I've just been reading the article about McAvoy in today's Pink'un: “However, I asked Alex what the plan would be as he has two young kids and stays in Coatbridge and we decided just to go down ourselves and see how things progress. If they go well then we’ll look at bringing the families down in the summer. I don’t think I’ve been away from my family for more than a few days so that along with how long I’d been at Accies was a big wrench. However, in footballing terms I’m going to another world so I’m really looking forward to it, it’s something I have to try and fingers crossed it works out, but time will tell.” They're leaving their families in Scotland to "see how things progress". Does that sound like a management team brimming with confidence? Neither does "in footballing terms I’m going to another world so I’m really looking forward to it, it’s something I have to try and fingers crossed it works out, but time will tell.” Just how big a gamble is this? (For them and for us)
I don't know if it's a reflection on his confidence in his own ability, or a realistic assessment of the managerial market. If he doesn't use us as a platform for greater things, he's unlikely to have a good enough reputation to get another job in England. Until he's got the feeling that he can succeed here, what's the point uprooting a young family, only to have to move back in a years time?
Don´t most managers/assistant managers leave their families in a settled environment, when taking on a new job, at least for a few months anyway, until they themselves have found time to settle in. Especially if they have young children as well, uprooting them in the middle of a school year, surely can´t be beneficial to anyone.
I can certainly see the reasons for leaving their families in Scotland, but that was not my point. It is very honest and realistic to be sure, but why say "in footballing terms I’m going to another world so I’m really looking forward to it, it’s something I have to try and fingers crossed it works out, but time will tell"? Does that fill you with confidence? Do you think the players will buy into a "fingers crossed" approach to the job. I'm sorry, but that seems very strange to me given the current mood after the embarrassing shambles against Brentford.
I think you are reading to much into it. If he had of said "Its a big challenge and a step up" or "we are looking at a bigger task then back at hamilton, but hopefully all will go well" you may feel different. I think he is just being honest, and yes we all hope it goes well. I would rather have someone come in who was aware of the high expectations and the size of the task and be open to it being that way then someone being cocky and making all the right sounds but not meaning it.
You can read the statements in many ways and they will reflect our own biases- I'm going to another world in football terms, - could be **** me what a ****ing opportunity, and because of that I'm not going to **** it up. Fingers crossed-- doesn't want to come across as an arrogant twat- Who knows what will happen, I just prefer to try and take the positive at the moment,
I think both Neil and McAvoy have so far been very honest in their assessment of the task, and as Pablo said, I´d much rather have that, than arrogant, ´of course we can make this work´ - kind of noises. To be honest we have had a few of those in the past, which have spectacularly fallen flat - Roeder, Megson, Gunn and even Adams himself - to name but some.
I agree with the majority, perfectly understandable from McAvoy, I think AN has barely put a foot wrong with the press and has really impressed, but there is no getting away from the fact that football mangement is very precarious, (He is afterall, the 3rd City manager in a year!) It is a step up for them, it is risky for them and if I were in their position I would probably do the same. On top of that, if you are moving to a new place much better to sus out the places you would like to live first before committing anywhere. Especially with kids etc, schools and other logistics must be high on their list of considerations. Bah!
Brentford at home was a massive test of our new mananger and huge expensive squad & they flunked D- . If we don't win against Brum we will probably be quite a way off the top 6 . Some may say those home thrashings we dished out were just papering over cracks but I saw it as putting the confidence back into Carrow rd, after nearly blowing a 3 goal lead against Cardiff and getting outclassed by Brentford that confidence has gone again. We can't defend for **** so let's hope we can bang in a few goals .
Jesus ****ing H Christ I wish some fans would stop using every bloody word from AN's mouth as a way of bashing him! Like it or not he's our manager let's just get behind him and the team and you can say I told you so at the end of the season and bitch to your hearts content.
I never knew his full name! I do agree with the more grounded posters that we are reading way too much into this. I know if it was me, and I had a young family, there is no way I'd move them until I'd tested the water. That doesn't mean he's not confident, just that he's sensible. I still have a good feeling about this appointment.
Maybe Alex can't afford to buy a 5 bedroom house in Norwich he mentioned having 4 kids?. I don't know how much he was getting paid at Hamilton but probably less than half of Bassong's salary.
This is ridiculous. What McAvoy said or didn't say in that short newspaper interview has no reflection on his, or Alex Neil's, managerial ability. Neil has had three games, McAvoy hasn't even stepped through the door yet, can we just give them a chance? I was all for Hughton's dismissal and was perfectly happy with Adams walking but this is quite absurd.
If we go up he will surely commit to moving down South but a football manager's career is usually pretty short & if we finish say 10th or below I doubt he will keep his job that's the reality of it.
I would be amazed if any football manager would move his family for any job. Working away from home means he is 100% focused on the task when here and 100% on his family when he is home thats how I do it I work away every week and it does not mean i'm not committed to the job and dont see any problem with it at all
As I said above, leaving their families is perfectly reasonable. It's the "in footballing terms I’m going to another world" and "fingers crossed it works out" which seem a bit strange to me. There are lots of other ways of saying that he's 'looking forward to the challenge' or simply excited by what's involved here, but I'm sorry "fingers crossed it works out" doesn't convey much confidence to me. I'm not against Neil or McAvoy and I hope it does work out and that we kick on from here, but that still seems a strange thing to say and I wonder what the players will think about it.
