Lerner did lots of good thing in his early years. Things like free coaches to Chelsea for a midweek cup tie and Acorns. He didn't have to do stuff like that. Also backed the manager.My god did it all fall down like a pack of cards when MON walked out. That's when his lack of football knowledge or indeed lack of delegating our key roles to people with any sort of knowledge was brutally exposed.As you say hopefully we'll avoid that sort of meltdown with the Spanish sporting director.I want the new board to be on the ball. Have an idea who our next manager or at least managerial targets would be in the 0.00001% chance Dean Smith walks out tomorrow.
Interview begins around 32:30. Incredibly positive listen! Touches on the owners, the club's finances, Smith, and longer-term plans for the club.For me the comments on the sustainable plan for the club from the owners, the fact that promotion is not essential or required this year, and the thinking behind the Smith/Terry/Pitarch structure was so refreshing to hear. Comes across as intelligent, measured and gave an excellent answer RE the Kevin MacDonald situation. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0001mpx
Quote from: john e on December 16, 2018, 09:50:44 PMI’ve been saying this for years but the whole thing stands or falls on who they appoint as managerWell I hope the new set up is designed precisely to avoid this, that the new coaching and management structure will allow for changes of personnel without ripping everything up and starting again each time. You know, like a modern football club.
I’ve been saying this for years but the whole thing stands or falls on who they appoint as manager
January and next summer will be interesting times as we have so many players out of contract. Jedinak, Hutton, Bunn, Whelan, Richards, Elphick , Gardner plus the loanees all go. I trust Pitarch and Smith to bring in the right people and get them to play in the right way to get us up as league winners next season.
It seems most, including myself, have faith in the current owners.They're certainly very lucky to have been given a great club to look after, with a fan base predominantly happy enough to be competitive within the top 6 of the second division. Previous owners have not had that luxury, but this will, hopefull, give them time to build a strong foundation from which to push on.
Quote from: Newby on December 16, 2018, 09:33:36 PMJanuary and next summer will be interesting times as we have so many players out of contract. Jedinak, Hutton, Bunn, Whelan, Richards, Elphick , Gardner plus the loanees all go. I trust Pitarch and Smith to bring in the right people and get them to play in the right way to get us up as league winners next season. Will be a total reshaping of midfield I think, McGinn obvious a must to stay (but like Grealish will probably be offers from prem clubs). At least getting high earners like Jedinak and Whelan off the books will give scope with regards FFP.
We did well at first under Lerner and MON as they were the right owner and the right manager at the right time. This is now the first time since MON left when we genuinely seem to have the right ownership, structure and key personnel in place. From the moment MON left the club and seemingly also left Lerner terminally disenchanted we have never had the crucial combination of the right owner/owners, right chief exec and right management/coaching team. I am optimistic we now have that.