I like Rowett, joined Birmingham after their 8-0 defeat by Bournemouth last season, and could finish 9th this season. I don't really know about their style of play under him though
Yes, well it's all very well liking an inexperienced manager, but he needs to get some service in at high level before Saints even consider the likes of him. Seriously, if Ronald decided to move along, I would expect Saints to be tapping up people of the calibre of Benitez.
I agree. As much as I think Rowett could do big things, I think he needs to build something in the Premier League before he'd be on our radar. Having a manager of his (lack of) reputation would have an impact on the kind of signings we could bring in.
Yep. Agreed. I like the progressive idea, but the reality is we're a top ten team now and need to think cleverly with this.
Just read that Guan (a reliable ITKer from the darkside on SaintsWeb) has said that Saints are going for a "new direction" as a club. "What i know: Ronald is perfectly happy to stay for his last contracted year, but is always hesitant about adding more, which was most evident in the middle of our bad form where the board presented him with a list of on-going concerns. Nothing has indicated he's jumping at the chance to add to his time here after that. Speculation begins: I wouldn't be surprised if the board replace him in the summer, as an outgoing manager rarely inspires great displays of player commitment. Plus we have a new direction in the works that K billy has told me about. But that's for him to comment on, not me. 3/3 posts"
Have a feeling that the new direction will be a renewed commitment to using the kids...and a concurrent drop in our spending on senior players. Edit: as to why, his failure to use the Academy was on the 'list of concerns' presented, per the ITKs, during our downturn. Conversely, Koeman has cited our sales and the likelihood that we're going to be outspent by competitors as his big concern. Not a huge leap from there to the suggestion that, if we're moving in a new direction, it's probably going to involve less spending on imports and a greater focus on trying to bring through youth products.
I'd be happy if we tied the whole of our first team squad down to contracts and just added a top quality Right Back. There is a lot of potential in what is fundamentally a young squad that is still improving. Adding to them with the occasional academy product is in line with the club's policy, if Ron sees us as ambitious by buying costly billy big bollox players, then I would say that he would be out of line with Les Reed's vision of which direction the club is going. But I faith that Ron sees it the same way as Les and only wants a commitment that we hold on to our better players and develop kids.
If they are more demanding, then they must also back the manager by keeping the squad together, it's a two way thing. To my mind Ron has overachieved in what have been two transitional seasons in a row.
I'd feel a lot more easy about this if I felt there was a lot of talent coming through the ranks.... In reality though....
In reality. The board know supporters would lose their **** if they cut back on money. Given how much money is coming in next season. Also in reality the board haven't let us down yet... So I don't get why supporters flip their **** every summer.
I've actually been fairly critical of Koeman's lack of attention paid to the Academy...if the new direction looks something like the old direction under Cortese/Poch (use the Academy to fill gaps, buy fewer 'squad level' players and instead focus on keeping our best here while aiming for major impact signings), I won't exactly be upset. Assuming the talent is there in the Academy, naturally, and we're able to minimize turnover of the senior squad (and re-signing van Dijk is a big step there). I'm just struggling to think of another major change in direction that would i) make the board less confident that Koeman is the right manager, and ii) leave Koeman uncertain about whether he wants to remain.
It could be anything. It could be the board want to bring in one big player a year and don't trust Ron with the money? It could be we want to spend £100m with out selling and Ron doesn't trust the black box. It could be anything. No need to worry about it. The board have been brilliant so far.
Oh I agree. Just speculating. I'm keen on realistic, calculated progress. If this is in line with that, as a supporter I'm all good. If it's placing unrealistic expectation on the talent, or lack thereof, within the current academy pool, it's less exciting.
In my opinion, Koeman's doubts over remaining are just because he thinks something better may come along and he doesn't want his hands tied. I can understand that, everyone wants the best and looks out for #1, even Ronald Koeman, as much as I think he's a top bloke. Just offer him a bumper deal with a get-out clause if Holland or Barcelona come calling, but not any old Tom, Dick or Harry. The club are ambitious, Katharina isn't about to start pulling her investment back and we need everyone on board with the long-term aim. You're either with us or you aren't. No one is bigger than the club, not even Ronald Koeman. I can see why beginning a new five-year plan with a manager who says 'erm, I'll give you one year but no more' is just counter-productive in terms of long-term planning.
