This Manager talk

[Thracian]

One final time, Read along with me...

HE.

TURNED.

US.

DOWN.

We should have tried harder.

[Koke]

Daggers, did he actually turn us down?

He'd rather stay at the mighty Macclesfield Town than join us..

[Daggers]

We should have tried harder.

[Mark]

Before we signed Oakley and Howard 99% of our fans would of jizzed over the prospect of them playing for us. The captain of a promotion winning side and their top scorer. You couldn't ask for much more to be honest.

Not even close, especially in Howards case. It's a bit of a coincidence that they were both shunted out of Derby and ended up here within a week of each other, I'd be interested to know the reasons behind that cause they have proven they're not at all interested.

[Daggers]

Daggers, did he actually turn us down?

He'd rather stay at the mighty Macclesfield Town than join us..

At MK Dons, he stated that he was not in the slightest bit interested in coming here and was looking forward to success during his time with Franchise FC.

I guess we should have drugged him and bundled him into a car while assassinating their piss-poor impression of Peter Stringfellow chairman.

Should have tried harder! What planet is he on?

[Basingstoke Fox]

Before we signed Oakley and Howard 99% of our fans would of jizzed over the prospect of them playing for us. The captain of a promotion winning side and their top scorer. You couldn't ask for much more to be honest.

Better tactics is also debatable. Davies is known for hoof-ball, something the majority (including myself) have moaned about, but it wouldn't stop some fans saying "get him in" and then fast changing their minds when we don't win the league after four games.

I certainly did

Its not ollies fault they havent performed, theyve been to the Prem now, come here got a nice pay check and they just dont really seem to be that botherd

[Thracian]

It's alright banging your head but managers/players often play hard to get and sometimes you have to try this way and that to win the day. When I consider what this club wasted on contracts for no-hopers I'm sure we could have been a bit more persuasive. Question is though, did we want him enough?

[Eastern Fox]

I certainly did

Its not ollies fault they havent performed, theyve been to the Prem now, come here got a nice pay check and they just dont really seem to be that botherd

Its Holloway's job to motivate the players. If they aren't interested in playing for us, then he should drop them. I do partly blame the players for the mess we're in, but ultimately lack of performance on the pitch is the manager's responsibility.

[Thracian]

I certainly did

Its not ollies fault they havent performed, theyve been to the Prem now, come here got a nice pay check and they just dont really seem to be that botherd

It's alright saying that and why would any City fans feel any differently? But, once again I'd ask, did the club show due diligence and check up on why Oakley was being released? When, I wonder, and how often did anyone watch him play or even train shortly before we signed him. Were we falling down on attention to detail again oris it simply that the manager can't get the best out of him?

I certainly did

Its not ollies fault they havent performed, theyve been to the Prem now, come here got a nice pay check and they just dont really seem to be that botherd

[Zingari]

doesn't every manager that is in employment claim undying loyalty to the club

didn't harry redknapp openly say he would never join southampton

[Thracian]

Its Holloway's job to motivate the players. If they aren't interested in playing for us, then he should drop them. I do partly blame the players for the mess we're in, but ultimately lack of performance on the pitch is the manager's responsibility.

Absolutely and it may be that Oakley has needed to be left out on occasions if only to recharge his batteries. He's played a lot of football in his life. Sometimes, missing games can help get the appetite back, allow players to get over niggling aches and pains, all sorts of things.

Whatever the full story the truth is that Oakley has been picked on his reputation lately and that is never a good thing. I've always reckoned a manager should be able to look anyone in the eye and tell him exactly why they are or are not in the team and what they need to do to have any chance of changing the situation.

[Webbo]

It's alright saying that and why would any City fans feel any differently? But, once again I'd ask, did the club show due diligence and check up on why Oakley was being released? When, I wonder, and how often did anyone watch him play or even train shortly before we signed him. Were we falling down on attention to detail again oris it simply that the manager can't get the best out of him?

Ollie hadn't been in the job that long, it was a 1 month window with limited choice available.Both players had performed well in this division last season. How much more diligence was possible in the time available?

[Thracian]

Ollie hadn't been in the job that long, it was a 1 month window with limited choice available.Both players had performed well in this division last season. How much more diligence was possible in the time available?

As much as it takes. Football management isn't 9-5 it is a commitment and the more the t's are crossed and the i's dotted the more likely it is your team that gets an edge.

Look at Horsfield last season. We took him on loan yet he'd had decent seasons previously. What we got was a bloke with no spring and no sparkle. An hour or two's observation would have found all that out. Perhaps even some discreet enquiries of trusted friends.

Trawl a few fans sites, send someone to watch training. It can be an expensive mistake, guessing. Both in terms of money and points. Which is another reason I'm always sceptical of loanees. With regular, home produced players who've passed through the system you always know what you're getting.

With others it's just like buying anything. Check and double check.

[Zingari]

As much as it takes. Football management isn't 9-5 it is a commitment and the more the t's are crossed and the i's dotted the more likely it is your team that gets an edge.

Look at Horsfield last season. We took him on loan yet he'd had decent seasons previously. What we got was a bloke with no spring and no sparkle. An hour or two's observation would have found all that out. Perhaps even some discreet enquiries of trusted friends.

Trawl a few fans sites, send someone to watch training. It can be an expensive mistake, guessing. Both in terms of money and points. Which is another reason I'm always sceptical of loanees. With regular, home produced players who've passed through the system you always know what you're getting.

With others it's just like buying anything. Check and double check.

exactly right , mr thracian

anyone would think it was rocket science , there has been too many " pig in a poke " buys at this club

[Zingari]

Ollie hadn't been in the job that long, it was a 1 month window with limited choice available.Both players had performed well in this division last season. How much more diligence was possible in the time available?

thats true and its a good point , he was in a situation that required quick thinking and action , but he really got it wrong and must be judged on that

[Thor]

As much as it takes. Football management isn't 9-5 it is a commitment and the more the t's are crossed and the i's dotted the more likely it is your team that gets an edge.

Look at Horsfield last season. We took him on loan yet he'd had decent seasons previously. What we got was a bloke with no spring and no sparkle. An hour or two's observation would have found all that out. Perhaps even some discreet enquiries of trusted friends.

Trawl a few fans sites, send someone to watch training. It can be an expensive mistake, guessing. Both in terms of money and points. Which is another reason I'm always sceptical of loanees. With regular, home produced players who've passed through the system you always know what you're getting.

With others it's just like buying anything. Check and double check.

With the exception of Hendrie, maybe Bell (though it is early days), every one of Holloway's signings has been a disappointment. Not only that, we've seen the form and confidence of some of our more established players dip alarmingly (Fryatt, Clemence). You don't need a razor sharp mind to spot the common denominator here: Holloway.

[reynard]

Mentioning MON and Holloway in the same breath almost amounts to sacrilege in my eyes. I see no comparison whatsoever.

It is far more than just results that worries me about Holloway and whether he wins on Sunday or not won't make the slightest difference to that.

100% agree

[reynard]

Absolutely and it may be that Oakley has needed to be left out on occasions if only to recharge his batteries. He's played a lot of football in his life. Sometimes, missing games can help get the appetite back, allow players to get over niggling aches and pains, all sorts of things.

Whatever the full story the truth is that Oakley has been picked on his reputation lately and that is never a good thing. I've always reckoned a manager should be able to look anyone in the eye and tell him exactly why they are or are not in the team and what they need to do to have any chance of changing the situation.

Oakley was never going to be the player we needed. He is epitomises everything that the championship is about. Mediocrity. Derby flattered to deceive last season and their real star was Barnes. He is a dull midfielder who has never really looked anything more than average. He will have the odd decent game but he just isn't good enough.

Jewell is no fool and he was only too happy to ship out Howard and Oakely (for around 2m between them) as he realised not only were they not good enough for the premier league but also because he knwe he would need better players to get back there.

[Sniffer-Clarke]

Is it a kneejerk reaction after 6 months, 35 games, 8 or so players brought in and over 3 million spent on transfer fees? I don't think so.

Yeah. And 8 league wins from 30 i dont think many other ccc clubs would have tolerated that.

[l444ry]

All this talk that Holloway cannot be responsible for his players performances is just plain garbage. Harry Redknapp has no problem rejuvenating players who many seem to think are past their best. Of course the manager is responsible. If the players aren't cutting it then drop the pillocks.

[dandannieldanok]

All this talk that Holloway cannot be responsible for his players performances is just plain garbage. Harry Redknapp has no problem rejuvenating players who many seem to think are past their best. Of course the manager is responsible. If the players aren't cutting it then drop the pillocks.

Agreed, this squad is big enough and we have enough hungry young players to slot in for those who can't be bothered.

[Daggers]

It's alright banging your head but managers/players often play hard to get and sometimes you have to try this way and that to win the day. When I consider what this club wasted on contracts for no-hopers I'm sure we could have been a bit more persuasive. Question is though, did we want him enough?

How the **** do you know what conversations were had and what offers were put over?

You don't.

Carping on about 'we should have done whatever was needed' is such a wank statement, and you know it. You sound like one of the little children that come on here - you know better than that Tony. At least you should.

Ince has had a very good season/s and you said at the time he should have come here. But he didn't. Get over it.

[Raj]

How the **** do you know what conversations were had and what offers were put over?

You don't.

Carping on about 'we should have done whatever was needed' is such a wank statement, and you know it. You sound like one of the little children that come on here - you know better than that Tony. At least you should.

Ince has had a very good season/s and you said at the time he should have come here. But he didn't. Get over it.

Is That Thracs name???

Tony Thracian!!!???

Toe Knee Thracian!!!

Anyway,back to the manager.....only one man for it..all together now...

Super

Super Steve

Super

Super Steve

Super

Super Steve

Super Steve McClaren!!!

Bye for today...and remember what Ali said to Joe Frazier...

"if you even dream about beating me,you better wake up and apologise!"

And he also said

"BELIEVE!"

[lildave3]

Magical.

[Thracian]

How the **** do you know what conversations were had and what offers were put over?

You don't.

Carping on about 'we should have done whatever was needed' is such a wank statement, and you know it. You sound like one of the little children that come on here - you know better than that Tony. At least you should.

Ince has had a very good season/s and you said at the time he should have come here. But he didn't. Get over it.

Not at all. If you want something enough you find a way and most people are swayable if the price is right.

I never got the impression the club or the fans wanted him enough.