Like Farked 19, you seem to have given up on this season, Gozo. It's a real challenge to be sure, but Webber seems to have reasoned that 'business as usual' wasn't going to keep us up. Whoever we choose will be a gamble, but it could be that Lampard can have the immediate impact to raise player esteem and get us performing. That's what Smith and Knutsen have to a lesser extent. We have two home games coming up against less threatening teams and a chance for vital points that could get us back on track. If Lampard can provide that lift, it could make all the difference. That's my hope anyway.
Like I said before, I wouldn't be against Lampard. He will give the players a boost I reckon, and we know he works well with the young players. Might even attract some top players, I will certainly give him a chance, before writing him off, anyway.
My feelings too. I am just inherently and maybe unjustifiably suspicious of the circle jerk amongst football “pundits” who all climb over each other to praise Lampard. There’s no question about his extreme talent as a player, I just think he’s unproven as a manager for the moment. I don’t feel comfortable with the idea of a famous ex-player being ushered into management on a red carpet as if it’s his god-given right, and that we are just a pawn on his way to more greatness. It’s why the “FLDC” perfectly illustrated it. No manager should be bigger than the club - not even Sir Alec Ferguson tried that. And I know people would tell me that Dean Smith is unproven in the Premier League etc, but he just feels to me like has a bit more grit, there is less of an entitled attitude, he still gets teams playing good football and he’s had to work hard and punch above his weight - in other words what our players need to do. I will support the manager though, whoever is chosen. And the good thing is it feels like we are spoilt for choice compared to say when we sacked Hughton or even before Lambert’s appointment.
If it does end up Lampard I am neither one way or the other. I can see advantages such as he was working under a transfer ban for Chelsea and got them top 4 and as a result had to play and blood youth. He also has the name which is likely to be able to attract players to play for 'little old Norwich'. If he can instil a belief to cut out the little errors in our games he stands a chance. On the other hand he hasn't managed for long or have great experience (much like Farke when we got him). Do we have the draw power or the finances for an experienced manager and if so who would we get? Unlike Farke a Lampard would always use us as a stepping stone back up the league, but would probably need 3 seasons minimum (5 if we go down this season) for someone to poach him if he does well. Safe option - Yes Bad Option - Not so sure Whoever we get I'm going to get behind them and hope they can drag us up by our bootstraps.
Unless people want Woy, Big Sam or Steve Bruce, anyone we bring in would have very little or no experience in the Premier League. I also don't see Lampard as a safe option, it's a bit of a risk giving someone with so little managerial experience a try. But he knows the league, so that's another good thing.
If Lampard is using NCFC as a stepping stone then he still needs to perform and do a good job. It's a win-win as far as I see it. If we go down without a fight it's not going to be a good reflection on him. Whichever coach / manager we choose is a risk, but I don't believe speculating about Lampard's motivations are relevant. It's only in his interests to save Norwich this season and keep us improving.
To be honest, if we go down, I don't think it would damage Lampard's reputation. People expect us to get relegated, so they would just say we were going down, no matter what. But if we stay up, then he would get all the praise. It's kinda the ideal situation for him, as he can't lose.
OK, as always, yesterday I over-reacted. Sorry, it's my way, and it's happened before (e.g. Emi going to Villa). I get a night's sleep, and I calm down. Sadly, age does not bring wisdom, at least in my case. I haven't given up on this season, Rick, but it has been a total mess so far, and not just on the pitch. I can see two benefits to hiring Lampard. First, the media will start to treat us with more respect and no one will be saying that we have no right to be in the Prem. To them, getting Lampard will prove that we are a 'serious' club. Does this matter? I'd say yes, because it will feed through to our opponents in matches against them. Second, more importantly, Lampard could be the best option in terms of having any chance of survival this season. As many on here have argued, he will not have to win over the changing room in the way that, for example, Knutsen would, so in theory we might immediately have a united squad again eager to face the challenge ahead, with a sense that everything starts afresh. What happens after that? Let's cross that bridge when we get to it, as they say. I still feel, though, that a celebrity appointment like this isn't the kind of thing I personally want our club to be doing. Because let's be honest: if Lampard gets the job, it's not because of what he has done so far as a manager - without his playing career and therefore his name, I doubt he'd even be on the candidate list. As for why Webber would choose him, I'd better shut up. Robbie is right and it's pure speculation on my part.
Was about to say the same, then scrolled down and saw yours If we go down, well, he inherited a side doomed to relegation and gave it his best shot. If we survive, he'll walk on the proverbial water - win, win as your say.
I think we have become a bit spoilt and entitled along the way turning our noses up at Lampard because he's not unheard of or his name isn't exotic enough. Unless it's a guy tearing up some obscure league in Slovakia or Serbia up we're not interested . It would be mental to hire the bloke that just bought our best ever player for £30m plus and made him look **** playing him in the wrong position.
See I’m not so sure that’s fair. My brother in law is a big Villa fan - Buendia was actually just starting to come good. Part of the problem was he was played out wide at times, but then didn’t have a Pukki striker running the same lines, so he’d put in a lovely pass or low cross and there’s no Pukki running onto it. Villa’s struggles aren’t due to Buendia being out of position, it’s a combination of badly timed injuries and key players lacking form/fitness. We’ve been there before and it’s not 100% the fault of the coach. They’re also an imbalanced club in the way they are run. And don’t get me wrong I agree Dean Smith’s a risk, I just think of the candidates touted he’s the lowest risk as it goes and his mindset and status is much more in line with our club and players. We need grit, a point to prove and a siege mentality. Maybe Lampard or Knutsen or Blagalotovic* could create that too, maybe, I just think of risky bets they are higher. *Winner of the Transylvanian national league scoring 127 points and 134 goals
Lampard was an incredible player regardless of living in his father's shadow or being related to Harry Rednapp. He did OK at Derby 6th place finish and deemed good enough for Chelsea . Yes we should feel honoured if he would choose to work with us . It's more likely he will be judged next season but if he keeps us up I would happily rename the club Frank Lampard's Norwich.
If it was in the summer before pre-season, Smith would be my choice because he would have time to work with players to achieve long-term development. What we need now is someone who can create an immediate impact and I think Lampard has a chance of doing that. He will have a presence that the players will respond to and a tactical approach which will suit the players which could increase the new manager bounce effect. We need results in the next 3 games to have any chance of survival and that has to be SW's priority after pulling the plug on Farke. Having said all that though, I'm still not sure it will be Lampard as everything being said still goes back to the original TalkSport claim that it's 'expected' to be Lampard. SkySports has since claimed that Smith 'impressed' in his interview and could be the choice instead. For me, it depends on who SW sees as the best shot to carry on our 5 point improvement over the last 5 games. Something like that or even more would make a huge difference to our chances of survival.
Not surprised. Has Knutsen even been interviewed yet? Could there be another 'dark horse'? Nothing with SW happens quickly, but usually that improves the quality of the decision-making. Doesn't make it any easier for us though.
