Holloway GONE!

[The Stig]

I have since spoke to Neil Warnock when he came to Walkers with Palace.

He said to me that he was in talks about becoming Leicester manager (before Allen) when MM said "I have a couple of players already lined up for you" At this point Neil no longer wanted the job.

Now this is Neil's veiw of what took place. So I dont know if it is 100% true.

And you know him how? Would he want you revealing his conversations on a forum?

Edit, could well be true, not saying it's not just interested.

[Ultra]

I have since spoke to Neil Warnock when he came to Walkers with Palace.

He said to me that he was in talks about becoming Leicester manager (before Allen) when MM said "I have a couple of players already lined up for you" At this point Neil no longer wanted the job.

Now this is Neil's veiw of what took place. So I dont know if it is 100% true.

Sounds quite plausible.

Unless Mandaric has mended his ways, and is willing to let the manager decide on who he wants in the squad, the ride ahead could get get even more bumpy..

[Linekaaaah]

Definitely strange timing, but not unwelcome. Ollies record speaks for itself.

Still, I have a strange feeling MM already has his man (perhaps someone at or near the top of his list that he didn't seriously expect to get, but said yes anyway.) That'd explain how fast this happened, and perhaps we'll be seeing a tactful pause (few days, a week, who knows) before the new man is revealed...

I could be completely and utterly wrong though...

[Rincewind]

Harry Rednapp was mentioned to me the other day but it was in a pub so I excused it and didnt laugh too much.

I think he would do a good job though.

[Candidcamera]

More like Jamie Rednapp and perhaps like Tony Adams. MM must have been with the Pompey bash last week so his decision to let Ollie go might be connected.

[Matt]

And you know him how? Would he want you revealing his conversations on a forum?

Edit, could well be true, not saying it's not just interested.

Well at that meeting Milan did admit signing N'Gotty (Think it was N'Gotty...He admitted signing someone anyway) makes you wondered what else he has to stick his big nose into.

I think we'd be jumping to conclusions and maybe going abit ott, but I read something about one chairman sending the teamsheet down to the manager before a match...Could this chairman be Milan (I doubt it, but at the same time wouldn't be too surprised)

[Candidcamera]

Ha ha I think Milan would have made a better choice Ollie couldn't see past those useless signings he made.

[Matt]

Ha ha I think Milan would have made a better choice Ollie couldn't see past those useless signings he made.

You and alot of people say useless signing but when Ollie signed some of the players he signed (As did Martin Allen) I was quite impressed and reading people's view on here they were too, so surly they had just as bad judgement as the fans. Not saying it makes it right, but when the players signed you weren't moaning.

[Hullfox]

There's no doubt that we are a poisoned chalice at the minute.

Someone mentioned on another thread about managers who had been shown a bit of loyalty despite poor performances. Look at Phil Brown at Hull he survived the chop at the end of last season after surviving on fewer points than we were relegated with this time round. His record was no better than Holloway's.

There were few voices of support for him, his selections or his tactics amongst the locals. Undoubtedly, if he were Leicester's manager he would have been on the receiving end of the sort of comments that Holloway is getting here. It was questioned whether he was up to being a number one, he had no track record in the role.

A full season on, look at him now.

Now I'm not saying that Holloway was the man for the job, but sooner or later we have to give someone an opportunity to take control for a period of time that exceeds a few months. It's easy for those of us who do not have the slightest clue as to what happens behind the scenes in a football club on a day to day basis to spit venom at the incumbents, it's easy to say that we would do better when in reality there's fook all chance of being exposed as an idiot.

Whoever comes in (and I'm almost past caring who it is) needs time. He needs time from Mandaric and he needs time from the supporters. When the appointment is made, lets see how we all behave because I have a feeling that the usual suspects will have their knives out from day one and god help us if we dare to not play like Brazil in our opening game.

[Thracian]

There's no doubt that we are a poisoned chalice at the minute.

Someone mentined on another thread about managers who had been shown a bit of loyalty despite poor performances. Look at Phil Brown at Hull he survived the chop at the end of last season after surviving on fewer points than we were relegated with this time round. His record was no better than Holloway's.

There were few voices of support for him, his selections or his tactics amongst the locals. Undoubtedly, if he were Leicester's manager he would have been on the receiving end of the sort of comments that Holloway is getting here. It was questioned whether he was up to being a number one, he had no track record in the role.

A full season on, look at him now.

Now I'm not saying that Holloway was the man for the job, but sooner or later we have to give someone an opportunity to take control for a period of time that exceeds a few months. It's easy for those of us who do not have the slightest clue as to what happens behind the scenes in a football club on a day to day basis to spit venom at the incumbents, it's easy to say that we would do better when in reality there's fook all chance of being exposed as an idiot.

Whoever comes in (and I'm almost passed caring who it is) needs time. He needs time from Mandaric and he needs time from the supporters. When the appointment is made, lets see how we all behave because I have a feeling that the usual suspects will have their knives out from day one and god help us if we dare to not play like Brazil in our opening game.

I never wanted Holloway but was prepared to support him until he showed himself to be speaking with a forked tongue.

And wasn't it you who wanted the muscle added to our side?

Well you got your muscle in Howard and Hayles. N'Gotty came in too and the supposedly competitive Oakley and Hendrie. Fat lot of good it did. We got worse.

I doubt you'll ever move from the belief that muscle and experience is best and if that's what you think why should you?

But don't expect me to compromise.

I'll go for youth, pace, passing and scoring goals thanks.

Sheehan or Clapham? Beswick or Hayles wide left? Hume or Howard up front?

We'd probably differ on all three choices but I did explain good and early why we'd probably go down with our approach and that's how it turned out.

Perhaps if we ever did get a manager who tried to play properly I wouldn't need to bring my knives out.

As for carping on about loyalty to managers, where was Holloway's loyalty?

He didn't give any indication that he knew the meaning of the word.

[Benji]

Sheehan or Sheehan?

haha that's the only way he'll be picked!!

[Hullfox]

Sheehan or Sheehan?

You really can't see past him can you? What sort of choice is that?

[Thracian]

You really can't see past him can you? What sort of choice is that?

A better one than Clapham or Clapham!

[Hullfox]

And wasn't it you who wanted the muscle added to our side?

Well you got your muscle in Howard and Hayles. N'Gotty came in too and the supposedly competitive Oakley and Hendrie. Fat lot of good it did. We got worse.

I've consistently said that the sides that get promoted have an element of muscle about them. Find me a post though where I've said that Howard, Hayles and N'Gotty were going to be our saviours.

[Hullfox]

Perhaps if we ever did get a manager who tried to play properly I wouldn't need to bring my knives out.

The problem that you have is that you never put them away.

Remember this? One game - not even there

[Sniffer-Clarke]

Sunday People Today.

Good News. Billy Davies to talk To MM this week [ re-new our season tickets ]

Bad News.In the sport Confidential colume there is a little bit about John Gregory flying back from spain to a managerial vacancy [not to re-new our season tickets].

[Daggers]

Whoever comes in (and I'm almost past caring who it is) needs time. He needs time from Mandaric and he needs time from the supporters. When the appointment is made, lets see how we all behave because I have a feeling that the usual suspects will have their knives out from day one and god help us if we dare to not play like Brazil in our opening game.

It was the (almost) universal sentiment when Holloway came...we'll not learn. Two loses and there will be the inevitable "I think he should go and have always said he was wrong and I would have appointed Ince". There again, that would be an improvement upon wanting shot of him after the first game, not having watched it.

[Benji]

It was the (almost) universal sentiment when Holloway came...we'll not learn. Two loses and there will be the inevitable "I think he should go and have always said he was wrong and I would have appointed Ince". There again, that would be an improvement upon wanting shot of him after the first game, not having watched it.

and it will be exactly the same with the next one

infact more so considering the pressure to return on the first attempt

I can see us winning our first game and coming on here to see a 'new manager out' poll because we only won 2-0

[Fox You Forest]

Sunday People Today.

Good News. Billy Davies to talk To MM this week [ re-new our season tickets ]

Bad News.In the sport Confidential colume there is a little bit about John Gregory flying back from spain to a managerial vacancy [not to re-new our season tickets].

That's just put me off my dinner, I thank you.

[Thracian]

The problem that you have is that you never put them away.

Remember this? One game - not even there

Seeing as we've not had a single manager in four seasons who even attempted to play the way I feel we should, that would be perfectly defensible.

But in fact I hardly had a word of criticism for Megson despite hating his style of play.

It was clear the fans preferred to put up with any sort of football if it brought results and we needed some at the time.

And bloody horrible it was to look at too.

Unfortunately all the side-stepping in the world doesn't escape the fact that your own prescibed remedy for our ills didn't work.

So why you should be so keen to knock mine I don't know.

[Sandman]

Alledgedly, Davies says he will take Leicester to top flight within three years......Sunday people website

[Daggers]

Alledgedly, Davies says he will take Leicester to top flight within three years......Sunday people website

Misquote - he said he'd try to book us on a flight to Ibiza for free beers.

[Hullfox]

Unfortunately all the side-stepping in the world doesn't escape the fact that your own prescibed remedy for our ills didn't work.

So why you should be so keen to knock mine I don't know.

How's this for not side stepping?

You like youth and I say that experience and strength gets you out of the championship. I have never once commented upon whether I thought Hayles, Howard et al were the right men for the job.

However, look at the three clubs who got promoted. In the games where they had to get a result this season, look at the average age of the matchday squad that the managers (you know, the people who actually work in the game) put out.

Stoke City vs LCFC

Player Age

Nash 34

Wilkinson 23

Cort 29

Shawcross 20

Dickinson 21

Lawrence 26

Delap 31

Whelan 24

Cresswell 30

Sidibe 28

Fuller 28

Simonsen 29

Pearson 25

Buxton 24

Pugh 25

Ameobi 26

Total Ages 423

Average Age 26.44

Thrach's preferred team vs Stoke

Player Age

Henderson 32

Chambers 27

Mcauley 28

Stearman 20

Mattock 17

Bell 24

Weso 20

King 19

Beswick 18

Hume 24

Campbell 26

N'Gotty 36

Fryatt 22

Howard 31

Hammond 27

McKay 18

Total Ages 389

Average Age 24.31

WBA vs Portsmouth FA Cup SF

Player Age

Kiely 37

Hoeflans 29

Albrechtsn 28

Clement 29

Robinson 29

Gera 29

Koren 27

Greening 29

Morrison 22

Phillips 34

Bednar 25

Danek 24

Pele 30

Kim 25

Brunt 23

Miller 21

Total Ages 441

Average Age 27.56

Hull vs Bristol City Play-Off Final

Player Age

Myhill 25

Ricketts 26

Turner 24

Brown 30

Dawson 30

Garcia 26

Ashbee 31

Hughes 32

Barmby 34

Campbell 20

Windass 39

Duke 31

Doyle 21

Marney 24

Fagan 25

Folan 25

Total Ages 443

Average Age 27.69

Now, my argument just on the promoted three seems to stand up when you look at the average ages of 26/27. I've never argued about the suitability of our personnel but I have argued for experience and muscle as a package. Your dream team would probably show a lower average age because you'd look to make room for Sheeeeehan, Gradel Porter and Dodds.

You say they would get us up, I say that I don't agree.

I strongly suspect that Messrs Pulis, Mowbray and Brown know much more than the both of us and I think they are right.

[Thracian]

How's this for not side stepping?

You like youth and I say that experience and strength gets you out of the championship. I have never once commented upon whether I thought Hayles, Howard et al were the right men for the job.

However, look at the three clubs who got promoted. In the games where they had to get a result this season, look at the average age of the matchday squad that the managers (you know, the people who actually work in the game) put out.

Stoke City vs LCFC

Player Age

Nash 34

Wilkinson 23

Cort 29

Shawcross 20

Dickinson 21

Lawrence 26

Delap 31

Whelan 24

Cresswell 30

Sidibe 28

Fuller 28

Simonsen 29

Pearson 25

Buxton 24

Pugh 25

Ameobi 26

Total Ages 423

Average Age 26.44

Thrach's preferred team vs Stoke

Player Age

Henderson 32

Chambers 27

Mcauley 28

Stearman 20

Mattock 17

Bell 24

Weso 20

King 19

Beswick 18

Hume 24

Campbell 26

N'Gotty 36

Fryatt 22

Howard 31

Hammond 27

McKay 18

Total Ages 389

Average Age 24.31

WBA vs Portsmouth FA Cup SF

Player Age

Kiely 37

Hoeflans 29

Albrechtsn 28

Clement 29

Robinson 29

Gera 29

Koren 27

Greening 29

Morrison 22

Phillips 34

Bednar 25

Danek 24

Pele 30

Kim 25

Brunt 23

Miller 21

Total Ages 441

Average Age 27.56

Hull vs Bristol City Play-Off Final

Player Age

Myhill 25

Ricketts 26

Turner 24

Brown 30

Dawson 30

Garcia 26

Ashbee 31

Hughes 32

Barmby 34

Campbell 20

Windass 39

Duke 31

Doyle 21

Marney 24

Fagan 25

Folan 25

Total Ages 443

Average Age 27.69

Now, my argument just on the promoted three seems to stand up when you look at the average ages of 26/27. I've never argued about the suitability of our personnel but I have argued for experience and muscle as a package. Your dream team would probably show a lower average age because you'd look to make room for Sheeeeehan, Gradel Porter and Dodds.

You say they would get us up, I say that I don't agree.

I strongly suspect that Messrs Pulis, Mowbray and Brown know much more than the both of us and I think they are right.

Doesn't seem you'd have much faith in my management.

Truth is I've never discounted the value of strength and experience. There are seven players of 26 or over in my team versus Stoke and there'd have been one more had Hendrie been available.

It's just that I just don't like our obsession with experience whenever the going gets tough and our lack of faith in all but a favoured one or two youngsters.

Nor do I remember saying the likes of Gradel et al would necessarily get us up.

You seem to assume all established professionals, not just Pulis, Mowbray and Brown, know more and would do better than you or I even when their record and performance sometimes suggests otherwise.

You may, of course be right though I very much doubt it.

Truth is I wouldn't actually give a toss about average age.

What I'd care about is ability, balance and a dozen other important ingredients which would make up a team.

Why you'd assume I would play the seriously injured Porter or the potential squad man Dodds I don't know. It's just not true and wouldn't necesssarily be true even if they were fit unless it were merited.

But within our club this season I would certainly have involved both Sheehan and Gradel throughout because they would have helped us score the goals necessary to survive and were better than the alternatives. Doubtless we would disagree about that but it's what I believe.

I would also have involved Beswick because he offered more creativity and versatility than Laczko, Mattock or Hayles on the left and King (assuming I'd have kept him properly fit) because he posed more threat and in different ways than Oakley in the middle.

But I don't have a dream team - just a commitment to the type of football I believe would be successful and a willingness to play the sort of players who could bring it about.

My ideal would probably be to have three or four young players in our squad on any day and probably to give gradual experience to a broader number than we did this season and with more consistency, something we could have done had we not signed so many duffers.

For all the so-called expertise of the "professionals" you seem to admire, there were many people who appeared in Leicester shirts this season and in seasons previously, who didn't merit the honour.

Those players were either mistakenly signed by those same professionals or poorly motivated/directed/inspired by them.

Furthermore those same professionals threw points away with some indefensible tactics, team selections and leadership with the result that Leicester were relegated to their lowest level ever on May 4.

That doesn't merit respect.

[Hullfox]

You seem to assume all established professionals, not just Pulis, Mowbray and Brown, know more and would do better than you or I even when their record and performance sometimes suggests otherwise.

Not at all. I've said that the teams that do well in the championship in the main tend to be more experienced and stronger physically. Being experienced and/or strong doesn't automatically qualify you as being the right player, to intimate that as being my argument is slightly disingenuous.

I have shown you examples of the three teams that were promoted along with your preferred team for Stoke as appears in the relevant thread.

The teams that got promoted had a distinctly higher average age than the one you would have selected for the Stoke game.

Where we differ is that I think experience has a major factor in getting promoted from the championship whereas, you cannot deny that you blow the trumpet of the younger players (ooo err).

Your chosen midfield with an average age of just over 20 would in my opinion have been outplayed and out muscled by all of the other three teams and many many more in the division.