http://www.theguardian.com/football...ich-mick-mccarthy-championship-premier-league The main point here IMO is not so much players but the quality, experience and know how of the manager allied to his ability to turn such a group of players into a team that can compete at this level. So how about Brentford's manager? He had never managed at Championship level before but just look at what he has done at Brentford. The tactics deployed in masterminding the crushing of City pre xmas was innovative and brilliant. A marauding pack of quick and creative midfielders backed up with the experience of Douglas caused havoc at CCS, and worked again at Norwich last game. So 2 things for Mr Tan to think about: 1. You don't need to spend millions on players to compete in this division 2. You can employ an inexperienced manager but have to choose one who know what he's doing
So true. Look at our promotion team. Yes much more money was spent on that than McCarthy has done at Ipswich (who by the way are not yet promoted) but the key to it all was a managerial style and team effort that enabled players to perform at a consistently high level and in some cases above what would be expected. It was also helped by bringing in players who Malky knew, a number of whom had already experienced promotions to the Prem so knew what was needed - Connolly, Helguson and Smith. Whoever the manager is he has to know how to manage his squad and get the most out of them. Great example of Brentford who probably won't get promoted but they have had a great season so far and played good football. Even more so at Bournemouth. I saw something on another board where they were talking about Eddie Howe as a possible future England manager. and why not? Both teams have a mix of Championship and lower regulars (the odd one with Prem experience) who have gelled together and flourished. Like most on here I can't see Slade being able to do that.
No amount of money without good football management to go with it would guarantee promotion. It might enable a club to get a squad full of relatively expensive players, but it wouldn't translate onto the pitch without someone capable at the helm to organise them. It works the other way too. Malky got us up as Champions with a fairly decent budget from Tan and was rewarded with a lot more cash once we'd got there. Different ball game I know up there, but money counts for very little if it's mishandled at that level. Money and management are a bit of a double edged sword - you really need both to retain success once you've done it, but only good management will get you there despite the money thrown at it.
Personally in recent years i think Dai Jones did great for us on a very measly budget, plus we played good exciting football most of the time, cant help wondering if he had been given longer with Mr Tan's dosh whether he would have got us promoted and more importantly kept us up there. We will never know, however i would neither rule out Mr Jones making a return to the helm in the near future. Remember where you heard it first !!
Isawronny - the DJ argument will roll on forever. Lots of views over his time with us, and not many supportive, but I'd take his grumpy face on the pre/post match interviews over the smiling Slade who seems to be able to put a positive slant on every bloody disaster we're suffering right now. You wouldn't have thought funding would be too much of an issue at Wigan with Whelan's millions behind them, but he's kept a tight hold on the purse strings and they're struggling under Malky. He did the business for us - albeit in his second year - but only 5 points from a possible 30 in his 10 Championship games since he arrived there isn't pretty. Malky was quick to point out his difficult games against Watford and Norwich, but forgets to mention being beaten at home by Rotherham, Sheff Wednesday and Huddersfield. So far he's been a failure almost on the Slade scale except for being there for less games than he's been with us. Contrast that with Brum. On their arses financially with hardly a pot to piss in, yet Rowett has taken them charging up the table since his arrival. No money but a bloody good student of the game who's got the best from his ragbag squad - remember, we took Adeyemi from them who many Brum fans thought was one of their best. This has to be all about manager ability at this level - the money just helps to oil the machine.
you need money but more important is 1) A very good chairman and board that knows how to spend money within the clubs means. 2) A very good Manager who has vision and has a philosophy and sticks to it. 3) good scouts who can spot talent that will fit into the managers plans. 4) good coaching staff for all levels at the club all using the clubs planned philosophy on what the club want to achieve. 5) And finally great fans who backs the club 100% while the manager is putting his philosophy into motion and understands Rome was not built in a day and it will take time and patients will be rewarded in the end.
In fairness i think Dai may have hit the nail on the head in point 4, what coaching staff !! I dont think Shovel is cutting it as a number 2 and if Slade is to stay in the medium term he should be given the reins to choose his own staff. Margetson as a goalkeeper coach is all he has as far as i can see.
