Football thread 2015/2016

[Romig1]

Mark Lillis has been appointed in interim charge- I think it will be his third such stint. I wouldn't be unhappy to see him given the job permanently. He's heavily involved in our academy, and has given his youth players a chance in the first team in the past.

He's a really nice bloke too - I bumped into him in a taverna in Zante earlier this June, and he was really down-to-earth. Even invited us to come and spend some time with him and his wife at the beach bar that they frequent during the day.

[Romig1]

It's fairly clear that Powell's sacking isn't just about the poor form/results this season.

There is a desire within the club to get more from our expensive academy, and the lack of progression to the first team has been a major frustration at board level. This is understandable, when you consider how well our young players are doing in their development league - 8 wins in a row (I think).
Even last night, when two youngsters were played, it was more through necessity than choice - due to injuries and suspensions.

There has been talk about "objectives not being met" which are apparently not just results based, so this would appear to reinforce my opinon about the academy.

Personally, I think that he could have been given another month or so.

This is what our Chief Exec has said in relation to Powell's sacking...
"We think we need to go down a different path and that is why we have made the change now.

"There are concerns about the way we are developing players and the way we go about our business.

"I think Chris was very disappointed, and understandably so, but he understands why we have taken this action.


He said there was a feeling the team ought to be prepared to take more of a risk on the field.

[towny44]

I wonder if last night's team was forced upon Powell, and the improvement in their performance has convinced the board that Powell's way is not the way they want the team to go? Because it certainly looks odd to sack a manager after the team gave one of their best perfomances of the season.

[barney]

Certain managers just don't feel happy playing youngsters and maybe Powell fell in to that catagory

An example down here in Gillingham is Justin Edinburgh doing the exact opposite and it's bearing fruit

The oldest in our back four is 22 and a few weeks ago he started with a midfield trio of an 18, 19 and 20 year olds

Equally, Andy Hessenthaler rarely picked anyone under 25 and we lost many good youngsters because of that policy

[Romig1]

Certain managers just don't feel happy playing youngsters and maybe Powell fell in to that catagory

An example down here in Gillingham is Justin Edinburgh doing the exact opposite and it's bearing fruit

The oldest in our back four is 22 and a few weeks ago he started with a midfield trio of an 18, 19 and 20 year olds

Equally, Andy Hessenthaler rarely picked anyone under 25 and we lost many good youngsters because of that policy

I think you have hit the nail on the head Barny.

Powell mentioned "not rushing" youngsters, cos he thought it could be detrimental to them in the longer term. As far as I'm concerned, all experience of first team games can only benefit youngsters - even if they prove not to be quite ready.

[towny44]

Certain managers just don't feel happy playing youngsters and maybe Powell fell in to that catagory

An example down here in Gillingham is Justin Edinburgh doing the exact opposite and it's bearing fruit

The oldest in our back four is 22 and a few weeks ago he started with a midfield trio of an 18, 19 and 20 year olds

Equally, Andy Hessenthaler rarely picked anyone under 25 and we lost many good youngsters because of that policy

I think you have hit the nail on the head Barny.

Powell mentioned "not rushing" youngsters, cos he thought it could be detrimental to them in the longer term. As far as I'm concerned, all experience of first team games can only benefit youngsters - even if they prove not to be quite ready.

......and our academy youngsters certainly saved us from relegation when Jacko took over.

[oldbluefox]

You could be right there Barney but should, realistically, any Manager go back to a previous club ?

Eddie Howe at Bournemouth? He didn't do well at Burnley but continued the good work at Bournemouth.
I can't think of many others apart from Nigel Pearson at Leicester, who despite his shortcomings, did well for us.

[Manoverboard]

Two Managers ...

Chris Powell and Andy Hessenthaler both played for Watford of course and witnessed the Club's highly acclaimed Harefield Academy. The idea there is to develop young players by playing against better players to gain experience, winning is not crucial but it is valuable from time to time. If they were introduced too early to the demands of the Championship the likely result would be early burn out and persistent injuries.

[Manoverboard]

You could be right there Barney but should, realistically, any Manager go back to a previous club ?

Eddie Howe at Bournemouth? He didn't do well at Burnley but continued the good work at Bournemouth.
I can't think of many others apart from Nigel Pearson at Leicester, who despite his shortcomings, did well for us.

They probably did so because it was the safe thing to do.

[barney]

Powell & Chris Ramsey both sacked on the same day

I expect to see John Barnes & Sol Campbell wheeled out sometime today, prattling on about racism in football and how black managers don't get the chance to prove themselves

[Romig1]

...and the talk is that Powell will go to QPR!

[towny44]

...or David Wagner, Klippity Klopps assistant at BD, maybe Dean Holye thinks he can teach us to run "Rings" round any opposition. Has to be better than the Daily Wail's offering of Cellino's cast off Uwe Rosler!!!!

[Romig1]

...or David Wagner, Klippity Klopps assistant at BD, maybe Dean Holye thinks he can teach us to run "Rings" round any opposition. Has to be better than the Daily Wail's offering of Cellino's cast off Uwe Rosler!!!!

There can't be too many managers in football left who aren't one of Cellino's many cast-offs?

[barney]

Powell & Chris Ramsey both sacked on the same day

I expect to see John Barnes & Sol Campbell wheeled out sometime today, prattling on about racism in football and how black managers don't get the chance to prove themselves

Gotta larf !!!!
The story is now on the good old politically correct BBC website asking is football racist?
Same old rubbish about black managers not getting the chance.
So very, very predictable.

[oldbluefox]

How long before some looney suggests we have to have positive discrimination in football management? If they are good enough surely they will get the job. Ruud Gullit managed Newcastle but got the heave-ho because they weren't doing well, nothing to do with the colour of his skin. I presume that is why Powell and Ramsey were dismissed.
Don't feel sorry for them though. Just think of the compensation these managers get when they are shown the door.

[Manoverboard]

Well, a nice bit of talking is that Mr Fox, now tell everybody about how your Pizza Man wants to kill my nice Mr Flores

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri wants to kill Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores

[oldbluefox]

You notta tangle witha Claudio. Foxy Mafia rules!!!!
Ranieri is great- not only has he inspired our team he is also really funny.

[RB1961]

Hello
I've been keeping my head down as we were doing well but last night I thought we were lucky to keep Bayern Munich to only 5 goals...
Ah well spuds at the weekend lets see how we recover from the mullering

RB

[Manoverboard]

Yes, I wondered where you were ... only pitch up when it's going well eh

[JillD66]

Salford played well last night - or Notts County did not! They certainly closed them down well and looked the hungrier team. Amazing how they didn't run out of energy in the second half.

Great advert for non league football and what a difference the tv and prize money will make for the club.

[oldbluefox]

What a brilliant second goal scored by Salford last night. I have watched it over and over and am still amazed how the scorer, with his back to goal, wriggled past three defenders, a quick one tow and then put the ball in the goal. Well worth watching and the papers would have been raving about it had one of the favoured few scored it.

[Manoverboard]

Huddersfield lose 0:3 to Leeds ... wouldn't have happened under Powell

[gfwgfw]

oh dear

Newcastle had just two shots on goal and scored one simple goal

AFC Bournemouth were much the better team make no mistake about that

Man of the match deservedly was the Newcastle goal keeper

[oldbluefox]

Another miserable weekend for Romig.....................

[oldbluefox]

Leicester City - favourites for relegation
What do the pundits know?