[Archived] Steve Kean

[Paul Mellelieu]

Den has set out a convincing case for a new manager. To move forward we need as good a manager as we can afford to attract.

[Gamst]

I just voted 'Go' but it was not an easy decision this time. I think Kean will stay and the Jensen contract pretty much confirms that and I will support him. I voted 'go' because, whilst I think there are green shoots of promise for Kean, I think there are many managers out there that could do a better job and attract better players.

Having said that, I really hope Kean continues to improve at the rate he has done recently, as he did very well to get us out of a very sticky situation and assure us of our Premiership status. Admittedly, the sticky situation was mostly his own doing and he has so much to learn, but there is hope. I judge people on how they cope in tough situations and he did very well. The pressure from all areas at around the time of the Man City match was incredible. The media and the fans had fully turned on him, myself included and justifiably so. We were looking terrible and on our worst run in 25 years. The fans were rightly angry and he deserved to lose his job. But huge credit to him, he turned it around and I just did not see it coming. I also feel that maybe Venky's were right in not sacking him as he did turn it around like they said he would (Luck rather than judgement? who knows?). To get your team to perform the way we did in the 1st half at Molineux was admirable as the pressure was immense. So I think Steve can lead men and must demand some respect as the players were clearly very driven to win in the last few matches. However, there are some things he really must learn quick and foremost of those for me is how he deals with the media. I absolutely hate his lies and positive spin. It is utterly sickening and makes him and us look stupid. If he could just stop doing that then I would grow to like him a lot more. Also, drink driving is not a great idea.

[RevidgeBlue]

Voted sack for the following reasons.

First and foremost, results plainly not good enough.

He talks absolute garbage. Either he doesn't know what he's talking about, or he tries to kid the fans. I hate that. There are a thousand examples of this

Lack of nous in the transfer market. I doubt that he has the contacts within the game to pick out a target, that's why we saw a January transfer window that was managed by JA - and that's why Kean was appointed in the first place. He was appointed as a yes man and that's what he still is. In my opinion, he had no idea who Formica [the new Batistuta] was, probably didn't know who JJ or Rochina were. He would undoubtedly know about RSC, injuries and all, yet still brought him back, no doubt at a massive cost to the club in wages. He's already said he would like to bring RSC back permanently next season, along with Myles Anderson. That's a great start.

Poor man management. Failing to back EHD against Neil Warnock. A good manager should back his players in public. Failing to have Givet mentally ready for a vital relegation game. Bringing Samba's alleged restlessness into the public eye, as a diversion from the squad's public shock at Kean replacing Big Sam.

Tactically unaware. True, he's got one or two game plans right, but overall his tactics and substitutions have been confusing to say the least. Diamond formations, no-one on the right side against Newcastle and substitutions that have weakened the team, rather than consolidated it - on a regular basis.

I would like to see someone who by reputation alone can attract good players to the club. Ideally, a manager who is respected for what he's achieved in the game, either as a player or as a manager. Dalglish, Hughes and Souness are past examples of how a managers name alone can be a big draw to potential signings.

The fans are against him. All the polls and comments on here or on the LT have said that the guy is very unpopular with rovers fans. One or two might have changed their mind, but he doesn't have anywhere near the support that he needs to take the fans with him. If he's still here, then he's going to need a really good start to the campaign, or the season could be very difficult.

I see no reasons why Kean should be kept on.

How's that for controversial? BTW, rather than attacking me for that, convince me why Steve Kean should be kept on.

The only potential reasons I agree with there are results not good enough and bringing someone else in who can or might be able to attract bigger name players.

If you sacked someone for "giving a bad presser" there'd hardly be a manager in all four divisions still in a job.

He's signed two players on loan, one has come off very well, one has spectacularly backired. He's also signed two younger players with great potential, overall not too bad in that respect.

Poor man manager - completely disagree, a poor man manager wouldn't have pulled the team together for the final five games like Kean managed to do. EHD shouldn't have gone on Warnock's say so, but he should have gone on the basis he's completely surplus to requirements since the emergence of the far superior Hoillet.

Tactics agree up to a point, but I don't think the likes of Allardyce and Souness were particularly hot in that respect either.

Just as you can't sack a manager for "giving a bad presser" you can't sack a manager simply because the fans don't like him either. If you did that you'd be going through several managers each season. Plus support for him has increased markedly recently. If we start off with eight points from the opening four games of next season as well, I dare say the majority of the fans would be fully behind him.

Reasons to keep him? Young enthusiastic manager, seems to be improving all the time and the players seem to like him and have given their everything for him when push came to shove.

Not saying I'd automatically keep him on, but there are pro's and con's both ways. To say there's no reason at all to keep him on is not right at all imo.

P.S. Den, didn't think the "giving him credit" for achieving a win in a "must win" fixture at Wolves would last very long!

[RoyRover]

He did well to lead us to Premiership survival, with some decent results toward the end of the season. But only after he had gotten us into the mess in the first place. I don't want as the manager, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the dugout next season. The way he's been talking lately would suggest that he will be around next season.

[waggy]

i like kean,since he got the job many fans never gave him a chance.lardarse is history though his transfer dealings will keep his name in the headlines through the summer.living in cambodia,you see the games 3-4 times a week,the fulham,bpool and brum games we were on the end of some very poor refereeing decision,s.we were safe after the west ham game due to our goal difference.give the guy a chance and lets pray

VENKY,S CLEAR OFF SOON

[XLM]

I don't see that fact he is unpopular as much of an issue to him staying on. A good start to next season would put that to bed.

[joey_big_nose]

Well for me I have done a complete volte face. I was disgusted after the Villa game but in the last ten matches Kean has shown he can motivate, organise the players, and bring through our exceptional young talent. People have criticised his tactics, but largely we have been spot on in the last ten games.

He deserves the backing to see what he can do with a full pre season and and with bringing in his own players.

[Stuart]

OMG, the revisionism on here is cringeworthy.

During the second half of season the players were credited with reverting to Sam tactics to get the points we needed. Even the 3 goals against Wolves were straight for the school if direct football. Now that we are safe it's time to pat Kean on the back and give him a full transfer window and another half season.

Anyone who has clicked "Keep", don't you dare complain at Christmas time.

[Mattyblue]

Come on Jisty, tis the brfcs way, make long term decisions game by game.

[cruz]

Can't recall anything direct about the 1st goal, but then I don't go back 25 passes beforehand.

The other two may have had SOME essence of directness about them, as in a controlled long pass to the front man*, but at least it's not our plan A, B, C, D.......AA, AB, AC.........ZA, ZB, ZC......

* With the midfield getting forward to get onto the controlled knock down rather than watching from the half way line scared to death of letting in a goal or upseting the manager

[John]

Still think I preferred the ending and feeling last season when we finished 10th in the league along with a fantastic end to the season (beating Arsenal and matching the best teams in the land).

Also had two men, in particular, in JW and Sam who knew how to run and develop/improve a football club. Additionally, the pride was returning and we were even receiving plaudits from national media outlets which some were even putting Sam forward for manager of the year.

Times have changed, lets hope it is onwards and upwards under Kean et al.....

[Gav]

I think we've had to endure a constant barrage of conjecture, negativity and damn right lies on here for the past 5 months when it comes to Kean and the current regime. All without foundation or substance posted by people and taken forward as fact.

The only real facts we can be sure of, is a rooky manager has managed to galvanise a team who now play attractive football, in patches, and will be plying there trade in the big league next season.

I voted get rid, but I won't be to unhappy should he stay.

[Ferrit]

Well for me I have done a complete volte face. I was disgusted after the Villa game but in the last ten matches Kean has shown he can motivate, organise the players, and bring through our exceptional young talent. People have criticised his tactics, but largely we have been spot on in the last ten games.

He deserves the backing to see what he can do with a full pre season and and with bringing in his own players.

Why do people keep mentioning anything past the last 4 games as to being anything positive for Kean? Yes, the last 4 games were a turnaround, but before that we had some of the worst performances/results of the season.

Unless people consider drawing with Birmingham and Blackpool at home to be good results?

[davulsukur]

I voted dont care, based on if he stays, i dont mind. However should Venkys somehow get a top manager lined up, i'd be happy to bring them in to take over.

[47er]

All pointless now isn't it? If Jensen's been given a rolling contract, Kean isn't going anywhere is he?

I suppose all we can do is watch and wait ---game by game. Come on here and snipe at him when we lose and keep away when we win.

Precedent has been set after all!

[BangkokRover]

OMG, the revisionism on here is cringeworthy.

During the second half of season the players were credited with reverting to Sam tactics to get the points we needed. Even the 3 goals against Wolves were straight for the school if direct football. Now that we are safe it's time to pat Kean on the back and give him a full transfer window and another half season.

Anyone who has clicked "Keep", don't you dare complain at Christmas time.

Completely agree.

I just hope I am an forced to eat a lovely Hollands steak and kidney humble pie but I honestly can't see it.

[jim mk2]

The other two may have had SOME essence of directness about them, as in a controlled long pass to the front man,

This is laughable.

If those three goals had been scored in Sam's reign you would have been accusing him of "hoofball" as usual.

I'm just pleased that the players have ignored the manager since the half-time of the Blackpool match and adopted the tactics that were so successful until December.

"Hoofball - sorry, controlled long passes with SOME essence of directness about them - works. "Hoofball" Kean might have learnt this now.

[yoda]

This is laughable.

If those three goals had been scored in Sam's reign you would have been accusing him of "hoofball" as usual.

I'm just pleased that the players have ignored the manager since the half-time of the Blackpool match and adopted the tactics that were so successful until December.

"Hoofball - sorry, controlled long passes with SOME essence of directness about them - works. "Hoofball" Kean might have learnt this now.

fishing again jim

[cruz]

This is laughable.

If those three goals had been scored in Sam's reign you would have been accusing him of "hoofball" as usual.

Absolute utter ###### and complete nonsensical garbage.

I would be delighted with two of the three goals under any manager. One was an absolutely wonderful strike of the ball and the other a piece of individual brilliance you cannot replicate by sitting on the subs bench

EDIT: You are right Yoda the most miserable old git on BRFCS has got me in his keep net

[Gav]

This is laughable.

If those three goals had been scored in Sam's reign you would have been accusing him of "hoofball" as usual.

I'm just pleased that the players have ignored the manager since the half-time of the Blackpool match and adopted the tactics that were so successful until December.

"Hoofball - sorry, controlled long passes with SOME essence of directness about them - works. "Hoofball" Kean might have learnt this now.

Absolute bunkum, you praised the side after west ham, a match you actually attended, but you missed the wolves game and now we're back to Hoofball, BUNKUM, BUNKUM and more BUNKUM....

Bit didn't I........

[jim mk2]

Oh dear, the little Keanettes are in a tizzy........

Never mind dearies, pre-season matches start in 6-8 weeks.

Not long to wait to the next exhibition of hoofball.

[Mattyblue]

Right, Kean is obviously going to be manager next season.

The only possible way he would get sacked is by us having a shocking start to the campaign- therefore ensuring another season of relegation trauma.

Does Kean starting with 0 points worry me? Yes.

But, do we have any choice but hope he continues his steep learning curve? No

[cruz]

Rather that than being Sam's sp*nk bucket Jim.

[BangkokRover]

Are you telling me the first two goals were not good examples of direct football?

Cheers

BKR

[Stevo]

Are you telling me the first two goals were not good examples of direct football?

Cheers

BKR

They were both good examples of how direct football can be effective, when the team is set up with pace and are willing to press for the ball, while also mixing it up with short passing and moving. This tactic meant that the way we played wasn't predictable and Wolves couldn't sit back and just head away random long balls constantly being booted into their half, with one inept striker trying to get on the end of everything, with no support.