The key for me is whether Phelan and Holt stay. This would be a radical change to a 33 year old manager from Scotland without a playing pedigree as well (Adams had won a league championship medal with Everton). If we have to wait for him to get to know the players it could already be too late for this season. I'm not against his appointment if it happens, but I'm a bit more nervous than most on here if it becomes a complete shot in the dark.
As I said earlier, the extent to which any incoming manager has to the galvanise the team is minimal- we are 7th following pretty dreadful management- a wee bit of improvement and plays off will be achieved. Just playing players in their correct positions would be a reasonable start
Agree with this and I'm of the opinion that Phelan will probably be staying to work alongside Neil as the experienced head. It wouldn't surprise me if DM had already spoken to Phelan before making a move for Neil, but then again what do I know ?
Never saw this coming but could be a stroke of genius. Has to be a better possibility than the other recycled dross that was being touted. My question is, how does MP fit into this scenario? There does appear to be a lack of cohesion about the whole process at the moment and the credibility of the board is sinking.
I don't think it necessarily has to be a better possibility - after all there's a reason that they get recycled in that they have experience and guarantee a bare minimum. But I definitely agree it's much more likely to be a stroke of genius - high risk, high reward? I imagine Phelan won't be going anywhere, though could be wrong. Given Neil's experience the logic is for them to work together
Not really relevant to any of this but can I ask why you always mention Adams won a league title? Technically this is of course true, but he only played about 10 times for Evrrton (all as sub by the way). He didn't even get a winners medal. He was, overall a fairly average footballer for the vast majority of his career
He was a 'like for like' replacement for Ruel Fox, as I recall. But never really mastered the 'stepovers' or blistering pace of his predecessor - a bit like Lee Croft
Sky reporting it a done deal, Alex saying goodbye to his players this morning. Statement to follow later today!
Paddy Davitt: Paddy Davitt @paddyjdavitt 9m9 minutes ago #ncfc set to pay transfer fee for his player reg. Due to head south again later today. please log in to view this image Paddy Davitt @paddyjdavitt 9m9 minutes ago broken link to that site but pace picks up again. Neil farewell to @acciesfc squad. Expect an announcement from clubs in due course. #ncfc
Excellent news. Once it was in the open that we were in talks it would have been even more disastrous if it had then fallen through
I mentioned it because it was one of the factors considered important early on in the discussion of potential managers. I'm a bit amazed that so many people are willing to accept such a young and relatively inexperienced manager. I recall DM pointing out that MacKay had never played in the PL, for example. I'm not against Neil being appointed, but I am worried that the current euphoria about Neil could turn to vitriol if a few results go the wrong way and the 'How long do we give him?' thread is revived with gusto. I'll be content if Neil is appointed and support him all the way, as I did Adams.
It will definitely turn to vitriol if a few results go the wrong way. No doubt in my mind. But that's true irrespective of which manager we bring in because of the current footballing culture and where our fans perceive us to be in this division. I think the current "euphoria" is more a sense of relief that this doesn't look like a "one of the boys" appointment, though, as opposed to massive expectations that we will now go straight back up. Everyone's well aware that Neil could easily fail. But it seems that Adams was practically a dead man walking from around about the end of October, so it was best that it was a quick clean kill and replacement with minimum fuss. I do think AN's got something of a free gig for a bit though - taking on comfortable the strongest squad in the division sitting in 7th. If he gets us into the play-offs he'll be deemed a success for the season I'd say. So expectations are already lower than those on Adams.
I don't sense 'euphoria' at all. I sense a common understanding that this time, far more consideration into this guys mentality and techniques has occurred. If it hasnt, I don't believe he'd have even been considered. There's far more logic to this. He seems to possess (from what I read) all the attributes we've been lacking in our previous two managers. His playing career is of little concern. Karl Robinson is hugely admired by many of our fans and he was a no-mark footballer. It's all about his personal attributes. Adams never had the right attributes to be a first team manager - this guy appears to.
Also, the Adams appointment smacked of a board decision - a decision by committee. This doesn't. This sounds like McNally has identified his main target and gone straight out and got him. Much more like the old McNally.
I hope you're right Supers, as, like everybody, I do very much want this to succeed. I had concerns about Karl Robinson as well for the same reasons. McNally knew Lambert from his days at Celtic and I hope it's not just his 'gut-feeling' about Neil. The key to me is whether Phelan and Holt stay on. If they don't, I'll be even more concerned, much as I trust McNally to make the right decisions..
I think Phelan will be involved. Not bothered by Holt, not too sure what he brings to the party. I'd have let him go with Adams
As I understand it - and this is not from my reliable information source - Phelan was aware of from 'hour 1' of what was going on and Neill knew from the initial contact that if he took the job he would have to work with the existing backroom staff. 1950canary? Non! Je suis Charlie.
This would not surprise me in the slightest. Phelan's body language towards Adams was very distant. Perhaps that's just how he is but it didn't look great! That's partly why I assumed Phelan would get the job, because he knew Adams was a lame duck
