Great article, sounds like a great bloke. Love the fact he still has a season ticket at Old Trafford, must be buzzing for Tuesday. Been through such tragedy too, makes you put all the other stuff into perspective. If the results keep coming I hope he’s here long term.
This is a really interesting article and although parts of Holdens journey are tragically unique, it does demonstrate the brutality of football for professionals.
Can someone pretty please copy and paste the article for us non subscribers?
I'm using microsoft edge browser,
when the Athletic pop up appears right click mouse button on the article, and select 'open in immersive reader' it should then open up the article.
Listened to his interview after the Oxford game and thought he spoke really well. Terry? I think started off with a comment about 'a game to forget and move on from' which most managers would have agreed with but Holden said 'no, it was unacceptable and we need to not forget but learn from it'.
I get good feelings about him and he certainly feels a big step up from Garner bit it is early so we will see.
Impressive. And the fact he's turned things round in a relatively short space of time for me shows Garners misgivings rather than necessarily blaming poor transfer business. We look more like a team. Garner wasn't a strong enough character to put TS in his place. Jackson also in some ways. Not saying Holden is and it may just be that now TS has finally wound his neck in/disappeared it is allowing the manager to get on with managing.
One thing is for sure reading that, he will put his heart and soul into this role. Does his contract expire in June? If so, it will be bloody typical, does a great job for us bearing in mind where we are today, landing about 6-8th before another club snaps him up… Our lot in life.
By the way, did anybody else see his interaction with Clare at the end of the first half on Saturday? He was annoyed with Sean for being too slow in getting into position for a late free kick in our favour. Dean was in the right, but Sean’s reaction wasn’t great, throwing his right arm in the air petulantly. Sean needs to learn from that, but having read that article, suspect he got it right in the ear in the dressing room too. Easy example to play off…
One thing is for sure reading that, he will put his heart and soul into this role. Does his contract expire in June? If so, it will be bloody typical, does a great job for us bearing in mind where we are today, landing about 6-8th before another club snaps him up… Our lot in life.
By the way, did anybody else see his interaction with Clare at the end of the first half on Saturday? He was annoyed with Sean for being too slow in getting into position for a late free kick in our favour. Dean was in the right, but Sean’s reaction wasn’t great, throwing his right arm in the air petulantly. Sean needs to learn from that, but having read that article, suspect he got it right in the ear in the dressing room too. Easy example to play off…
Good luck to Dean for the rest of the season.
Saw him go straight up to Morgan at half time. Put an arm around him and gave him a big pat on the back. Probably what Morgan needs, a bit of confidence. Clare is probably a different character so the harsh approach is more effective? The best coaches know exactly what makes individuals tick.
A terrific read about a bloke who's been through some tough times and keeps going.
A proper football man too - player, manager and still a fan, season ticket holder no less, of his local boyhood club. Can relate to the supporters point of view. Loved the fact that he bust a gut to get to the Royal Oak to discuss with our fans.
For me, it's what Holden achieves going forward that's important, not his past. On paper, Adkins' track record of getting Southampton from L1 to the Prem looked a decent fit, but look how that turned out (noting that support in the transfer windows didn't help the situation). Holden seems positive and able to galvanise the squad. Good luck to him, hoping it continues!
CBT likes him. I think the difference is there to see. No issue using our talented youngsters for senior roles and its worked nicely (so far) for Ness, who I thought looked solid against Lincoln. I feel Innis has turned into the defender we expected when he first signed..no nonsense, winning headers etc.
P'boro was a game we should have won I think, Oxofrd was a shocker but the last 2 results have been good and we have played well. He said he would make us more direct and we really have been.
Hope he can keep it up and we can have some managerial stability.
One thing is for sure reading that, he will put his heart and soul into this role. Does his contract expire in June? If so, it will be bloody typical, does a great job for us bearing in mind where we are today, landing about 6-8th before another club snaps him up… Our lot in life.
By the way, did anybody else see his interaction with Clare at the end of the first half on Saturday? He was annoyed with Sean for being too slow in getting into position for a late free kick in our favour. Dean was in the right, but Sean’s reaction wasn’t great, throwing his right arm in the air petulantly. Sean needs to learn from that, but having read that article, suspect he got it right in the ear in the dressing room too. Easy example to play off…
Good luck to Dean for the rest of the season.
Saw him go straight up to Morgan at half time. Put an arm around him and gave him a big pat on the back. Probably what Morgan needs, a bit of confidence. Clare is probably a different character so the harsh approach is more effective? The best coaches know exactly what makes individuals tick.
Some people need a carrot, some need a stick. Some you need to hit with the carrot.
Proper management is applying the best approach for each person at the right time not just a one size fits all style.
@carly burn So we have Albie Morgan - all the effort good attitude reportedly, but not enough of the skillset to become a top player.
then we have Sean Clare - Clearly a very talented player but none of the effort or attitude needed to become a top player.
To be honest, if we're gonna have players that aren't good enough (I'd prefer ones that are btw) then I'd prefer they at least put the work in every minute they're on the pitch and are happy to fight for their place or play where the manager instructs.
@carly burn So we have Albie Morgan - all the effort good attitude reportedly, but not enough of the skillset to become a top player.
then we have Sean Clare - Clearly a very talented player but none of the effort or attitude needed to become a top player.
To be honest, if we're gonna have players that aren't good enough (I'd prefer ones that are btw) then I'd prefer they at least put the work in every minute they're on the pitch and are happy to fight for their place or play where the manager instructs.
Of course. But it's a very fine balance. It was touched on in the Charlton live podcast last night. They spoke about CBT and his finishing ratio. We all know it isn't great, but if it was ,do you think he would be hanging around in league one? Unless you're prepared to spend a very large amount on wages in this league then the likelihood is the best players will move on. On the flip of that, It's a brutal league where those that are not up to it can very quickly find themselves playing non league football in a short space of time.
There is talent in this squad and we have to hope Holden can squeeze it out of them on a consistent basis. That is the key.
This is a really interesting article and although parts of Holdens journey are tragically unique, it does demonstrate the brutality of football for professionals.
Can someone pretty please copy and paste the article for us non subscribers?
New Charlton Athletic manager Dean Holden, 43, walks alone into The Royal Oak public house on Charlton Lane, a minute’s walk from The Valley. The Addicks have just knocked Brighton out of the Carabao Cup on penalties, but Holden, on a contract until the summer, won’t take charge of the team until the morning. He wants to survey the mood of the fans of the club which he’s now hoping to stabilise after a turbulent season.
After meeting one of my mates in the Oak that night, we're f***in lucky he's bothered turning up for his first day
I know it's early days and Charlton can't stop having flings with new managers since the curbs long term relationship, but could Dean Holden possibly be:
"The One"
By that I mean will he still be at Charlton within 2-3 years?
I hope he just sticks it out...doesn't eventually whinge to the press like some others, and just gets on with the job.
Last night's game most likely would have been great for the dressing room and team spirit
So far, I'm much more impressed with Dean Holden than I thought I'd be. IMO he's doing alright, organised the team much better and saying the right things.
It's a results business though. But so far, so good.
I liked that clip inside the dressing room after the game, posted on Twatter, particularly when Holden said, “ look at me when I’m talking to you” maybe that’s what has been missing a bit of authority-discipline- respect.
I’m not normally one for that kind of approach but maybe the players need it?
Comments
https://archive.ph/f6Gvg
when the Athletic pop up appears right click mouse button on the article, and select 'open in immersive reader' it should then open up the article.
Listened to his interview after the Oxford game and thought he spoke really well. Terry? I think started off with a comment about 'a game to forget and move on from' which most managers would have agreed with but Holden said 'no, it was unacceptable and we need to not forget but learn from it'.
I get good feelings about him and he certainly feels a big step up from Garner bit it is early so we will see.
We look more like a team.
Garner wasn't a strong enough character to put TS in his place. Jackson also in some ways.
Not saying Holden is and it may just be that now TS has finally wound his neck in/disappeared it is allowing the manager to get on with managing.
But the fact we can take 10,000 on a day when there are train strikes shows the size of this club
Good luck to Dean for the rest of the season.
Clare is probably a different character so the harsh approach is more effective?
The best coaches know exactly what makes individuals tick.
A terrific read about a bloke who's been through some tough times and keeps going.
A proper football man too - player, manager and still a fan, season ticket holder no less, of his local boyhood club.
Can relate to the supporters point of view. Loved the fact that he bust a gut to get to the Royal Oak to discuss with our fans.
He could be just what this club needs right now.
On paper, Adkins' track record of getting Southampton from L1 to the Prem looked a decent fit, but look how that turned out (noting that support in the transfer windows didn't help the situation).
Holden seems positive and able to galvanise the squad.
Good luck to him, hoping it continues!
P'boro was a game we should have won I think, Oxofrd was a shocker but the last 2 results have been good and we have played well. He said he would make us more direct and we really have been.
Hope he can keep it up and we can have some managerial stability.
Proper management is applying the best approach for each person at the right time not just a one size fits all style.
tragic story about his daughter.
I was a bit gutted when Garner left as I actually liked him, but fingers crossed Deano proves an upgrade and is here for a long time to come.
So we have Albie Morgan - all the effort good attitude reportedly, but not enough of the skillset to become a top player.
then we have Sean Clare - Clearly a very talented player but none of the effort or attitude needed to become a top player.
To be honest, if we're gonna have players that aren't good enough (I'd prefer ones that are btw) then I'd prefer they at least put the work in every minute they're on the pitch and are happy to fight for their place or play where the manager instructs.
It was touched on in the Charlton live podcast last night. They spoke about CBT and his finishing ratio. We all know it isn't great, but if it was ,do you think he would be hanging around in league one?
Unless you're prepared to spend a very large amount on wages in this league then the likelihood is the best players will move on.
On the flip of that, It's a brutal league where those that are not up to it can very quickly find themselves playing non league football in a short space of time.
There is talent in this squad and we have to hope Holden can squeeze it out of them on a consistent basis. That is the key.
Proper Northerner
And he'll be judged on results.
"The One"
By that I mean will he still be at Charlton within 2-3 years?
I hope he just sticks it out...doesn't eventually whinge to the press like some others, and just gets on with the job.
Last night's game most likely would have been great for the dressing room and team spirit
IMO he's doing alright, organised the team much better and saying the right things.
It's a results business though. But so far, so good.