Personally while Russell did a lot of 'the same old rhetoric' there were flashes in there that made me like him a lot.
He's got a well developed bull shit mode but he's also got a very amusing line going on under the regime radar.
Or maybe I'm just an optimist.
Yeah, he had the 'going forward' management bullshit locked down - but every now and then when his actual character broke through I liked him a lot. Good balance of professional and likeable, just hope he's not a soft touch.
He also mentioned an "acceptable level of fitness" (or something like that) in pre-season, which may have been the thing we neglected most and cost us dearly this time last year.
We will have a clearer picture as to what we can do when we see the squad he has built. This includes what players we keep. There are other factors like players wanting to leave, but surely we have to think about the season after next too. For me Watt's wages are clearly an issue, but he is a player who can repay the loss with a future transfer fee if Slade thinks he can work with him. No League One defender will be able to hold a hungry Watt. If we can cover a decent percentage of losses by selling Igor and JBG, we do have some players that are way above League One -Henderson (fitness questions) Solly (fitness questions here too), Bauer, Tex, Kashi, Cousins, Lookman, Watt. We also have some players we know are decent League One players as it currently stands -Pope, Fox, JJ, Harriot, Holmes-Dennis, Lennon - I think it is possible Sarr could be decent at that level too. I think we clearly can expect one or two of our youngsters to step up to the plate too.
So with the right additions you can see a pathway to a successful season. There will of course be barriers to this happening - the owner being a major one. The list of above league one players is so above the level it is frightening and there is a spine there. But if we decimate waht we have, I smell disaster! Let's see what Slade does, and importantly, what he is allowed to do.
Just watched the press conference. As others have said Slade comes across pretty well. I just hope the muppets running our club leave him to get on with Managing whilst backing him financially at the same time as its the only chance we have of a quick return to the Championship.
I hope he's getting a decent day rate, might struggle after this placement
Phil Dorwood is the Comms man, was here on a temp basis before Mel and reinstalled after she reigned but @Henry Irving should might be able to confirm.
Looks like you're correct, experienced bloke, bet he's never come across anyone like Katrien in all his years in football.
Sounds good - manager most important role in club, chief scout second. Crazy network experiment over and we know the douche looking to sell - I'm happy.
Comments
He also mentioned an "acceptable level of fitness" (or something like that) in pre-season, which may have been the thing we neglected most and cost us dearly this time last year.
I want him to create a them (owners and board) against us (players and fans) culture.
Can that be done? It's a tightrope to walk but could work.
He'll know the score once he sits down with Jacko/Hendo/Solly and go from there.
So with the right additions you can see a pathway to a successful season. There will of course be barriers to this happening - the owner being a major one. The list of above league one players is so above the level it is frightening and there is a spine there. But if we decimate waht we have, I smell disaster! Let's see what Slade does, and importantly, what he is allowed to do.
RD "They can see the strings you fools!!!!"
http://m.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/14548384.Exclusive__Charlton_have_made_the_best_managerial_appointment__says_Russell_Slade___s_former_chairman/
Wonder if he'll have more success in getting through to Roly than PV?
Probably end up with the Darts moving from Ally Pally to the The Valley.
I do know he arrived at the Valley at 9am on Tuesday, which was earlier than Katrien.
Slade seems to be a stickler for fitness, something we have definitely lacked over the past few seasons!
Steve Head seems like a good scout.
Simon Clark, assume he is staying is a good coach.