Thetownend.com

It was going to happen, so I thought I'd start it  :D

Good on you Herthab...no peeking while ime putting my tick in!

Do another one with who dont you want.

I dont really want Holloway but will give whoever gets it a good go.

Wheres Allardyce or Curbishly?  Im expecting one of those or else Fitton OUT! :hiding:  ;)

i want a rookie

I went with Boothroyd because I didn't want to vote for the last option.

As arriba said, a rookie would be interesting.

Ryan Giggs.... ala Lou Macari... top player of International repute! ;)

I voted Holloway but wouldn't be upset if it were Boothroyd or Dowie.

keown,or an ageing top flight player

Windass fits that description!

SCUMMER :D

:D

I only voted for Ward just in case he is our next manager and I didn't want nobody to have voted for him.

To be honest I'm not bothered which one of them gets it, any predictions from me on who'll do well and how we'll play will probably be either wrong or swiftly sent off into the infinite and rather pointless realm of the what if arguments.

Boothroyd. Simple as.

Boothroyd. Wouldn't mind Dowie or Holloway either though.

Got this from a Forest local. Andy Cole is rumoured to be going into player/manager somewhere in the southwest!!!!!

mmmmm been thinking.a past it player who will deffo be a manager....... gary neville

I'm going to be super disappointed if Pavel Nedved isn't revealed as player-manager.

If it's not Zinedine Zidane then I expect we'll go back to the old days of selection by commitee.

I just got a text saying Paolo Maldini has been seen having a pint in the CGH.

cant we have a couldnt give a fuck option?

ok

That's not fair, I want to change my vote to the cool new one.

And a "Can give a fuck" option for those that are still up to it.

(You can get tablets you know, Mex ... how the mighty are fallen, eh?)

Ditto

boothroyd wqould be pleasant...

I voted Cotterill,  more than happy with Dowie, wouldn't want Hollaway at any price but like wth MM, whoever it is, will get my 100% support.

But with no experience of the english football - I think we can rule him out !!

Woosh!

I think he was joking. Wasn't he?!

Erm, maybe. In which case, reverse-wooosh on me.

Wooooshing everywhere.

What about Byrne to be added. He clearly wants the job, whether he is the man I have no idea, but he should be in the poll as he is currently the only one who can really do something about it.

The couldnt give a fuck option is my choice, It not that im not interested its just a bit - oh well who will be in charge for 9 months until they

A) get sacked by a baying mob
B) go on to a bigger club
C) Fall out with chairman.

Or D.....take us to the premiership.

Do you Honestly think that if we got a manager who got us promoted and then pushing for promotion to the premiership that some big cunt club wouldnt nick them?

Watch out for Peter Taylor. He's in with a chance!

This is an  ideal time for a clean sweep. How can anyone want Byrne to get the job his record of 2 wins in 7 is hardly better than Malpas.

Yeah but if it wasn't for Byrne we "would never have come back from 2-0 down"

Ah, welcome back Bartholomew. I'm guessing your house has been in a week long state of celebration? Now you've woken up and there seems to be a chance that somebody, god forbid, you don't want to take over in the frame.

David Byrne has the team on his side (article on thisis), wasn't that one of your main points when MM is in charge?

11 games, 3 wins, 8 draws, 3 defeats. Not great by all means, but betterer than what you suggest. Would equate to 72 points, which would equate to about 7th place.

Just outside the Play-Offs. Heartbreak.

:)

Worh noting those include games away at a high flying carlisle on a tuesday night, home to brighton when it looked as if we were to go bust, and at home to teams 1st and 2nd in the league when we played them. And nor does it include the nottingham forest result, which despite malpas being in charge was probably more down to the input of messrs byrne and williams

Unbeaten in 8 under David Byrne!

Actually ignore all that, only unbeaten in 7. And we'd only have 58 points. So woops. Unless we count the forest game as byrnes. That would massively change the complexion.

You tried Dave. You tried.

:(

Your fine effort was nowhere near as bad as my mortal enemy.

He referred to himself as "Statto" - he supported Southampton, Manchester United and Plymouth and mostly got his stats very, very wrong.

Plus he was generally a twat.

Tell me how does he tick all the boxes and would be an appointment for the long term?

He is a swell guy

Why do I need to? I didn't say I wanted Byrne did I?

But other being a swell guy?

Look at Nigel Adkins, I imagine SUFC Bart said the very same as you are now. Adkins had only managed Bangor prior to his appointment at Scunthorpe, but he also had the respect of the club staff who let him get on with the job at hand (heaven forbid).

I've got to say that I thought that when they got relegated I thought that was it for them but look at them this season.

Byrne has indicated that he has those much needed contacts in English football (you know the ones you told us that Malpas had none of) and the apparant confidence of the dressing room (help me out JCP).

It's just as easy to argue in the favour of a candidate as it is to shoot them down.

Either way, Fitton has pretty much stated that he's not a fan of promoting caretaker managers to the full-time gig. I could happily point out why Holloway shouldn't get the job the same as I could also state why he should!

Calm down Barty, all will be fine.

The players want to play for him.
The players actually do play for him.

Based on what? 10 minutes of 1 game last Saturday.

Not the amount of time to base a long term/stable appointment on

He plays the game the right way.
He doesn't take any shit (Zaaboub last season)
He wants to be at STFC.

Few more positives.

Byrne was caretaker manager last season mate.

Oh, and you were slagging Malpas off before we'd kicked a ball under him, so maybe you shouldn't be such a hypocrite :)

Okay then Bart, could you pleae state who you want as manager (just one) and justify why he should be appointed. Beyond one reason and one sentence if you could.

Cheers.

10 minutes, give over....the players wanted that game and fought the whole game not just 10 minutes.

We were easily the better team first half and could have gone in at half time ahead in the game. We never deserved to be 2-0 down and the players did fantastic not to let their heads drop and to keep going. That wouldnt have happened under Malpas and we would have lost by more.

Whilst Byrne isnt my favourite I dont think he would be a bad appointment, some people have mentioned Gary Speed, Gus Poyet, Martin Keown and Andy Cole. Byrne would be a better appointment than all of them.

Plus he gives off the vibe he actually wants to be here. How many managers do that? he's likely to stay under the radar and maybe remain a bit loyal like Adkin at Scunthorpe.

Can Byrne be put on the poll tho'. If we are having a Poll we need all the candidates on it. Byrne is a candidate whether we like it or not.

you cant compare byrne with adkins with byrne though

adkins is an intelligent, eloquent bloke that always knew how he was going to run a club. byrne is a loveable, loudmouth idiot

Maybe a tad harsh and Adkins was still a major risk regardless of personality. My example was to show how someone with little experience can do okay if supported adequately, so of course you can compare the two (at this stage).

Holloway, for example, is the most famous of English footballs "loveable, loudmouth idiot"'s but people still want him!

if byrne gets the results then i dont have a problem with him keeping the job.the lads seem to give that bit more for him,so effort isn't a problem.
i would say he makes massive gambles during games and so far it hasn't backfired on him.it will one day and the fans reaction would be interesting then.i can already imagine what will be said and it wont be nice.
as for dv's comment about the names mentioned.we wont know unless one of them gets the job.

And the games when he was previously in charge (when he didn't have half the squad out with injuries).

And Dave I think you have to count the Forest game as one of Byrne's, just as the FGR game wasn't really.

...still waiting for Bart's reply to my question...

Changed my vote to Byrne. I really like the guy and think he would do a great job.

Stupid question...but ware is the result of this poll up to now?

At the top of each page of the thread! That was a stupid question.

I don't disagree that Byrne might be able to do a decent job, but I think the appointment of the next manager goes beyond merely getting someone in that can do the job. The next man needs to be able to galvanise the whole club, excite fans and bring those still not willing to return back. It should be someone the players really look up to - like Hoddle, Ossie and to a lesser extent, Wise did. Byrne may have contacts but he's not going to be able to attract players like a Boothroyd.

We all disagree with who the best man is, but there's no doubting Holloway or Boothroyd would be more of an exciting appointment.

I think if the board appoint Byrne they've really missed a trick. This is the biggest opportunity this club has to really turn a corner. I can't remember a time when fans were so united behind the board, with the right managerial appointment this could be the start of something really big... Byrne would strike me as a cheap option, much like King or Iffy.

and yeah, come on Bart. I don't always disagree with what you say, but this is your chance to show you actually have a reasoned opinion, other than criticising everything everyone does. who do you want and why?

Im inclined to agree - the cheap boring option didnt work with Malpas so we need to oooff it up a bit - get all those dilly dallying 2nd installment non payers back!! (OK so I havent paid mine yet but thats more down to poorness!)

Juddie, what if Byrne wins the next 4 on the trot? I think he would have the majority of fans behind him then.

I'd be surprised if he has four games, tbh. But, you're right, it would pose a huge problem for the board, assuming they would have interviewed some 'bigger' names.

Out of every name mentioned Jay, do you want Byrne, honestly?

If Byrne won four on the trot I still think it's a short-term approach to a long-term problem. If this three-year plan is to work we need a man who can not only consolidate our position this season, but also a man who can take us up and beyond, and raise the profile of the club so the fans come back. Byrne, IMO opinion, is not that man, just as Malpas wasn't...

Well..should a future manager be judged on 4 matches...i like him but is he really a manager....more of a fella in the John Gorman mould i think.

Agree with Juddie.  It really isn't anything personal against DB, just don't see him as the man to get this club going.  The club needs something a little extra.

Just to make it clear that I don't actually want Byrne. It wouldn't be the end of the world if he did come though.

We need someone that can take this club forward and agreed a 'big name' does not always get sucess but they are usually a 'big name' for a reason, we need a clear out, there's certsin playuers that have to go as well.

Byrne talks a good game and yes he may be able to get results short term but I think long term he is not the man for the job, and we need someone that we beleive will consistently get results long term, even if they use us as a stepping stone for better things,  I'm sure he would get the same problems with player recruitment that Malpas had, he isn't known enough so players are not instantly attracted by him.

I'd like an outsider to come in with his own coaching team.

Remember though that Byrne was Malpas' No 2, and all the problems we've had this season (defence, GK's, Peacock a striker then a mid, Pook isolated, Ifil Isolated) did MM never speak to Byrne ( his No 2) and take his advise sometimes ?

I lay the problems with MM and his coaching team - he picked them

Sorry he may be a nice guy (judging on last night) but nice guy's don't always win the prize.

I've got to admit that my first initial reaction when finding out that Malpas had gone was "have they all gone?" Meaning Byrne, Williams & Glanville.

Byrne is likeable and all of this debate wouldn't be happening had we not equalised in the sort of dramatic fashion that we did.

I go by Fitton's comments and by them you'll probably come to the conclusion that Byrne doesn't really stand much of a chance (unless a dramatic change of form occurs but as already stated results are just one part of a few issues that have to be sorted).

As I've said throughout, I don't have a clue who will take it as all we've had to go by are a few quotes here and there.

What I do know, is that like everyone I would ideally like this sorted out sooner rather than later as it'll grow beyond tedious before too long!

Not one name that has been mentioned fills me with quivery excitement to be honest. Hollowhead is gas, Boothroyd plays boring football and Dowie is just plain shit.

At least Budgie would show a bit of loyalty, and he fits in with Fitton's idea of bringing youth through to sell.

Forget loyalty, Byrne has to shoulder some of the responsibility for Malpas's dreadful reign in charge after all he was part of that management team.  Enough of this Byrne love in, time to move on and bring in a proven management team.

Agreed

thirded.

I would hardly describe Malpas' reign as dreadful, we haven't changed under him. We were an inconsistant mid table league one side when he joined and we still are now. We have had far worse managers than Maurice.

You're opening up the proverbial can-o-worms there.

Although I agree generally. Malpas probably took us one step back as opposed to a side step, progress wasn't made and Fitton was right to act.

But we've had worse.

Does it really matter that Holloway managed Rovers or Cotterill managed Cheltenham, how you can say Dowie is sh!t I don't know, he has managed some decent clubs, and has a reasonably decent record of sucess as well I think, and I don't think Boothroyd plays poor football.....

Poyet is the one that interests me the most though - it would be a risk as he is inexperienced but the more I think about it the more I think the likes of Di Matteo, Keane, Zola etc who have little or no coaching experience and seem to doing decent enough in management, and Poyet is highly rated by some big players in the game who see him as a future manager - should we ignore him ?

Malpas may not necessarily have taken us too far back on the pitch (although I would disagree), it was taking us back off it. Fans need to believe in the manager and for the first time since King/Iffy, we didn't.

This is it. I'm not fighting for either Holloway or Cotterill to be installed but Cheltenham are not a rival, well, certainly not in my eyes anyway!

As for Rovers, I don't like them but I certainly wouldn't say they were significant enough in the rival stakes for us not to appoint one of their "legends", this rivalry is something that has reignited since we were in L2 and since they came up with us, I could guarentee it would disappear once one of us left the division.

However, if someone who had once formed an alliance with Oxford and maybe Bristol City came in I'd be unhappy.

These mumblings are simply based on my opinion and can appreciate how some would disagree.

P2P I agree with you about Poyet. A big name ex pro on a first job looking to make a name would excite me more than Dowie;

Crystal Palace, up thorough the play-offs, then relegated, got Charlton relegated and lead Coventry to a rather paldry 17th in the CCC. Spent millions wherever he has been and has generally been a flop. I don't see how you can't describe him as shit?

Why aren't Bryan Robson and David O'Leary on the list? Surely they'd be ace.

Someone mentioned Peter Reid for the job on the radio the other day!!  Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Charlton he had 13 Premiership games in charge and then they appointed Les Reed a highly respected coach but that didn't work out did either.

Nobody has been able to sort out Coventry for years, Coleman is a good manager but he's having similar luck there... Dowie's Sky Blues won 20 of his 49 games but only drew 8.

He got the sack from QPR because their board are control freaks. QPR going forward were impressive against us this season and I don't think their was one attempt of hoof ball.

Dowie is only linked because he's unemployed, probably the same with Boothroyd.

I think this'll be more likely be a race between Holloway, Ward and someone not mentioned yet.

Losing at Barnet and Histon in the cup is a big step back in my eyes....losing one you can accept as a one off but losing both has cost the club dearly in financial terms.

I've realised I don't give a fuck who our next manager is, I really have no preference. As long as they win games and actually try to play football then Samdy will be a happy man :)

I would say a big no to Poyet as well, he showed no loyalty previously following Wisey with his tail between his legs and also he was a big part of Ramos's management team (i.e English Translator and coach) which did so terribly this season.  Unproven number 1 and not a very succesful number, definate no no for me.

for me it's realistically between byrne, cotterill, holloway and ward.

That's exactly my feelings Samdy. If we don't play hoofball, i'll be happy. I'd also like a manager that makes the moaners happy as well, but only so i don't have to put up twats who dislike a new manager before he's even had a game.

....and that's the reason he lost his job and that's a stated fact. Malpas would still be here if we had won one of those fixtures. Ultimately, we're not bottom of the league there's still more than a chance we can improve this season.


Fitton will have the phrase "what will the fans think?" tattooed in his mind in the next couple of weeks. I think there is a lot of semi-panic around at the moment because Fitton went with Malpas last time round.

It's still a case of wait and see.

For crying out loud, why would Poyet have stayed last time round? He had just moved back to the country and wanted to remain a member of Team Wise, how on earth can we feel angry for this?

Fitton knows what Byrne can do....he has no chance,Fitton has said the new manager ideally will be in place before Walsall,so Byrne isnt in the frame IMO...

i hope it is a complete surprise as the new boss.then all the debate would have been pointless.:)

Does anyone on the forum think he will dish out money to try and prise from another club...ie Peter Taylor at Wycombe...or just stick with managers without jobs,i mean they havnt got jobs for the same reason as MM...they wernt good enough.

i dont

We haven't done that since Bobby Smith in '78. I doubt we'll do it now to be honest.

Also for you anti Ward people....its been reported that someone tried to place 10,000 bet at Chandlers,forcing them to suspend betting......

Could be a few people majorly out of pocket then... maybe.

They didnt take the bet!

Again agreed, I wish to cast my vote against Ward or Byrne but the middle 2 I am inclined to prefer as a choice, but as Sam says...I want us to get back to winning games again no matter who is in charge, I have missed actually looking forward to games, the anticipation of a match on a Saturday has wained so much recently.

Wheres the anger? just feel if he had wanted the hot seat here he had the opportunity back then, he has since had a failed spell as assistant manager at a top club where somehow they took Spurs to the bottom of the league, hardly selling himself as a great potential future manager is he?

Anger was a generic term not directed at yourself.

Every person linked to the job has ultimately failed at some point in 2007 & 2008.

Do you think that whoever the new manager is will have a monkey on his back? Also how many swallows will he say makes a summer?

These questions will obviously be asked during the interview process.

I agree, but also have realised that I am bored talking about it now and am just happy to sit and wait and see!  What's gonna happen is gonna happen and there ain't shit anyone on here can do about it!

See what you're saying but it all comes to down to results and performances. We could appoint the biggest name in the game, but if they don't get results that "big name" lustre will fade within a few games; conversely we could appoint my lads' under 7s coach (who is a very good coach incidentally) and while there'd be an initial "Arsene who?" factor, if he gets the team playing and winning, that will get crowds coming back and generate more exictement than a name alone ever could in the medium term.

There's been a lot of "Look what Arry did for Spurs" talk of late - I guess what I'm saying is "Look what Ramos didn't do for Spurs" - big name, big flop.

What is all this nonsense about "we would never have come back like that under MM"?-thats being a bit harsh in my opinion,remembering coming back to win at Hereford and twice coming back away at league leaders Scunthorpe-they showed that day that they were capable when they put their minds to it.An outsider at that game could easily have said "they obviously want to play for their manager".

Its about money though Adje...we could have lost to Scunthorpe and Liecester yet if wede beaten Histon,QPR and Brighton in the cups MM would still be here probably.

Let's be honest though Paul some of Ramos' failures were not all down to him and some were (why did they fire the DOF as well ??!!), bit of a mixed bag, but Ramos will go back abroad and do well, english football is not for him too tough.

Personally we stand a better chance of winning and improving if we appoint someone with experience of english football and experience of the leagues, and hopefully that 'name' will be able to attract a better calibre of players as they would want to play for him as a lot of the lads did for Sturrock - he was the reason a lot signed for us remember, he left us with some decent players.

Whoever is appointed will be a risk full stop, it always is at every club, but history suggests (as Fitton pointed out) No 2's don't always make the best managers, very few have suceeded, and I for one would be extremely dissapointed in Fitton if Byrne got the job.

This is a big task for Fitton, as he got it wrong with MM, he has to prove he can appoint a good manager this time.

Peter Taylor ? that would be fantastic but I can't see it somehow, too many out of work managers to choose from.

Will any manager actually make everyone happy?

I dont get all this hatred for Byrne as someone I said (I think it was Tails) I doubt he is many peoples first choices but wouldnt be the end of the world if he was appointed.

If we want a recently retired player taking his first steps into full management, then why not Byrne?

Byrne has got the best platform to promote himself - he has a chance to get results. Holloway and everyone else cant do that. They cant win us games to get noticed!

Think a total clean sweap is needed dv. Lets get a manager who can have his own backroom team(would byrne change much). The players then all start with a clean slate someone new to impress. With byrne you do feel he has his favourites as did malpas.

If we get a good'un he'll soon be gone-if we get a bad'un He'll soon be gone

If they take us up and leave i don't care.

(from earlier in thread)

C'mon Bart, who do you want in charge and why?

Bart wants who ever he can moan about, so knowing Bart anyone!!

In the perfect world I'd get Sturrock back down here best manager in the lower leagues.

No, you can't please all of the people all of the time. Or something.


Well quite. It's the ones who don't earn their move and fuck off at the first opportunity I don't like. Wise for example. And yes we can argue that one all day long!

If they are successful with us fair enough.

I WANT PAPPA SMURF AS NEW MANAGER

Not a bad shout.

Have some beers last night Dan?

I'd vote "any of the names listed other than Byrne"

I Think I broke the poll.

So would I but with the addition of  "and Ward"

Me also- considering who has allegedly applied.

Horrible feeling though if we win the next 2 Byrne it will be

Why are you talking like Yoda?

I don't think Byrne will get it tbh.

Bart, for you personally Byrne would be the perfect appointment.

Even if we win every week you can still come online and moan about him being the cheap option, the fact that the board sold us short and arent showing enough ambition.

You'd love that.

I would prefer Bootroyd/Cotterill out of the names posted.

DV- Why do you think Byrne should get the job then

Because then you could moan about it Bart.

You clearly didn't read his post, he said it'd be ideal for you as you love to have a good moan.

I'd love Boothroyd but don't think he's interested.

Would he be a long term appointment?

We are looking for a boss who will be here for the long term- and fit in with the 3 year plan. I do not see Byrne having the contacts or track record require to achieve, especially bearing in mind the other applicants.

Who do you want as manager Bart? Someone asked earlier in the thread I think but I guess you missed it.

Do you have a realistic top 3?

I do think, just from Fitton's comments, that DB won't get it.  I think he will go for either a pro coming to the end of his career or an experienced manager.

Bart said he wanted Cotterill or Boothroyd but didnt give any reasons as to why.

I also dont think it will be Byrne as manager but it looks as if he will be assistant ...

I hope this isnt the case ... we need a clean start

Sooner the better!

Ah fair enough. Sorry Bart.

Not true. Byrne said at the Trust meeting that if a new manager came in and wanted his own backroom staff then he would (relunctantly) leave.

Yeah but thats not negative enough is it.

If Byrne doesnt get the job he will dig his heels in stay as assitant then turn all the players against the manager still the results are shit and the manager gets the boot and he gets another crack and getting the managers job

But that's assuming the new man would want to bring his own backroom staff in with him.  AF may appoint Malpas mkII where he'll work with the staff we already have here.  Hope not, as I don't think that works too well, but it could happen (again).