Offered him a whopping 75% staff discount too, to sway the decision (and 90% off all crisps). I reckon he's off.
To be fair Sam, that would have been your reaction if you'd just heard we were bringing Pep in, with an AI-driven clone of Bobby Robson as his assistant.
That would be my choice. An experienced Championship centre back coming towards the end of his career. Transfer fee would be minimal. Use it on wages.
I wouldn't right off Cundy at the minute Granted he hasn't set the world alight, but how many players do we sign that come good after a season of settling in. Cundy might be another. And Bristol fans were disappointed to lose him after gaining a 1st team place and looking assured in his last season. In the league above. So maybe he's ready now. McCarthy I haven't seen enough on, but, if we keep Williams, can at least be the backup option for now. LWB and a Striker for me are 2 positions we really need to focus on more than the other positions.
Can't see it being him myself, it would be suicidal if it is. Bookies rarely get managers right. If a complete unknown pops up on twitter entering Oakwell, he'll be odds on. We must have about 5/6 guys go odds on whenever we've a manager vacancy
If it goes pear shaped for him, that’s his credibility tarnished for me… I’d rather we appointed someone into the role.
There's still the loan market. Bobby Thomas really enjoyed his time here so why not get him on loan again. Most of the promoted teams had a fair wad of loan players and they can make the difference. Look at us when Hecky was promoted from the Academy. Brownhill, Fletcher, Isgrove, Toney, and a couple more, all loanees.
If it doesnt go pear shaped then the opposite is true. He knows the players and the methods better than anyone so why risk the job on some unknown.
I don't get the argument that "I don't want Devaney because he's got a good legacy at the club and if he fails it will be ruined." If you read between the lines it essentially says "we like you Disco, so don't take that promotion and pay rise in case we are forced to boo you." I think if you have a career in professional sports you cannot be afraid of failure, you have confidence in your abilities and you grasp opportunities that come your way. Remember, Hecky never had managerial experience. Neither did Duff before he got Cheltenham promoted. Neither did Schumacher at Plymouth before getting them promoted. Neither did McKenna before getting Ipswich promoted. Take the job Disco.
I agree that it's only fair to judge Cundy after he's had a fair run of games but he looked so slow and cumbersome which made our whole defence look jittery, If we're serious about going for promotion I'd rather start the season with an experienced leader and have Cundy as back up.
Think it may be hard to get Thomas now without the Duff/Burnley link, especially now we haven't been promoted. Got a feeling Swansea may go get him on a permanent with him having a year left (I believe). Did see him go to Ascot with Benson and Phillips though so who knows.
If he takes the job the long term outcome is almost certainly he leave the club. So it's a big decision.
On the one hand I agree it may be difficult with the Burnley link gone but Thomas and Norwood were regular golfing buddies too....