I love these stories! It would be amazing to have a talent and a character like that at the club now. Or even at any club.
Remember my dad telling me they were playing at Fulham and losing 1-0 Shack shouts to the crowd How long to go? 10 minutes was the reply Time for two then said Shack and the lads won. 1-2
Don’t understand the mentality of it, surely if the manager was sacked and you were asked to stand in temporarily you’d try something different? Especially at home! I know I would have anyway. I’d have gone all out for a win.
You should have some to add then! I remember reading an article about him that said he was basically brilliant at any sport that needed an intrinsic understanding of the physics of a ball, sure it mentioned he could put spin on a golf ball hitting it with an iron on the half volley.
Got a feeling these next few days are going to be underwhelming in terms of the managerial appointment. I certainly don’t feel excited about it. I honestly think if we wanted a Head Coach we would have been better off appointing Steve Mclaren. He wouldn’t have been what I wanted but least the bloke actually has achieved something in the game at some point . Lee Johnson won’t last 12 months if he comes in, he’s a mid table manager which is where sadly a lot of our fans and owners ambitions are at the minute.
We have a history of bringing in big names that have achieved things once they’re finished. I’d much rather take a risk on young and hungry managers. Not Johnson though, he looks bang average to me. Weirdly though he’s one of those that looks like he might be bang average in a higher league too.
Don’t want to put a downer on things but just looked at my Twitter notifications and it’s full of Birmingham fans telling me Speakman is useless. I still like the sound of the appointment but it hasn’t half bummed me out. Apparently for the last 2 seasons he was promoted to be responsible for incomings as well (so yes, Lee Camp) but was demoted at start of this season back to just academy - hence wanting to leave.
Shack wouldn’t stand for a single word said against Sunderland supporters; he loved them. He had a column in the Sunday Sun after he retired from football with a prize of a Sunderland tie and an invitation to an annual dinner with him for all tie winners. I tried a couple of times but only won a second prize of ten Bob. (50p, worth about a fiver now). I used to see him sometimes in South Shields and twice standing outside the Westoe pub as if waiting for someone, always immaculately dressed. He had good head of hair smartly styled, which I was jealous of.
Not everyone's favourite but the more I read about him of all the names mentioned I think Johnson is probably a good fit for the structure it looks like we are setting up
Aye I've seen a few comments along those lines. Mind him having to take a step back again seems to be because Karanka wanted more control, it's not like he got demoted for under performance or owt (although like you say there are comments that he seemed to struggle when dealing with more than just the academy, which is a bit of a concern)
although to be honest we’ve made a huge assumption that his role will include recruitment. It might just be on coaching / fitness / nutrition throughout the club with a chief scout brought in to replace Coton. Or perhaps this other appointment DOF or Sporting Director type sits above him and does recruitment. all speculation of course. Hopefully know more in 24 hours but I’ve said that every night this week
