That's the perfect scenario for me mate. Planning for next season should already be underway and that should include lining up and consulting with the new head coach, so he can hit the ground running in the summer. Red and White Tractor called it right imo, when he stated that things are more likely to change after something has gone wrong, rather than when everything is rosy in the garden. I fully expect the rights to be wronged in readiness for a successful new season. I agree with many on here that investing in sports science should be on the agenda, as our injury list is a concern. Things have never been right in this department since Allardyce left and this needs sorting. I don't agree with those who insist that British players can cope with the rigours of the championship better than foreigners. Our 4 biggest injury victims are Cirkin, Evans, Alese and Huggins. I do agree with those that believe youngsters playing too many games can lead to injuries though. It's been a vicious circle in many respects. I would have liked to have rotated the squad better this season and kept the squad fresher. The problem has been that we have had so many long term injuries that the squad can't cope and those youngsters bought in the summer, with a view to introducing them gradually have had to have been thrown in before they are ready. If we'd had a fully fit squad, this wouldn't have been such a problem. Sports science is a must as far as I'm concerned.
He is annoying because of his politician style spin doctor talk some of which he hasn’t lived up to, including the nonsense about positional fluidity to excuse gaps in quality. I can understand why that irritates most. That said he has to manage the complexities of many things within a tight budget and let’s be honest the football world is full of greedy selfish corrupt people so someone steadfast will piss them off, so that part I admire. This season has been a succession of errors but we’re still fingers crossed going to end stronger than where he started. I wouldn’t be too upset at a fresh set of eyes but we don’t need to rip it up.
Someone has to be a spokesman for the club, you can't have a series of various staff making comments. Because of that any problems rebound on him, fair enough that's his job and he can handle it. But when people start twisting about his tone or manner it starts becoming a bit childish for me. I don't know him, don't want to know him and couldn't really care less about his personality. I'd imagine he gets a bit narked having various people whinge at him, especially if they're not actually part of the club, and he can be a bit short with them. I know I'd be if they only ever see the negatives.
If anyone other than the head coach are speaking in public about first team affairs it is a sign not all is as it should be for me. One of the problems in my opinion is coaches and managers are figures a lot of modern fans think they can critique. I dont mind folk moaning about team selections and tactics but some seem to do it with such certainty you wonder why they arent in charge at a champions league side. The worst of it though is micro analysing the language. In recent times we have cycled through Johson's so called coach speak, to Mowbrays so called Uncle speak and onto Beale's corporate speak. Makes my eyes toes curl to be honest. They are blokes who talk and act in a certain way, much like everyone on here is. When we judge a manager on how they talk, rather than a teams performance, we might as well pack it all in. Of all those recent managers I cared least for Alex Neil and the way he carried himself personally, he seemed aloof, arrogant and dismissive, but whilst he was getting a tune out of the team it mattered not.
Just my opinion but speakman has put himself front and centre a bit too much, especially since TM left and I don't believe a sporting director should be so vocal. Holding press conferences and discussing individual players form / fitness it's the head coaches remit, yet KS has held and discussed these topics since January. That for me doesn't sit well
Agree with you on this but this is Sunderland you are talking about. We aren't exactly known for doing things that make sense.
I think that’s harsh on the fans as a whole mind. Sure some fans turned on Beale immediately (especially on social media) however most I talked too, although unhappy with the appointment and kind of foresaw the outcome, were still willing to give the bloke a chance. I was one of those fans. Those fans turned when it became bleedingly obvious he was out of his depth and let’s face it tactically ****e. On the subject of a new manager I’m just hoping they have learned from the appointment.
The Stoke forum, Oatcake, thought the players, experienced and otherwise, Neil was signing were dreadful and wouldn't get them up the table ... ... they were right ... If Speakman refused Neil the same players I find it hard to see the problem tbh.
I tend to think Speakmans involvement has grown, the longer he has been here. Perhaps that is because he has brought in the structure he has been tasked with. But it is interesting to look at our signings in his time. He landed and brought in LJ. Signings in that period included Stewart, Baath, Pritchard, Winchester, Roberts, Doyle. My sense is LJ was front and centre on those signings, not Speakman. He would not have been operating in those circles. As time wore on I think he deserves credit for Clarke, the two German lads, Cirkin, Hume, Ballard. Then there are too many who the jury is out on - Adil, Ba, Alese, Anderson, Benette, Hemir, Rusyn, Mayenda, Bass, Ekwah, Matete. Early days we had a decent balance of experience and youth. Recently the balance has shifted for me. Subtely so easy to shift back, and I think they need to.
I generally agree they shouldnt be central figures and he tends only to speak start window end of window end of season which I think is fine like, I think he’s spoken more to explain a manager leaving, caretaker decision, new manager, backing Beale, Beale going, caretaker. Because of the mess and that being around a window he’s popped up much more often.
@_GraemeAtkinson According to Uruguayan media Juan Sartori reportedly “warned” Louis-Dreyfus when he first arrived at the club, “They [#SAFC supporters] want Haaland, Mbappé and Bellingham, so have the check ready.” Just a proven striker would’ve been nice tbh. @_GraemeAtkinson Same reports state, on KLD, “The Swiss-French welcomed the possibility and prioritized the “enormous potential” for growth in the project. But he did not take into account that, unlike a company, management is also influenced by the demands of the fans.” #SAFC @_GraemeAtkinson Interestingly, for those who overlook Sartori’s - at best questionable - track record because he is a ‘silent partner’ just writing cheques and not getting involved in day to day operations there’s also this “…Sartori… influenced the dismissal of coach Lee Johnson.” @_GraemeAtkinson This follows more recent reports suggesting Beale was informed of his dismissal by Sartori too. #SAFC
I'm going to assume it's been lost in translation or taken out of context, but I have met very very few SAFC supporters who expect players like that. If anything we have been very supportive and bought into their ideas and whilst there have been some dissent it's been for a functioning striker and a cdm
Juan Sartori the "axe man" Most corporations have someone to deliver the bad news... - when that director is appointed head of your department - it's time to look for a new job.
