Well, if McKenzie and Sodje have signed, I'm beginning to see Parky in a new light ..... more of a miracle worker, and just a touch of Lennie Lawrence.
When he replaced Pardew, the spirit of the club was in pieces, the team were being thrashed at home.
Gradually the team began to play like a decent team again, even if the results weren't enough to prevent relegation.
Varney was sacrificed to pay off Pardew. Elliott was soon introduced.
He brought in loans like Gillespie (to poke Lloyd Sam up the arse), and to replace a Youga bereft of confidence, McEverley - who had an unlucky period with injuries. He also borrowed his old mate and experienced hand Murty, and Ward - both superb loans. Kandol did his job, superb away at Southhampton. And Butterfield, lacking match fitness and looking very rusty, eventually settled down dependably.
He lost Fortune, Semedo and late in the season, gained Racon and ZZ
And then his signings:
Deon Burton
Matt Spring
Miguel Llera
Frazer Richardson
Christian Daily
Leon McKenzie
Sam Sodje
At this level, they are all (yes, including Spring) very capable, dependable characters - and hugely experienced.
He's built a balanced team that has great spirit, works hard for each other, looks classy and efficient, and deservedly top of the table.
And he's done this in the shadow of takeover rumour and without knowing if he's still got a job in the morning, and without spending a single penny in transfer fees.
Compare to Pardew at Charlton, the money he spent, and the impact of many of his signings on the team.
In fact, begrudging credit where it's due, he did sign Bailey, Racon .....and Semedo, who was free.
But it was Parky who knew tactically how to get the best from them - and make them the heartbeat of his team.
No doubt Tim Breacker has given valuable input too.
But in the context of what has been a miracle turn round, let's say, "Well done Phil Parkinson....!"
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Comments
Chap sitting near me still wants him out - claims he's "fucking clueless"
Who's clueless ...... the chap sitting near you?
;o)
Personally, at the end of the season even though I could appreciate what Parky was trying to do, and impressed he was getting players to do the simple things well ........ and the team becoming very hard to beat, we didn't quite have the firepower and individual player confidence to kill teams off - or indeed, hold on to a lead once panic set in.
So I thought it was all too little, too late ...... and it would be best if he went, new brooms and all that ....
Surely, he had to go.
But I've been so impressed by his diligence and dignity in a situation that someone like Curbs never had to endure at Charlton - that's why I appreciate his eye for not only a good player, but good character and exactly how to fit him into the team as part of an effective team unit. And without spending any money on transfer fees, not a penny.
Added to the fact, he's got his team playing for each other, and with a definite spirit of cameraderie.
Exactly what Lennie Lawrence had to do .... and did so well.
Well done, indeed, PP. Long may it last.
;o)
Indeed, which is why I asked the question. How much should we thank him for our start to the season?
Pardew liked to take risks, gambles on young players, older players trying to get their career back on track like Todorov and Weaver, lower league players etc. Parky a lot of the time has signed players he knows will (well, should) perform, are reliable, will put in the effort but also have enough talent. Many of Pardew's signings couldn't handle the pressure on them, and a lot of them were a long way off their peak.
We will lose games this season, but hopefully when we do it's not because of a lack of effort or confidence, and we're strong enough to start winning again. I just hope if/when we get a few injuries and suspensions, and a few squad players have to play, Parky doesn't start getting the blame.
People say his record is poor, but it really isn't as bad as they say. He took Colchester up, left, and the team he had built went on to finish near the Championship play-offs. He had 6 months at Hull, fair enough he did poorly there, but sometimes a club just isn't right for a manager, just like it might not be for a player (Andy Gray and us?). Last season for him was all about fixing Pardew's mistakes and rebuilding the club (new staff as well, Nick Davies working on the fitness side, Tim Breacker and probably others we don't know about).
Anyone that still says he's clueless isn't really looking at just how well he's done. We're not going to find a manager that can take us back up any quicker than Parky will IMO.
I was thinking the same
Sadly some just aren't prepared to acknowledge that he's a very capable and honest man working under extremely testing conditions with a great deal of dignity, and producing attractive winning football on a very thin budget. Instead they perhaps prefer to take the "safe" option of investing very little faith, so that the fall they expect to come is easier to handle. Or perhaps they are just plain vindictive like those that have spent the early part of the season panning Sam & Youga. It COULD all end in tears again, but on the evidence so far, with a little more backing, I very much doubt it.
As I recall he was the twat who nearly cost us the game against Wycombe by changing personnel and shape when 2-0 up giving us an 'exciting' ride to the final score?
We went 442 when it was 3 - 1 not 2 - 0.
We conceded the first goal when down to 10 man
Three of the back four were playing with injuries including 11 stitches to a head wound for all of the 2nd half.
All of the panic at the end was due to Parky standing by the side of the pitch and none due to the players on the pitch
Here are a quick selection:
• Clem_Snide
• CommentTimeAug 8th 2009
quote# 6
I'll reserve judgement on our defence, all I will say is we seriously lacked pace at the back.
For 40 mins we were in total control. For the last 20 we were a shambles at the back.
I really think Parkinson hurt us today. There was no need to switch from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2. At times with 4-4-2 we were overrun.
• Oggy Red
Evidently at 3-1 up, and in control, Parky decided to go for goals.
There's a case for, "if it ain't broke don't fix it".
• charltonkeston
• CommentTimeAug 8th 2009
quote# 17
Parky must have wanted to make a game of it. Bringing on McCloud and Gray added nothing, to me they looked lost. But to be fair to them its not easy comming on and slotting straight in. Subing 2 upfront at the same time cant be right.
Apart from that I thought at times its the best we've played for a long while.
• ken from bexley
• CommentTimeAug 8th 2009
quote# 24
As the bbc commentator stated..... The subs have done nothing, except put Charlton on there backfoot...... and why two at once..... Why has Burton been subbed...
There was also criticism of the defence, from what seemed like a good Charlton controlled game against a team yet to get the feel of this division, it turned into a panicky uncontrolled helter skelter game.
Why is it that tour defence cannot control a game, albeit with ten men!. This seemed like a raw team Charlton were playing against, and the post press conference comments are I am afraid nonsense.
Three points are three points, but a lot of homework to do for Parky by the sounds of it, whose control of the game seemed to unbalance the side.......
You're making that comment after 5 league wins on the spin, which IMO is uncalled for!
As I recall he was the twat who nearly cost us the game against Wycombe by changing personnel and shape when 2-0 up giving us an 'exciting' ride to the final score?"
Oh dear! Clearly only winning 3-2 was a disgrace and had nothing to do with a new defence finding their feet , the ability of the opposing (former England U.21) manager tinkering with his own team, or being a little jittery after relegation in an unfamiliar winning position. What reasonable, thinking supporter wouldn't want to hurl abuse at the manager, especially on the back of a 4-0 away win and five straight victories? Incredible!
Okay,the way that game unfolded in the last 20 mins became end to end stuff - Wycombe stretched us, scored another breakaway goal, a scramble, and couple of good saves from Robbie and they 'might' have snatched an equaliser .....
But no mention of the fact that late on we also had 2 goals denied by last ditch off the line clearances plus other chances from Gray and McLeod brilliantly saved by their keeper......?????
Wycombe might have got their equaliser - but also we should have put the game beyond their reach.
Not to mention that Wycombe never got a kick for 40 minutes and at that point were completely over run.
Anyway, the total team performance has evolved hugely since then ...... and I don't suppose Wycombe would do so well if they played us again next.
Other teams no doubt, would prefer easier fixtures than playing a top of the table side, with a 100% record and after just 5 games, already having a plus 10 goal difference.
Or we could just berate Parky for a late tactical change in the first match of the season that might have resulted in a 5-1 win for us - but didn't work out.
For some people, I guess, that's all they choose to remember.
Get rid.
I had copied a few of the views posted on the above thread to show you all that the comments weren't mine but the connection was lost as I clicked 'add your comments'. Can't be bothered to do it all again as I will no doubt be misinterpreted again.
I was asking if this was the same bloke who merited quite a slagging for changing formation when we were doing ok.
At least it gave you something to get your teeth into whilst waiting for the latest non-league crock to sign up!
:-)
Black Forest Gateaux has put it all into perspective. He's right of course, anything less than promotion by Christmas is not good enough.