Thanks Milan

[Melton Fox]

Ollie, as the third new manager of the season was always going to struggle to get the team to pull together.

Why?

What's the difference between being the third or second Manager?, we could just as easily be offering a throw away statement such as "Ollie was always going to have it easier being the third Manager"

What's he got to overcome that Megson never?, have the players had their legs cut off since Megson left? Surely they've both been given the same set of players and the same set of circumstances?

I've heard this a few times so can somebody please explain to me why Ollie's job is tougher than Megsons job as I'm obviously too stupid to understand?

 

[Brauny Blue]

Why?

What's the difference between being the third or second Manager?, we could just as easily be offering a throw away statement such as "Ollie was always going to have it easier being the third Manager"

What's he got to overcome that Megson never?, have the players had their legs cut off since Megson left? Surely they've both been given the same set of players and the same set of circumstances?

I've heard this a few times so can somebody please explain to me why Ollie's job is tougher than Megsons job as I'm obviously too stupid to understand?

Spose under Megson they were just a bag of shite, now under IH they are a bag of shite with no confidence:icon_razz

 

[Hammond Organ]

What is a big difference is that Megson assessed the squad and decided we would play 5-3-2 to utilise the strength at the back and to help the central midfield more by bulking it up, hoping to nick games with pace up front (Campbell and John I would guess).

First thing Holloway said in his first interviews on day one was that the team would be playing 4-4-2 and he didn't care if Bristol City knew this as this was the way he likes his teams to play. He has since seen that we do not have the personnel to work this system, so instead of trying to figure out a way to get the team utilising a system that works at this time, he is busy trying to get players to fit to his system. He will attempt to rectify this by buying said players in January.

 

[city-faithful]

Also, players less aware of MM's revolving door policy with managers, as I imagine a few are, would surely become disillusioned with swapping managers at ridiculously small intervals. "Why listen to the current manager when he'll be gone in two weeks" is the attitude i imagine has been instilled in the playing staff, and with every subsequent manager the feeling gets stronger and stronger. Also, by being the third manager of the season, IH has inherited a side quite far down the league without him having played a game. Had he inherited a side in the playoffs as third manager, no excuse, but inheriting a side in a relegation battle, i dont fancy it....

 

[Hammond Organ]

Also, players less aware of MM's revolving door policy with managers, as I imagine a few are, would surely become disillusioned with swapping managers at ridiculously small intervals. "Why listen to the current manager when he'll be gone in two weeks" is the attitude i imagine has been instilled in the playing staff, and with every subsequent manager the feeling gets stronger and stronger. Also, by being the third manager of the season, IH has inherited a side quite far down the league without him having played a game. Had he inherited a side in the playoffs as third manager, no excuse, but inheriting a side in a relegation battle, i dont fancy it....

Allen - Fired for Off Field Issues
Megson - Left of his own free will

 

[Jeff]

Megson, whilst not everybody's cup of tea (certainly not mine), looked like he would have moved us up the table

Did he?

He averaged fewer points per game than Allen. So if you judge him on results he would have seen us go down the table, not up.

He managed to stop conceding goals, but his last couple of matches were so poor I couldn't see where the next win would come from.


Why do people keep talking about Megson as though he was any good? Just because his results were better than Holloway's doesn't mean he was the answer to our problems.

 

[Disco Bob]

He has put an enormous amount of time and effort into this club and ultimately money - the debts are up - but the buck stops with him to settle those debts eventually.


MM will have learned lessons and having got his fingers burned with the players signed in 2007 will know better for 2008.

You first point: I'd love to see evidence to support the statement about money as I would be prepared to stake a large sum that all debts accrued since he joined us are held against the club and not him as an individual.

You second is fair if this was his first ever season in football - it isn't and (quite frankly) I am pushed to remember anything more amateurish. He has made himself look an absolute idiot with this catalogue of piss-poor signings and a string of managers.

Whether you think it is reasonable or not to have a pop at Mandaric - he hasn't exactly aquited himself very well so far and this is just fair assessment not an attack.

 

[Dunc]

You first point: I'd love to see evidence to support the statement about money as I would be prepared to stake a large sum that all debts accrued since he joined us are held against the club and not him as an individual.

You second is fair if this was his first ever season in football - it isn't and (quite frankly) I am pushed to remember anything more amateurish. He has made himself look an absolute idiot with this catalogue of piss-poor signings and a string of managers.

Whether you think it is reasonable or not to have a pop at Mandaric - he hasn't exactly aquited himself very well so far and this is just fair assessment not an attack.

Here's one for you MM lovers.

What do you think would happen if a bid was made to MM to takeover the club?

Well it appears that if he found a way of saving face and could leave without looking like a fool, he'd snap the hand off the bidder and scarper.

Any ideas for how he can save face?

 

[homer]

Here's one for you MM lovers.

What do you think would happen if a bid was made to MM to takeover the club?

Well it appears that if he found a way of saving face and could leave without looking like a fool, he'd snap the hand off the bidder and scarper.

Any ideas for how he can save face?

Of course he would - he completely underestimated the state of the club, and has fecked up big time

His only way of saving face is either
1. Feigning a heart attack / serious illness - has to sell the club on doctor's orders
2. The illness of his again mum
3. Claims of being 'forced out' of the club by a disgruntled mob of Blue Mongie loonies demanding he appoint Steve Walsh as manager
4. Some legal problem/loophole appearing that means he is has no choice but to sell the club
4. Being locked up by the rozzers (this is probably the best bet)

 

[Dunc]

Of course he would - he completely underestimated the state of the club, and has fecked up big time

His only way of saving face is either
1. Feigning a heart attack / serious illness - has to sell the club on doctor's orders
2. The illness of his again mum
3. Claims of being 'forced out' of the club by a disgruntled mob of Blue Mongie loonies demanding he appoint Steve Walsh as manager
4. Some legal problem/loophole appearing that means he is has no choice but to sell the club
4. Being locked up by the rozzers (this is probably the best bet)

Very Good!

Maybe the pants on the head and pencil up the nose saying "wibble" would do the trick.

Although to be fair, given the last 8 months, he's probably doing it anyway.

 

[H T B]

Could always go out in a canoe........

 

[consty]

You first point: I'd love to see evidence to support the statement about money as I would be prepared to stake a large sum that all debts accrued since he joined us are held against the club and not him as an individual.

You second is fair if this was his first ever season in football - it isn't and (quite frankly) I am pushed to remember anything more amateurish. He has made himself look an absolute idiot with this catalogue of piss-poor signings and a string of managers.

Whether you think it is reasonable or not to have a pop at Mandaric - he hasn't exactly aquited himself very well so far and this is just fair assessment not an attack.

DB re your point "...all debts accrued since he joined us are held against the club and not him as an individual", I'd assumed as owner, the bill ultimately arrives in his in-tray. What is certain is that his status and financial clout means he is able to give his managers (plural intended) considerable clout in the wages and transfer market (by championship standards). Without MM I doubt LCFC would be able to sign anybody, unless it was a policy of 3 out to fund 1 coming in. So MM's money, even if he isn't handing it over personally (yet) is crucial. Finally I would have thought that the considerable debts from all the players signed with their inflated signing on fees and their wages - would not be accepted by LCFC's bank in terms of a huge overdraft. They must feel MM is good for the money. If he is not legally bound to honour those debts, he could walk away with the banks owing millions. So my guess is that it is indeed he would will have to foot the bill if LCFC do not improve and thereby move into profit.

Your final paragraph is a fair one. The record of the club shows poor results and the responsibility lies with the managements (plural again intended) and the owner. However I contend it is still fair to say there has been no small amount of bad luck for MM and no small amount of investment in time by a very wealty man who simply doesn't need this - that's why I say it is unwise and unreasonable to have a pop at Manderic. If I was MM going through all this hassle and disappointment that has totally characterised his whole time at the club I would be making new year resolutions that including getting rid of it - particularly if and when I read supporters attacking me. That is another reason why I say it is unwise to have a pop now. Only if one key promise is broken would I join in at this stage - and that is if little or no funds are given to Holloway to spend in January, and the early indications are that is not the case.

 

[Disco Bob]

I'd assumed as owner, the bill ultimately arrives in his in-tray

Yup - but that doesn't mean he'll settle up before he leaves, or that he will leave us in a decent position.

His cash has provided the confidence for banks to stretch a bit for us...but what exactly have we gained from this? We have signed 14 players that we would not have been in a position to do so a year previously and yet what is our net benefit from this? Whether anyone wants to face this or not, we are as seriously up shit creek as we ever were...only now we hold more debt and are running about in crappier kits.

I accept that his presence offers us the possibility to move forward in January with signings - but this is what I thought in the summer (which is why I got another ST) and BOY wasn't I wrong on that call.

For all of his cock-ups and hissy fits, the New Year presents MM with a decent opportunity to prove his worth to the club and if he dicks this one up he is going to be in for considerable flack.

It's 'Stump Up' time.

 

[consty]

Yup - but that doesn't mean he'll settle up before he leaves, or that he will leave us in a decent position.
Still would have thought he would have to pay the bills before he could go

His cash has provided the confidence for banks to stretch a bit for us...but what exactly have we gained from this? We have signed 14 players that we would not have been in a position to do so a year previously and yet what is our net benefit from this? Whether anyone wants to face this or not, we are as seriously up shit creek as we ever were...only now we hold more debt and are running about in crappier kits.
agreed - all hinges on the released funds for January being well spent by holloway

I accept that his presence offers us the possibility to move forward in January with signings - but this is what I thought in the summer (which is why I got another ST) and BOY wasn't I wrong on that call.
agreed again

For all of his cock-ups and hissy fits, the New Year presents MM with a decent opportunity to prove his worth to the club and if he dicks this one up he is going to be in for considerable flack. QUOTE]
agree again, and if it goes wrong in the new year, at some point I'll be joining in... just hope he sticks with the club - and holloway delivers.

 

[Disco Bob]

Still would have thought he would have to pay the bills before he could go

Leeds United.

Gillingham.

Aldershot.

 

[foxin_oz]

Allen - Allegedly proved to be a complete arsehole behind the scenes and alienated the whole setup, Milan recognised his mistake and got rid. Good call

Megson - Left us, would have irrespective of a signed contract or not, we still got compo. Not Milans fault

Warnock - Would have been jeered and booed by exactly the same people who reacted that way to Megson

Holloway - Juries out, but I'm glad you don't think he needs any more games to prove himself before you judge him, after all it's not like you had a go at Milan for doing that exact same thing with Allen.

Good call. I was about to post something similar but you've summed it up for me. :icon_wink