[Archived] Henning Berg - Rovers Manager

[Silencio]

Here's the funny bit about this board. I've been reading about us needing to get out the likes of Brunskill, almost to a man. Now it appears Berg is about ready to chop him and no one has mentioned it. Preferring to linger on the poor poor old Eric if he's hired I'm never going to Ewood again Black was our saviour and he's hard done by story. So zero congrats for getting rid of the man everyone wanted out. Funny how it goes on here huh?

I too did not want Berg, was hoping for Holloway, however Henning is here, is a far greater character of a man than our last idiot and needs our support. I'm sitting on my hands hoping for the best and see how he does come January when he should have a few more pieces in place.

I'm not saying sack Berg, just observing that we were better off when we had Black and that sacking him would be pointless. Brunskill and Hendry are probably not up to it though...

[thenodrog]

There's a topic near the top of this board about Ferguson that would argue quite the opposite. Scare tactics can work with a lot of players as long as respect comes with it. Souness may have alienated the likes of Dunn, Yorke, Berg, eventually Cole. But look at the players he got the very best out of, Friedel, Todd, Thompson, Tugay, Duff and Jansen all thrived under him. I'm with Batman on this one, if you do a job for 4 years and for 3 of them you're superb, you deserve to be remembered as having done the job well.

The Prem is littered with managers who have had a few good years culminating in promotion only to be binned off by the following Christmas. "You are only as good as your last game" is a recurring theme in football.

funny you should write this theno, as you´ve often been quick to judge, if i say ince and kean, does this ring any bells.?

Yes it does ..... but only down at the Job Centre! ............ Still what do I know?

[Mr. E]

Absolutely shocking interview from Berg. Basically he says "maybe, possibly, if by some great chance we come across a good player we might inquire into getting him on board," while our entire sack of crap team needs replacing.

I officially view Berg as a Venkys agent now, as bad as Keane. He's here not to change the club and dig us out of the abyss - he is here to collect a paycheck while "maybe" trying here and there to tweak things.

All hope is lost.

[CapeTownRover]

the only shocking thing, was that post Mr E. Berg is not implying that he is not looking for a quality player. However, with a squad of 1574 players, its guaranteed that he will have to remove majority of those who are wasting space 1st. Only then, can he get the player/s he is looking at to strengthen, and play the way he wants. why would Berg look for anything but quality, that would just not make sense. King looks good, and if Berg can bring a few more like that, in different positions across the park, then great. People are hoping that Berg continues to struggle, which imo is a bit ridiculous. Give the guy a break, and stop comparing him to other managers. Results have not gone our way, but im sure he wants to put things right sooner rather than later

[bob fleming]

Here's the funny bit about this board. I've been reading about us needing to get out the likes of Brunskill, almost to a man. Now it appears Berg is about ready to chop him and no one has mentioned it. Preferring to linger on the poor poor old Eric if he's hired I'm never going to Ewood again Black was our saviour and he's hard done by story. So zero congrats for getting rid of the man everyone wanted out. Funny how it goes on here huh?

I too did not want Berg, was hoping for Holloway, however Henning is here, is a far greater character of a man than our last idiot and needs our support. I'm sitting on my hands hoping for the best and see how he does come January when he should have a few more pieces in place.

Great post USA. "Poor poor Eric", sorry? Haven't we just been relegated? A new guy comes in and the old staff leave, that's generally what happens. Clearly though with Team Shebby about the place they will have asked Berg to try working with the existing staff, for whatever reason it hasn't worked out, but when senior people at the club are changing pencil suppliers in an effort to save costs (akin to trying to bail out water from the Titanic with a small boys shoe I would suggest) this is entirely plausible.

As is Berg going to Shebby and saying "Look, I told you I wanted my own people in place when i arrived, I've tried working with the existing guys and its just not working out, they don't share my ideals. Let me bring my own people in or you'll be looking for another new manager before Christmas". Which again is plausible and contrasts nicely with the below.

Absolutely shocking interview from Berg. Basically he says "maybe, possibly, if by some great chance we come across a good player we might inquire into getting him on board," while our entire sack of crap team needs replacing.

I officially view Berg as a Venkys agent now, as bad as Keane. He's here not to change the club and dig us out of the abyss - he is here to collect a paycheck while "maybe" trying here and there to tweak things.

All hope is lost.

Berg "Yep, I can buy almost anyone I want, the owners and Shebby have practically given me an open cheque book which was very good of them. Thankfully, despite relegation, and the lost TV revenue, the loss of sponsorship and the dwindling gates Rovers are absolutely swimming in money. So yes, if anyone is available in January who can improve the squad, and lets be honest it shouldn't be too hard, I saw a central midfielder run forward with a ball on the tele the other day you know! Couldn't believe it. Oh and a centre half win a header..... incredible..... Sorry, where was I..... yes, loaded, I look forward to adding numbers to our huge squad in January and hopefully someone out there will be prepared to buy some off us. We'll be running a promotion in January, buy one crap Portugeezer, get 4 free."

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

The Prem is littered with managers who have had a few good years culminating in promotion only to be binned off by the following Christmas. "You are only as good as your last game" is a recurring theme in football.

And isn't that generally considered by everyone other than the chairman doing it to be a foolhardy, fickle and ungrateful way to treat your manager? If Blackpool had sacked Holloway after relegation from the PL then there's no way they'd have been in the play-off final the year after.

Maybe I'm in a minority thinking we weren't necessarily heading on an unstoppable downward trajectory under Souness. We had a bad season and then were very unlucky at the start of the next one, having a lead at Southampton overturned in the last 15 minutes and then being robbed of victory by an Alan Smith handball in a phantom minute of injury time against Man Utd. Not much about that start indicated Souness couldn't have improved on our 15th the season before.

Personally I'll always see Souness, Hughes and Allardyce as a trio of managers who were as excellent here as Kidd, Ince and Kean were awful. At the end of the day those 3 marshalled our longest post-war top flight run, a superb achievement. Souness seems to get less credit than the other 2, possibly influenced by his poor managerial record elsewhere, but then Dalglish is in exactly the same boat on that score. It'd be fair to say they both had their best managerial years at Rovers, personally I'm more than happy to give them credit accordingly.

[thenodrog]

Personally I'll always see Souness, Hughes and Allardyce as a trio of managers who were as excellent here as Kidd, Ince and Kean were awful. At the end of the day those 3 marshalled our longest post-war top flight run, a superb achievement. Souness seems to get less credit than the other 2, possibly influenced by his poor managerial record elsewhere, but then Dalglish is in exactly the same boat on that score. It'd be fair to say they both had their best managerial years at Rovers, personally I'm more than happy to give them credit accordingly.

Moot point maybe and no doubt one that will bring howls of outrage and indignation but whilst our best times were under Dalglish, Souness and Hughes the manager with the most enduring managerial career, the most Premier League matches in charge and the biggest Premier League points haul is Big Sam by a mile. It's interesting to ponder how we would have fared if he'd had the benefit of Jack's wealth behind him 20 years ago. Alternatively how would Dalglish have fared (and been remembered) if he'd had to cope with Sam's budget? We can of course only speculate.

Personally if I should by some fluke be informed that some Texan billionaire has croaked and that I am his only surviving relative and am now as rich as Croesus, I would buy BRFC and move Heaven and Earth to install Mark Hughes with the instruction (and inducements) to invest to accumulate with the intention to make BRFC self funding. If Hughes whilst pondering my offer walked under a bus my attention would turn to Big Sam. KMD wouldn't even figure.

[Puffsan]

Henning Berg has never needed alot of money to bring good players into his teams, however he is in a different situation now because we are not necessary looking for young talent but looking for players with more experience.

[bypass06]

Singh promises 'decisive action'

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/10102813.Singh_promises__decisive_action_/

[den]

Singh promises 'decisive action'

http://www.lancashir...cisive_action_/

Read it. Pathetic is how I see that article. How much of the blame for this current situation is down to SS himself and the owners? - 100% is my estimate. Mouthing off in the press about heads rolling isn't going to help one iota, it can only make matters worse.

Keep your mouth shut and do what you have to do Shebby. I don't expect anything to change.

[Parsonblue]

Read it. Pathetic is how I see that article. How much of the blame for this current situation is down to SS himself and the owners? - 100% is my estimate. Mouthing off in the press about heads rolling isn't going to help one iota, it can only make matters worse.

Keep your mouth shut and do what you have to do Shebby. I don't expect anything to change.

Couldn't agree more den it's an absolute circus. We have a vital game coming up in a couple of days time and the backroom staff are now not sure if they will be in work or not in the week before Christmas. Either make the changes or don't but don't shout about what you intend to do in the papers until you have done it. The club is nothing more than a joke at present.

[47er]

"decisive action"!!!! Nearly cacked myself at that one!

[RoverScot]

John Williams would have taken the decisive action months or even years ago.

What does Paul Agnew contribute in these decisive action meetings?

[Athlete]

Decisive...lol wot a complete fool shabby is

[Wendal]

More proof that Shebby is a tool of the highest order.

All this was all his doing in the first place; pursuing an irresponsible wage structure, scatter gun transfer policy and botching the hiring of a proper replacement for Kean (going for a puppet).

I find it alarming but also slightly amusing how far BRAG are going to back this guy up, they've sold themselves out at the smallest whiff of influence.

[Majiball]

Well if decisive action is what's needed and a culling of the weak, can I assume Shebby will be sacking himself???

[davulsukur]

What does Paul Agnew contribute in these decisive action meetings?

"Milk and 1 Sugar Shebby?"

[LeChuck]

So Venky's get hammered when they don't talk to the fans. They hire someone who communicates and then everything he says gets slated.

I dislike them as much as the next person but that mentality is a bit tiresome. Can't have it both ways. If no action is taken by the end of the transfer window then jump all over it by all means.

[den]

So Venky's get hammered when they don't talk to the fans. They hire someone who communicates and then everything he says gets slated.

I dislike them as much as the next person but that mentality is bloody tiresome. Can't have it both ways. If no action is taken by the end of the transfer window then jump all over it by all means.

That mentality? If you're concerned about mentalities LeC, then you need to look towards the person who's going to the press threatening to sack people. Genuine question - what do you think that's going to achieve - and how is it going to help?

I dunno LeC, 6 weeks after appointing a new manager, SS is talking about sacking Berg's coaching staff. Shouldn't that decision be down to Berg?

[Athlete]

So Venky's get hammered when they don't talk to the fans. They hire someone who communicates and then everything he says gets slated.

I dislike them as much as the next person but that mentality is a bit tiresome. Can't have it both ways. If no action is taken by the end of the transfer window then jump all over it by all means.

think you already no what action there'll be in the transfer window....read yesterdays Berg interview the LT he mentions finances....

But hey don't worry we'll sign the next Anthony Modeste on loan , a new Bradley Orr and a few more Portugese kids.....

Venkys have to go + take the whole circus Shaw , Shebby , Agnew , Hendry with them.....

[LeChuck]

That mentality? If you're concerned about mentalities LeC, then you need to look towards the person who's going to the press threatening to sack people. Genuine question - what do you think that's going to achieve - and how is it going to help?

That's a legitimate concern, but hasn't been said by anyone else. People are just using the fact that he's said "decisive action" then gone off on a tangent. People were jumping on Berg's interview the other day as well. It's boring. I thought removing Kean had removed that but it's as strong as ever after a few bad results.

think you already no what action there'll be in the transfer window

Well let's just wait and see? Since Shebby has been at the club we've become more active in the transfer market (Best, Rhodes, Murphy, Etuhu etc), removed Kean and hired a new manager.

Ok it's a LONG way from where we need to be, but I think he has taken action so far. Whether those actions have been right or not is open to lot of debate, but things have happened.

[K-Hod]

think you already no what action there'll be in the transfer window....read yesterdays Berg interview the LT he mentions finances....

But hey don't worry we'll sign the next Anthony Modeste on loan , a new Bradley Orr and a few more Portugese kids.....

Venkys have to go + take the whole circus Shaw , Shebby , Agnew , Hendry with them.....

But they're not selling? Nobody wants them here....

[den]

That's a legitimate concern, but hasn't been said by anyone else. People are just using the fact that he's said "decisive action" then gone off on a tangent. People were jumping on Berg's interview the other day as well. It's boring.

It might be boring, but when he's coming out and saying he's going to sack Berg's coaching staff - when that decision should be down to Berg alone anyway, he's bound to get criticism. Apart from that, the coaching staff are in no way to blame for our current situation. The Raos and Venky's are responsible for that.

[RoverScot]

That's a legitimate concern, but hasn't been said by anyone else. People are just using the fact that he's said "decisive action" then gone off on a tangent. People were jumping on Berg's interview the other day as well. It's boring.

Its more what is Shebby's view of what decisive action is needed, how is this view being supplemented by poeple like Paul Agnew and how will Shebby execute this decisive action.

He isn't a football administrator and it has shown with the length of time it took to sign Rhodes, hire a manager, hire new staff etc.

[DE.]

So Venky's get hammered when they don't talk to the fans. They hire someone who communicates and then everything he says gets slated.

I dislike them as much as the next person but that mentality is a bit tiresome. Can't have it both ways. If no action is taken by the end of the transfer window then jump all over it by all means.

I've seen this rhetoric spouted multiple times and it clearly misses the point.

What people want is not "more communication" from Venky's and I don't think that has ever been the primary concern, what people desire is simply intelligent and thought-out comments rather than constant BS. Shebby is the king of bull and his comments in that article are ridiculous. All he needed to say was that there has been a meeting and things are being dealt with. Absolutely no need to go into any further detail.

Rather than 'more communication' people largely wanted professionalism which is completely different and something Venky's have still, after 2 years, completely failed to master. A bumbling motor-mouth like Singh is proof of that.