Conor sez....

I've had the pleasure of bumping into both Malcolm Shotton and Steve Agnew in Wakey so either of them would do for me.

 

I've heard nothing but good things about Warne over the years, and he always seemed a decent bloke in passing. I can't say I'm massively struck by his coaching achievements though. He's not the only bloke to get Rotherham promoted and relegated. And he got a huge club in Derby promoted at the second attempt (we finished above them the first year, as they finished in the lowest position in their history). They were awful in the Championship under him this season.

A step up in class compared to Clarke, no doubt, and probably all of our homegrown appointments (other than Bassett I suppose), based on his four third division promotions. Unless I'm missing someone.

I imagine he'll want a lot more money than any of our recent appointments, and seems to have three or four staff who work with him. Not cheap then.

Huddersfield seems a more likely destination on the managerial merryground. Or back to Rotherham, where his staff (Hamshaw et al) are.

 

I bumped into Malcom once. Nearly broke my collarbone.

 

I don't think it's a majority opinion, is it? Only seen a few on here who want Conor. And two of them are me, and Dyson. Which says a lot.

 

The results are not the key for me. It was always going to be difficult. Suspensions. injuries. A poor defence in anyone's language. Even when we steamrollered teams we failed to get results. Bristol rovers away. Wrexham away. All because of poor discipline at the back. So I feel a bit for Clarke and Conor in that respect. Who on earth coached/coaches the defence. (I believe nicky is in the academy)and is highly qualified Because imo when one part of the pitch clearly isn't working in the sense of poor defending it rubs off on the rest. Forget which manager said it. But getting the defence to do its job was the 1st priority.

 

My poor grammar.
I meant I 100% agreed with the sentiment. Not that 100% agreed with appointing him.

If it was sold to me as you stated, and I knew that approach was mandated by the powers-that-be, then I would get behind it totally.

 

If I remember rightly we'd been thumped 5-0 at home by Birmingham, so Malcolm and Eric chose Wakey for their Saturday night pint

 

Put it on a very big tshirt. Exactly this.

 

Unless the next appointment is the greatest training ground coach of all time, armed with magical tactics that will give us some crazy edge, I think they're going to be up against it. I don't believe a Duff, Warne, Williams, Edwards, Buckingham (names I've seen linked) would get much of a tune out of this squad in the short-term. I do know Duff would make them more solid, give them a base and structure and he's a great man manager. Dunno the rest to have an opinion.

Maybe another random overseas chap would bring something new? But for every Big Val, Struber or Stendel. there's a Morais, Schopp or Asbaghi.

You're right. Big decisions ahead for those at the club. But that's why they're paid the big bucks.

 

Was that the new Ponty End debut? Steve Claridge scored his regular goal against us.

 

I seem to think that it was one of Adrian Viveash's first and last games for us, a lot of years ago so I can't remember too much.
Just googled it 95/96 season, a young Danny Wilson in charge.
Could be an omen for Conor

 

Simple give conor it all day long
It's not his fault the squad is full of pigs ears
Get rid of a few dead weights bring some more young uns through couple of free agents and let him have a go with fresh heads .
Cull the squad big time.
Let's face it Rodgers and Hammerstein couldn't get a tune out of this lot

 

Mark Robins' assistant at Coventry for years, until he was sacked. Didn't he score on his debut? Think we lost 4-3 at Palace.

 

Yes a scorching opening day where Viveash and Kane made debuts.

That home defeat to Brum was as bad as it gets.

 

I can't remember mate, I just seem to recall he was a bit jittery in the Birmingham game.

 

He did score on his debut

 

Yup.

I said aim for top 6, as you have to set your goals high. Realistically we’d be aiming for top 10, but that’s the wrong mentality really. You can’t say it. But you can think it. If that makes sense!

I do think youth is the way but with that comes patience.

Shepherd going to Bradford has been a blessing. He’s played loads of games in a decent side in a tough league. He wouldn’t have had the game time here this season. He’ll be next to Robert next season in defence.

 

To be honest I can't care less who the next permanent (10 month) coach is. The board have knocked the stuffing out of my hopes/aspirations/desire for so long now that they've even got me disinterested in who the next manager is. If its Hourihane its Hourihane. If its Fred Bloggs its Fred Bloggs. I'm just not overly concerned. There are so many things wrong with recruitment, lack of player quality, bad decisions on and off the pitch that I dont think the coach will make much difference if everything else about the club stays the same....

 

I really fear for us next season, that's not an overreaction either.
If we try to go anywhere near playing high press, high energy, attacking football with this current squad we will be rich pickings for many teams.
Those above have this idiotic notion that this high press, high energy, attacking football can be achieved on the cheap, with no pace in the team, minimal recruitment cost and the fans will flood back with exciting winning football.
The teams in L2 poised to come up look stronger than the 4 poised to leave, if we carry on with this make do and mend complacent approach then we will have all the hallmarks to be bang in trouble next season.
Massive summer ahead recruitment wise, it's no good just keep saying football is broken, we know that, but if other clubs are spending and you don't at least try to be competent in good free transfers and have a good head coach who's at least tactically going to win you more points, then we'll just get left behind.

 

Jack Shepherd won't be anywhere near Oakwell next season, can't blame him either, there's no way we will reject a transfer bid for a player that cost us peanuts and nothing to develop.