Martin O'Neill

[Mark 'expert' Lawrenson]

I think you're downplaying what he did. Yes we had some decent players when he joined, but he was here for 5 years, winning two domestic trophies, whatever team he picked up had no bearing on his latter years. He signed the likes of Keller, Flowers, Elliott, Taggart, Prior, Lennon, Izzet, Guppy, Impey, Claridge, Cottee, Savage, Kaamark, and I probably missed more. Most picked up from the lower league for next to nothing. He built a new team over the years and his was his man management that helped build that bond they had. To say his success here was due to the luck of taking over at the right time is unfair. At that time he was a brilliant manager and took a team built on a shoestring to new heights. I agree with others though, his style is now outdated.

Agree entirely with this post, I had the pleasure of seeing City play in Europe, people should never underestimate what was achieved back then.

Other players signed include, Collymore, Ian Marshall, Ullathorne, Sinclair, Zagorakis, only 1 little nit pick is that Pontus Kaamark was already at the club, he was signed by McGhee and then was injured soon after.

[Jimothy]

Agree entirely with this post, I had the pleasure of seeing City play in Europe, people should never underestimate what was achieved back then.

Other players signed include, Collymore, Ian Marshall, Ullathorne, Sinclair, Zagorakis, only 1 little nit pick is that Pontus Kaamark was already at the club, he was signed by McGhee and then was injured soon after.

Ah yeah, sorry. The brain can get a little fuzzy on the specifics after 20 years

[Leicesterpool]

It always looks like MON's is less enthusiastic about this job.

[BoyJones]

I don't blame MON for going to Celtic, but in terms of a challenge and at an age when he should have been in his prime as a manager, it was to my mind a backward step. Basically going to a two team division. He should have gone abroad to Italy or Spain for a real test of his skills.

MON's skills IMO were motivating, cajoling the troops and he also had an eye for picking out a talented player who would fit into his system. Often players considered journeyman or over the hill, a la Marshall, Cottee, Impey, Taggart etc. His two greatest signings for me Izzet and Lennon.

Personally, I think the input and influence of Steve Walford is underplayed and rarely mentioned. He has been with MON since his Wycombe days and is the day to day coach, trainer, tactician. I used to meet a few of the players around 1995 -2005 when in a previous job and all have sang Walfords praises.

Without Steve Walford, I have always wondered how successful MON would have been. Anyway, looks like this could be their last job, as cannot see either wanting to get back into league football which is relentless. MON is now 63 and looks tired, Walford pushing 60 and I cant see him working with anyone else. If they choose, they can go in a couple of years and look back knowing they were a great and successful partnership.

[Grewks]

The best way i try and describe him - 'What Clough would be if he managed in the modern era'.

 

 

I imagine he too would be one who would be unable and unwilling to adapt to the modern game.

[Fox92]

Not sure if the World will consider him a great manager, but I certainly think he'll be considered a solid Premier League manager. The job he did here and at Villa were very good. 

 

Agree above though, a modern Clough and that's a good thing.

[Freesolo]

I think he could fit into the modern game with his management style if he had the right team of people behind him, ie not John Robertson but people who can do the statistical analysis of games and slowly pull him into the new style of football, He is a Intelligent guy who almost always made good signings and had a great nose for talent.

But would he want to? I don't think so he isn't getting any younger. I Think the Eire Job will be his last as its not likely an Prem team would offer him a job.

[CosbehFox]

John Robertson hasn't worked with him since Villa and many say that's why his performance has taken a nosedive.

[Stevosevic]

He's a bit of a dinosaur now, the game has changed

[NewburyFox]

I don't blame MON for going to Celtic, but in terms of a challenge and at an age when he should have been in his prime as a manager, it was to my mind a backward step. Basically going to a two team division. He should have gone abroad to Italy or Spain for a real test of his skills.

MON's skills IMO were motivating, cajoling the troops and he also had an eye for picking out a talented player who would fit into his system. Often players considered journeyman or over the hill, a la Marshall, Cottee, Impey, Taggart etc. His two greatest signings for me Izzet and Lennon.

Personally, I think the input and influence of Steve Walford is underplayed and rarely mentioned. He has been with MON since his Wycombe days and is the day to day coach, trainer, tactician. I used to meet a few of the players around 1995 -2005 when in a previous job and all have sang Walfords praises.

Without Steve Walford, I have always wondered how successful MON would have been. Anyway, looks like this could be their last job, as cannot see either wanting to get back into league football which is relentless. MON is now 63 and looks tired, Walford pushing 60 and I cant see him working with anyone else. If they choose, they can go in a couple of years and look back knowing they were a great and successful partnership.

 

I thought Robertson was considered much of the brains behind the team? I was too young back then to really understand. 

[BoyJones]

I thought Robertson was considered much of the brains behind the team? I was too young back then to really understand.

My understanding is that Robertson's main input was skinning all the team at the 5-aside practices. I was told by several first teamers in one of their usual haunts at the time, il baffone, that he was still unstoppable even then.

I never got the impression he was the brains behind MON.