January 2021 Transfer Window

Genuine question - why would Stuart be the answer? What qualifies him as a DoF?

 

As things stand, he's not contracted for next season. And given we're about to appoint a new CEO, the Manager should be 100% the choice of the new CEO to deliver to the plan he or she wants to put in place. The squad needs a complete overhaul anyway, there's little to be gained in that sense by keeping the manager, from the point of continuity. We need to start again. Continuity is important - but it only works if its built on a plan with people recruited to and capable of delivering that plan.

I'm not saying it won't or shouldn't be Stuart - as such. Though personally, I'd go in a different direction as I think we need an entirely clean broom from top to bottom. But given his contract situation and expected change of his boss, his long term position is far from secure.

 

I agree with you if someone a bit special becomes available but that would probably be dependant on Stuart knowing he is going to be offered another contract. The club would be reluctant to let him make a major signing if they weren't certain that they were going to offer him another contract. There is no point in letting him sign someone that might not fit in with another manager's plans. Unless it was Josh Cullen!

 

He is an advocate of the style of football we want. He has experience signing players to those roles, this season aside where his transfer activity has been limited by design. He is a positive role model and a club legend, and a football man through and through. He understands the club and we need an ethos. Promoting young players can be key going forward if we do it properly - he will have a very positive influence with players.

I would rather we built the club around Stuart than AN Other random guy who would not necessarily be any better.

 

I’m not being facetious here, I’m genuinely probing my own thinking.

What style of football do we want? And how do we know he’s an advocate of it? He’s been here 3 times as manager and his ‘style’ hasn’t been entirely consistent. So i don’t know what his style is really. I’d agree that he’s a club legend, and a football man. Though I’d question what being a ‘football man’ means in the modern era. I agree we need an ethos, I just don’t know whether he’s equipped to set and lead that ethos.

What would we want a DoF to do?

For me, a DoF needs to have a very clear vision, be a good negotiator, strategic in their outlook. Be a sound intermediary between manager and Board. Is that Stuart? This might sound harsh, but when Rahic was here, how well did he navigate the political aspects of what he and Rupp knew of what was going on.....?I worry that he’s too emotionally invested in the club. Too much of ‘a great lad’.

 

I just can't cope. So much I disagree with.

If Stuart's third reign ends in failure and regression again I'd rather put him in charge of the suites rather than signings.

No wonder the club goes backwards. No thought of recruitment based on achievements or ability. Just on name and status.

 

As you say he's contracted until February, so anything but a dire run that sees us struggling to stay up I cant see why the new CEO would want rid, no matter who the next man is he starts with a similar situation to what McCall inherited, transfer window gone so he can't change things with fresh faces so he has to do exactly the same as McCall did that was get the best from those who were at the club, it wasn't the best end to an early season finish I'll agree.
Trouble is it won't be an entire clean broom from top to bottom will it, new CEO and possibly new manager if that's the way the new CEO wants it but Rupp will still be the owner, that is of course unless you know more than us .

 

I tend to agree. It’s a position many are quick to take when it comes to previous fans favourites as players; great player, great guy, loves the club, but not able to deliver success as a manager = move him upstairs.

I love the guy. Success under him would be sweeter than any other manager. But i feel so strongly about the extent to which we need to start again, we need to look beyond him.

 

And that is why I believe although Stuarts contract is up in February unless were struggling near the bottom on the league he'll get an extension, as we know it was McCall who made the decision not to use all the transfer cap money last transfer window, he obviously believes he will be the man to spend the rest of it come January I would think.

Even though the Premiership boys are supposedly bailing leagues one and two out to the tune of £50m by the time that is getting shared out many clubs could be on their last legs and be happy to get some money in from the sale of one of their better players, all speculation I know but times are hard.

 

It's not likely to end in failure, just his contract running down. That would make the timing perfect, whether or not you would back the plan or not.

You say no thought of recruitment based on achievement or ability - can you give an example?

 

Yep, it's all lined up.

I'm not sure how successful a complete and total reset will immediately be but it's all set.

 

In that case I'd suggest it's even more reason why he will not be sacked, work has to be done now there may be a new CEO around the corner although Julian had lined one up before and it fell through.
McCall will still the manager and he should be the one making the calls transfer wise that is of course if the owner allows him the balance of whats left in the salary cap, we cant hang around hoping the new CEO is in place in the near future.

 

Only if you have a bar for success set so low that failure is impossible.

Yes, easily, the guy we're talking about. Hadn't achieved anything to come back as manager and still hasn't achieved anything to be considered for the more permanent role of DoF.

 

Not for me, this.

McCall got us to the L1 play offs, taking Parkys team further than even he could. It's an achievement for sure. It doesn't not count because we lost at Wembley, any more than losing to Swansea dimiished the cup run.

We can pretend Stuart has never done well here, but it's make believe.

 

If the bar for being appointed is a losing play off final in a 12 year career where you've not once left a club in a better league position then you found them then I guess that's as low as the failure bar this term. We deserve what we get I suppose.

 

The important part for the bigger picture is that any decisions are coordinated together, but until we know the direction of the club its nigh on impossible to do. If the plan is to allow the youngsters a path into the team and McCall seems to have done so then this needs to be stuck to whoever the manager is.

 

Ah, yes, Champions League football generally being a low point for any manager

No observer who wasn't too close to the man would call his managerial career a failure. I hate to say, pretending he's never achieved isn't a smart look.