A very positive write up@Bigrod !
The issue with Sparks hasn't been the support he's given his managers - he's tried his best. He supported Stuart when he was weakest, although the contract extension had no effect, I suppose it's still a 'vote of confidence' so to speak. He gave Trueman and Sellars a very fair crack of the whip, although their success was relatively short-lived. He supported Adams and let him bring changes. He's undoubtedly going to do what he can to support Hughes, too, I don't think there's much question about that.
The criticisms are all around Sparks' decisions, which point to a lack of expertise and experience (the latter of which is beyond doubt).
The end of Stuart's reign was confused, and the start of several 'interesting' contractual decisions - giving T&S 18 months, but ending their reign within 3 months total - hunting down Adams and giving him three years, but ending his reign within 7 months - giving James Vaughan a 3 year deal as club captain, but then sending him off on loan - replacing managers, like clockwork, every February or a few weeks after a transfer window has closed, the worst POSSIBLE time.
All of this is avoidable, although some will argue the circumstances each time pressed Sparks into action. It's his job to be stronger than that, though, and not to bow to the first sign of pressure, or to help people work through that pressure, so that our timelines are better suited to our search for success, not detrimental to it every single time.
Knowing what we want to do, also, is Sparks' job.
Talking about the importance of academy prospects, then hiring Adams makes no sense.
Following McCall/T&S with Adams from a tactical stand point makes no sense.
Endlessly hiring aging players (and most recently, an aging manager?) on reputation alone makes no sense.
Letting players like Canavan go because they've fallen out with Adams, then sacking Adams weeks later, leaving us with no defence and a pissed off squad (according to Wetherby Whaler) makes no sense.
Indeed all of Ryan Sparks' decisions have looked either reactionary, or downright cynical.
Appointing Adams and declaring this a promotion season has turned out to be an utter disaster.
Good for tickets, sound commercially in the short term, but otherwise terrible.
Some have remarked already that the hiring of an out-of-work Mark Hughes who has never managed at anything like this level seems like another solid marketing move, but we'll see how that plays out.
Ryan has done nothing to stop the revolving door policy of hiring and firing managers AND players. He talks about stability, but nowhere in the club is there the first sign of any stability. He talks about a lot of things, matter of fact, but without ever implementing any of it. He talks now of backing Hughes with anything he needs to succeed, and you know what, that's POTENTIALLY believable, especially as Hughes says he spoke to Rupp directly before taking the job.
But in what way can Sparks possibly assist Hughes beyond saying 'yes' to his requests, much like he did with Adams, none of which were worthwhile?
What does Ryan Sparks actually BRING to the table, from a footballing perspective, rather than a commercial one?
Time to show us. That time is now.
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Match Thread Most liked posts in thread: Mansfield Town (H) @ 15:00 26 Feb
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Bigrod CaptainModerator Qatar 2022 Entrant P.L.22/23 Entrant P.L.23/24 Entrant Supporter P.L. 20/21 Top 30 -
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I'm from Mansfield. You know I'm not posh.
Chapati it is
Tennesseebantam, Two Legs, Stoneski and 2 others like this. -
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Apologies if this has already been posted, just finished work, not had time to catch up….
Botswana Bantam, Kop View, PlatinumChaosX and 1 other person like this. -
It’s a stag do …… I’ll get mi coat
Kevin1954, bantamdave41, Rocket and 1 other person like this.
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