You only have to read this and every other forum to see the problems, take team selection, almost every fan has their own favourites and their pet hates and ‘scapegoats’ . The same player may have played brilliant to some, ok to others and been crap to many more, we can’t all be right but we believe we are! Some players must be impressive in training and catch the managers eye, these are the ones who are picked week after week and some of us just wonder why? Tactically, at a game we may see the ‘wrong’ formation and set up but our changes wouldn’t all be the same. During a game we may see necessary substitutions but they wouldn’t all be at the same time and the same players. The difference of opinions, arguments and banter on every forum shows how everyone sees the game of football through different eyes. What you see, l may not! We are many eyes but at the end of the day ‘he’ has one pair. Who’d be a manager?
I know that managers make some seemingly odd decisions, but I generally accept that Marcus Schopp knows a hell of a lot more about football than I do, and most other people on here. Those managers who do peruse fans' forums must have a good chuckle about some of the things they read. It's pretty much akin to a few blokes who play chess in the park with their mates suddenly deciding to advise Kasparov where he was going wrong.
I’ve always wondered whether non-footballers might make better managers, but there are only a tiny number that have made it to the top of the game. The skill set required to be a manager is entirely different from what’s required on the pitch. The idea that someone like Wayne Rooney must automatically be a brilliant motivator, man-manager, and tactical mastermind just because he was a top player is almost laughable. It’s hardly surprising so many get sacked.
i think the Frank Lampard example is a good one. Flooded Derby with loads of premier talent and didnt finish any higher than prior season. Lauded as a great manager and went to Chelsea gifted with talent. When Tucel came in he worked wonders with the same players who looked a different team. They didn’t look bad under Lampard but significantly better under Tucel.
Try it at Yorkshire League level there are knives round every corner and no payment,you have to love the game
Frankie McAvoy never played at any sort of serious level. Neither did Karl Robinson or Mark Warburton I don't think, although the latter two knocked around at non-league level. I think someone who has literally never played the game would seriously struggle, but it's clear that the level you played the game at and your management ability have very little in common.
If i tell Schopp what formation to play, he coaches them and the fitness staff tell me whos fit and i pick the starting 11. I am positive we would have more points on the board than we have. Stupid thing to say i know but i believe the problem has been Schopps team selection and changing of formations, i realise this is because he is new but im not and i have seen often enough what our players weaknesses are and when a new coach makes the same mistakes as previous coaches then really he should listen to someone elses advice. That advice shouldnt come from me or us but backroom staff who have been here a number of years. Surely Devaney knows and can explain the weaknesses of Moon Halme Palmer Odeyejo Woodrow Williams Styles Collins Frieser Oduor Sibbick. These players have played a big part so far and its not criticism they need or dropping but to be played in the right positions to a formation that suits. This is for Schopp to ask and listen.
That's a good point. I wonder how much, if any, advice Schopp has taken on board or is willing to take. With that in mind does that not also suggest a manager has to be somewhat flexible regarding formations and tactics depending on the strengths of the players he has...?
I've always think the number one ability as a professional football manager is to be a youth club leader - way before any football knowledge is required. Once you can lead a load of young lads (I appreciate approaching 40 isn't youth, but we don't have many players of that age). I don't think forums are that bad in general as thoughts are generally explained, but look at FB or Twitter comments, and anyone in the know (or with some common sense) would just despair at some comments/thoughts and wonder if people really think that. The comments are hateful / kiss arsy / look at me-y or outride rude smattered with a few sensible posts.
TBH I'd try have loved to try it at any level above the local Sat/Sun leagues, the ones where somebody is likely to hang one on you for looking at them wrong!
As a teenager, I was utterly convinced I knew more than Jim Iley about football and could pick a better team than him. Not only that, but I also knew how to run the club better than Ernest Dennis. There was no debate to be had. If anyone disagreed with me, they were wrong and obviously didn't know as much about football and business as me. All this wealth of knowledge achieved without doing a day's work in my life, nor having to shoulder an ounce of responsibility. My over-inflated ego knew no bounds! However, I grew up and matured as a person & I realised I wasn't as clever as I thought I was. Now I'll happily admit I know nothing about football. I'll continue to pass comment on it, but still knowing my knowledge is way, way behind that of the professionals.
It does, maybe Schopps initial thought process is not about short term points but using these games as a longer term learning curve, looking at some of his decisions that might not be too far off or otherwise he would have stuck to what we are good at and slowly implemented his style. Points make prizes.
I think head coach should consult other staff.. never, the board/owner.. but ultimately its his neck on the line. So he must have the final say on all first team matters.. The be all and end all at any club is first team results. Bringing young player through to sell on should never over ride results (pressure from above). It should be a side line of any club. Good younger players will only want to come to a successful club anyway
Ha ha footballs the same pressures at all levels as seen on Wednesday at Stoke but I agree with you about local leagues and especially Sunday mornings,hangover specials that continued into the next games
Tbf it was Jim Ilkley so you probably did! Although it does beg the question, was it you starting the Ilkley out chants in anticipation of getting the call
I think most people would be a manager. You get paid handsomely to manage a professional football club in a good league, in the sport you love and either get a pay rise from doing well or paid off if you fail. The question should be who wouldn't want to be a Football manager.
It’s always been thus Just the venues have changed and access to people’s thoughts . If a manager/player/ club official wanted to know what the fans were saying they’d have to discreetly enter WMCs ,Pubs ,Miners Welfare’s etc and listen in on conversations . The discussions haven’t really changed much over the years about players managers tactics etc just the availability to listen in .