Blackwell was/is reputedly a very good coach, THE most highly qualified coach in the English game apparently. He was not a manager. His first season, I dare anyone to differ, was uninspiring. But he managed to keep us up during the fire sale and with 872 players or whatever. Last season he put his own mark on the team and somehow managed the play offs, at one stage during the season (Early January I think) we were beginning to gel as a team and things began to look up. Then something happened, I don't know what, and suddenly we were unconvincing, we creaked our way to the play offs (The downturn started against Palace at home), one very good performance at Preston apart, we were lucky to get there. Our form since then has been pants quite frankly. Blackwells signings were not great and we started the season awfully. The standard of football had gone backwards. We needed a MANAGER, I said at the time I was quite happy to let Blackwell step back to a coaching role (Not that that was likely). Wise has the POTENTIAL to be a good manager, but is still very much the raw article (See Mole incident for reference!). So far his buys have been less than inspiring to say the least. What I think this Wise V Blackwell issue is overlooking is that we have been on a downward spiral for 5 years now and we're still plugging the holes in the dam rather than rebuilding it. Don't get me wrong, the football is still as bad but we're just not having the luck we were having 12 months ago. We're losing 1-0 where we may have drawn 0-0, when your down life kicks you in the face ... regularly. I wasn't pro Wise, but I'm willing to give him his fair chance (And 4 months is not a fair chance). I did the same with Blackwell and backed him until it became obvious that he had gone as far as he could, judging by performances on the pitch. From what I can see the perfromances are just as bad but with a few improvements. The fitness is definately better, the shape initially is better (Agree totally with whoever it was that said Wise needs to errm Wise up when just throwing strikers on to chase a game) and I do think the signs are there that we could well survive. In the big picture, whatever happens this season, I think next year is key. Championship or League 1 (God forbid), but by then we'll be in a financial state that may finally attract genuine investment. I have heard rumours abound that KB is hawking us around at the moment for £45,000,000 which includes the writing off of remaining debts in the summer.
Hey ho. > On Mon, February 19, 2007 8:54 am, Richard Walker wrote: > > <<snip>> > >> By anyone I meant any manager in the top two >> divisions and maybe some managers who are currently unemployed. Now Wise >> didn't fit that category cos he was a manager in the league below so if >> I >> extend that anyone description to include Wise then at the moment my >> statement is probably currently wrong (by 0.01 points) but Wise needs >> time >> and we will see. > > So what you really meant was any manager that we either couldn't afford or > wouldn't be interested could have done better than Blackwell? > > Interesting that you make allowances for the fact Wise can't attract the > quality of player he wants, but didn't do the same for Blackwell (who > reportedly had Davis lined up until that unexpected tax bill appeared and > wiped out his transfer kitty) and for injuries (when Hulse carried an > injury all last season and Cresswell missed most of it). What's sauce for > the goose is sauce for the gander! If anything Wise's time in charge has > emphasised how much Blackwell did do for Leeds before he was (rightfully) > sacked. > > I agree Wise needs more time, and if we do go down I think we'll bounce > back. But to be honest I'd rather watch us beat Doncaster 1-0 than lose > 1-0 to Chelsea anyway. > > Sean > > > _______________________________________________ > the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators > accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. > Leedslist mailing list > [email protected] > http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist > the mole has returned > _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist the mole has returned
