McAllister, Cowans & the new Back Room staff

[damon loves JT]

He was with the French national set up so I imagine he's more than qualified. He also took major umbrage with the disgraceful antics of the French players in quite an amusing fashion. 

was he the one who had a flid-out and threw his stopwatch into the hedge? That was my top moment of the World Cup

[peter w]

I do too but can't help wondering.. why Sid?

All the coaches in the world and Houllier chooses Sid from our Academy. I don' get it.

Perhaps Houllier recognised that the players had a really tight bond with Kev Mac and as he wanted to go back to the reserves Sid's appointment makes sense for two reasons.

Firstly, with KMac and Sid in the reserves its kind of potentially creating a club within a club. The new regime at the top and 'Villamen' underneath them. The second point is regarding first team players. It seems clear that they were close to Kev Mac. Appointing Sid makes sure that the players will work with the new manager rather than hanker for their man. If there are any whispers, or dissenters, then Sid could be the bridge to the past and the future.

[pauliewalnuts]

One criticism of the board is that the entire coaching staff was more loyal to O'Neill than to the club, and when they flounced with Martin we were fucked.

There's no chance of that with Sid.

[Clampy]

One criticism of the board is that the entire coaching staff was more loyal to O'Neill than to the club, and when they flounced with Martin we were fucked.

There's no chance of that with Sid.

Considering that MON, Robertson and Walford have always worked as part of a team, i was'nt in the slightest bit surprised that they all went. It happens a lot.

[adrenachrome]

He was with the French national set up so I imagine he's more than qualified. He also took major umbrage with the disgraceful antics of the French players in quite an amusing fashion. 

was he the one who had a flid-out and threw his stopwatch into the hedge? That was my top moment of the World Cup

That was skill.

[pauliewalnuts]

One criticism of the board is that the entire coaching staff was more loyal to O'Neill than to the club, and when they flounced with Martin we were fucked.

There's no chance of that with Sid.

Considering that MON, Robertson and Walford have always worked as part of a team, i was'nt in the slightest bit surprised that they all went. It happens a lot.

It went beyond those three, and even if it happens a lot, I suspect they want to limit the chances of it happening again

[Somniloquism]

I do too but can't help wondering.. why Sid?

All the coaches in the world and Houllier chooses Sid from our Academy. I don' get it.

I mentioned before that Houliier has previous on employing someone in the caching team with links to the players and fans of the club. Pinnochio at Liverpool and now Sid at Villa. I do believe that KMac was possibly the preferred choice and when he turned it down then Sid was the next obvious candidate.

[SoccerHQ]

I do too but can't help wondering.. why Sid?

All the coaches in the world and Houllier chooses Sid from our Academy. I don' get it.

Most foreign coaches get someone in with a link to the club when they come in e.g. Mourinho and Steve Clarke, Wenger and Pat Rice and Houllier getting Pinocchio off Sky to join the set up at Liverpool when he first came in so nothing unusual.

[Clampy]

One criticism of the board is that the entire coaching staff was more loyal to O'Neill than to the club, and when they flounced with Martin we were fucked.

There's no chance of that with Sid.

Considering that MON, Robertson and Walford have always worked as part of a team, i was'nt in the slightest bit surprised that they all went. It happens a lot.

It went beyond those three, and even if it happens a lot, I suspect they want to limit the chances of it happening again

I think they walked out of loyalty for the man who has employed them has he's backroom staff wherever he's managed, nothing more than that.

[pauliewalnuts]

One criticism of the board is that the entire coaching staff was more loyal to O'Neill than to the club, and when they flounced with Martin we were fucked.

There's no chance of that with Sid.

Considering that MON, Robertson and Walford have always worked as part of a team, i was'nt in the slightest bit surprised that they all went. It happens a lot.

It went beyond those three, and even if it happens a lot, I suspect they want to limit the chances of it happening again

I think they walked out of loyalty for the man who has employed them has he's backroom staff wherever he'smanaged, nothing more than that.

That's exactly what I mean.

First loyalty to MON, not the club. They won't want that happening again.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I do too but can't help wondering.. why Sid?

All the coaches in the world and Houllier chooses Sid from our Academy. I don' get it.

Perhaps Houllier recognised that the players had a really tight bond with Kev Mac and as he wanted to go back to the reserves Sid's appointment makes sense for two reasons.

Firstly, with KMac and Sid in the reserves its kind of potentially creating a club within a club. The new regime at the top and 'Villamen' underneath them. The second point is regarding first team players. It seems clear that they were close to Kev Mac. Appointing Sid makes sure that the players will work with the new manager rather than hanker for their man. If there are any whispers, or dissenters, then Sid could be the bridge to the past and the future.

I see what you're getting at Peter, even if Sid was not Reserve team coach bit an Academy coach. SHQ points out how other foreign managers have appointed a club man as part of their team but all those listed were Assistant Managers not First team coaches. There should be a big difference in the roles, maybe there won't be, I guess we'll soon find out.

My concern remains that Sid's appointment has not been made on best man for the job but having a Club man on the staff. I know Sid will give it 110% but whether he's ready to make the step up from the kids to the first team squad, I've no idea, it seems risky business. It certainly appears to be a much bigger step up than Kevin Mac taking over first team duties.

[KevinGage]

I wouldn't say the appointment of Sid is riskier than giving Kevin Mac the top job.

Sid has decent credentials, but first and foremost he'll be working under instruction from GH  -who has a wealth of experience-  and Gary Mac who has also managed to a decent standard.

Also, the fact that GH was receptive to the idea of working first with Kevin Mac and then with Sid hopefully indicates that he's flexible enough to not just want to work with his mates. When it comes to important positions, jobs for the boys doesn't always cut it - as we've seen. Every manager wants to surround himself with a few people he knows and trusts, that's natural. But you can't make every staffing decision using that criteria.

If for whatever reason it is felt further in down the track that Sid isn't up to scratch, I'm pretty certain GH won't be shy in making changes. He'll need the approval of the board, obv. But if it's important to him I can't see them refusing.

[WarszaVillan]

One criticism of the board is that the entire coaching staff was more loyal to O'Neill than to the club, and when they flounced with Martin we were fucked.

There's no chance of that with Sid.

Considering that MON, Robertson and Walford have always worked as part of a team, i was'nt in the slightest bit surprised that they all went. It happens a lot.

It went beyond those three, and even if it happens a lot, I suspect they want to limit the chances of it happening again

I think they walked out of loyalty for the man who has employed them has he's backroom staff wherever he'smanaged, nothing more than that.

That's exactly what I mean.

First loyalty to MON, not the club. They won't want that happening again.

Did Allan Evans also flounce after Brian Little walked.

[Somniloquism]

One criticism of the board is that the entire coaching staff was more loyal to O'Neill than to the club, and when they flounced with Martin we were fucked.

There's no chance of that with Sid.

Considering that MON, Robertson and Walford have always worked as part of a team, i was'nt in the slightest bit surprised that they all went. It happens a lot.

It went beyond those three, and even if it happens a lot, I suspect they want to limit the chances of it happening again

I think they walked out of loyalty for the man who has employed them has he's backroom staff wherever he'smanaged, nothing more than that.

That's exactly what I mean.

First loyalty to MON, not the club. They won't want that happening again.

Did Allan Evans also flounce after Brian Little walked.

No, wasn't he in charge for one match and then Gregory came in.

[dave.woodhall]

Evans stayed, then left when Gregory got the job two days later.