The manner of his leaving QPR would deter me mind. Beating a very loud drum about asking the players to go "all in" and how could he possibly leave when they've done that for him? He was " all in" too. Couple of weeks later he was off! But whoever turns up, I think there will be very little change to the way we play, or the direction of travel. Or he won't be turning up.
A person I know who works at the club has said its not Still. Apparently, players have backed Dodds of course other names are going to be considered however senior players have been consulted. Dodds works well with the players and fits the model. (This info is 2nd hand from a person at the club).
I have absolutely no doubt the players will want it to be Dodds. Seems like an incredibly popular guy, who the players all respect and get along with, and importantly react to and learn from. As said earlier in the week I wouldn't want to lose him from his day job, as I think he can be with us for the next 10+ years developing our talent. Which I don't think will be possible if he's appointed permanently. But if he wants the job, and the players want him, and lets say he wins again on Saturday.... then despite the understandable reservations - he's got a great shout.
Senior players have been consulted? You don’t let the tail wag the dog. The problem with this is that senior players won’t know anything directly about the ability of the other head coaches.
Agree you don't let the tail wag the dog, but senior players being consulted is very different to senior players having control. If Dodds wants the job for example, then it would definitely make sense for Speakman to seek the views of the players on how things have been these last couple of weeks. He doesn't have to listen to them, and I think we've all seen Speakman is very much his own man when it comes to decisions, so I don't think he'd make his mind up based on what players are telling him.
Not jumping the gun too soon because it’s all hearsay but if you’re over half way through your 5 year plan to be playing PL football and you bottle bringing in the manager of your choice in the summer, sack your manager in the December then don’t bring in your preferred manager again that’s madness. Could be a waste of a season. As others have mentioned Dodds is doing a great job developing players so leave him to do that.
I’d like to think player power wasn’t a thing at the club. That would make it ok to have gone behind TM when it was mentioned about Burstow.
Have you been told why Still has fallen through? Him turning us down? Reims not budging? Us not being sold on paying out a lot for him?
Keeping Mowbray in charge would've been wasting the season. If they think Dodds can get better results surely that isn't wasting the season?
I have been incredibly conflicted on the whole Dodds issue. There is so much nuance. It's such a hard decision for the club to make. It's hard for me to make my mind up whether I want it to be him or not, and my "decision" doesn't even count. Imagine how hard it is for the guys in charge to make a real life decision. I have decided to do a pros and cons list because I'm bored!! This all assumes Dodds wants the job Reasons for Dodds Players seem to like and respect him Has proven (albeit over just 2 games) to have tactical nous, and not only that, have the confidence to be bold tactically, with the players following his instructions We know he buys in to the strategy We know he gets on with Speakman Seems to be a very good coach, who is bought into how we play Any new appointment isn't necessarily going to be any of the above. Even Still and Hellberg who have done well, have done so in different leagues and clubs. We have no idea if they'll fit in here. We know that Dodds does. Better the devil you know etc... Reasons against Dodds We lose him from his day job, and essentially probably lose him permanently once he gets sacked from the HC role. No management experience other than these 2 games Pressure will be on him every time we lose. Every time we lose there will be fans saying "see I told you we shouldn't have appointed the caretaker" We lose the opportunity to bring in additional tactical and coaching nous into the club - through an external appointment who can work with Dodds and essentially build on his capability We would have to replace Dodds if he became Head Coach
Of course the players will want to go with Dodds. He's a known quantity for them and if he continues with a similar regime to what TM did, the players will be having it easy. My goddaughter (NO!) is seeing one of the youth players. Some of the stories I've heard about the behaviour of our senior lads in training and around the AoL are cringe worthy. Seems TM allowed the likes of Clarke and others to treat the young un's really poorly and general discipline in the senior team was poor. I'd imagine Dodds knowing he's interim only wouldn't have made any changes to any of this in his short time in charge. He'll be focused on tactics, winning and nothing else.
It's not player power that I've heard, it's poor behaviour and discipline that TM allowed them to get away with.
