...Words uttered to me yesterday I don't know who it was a lovely person that likes to see the best in people. (So please no insults towards an innocent question)
But this person also asked if he does change things (he meaning Roland) will the protestors back off and give him a chance?
I couldn't answer simply because I can't answer for everyone, but did wonder what the different individual responses would be. I for one will find it difficult to trust the regime and would worry that after fans back off things will fall apart again.
So if things do change (assuming it's not by selling the club)... What does it need to be and for how long in order for us to drop our gauntlets?
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Oh yes, I'd also like to see some genuine sympathy and apology towards the devoted fans, some of whom have put far more time and money into the club than I have. So I won't back down until I also know that the real Charlton people are satisfied.
I seriously think he'll die before that happens.
Even if we had a season of success (e.g. a promotion) I wouldn't trust him to build on it, I'd expect to see him cash in on some of the better players.
It's not about the details of whether we have a manager or head coach, how many players are English, where or how we sign players from, how good the football is to watch. There are different ways clubs can progress and be successful. The issue with this ownership is isn't so much about the football, it's an experiment to prove a club can break even doing the minimum to try to be competitive on be pitch.
I completely support that position and I think most Addicks do too.
But he won't.
However, I am not sure they want to be successful and I am convinced that they will never understand what it takes to be.
They really don't want to lose. Petty isn't it
*By the way, did you know I went to Belg........{...}
I think that it will be enough for some but not most.
And that is assuming that it would even happen.
- you will be called the "head coach"
- you will be told who to pick
- you may get people turning up at training you don't recognise.
- we sign players when we want to, you don't.
- we sell whoever we want.
- you will take all responsibility when we lose games
- you will be sacked if the team we pick for you lose too much to appease the fans, don't worry we already have your replacement lined up.
Edit: I'd better put a smiley face thing here
Does he have the capacity to change? Does he know how to make the change necessary? Does he have the energy to change? It is about having the appetite to invest in the effort to make the change needed. The official manager thread is a case in point. Will he simply put the effort into turning up at the club on a regular basis. Will he attend matches in person to represent the club, to meet people in the industry, to learn from his competitors, to actually show a measure of leadership.
Will he make the time to talk to and listen to supporters? Will he communicate with those who have the interest of the club at heart?
We all have our strengths and weaknesses and he may have absolutely no communication skills but he can at least listen. People will make allowances and respect he has invested his time to do so.
He will argue he does not have the time and employs others to do these things for him. If they are palpably unable to deliver any of those skills then an absentee owner is as bad as absentee manager or as a bad as any absentee landlord.
However be around the place and all of those failings will be evident each and every day. At which point you either guide, mentor or get rid. If you have neither the time or the interest sooner or later the things fall apart - so what exactly was the point in getting involved in the first place?
The ridiculous thing is all of these principles should be the easy part of the business because you love the game, love the club, want to talk and listen to people who share your passion to get different views, to argue a few points, to explain one or two of the harsh realities of the business.
It will not guarantee success nor will it appear on any balance sheet but you will at least know there is a very good chance you will have the majority pulling in the same direction. It is your job to convince people to be pulling in the same direction. It is called leadership.
Today there is none.
Ultimately words are cheap. They are even cheaper when they are issued through inadequate intermediaries from a remote ivory tower.
If there is any serious attempt to change, the ball is very clearly in his court. So if genuine Roland roll up your sleeves, reach for the duct tape if you must, tear down the barriers you have created, make the personal non financial and financial investment to set a viable agenda, start delivering to that viable agenda, and get your arse over here to talk and maybe just maybe you will find people will be prepared to listen.
I for one have absolutely no interest in more empty words.