[Apologies - Things didn't quite work as planned - This post was obviously meant to be at the top] Shock Horror! The most vital statistic yet: in the last poll nobody voted for Nigel Pearson. There's a new shortlist of 5 now doing the rounds and consistently so. Three of those in our first poll have dropped out; Rosler (possibly because of his outspoken criticism today of Chairmen and the Championship in general http://the72.co.uk/39774/rosler-slams-leeds-owner-and-championship-overall/), Hasslebaink (probably because Mr Khan has said the new boss must have Championship experience) and Moyes (perhaps because Rigg doesn't fancy the challenge). Pearson has amazingly survived - somebody at the Club must like him. As does Lambert even though he was nailed on at Blackburn two days ago - the story goes that we intervened at the eleventh hour. So here is the second poll -
I voted Warburton....as a preference. I can't see him coming as I believe a major reason for him leaving Brentford was lack of control. Now, I'd be comfortable with appointing him and ejecting Rigg......but if Rigg's a major part of the decision making process.......well turkeys and christmas comes to mind (emphasis on turkey). In light of all that, I would go for Gary Rowett, but why would he drop Birmingham for us? Are they still such a financial shambles that he might be tempted? if so, I think he would be excellent.
Personally if I had a different choice I wouldn't choose any of the above. Never understood the admiration of Warburton at Brentford myself. I picked Lambert from the above list, because I read that during his gardening period he has been going round europe looking at clubs training methods rather than becoming a pundit or sitting on his backside. I'd take a gamble on someone like Montella if he doesn't go to Sampdoria, I liked what I saw at Fiorentina, both in style of play and his coaching. Reminded me of Tigana in getting average players to play better along with a few star players.
I said Lambert before Kit was sacked, Lambert when he went (though I'd have taken Moyes if I thought he'd drop down to the Championship), and I'm still saying Lambert. Warburton (if he'd leave Rangers, which I suspect he wouldn't) and Jokanovic would be my second choices of the five listed, though I agree with SuperBri that Montella would be a more attractive option than most of the shortlist. The fact that Blackburn haven't announced anything with Lambert must mean we're in with a chance for him (I hope).
I voted Lambert as well. One of my mates is a Villa fan and he rates Lambert and was disappointed when he was sacked. He thought he almost had an impossible job at Villa with no money to speak of and mostly only being able to sell. He can clearly spot a wrong 'un because he shipped Bent out to us fast enough. Add to this, he is a very good coach.
Let's leave Mr Warburton where he is!!!! As much as I'd like to see him at Fulham, just not at the expense of Rangers so early on when we've started the season so well under him, I really want him and Davie Weir to see this through and see where they can take us. As for Fulham, I'm still siding with Pearson. Wouldn't be the most exciting appointment in the world but I think his recent track record tells us he's capable of getting results. Montella would no doubt bring a style of play that would be quite easy on the eye, which as fans we all love to see, but at present i'd sacrifice that for results, scrappy 1-0 wins will do me. Pearson knows how to win in this division.
The shortlist might be getting shorter without any effort on our part. The Telegraph are saying that Paul Lambert is off on a long weekend break to reflect but that he has pretty much decided that it's Blackburn for him. And up in Scotland, Mark Warburton has apparently told the Sun that's he's enjoying life to much at Ibrox to even reflect on leaving.
Seems that Rigg cannot get a package together that will attract quality, could it be that having the ultimate say in the transfer market, which is a managerial deterrent.
According to reports today Warburton has confirmed he will reject talking to any other club and will definately be staying at Rangers
Looking more and more likely to be Nigel Pearson. On the field, there’s no doubting the Yorkshireman gets results and he seems to generate a fantastic team spirit. All the right stuff then. Mind don’t expect him to shore up our defence because, if the Leicester experience is anything to go by, his approach to games has been ‘let them score, we’ll score more’. Probably fits the profile of our current squad then. Off the field the man is a boor! We’ve had a number of rude and crude characters in the dugout over the years (a few are named in the Legacy thread) but he takes controversy to a different level. Call me a wimp, call me unambitious and the rest – the reason I support Fulham rather than the classless lot down the road, is because of our heritage and reputation of being a ‘Family Club’. So, it’s a no thanks from me! If it happens of course I’ll still go. And when we get promoted of course the hypocrite I am will say, ‘smashing bloke’.
Sorry, meant to say the reason for the swing towards Pearson was Lambert being confirmed at Blackburn. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34784801
Whoever it is we get in I just hope it's done in the next couple of days, let's give the new man as much time as possible with the team before Saturday's match. We've had 2 weeks to make this appointment, would be pretty daft to wait right up until like a day or two before a match and he has no time with the squad.
If Lambert has gone and Warburton choosing not to leave Rangers, I'd like ... Some new options. Of the five in this vote, I'd take Jokanovic, but I'm not overly excited by any of the remaining names, to be honest. As Fabio says, it would be good to make an appointment soon. We'll wait and see.
Lambert and Wharburton are not exactly top draw, could this mean for whatever reason Fulham are not an attractive club to come to
Having seen and heard a lot of Warburton in the last few months he comes across as being very principled and a man of his word. He's took on a big challenge at Rangers and seems like he wants to see it through. I think the thought of coming to a club like Rangers and more or less building it up from the bottom again was appealing to him. Rangers at the start of this season were like a blank canvas, he was more or less given the green light to change things up as he pleased and do things his way. He's brought in his own people, his own players and his own philosophy, and so far it's all working. So I wouldn't say it's a case of Fulham not being attractive, more likely that it's just the wrong timing when he's already got a big job on his hands
If he was interested, we should have got Warburton signed up before the end of last season. It's not a great field overall, I'd like to see us break the bank for Bruce and promise him a war chest, if he thinks he needs it, or just bring in someone the players will respect like Hoddle or Jimmy Floyd.