18 days since end of season....

[billythekid]

If our club had particular targets in mind after the dismissal of JT and the temporary appointment of JW, those people during the season may have been in employment so not available.

Hence the rumoured negotiations with Parker and Fulham.

 

[RobTrent]

I’m not in a lather Rob, nor am I attempting to be more outraged than anyone else, albeit I am outraged! 18 days may not be long but this incompetent board have had months to plan for basically two eventualities.

It is possible that targets have been identified/pursued, but unsuccessfully, although this would contradict the statement made by the Chairman. In any event any approach would have likely been leaked to the media too - very little is kept quiet in the world of football.

However, if they have been so unsuccessful then this, once again, demonstrates how incompetent these people are because smart people would only go after a target once they have undertaken the necessary due diligence and have determined that there is a strong likelihood of any approach being successful. And we know how successful the clubs due diligence process is by simply looking at a number of the poor signings that have been made over the past few years (the majority of the media picked this up when Hughes was being touted for Celtic).

I standby what I said earlier which is not just based upon this debacle but many others over the past few years, including the lack of any legacy whatsoever as a consequence of our stint in the PL - this in itself is indefensible.

I give you Eddie Howe and Celtic as an example of an approach looking very likely to be successful, and then not working out.

I just think that bandying words about like "incompetent" and "indefensible" isn't really helpful, but if thats how you feel then ok. You single out poor signings but make no direct reference to any decent ones. Overall Id say the balance was in favour of good signings.

Going round in circles about the stadium legacy will bore everyone to tears, but I've said that I feel they might have done something. But I think that not adding 4,000 extra seats is far from indefensible.

You talked about other "debacles" made, presumably, since Max took over and along with the board, had a few more good years than bad. But what are they?

 

[AFCBade]

I’m not in a lather Rob, nor am I attempting to be more outraged than anyone else, albeit I am outraged! 18 days may not be long but this incompetent board have had months to plan for basically two eventualities.

It is possible that targets have been identified/pursued, but unsuccessfully, although this would contradict the statement made by the Chairman. In any event any approach would have likely been leaked to the media too - very little is kept quiet in the world of football.

However, if they have been so unsuccessful then this, once again, demonstrates how incompetent these people are because smart people would only go after a target once they have undertaken the necessary due diligence and have determined that there is a strong likelihood of any approach being successful. And we know how successful the clubs due diligence process is by simply looking at a number of the poor signings that have been made over the past few years (the majority of the media picked this up when Hughes was being touted for Celtic).

I standby what I said earlier which is not just based upon this debacle but many others over the past few years, including the lack of any legacy whatsoever as a consequence of our stint in the PL - this in itself is indefensible.

Perhaps they thought JW was the man but the way the team folded mean they have doubts? If that is the case wise to proceed or take time.

If our board is bad then what about palace who knew a long time hodgson was likely to go at end of season (since out of contract) so they have also taken 18 days since the last ball was kicked and still not decided. How long did Sheffield Utd take since sacking wilder on 13th March etc.

 

[Ken Baileys Ghost]

I do love the way you all work yourselves into a frenzied lather. Each responding with anguish to the previous post and trying to be even more outraged

Rob, it's Tindallgate all over again.

But this time the club have had two scenarios, promotion or no promotion since Woodgate was given the job.

This is coupled with a manager on a short term contract.

So effectively they have had the opportunity to look at his replaement from day one of his starting.

As Fritter says "18 days" (It's actually one hell of a lot longer) and the club seem to be saying that they've sort of putting in place a method of maybe finding a person who may or may not be asked if they would like the job.



And yes, Palace are as tinpot as we are.

 

[afcb_rednblack]

I give you Eddie Howe and Celtic as an example of an approach looking very likely to be successful, and then not working out.

I just think that bandying words about like "incompetent" and "indefensible" isn't really helpful, but if thats how you feel then ok. You single out poor signings but make no direct reference to any decent ones. Overall Id say the balance was in favour of good signings.

Going round in circles about the stadium legacy will bore everyone to tears, but I've said that I feel they might have done something. But I think that not adding 4,000 extra seats is far from indefensible.

You talked about other "debacles" made, presumably, since Max took over and along with the board, had a few more good years than bad. But what are they?

The key debacle for me is that there is clearly no strategy, and nor has there been for a number of years. Max was prepared to put his money into the club (he, as any investor would do, then leaves it to the Board) but in reality no one had a strategy to get us to the PL.

Again, in reality, it was an untried an untested manager (not appointed by the current Board) who turned out to smart enough to galvanise a team and who got us there with Max’s money. Our fortunes over recent years have not been as a direct consequence of the current operational board.

I do acknowledge that there have been some good signings, no question about it. But over the past five or six years there have been some awful signings too, too many in proportion. You can fairly say that that happens at all clubs but it is noticeable how the football media have picked up on Bournemouth in particular and all because of the dealings of Richard Hughes.

Another debacle, for me, are the so-called fans meetings where the chief executive and director of football are either so arrogant, or otherwise out of their depth, that they are either unwilling or incapable of answering difficult or challenging questions, and in this respect they lack the courage to take responsibility and be accountable.

 

[afcb_rednblack]

Perhaps they thought JW was the man but the way the team folded mean they have doubts? If that is the case wise to proceed or take time.

If our board is bad then what about palace who knew a long time hodgson was likely to go at end of season (since out of contract) so they have also taken 18 days since the last ball was kicked and still not decided. How long did Sheffield Utd take since sacking wilder on 13th March etc.

As I understand it, it was by no means certain that Hodgson wouldn’t opt for one more year – that would’ve brought about an element of uncertainty. The timescale for Sheffield United is a different matter. They were down and therefore they did have time on their hands and they used it well appointing a good manager before the end of May in readiness to build for next season. By contrast, after “months“ we are still determining the recruitment process. You couldn’t make it up.

 

[AFCBade]

As I understand it, it was by no means certain that Hodgson wouldn’t opt for one more year – that would’ve brought about an element of uncertainty. The timescale for Sheffield United is a different matter. They were down and therefore they did have time on their hands and they used it well appointing a good manager before the end of May in readiness to build for next season. By contrast, after “months“ we are still determining the recruitment process. You couldn’t make it up.

Maybe. If mostyn says it’s resolved by end of this week and we do that then not sure we have lost much time. Expect we will need to work out who is staying and going first and that will be driven by player/agent rather than manager eg last season all set to sign a keeper until bego decided to stay

 

[Red_till_im_ded]

It's got frig all to do with Jeff 'Milli Vanilli ' Mostyn. He's just a mouthpiece for those above him. ST money is in. The club know what they've to play with financially. Fully expect the team to ' get behind JW for that all important push for the PL'

 

[MB1980]

I do love the way you all work yourselves into a frenzied lather. Each responding with anguish to the previous post and trying to be even more outraged.

Do you really think it likely that whatever position existed several months ago has remained completely unchanged since then? For example, Eddie was going to Celtic and now he isn't. Targets may have been approached, turned us down or will be negotiating. Who knows. Do you think they should have started negotiations while JW was in charge? I think that would have looked pretty awful.

Agree, I'm no big fan of the board by any means and can see why some are getting edgy, but that said I'm not concerned or necessarily see it as a negative situation at his stage with the ongoing process.

I have no doubt we do have a plan, but maybe the fact its taking so long isn't a bad sign, but could be that the candidates we really want aren't readily available, so we're negotiating hard to try and make it happen, rather than just rush in to appoint someone further down our list.

I'd much rather it takes us another month before appointing the right person, as apposed to making concessions just to get some installed asap, which would be more damaging than losing a few weeks in the transfer market.

 

[RobTrent]

The key debacle for me is that there is clearly no strategy, and nor has there been for a number of years. Max was prepared to put his money into the club (he, as any investor would do, then leaves it to the Board) but in reality no one had a strategy to get us to the PL.

Again, in reality, it was an untried an untested manager (not appointed by the current Board) who turned out to smart enough to galvanise a team and who got us there with Max’s money. Our fortunes over recent years have not been as a direct consequence of the current operational board.

I do acknowledge that there have been some good signings, no question about it. But over the past five or six years there have been some awful signings too, too many in proportion. You can fairly say that that happens at all clubs but it is noticeable how the football media have picked up on Bournemouth in particular and all because of the dealings of Richard Hughes.

Another debacle, for me, are the so-called fans meetings where the chief executive and director of football are either so arrogant, or otherwise out of their depth, that they are either unwilling or incapable of answering difficult or challenging questions, and in this respect they lack the courage to take responsibility and be accountable.

Your first two paragraphs are merely supposition. I might suggest that every transfer, good or bad, was designed to get us promoted and into the Premier League. Not achieving your strategy doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have one.

the board have recently acknowledged the poor communication with the fans. Now it remains to be seen whether they deliver on the Fokker of improvement.

 

[fred1407]

Rob, it's Tindallgate all over again.

But this time the club have had two scenarios, promotion or no promotion since Woodgate was given the job.

This is coupled with a manager on a short term contract.

So effectively they have had the opportunity to look at his replaement from day one of his starting.

As Fritter says "18 days" (It's actually one hell of a lot longer) and the club seem to be saying that they've sort of putting in place a method of maybe finding a person who may or may not be asked if they would like the job.



And yes, Palace are as tinpot as we are.

Totally agree, all clubs are working during the season and closed season to get new players or managers in. Take Chelsea for example, they had obviously had their eye on Tuchel for a long time and when he came available they moved quickly and Frank was shown the door.
The same has happened at AFCB especially as Parker was being lined up prior to JT being released from his duties.
Like any business a football club cannot stand still and this is exactly what we are doing at present.

 

[MB1980]

we can;t read into it too much, compare with other clubs as the variables, situation could be totally different.

not to say the board aren't screwing things up, I just don't think there's a need to start condemning yet as no-one actually knows what is or isn;t going on in regards to our situation.

 

[thegazzyb]

we can;t read into it too much, compare with other clubs as the variables, situation could be totally different.

not to say the board aren't screwing things up, I just don't think there's a need to start condemning yet as no-one actually knows what is or isn;t going on in regards to our situation.

Agree. The longer it goes on the more likely it is that the board are actually giving this decision some serious thought. Although it could just be that half of them are still on holiday, they decided ages ago and that the announcement is only being held back until everyone returns .

I think the appointment is likely to be underwhelming. I thought Jeff seemed very low key in his recent interview. He didn't seem excited or as if he was withholding some amazing good news but did state that the recruitment process was close to its conclusion. If it was likely to be an exciting appointment, I'm sure Jeff wouldn't have been able to contain himself and would have hinted at something exciting. He is after all the club's go to "good news guy".
To me his demeanour indicated that the appointment of the new manager is likely to be fairly humdrum and unsurprising.

I seriously hope that there is an unexpected late development and that I am proven wrong though !

 

[fritter]

He’s coming home,
He’s coming home,
He’s coming,
Eddie’s coming home.

(No, I don’t have any information, just a fanciful notion)

 

[beds cherry]

He’s coming home,
He’s coming home,
He’s coming,
Eddie’s coming home.

(No, I don’t have any information, just a fanciful notion)

Don't think it will happen - but wouldn't be a 'shocker'.

 

[Notmarcjackson]

I do love the way you all work yourselves into a frenzied lather. Each responding with anguish to the previous post and trying to be even more outraged.

Do you really think it likely that whatever position existed several months ago has remained completely unchanged since then? For example, Eddie was going to Celtic and now he isn't. Targets may have been approached, turned us down or will be negotiating. Who knows. Do you think they should have started negotiations while JW was in charge? I think that would have looked pretty awful.

Yes it would have looked awful, but it's not as though it hasn't happened before.

 

[Lord Snooty]

You just know it’s going to be Jonathan Woodgate.

 

[Notmarcjackson]

I give you Eddie Howe and Celtic as an example of an approach looking very likely to be successful, and then not working out.

I just think that bandying words about like "incompetent" and "indefensible" isn't really helpful, but if thats how you feel then ok. You single out poor signings but make no direct reference to any decent ones. Overall Id say the balance was in favour of good signings.

Going round in circles about the stadium legacy will bore everyone to tears, but I've said that I feel they might have done something. But I think that not adding 4,000 extra seats is far from indefensible.

You talked about other "debacles" made, presumably, since Max took over and along with the board, had a few more good years than bad. But what are they?

I agree they are not helpful, I also think they are being used in the wrong context by many people.

I will say though that I remember a couple of occasions pre Mitchell when there were Debacles (Debacli?) involving one particular erstwhile board member ( I think you heard the stories too Rob but not certain). I'd argue that this M.O. is still carrying on.

You make a choice, you do what we and Fulham did, spend all your PL money on players and hope to stay up, or you do what WBA and Norwich do which is to accept that you'll be a yo-you club and plan accordingly.

I prefer the second option but IMHO it requires the board to be honest about what they are doing and to have the strength of mind to stick with managers when times get tough in the knowledge that they have achieved promotion once and will do it again.

I don't think our board has that level of competence but am available to be proved wrong.

 

[ErikthViking]

We need someone with a proven track record of succeeding at this level.

Keep in mind that JW has already failed having started from the fairly advantageous starting position of being in a play off spot and having a squad of players with Prem experience.

Right now, I can't think of an easier or better option than to ask EH to continue after his year off.

 

[LewSwimmin]

I do love the way you all work yourselves into a frenzied lather. Each responding with anguish to the previous post and trying to be even more outraged.

I'm not sure that I should be on here. I'm fairly laid back - in fact I'm out-raged by just about everyone one else on here about practically everything.