Before I start I'd like to say that Robins is not my out and out favourite for the job but ever since he has been linked to it, just about everyone I have spoken to and or read has poured scorn upon his credentials. I think he deserves more respect and I would be happy if he got the job. I feel he has the Holloway/Rodgers factor in that nobody took any notice when they were appointed but could deliver a spectacular season. I went to Cardiff/Barnsley in March and saw a well organised Barnsley team frustrate us and look the better team in a 2-2 draw. I was impressed by them and the way Robins set up the team. Barnsley have consistently ground out impressive results since Robins was appointed where he has taken them from relegation certs to comfortable survivors on a limited budget. Before this, Robins became known for taking Rotherham from -17 points to the cusp of the play-offs in 08/09 and leading them to the automatic promotion spots before leaving for Barnsley 09/10...Rotherham went on to fail to win promotion in 09/10 and 10/11 without him. He managed to attract Adam Le Fondre from Rochdale while he was there, a real coup to sign a top striker in L2 (at the time) to another club in L2. Clearly the guy has a vision which is attractive to players. He also did his coaching badges in Cardiff so has an link with the area. I believe Mark Robins would make a great Cardiff City Manager and deserves more respect from the fans Bluebirds!
Very good post there mjw. I thought Robins reorganised that Barnsley side from no-hopers into a credible Championship team, if not a particularly attractive one (that's an understatement). At one time, they looked to be heading for the playoffs with a string of excellent results that saw them rise up the table from nowhere. The apparent lack of willingness from his directors to reinforce his progress through sanctioning acquisitions frustrated the guy to the point that he walked away. Could be a real dark horse this one and should not be rubbished out of hand.
I said elsewhere that while he was not my choice I had nothing against him. He had always done his homework on us and set his sides well to play us, e.g. beating us 2 - 0 (I think) at CCS in 2009/10 and taking a creditable 2 - 2 in the season just gone. They have always been close games with him in charge. If he gets the job, good on him and we must support from the outset and not start to get on his back if all does not go well straightaway, after all Buck didn't have a great start at Swansea.
No probs mjw . Barnsley always seemed to be a handful for us. When Robins took over, he seemed to install some real steel into the side that was probably always there but never utilised before hand. They were never a pretty side TBH (understatement again), but they always gave us s a tough game physically. It was a measure of Robins that he took what he had, looked at it, identified the way forward with what was at his disposal and then got results. He strikes me that, given the chance and appropriate backing (both in trust as well as money), he could be a young man with a big future.
Okay, thanks again for the comments! I would hope at least the Board would give him an interview as I've heard he hasn't had one. If they then decide he isn't the main then fair enough, but I think if he wants the job (according to Wales Online, he'd love it!) then he is a credible enough candidate to warrant an interview
I remember that 2-0 game, not a good day (from our point of view!). Didn't Bogdanovic score twice in the first 20 mins or so?
I think he'd merit an interview and would be happy to see this type of young manager at the club. He should also have good contacts within the game - former MU player and very well regarded within game. The fact he always improves what he has as a manager suggests he would operate well even in worst case scenarios regarding aour future squad. More excited by him than by Hughton who has a mixed record when he's taken over (albeit as caretaker at times).
A lot of the Barnsley fans rated him highly, and think he got a rough deal, he wouldn't have been my first choice, but the guy doesn't deserve to be dismissed out of hand. At Barnsley he didn't have a lot to work with (no disrespect) but he had them well organised and playing to their strengths, he made Barnsley hard to beat, which is always a good start
