The next manager...

The words create and implement and to be used across the club, I'd find it strange Neil Collins would be implementing a game model and coaching methodology across the U18's, U23's aswell as the 1st team.

 

Not that strange if the plan is that all the club plays the same way to create a seamless pipeline.
Bit pointless having a first team playing a different model to the rest and given that the first team is the focal point is not beyond realms of reality that the first team coach will be influencing.

 

Nobody is doubting there's some input, but to reiterate for the umpteenth time players A,B,C,D are identified and presented to the head coach, from a data driven model that club believes represent value with a view to developing and making a profit on, it's hardly a free reign where the head coach is saying go sign xyz 32 year old for me.

 

Nobodies saying free rein though are they but others are saying the coach had no input at all.
This despite multiple coaches saying different.
Don’t forget as well this process starts with the coach identifying positions

 

Collins explained the recruitment strategy so did Duff.They're as involved as any of the recruitment team.

 

So what your impling is Neil Collins came to the club last summer, the DOF came a few months ago and the club allowed Neil Collins to create and implement a playing model and coaching methodology to be used right the way across the club and our whole future recruitment would be based around a head coaches plan? And when that head coach departed if he wasn't right we'd rip it up and start again and ask the next head coach?
Absolute blindsided nonsense

 

The bit I believe they're getting wrong is something you alluded to: Cadden and O'Keeffe aren't full backs who can play in a flat back 4, they're wing-backs. I agree with this observation 100%. We'd be properly taken to the sword if we tried that, even more so than we have been recently.

And therein lies a big problem.

There's no adaptability in the squad. We don't just have a preferred way of setting up the team, we only have one way. Try anything different at all and it's square pegs in round holes. If our preferred way doesn't work the manager doesn't have the tools to change it round.

Seems to me we've needlessly limited ourselves to a single formation. One that, as history proves, will soon be obsolete when the next formation that easily counteracts our own becomes the norm.

 

And I'll ask you again Brian as you never answer, the head coach says I'd like to play 433 please go recruit me 2 forward wide players with pace, what's the response?

 

No never implied that at all, said he would have input

 

This 1 million %

 

So the club thought they'd recruit a DOF for the first time ever just so Neil Collins could set the entire playing style and coaching methodology for the club rather than the new DOF.

Has it ever occured that our form and results took a nosedive upon the appointment of a DOF creating and implementing a game model and coaching methodology

 

Again never said that, I said input

 

If thats the way he wanted to go I would say yes they would try to accommodate him.
For example Jalo is classed as a a wide attacker with pace.Lets assume he was a first team regular and he got injured do the think they'd refuse the managers request for a replacement.
Recruitment isn't always black and white but the coach as a say in who and what kind of player he wants.
Lets imagine the manager wants a player and he tells the CEO who he wants.The club makes enquiries but come back and say he'd like to sign for you but he wants 10k a week and we can't afford that.Thats when they all get there heads together including going to watch a player in action and try and sign the next player on the list who may be more realistic in there wage demands.

 

Option 1

The club allows the 1st team head coach to have input by creating and implementing a game model coaching methodology right through the club from all age groups right through to first team.

Option 2

The DOF is employed to amongst other things, create and implement a game model and coaching methodology to be used right through the club, considering its part of his remit to head up the recruitment aspect, do you think he'd allow head coaches whom may have different philosophies to come to the club and potentially deviate everytime there's a new head coach?

Collins August - end of Jan 1.85 PPG
Collins with DOF 3rd Feb onwards 1.33PPG

 

Then why do we keep targeting head coaches who play with a back 3 and not head coaches that retain autonomy and we haven't got any flexibility to play any other way? I respect your views Brian but your crackers mate if you believe the head coach is allowed to go completely his own way from what the club want, it was pretty much there in black and white in the DOF's statement upon joining us.

 

Fair dos

 

The Coach can and would have input in both your examples.

As for quoting PPG does that factor in quality of teams, home or away, injuries, suspensions etc, I’m presuming not?
Has the playing style, positioning of players, formation changed during that time? Did zonal marking come in during that time?
No didn’t think so.

 

We had 28 games where injuries, connell missed lots of those for example where those were also defining factors but we've taken 24 points from 18 games, a striker that has scored twice in that time as appose to 16 times prior.

So let's say Neil Collins has had a say in how the under 18's play, now he's left the club and the next head coach has a different philosophy, are you saying he'll be allowed to have input and the under 18's and younger start changing their development and what the DOF and NC have implemented, then the head coach gets sacked and the next one says to Mladen let's get the U18' etc playing this way?

 

Austrian Cattle herder incoming July 31st.You heard it here first.