The Martin O'Neill thread (with added sacking #2188)

[Risso]

Steve Rose is spot on about Miliband being a classic O'Neill signing. Overpriced British underachiever, rarely makes an appearance, and nobody notices him until he's off the wage bill

Started off on the left wing, but then mostly used on the right.

[Matt C]

Interesting piece in today's Guardian on managerial appointments: http://gu.com/p/3epzx/tw

[eastie]

Sunderland are bound to get a bounce, and their next match is against Chelsea, a team who seem very keen to be generous to all the teams around us.

And a team who desperately need points to get into the champions league with arsenal right on their shoulder.

[Dave]

But managed by someone who probably doesn't have much emotional investment in where they finish in the league.

If I were in Benitez's shoes I'd be going all-out to win the FA Cup and Europa League. He's not going to be at Chelsea next season, so why should he give a toss whether they finish third or fifth?

[eastie]

But managed by someone who probably doesn't have much emotional investment in where they finish in the league.

If I were in Benitez's shoes I'd be going all-out to win the FA Cup and Europa League. He's not going to be at Chelsea next season, so why should he give a toss whether they finish third or fifth?

If benitez fails to get Chelsea into the champions league it won't do his chances any good of getting a top job elsewhere , failure to qualify for the champions league with the squad chelsea have got would be a blot on his copybook.

I agree he will target the cups as a priority but i think he has the squad at his disposal to beat sunderland at the bridge and see champions league qualification as important whether he is leaving or not.
.

[fbriai]

But managed by someone who probably doesn't have much emotional investment in where they finish in the league.

If I were in Benitez's shoes I'd be going all-out to win the FA Cup and Europa League. He's not going to be at Chelsea next season, so why should he give a toss whether they finish third or fifth?

If benitez fails to get Chelsea into the champions league it won't do his chances any good of getting a top job elsewhere , failure to qualify for the champions league with the squad chelsea have got would be a blot on his copybook.

I agree he will target the cups as a priority but i think he has the squad at his disposal to beat sunderland at the bridge and see champions league qualification as important whether he is leaving or not.
.

I think Eastie's right. I don't think Benitez would want to have 'first Chelsea manager in ten years not to qualify for the Champions League' on his CV.

[Mister E]

Interesting piece in today's Guardian on managerial appointments: http://gu.com/p/3epzx/tw

Being involved in slection issues in my day-job, it does seem extraordinary to me that - given the amounts of money involved and the scope of responsibilities - the process appears to be so flaky.
At least RL took references when he signed the TSM (apparently he still has the letter from a Knight of the Realm ...)

[supertom]

Benitez seems hell bent on relegating Villa doesn't he.

He always wants to go one better than Gerard Houllier.

[joe_c]

Steve Rose is spot on about Miliband being a classic O'Neill signing. Overpriced British underachiever, rarely makes an appearance, and nobody notices him until he's off the wage bill

He could have made a real difference if he'd been allowed more AGM time but we'll never know now.

[glasses]

But managed by someone who probably doesn't have much emotional investment in where they finish in the league.

If I were in Benitez's shoes I'd be going all-out to win the FA Cup and Europa League. He's not going to be at Chelsea next season, so why should he give a toss whether they finish third or fifth?

If benitez fails to get Chelsea into the champions league it won't do his chances any good of getting a top job elsewhere , failure to qualify for the champions league with the squad chelsea have got would be a blot on his copybook.

I agree he will target the cups as a priority but i think he has the squad at his disposal to beat sunderland at the bridge and see champions league qualification as important whether he is leaving or not.
.

I think Eastie's right. I don't think Benitez would want to have 'first Chelsea manager in ten years not to qualify for the Champions League' on his CV.

Whilst that is very true, there are the mitigating circumstances of him being treated like shit by the absolute wankers of fans, and the whole 'interim manager' thing, making it clear he was just a stop gap. I actually feel for him a bit, and would love it if he fails to qualify and leaves them in the shit.

[fbriai]

Got no problem with that at all Glasses, mate. Just as long as they beat Sunderland on Sunday!

[joe_c]

He continues to outrage decent society.

[KevinGage]

Paulo Di Canio and Toploader.   

Shoehorn Jamie Oliver's shit eating grin in there somewhere and you have the triumvirate of doom.

[Steve R]

It's been a really bad season for Redknapp. He's not even the best piss-take in town any more.

[Herman]

Toploader. The blandest of the bland