[Archived] Nicko

[S15]

Before anybody says anything I am not saying Phil Brown is the answer.

Phew.

[Stuart]

Wrong thread

[PAFELL]

Know what you mean. I actually think we'll win today, however looking at the comments from nicko, kamy etc then I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. I suppose the number of walk on fans today will tell it's own story.

If what we are reading today is true (and you have to take it all with a pinch of salt don't you?) that they are going to review again after today's game on Tuesday, that they are going to look at the crowd reaction (and quantity) then I can't help but look back at the Liverpool game towards the end of Ince's Reign / Mess. Beaten 3 - 1 but there was effort there from the players, which was unusual at the time, and the fans did all they could by creating a cracking atmosphere.

All rumour and conjecture of course but I'm sure it was said that this was taken by the Board as a sign to give Ince more time, that he hadn't yet lost the crowd. Dangerous stuff if true (and I appreciate it's all heresay), what to do today then? No singing? Sit on my hands? Boo? Nah, I'll get behind them as I always try to, just don't take that as support for the manager eh?

As Abbey says he'll not go away again whilst Sam is in charge. The lack of fans at City was questioned by ESPN - they should have been amazed and impressed that we'd actually taken that many to be honest.

I can see where you are coming from. But the players know that 3 points is more important than who the manager is. The players would also not want to 'not perform' at home - in front of their own fans - after all they are still being paid by the club etc.

Rovers need the 3 points today - but it is the way they do it that matters. Has Sam taken any notice of the words spoken to him etc.

For the sake of money it would be good if Sam heeded what is being said and changed his attitude etc and allowed the players to play to their strengths and not to sams tactics. But Sam does have a lot of pride, so!!!!!!!

[my_name_is_Earl]

Not sure i agree. I think many are overestimating the quality of our squad.

The squad isn't that poor. With one or two quality signings we could really make a push up the league table towards 8th - 9th with this squad and one or two inspired signings. The problem is, we've all got so used to watching the players underperform with such trashy, long ball football that we've forgotten that our players are actually quite good. How many players can you instantly reel off your tongue who have underperformed this season? They don't turn rubbish overnight, all at the same time.

Judging by performances since Sam came back, it seems the players themselves have forgotten how good they can be and that's why we're here in the first place.

[Steve Moss]

Then let's look at the foriegn national team managers:

Bilic, 41 years old, on $340k/year. Would doubtless work very well with Kalinic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slaven_Bili%C4%87

Morten Olsen. Denmark's coach. Out of contract in 2010, with a decade in the no. 1 seat. Has expressed an interest in returning to club management. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morten_Olsen

Stuart Baxter. While he's English/Scottish, he's Finland's national coach and has done a decent job. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Baxter

Bert van Marwijk. Dutch national coach. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_van_Marwijk

Vladimir Weiss. Slovak national coach. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladim%C3%ADr_Weiss_(footballer_born_1964)

John Toshack. Wales national coach. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Toshack

Personally, I'd prefer Bilic or Toshack. Emphasis on Bilic. He'd be inexpensive to sign, is skilled in his job and would have an eye for Eastern European talent. He's still young enough that he will think he can take on the world. And he might be right.

[tony gale's mic]

I'm sure there are many options out there. The board just need to do their research. The argument that there is no obvious replacement suggests that you're not thinking outside of the box enough.

If sam was to go, we'd be looking for someone to maintain our league status who can mix up the tactics a bit and play to the strengths of the team. Surely, we're not asking for too much there? Even Brian Laws kept the dingles playing to their strengths yesterday and i bet im not the only one who watched the highlights thinking that they could have won that one.

At the end of the day, I don't think we'd be anywhere near a relegation battle if we had been playing to the strengths of the squad from the start of the season. I believe, 100%, that if we reverted back to playing to the strengths of the squad, we'd easily get out of trouble this season.

Sam is not the answer, we need to think bigger and better guys.

Sorry but your posts are complete nonsense.

As RVR said, people are overestimating the strength of our squad. Dunn aside, we have NOONE who can make anything vaguely exciting happen. And even Dunn was just in good form for a few games this season, its not like he was doing it much before and its not like he's been doing it since his injury.

"We need to think bigger and better" - yet you're exalting the genius of Brian Laws just because of one valiant display at Old Trafford? Even if we wanted to think bigger and better, where would the money come from? Who would want to come to a club like ours with very little potential for upward mobility and plenty of potential for the opposite? Sam is not doing well and should be under pressure but we're not in an Ince style situation where anyone better would be an improvement - there's still plenty of room for things to get worse if you look at the table. The wrong appointment and we'd be longing to go back to the days of January where we still had hope to turn things round under a manager who had done it plenty of times before at this level.

Hell - if I was an up and coming manager and given the choice between managing Rovers and, say, QPR or Leeds - one smaller club with a London location and money, and one very big club on the way up - I'd be seriously tempted by the others. One failure with Rovers would be high profile and fairly possible given the lack of resources.

[Dan]

Sam could have a great chance of turning this around and saving his arse. If he set the team up to play like we did 2nd half against Villa and countless times when we are losing right from the start of the game, we'd have a chance and many more points in the bag. He must see the difference of how we play when he changes it, but still will never start with this team. Every week we kid ourselves that next week he'll chance it, but he doesn't and it's like groundhog day.

He has mental problems, he just can't see what is so obvious to everyone but him. The hoofball isn't the problem, the fact hoofball isn'twork in any way, shape or form, is the problem!

[tony gale's mic]

The squad isn't that poor. With one or two quality signings we could really make a push up the league table towards 8th - 9th with this squad and one or two inspired signings. The problem is, we've all got so used to watching the players underperform with such trashy, long ball football that we've forgotten that our players are actually quite good. How many players can you instantly reel off your tongue who have underperformed this season? They don't turn rubbish overnight, all at the same time.

Actually, not that many have underperformed really.

Dunn, if anything, has arguably overperformed. Samba has looked just as good. Chimbonda has looked a better player since Sam signed him.

Benni has been in decline for the last couple of seasons and is now an overweight 31 year old. Pedersen has been rubbish for ages. Nelsen since his injuries didnt look the same player. Robinson was a poor signing and the last time he was any good was years ago.

[John]

Some dreadful stuff being posted on potential replacements. A reality check is needed and please try and retain some perspective over our current situation.

No point bringing in a new manager for the sake of it, should look for an improvement.

[my_name_is_Earl]

Sorry but your posts are complete nonsense.

As RVR said, people are overestimating the strength of our squad. Dunn aside, we have NOONE who can make anything vaguely exciting happen. And even Dunn was just in good form for a few games this season, its not like he was doing it much before and its not like he's been doing it since his injury.

"We need to think bigger and better" - yet you're exalting the genius of Brian Laws just because of one valiant display at Old Trafford? Even if we wanted to think bigger and better, where would the money come from? Who would want to come to a club like ours with very little potential for upward mobility and plenty of potential for the opposite? Sam is not doing well and should be under pressure but we're not in an Ince style situation where anyone better would be an improvement - there's still plenty of room for things to get worse if you look at the table. The wrong appointment and we'd be longing to go back to the days of January where we still had hope to turn things round under a manager who had done it plenty of times before at this level.

Hell - if I was an up and coming manager and given the choice between managing Rovers and, say, QPR or Leeds - one smaller club with a London location and money, and one very big club on the way up - I'd be seriously tempted by the others. One failure with Rovers would be high profile and fairly possible given the lack of resources.

Totally disagree with most of what you said there but we all have our own opinions. There are only twenty premier league manager vacancies up for grabs. As huge as football is across the world, even just in Europe, there must be managers, even experienced ones who would love a crack at the job.

For up-and-coming managers alone, there must be a queue of them waiting for a chance to prove themselves at the highest level and we could offer them that, even if they only used the club as a stepping stone to bigger and better things. Anyone worth their salt would take a chance to prove themselves, regardless of finances, limitations etc.

Regarding tactics, our style of football is hardly conducive to players with creativity, it really isn't. We're bloody awful and predictable to watch. I'm sure with a change of philosophy these same players could produce the goods.

[John]

I'm sure with a change of philosophy these same players could produce the goods.

Where do you think we should be aiming for in the league out of interest? Top 8?

[my_name_is_Earl]

Actually, not that many have underperformed really.

Dunn, if anything, has arguably overperformed. Samba has looked just as good. Chimbonda has looked a better player since Sam signed him.

Benni has been in decline for the last couple of seasons and is now an overweight 31 year old. Pedersen has been rubbish for ages. Nelsen since his injuries didnt look the same player. Robinson was a poor signing and the last time he was any good was years ago.

I'm sorry but you're simply being too negative regarding our squad.

Robinson WAS england no.1, ergo, he has the ability to play at the very highest level. Samba is noweher near the colussus this season, nor is Nelsen, both of whom are normally much more reliable. Givet was a French international, ergo, he can play at the very highest level but looks like he's struggling for confidence.

Pedersen, god we could go on for days, Dunn - looks fat but has the ability, Diouf - under performing massively this season. When he came in last season, he was our spark for creativity. the list goes on with the rest of the squad and we've not even discussed attacking options yet...

[LeftWinger]

Sam certainly needs more money to spend. Hopefully we'll invest in a few more right-backs, that is what any right minded individual would be looking to do now.

[my_name_is_Earl]

Where do you think we should be aiming for in the league out of interest? Top 8?

Our club should be looking at an 8th to 10th final position. Obivously, we cant compete with the big spenders but we can top the table of clubs who are a similar size to us.

Our squad isn't being utilised properly which is why we're only three points of the bottom three.

[John]

I'm sorry but you're simply being too negative regarding our squad.

Robinson WAS england no.1, ergo, he has the ability to play at the very highest level. Samba is noweher near the colussus this season, nor is Nelsen, both of whom are normally much more reliable. Givet was a French international, ergo, he can play at the very highest level but looks like he's struggling for confidence.

Pedersen, god we could go on for days, Dunn - looks fat but has the ability, Diouf - under performing massively this season. When he came in last season, he was our spark for creativity. the list goes on with the rest of the squad and we've not even discussed attacking options yet...

Have you seen how many goals we have conceded because of Robinson this season?

Samba was playing well before his swine flu - has not look focused recently for one reason or another (must be the manager but more likely getting fed up playing with cr*p week in, week out!)

Givet is a good centre back, average (can solid sometimes) at left back

Dunn can be brilliant but has problems staying fit

[Exiled_Rover]

If we're looking for a new manager, Paul Lambert of Norwich would be my shout.

[G Somerset Rover]

John Toshack. Wales national coach. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Toshack

If we replace Sam with Toshack then you can replace me with Waggy!

Edit: Exiled Rover I was thinking about Lambert earlier. Obviously a massive, massive risk, but he seems the real deal unlike Ince ever did (when comparing managers from the lower leagues).

[my_name_is_Earl]

Have you seen how many goals we have conceded because of Robinson this season?

I just think with Robinson, we can be too harsh on him sometimes. For years we watched the best keeper in the league performing wonders and I just think we've come to expect that now and sadly Robinson simply isn't as good as Friedel. BUT he has still performed very well in front of a very confidence ridden defence for most parts this season.

God, I do hate his long kicking though, you get the feeling that if he didnt have as long a kick, half our tactical approach would go out the window.

[tony gale's mic]

I'm sorry but you're simply being too negative regarding our squad.

Robinson WAS england no.1, ergo, he has the ability to play at the very highest level. Samba is noweher near the colussus this season, nor is Nelsen, both of whom are normally much more reliable. Givet was a French international, ergo, he can play at the very highest level but looks like he's struggling for confidence.

Pedersen, god we could go on for days, Dunn - looks fat but has the ability, Diouf - under performing massively this season. When he came in last season, he was our spark for creativity. the list goes on with the rest of the squad and we've not even discussed attacking options yet...

Our club should be looking at an 8th to 10th final position. Obivously, we cant compete with the big spenders but we can top the table of clubs who are a similar size to us.

Our squad isn't being utilised properly which is why we're only three points of the bottom three.

I just think with Robinson, we can be too harsh on him sometimes. For years we watched the best keeper in the league performing wonders and I just think we've come to expect that now and sadly Robinson simply isn't as good as Friedel. BUT he has still performed very well in front of a very confidence ridden defence for most parts this season.

God, I do hate his long kicking though, you get the feeling that if he didnt have as long a kick, half our tactical approach would go out the window.

Robinson previously England number 1 says far more about the quality of the other options. To say Robinson has performed "very well" this season is just plain wrong - it's not even a matter of opinion. You might be able to get away with saying he's done OK but even that is doubtful considering how many long shots have gone sailing past him and how many crosses he's botched.

Diouf did a job last season but was hardly our spark for creativity, and the only PL manager who has got anything decent out of him was Sam so that defeats your point. Pedersen was rubbish under Hughes too. Dunn has been better under Allardyce.

And we should be aiming for top 8-10 each season? Jesus.

Man U. Liverpool. Chelsea. Arsenal. Villa. City. Spurs - all clubs with far more resources than us. That's 7 already who we don't have much of a chance of touching.

Everton who can sign £15m midfielders. Birmingham who've recently been taken over by Carson Yeung who's pledged £30m for new players. Sunderland who bought Darren Bent amongst others - we could only dream of being able to afford him.

And after that there's a lot of clubs in our league (but even the likes of Bolton have more financial muscle than us). But to expect us to finish top of that league every season when clubs like us fluctuate naturally is unrealistic. What Hughes did was brilliant but he didn't have City muscling in, Villa only got taken over by the rich American towards the end of his reign and Spurs were massively underperforming.

You need to remove those blue and white tinted shades.

[alexanders]

I hope we get that top man in now. Time for the board to back Sam with some money.

[Dufflite]

I hope we get that top man in now. Time for the board to back Sam with some money.

I hope that comment is sarcasm and not idiocy

[47er]

Would people be against Souness for a 6-month stint? Or lets put it this way would you rather Souey or Sam stayed?

Sam.

[MeanGreenMachine]

I hope that comment is sarcasm and not idiocy

Ditto

[joey_big_nose]

Sam.

I would take Sam over any stop-gap solution. If we change manager it has to be someone we have researched properly and are convinced of theirquality and their ideas for taking the club forward, and who is totally committed.

Souness/Hughes etc on short contracts all seem like stupid ideas because it will just increase the instability and doubt around the club, plus create player churn and expense as they make signings and sales that the following manager might not want.

Whoever we get in should be someone we can have a 3/4 year plan with. As it stands Sam till the end of the season seems reasonable after todays result and performance.

[Miker]

Changing manager won't change anything or improve us in any way. If Benitez hasn't been fired from Liverpool because they reportedly lack funds or can't afford to sack him then you can bet that there's no way we're sacking Sam when we're sitting in 12th