Ray Wilkins joins us

[Chris Jameson]

Oh

That?

[Malandro]

Perhaps we can crowd fund and buy Ballotelli's 'why always me?' shirt.

[pauliewalnuts]

I remember hearing him do commentary on Spurs at Inter in the CL a couple of years ago in which [/b]he sounded pissed[/b]and kept saying "stay on your feet, stay on your feet" all the time.

Oh

And so what?

He can do commentary work under the influence of crack cocaine for all I care. And he did sound pissed, yes (that was a match which was played in 2010, FWIW)

If you can't see the difference between mentioning his alcohol issues and implying that they are somehow impeding his ability to be our coach, then I don't know how to explain it to you.

[Villa in Denmark]

I remember hearing him do commentary on Spurs at Inter in the CL a couple of years ago in which [/b]he sounded pissed[/b]and kept saying "stay on your feet, stay on your feet" all the time.

Oh

And so what?

He can do commentary work under the influence of crack cocaine for all I care. And he did sound pissed, yes (that was a match which was played in 2010, FWIW)

If you can't see the difference between mentioning his alcohol issues and implying that they are somehow impeding his ability to be our coach, then ;I don't know how to explain it to you.

Try words of 1 syllable or less for the hard of thinking.

[Mister E]

We'll be waiting for a long time if we're waiting for silhillvilla to back something up with anything resembling facts or constructive feedback.

We may be waiting a long time before Wilkins demonstrates the merits of his coaching ...

[peter w]

I'm really not convinced that the high-end, high-pressurised world of professional sport is the ideal place for anyone recovering from any kind of self-destroying addiction.

[silhillvilla]

I'm really not convinced that the high-end, high-pressurised world of professional sport is the ideal place for anyone recovering from any kind of self-destroying addiction.

That's why he's ended up down the villa

[Malandro]

I'm really not convinced that the high-end, high-pressurised world of professional sport is the ideal place for anyone recovering from any kind of self-destroying addiction.

Alternatively, it could be the best place. Distraction from health issues and being involved in the game he loves.

Im not sure if he's a good coach or not, how do you know without having intimate knowledge of what's going on?

[peter w]

I'm really not convinced that the high-end, high-pressurised world of professional sport is the ideal place for anyone recovering from any kind of self-destroying addiciton.

I'm really not convinced that the high-end, high-pressurised world of professional sport is the ideal place for anyone recovering from any kind of self-destroying addiction.

Alternatively, it could be the best place. Distraction from health issues and being involved in the game he loves.

Im not sure if he's a good coach or not, how do you know without having intimate knowledge of what's going on?

Well I don't, none of us do, so using that argument has no validity. But of course, you could be right, I just don't think that in a stress filled environment knowing that any day at work could be your last and it's totally out of your hands is not conducive to the calm environment that those needing help need.

i suppose being in work is better than not and having people around you is better than not. But he has spent more time recently out of the coaching/managerial side of the game and I personally don't think an addict is reformed or not, has a place at the top of the sport. I'm sure there must be several examples but I can't think of one example of a reformed addict who has survived and thrived at the top level.

Paul Merson? Stan Collymore? Once their issues became common knowledge they were never the same players. Coaches? managers? can't think of any.

[john e]

I'm really not convinced that the high-end, high-pressurised world of professional sport is the ideal place for anyone recovering from any kind of self-destroying addiction.

Alternatively, it could be the best place. Distraction from health issues and being involved in the game he loves.

Im not sure if he's a good coach or not, how do you know without having intimate knowledge of what's going on?

He's rubbish mate, take it from me
I know because I know everything

[Malandro]

I'm really not convinced that the high-end, high-pressurised world of professional sport is the ideal place for anyone recovering from any kind of self-destroying addiciton.

I'm really not convinced that the high-end, high-pressurised world of professional sport is the ideal place for anyone recovering from any kind of self-destroying addiction.

Alternatively, it could be the best place. Distraction from health issues and being involved in the game he loves.

Im not sure if he's a good coach or not, how do you know without having intimate knowledge of what's going on?

Well I don't, none of us do, so using that argument has no validity. But of course, you could be right, I just don't think that in a stress filled environment knowing that any day at work could be your last and it's totally out of your hands is not conducive to the calm environment that those needing help need.

i suppose being in work is better than not and having people around you is better than not. But he has spent more time recently out of the coaching/managerial side of the game and I personally don't think an addict is reformed or not, has a place at the top of the sport. I'm sure there must be several examples but I can't think of one example of a reformed addict who has survived and thrived at the top level.

Paul Merson? Stan Collymore? Once their issues became common knowledge they were never the same players. Coaches? managers? can't think of any.

Sorry my two paragraphs were not really linked. The last one was really just about whether he is any good or not.

[brian green]

The word "reformed" is not appropriate for an alcoholic.   Alcoholism is not a crime or moral turpitude, it is an illness and the victim must try to regain his health. Trying not to die a nasty, early death is infinitely more important than climbing the career ladder.

[peter w]

I used reformed as a generic expression about addiction rather than comment on alcoholism and its steps to recovery. In all honesty I'm not bothered about that in this context; but rather an alcholic or ex-alchohlic's suitability to the stress charged world of top (ish) end professional sport.

I still hope Wilkins brings something to us but I've seen nothing in what he does to suggest he's doing a good job. I really don't know what his job or purpose is. I don't know if his addiction, or previous addiction, has any bearing on his performances at this or any other club. I just think that its a highly risky gamble. Bad hearts and health related illnesses are just questionable areas that our club have got themselves involved in. I'm just not sure in the sagacity of it rather than individuals struggles within it.

[Rudy65]

Poor bugger. Lets hope he is not reading this

My concern with Wilkins isnt his health issues, but his track record. From what I can see as a coach he doesnt have one.

Hence the team of Wilkins and Sherwood lack experience, know how and a decent track record. Not a great combination

[brian green]

Over fifty years or more I have had three business partners succumb to alcoholism. Two died in their fifties the third who is a couple of years younger than I joined AA and is alive though a victim of Parkinson's Disease.  All three of them could outwork and out earn me all day long and they were damn good friends and partners. As for alcoholism and coping with stress our horse racing interests made football management look like a walk in the park