Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Blackburn Rovers FC – Monday 1st April 2024 - KO 15:00

I think I should probably explain this statement a bit more. It wasn't necessarily coaches or players that were guilty of this lack of in depth thought and unwillingness to change, as my original post about the Shankly quote refers to. It was the football authorities- the club chairman, the FA Committee- and the public who rejected innovation. That's why people like Hogan and Pentland had to go abroad. To some extent, we still seem to have that mindset.

 

This is a really important point. Our governing body, historically, have been laggards and to be frank an old boys club. Everyone knows the Clough story.

I have done lot of work with the FA over the last 10 years or so. County level mainly, but also national. I am lucky enough to havd St Georges on my doorstep. I would say they have changed dramatically in their approach to coaching youngsters. That change was needed mind, and we still have some way to go. I will watch with interest who replaces Southgate.

Folk on here will squirm, but the modern day coaching and systems we have in place are due in large part to Howard Wilkinson. He was a real visionary to national level. It was he who pushed so hard for our current academy system. He also was thr one to take the model from Clairefontaine and bring it over here. I cant be sure but I suspect at the time he had to work really hard to convince the old boys behind the scenes change was needed.

A daft aside. I once sat on a train with Howard, at the same table. He was brilliant to talk to. It was a few years after his time with us, and I didnt bring it up. But we talked coaching and football generally for about an hour. It was a real privilege and he clearly had forgotten more than I had ever learned. I often think it is a shame the way the English game remembers people like him. They were of an era, but they knew so much about the game, and were so passionate.

 

The ridiculousness of the FA is epitomised by the years when the England team was selected by committee and members of that committee would select players that they hadn't even seen play.

As you say, things have changed now and that is thanks to people like Howard Wilkinson. It is funny how some people, who have been very important to the game, are perceived by the public.

 

Fantastic post marra!

 

I would also include the ridiculous FA, when they awarded a contract they couldn't afford prior to the EURO 2004,months before the tournament,when they'd been pressured by SG agent into thinking he was about to jump ship to Chelsea. They lost me then.

 

That's a red that, ATM straight into Isidor

 

Game over?

 

2-2

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You can tell if Sunderland are losing by who’s firing in post after post

 

Wrong thread lads.