The taking 2 + 2 and probably counting to 5 from me tells me that JJ is not his man. They had a brief convo Monday lunchtime and that’s it, nothing since. Sandgaard since then has done various interviews so definitely has had capacity. I’m very surprised he hasn’t spoke to JJ today, not even a good luck for tonight call.
If he was in the mix to be the man you invest your three-year strategy on, there would have been more than a Monday lunchtime quick chat, wouldn’t there?
However, the longer JJ is ‘in post’ and stars align (comeback win, player effort, social media support), the more viable an option he becomes. And if he continues to do well and then Sandgaard puddings him, that’s then starting a new chapter not in the way he envisaged.
Personally if he’s got someone lined up I hope it’s announced before Saturday. Otherwise I think I’d like JJ to be given to the end of the season and then do a proper reassessment in the two months ahead.
I don’t think TS is in a quandary. I think he knows who he wants and expects to get him in by the end of the week. And we can’t wait to reassess in the summer. As Peter Varney said today they built the next seasons promotion squad in April. We need the permanent man in now to assess the squad and start work on next season and player recruitment.
I just got the impression that Curbs has been spoken to. His comments about how many players would soon be out of contract. About the new guy coming in, needing a couple of weeks to get to know the players and therefore it would be better to give it to Jacko until the end of the season. I wouldn't be surprised if Thomas has sought his advice and sounded him out about whether he'd be interested in taking the job, if not straight away, praps at the end of the season.
yep, i was thinking that - we could also be completely wrong - i'm surprised there hasn't been a bigger reaction to curbs saying he would come back if jacko got the job and wanted him to help - that is massive news in my book - we haven't been the same club since curbishley left - what a dream team that could be - jacko is current and knows the division and our players - curbishley just knows football - he's like the godfather to all the guests that come on valley pass - i reckon this could be a big winner
I think JJ’s only real chance is if Thomas fails to land the target or targets he most certainly has. In that event I think he would def get the remainder of the season and then who knows.
I just got the impression that Curbs has been spoken to. His comments about how many players would soon be out of contract. About the new guy coming in, needing a couple of weeks to get to know the players and therefore it would be better to give it to Jacko until the end of the season. I wouldn't be surprised if Thomas has sought his advice and sounded him out about whether he'd be interested in taking the job, if not straight away, praps at the end of the season.
yep, i was thinking that - we could also be completely wrong - i'm surprised there hasn't been a bigger reaction to curbs saying he would come back if jacko got the job and wanted him to help - that is massive news in my book - we haven't been the same club since curbishley left - what a dream team that could be - jacko is current and knows the division and our players - curbishley just knows football - he's like the godfather to all the guests that come on valley pass - i reckon this could be a big winner
Is there any real evidence that JJ and LB are inseparable twins? They seem completely different characters to me.
I think Jacko either gets the gig (with maybe Curbs upstairs) or he takes a management opportunity in the lower leagues. If a new ‘known’ manager comes in for us it is highly unlikely, and almost unheard of, that Jacko will stay. They always bring their own in with them.
I guess it depends on whether the new man has a "team" that comes with him
The Cowleys obviously are a duo, but not all managers have an assistant that faithfully follows them. It won't be Howe, but it's notable that Tindall is now building a career away from him
I’ve lived through Pulis, Hughes, Lambert, Rowett, Jones and O’Neill at Stoke - every one had their own teams, and each time it was all change. It happens most of the time.
I didn’t get the impression that Curbs had been spoken to. He just said if Jacko got the job and asked for his input he’d be willing to assist. I didn’t read that as being a long term thing but just helping out in the short term. It’s note worth worrying about anyway, there will be a new man in by Friday.
Had no idea before tonight, but considering the relationship Jackson obviously has (for now) with the players I'd be pissed off if he one of the more uninspiring choices was given the job over him
If the TS targets are British then I’d imagine that the Portsmouth job being vacant might be a complication. I’m sure the candidates would be virtually the same. Might prolong the process.
Does someone have Curbishley's exact quote on that? Are we sure he doesn't just mean give him some advice/phone calls? I'd be surprised if he would take an official role
Had no idea before tonight, but considering the relationship Jackson obviously has (for now) with the players I'd be pissed off if he one of the more uninspiring choices was given the job over him
I think Jackson’s relationship with the players makes him a number 2. Let a new manager manage and Jackson be the link between the players and manager.
If the TS targets are British then I’d imagine that the Portsmouth job being vacant might be a complication. I’m sure the candidates would be virtually the same. Might prolong the process.
I absolutely don’t know, but I get the feeling the wheels have been in motion for a bit longer than we think??.
As of 10.20pm on 16 March the most likely person to get us in the play offs is Jackson. He knows the players, knows the league etc etc Curbs can help him.
Then what?
If he doesn't get there you then appoint someone else? What of we miss out by a point because we miss a penalty in the last game, or the ref makes a blunder?
But what if we do get there and lose a semi final on penalties? Or the final to a 94th minute winner?
If TS does bring in his own manager it would be sensible to offer JJ a new contract to tie him in to the club. Then the sensible approach would be to allow JJ to coach the team with the new man learning and working with JJ.
If the TS targets are British then I’d imagine that the Portsmouth job being vacant might be a complication. I’m sure the candidates would be virtually the same. Might prolong the process.
Amusing that Pompey, the team we've probably played most in our history, are now battling against us for managers!
If TS does bring in his own manager it would be sensible to offer JJ a new contract to tie him in to the club. Then the sensible approach would be to allow JJ to coach the team with the new man learning and working with JJ.
But are TS, his new man and JJ sensible?
Is it sensible to enforce a coach on a manager, who ever that coach maybe?
A new manager may choose to keep Jacko but forcing it on them? Not sure that's a good idea.
If TS does bring in his own manager it would be sensible to offer JJ a new contract to tie him in to the club. Then the sensible approach would be to allow JJ to coach the team with the new man learning and working with JJ.
But are TS, his new man and JJ sensible?
If you can keep things amicable then transition periods for a handover of power are very helpful. Doesn’t often happen in football because most managers leave under a cloud or take their number two with them. Bowyers departure might give us the opportunity to do something different.
I think TS has known about LB going for a few weeks. Not a chance this all just happened at short notice. Personally I think the change in LB,s attitude the last few weeks was down to him knowing he was going. If that is correct then TS would have been sorting out his replacement, only time will tell who that might be but if he is true to his ambition it would surprise me if it is most of the names mentioned such as the Cowleys etc I think it will be a foreign manager looking to make his name here in the UK but probably someone most of us havent heard of before.
If TS does bring in his own manager it would be sensible to offer JJ a new contract to tie him in to the club. Then the sensible approach would be to allow JJ to coach the team with the new man learning and working with JJ.
But are TS, his new man and JJ sensible?
Is it sensible to enforce a coach on a manager, who ever that coach maybe?
A new manager may choose to keep Jacko but forcing it on them? Not sure that's a good idea.
It is not sensible at all - and no established manager would accept an owner forcing a first team coach on them. Not fair on JJ either in that situation.
If it was attempted, and surprisingly a new manager accepted the situation, it would be through gritted teeth and would end in tears.
If TS does bring in his own manager it would be sensible to offer JJ a new contract to tie him in to the club. Then the sensible approach would be to allow JJ to coach the team with the new man learning and working with JJ.
But are TS, his new man and JJ sensible?
Is it sensible to enforce a coach on a manager, who ever that coach maybe?
A new manager may choose to keep Jacko but forcing it on them? Not sure that's a good idea.
It is not sensible at all - and no established manager would accept an owner forcing a first team coach on them. Not fair on JJ either in that situation.
If it was attempted, and surprisingly a new manager accepted the situation, it would be through gritted teeth and would end in tears.
If accepted he would just end up as the BBC man and no one would want that.
For those saying Jackson might be tempted by jumping ship to Birmingham with Bowyer I'd be intrigued to understand your reasoning. Jackson is a club legend already and knows how much the fans love him. He would certainly have more loyalty to the club than he does to Bowyer. After all, he played here long after Bowyer left and has never left the club since he joined.
Why would he join a club that he has no affiliation with as No. 2 just for a man he worked with for 3 years? Let's say he doesn't get the top job here, as expected, then he is surely cemented for the No. 2 spot here. Why would he pick No. 2 spot at Birmingham over No. 2 spot at the club he loves and he is loved at? I think the prospect of being No. 2 in the Champ over L1 isn't much of a pulling factor, especially given the fact that he knows he will always be in the running for the Charlton job (which he has expressed he wants at some time in his career) as No. 2 here.
It makes sense neither for his career nor for sentimental reasons to go with Lee to Birmingham in my opinion.
Hardly a major surprise, any decent L1 side would be exactly what the Cowleys would be after
If people are still throwing their hats into the ring only three days before TS is convinced he’ll make an announcement then I think they are too late to the party.
For those saying Jackson might be tempted by jumping ship to Birmingham with Bowyer I'd be intrigued to understand your reasoning. Jackson is a club legend already and knows how much the fans love him. He would certainly have more loyalty to the club than he does to Bowyer. After all, he played here long after Bowyer left and has never left the club since he joined.
Why would he join a club that he has no affiliation with as No. 2 just for a man he worked with for 3 years? Let's say he doesn't get the top job here, as expected, then he is surely cemented for the No. 2 spot here. Why would he pick No. 2 spot at Birmingham over No. 2 spot at the club he loves and he is loved at? I think the prospect of being No. 2 in the Champ over L1 isn't much of a pulling factor, especially given the fact that he knows he will always be in the running for the Charlton job (which he has expressed he wants at some time in his career) as No. 2 here.
It makes sense neither for his career nor for sentimental reasons to go with Lee to Birmingham in my opinion.
Has anyone suggested, other than the interview, that he might?
And for the reasons given above I think it's far from being cemented as a No2 here.
Hardly a major surprise, any decent L1 side would be exactly what the Cowleys would be after
Lol I'm sure he would be interested! I hope were not returning the interest. Fair enough if we appoint someone to build on a 5 year plan but this appointment would not be doing that imo.
Comments
As of 10.20pm on 16 March the most likely person to get us in the play offs is Jackson. He knows the players, knows the league etc etc Curbs can help him.
Then what?
If he doesn't get there you then appoint someone else? What of we miss out by a point because we miss a penalty in the last game, or the ref makes a blunder?
But what if we do get there and lose a semi final on penalties? Or the final to a 94th minute winner?
What if we win them?
Do you miss out on your top target for that risk?
But are TS, his new man and JJ sensible?
A new manager may choose to keep Jacko but forcing it on them? Not sure that's a good idea.
If it was attempted, and surprisingly a new manager accepted the situation, it would be through gritted teeth and would end in tears.
Why would he join a club that he has no affiliation with as No. 2 just for a man he worked with for 3 years?
Let's say he doesn't get the top job here, as expected, then he is surely cemented for the No. 2 spot here. Why would he pick No. 2 spot at Birmingham over No. 2 spot at the club he loves and he is loved at? I think the prospect of being No. 2 in the Champ over L1 isn't much of a pulling factor, especially given the fact that he knows he will always be in the running for the Charlton job (which he has expressed he wants at some time in his career) as No. 2 here.
It makes sense neither for his career nor for sentimental reasons to go with Lee to Birmingham in my opinion.
And for the reasons given above I think it's far from being cemented as a No2 here.
But other than that I agree.
I’d take JJ with Curbs as Director of football
or
Wilder
or
Laudrup
Can’t see the last two happening though tbh