We have 2 threads started regarding 2 managers one old and one for another team. But I would like to praise our currant manager Del, we are still in the woods but without him I think we would of been almost confirmed league 1 now! He took over with us on 6 points 4 points behind the team above us at the foot of the table. We are now 4 points above safety and with a bit of luck will be safe come the end. Gary Johnston done really well for us, but unfortunately lost the way and was losing the support of players, well done to him at Yeovil but I don't support them so don't really care. Brendon Rodgers took a Swansea team who had Martinez given them the flair to go forward. But was conceding goals. Sousa taught them to defend but no flair. Rodgers linked the two things together, so well done to him. But like Yeovil I don't support Swansea. Del will I hope next season transform the team I support, so I will support him. Hopefully next season we will all be behind our manager and be thankful he left a club who could qualify for Europe next season to rescue OUR club. So well done GJ and Rodgers but most of important well done Del
I have mixed feelings regarding Del. I don't really buy this sterling job he's doing, as if it wasn't for Portsmouth and there financial problems then we would be in the bottom 3 with relegation very much a threat. You can go on regarding players he had to deal with, but he has brought in players and has had quite a few months to get us out of it. Having said that, he's come from a team in a very poor league, thrown in the deep end at a much higher level learning as he goes and so under those circumstances, is doing a steady job. I really hope he keeps us up, so he will have the chance to start a fresh for the new season.
I think Derek McInnes and Tony Docherty are doing a good job trying to keep City in the Championship, because without them, I feel we would already be down! And when is this continual cheap jibing about the SPL going to stop. Wherever we are next season, DMc should get St Johnstone down to the Gate for a pre-season "friendly" and show all in Bristol that the SPL is a lot stronger than many realise. Anyway, football and any other type of management is about managing people much more than anything else so it's the man and not his origins which are most important.
We were rock bottom when DM took over - I think he's done a good job since then. Of the players he has brought in - I like McManus, Foster and Pearson - not sure about Wood and Davis Whichever league we are in next season I think he's the right man for us
Please don't tell me you think the SPL is a good league. They have two teams that would even struggle in the Championship never mind anything else and one of those teams are in danger of going out of business. Stronger & SPL should not be held in the same sentence>
I feel the jury is still out on Del. At the time I was of the opinion that we ought to appoint an experienced championship manager - i.e. Dave Jones. Del got off to a flyer (as has DJ at Sheff Wed by the way) - and we have slipped back since. I worry that his tactics are negative and the team seems happy to lump it long and by-pass the midfield - something I suspect probably works in the SPL. I don't know though if this is down to instructions from Del/Doc or simply a lack of ability in the team. He seems reluctant to play Pitman (it wouldn't surprise me if he goes in the summer regardless of which league we are in). The way he sets the team up seems to create very few chances in most games and the defence has only improved since we brought back Carey and McAlister - hardly promising for the future. Some of his signings have been an improvement but whether he can re-build the team from scratch (which is almost what's needed in the summer) I really don't know. Mainly because he has no track record at this level. I would feel a lot more comfortable if I knew our manager had been there and done it at this level before - and suspect maybe the players would have more belief if that was the case too. Let's cross our fingers and hope that this time next season we aren't saying that the Board have ****** up yet again on their choice of manager!
but keep them crossed for at least one whole season, because that is how long it will take to make a difference. We have no divine right to a place in the Championship, and McInnes is about as good as a club our size can realistically expect to attract. I for one feel he will be more than good enough. If we had a better youth academy it would have helped DM by supplying him with a stream of talent, but as it stands he is working with the scraps. I put it to whoever, that if Caulker had come from our academy instead of Tottenham's, we would be around the play-off zone right now
Guys we have Wilson and Ribiero who are quality defenders and have proven to be wise beyond their years. Yet they are never selected!? I saw a lot of Wilson and Ribs in the Wales u21s side which contained Ramsey and Bale. Wilson and Ribs didn't look out of place. In fact Ribs in particular was always one of the standout performers yet he's on loan at Scunny and we are persevering with Spence, who's ****, Skuse who's injured and Carey who's reliable but is past his better days. Foster is the only realistic challenger to Ribs for right back
Aside from the players he's brought in, Del is having to work with what the previous regimes left behind. I don't believe the way we are playing since Del arrived is reflective of his football philosophy or desire at all, but is one born out of necessity until we are hopefully safe. Whether we survive or not I will expect much better things of Del and the team next season
Well Angelic, we are all expecting better next year - again. Let's face it, for the last few seasons we've written them off after a few months and said "it'll be better next year". Is this just blind faith or is there some evidence to back that up though? Every close season we shuffle the pack, everyone gets excited about the new faces and we all cross our fingers and hope this is our season. We really don't know what Del's philosophy or ability is - all we can go on is what we've seen so far. I hope it turns our right but at the moment it's just that - a hope. I don't feel we have any reason to expect it because we have no idea really if he's got it or not.
Robin_Unreliant - we've been written off after a few months every year for the last few seasons because of the appalling decisions and appointments our board and owner have made ever since the turn of 2008. I wrote this season off and called for Millens head after the opening day stuffing at home by Ipswich and it still took the best part of 3 months and 1 win for it to actually happen.
