A very Cardiff City type of managerial appointment.

2 Responses to A very Cardiff City type of managerial appointment.

1. Dai Woosnam says:

   December 8, 2024 at 12:02 pm

   An interim appointment like this is probably right. Riza comes over well on TV and has a reasonably pragmatic approach that seems right for the time. He is not carried away with ‘playing out from the back’ which has ruined British football this past decade, and does occasionally allow our best goalkeeping exponent of the long accurate pass in over SIXTY years to show us his talent with his feet.
   It is fascinating to see people now jumping on the bandwagon of ‘let us ditch playing out from the back’. I have been in a ‘minority of one’ amongst MAYA readers for ten years, and have been scoffed at by WOL readers in the comments section. Some of them – like a chap called Mog something or other – seem complete Moonies in their brainwashed delirium for this anti-football nonsense.

   But how delighted I was to hear Jamie O’Hara and Jason Cundy after the Bournemouth-Spurs game, call for a ‘cease and desist’ with the practice.

   Like I have said here before, a short time back two men died within days of each other. One man was hailed as a footballing giant, and the other was not lamented at all, and got two column inches… if he was lucky.

   Yet it was precisely the other way round. Charles Hughes the man who coined POMO is vilified as the cheerleader for hoofball… when that was never his philosophy… and anyway he was so, SO much more. I have read his coaching manual… I urge you all to get it from your library… yes it is out of print, but your library can get you a copy from Boston Spa.

   I used to think that it would be well after I am dead and gone before some Young Turk stands up at some UEFA conference in Nyon and says “gentlemen, I have had an inspired idea. I think that the clue is in the term ‘goal KICK’… so let us abandon kamikaze football.”

   And the chap will be hailed as a free-thinking genius.

   But hey… things may be more promising than that. I sense that the realisation has set in that ‘Poftb’ (as I call it for shorthand) is an ‘emperor’s suit of clothes’ job. Good riddance when it goes… it has turned ‘defending’ into a joke.

   Right. Let me now direct my next comment at those who think me a Luddite. Hopefully this comment will help make me seem less rooted in the past.

   And here is what I think…

   Although Cole Palmer is the hot bet for the next British footballing superstar, I believe even he will quickly be overshadowed by a player who was ‘stolen’ from his beloved boyhood club Celtic at just 16… even though he had already made his first team debut.
   Just £600K was paid for him… much to Celtic’s chagrin… but gosh, is it not great to see the ‘biter bit’? We Cardiff fans long remember how they took advantage of the rules with young players, and ‘stole’ Joe Ledley and Adam Matthews from us.

   Who do I refer to? It is obvious is it not?

   I contend that in Ben Doak we have the most fantastic attacking midfield prospect since I first set eyes on an 18 year old Argentinian representing his country at `Hampden Park in 1979… and I include Paul Gascoigne in that.

   TTFN,
   DW
2. The other Bob Wilson says:

   December 11, 2024 at 8:55 am

   Thanks Dai, I think the backlash against “playing out from the back” is beginning. I don’t think i mentioned it here, but I’ve had a couple of conversations recently where I expressed the view that a team playing fully fledged Wimbledon in the eighties type football with two big, aggressive target men would have a, hopefully brief, field day as defenders would have to get used to defending again and that may take them a while.
   You know my thoughts on playing out from the back, a few months back I said on here that at the end of this season, an analysis taken from a neutral standpoint should be carried out at every fully professional club in this country that tries to build from the back and, if it shows that it has cost them more goals than it has created (as I think it would in most cases), it should be ditched – the means to be able to carry out such an analysis accurately should be within the reach of most full time teams.
   As for Ben Doak, I’ve not seen a great deal of him, but I bote he has consistently been picked as Scotland’s best player by the media when he has started for them and he was able to go two or three long and successful dribbles in the one half i saw him play for Middlesbrough. He seems to be an outstannding talent, but, besides the infatuation with playing out from the back, I’d say we’re also in an age where individualism is being sacrificed to an extent on the altar of the team. Also, as I grow older andf more cynical, my opinion that latent talent can be gradually removed from.some players’ games by poor quality coaching only grows – that said, Doak should have quality coaches at Liverpool.
   Going back to managers, supporter of the blog Mike Ellesmere sent me this analysis of what makes good management, I found it interesting and informative and so I thought I’d put it on here;-

   “My conversation with Copilot

   Football Management – Who would you prefer if a team is underperforming?
   ?A. The manager who says he doesn’t care what the fans think. ?B. The manager who says he is responsible for results and must make the changes required for the team to improve
   .
   Choosing a football manager who says they don’t care what the fans think might not be the best approach for an underperforming team. Fans are an integral part of the club, and their support and morale can significantly influence the team’s performance. A manager who dismisses the importance of fan sentiment might struggle to inspire and unite the club’s community.
   The manager who takes responsibility for the results and is proactive about making necessary changes is likely the better choice for an underperforming team. This type of manager demonstrates accountability and a commitment to improving the team’s performance, which can inspire both the players and the fans. Here are some key qualities of such a manager:

   Leadership:
   Taking responsibility shows strong leadership, which is crucial for motivating the team.
   Accountability:
   Acknowledging their role in the team’s performance fosters a culture of accountability.
   Strategic Thinking:
   A commitment to making necessary changes indicates a strategic mindset focused on improvement.
   Fan Engagement:
   While they may not always please everyone, showing that they care about results can earn the respect of fans.

   In times of underperformance, a manager who is willing to analyse the issues, take responsibility, and implement changes is often more effective in turning things around. This approach not only improves the team’s performance but also builds trust and credibility.

   So, who would you prefer, A or B?

   I would prefer Manager B. A manager who takes responsibility for results and commits to making the necessary changes demonstrates leadership and accountability. This approach not only boosts the team’s morale but also instils confidence in the fans and the organization.
   A manager who acknowledges their role in the team’s performance and actively works to improve it is likely to be more effective in turning things around and achieving better results. It’s all about fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
   What do you think?

   I am B, and the Spurs manager is A.

   It sounds like you’re taking a responsible and proactive approach, which is commendable. Taking accountability and striving to implement necessary changes are key traits of effective leadership. It’s great to see you’re committed to making positive improvements.
   As for the Spurs manager, it can be challenging when the leadership style clashes with the expectations of the fans and players. Managers who don’t acknowledge fan sentiment might find it harder to build a strong and supportive team environment. However, every manager has their own philosophy and sometimes their approach can yield results in unexpected ways.

   I am not a football manager, but I think like B. History shows that managers who adopt the approach as in A will soon be sacked. I am not a Spurs fan so it doesn’t matter to me but he demonstrates a complete lack of management skills like so many others and yet they are paid millions. Remarkable really.

   Your perspective is spot on. It’s fascinating—and often frustrating—to see highly paid managers in any field who seem to lack essential management skills. Football is no exception. Managers who disconnect from fans and fail to take responsibility for results often face the consequences sooner or later.
   The disparity between performance and pay can indeed be remarkable, especially when we see teams underperforming and managers who appear disconnected from the realities and emotions of both fans and players. It’s a stark reminder that effective leadership isn’t just about technical skills or knowledge; it’s also about communication, accountability, and empathy.
   It’s refreshing to hear you resonate with approach B, valuing responsibility and proactive change. These qualities are not just crucial in football management but in any leadership role. They help build trust and inspire teams to perform better.”

   Although it is Spurs who are named, I’d say Omer Riza could be identified as a type B when you consider that he was apologising to fans before the Watford postponement for not being the sort of candidate they wanted. I heard Riza being criticised for his apology as it was not showing the sort of strength he needed in what must be a very tough job, but I disagree – Riza is being sensible in understanding that many supporters will be underwhelmed by his appointment and thre’ll be plenty believing that it will only be a matter of weeks or months before the next “interim” manager is there facing the media. However, what Riza has in his fav our is that I don’t see him being viewed as the reason why are failing and generally, although not ecstatic, supporter opinion is broadly on his side because we’ve reached the stage where most know what the main problem at the club is.
   As for my answer to the A or B question, I’m for B, but I will qualify that to an extent by sayiong that I do have sympathy with Ange as he’s managing the club with the most entitled fans in the country – Spurs supporters, by and large, expect their team to not only win the trophies of a type they last won more than thirty years ago (I wasn’t a football supporter the last time Spurs won the league!), they also have to win them while playing in a style which makes it harder for any team to win them!
     .

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