Max Gradel

[Babylon]

Given his way, we might still have Levein or Kelly as manager.

At the beginning of Leveins final season, did I not say if this don't improve by xx date he should go. Did the board not sack him 5 days after the date I's set five months before.

As soon as MM took over did I not say Kelly should go as we now had the money to replace him. Before MM we couldn't afford to get someone in who was proven.

Just because I give a manager 6 months and not one day unlike yourself, does not mean I'm a lap dog.

[Edmund]

For me though it is more the way a manager goes about trying to be successful.

His commitment to attack, the way he balances the team, the way he develops or improves players, how he responds when we get in front and so much more.

At the end of the day you have to look at the wider perspective. I know you want perfection which we all want but this is the real world of football. In your sense you would probably only be happy if you were to support Man Utd, Liverpool maybe Arsenal because every team is not perfect bar a small handful.

The way you slate the team at any given opportunity is what annoys a lot of people. I know you take it more seriously than others on here and thats fair but your expectations are unrealistic and you always seem to have the perfect solution. It begs a question why on the last four opportunities of changing manager you have not once applied as you seem to be the messiah. What im getting at is it's easy to criticise from the stands but there is a lot more to it than showing up on a saturday and playing 90 mins of football.

Even though were not at our best at present im just happy for the moment that we are not languishing in relegation or in league 1. Yes my expectations may be lower than others but I like to think of the bigger picture and any sort of playoff/promotion challenge as a bonus. It could be worst, we could be in Ipswich's position. Even Ipswich fans aren't panicking and our amazingly still backing keane. If that was happening here keane would have been shown the door weeks ago.

[Babylon]

At the end of the day you have to look at the wider perspective. I know you want perfection which we all want but this is the real world of football. In your sense you would probably only be happy if you were to support Man Utd, Liverpool maybe Arsenal because every team is not perfect bar a small handful.

The way you slate the team at any given opportunity is what annoys a lot of people. I know you take it more seriously than others on here and thats fair but your expectations are unrealistic and you always seem to have the perfect solution. It begs a question why on the last four opportunities of changing manager you have not once applied as you seem to be the messiah. What im getting at is it's easy to criticise from the stands but there is a lot more to it than showing up on a saturday and playing 90 mins of football.

Even though were not at our best at present im just happy for the moment that we are not languishing in relegation or in league 1. Yes my expectations may be lower than others but I like to think of the bigger picture and any sort of playoff/promotion challenge as a bonus. It could be worst, we could be in Ipswich's position. Even Ipswich fans aren't panicking and our amazingly still backing keane. If that was happening here keane would have been shown the door weeks ago.

Thracian demands perfection, it's his right to do so and fair play to him. When you demand it from yourself that's ok, you have control... The problem is when you demand it from other people as well you ultimately end up disappointed.

The feeling of constantly being let down by others, would just stress me out. I prefer to chillax a bit and see what happens... if I get called a lap dog because of it so be it. I'm a damn site happier being relaxed about everything.

[Raj]

Atleast some people are posting abit of sense.

Makes a change from the normal shite from people about how they would manage the team!!!

[Jon the Hat]

Thracian demands perfection, it's his right to do so and fair play to him. When you demand it from yourself that's ok, you have control... The problem is when you demand it from other people as well you ultimately end up disappointed.

The feeling of constantly being let down by others, would just stress me out. I prefer to chillax a bit and see what happens... if I get called a lap dog because of it so be it. I'm a damn site happier being relaxed about everything.

I think that is a bit harsh on Thracian. It always seems to me what he actually demands is effort, and an approach which recognises that we might not beat everyone, but we should set out to do so and not handicap ourselves by thinking we need to play defensively.

[Babylon]

I think that is a bit harsh on Thracian. It always seems to me what he actually demands is effort, and an approach which recognises that we might not beat everyone, but we should set out to do so and not handicap ourselves by thinking we need to play defensively.

And it's not harsh calling me a managers lap dog?

[Dr The Singh]

And it's not harsh calling me a managers lap dog?

You can be my bitch anytime babs, Woof Woof!!!

[skinnydipper]

Changed his name and now presenting the Gadget Show

Maxi aka Ortis

[Bert]

He hasn't had a chance in this league though?

Just look at Bruno compared to last season eh?

As soon as Bruno got full match sharpness and a regular run of games, he's been nothing but consistently solid, including this season too.

Babylon is spot on with what he's saying too.

[The Doctor]

As soon as Bruno got full match sharpness and a regular run of games, he's been nothing but consistently solid, including this season too.

Babylon is spot on with what he's saying too.

but bruno is a lot more experienced than gradel.

[Thracian]

a) It begs a question why on the last four opportunities of changing manager you have not once applied as you seem to be the messiah.

b) What im getting at is it's easy to criticise from the stands but there is a lot more to it than showing up on a saturday and playing 90 mins of football.

a) I did once apply to be manager of Leicester City.

and

b) I spent over 14 years as a coach and manager in two sports (football and squash). In football I was a first team player at two semi-professional football clubs and player-manager at one.

In squash I was a full-time professional serving also as county coach, county captain, East Midlands Regional coach and as an SRA national panel tutor with responsibility for training new coaches in various European countries.

As such, while I'm no less likely to make a mistake than anyone else, I think I'm as well aware of what goes into preparing teams for upcoming matches as most. I've also spent a considerable parts of my life (both as an amateur and as a professional) assessing the quality, abilities and potential of sportsmen and women.

[MPH]

a) I did once apply to be manager of Leicester City.

and

b) I spent over 14 years as a coach and manager in two sports (football and squash). In football I was a first team player at two semi-professional football clubs and player-manager at one.

In squash I was a full-time professional serving as county coach, county captain, East Midlands Regional coach and as an SRA national panel tutor with responsibility for training new coaches in various European countries.

As such, while I'm no less likely to make a mistake than anyone else, I think I'm as well aware of what goes into preparing teams for upcoming matches as most. I've also spent a considerable parts of my life (both as an amateur and as a professional) assessing the quality, abilities and potential of sportsmen and women.

then how come you are so biased to certain players then? isnt that the same thing you have accused Pearson of doing? ( i MIGHT of actually got you mixed up with someone else on that one... so apologies if i have!)

[Thracian]

then how come you are so biased to certain players then? isnt that the same thing you have accused Pearson of doing? ( i MIGHT of actually got you mixed up with someone else on that one... so apologies if i have!)

I don't think I'm "biased" towards anyone. I just prefer to see players in our team who can pass the ball simply, quickly and accurately, predominently on the floor.

I'm a big believer in pass-andmove football which not only requires players with quick control, alertness and perception but also with the selflessness to make runs which open up space for others.

People like King and Porter are examples of people who retain the ball simply and who don't take two touches when one will do.

I also like players who try to make things happen as opposed to people who constantly pass responsibility to others - like Stephen Hughes and that Jarrett bloke used to do.

People like Gradel and Sheehan tried to make things happen - and Davies or Cleverley.

I detest players who give the ball away unnecessarily or don't think positively.

Kisnorbo was a prime example of the former. Times he would win possession, sometimes impresively, then try to deliver a pass which was basically beyond him. Brown does it too. Slides in like a snarling beast, wins the ball, looks up, ignores the simple 6-yard pass and lifts the ball 30 yards where it immediately becomes a 50-50 ball or worse.

It may seem that I'm biased because the same playters do the things I like and the things I don't like. Frustratingly those who give the ball away often don't need to. They could make the game so much simpler for themselves. Tunchev, when fit, offered a marvellous example of a footballer who rarely hoofed the ball without purpose. Instead he constantly looked for the simple pass and to retain possession without risk.

At his best I was a big fan so, in theory, I'd be "biased" in his favour. But that doesn't mean he had any chance of me ignoring the fact that he was patently short of match sharpness against Preston and something of a liability.

On the other hand someone like Fryatt - although a player who has always tried to make things happen - would perhaps frustrate me because he rarely sees the passes available, has so often faded after a good 25 minutes or so and has all sorts of limitations when compared to some quality strikers.

But in fact he has to some extent confounded my supposed bias against him by working on his strengths and by certainly improving his speed and his stamina or ability to be effctive for a longer period.

So while I consistently like certain qualities in players I am more than happy to have my views modified or changed completely. Fryatt is one who has all but done that (though I'll criticise him again if he warrants it) and others who have improved their standing in my eyes are Berner and Oakley.

So the reality is that I try to judge people on exactly what I see on the day - good or bad - and if you look back far enough (like to the beginning of this season) I have not hesitated to criticise people like King if they have fallen below the standard they have shown themselves capable of and I certainly don't wish poor form on any player.

But last night, for instance, provided an excellent example of some of the things which King does which are hardly noticed and easily undervalued. Basically he plugs gaps, keeps the system safely balanced and makes the game easier for everyone around him.

[STUHILL]

Havn't posted for ages in here, all gets too frustrating for me BUT I always keep up to date with all your posts. Some excellent posts in this thread. I think Babs is talking some great sense here. Maybe Thracian doesn't quite demand perfection but it's not far off and what's wrong with that you might say?! Well, it's very easy to say this would work or this player would do better etc etc. It is funny for people to talk about the 'chosen' men occasionally. Tharacian clearly has his, as he has harped on about them in nearly every thread since I've been a member here.

It's strange to think where some of his chosen men are now though.. Porter? Dodds? Gradel also struggling, King having indifferent games. It always amazes me how many people follow Thracians ideas, I guess because he writes well and could probably talk himself out of jail if he ever had to. To me though, I see past his long, repetitive posts, and see only the definition of an arm chair fan who if ever put in charge of day to day running of a Professional Football Club, would quickly find out that perfection or even near perfection on the pitch is almost a myth and players like for example Porter simply don't add up to the high expectations one demands.

So I have no doubt Thracian will continue to boast about his credentials and continue to write well and therefore carry on deluding people of how easy it could be to win ever match if only we played certain players and a certain way. How I wish everything in life could be so easy as winning football matches....

[Daggers]

It's strange to think where some of his chosen men are now though.. Porter? Dodds? Gradel also struggling, King having indifferent games. It always amazes me how many people follow Thracians ideas, I guess because he writes well and could probably talk himself out of jail if he ever had to. To me though, I see past his long, repetitive posts, and see only the definition of an arm chair fan who if ever put in charge of day to day running of a Professional Football Club, would quickly find out that perfection or even near perfection on the pitch is almost a myth and players like for example Porter simply don't add up to the high expectations one demands.

You forgot the biggest wonderboy of all - the greatest left back never to be rated by anyone else, ever.

Now what was his damn name? If only I could remember....

[Edmund]

a) I did once apply to be manager of Leicester City.

and

b) I spent over 14 years as a coach and manager in two sports (football and squash). In football I was a first team player at two semi-professional football clubs and player-manager at one.

In squash I was a full-time professional serving also as county coach, county captain, East Midlands Regional coach and as an SRA national panel tutor with responsibility for training new coaches in various European countries.

As such, while I'm no less likely to make a mistake than anyone else, I think I'm as well aware of what goes into preparing teams for upcoming matches as most. I've also spent a considerable parts of my life (both as an amateur and as a professional) assessing the quality, abilities and potential of sportsmen and women.

Seriously Which manager beat you to the race? Did your cv even reach the chairman?

Althought you list impressive credentials it doesn't really match Pearsons professional football and coaching career.

Im sure you have a better understanding of coaching than the average joe but you would have a lot to learn to reach the standard of the top dogs.

Im not having a dig by the way

[Daggers]

I got my cycling proficiency certificate when I was little - I guess that qualfies me to run a Tour de France team?

Shit! I totally forgot about my drivng licence. I'm off to run Formula 1.

[CKB]

Yes he was told that last season and this season he is being fed what i think is more BS.

He has been told that this season we are playing a "different system". Yet they play Dany?

I fear unless things change towards Max he will leave.

If you like him or not. Dont you think we should give him say 5 or 6 games. To see if he can hack it for Leicester in this league?

He is not match sharp because he has not played for such a long time maybe send him out on loan to get match sharp?

Is it because he came through our youth setup that he is not being played or even on the bench?

Dyer has done nothing this season.Yet Nicky Adams only just makes the bench why? At least Dany scores.

Paul Gallagher is a forward why is he being played on the wing? He hardly ever gets back to cover. Leaving Bruno many a times facing two attackers.

Dyer, Gradel, Adams, N'Gussen all cover the full-backs.

KIA you seem quite angry over this? i assume you are close to Gradel?

-----------------------

As for the topic..it is abit mind numbing to not see Maxi even on the bench lately, he should be given a little chance! if N'guessen/Dyer get chances then SURELY Gradel should? hell even Adams has got a little chance this season in the CCC and he got nothing last season in League 1!

I trust NP and maybe something just isn't right but that's just speculation and that will continue until Gradel at least gets a little chance!

[Thracian]

a) Seriously Which manager beat you to the race? Did your cv even reach the chairman?

b) Althought you list impressive credentials it doesn't really match Pearsons professional football and coaching career.

Im sure you have a better understanding of coaching than the average joe but you would have a lot to learn to reach the standard of the top dogs.

Im not having a dig by the way

a) Ian McFarlane as caretaker. It was Frank McLintock's dismal performance as boss that prompted me to apply, and to offer my services on the basis of payment for points won only.

I did get a letter of acknowledgement but doubt the chairman seriously considered my application because, although successful enough as far as I'd gone as a young, qualified football coach and manager, I was actually a squash player by then and simply reacted the City ad out of desire to ease what was a dire situation at my home football club.

b) Do you want some more credentials?

I moved out of football in my mid-20s but, in my chosen sport of squash I'm quite sure both my playing experience (opponents included two world number ones, Jonah Barrington and Qamar Zaman and the world top-10 rated Ahmed Safwat) together and my appointment as one of only nine national-grade coaches, would have compared reasonably well with Pearson's. But I've really no wish to elaborate. My sporting light has long dimmed to nothing.

[Salieri]

I did once apply to be manager of Leicester City.

I'm sorry but i did at that!

You had a stint as a player manager of a semi-professional club, why would you take the time and effort to apply for a post you had zero chance of landing?

Or maybe there was a tiny shred of arrogance(?) in you that honestly believed that you could be the man to take the club forward, and that they would see through the total lack of relevant experience and hand you the reins anyway?

[Guest ttfn]

I don't think I'm "biased" towards anyone. I just prefer to see players in our team who can pass the ball simply, quickly and accurately, predominently on the floor.

I'm a big believer in pass-andmove football which not only requires players with quick control, alertness and perception but also with the selflessness to make runs which open up space for others.

People like King and Porter are examples of people who retain the ball simply and who don't take two touches when one will do.

I also like players who try to make things happen as opposed to people who constantly pass responsibility to others - like Stephen Hughes and that Jarrett bloke used to do.

People like Gradel and Sheehan tried to make things happen - and Davies or Cleverley.

I detest players who give the ball away unnecessarily or don't think positively.

Kisnorbo was a prime example of the former. Times he would win possession, sometimes impresively, then try to deliver a pass which was basically beyond him. Brown does it too. Slides in like a snarling beast, wins the ball, looks up, ignores the simple 6-yard pass and lifts the ball 30 yards where it immediately becomes a 50-50 ball or worse.

It may seem that I'm biased because the same playters do the things I like and the things I don't like. Frustratingly those who give the ball away often don't need to. They could make the game so much simpler for themselves. Tunchev, when fit, offered a marvellous example of a footballer who rarely hoofed the ball without purpose. Instead he constantly looked for the simple pass and to retain possession without risk.

At his best I was a big fan so, in theory, I'd be "biased" in his favour. But that doesn't mean he had any chance of me ignoring the fact that he was patently short of match sharpness against Preston and something of a liability.

On the other hand someone like Fryatt - although a player who has always tried to make things happen - would perhaps frustrate me because he rarely sees the passes available, has so often faded after a good 25 minutes or so and has all sorts of limitations when compared to some quality strikers.

But in fact he has to some extent confounded my supposed bias against him by working on his strengths and by certainly improving his speed and his stamina or ability to be effctive for a longer period.

So while I consistently like certain qualities in players I am more than happy to have my views modified or changed completely. Fryatt is one who has all but done that (though I'll criticise him again if he warrants it) and others who have improved their standing in my eyes are Berner and Oakley.

So the reality is that I try to judge people on exactly what I see on the day - good or bad - and if you look back far enough (like to the beginning of this season) I have not hesitated to criticise people like King if they have fallen below the standard they have shown themselves capable of and I certainly don't wish poor form on any player.

But last night, for instance, provided an excellent example of some of the things which King does which are hardly noticed and easily undervalued. Basically he plugs gaps, keeps the system safely balanced and makes the game easier for everyone around him.

You're definitely in a club of one on that count! King is consistently marked at least a point higher by you than anybody else. It's a shame that Porter came to nothing after showing promise, but the likes of Sheehan and Dodds were never going to make it.

I also disagree with your general take on football as a whole, but it's a well-argued post.

[knowitall]

KIA you seem quite angry over this? i assume you are close to Gradel?

-----------------------

As for the topic..it is abit mind numbing to not see Maxi even on the bench lately, he should be given a little chance! if N'guessen/Dyer get chances then SURELY Gradel should? hell even Adams has got a little chance this season in the CCC and he got nothing last season in League 1!

I trust NP and maybe something just isn't right but that's just speculation and that will continue until Gradel at least gets a little chance!

No I am not angry. The points I make are to encourge posts.

I am close to Max but whatever player I am close to I know I have no power to play them and therefore I just support them.

I do not accept Max is not good enough like some are saying. This I base not on my freindship with Max but the fact I have not seen Max play 4 or 5 games on the trot at this level.

I believe that when you bring a young player through your system that you should give that player a fair crack of the whip. I dont believe we do this with most of our young lads.

I can not ever understand a person judging a footballer by listening to the radio or not seeing the player play at this level.

[dandannieldanok]

I do not accept Max is not good enough like some are saying. This I base not on my freindship with Max but the fact I have not seen Max play 4 or 5 games on the trot at this level.

I believe that when you bring a young player through your system that you should give that player a fair crack of the whip. I dont believe we do this with most of our young lads.

I can not ever understand a person judging a footballer by listening to the radio or not seeing the player play at this level.

People are basing it on the fact that Pearson simply appears to refuses to play him, and they trust his opinion.

[Edmund]

a) Ian McFarlane as caretaker. It was Frank McLintock's dismal performance as boss that prompted me to apply, and to offer my services on the basis of payment for points won only.

I did get a letter of acknowledgement but doubt the chairman seriously considered my application because, although successful enough as far as I'd gone as a young, qualified football coach and manager, I was actually a squash player by then and simply reacted the City ad out of desire to ease what was a dire situation at my home football club.

That was before my time unfortunately but fair play why not, nothing to lose.

When you said you had applyed I thought you went down to the Walkers after Megson left or at Filbert Street when Taylor got the sack.

Have you still got the letter? I would have it framed above the fireplace if it was me

You had a stint as a player manager of a semi-professional club, why would you take the time and effort to apply for a post you had zero chance of landing?

Or maybe there was a tiny shred of arrogance(?) in you that honestly believed that you could be the man to take the club forward, and that they would see through the total lack of relevant experience and hand you the reins anyway?

Thats a bit harsh. I personally think it's heroic. Even though the chairman probably thought april fools had come early it was a legendary act.

[Collymore]

I'm sorry but i did at that!

You had a stint as a player manager of a semi-professional club, why would you take the time and effort to apply for a post you had zero chance of landing?

Or maybe there was a tiny shred of arrogance(?) in you that honestly believed that you could be the man to take the club forward, and that they would see through the total lack of relevant experience and hand you the reins anyway?

Why mock Tharcian for trying to push himself in something that he obviously has a talent for? I often apply for jobs that on paper I'm under qualified for and most of the time I don't hear anything.