This is a slightly dangerous question and it is a repeat of one a couple of years ago when the choice was McNally or Lambert. I think one would have to go for McNally as he is the Kingmaker and has a more mong term tenure with the club but that is not a vote agianst Alex Neil.
Kingmaker is exactly it. Lambert is the perfect example actually - he didn't just become a bad manager overnight at Villa. There are lots of good managers around - those that aren't don't succeed... But you have to have the right foundations behind you to succeed as well. I always felt that Villa was a poisoned chalice for Lambert, the way it is run by Lerner just isn't the right foundation for a manager and I think Sherwood will be rapidly heading the same way. It is McNally and co. that are providing the right platform for a manager. Managers will come and go and some will be rubbish, but as you can see even an inexperienced one out of his depth like Adams was able to do a moderate job because the backing he got was great. So while McNally is in charge, or someone with the same attitude, I've no doubt that we will continue to find Neils and Lamberts to keep progressing, just like we will keep finding Holts and Johnsons on the pitch.
You're quiet right. I also asked the question about McNally & Lambert. For me I think McNally has done more to turn the club around than anyone else. I'm not against Neil, in fact I thinks he's excellent and I think he will do well for us for a couple of years, after which I suspect he will move to a 'bigger club'. It appears that the club have learnt for Hughton, in as far as timing of a change. I suspect that if the club had delayed the decision to replace Adams for another month or appointed Phelan to the end of the season before making a decision, we would still be in the championship now. Although I think Neil would have still got us up to the premiership only not this year. I think if you look at what McNally and Neil have achieved with Norwich so far, its clear that over the long term (which is what this question was really about) McNally's contribution is far greater than Lamberts / Neils added together, although I agree that we have got our monies worth out of both Lambert and Neil. McNally is now just where he said we'd be in his 7 year plan, 7 years ago. It will be interesting to see what the plan for the next 7 years will be.
Can't argue with any of that, but I (and I'm sure nearly everyone on here) would agree that we would never have got anywhere near the play-offs had AN not been in charge. Some may argue that had we recruited TP when he was available , we may not have been relegated last seasonj, but had he been manager, I for one would not have renewed my season ticket. I pay my money to be entertained!!!!
Granted I don't have a season ticket but do normally rack up £200 plus a season on tickets. I pay the money to see them win, give me the emotion of snatching a win from a dire game everytime over the entertainment of a great 3-3 every time. That said, that mentally is as reliant on AN. I still think McNally but I'm very glad we have both.
