What's In A Manager Anyway?

Did anyone watch the Liverpool 'documentary' that sort of followed Brendan Rodgers about? I didn't, mainly 'cos I couldn't give two sh!ts about the bindippers. But I wondered if anyone could see what it was like to be a manager and whether parallels (or a lack thereof) could be drawn to our own manager?

The Ben Arfa debate that rages on, comments about Sissoko being a Yaya Toure type, what is it that Pardew is or isn't doing that's just wrong? Does anyone go to training sessions at Benton??

I'd be interested in getting opinions of those who've dabbled with even stuff like Sunday League management and a general consensus as to whether Pardew gets it completely wrong as much as it looks, or whether we should give more credence to the first half of the season?

 

Does anyone go to training sessions at Benton??
Don't be daft, clearly the players and Pardew stopped going a few months back, which probably explains the problems with set pieces, kicking the ball and stuff like that.

To be fair to Pardew, he was getting it right earlier in the season, either that or we just plain lucky.

 

I think it was the latter.

Btw....West Ham had the same set piece problem as us when he was there......Coincidence?

 

Some things never change.

 

People can balance the poor runs with the better spells when considering his reign, but there is really no excusing our set piece record since Pardew has been in charge. Other telling points are our almost constant inability to win a match once we've gone behind and the cup and derby performances. Pardew also seems to have real difficulty reversing a bad run and struggles with motivating players once heads have dropped. It's a pretty poisonous brew which is only worsened when you take into account the sheer number of terrible performances and thrashings to which we are treated, along with the excuses and untruths that Pardew attempts to feed us. Pardew has lost the fans and judging by body language and performances, the players. We need a new manager - someone who will bring a bit of hope back. We should be allowed to wake up on match day mornings with a spring in our step rather than dread, apathy or resignation. We should have expectations of a decent effort, entertaining football and some chance at 3 points.

 

Obviously this is bang on, but is the owner bother about what we 'hope' or 'want'? I don't think one consolidated message of 99.8% of fans want xxxx in charge would work.

 

This!

 

So what happened mid way through the season that sent our season into a tailspin? I suppose he would say Cabaye.

He had us performing way above expectations, only to end up having us performing way below expectations. I think it is the wild swings in performance level, and his general personality that has lost the fanbase. It has led to many things being dumped at his door that shouldn't really. That is football and football fans though. Particularly when he is the most visible figure to which they point their anger towards.

Personally I'm not convinced a new manager will see us catapult into the upper reaches, and I'd imagine we will still have consistency issues due to our weakening of the squad at key times/lack of investment. I think we need a change just to quell the masses though. Its getting ugly and it just ends showing the fans in a poor light too.

 

Following a theme I posted elsewhere, I expect our next move to be similar to Swansea (if P45dew is actually sacked) and that Beardsley will get the role. His job will be "backfilled" by Paul Gascoigne as part of his rehabilitation (i.e. not salaried). So we'll be significantly short of experience, but considerably better off in terms of the wage bill. Win/win.

 

I think it was more than just Cabaye going that caused the tailspin.

Some issues were out of his control such as not getting a replacement for Cabaye.
He was probably as p***** off at the time as the fans, but he cant show it.
Small squad.

LDJ being an abject failure, Cisse not being able to hit a barn door.
Remy being suspended and injuries to key players.
The fall-out with HBA. As far as I'm concerned the sooner he follows Pardew out the door the better, but whilst here Pardew should have cajoled something out of his, other than the rumoured punch.

The head butt on Meyler didn't help, and not being on the touchline subsequently affected how he was able to make his mark on the game.

They all added It got to the point where he was like a 'deer caught in headlights' not knowing what to do next.
His interviews haven't helped matters either, but, then again, what do people actually expect him to say. He's not going to criticise MA or overly publicly criticise the players.

In difficult times, it takes someone strong to be capable of dealing with all the problems and unfortunately he has been found wanting on that score.

It's just time for him to go, as you say to quell the masses.

 

From the Secret Footballer:

 

Spot on