You think so? I'm not so sure. A lot of young players will never have heard of him, especially overseas players. Unless he's employed in an official coaching position with influence over who gets picked or not they're likely to think he's just some old has-been trying to tell them what to do. Harsh I know but I think that's how it is these days.
What’s this obsession with ‘jobs for the boys’ with some City fans on here? Whenever an ex-City player from Bruce’s era gets released, some are clamouring for us to re-sign them as well. Some even wanted Bruce back ffs. Look at Man Utd and the mess they’re in after hiring every **** from the Class of ‘92 onwards into some role or other. Move on.
Don't think it's an obsession, maybe just some balance is required with a few ex City ambassadors on the inside to help build bridges for the enthusiastic new owners and our disconnected fan base?
It’s definitely an obsession, as soon as they think there’s a possibility of it happening it’s suggested. Radio Humbershite don’t help either. Why would these young players be more likely to listen to Ashbee over someone who scored hundreds of goals in Europe’s highest leagues. We’d listen because they’re our heroes/legends but you’re fooling yourself if you think these players care as much as us about the club. Why I never liked Grosicki badge kissing because he tried to **** off every transfer window he could. Don’t mind if the Homegrown lads do it. But I’d still much rather them play well consistently and not do it then play well once in 5 but kiss the base on that day.
Exactly. I’d rather have people who are strangers who are qualified for the role in the club, than club legends who aren’t qualified.
It's a bit of a moot point really isn't it? Because we don't (well I don't) know if they even want a role at the club.
I don't hear much clamour for certain players to be brought back, but there are plenty of respected ex players who are now making their way in the game.... Acun clearly wants to get to know Nick. I don't see a problem with that, or indeed having Nick involved at some level. Rosenior is part of a management duo performing miracles. Couple of ex keepers are doing well on the coaching side - including Matt Duke and Bo currently. If we were in the market and they were willing to he involved I certainly wouldn't see it as a negative they were respected players here and already understood the club and had traction with the fan base. That said you'd have to judge any appointment on the merits of the present situation. If there's a better 'external' (sic) option then you'd have to take it.
Firstly, I am really interested how this assistant coach affects things, he has a very good pedigree, and I think it could be a very good appointment. Certainly Saturday things looked much better set up and balanced, so hopefully, he can help Shota set teams up. As far as ex-players being invited back to the club, I'm all for that happening in some form of role. With Nick, I certainly feel he could be a good addition to the coaching side, but whether it is that or an ambassadorial role, having him back involved with the club is a plus IMO.
Nick would be better working with the sponsors, golf days and so on. I don't think City bother with the sportsmens dinner/golf day type of fund raisers these days, which is a pity, as I see we have a Leeds Utd legends night and a Man U legends night this year in our sponsors bars at our stadium. I always enjoyed the sportsmens dinners with guest speakers, don't do golf, but the dinners were always well attended and the perfect opportunity to get any ex players back, who are interested , to mingle with the guests and talk gibberish, as we all do on those occasions. I thought we were a healthier club with stronger ties to the fans after those nights. Sadly they seem to have dropped off the fund raising calendar.
I agree, I've been a quite a few sportsman's dinners and luncheons, and as you say they are usually well attended and bring fans together.
I like the idea of giving previous players roles at the Club. Especially players like Barmby. He’s a great ambassador for the area and has great experience playing at the highest level. You also don’t need to sell the region to him - he’s here already!!
Or maybe we are all getting ahead of ourselves, and it was simply a nice gesture of respect & friendship (and maybe also another media savvy type move), meaning perhaps he was made aware Nick Barmby was there so he invited him to join him in the director's box for the 2nd half and hospitality?
I’d rather their legacy was kept in tact and took ambassador roles. Only player I’d consider off the top of my head is Rosenior. Cringes me out when I read people saying get Huddlestone in as a midfielder coach like that even exists.
Thudd has been doing some one to one work with Slater though, might be why we're seeing him in more of an all action role.
I understand that, it’s more so that is individual training that he will take advantage of until the end of the season. Hudds maybe a bad example as he’s always come across as a well spoken bloke so would probably do well as a coach.
I agree with your post.A gesture to an ex player,a free ticket,a couple of drinks on the house,a sausage roll? What precisely would the point be in flooding the stands with ex players when we're not big on corporate events?Urika has touched on it in his post above and it's fairly self-explanatory... Most of the bigger Clubs engage 'Legends' in some capacity(the word ambassador comes to mind) but these Clubs are big on corporate/match day experiences,most of which are sold out months in advance and people are prepared to pay decent amounts of money for the prestige of being there. I dare say if we can claw our way back to the top flight some day there'll be huge demand to rub shoulders with the Barmby's,Ashbees and Roseniors of this Club but as it stands at the moment, people are just getting used to the idea of having new owners and coming to terms with paying £27 for a match day ticket. We need on-field investment at the moment,not off-field gesturing.
Tom Huddlestone is an ex England international. In my opinion one of the most talented footballers ever to play for us. If ever a man was cut out out be an ambassador of our club it's Tom Huddlestone.
