Ah! Happy memories. Them determined to get rid of every speck of dust and me just as determined to find one! And I always did. Oh the power! But as an ex boy soldier I’d been through 10 times worse. There was never any hard feelings... well, maybe one or two left my tender care baring a grudge. There was never anything personal on my side, I was just doing my job. Sorry, way off subject...
Full disclosure, I thought #MeToo was a good thing and now I’m not so sure. It was ****ing class to see arseholes who used money and influence to bully, harass and rape other people and see them get justice. It also got people thinking about what is appropriate, if they are hurting others without knowing it etc. It’s all good if it prevents bullying. However the internet isn’t real life and has a habit of listening to people who shout the loudest. The balance shifted in a system where people make a range of accusations for a whole range of reasons. Office politics are brutal. Smug could’ve worded it better but most of us knew what he meant. It’s no surprise to see a WUM twist it to it’s worst possible meaning then flounce off congratulating themselves.
I’d suggest Poyet has already shown he couldn’t establish us in the Prem. His signings were generally awful and it was literally a miracle we survived, then we didn’t progress. Look what Howe did, we are right in that boat. Anyone would have him now but as rightly said, he was poor at Burnley and his stock was very low. We might not fancy a certain name, but they could turn out the right fit. The biggest challenge initially is the wage cap and the really poor standard of the current squad, so the manager needs to be inspirational and motivational and make the current crop believe we can win games. We have all seen, even with the low standard at the club, we are a better side when we push on.
But what constitutes a manager that has more of a chance to get us up? That suggests that promotion rests solely on the manager that is appointed. There are so many more variables involved some of which are under the control the of the manager and some of which are not. Chance and luck play a big factor- that's the nature of sport. And to look at that notion from a different angle, who would be a manager who could guarantee success? We'd all be delighted if Zinedine Zidane was appointed- he's a massive name and he's won numerous titles. But he was parachuted in to work with superstars at one of the worlds richest clubs. Could he do what Howe, Wilder, Cowley have done? I'd argue that if they can achieve what they have on the small budgets and with the more limited players they've had to work with, they are ones that are more likely to succeed when given a larger budget (although of course there are question marks over Howe in that regard) and better players.
"Formally an Academy Coach at Derby County FC, he has been on the coaching staff at Blues since 2006, and was promoted to the key role of Academy manager in January 2011. He possesses the UEFA Pro Licence, the UEFA ‘A’ Coaching Licence and the FA Advanced Youth Award, as well as a Business Management degree and the Certificate in Education accumulating in a unique blend of academic and professional qualifications. Responsible for the strategic direction of the Academy and the coaching delivery, Speakman leads an Academy Management Team on the operation of the Youth Department. During his time at Birmingham City FC he has overseen the recruitment and development of no less than 18 Academy graduates, who have gone on to play for the Club's First Team."
People should be happy with this. Very well thought of and has a good history of getting the youth into good positions. Part of the plan, structures and ethos to change.
I'd be much happier with this guy than Schwarz frankly - based on extremely limited knowledge on both other than Schwarz' playing career.
Think of the players that have come thru their academy since he's been running it: Bellingham ; Gray just immediately of the top off my head
