The chap talks the talk, walks the walk, does his homework and gets the results. His game plan worked perfectly today - could we ask for any more?
Last time we got promoted our tactics often seemed never say die, gung-ho, "dust yourself down" from the games that didn't go our way. Alex Neil had a much better squad, but doesn't he use them well. Has the club ever been in a better position? Great players (no big stars), great management (lots to prove), great board, great bank balance. Wonderful end to an enthralling season.
He is an excellent manager, and he is likely to get even better with experience in the top league. We just have to wait and see what his transfer capability is like. So far Andreu and Dorrans in, but that was for the championship.
He certainly got his tactics spot on yesterday and I think we could see him really develop - DM needs to get him on a lengthy contract ASAP when he gets back from his family holiday. Not bad for someone who said to Frankie (his assistant at Hamilton) to just come down to Norwich and see what it was like at Norwich. I guess he'll be house hunting in Norfolk during the summer!!!!
The best thing about it is having achieved promotion with us, there's virtually zero chance of him moving anywhere else any time soon. That would have been my biggest fear, had it all gone down the tubes yesterday. I'm getting goosebumps already - just by thinking about the new fixture list, out on June 17th
I know Sir Alex is the one taking all the plaudits, but spare a thought for his back up coaching team. Gary Holt and Frankie McAvoy have done their part superbly - but special mention to the motivational coach, Colu_Mike. Without his warnings of crashing and burning in hell, doom and gloom and fighting off conference level football, we wouldn't be where we are today! Top work, Mikeyboy
Just a thought, but I hope AN isn't head-hunted. There are some bigger clubs looking pretty aimless at the moment!
It's worrying. I just hope Neil has the sense to look at what happened to Lambert, who dropped his knickers for the first punter who came calling, and figures he is best served by staying with us for a couple of years to build up his experience and reputation.
Had we lost yesterday, that may have been a serious issue. But I really can't see him leaving after half a season - in which he's achieved his primary objective. Surely better to cut his teeth in the top flight with a squad moulded to perform the way he wants it too, rather than inheriting a squad that somebody else has assembled?
I'd like to think he is realistic enough to realise that he is still learning to walk in management and needs to master that before running at a bigger club. See What goes up slowly goes down slowly and all that.
I know there are some big names adrift in the Premier League, but are there really any clubs who would really consider Alex Neil at this stage? He is so new to management, it's only because of what he's achieved in such a short space of time that he's been talked about in these ways. There are few greater baptisms of fire than managing in the premier league after only his second season in the role. Lots will depend on how he performs and how Norwich perform from August. I think he will also be wise to the loyalty issue. He was embraced at Hamilton as one of their own - he has the chance to be given the same sense of belonging at Norwich, a secure club with a great Chief Exec and supportive board. For now at least there are also united fans. One of my dreams was to find a brilliant manager who could keep re-inventing, adjusting and adapting for seasons and seasons, whether that include relegation promotion, competing for cups etc. Just maybe, Alex Neil is that man.
Just to put my earlier comment into perspective, I don't think he will go and he certainly shouldn't but if say Newcastle came along it would be a very tempting offer because of the size of the club and no doubt the package offered. Everything else would be a poisoned chalice and he would be forfeiting a secue tenure here where he is looked upon affectionately. What you say abot PL Cromer (and JR) is spot on of course and it would be a short term decision to regrte at leisure another year down the line. AN should be looking to build a reputation at CR for the next two seasons before he looks any further.
