Fast.

You heard because it was in the Daily Mail.

I know where the stories came from, but turned it down.

Keep up.

Is Ince definately getting the boot then Nicko regardless of yesterday's performance, just wondered if it had gone that far?

[T4E]

You heard them in the summer from the same person who wrote the article in The People. As far as I'm aware, these stories don't seem to have come from any other source.

Either Nicko is right and the board are acting in a very underhand and unprofessional manner, or a tabloid journalist is desperately trying to stir things up, cause unrest, and generally undermining Blackburn Rovers. If it's the former my opinion of JW and the board will have gown down a great deal, if it's the latter then I feel hope some posters opinions of Nicko will change.

Other posters have heard similar - Philipl is one who springs to mind as someone who's had all sorts of abuse for refusing to name his sources. I'll be very interested to hear what he says now.

There is another possibility - that the board have had their hand forced by players and/or members of staff leaking information in an attempt to undermine a manager that they clearly do not like.

[nicko]

Is Ince definately getting the boot then Nicko regardless of yesterday's performance, just wondered if it had gone that far?

Only the chairman and the board can give you a categorical answer on that.

I know - and other clubs know - about the calls that were made on Thursday and Friday.

I don't think you can pull back from that now.

[my_name_is_Earl]

Only the chairman and the board can give you a categorical answer on that.

I know - and other clubs know - about the calls that were made on Thursday and Friday.

I don't think you can pull back from that now.

Cheers for answering Nicko. Gives me hope that we MIGHT stay up.

[Mc Love]

Very interesting bit of info there Alan!

[gillibrand]

Please Please let it be true.

[Mr Creosote]

Only the chairman and the board can give you a categorical answer on that.

I know - and other clubs know - about the calls that were made on Thursday and Friday.

I don't think you can pull back from that now.

Surely Ince knows about the board's actions as well? It undermines him to the extent that he cant possibly stay if that is the case?

[tcj_jones]

I don't understand - Souness was on the verge of the sack four years ago. Why would the same board and trustees back him now after a hugely unsuccessful spell at Newcastle, who also had to pay out big when they sacked him?

I have to admit, I loved Souey, but he'd taken us as far as he could and was only going to take us down. A successful team of Souey and Tugay would be an absoliute dream, but that just isn't going to happen.

It pains me to say this, but I think we need Allardyce.

[nicko]

Surely Ince knows about the board's actions as well? It undermines him to the extent that he cant possibly stay if that is the case?

I think the manager has enough pals in the media who will confirm to him what went on with Sunderland.

He also knows about the changes in coaching that were demanded.

And he knows about the problems signing the players he wants.

The guy is obviously a fighter and won't leave until he is pushed out.

[my_name_is_Earl]

Surely Ince knows about the board's actions as well? It undermines him to the extent that he cant possibly stay if that is the case?

I got the impression from Ince's reaction after the game that he knew a decision has already been made. I mean although he didn't come out and say it for obvious reasons, he looked like a man whom the axe had fallen upon.

Was it just me or did the team selection look suspiciously as though somebody else had chosen it? Warnock back at left back, emo back at RB, Derbs up front again and Vogel on the bench, that was a real shocker after the problems him and Ince clearly have between each other.

[roversmum]

I read somewhere possibly in the distant reaches of the Liverpool Thread that Mokoena was ill/injured and that was why Vogel was in the squad.

[nicko]

And, by the way, this 'racist' media stuff is starting to stick in my throat.

About ten years ago a close friend of mine Chris Kamara was in an identical situation to Paul Ince.

The Bradford City chairman had lined up two managers behind his back and was speaking to them...I knew this because one was also a friend.

I HAD to write the story that Chris was being sacked.

He didn't speak to me for a fortnight, but had the balls to ring me the moment he was sacked and say sorry. I admired him even more for that.

You HAVE to write what you know when things are moving.

[T4E]

I don't understand - Souness was on the verge of the sack four years ago. Why would the same board and trustees back him now after a hugely unsuccessful spell at Newcastle, who also had to pay out big when they sacked him?

I have to admit, I loved Souey, but he'd taken us as far as he could and was only going to take us down. A successful team of Souey and Tugay would be an absoliute dream, but that just isn't going to happen.

It pains me to say this, but I think we need Allardyce.

The only thing I can think of is that Souness would accept a short term contract and JW knows he wont give him any grief, he'll just concentrate on keeping us up. If he's successful in the Summer we can rethink, either appoint someone else from a stronger position we're in now, or stick with Souness if he's done a particularly good job.

I'd fancy Souness to keep us up, so I think it's a good plan.

[47er]

I don't understand - Souness was on the verge of the sack four years ago. Why would the same board and trustees back him now after a hugely unsuccessful spell at Newcastle, who also had to pay out big when they sacked him?

I have to admit, I loved Souey, but he'd taken us as far as he could and was only going to take us down. A successful team of Souey and Tugay would be an absoliute dream, but that just isn't going to happen.

It pains me to say this, but I think we need Allardyce.

Agree agree and agree!

[gillibrand]

I think the manager has enough pals in the media who will confirm to him what went on with Sunderland.

He also knows about the changes in coaching that were demanded.

And he knows about the problems signing the players he wants.

The guy is obviously a fighter and won't leave until he is pushed out.

Is he a fighter or just very thick skinned, and knows he is in a win win situation as far as pay out and his TV pundit chums support?

[my_name_is_Earl]

I read somewhere possibly in the distant reaches of the Liverpool Thread that Mokoena was ill/injured and that was why Vogel was in the squad.

Sounds like a decent enough reason but I was surprised that he was chosen ahead of Judge who has been on the bench ahead of him recently. I was also really surprised that Warnock was not in CM as Tugay had played against United on wednesday and would be tired. Ince also clearly likes Olsson unless he was also ill or injured. Tbh it just seemed strange and out of the blue that Ince picked a team where everyone was in there preferred position.

[imy9]

I think Big Sam would keep us up, my only concern would be the size of his backroom and what formation he would play at Rovers because as Nicko pointed out earlier do we have the players to suit a Big Sam formation?

[Mr Creosote]

I think the manager has enough pals in the media who will confirm to him what went on with Sunderland.

He also knows about the changes in coaching that were demanded.

And he knows about the problems signing the players he wants.

The guy is obviously a fighter and won't leave until he is pushed out.

Sorry if I have missed this but can someone illuminate me re problems signing the players Ince wants? Down to money?

[nicko]

Sorry if I have missed this but can someone illuminate me re problems signing the players Ince wants? Down to money?

In brief, a list of names was put in about two weeks ago...club not sure they could afford it...Trustees obviously consulted and no money forthcoming just now.

That could always change, but that is where it stands at this moment.

[Mr Creosote]

In brief, a list of names was put in about two weeks ago...club not sure they could afford it...Trustees obviously consulted and no money forthcoming just now.

That could always change, but that is where it stands at this moment.

Cheers. What I suspected. What a shower of ***** they are.

[my_name_is_Earl]

I think Big Sam would keep us up, my only concern would be the size of his backroom and what formation he would play at Rovers because as Nicko pointed out earlier do we have the players to suit a Big Sam formation?

Well i'm sure roberts would play more, a big lad with a lot of strength. I think our defence would suit his style and Santa's also strong up there with Roberts, Derbs for the flick ons. If BFS could get Peds back into form that would almost certainly suit him.

I think its important to remember that we actually do have a big strong team whose levels of fitness can be improved as Hughes showed during his tenure. Surely this would be ideal for BFS and if he could bring in a couple more in January then the squad would fit his style. Although his football stlye has been less then wonderful to watch for large parts of Bolton's games when he was there, he did grind out results and thats what we need right now.

[imy9]

It'll be interesting to see whether the money issue is down to the trustees not trusting Ince with funds or simply we dont have any money!

I am confused as we should have had a £10 million kitty anyway, plus about £8 million to spare from Bents after sales, baffling where the money is going.

[den]

For what it's worth, I think it's plain daft saying that the lack of a fans revolt, is proof that the fans back Ince. There's no logic in that at all.

Also, the thinking that because we battled yesterday is enough to give him another game. Do we go along game by game, changing our minds? I only hope the board have seen enough to make a proper judgement on him.

I would say that if Nicko's article is correct and that the trustees wont back him financially in January, then there is nothing to suggest he'll keep us up and no future for Ince at this club.

[Shevchenko]

Souness can probably help give certain players a...oh you know...a spine/backbone. But I fear his personality and the way he works could serve to alienate more players. Considering the circumstances under which he left and were the club was headed at the time, going back to him seems strange and very risky. We need a safe bet now, something that isn't easy to find I know. But we need a manager who can rally the troops and build a team, not further polarize a dressing room that seem to be conflicted as it is.

[Mr Creosote]

It'll be interesting to see whether the money issue is down to the trustees not trusting Ince with funds or simply we dont have any money!

I am confused as we should have had a £10 million kitty anyway, plus about £8 million to spare from Bents after sales, baffling where the money is going.

Propping up an airline?