New Head Coach

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Not having a go. Just think its interesting how he is perceived by supporters
It just seems to have become accepted currency that Speakman is the anti Christ.
"He decides everything. no flexibility. Players and managers don't like him. Its his way or no way"
The same opinions are repeated over and over. then people start quoting them as fact.
Personally find it hard to relate to the chap too much business speak for me seems a little aloof and insincere.
The Beale appointment didn't help, absolute disaster. But was that all Speakman.
I've never met him and I've no idea about the decision making structure behind the scenes.
Would be very worried if decision making was as autocratic as some make out.
Pretty much my thought process
 
Say for arguments sake that this is an interview for the new head coach and I'm not doubting you in any way Smug (just playing devil's advocate) it would make sense to get someone in to check the facilities, players (both at the club and the ones we might want to sign) and get his opinion on it all. The successful candidate could then start to draw up plans for next season with KS so that we can hit the ground running in the close season and hopefully have some input into the rest of this season but with Dodds taking the lead

That's the perfect scenario for me mate. Planning for next season should already be underway and that should include lining up and consulting with the new head coach, so he can hit the ground running in the summer.

Red and White Tractor called it right imo, when he stated that things are more likely to change after something has gone wrong, rather than when everything is rosy in the garden. I fully expect the rights to be wronged in readiness for a successful new season.

I agree with many on here that investing in sports science should be on the agenda, as our injury list is a concern. Things have never been right in this department since Allardyce left and this needs sorting. I don't agree with those who insist that British players can cope with the rigours of the championship better than foreigners. Our 4 biggest injury victims are Cirkin, Evans, Alese and Huggins. I do agree with those that believe youngsters playing too many games can lead to injuries though.

It's been a vicious circle in many respects. I would have liked to have rotated the squad better this season and kept the squad fresher. The problem has been that we have had so many long term injuries that the squad can't cope and those youngsters bought in the summer, with a view to introducing them gradually have had to have been thrown in before they are ready. If we'd had a fully fit squad, this wouldn't have been such a problem. Sports science is a must as far as I'm concerned.
 
Not having a go. Just think its interesting how he is perceived by supporters
It just seems to have become accepted currency that Speakman is the anti Christ.
"He decides everything. no flexibility. Players and managers don't like him. Its his way or no way"
The same opinions are repeated over and over. then people start quoting them as fact.
Personally find it hard to relate to the chap too much business speak for me seems a little aloof and insincere.
The Beale appointment didn't help, absolute disaster. But was that all Speakman.
I've never met him and I've no idea about the decision making structure behind the scenes.
Would be very worried if decision making was as autocratic as some make out.
He is annoying because of his politician style spin doctor talk some of which he hasn’t lived up to, including the nonsense about positional fluidity to excuse gaps in quality. I can understand why that irritates most. That said he has to manage the complexities of many things within a tight budget and let’s be honest the football world is full of greedy selfish corrupt people so someone steadfast will piss them off, so that part I admire. This season has been a succession of errors but we’re still fingers crossed going to end stronger than where he started. I wouldn’t be too upset at a fresh set of eyes but we don’t need to rip it up.
 
Not having a go. Just think its interesting how he is perceived by supporters
It just seems to have become accepted currency that Speakman is the anti Christ.
"He decides everything. no flexibility. Players and managers don't like him. Its his way or no way"
The same opinions are repeated over and over. then people start quoting them as fact.
Personally find it hard to relate to the chap too much business speak for me seems a little aloof and insincere.
The Beale appointment didn't help, absolute disaster. But was that all Speakman.
I've never met him and I've no idea about the decision making structure behind the scenes.
Would be very worried if decision making was as autocratic as some make out.

Someone has to be a spokesman for the club, you can't have a series of various staff making comments.

Because of that any problems rebound on him, fair enough that's his job and he can handle it.

But when people start twisting about his tone or manner it starts becoming a bit childish for me. I don't know him, don't want to know him and couldn't really care less about his personality. I'd imagine he gets a bit narked having various people whinge at him, especially if they're not actually part of the club, and he can be a bit short with them. I know I'd be if they only ever see the negatives.
 
Someone has to be a spokesman for the club, you can't have a series of various staff making comments.

Because of that any problems rebound on him, fair enough that's his job and he can handle it.

But when people start twisting about his tone or manner it starts becoming a bit childish for me. I don't know him, don't want to know him and couldn't really care less about his personality. I'd imagine he gets a bit narked having various people whinge at him, especially if they're not actually part of the club, and he can be a bit short with them. I know I'd be if they only ever see the negatives.
If anyone other than the head coach are speaking in public about first team affairs it is a sign not all is as it should be for me. One of the problems in my opinion is coaches and managers are figures a lot of modern fans think they can critique. I dont mind folk moaning about team selections and tactics but some seem to do it with such certainty you wonder why they arent in charge at a champions league side. The worst of it though is micro analysing the language. In recent times we have cycled through Johson's so called coach speak, to Mowbrays so called Uncle speak and onto Beale's corporate speak. Makes my eyes toes curl to be honest. They are blokes who talk and act in a certain way, much like everyone on here is. When we judge a manager on how they talk, rather than a teams performance, we might as well pack it all in. Of all those recent managers I cared least for Alex Neil and the way he carried himself personally, he seemed aloof, arrogant and dismissive, but whilst he was getting a tune out of the team it mattered not.
 
Just my opinion but speakman has put himself front and centre a bit too much, especially since TM left and I don't believe a sporting director should be so vocal.

Holding press conferences and discussing individual players form / fitness it's the head coaches remit, yet KS has held and discussed these topics since January.

That for me doesn't sit well
 
Just my opinion but speakman has put himself front and centre a bit too much, especially since TM left and I don't believe a sporting director should be so vocal.

Holding press conferences and discussing individual players form / fitness it's the head coaches remit, yet KS has held and discussed these topics since January.

That for me doesn't sit well
I thought he was backing Beale to be fair after Sunderland fans turned on him after -1 game
 
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Say for arguments sake that this is an interview for the new head coach and I'm not doubting you in any way Smug (just playing devil's advocate) it would make sense to get someone in to check the facilities, players (both at the club and the ones we might want to sign) and get his opinion on it all. The successful candidate could then start to draw up plans for next season with KS so that we can hit the ground running in the close season and hopefully have some input into the rest of this season but with Dodds taking the lead
Agree with you on this but this is Sunderland you are talking about. We aren't exactly known for doing things that make sense. :emoticon-0140-rofl:
 
I thought he was backing Beale to be fair after Sunderland fans turned on him after -1 game

I think that’s harsh on the fans as a whole mind. Sure some fans turned on Beale immediately (especially on social media) however most I talked too, although unhappy with the appointment and kind of foresaw the outcome, were still willing to give the bloke a chance. I was one of those fans.

Those fans turned when it became bleedingly obvious he was out of his depth and let’s face it tactically ****e.

On the subject of a new manager I’m just hoping they have learned from the appointment.
 
If Mowbray was told no why did we sign Dack and if AN was told no did we not sign Pritchard and Baath, seems to me people like to say these things as it suits their view. Maybe we could sign a few more experienced players but these coaches did get some of what they asked for but it is obviously not there fault ever when it doesnt work out as the club would not give them what they needed.

The Stoke forum, Oatcake, thought the players, experienced and otherwise, Neil was signing were dreadful and wouldn't get them up the table ...

... they were right ...

If Speakman refused Neil the same players I find it hard to see the problem tbh.
 
The Stoke forum, Oatcake, thought the players, experienced and otherwise, Neil was signing were dreadful and wouldn't get them up the table ...

... they were right ...

If Speakman refused Neil the same players I find it hard to see the problem tbh.
I tend to think Speakmans involvement has grown, the longer he has been here. Perhaps that is because he has brought in the structure he has been tasked with. But it is interesting to look at our signings in his time.

He landed and brought in LJ. Signings in that period included Stewart, Baath, Pritchard, Winchester, Roberts, Doyle. My sense is LJ was front and centre on those signings, not Speakman. He would not have been operating in those circles. As time wore on I think he deserves credit for Clarke, the two German lads, Cirkin, Hume, Ballard. Then there are too many who the jury is out on - Adil, Ba, Alese, Anderson, Benette, Hemir, Rusyn, Mayenda, Bass, Ekwah, Matete.

Early days we had a decent balance of experience and youth. Recently the balance has shifted for me. Subtely so easy to shift back, and I think they need to.
 
As I say mate, it's just my opinion that a sporting director should be seen and not heard.
I generally agree they shouldnt be central figures and he tends only to speak start window end of window end of season which I think is fine like, I think he’s spoken more to explain a manager leaving, caretaker decision, new manager, backing Beale, Beale going, caretaker. Because of the mess and that being around a window he’s popped up much more often.
 
I tend to think Speakmans involvement has grown, the longer he has been here. Perhaps that is because he has brought in the structure he has been tasked with. But it is interesting to look at our signings in his time.

He landed and brought in LJ. Signings in that period included Stewart, Baath, Pritchard, Winchester, Roberts, Doyle. My sense is LJ was front and centre on those signings, not Speakman. He would not have been operating in those circles. As time wore on I think he deserves credit for Clarke, the two German lads, Cirkin, Hume, Ballard. Then there are too many who the jury is out on - Adil, Ba, Alese, Anderson, Benette, Hemir, Rusyn, Mayenda, Bass, Ekwah, Matete.

Early days we had a decent balance of experience and youth. Recently the balance has shifted for me. Subtely so easy to shift back, and I think they need to.
When Harvey came in I wondered whether a few of them were from Blackburns list
 
@_GraemeAtkinson
According to Uruguayan media Juan Sartori reportedly “warned” Louis-Dreyfus when he first arrived at the club, “They [[HASHTAG]#SAFC[/HASHTAG] supporters] want Haaland, Mbappé and Bellingham, so have the check ready.” Just a proven striker would’ve been nice tbh.

@_GraemeAtkinson
Same reports state, on KLD, “The Swiss-French welcomed the possibility and prioritized the “enormous potential” for growth in the project. But he did not take into account that, unlike a company, management is also influenced by the demands of the fans.” [HASHTAG]#SAFC[/HASHTAG]

@_GraemeAtkinson
Interestingly, for those who overlook Sartori’s - at best questionable - track record because he is a ‘silent partner’ just writing cheques and not getting involved in day to day operations there’s also this “…Sartori… influenced the dismissal of coach Lee Johnson.”

@_GraemeAtkinson
This follows more recent reports suggesting Beale was informed of his dismissal by Sartori too. [HASHTAG]#SAFC[/HASHTAG]
 
@_GraemeAtkinson
According to Uruguayan media Juan Sartori reportedly “warned” Louis-Dreyfus when he first arrived at the club, “They [[HASHTAG]#SAFC[/HASHTAG] supporters] want Haaland, Mbappé and Bellingham, so have the check ready.” Just a proven striker would’ve been nice tbh.

@_GraemeAtkinson
Same reports state, on KLD, “The Swiss-French welcomed the possibility and prioritized the “enormous potential” for growth in the project. But he did not take into account that, unlike a company, management is also influenced by the demands of the fans.” [HASHTAG]#SAFC[/HASHTAG]

@_GraemeAtkinson
Interestingly, for those who overlook Sartori’s - at best questionable - track record because he is a ‘silent partner’ just writing cheques and not getting involved in day to day operations there’s also this “…Sartori… influenced the dismissal of coach Lee Johnson.”

@_GraemeAtkinson
This follows more recent reports suggesting Beale was informed of his dismissal by Sartori too. [HASHTAG]#SAFC[/HASHTAG]
I'm going to assume it's been lost in translation or taken out of context, but I have met very very few SAFC supporters who expect players like that.

If anything we have been very supportive and bought into their ideas and whilst there have been some dissent it's been for a functioning striker and a cdm
 
I'm going to assume it's been lost in translation or taken out of context, but I have met very very few SAFC supporters who expect players like that.

If anything we have been very supportive and bought into their ideas and whilst there have been some dissent it's been for a functioning striker and a cdm
I took it as a tongue in cheek remark.
 
I'm going to assume it's been lost in translation or taken out of context, but I have met very very few SAFC supporters who expect players like that.

If anything we have been very supportive and bought into their ideas and whilst there have been some dissent it's been for a functioning striker and a cdm

Was this not said on the STID in series 3 by Juan but said completely in jest?

It rings a bell?
 
@_GraemeAtkinson
Interestingly, for those who overlook Sartori’s - at best questionable - track record because he is a ‘silent partner’ just writing cheques and not getting involved in day to day operations there’s also this “…Sartori… influenced the dismissal of coach Lee Johnson.”

@_GraemeAtkinson
This follows more recent reports suggesting Beale was informed of his dismissal by Sartori too. [HASHTAG]#SAFC[/HASHTAG]
Juan Sartori the "axe man" :emoticon-0102-bigsm
Most corporations have someone to deliver the bad news...
- when that director is appointed head of your department - it's time to look for a new job.
 
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