Richard Latham, a perceptive and reliable journalist, writing in today's Bristol Sunday Independent quotes Martin Allen in his post-match interview yesterday: 'There is something special about the Memorial Stadium. I rang the Rovers chairman last year and pleaded with him to let me become manager because I like the club and the fans. Unfortunately I didn't get a reply' Oh dear!
This was after Buckle got sacked. Higgs went with MM. Hindsight is a wonderful thing looking how things turned out. However not knowing then how things would turn out, I would have picked McGhee over Allen. But I think it was very rude that Allen didnt even get a reply. Nice to hear good comments about us though from other clubs.
If its true and a reply was not forth coming then that sums up the way this club appears to be run for me, there is one thing which would not happen under MA's leadership, you would not have players creating unrest I am sure of that.
Don't forget, after Buckle was releaved of his duties, a certain Mr Higgs spent some considerable time (a lot of it in Italy) ) before the late response and CV posted by MM. I quote "...We have had many queries for the managers post, some from well respected persons in the game; but even though we had reached the closing date, Mark Mcghee was by way and far the most impressive. .." Ok the quote is not verbatim but it pervades the sentiment.
I'm sorry if I don't go along with the general sentiments over this issue guys, but I am inclined to disagree with the general comment. Martin Allen states that he spoke to Mr Higgs on the telephone. Now assuming Mr Higgs didn't rudely put the telephone down and make no comment to Mr Allen, then we can be pretty sure Mr Allen did receive a response from Mr Higgs. It was probably along the lines that 'We have had a lot of responses to our vacant manager's position and we will let you know if you are in the frame.' So its very probable that Mr Allen had a verbal response from Mr Higgs, but not the written confirmation of acceptance that he was expecting or hoping for!!
