I'm with Warky (again!!!) - Stam would be my first choice - actually, 2nd, but i doubt the Steijn will be coming this way. I like his ethos, the way he dictates himself, has an excellent playing pedigree, is Dutch - and actually has a better win % at Reading than Mick has with us. Reading was his first foray into management, so you'd like to think he would've learned a lot about the championship. For me, he gets my vote. Not too sure about either Lampard or Gerrard - don't strike me as tough enough for this level.
I wouldn’t be against giving Lampard,Gerrard or another youngster their first chance at management.......we won’t get a proven great manager but we could get lucky and get a person that turns out to be a great manager. All these people will have to show what they want to do and how at the interview I would presume.
Gerrard heavily linked to Rangers. Not quite the club I picture for an ideal first job. A lot of pressure for a club way off Celtic's ability, recent matches in the Old Firm Derby have been a bit of a mismatch. Still, a chance of European football, higher profile club, and will likely open the door to a Premier League side if he has a couple of decent seasons. I know a lack of money will put off some managers in what is a competitive league, but surely we're a fairly attractive proposition for a first-time manager like Gerrard as we have a patient owner, a productive academy, and the basis of a decent squad?
Well Keane was certainly tough enough what with slide tackling clipboards - absolute melt of a man so maybe not an issue there! No idea on any of these Gerrard / Lampard / Parker links - I mean they could all be outstanding - we won't know until we bite the bullet ultimately or anyone else does - however in our position financially / likely lack of spend again I'd probably prefer someone with some form of experience. I don't mean your old skule, I'd like Hirst from Shrewsbury. Clark Bristol Rovers. Someone like this I feel would be excellent. Stam's a difficult one - punched with Reading season 1 however a very poor job and with a decent spend in the summer. He tries to play the game the right way - however maybe passes to death with 66% possession.... maybe overplaying etc. He'd need to rely on certain ballers to be fit all season and I'm not sure how likely that is....... I'm of the opinion next season is going to be a transition and I hope we don't get sucked in to a dogfight. Just given the - players we currently have.......... lack of budget and a new manager to likely want wholesale changes = very nervous me. Of course I hope we play great stuff WITH results / get loads of the kids going and have a great season. Just right now, for the life of me cannot see it.
Ahhhh Pardew - up there with Sherwood as someone I HATE with passion. My friends dad was insanely involved with Bath City Fc before he died around 8 or so years ago - god rest his soul. Top man. Did the programme / tannoy etc and his son / my friend is really involved in Bath still. I think went to every home / again game for over 8 years. Bonkers. Anyway......... my mates dad was on the phone to Pardew regarding clarificaiton of what kind of side Reading FC would be bringing to Twerton Park for a friendly in pre season. Bath were delighted to have quite a glamour tie vs a championship club at the time - however, Bath were unsure as to whether it would be a Reading 11, or mix / or a heavy first team squad. They wanted to advertise / price the friendly correctly. Clearly, a heavy Reading side they could charge more and advertise it as Reading Fc. So a quick call to Reading, and he managed to speak to Pardew. Good work Reading you'd think - sadly Pardew was anything but. Very rude the entire phone call, 'what's it to you, mate ' an absoltue pain and Bath had no idea what was going on with the game. In the end, they went for Bath fc vs Reading - with Reading bringing very much an 11 of under 20s leaving many Bath City fans very annoyed at what had happened. He's an absolute t***. Hate the guy. Wish him failure in every walk in life. The guy who rang him was an absolute god, a legend, and things like that will always stay with me. Some nasty pricks in football that I think are only fit for fast food chains. Was so happy to see Pardew fail at WBA.
Not Campbell, he ran away because it was all to much for him, earning £1000s per week in a job he loved poor lad.
Haha oh mate fence sitters - have to say I struggle with! Take Brexit for instance ( love an early morning can of worms ) just VOTE for heavens sake. Millions didn't now they're having a fit! My political views in a nutshell can be best illustrated by South Park - What an episode. Importance of voting
Oh he's up there as prick of the century. His comments on Panorama before Euro 2012 will always stick with me...... absolute idiot. The Ukrainian's were very upset / hurt by his comments. I went to England 3 Sweden 2 at Euro 2012, and the entire tournament all us England fans did was yell abuse at Sol Campbell. ' F off Sol Campbell, we'll do what we want ' He got pelters 24-7 by the England fans. Remember ' don't take me home, please don't take me home ' oversung Euro 2016 anthem? It was on that level of proportions!
In the case of Brexit, I think it would've helped if some people knew what they were voting for at the time
Maybe mate but for goodness sake vote and do a bit of research with the information you are provided with. What would happen if not a single person did vote!? See aforementioned video. Some absolute mongs in the UK.
Nope Yorkie, he did a job, lost the fans, oversaw a Club meltdown, so time for a fresh younger face, new thinking, new policies, new training, new tactics - perhaps with the Board's approval, a top to bottom overall of the Club.
Don't get me started on bloody Brexit!!! Unelected morons in the Lords trying to overturn the democratic will of the people!
Personally I feel another referendum is required. Make this one legally binding, rather than advisory like the last one, and make it compulsory for registered people to vote. It was a small margin of victory last time, with Nigel Farage himself clamining a 4% difference in favour of a Remain win should require another referendum. The lies spouted by Leave in particular, and their data mining controversy and breach of funding rules, would result in some changed opinions. Ultimately, for a decision of such national importance, everyone should be given the necessary and correct information to make an educated, measured decision. If anything, it would give this inept Tory government some borrowed time to actually plan a potential withdrawal. Two years on and they still have no idea, going back on nearly every promise they have made to their voters. Clueless! Regarding the House of Lords, I agree it should be scrapped entirely. An undemocratic old boy's club.
Could I raise something? Can we have a separate thread about Brexit not on this one about the new manager!!
Let's put it open to a vote and if we don't like the outcome we will vote again and again until we get to the right answer!