[Archived] Henning Berg - Rovers Manager

[Black Burn]

Losing a lot of money each month, yet they still went for an inexperienced coach?

Not against Berg, however if we'd gone for someone who has been promoted several times ala McCarthy, it would have made so much sense.

Yes, it makes a whole lot of sense to choose a manager whose team lost 5-0 and 6-0 to Crystal Palace and Leicester City and also who chose to bring Bradley Orr in on loan over Berg who lost only 1 match in his last 4.

By the way, where is Roverandout? I was hoping to send a PM to him, but I can't find his account anywhere. Did he change his name or something?

[Blue n White Rover]

Yes, it makes a whole lot of sense to choose a manager whose team lost 5-0 and 6-0 to Crystal Palace and Leicester City and also who chose to bring Bradley Orr in on loan over Berg who lost only 1 match in his last 4.

By the way, where is Roverandout? I was hoping to send a PM to him, but I can't find his account anywhere. Did he change his name or something?

Taking Berg on was a risk, anyone would agree with that. The risk involved with McCarthy is considerably lower than what is involved with Berg, simply down to experience.

My point at the time of that post of mine you quoted, that if we are losing considerable amounts of money each month, then why would you risk financial meltdown by appointing an inexperienced coach?

However, if it pays off, then all is well and my point is invalid, which I am more than happy to accept.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Taking Berg on was a risk, anyone would agree with that. The risk involved with McCarthy is considerably lower than what is involved with Berg, simply down to experience.

My point at the time of that post of mine you quoted, that if we are losing considerable amounts of money each month, then why would you risk financial meltdown by appointing an inexperienced coach?

However, if it pays off, then all is well and my point is invalid, which I am more than happy to accept.

I agree with that. I'm delighted with the improvements Berg has brought and if things carry on in the same vein happy days could be here again. Having said that appointing Berg was a serious gamble, no one can deny that. If it works out I'll gladly hold my hand up. .As for the other "candidates",let's see where they are at the end of the season.

[Black Burn]

Taking Berg on was a risk, anyone would agree with that. The risk involved with McCarthy is considerably lower than what is involved with Berg, simply down to experience.

My point at the time of that post of mine you quoted, that if we are losing considerable amounts of money each month, then why would you risk financial meltdown by appointing an inexperienced coach?

However, if it pays off, then all is well and my point is invalid, which I am more than happy to accept.

Nah, your point is valid and I understand where you're coming from. I meant that half in jest, partly because I was amused at the amount of people championing McCarthy before Berg was appointed. Well, McCarthy is a decent championship manager with lots of experience, I think that is very true. The thing is that most people tend to overlook his failures for his successes - his wealth of experience includes a couple of relegations and plenty of failures. His 19-pointer season with Sunderland comes to my mind more often than his promotion feats.

[arbitro]

Taking Berg on was a risk, anyone would agree with that. The risk involved with McCarthy is considerably lower than what is involved with Berg, simply down to experience.

My point at the time of that post of mine you quoted, that if we are losing considerable amounts of money each month, then why would you risk financial meltdown by appointing an inexperienced coach?

However, if it pays off, then all is well and my point is invalid, which I am more than happy to accept.

Generally Mick McCarthy likes his teams to be big, strong and mostly dour (almost in the image of him as a player). With the squad of players we have could he have got the best out of them like Berg appears to be doing? I think he would have looked to bring in several players of this ilk in January.

[tonyoz]

Well, McCarthy is a decent championship manager with lots of experience, I think that is very true. The thing is that most people tend to overlook his failures for his successes - his wealth of experience includes a couple of relegations and plenty of failures. His 19-pointer season with Sunderland comes to my mind more often than his promotion feats.

He also under-performed Kean in each of the last two seasons.

[RevidgeBlue]

I like Bergie and I like his ideas. There are no guarantees in this business but he has had a big impact already.

Rochina, with all his faults, had another highly influential game yesterday and who's this guy wearing No. 10? He looks a lot like Formica but this guy can play! Rhodes has remembered how to score again and Danny has shut up the boo-boys. Long may it continue.

Yes, the real test will be whether the team can maintain these standards. Was he the right choice? It's never clear cut at the time the appointment is made. IMO there are many factors that go to that make a winning team......the players have to get on board and gel with the new ideas for instance and there needs to be some strong characters in the dressing room. It's amazing how many times successful managers tank when they move on to pastures new.

Maybe you thought these guys would have been a better bet for BRFC:

On Saturday, the players assembled by Hughes carried the appearance of hired hands, many not appearing to have the stomach for the fight, certainly judging by their timid efforts.

QPR were dismal and their supporters vented their feelings, chanting for Hughes's dismissal.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...otball/20278600

MARTIN O'NEILL insists he will quit if his Sunderland nightmare continues. The Mackems boss travels to Fulham today desperate to end a confidence-sapping run of just ONE Premier League win in 18. http://www.thesun.co...this-right.html

Leicester City 6 v 0 Ipswich Town

Town fell to their second successive hammering on the road as Mick McCarthy's men were thoroughly outclassed by Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

http://www.twtd.co.u...r-city-6-0-town

I'm not going to knock the previous record of old school managers like Sparky, O'Neill and McCarthy. However their approach seems largely based upon the team simply being more fitter, more physical and more motivated than the opposition.

Whilst there's nothing wrong with that per se I'm not sure if that is enough these days, particularly at the highest level. There's only Sam of that ilk who seems to be for the time being at least successfully bucking the trend of moving towards a more silky passing game.

[tonyoz]

Actually I like Mick..............a proper manager. So this is just a bit of fun at his expense. Here's how he modified the set-up at Ipswich before the trip to Leicester:

Round pegs in round holes - Mick McCarthy quickly spotted an imbalance at Ipswich Town

That's what many Ipswich Town fans have been crying out for in years - and its taken new boss Mick McCarthy little over a fortnight to implement that philosophy.

"Some hard-nosed Championship experience is what is required at the moment and Bradley (Orr) has that."

http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/round_pegs_in_round_holes_mick_mccarthy_quickly_spotted_an_imbalance_at_ipswich_town_1_1696712"

(Sorry problems with formatting since I up-graded to Windows 8)

[jim mk2]

A "silky passing game" costs money to buy. Sam and Hughes are / were better managers with little money to spend and hunting round in the bargain basement for unpolished diamonds. Rovers as a club were a perfect fit for them. McCarthy was my choice to replace Kean because he would have provided a steady experienced hand. Like Kean, Berg is a gamble - hopefully one that will come off this time.

[ABBEY]

A "silky passing game" costs money to buy. Sam and Hughes are / were better managers with little money to spend and hunting round in the bargain basement for unpolished diamonds. Rovers as a club were a perfect fit for them. McCarthy was my choice to replace Kean because he would have provided a steady experienced hand. Like Kean, Berg is a gamble - hopefully one that will come off this time.

How do you explain ( not just you) berg getting this team playing football when alls you preached was hoofball was the only way this group of players could play?

[Amo]

How much have Swansea spent on that "silky passing game"?

[tonyoz]

A "silky passing game" costs money to buy. Sam and Hughes are / were better managers with little money to spend and hunting round in the bargain basement for unpolished diamonds. Rovers as a club were a perfect fit for them. McCarthy was my choice to replace Kean because he would have provided a steady experienced hand. Like Kean, Berg is a gamble - hopefully one that will come off this time.

I did have a chuckle to myself when that 3rd goal went in.............I could see it clearly.....flat cap and rattle! Marvellous!

[den]

How do you explain ( not just you) berg getting this team playing football when alls you preached was hoofball was the only way this group of players could play?

You have factored in the fact that we were playing Peterborough in the Championship Abbey?

[tonyoz]

You have factored in the fact that we were playing Peterborough in the Championship Abbey?

Aye, but we've been playing cack teams in the Championship all season den. Things have changed - but I am wary too that it may be a false dawn. It is a little bit exciting though, don't you think?

[booth]

You have factored in the fact that we were playing Peterborough in the Championship Abbey?

First half against Birmingham we played some very good stuff too.

[jim mk2]

How do you explain ( not just you) berg getting this team playing football when alls you preached was hoofball was the only way this group of players could play?

Figment of your imagination. I've never made that statement.

[den]

Aye, but we've been playing cack teams in the Championship all season den. Things have changed - but I am wary too that it may be a false dawn. It is a little bit exciting though, don't you think?

Not that cack Tony

There has definitely been an improvement under Berg as I said after his first home game, although my point to Abbey was, that I hope we don't try to outplay the Premier League teams with silky passing skills, - if we do ever recover from sacking Sam.

[philipl]

Surely Sam is giving the lie to this hoofball at West Ham. With the players and budget he can set up an exciting all action passing attacking team.

He did what was necessary to keep us in the top half of the Prem at a time when we were net disinvesting in the team. I have no doubt had he stayed and been given the budget and brief we would have been where West Ham are and playing football as good as they are.

Anyway he didn't fit into the shady shenanigans and we got Kean the dog.

Berg has been appointed by lucky numbers but I think Rovers have at long last got lucky in that he happened to be there when Shebby had no option but to produce a manager that very afternoon.

I am impressed with what I am seeing and hearing so far and I reiterate, the fans really must get solidly behind him. Berg is a lone voice of sanity in the bonkers mad raving loony bin.

[Mercer]

Does it really look good for Henning and Rovers immediate future when all they are doing at this moment in time is talking about loan players in January and Berg still hasnt brought in anyone for his backroom team.

I think you are spot on here and I think it is indicative of just how precarious our finances are.

I have flagged earlier that I think we need to be in a challenging position at beginning of Jan. otherwise, Venky's might just hit the panic button and we could see the departure of the likes of Rhodes, Olsson1 and young Henley.

Lots of speculation doing the rounds about changes in backroom staff when Berg apointed ranging from him being allowed to bring just one of his own in to him clearing the lot out as not impressed ! I think the main problem might be the affordability of paying-off messrs Hendry, Black & Brunskill. The supposed recruitment of a new number 2, as I have posted earlier, seems to resemble the recuitment of our new manager and seems in danger of hitting the buffers completely. Berg can't do it all himself and needs a sounding board that he can trust and Black might be that man, however, I am not at all sure what value, if any, Brunskill and Hendry bring to the party.

[den]

How much have Swansea spent on that "silky passing game"?

If we are picking out teams by comparing lack of money with success, then Vinny Jones's Wimbledon show the way. 14 years in the top league. Has any club without real funding, had any prolonged succes by playing pretty football?

[gumboots]

I can't believe those still sceptical of whether Berg can do it. New managers often get an initial bounce in their first game as players try to impress, but it tails off by the third game or so, especially when things are disturbed by internationals and so on. However, what we seem to be seeing here, even though it is early days yet, is a game on game improvement. Players seem to be learning their roles and this is helped by settled team selection. If you do well you won't be left out of the next match. That can build complacency but it can also build confidence. Yes, it was only Peterborough but they have pulled out some results and we were away. Would we have won under Kean? don't know. Would we have won like that under Kean? Almost certainly not. Would players have been apologising to one another, getting angry with one another over the conceding of a relatively unimportant goal (unless it goes to goal difference)? No because losing games we shouldn't had become a way of life for these players. It's getting better. It's becoming enjoyable to watch and if nothing else, I'd like to say thank you to Berg for giving us that spark of optimism that I hadn't felt for years, even if it doesn't last.

[yoda]

I think you are spot on here and I think it is indicative of just how precarious our finances are.

I have flagged earlier that I think we need to be in a challenging position at beginning of Jan. otherwise, Venky's might just hit the panic button and we could see the departure of the likes of Rhodes, Olsson1 and young Henley.

Lots of speculation doing the rounds about changes in backroom staff when Berg apointed ranging from him being allowed to bring just one of his own in to him clearing the lot out as not impressed ! I think the main problem might be the affordability of paying-off messrs Hendry, Black & Brunskill. The supposed recruitment of a new number 2, as I have posted earlier, seems to resemble the recuitment of our new manager and seems in danger of hitting the buffers completely. Berg can't do it all himself and needs a sounding board that he can trust and Black might be that man, however, I am not at all sure what value, if any, Brunskill and Hendry bring to the party.

That sounds like indecision, can you delete it, as it is contagious, apparently

[imy9]

Very impressed so far with Berg and that was the best I have seen us play in years.

I would love to see Givet given a place in the team and believe him and Dann are ideal for us going forward.

[LeChuck]

Taking Berg on was a risk, anyone would agree with that. The risk involved with McCarthy is considerably lower than what is involved with Berg, simply down to experience.

My point at the time of that post of mine you quoted, that if we are losing considerable amounts of money each month, then why would you risk financial meltdown by appointing an inexperienced coach?

However, if it pays off, then all is well and my point is invalid, which I am more than happy to accept.

I think you're making to much of an issue about the inexperience.

JW appointed Mark Hughes and Paul Ince - they had less experience than Berg. Plenty of clubs do the same.

[Kelbo]

I can't believe those still sceptical of whether Berg can do it. New managers often get an initial bounce in their first game as players try to impress, but it tails off by the third game or so, especially when things are disturbed by internationals and so on. However, what we seem to be seeing here, even though it is early days yet, is a game on game improvement. Players seem to be learning their roles and this is helped by settled team selection. If you do well you won't be left out of the next match. That can build complacency but it can also build confidence. Yes, it was only Peterborough but they have pulled out some results and we were away. Would we have won under Kean? don't know. Would we have won like that under Kean? Almost certainly not. Would players have been apologising to one another, getting angry with one another over the conceding of a relatively unimportant goal (unless it goes to goal difference)? No because losing games we shouldn't had become a way of life for these players. It's getting better. It's becoming enjoyable to watch and if nothing else, I'd like to say thank you to Berg for giving us that spark of optimism that I hadn't felt for years, even if it doesn't last.

Are you sure you are female gumboots?

100% correct, was actually going to post this in reply to Mr E, indeed a settled team, working together as a unit and learning their roles and shape together, it was so evident yesterday for example, when Henley made those attacking runs/overlaps, always someone dropped in to cover his position, same all round the park, we were organised and kept a decent shape, Peterborough or no Peterborough, you dont win the way Rovers did by leaving spaces all over the place and not playing well. We look a professional football team now, something we never were under Kean, yes, it could go pear shaped but as Gumboots quite rightly says, we are moving forwards game by game, yes, there will be harder tasks ahead but confidence is a wonderful thing, lets see where we go from here and good luck Henning!