Managers can’t perform magic, although some people seem to think they can. They’re not David Copperfield or Harry Potter. They can’t work miracles or sprinkle some magical dust to make players know how to play football.
Spending hours on analysis isn’t very useful. It doesn’t put you in better conditions to win the game. The tactics, the schemes, they’re all bull***t. Of course tactics matter, but players win the game. For 45 minutes at a time, players make their own decisions. Football is a continuous sport in which the coach has barely any influence, less than in any other sport.
Success depends on having top players and top players cost money. It’s impossible to achieve results without spending a lot of money. Where you finish in the league depends on the money you’ve spent. It’s a statistical fact. Clubs can change coaches but if the players are the same, results stay the same.
That's far too simplistic.
Defence in particular is all about teamwork. You could buy the 4 best defenders in the world, but without practicing together they'd be all at sea. George Graham created the legendary Arsenal back 4 from one home grown player (Adams), a LB signed from Wimbledon (Winterburn) and 2 players signed from Stoke (Dixon and Bould) for example.
And while players make the decisions out on the pitch, that's based on what has been drilled into them.
It’s also not just about the back 4 (or 3 or 5) of course. If the midfield isn’t performing well the defence can get swamped. The whole defensive set up seems shaky.
"Buckingham also is a qualified tailor, and specialised in designing and making chinos. Notably pink salmon ones. Buckingham’s frequent client, was Sir Charlie Methven"
Crawley’s management are doing something right. They looked very good at times yesterday, and I even looked up their manager. But they’ll probably go and lose four nil at home on Saturday.
It was interesting when the team stepped up a gear in the last seven or eight minutes last night it was all Charlton. Perhaps it was all about desire, rather than ability.
The info on Appleton came from a fine fellow on the train who said he doesn’t like the heat of posting something like that. He was told by a (this season) first teamer. But who knows where the first teamer heard it.
I don’t know much about Appleton apart from that photo.
"Buckingham also is a qualified tailor, and specialised in designing and making chinos. Notably pink salmon ones. Buckingham’s frequent client, was Sir Charlie Methven"
He’ll know sweet FA about football then. Wasn’t, Deano Zoff aside, Adkins, @Leuth and @MuttleyCAFC a keeper. Only joking Leuthy & Mutts and all those out there not good enough to play outfield 😉.
Drissden scouting of players being a success is above Andy Scott at the moment. Let’s just hope some of these latest signings are as good as Ronnie Moore thinks they already are.
So the new manager can have absolutely nothing to do with any club that any of the 4 have had any interest in, or its obviously part of some conspiracy.
Totally understand the apprehension surrounding these people, but can't we just park it up for the next couple of months and just see where it all goes?
I know nothing of Indian football but Buckingham made them the most successful Indian side in the Asian Champions League plus;
Mumbai City won the Indian Super League (ISL) on 11 February 2023 after an 18-match unbeaten streak, the longest in ISL history. Buckingham’s side broke fifteen records while securing the title, including the most points and goals scored in a single season, while also having the best goal difference, most league wins and longest winning streak in the history of the competition.
Also no knowledge of the ISL, but anyone know how much of their success is down to the City group pumping more money in than anyone else?
City Football Group is a pretty good place to be looking for a manager. Liam Manning (now at Oxford) came from them, they wouldn’t be working for CFG unless they are a very good coach
City Football Group is a pretty good place to be looking for a manager. Liam Manning (now at Oxford) came from them, they wouldn’t be working for CFG unless they are a very good coach
This is it exactly, he's obviously very highly thought of by the CFG hierarchy. Had a look at some of the other CFG clubs and Steve Bould is at Lommel (same club that MK Dons got Liam Manning from) and the ex Leicester CB Patrick Kisnorbo is at Troyes after managing Melbourne City in the A-League.
So the new manager can have absolutely nothing to do with any club that any of the 4 have had any interest in, or its obviously part of some conspiracy.
Totally understand the apprehension surrounding these people, but can't we just park it up for the next couple of months and just see where it all goes?
See where it all goes. Believe we all finally know the answer to that.
City Football Group is a pretty good place to be looking for a manager. Liam Manning (now at Oxford) came from them, they wouldn’t be working for CFG unless they are a very good coach
Don’t forget Patrick Vieira. He was doing a great job at Palace.
Just returned from Mumbai having holidayed there last week and can confirm that I saw Charlie Methven in salmon chino shorts (it was hot), riding an elephant towards Des Buckingham’s kutcha house whilst playing Red Red Robin on a sitar.
Didn’t think much of it at the time and didn’t post it here as I thought none of you would believe me.
Just returned from Mumbai having holidayed there last week and can confirm that I saw Charlie Methven in salmon chino shorts (it was hot), riding an elephant towards Des Buckingham’s kutcha house whilst playing Red Red Robin on a sitar.
Didn’t think much of it at the time and didn’t post it here as I thought none of you would believe me.
Personally, I would take a hungry young talented coach over someone like Appleton, so if we did make a serious attempt at Buckingham then fair play. Unfortunately, we will prob still end up with Appleton.
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Which isn't necessarily a bad thing but you'd like one in before the weekend so they at least have a week to prepare for Stevenage
"Buckingham also is a qualified tailor, and specialised in designing and making chinos. Notably pink salmon ones. Buckingham’s frequent client, was Sir Charlie Methven"
Well we tried but
Totally understand the apprehension surrounding these people, but can't we just park it up for the next couple of months and just see where it all goes?
son just told me the rumours about Des Buckingham and I looked at the BBC news article on him back in May.
actually looks a good coach. Won the title & his team went undefeated all season.
can't say better than that.
better than Appleton & Cowley.
This is it exactly, he's obviously very highly thought of by the CFG hierarchy. Had a look at some of the other CFG clubs and Steve Bould is at Lommel (same club that MK Dons got Liam Manning from) and the ex Leicester CB Patrick Kisnorbo is at Troyes after managing Melbourne City in the A-League.
Didn’t think much of it at the time and didn’t post it here as I thought none of you would believe me.
But now it makes sense.
He signed him for west ham I believe