I’ve seen a rather hyperbolic comment elsewhere that Parky is the best manager outside of the Championship. Let’s look at the respective records - Parky: 21 seasons as a manager/coach. - 5 promotions (although you could fairly argue that the last two have been bought). 3 failures - at Hull, Sunderland, and with us of course. Nathan Jones- 10 years as a manager. 1 promotion and 2 play off finishes. 2 failures - Stoke & Southampton. Played a big role in keeping us up last season, after the SE7 SMT mugged us off. Parky is clearly a lot more experienced than Jones, but their records are comparable, and if you take out the financial advantages he’s had beating minnows in his current job, you can fairly argue that Nathan Jones comes out slightly on top. Woukd anyone have Parky back at our place now to replace Nathan Jones ?
No I wouldn’t. Wrexham is a bandwagon that people have jumped on. Let’s be honest they have always been a small Club in a ****ty town. You wouldn’t choose to live in Wrexham.
Steve Evans has called Wrexham the Harlem Globetrotters of League One today and had some interesting things to say about financial doping. Evans thinks Birmingham & Wrexham will be promoted this season, but not for football only reasons.
I personally would consider a swap as unpopular as that may sound - I’m still not convinced with Jones
I have a few doubts about Jones - I liked Parky a lot and he had amazing clean well ironed shirts. Jonesy looks like he is always on a hike.
Having met Parky once at Barnet away, he’s a gentleman. Not sure I’d say the same about NJ who is said to be highly strung.
Though I like Chris Powell I did think Parky was pretty hard done by. Would I have Parky back right now? Probably yes, but it's a fine margin decision rather than a no-brainer.
Parky got us to the Play Offs that year with the club in a death spiral thanks to Alan Pardew & “Richard”. He was a slow builder at a time we needed Linford Christie. He wasn’t helped by “Richard” giving him the job after a completely unsuccessful trial run, before which “Richard” said he would be appointed solely on results. Parky did at excellent job at a couple of clubs who didn’t buy success, Colchester United & Bradford City.
Nathan Jones being linked with a move to Cardiff City by their fans. I didn’t realise until now he is a big Cardiff fan.
I’m not a fan of NJ. Absolutely dire football tactics, anti football to some degree. I wouldn’t be bothered if he went to Cardiff. Parky had a similar style of football at the time he was with us. Absolutely dire, hoofball, ozone layer type of football, bore the opponent into a deep sleep. I remember looking forward to when he moved on. What a choice between those two.
Agreed. I realised yesterday that we did not sign a number 10 or a ball playing midfielder because NJ doesn’t want such players. Ditto wingers. His midfielders are all runners / tacklers / pressers without a passing range, and he relies on the wing backs to provide any creativity from open play. I think we have scored either 7 or 8 goals in our opening 6 matches, and I read on CL that only one has been from open play. Yesterday’s was from a corner. This is the way it’s going to be this season, and if we need 60 plus goals from this team to get into the top 6, it’s going to be a stretch with the current personnel to see who is going to contribute them. The only small gripe is certain posters and ex club employees on CL touting Nathan Jones as some sort of brilliant and evolutionary coach when he was appointed. After 30 plus games in charge now, it’s clear he’s anything but. He’s a very good organiser, our defence and work rate are miles better, but as for the style of his football …it’s long ball / hoof ball / rustic.
I don’t know what anathema means but if it is boring, predictable or unpleasing, it certainly is that. I think most of us knew that when Jonesy got the job. I’ll tolerate it for promotion but next season - nah.
That’s exactly what I thought. I suspect that like religion it will get found out. A team with attacking intentions or a bit of creativity will tear us apart like the global moderators team. Thankfully we have a goal machine in Alhadme that will save us.
A question I’d like others (Dick perhaps) to answer: have the academy sides adopted the same way of playing ? I understood best practice is to have junior sides align with the style and formation of the first team. I’m wondering if there is an impact that is bigger than boredom being caused by jones and his style of play. Possibly causing conflict with the ethos of the academy and resulting in Avory’s departure?
We tried tippy tappy, playing 15 passes out from the back football under Ben “PE Teacher” Garner & his Swindon rejects, and it was a disaster. Players at this level lack the technical ability to pass out. Having said that, our passing yesterday was shocking, I thought we had Stevie Wonder and Peters & Lee in our midfield in that first half. Ideally we have a happy medium & can play passing football AND mix it up when necessary….but I get the impression Jones has a preferred style of football that has been successful before at this level. You get a complimentary neck brace with your Bovril at the next home game.
The formation 5-3-2 is the same but that is where the similarities end. The football the U21s and U18s play is quick short passing. Much more pleasing on the eye. I believe that is how the youngsters should be schooled. But what do I know I don’t go to their games. According to the font of all knowledge, the fat controller.
