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Referee Watch in Association with EZE Group – Simon Hooper
Barring any late changes, Simon Hooper will be in the middle for Blues’ Championship game against Fulham at St Andrews tomorrow. Here is a look at his stats.
Season Performance
Mr Hooper has taken charge of ten games so far this season, showing twenty-two yellow cards and a single red. Of those games, three have been in the Championship and in those games he has cautioned eleven players and sent off one.
Last Blues Game Refereed
The last game involving Blues that Mr Hooper took charge of was the Carling Cup tie with Stoke last season which the Potters won on penalties after drawing 4-4 after extra time. In that game Mr Hooper booked three players – Marc Wilson, Marko Arnautovic and Brek Shea of Stoke and sent off Wade Elliott of Blues. Colin Tattum refers to the incident with Elliott in his match report but remained neutral on his performance.
Last Championship Game Refereed
The last game at this level Mr Hooper took charge of was the 1-0 win over Bolton by Leeds United at the end of August. In that game he booked two players – Jason Pearce and Scott Wootton of Leeds United
Suspension Watch
3 Yellow Cards: Paul Robinson
2 Yellow Cards: Wes Thomas
1 Yellow Card: Neal Eardley, David Davis, David Cotterill, Demarai Gray, David Edgar, Jonathan Spector
The last date that five yellow cards will attract a suspension is December 31; for ten yellow cards it is April 12.
All referee stats via Soccerbase
Tags: Simon Hooper
129 Responses to “Referee Watch in Association with EZE Group – Simon Hooper”
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I don’t need to remind fans that on 1/10/13 we beat Millwall 4-0 at St Andrews. Since then we have gone 22 home league games with only one victory.
Tomorrow’s match is the last chance we have of gaining a second win before a full year since our last but one victory elapses.
I am keeping my fingers crossed for a famous second win in twelve months. KRO.
We’ve created so many chances in matches so far this season, that haven’t been put away…. that has to change at some point surely? Hopefully, tomorrow will be the day when everything clicks.
I’m wondering whether Lee Clark will still go with 4-4-2, or change it. I have to say, that I don’t think we’ve been that successful in the last few seasons when we’ve used it. Also, at the moment, neither of our 2 strikers seems to be able to hit a barn door from 3 yards, so we might be better going with one striker and an attacking midfielder.
Or maybe Clark will employ the 4-3-3- from last week.. with Donaldson up front and Gray and Cotterill either side. Will be interesting to see which way the manager goes.
Hate to be the voice of doom, but can’t see us picking anything up tomorrow. Fulham are still stuffed with Premiership quality (and Dan Burn), and currently residing in a false position. They’ve got a new manager of sorts, and looking for their first win. Gven our track record, you just know it will come tomorrow….
Only player that worries me, is Matt Smith, if he plays after coming back from suspension. He destroyed us against Leeds at the end of last season. But, we have Edgar and Hall this time around… instead of Thorpe and Spector. They’re no great shakes at the back, so, if we put them under pressure from the start, you never know.
Memo to Randolph: Stop launching every kick towards the floodlights…. Burn will swallow them up and give our strikers no chance of winning anything. Play out from the back FGS, how hard can it be?
Here here Staffs, particularly with Burn at the back – but surely that’s what Lee Clark gets paid for and will be advising him tomorrow???
I remember in one of the cup games, (can’t remember which one) but Doyle actually played the ball out from the back… and Lee Clark applauded him. So I can’t understand why Clark hasn’t insisted on Randolph doing the same.
My only worry with our team, is that we have full backs who can’t stop crosses coming in… and a goalkeeper who doesn’t command his area, especially with crosses. I do agree with you Richard, the coaches should be working on those areas.
That’s all well and good until you consider the quality of the players we have. Are they really good enough to play out from the back all the time. They will make errors when put under pressure and then we end up giving away soft goals which is the last thing we can afford. We have got to play the percentages and minimise errors.
So, launching it upfield to a non-existent centre forward is better? All that happens, is the ball keeps coming back and putting the defence under even more pressure.
If you can’t play out from the back, you shouldn’t be on a football pitch, whatever the division.
absolutely right staffs blues should be able to do the basics at the back right. defenders should comfortable on the ball, do like the hall and Edgar combination in defense. Hopefully if neither get injured i would like to say we win more with this pairing just my opinion. No disrespect to packwood he will need to raise his game to break those two to up…… Equally Hancox needs game time to push on, same with him needs to raise his level of performance to get into clarks plans, absolutely nothing to do with clark bombing him out…..
with the importance that blues win tomorrow dont give a sh*t if it comes off the ref’s backside, win a win right lol……..comes on you blue boys peaky at the ready……
It’s better than our defenders, who are not very good – have a look at our goals against column, getting caught in possession giving opposing strikers clear goal scoring opportunities. If they are in acres of space by all means give it to them. It doesn’t actually matter if the centre back wins the first ball off a goal kick as long as you then win the 50:50s and then play from there – far less risky than your suggested approach.
We’ll agree to disagree on this one SB. I understand your point, but I don’t want to keep watching 90 minutes of Randolph hoofing it up the field, for our forwards to only win 10% of them. If we had a Crouch or a Carroll… or even a Matt Smith/Rudy Gestede type, fine, but we haven’t. I’d rather see us get comfortable with playing through the team.
I like the look of the team today… with both Duffy, Gray and Cotterill in. Plenty of pace.
Cotterill has no pace.Gray has pace but he is played inside. Duffy,don’t rate him.
Of course they are fully fit, Clarke says so…Is this the tenth game that you were saying we should give him for the team to settle down, Staffs ? How many games now this season have we dropped points when in the lead , 5 ?
How can anyone blame that defeat on the manager? Incredible. We should have been out of sight AGAIN by half time… then we gift them 2 goals. Even Steve Claridge would score more than all our strikers put together. The chances we keep missing every game leave me absolutely baffled.
He picks the team ffs. The main 2 strikers are not scoring,but he doesn’t give Johnstone a chance.Robinson is too old but he keeps picking him. 2 1 in the last minute of injury time and he takes Spector off and puts Caddis on instead of another striker. We have no pace out wide so he plays Gray behind Donaldson. fuk him off now before it’s too late.
How much longer will the fans and the board tolerate Clarks appalling record.?
Yet another Saturday evening ruined.
By the time we play at home next,we will have won one home league game in the calender year. Disgraceful.If he had any pride he’d go now.
So IF they should have been out of sight, (for the fifth time in six matches) then something is not right, and it is up to the Manager to put it right. I am arguing from a weak point as I didn’t see the match, I only know that when we were 1-0 up I remarked to my wife that we would probably throw it away, and we did. I haven’t called for his head before, but I really think if he isn’t sacked very soon it will be too late. How did Shea play ?
Shea tried his best when he came on… but to little effect. I watched it live and seriously… both Donaldson and Grounds should have scored in the first half, to add to Cotterill’s goal. Fulham had nothing to offer hardly. We were on top until that stupid first goal, then we seemed to lose confidence. Then we gifted them a second.
If I was Clark, I wouldn’t wait to be sacked, I’d walk away. The club is rotten through and through because of the owners and I don’t think it’ll make a jot of difference whether he stays or goes. There’s a stench of death hanging over the ground… and I don’t think a new manager will make any difference. But, I hope I’m wrong.
You would walk away and miss out on about £300k from getting your contract paid up from getting sacked. You might but Clark won’t – even he is not that thick.
You’re probably right.
Donaldson’s was a shocker.Grounds tbf was going backwards and stretching.
The BBC Sorts page comment states that Fulham had four attempts at Goal from the 85th minute, whilst Blues didn’t have one, and we were supposed to be chasing the game. There is no way that those Players can be fit for 90 minutes, no matter what Clark says. You don’t keep losing in the
second half if you are properly fit.
Then what does he do Chas ? Brings Caddis on for Spector at the death instead of a striker. Brilliant Lee.
I don’t think that’s lack of fitness. We were fine until we gifted them the first goal. It’s when we can’t add to that first goal that the confidence seems to start to fade. Fulham didn’t earn or deserve those points, they did bugger all for the first hour, except huff and puff and throw themselves down.
We always look knackered after 60-70 minutes.
StaffsBlue.
I’ve said this before “a one half performance is a trait of Clarks management ability or lack of .This is not something new it’s a happened on numerous occasions over the last few seasons and he’s incapable of putting right.Last week I also said “this team under Clarks leadership would not have enough quality or experience to flight relegation” today’s result is a black day for the club and the supporters .
I have to admit, I’m beginning to agree with you. I really don’t blame Clark, but maybe it’s time for a change.
I can’t see what more Clark can do to be honest. I think that’s about 12 points we’ve lost now from winning positions. So, we’ve been good enough to get in those winning positions in the first place. We’re just not good enough up front to capitalise on our superiority in games… which eventually puts pressure on the defence. I don’t know what the answer is to strikers who just can’t score. I wonder if we could tempt Kevin Phillips out of retirement.
That is the problem tho Staffs. There is nothing more he can do. Best to move him on and try to get someone who can do more. Easy to say ,I know, but we are not going to improve with him in charge. His record here and at Huddersfield proves that.
I’m really past caring who the manager is to be honest chas… I’m just saying, I don’t know what the manager can do, other than get on the end of chances himself. Our No.1 problem is scoring goals. The fact that Donaldson and Thomas aren’t up there in the leading goalscorer charts highlights this. It’s not as though we’re not creating chances…. we’re just missing them time after time after time. There’s nothing any manager can do about that. But, maybe a change might be beneficial now. Clark must be losing heart after today.
The problem is that there is no one that can be relied on to score. Whether you loved him or hated him, Zigic could score and let’s be honest without his goals last season we would have gone down. With him really the last remant of the PL squad we are now at the bottom of the barrel and relying on frees and loans that nobody else wants to employ. To think of buying a striker in January is a pipedream. Yes we have some decent kids but they are going to get burnt out in the stress of all of the pressure.
I have to say this club will disappear into oblivion if a new owner is not found soon – 12000 crowds are not going to cover the operating costs and receivership is a lurking threat. With a points deduction it would be the last straw
We’re not good enough to keep em out.That’s the problem. it’s not often we don’t score.
But, we haven’t scored more than 2 goals in the league this season… and only once have we let in more than 2 (Wigan.) In the match report on Sky.com, it had these comments.
‘Birmingham had numerous chances to chalk up only their second league home win in 12 months but they let themselves down with some indifferent finishing.
* But it was Birmingham who then took command and Cotterill, who has created numerous goal opportunities this season, found himself in a goalscoring position when he latched onto a pass from Mark Duffy only to screw his effort wide with only goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli to beat.
* Cotterill’s floated left wing cross found the unmarked Clayton Donaldson when conspired to put his glancing header wide from only five yards.
* Birmingham continued to benefit from Cotterill’s good delivery and another chance went begging as David Edgar headed wide from the corner kick.
* A lacklustre Fulham could have gone further behind if Jonathan Grounds had displayed better control before haphazardly shooting wide.’
That was just the first half. If just one of those chances had been buried, we wouldn’t be having this discussion tonight… because Fulham wouldn’t have come back from 2 down I’m sure, and it would have given us a bit of breathing space.
Staffs , I remember after one game when Cooper was Manager and we missed loads of chances, he told everyone that we were going to concentrate on shooting practice the following monday, so I took my daughters up to watch them. The Players larked around instead of trying and the most consistent scorer was Thomas, the goalie. Coper walked away from the practice with his head down, he knew he couldnt do any more. I feel the same thing now about this team.
I make them do double training…. and not let the buggers go home until they’re netting at least 1 in 3 chances. It truly has been the difference this season, between top 6 and bottom 6.
* I would
We are agreed there, Staffs. Practice makes perfect, do it till you do it properly.
Not the defending then?
Would you not agree though steve, that if the team are creating chances, but the strikers keep missing them, this just invites pressure… and we all know, that if you keep inviting pressure, that pressure will eventually tell?
Other than the lack of decisive finishing, there really couldn’t be any criticism of the first half. The platform was built to go on and finish it off in the second half.
I do agree Staffs,but he won’t give Johnstone a chance.That Fulham side should not have scored 2 goals today.It was down to the defence. Spector and Robinson shouldn’t be in the starting 11. Caddis may not be the best defensively,but he gives us more going forward,and imo,cotterill could have done with his help today.
Agree about Specs and Robbo. Neither are up to this level anymore.Caddis is maybe just the better of 3 piss poor right backs at the club. He’s great going forward and supporting the winger, but poor defensively. But hey, it’s better than Spector making clanger after clanger.
As for Johnstone, I think his time will come soon. We have to realise though, the lad has been out for a month, so won’t be up to match speed yet… and I’m not sure it would have been a) right to start him yet, b) been right to throw him on when we were chasing the game. But I do think that, if Donaldson and Thomas don’t pull their fingers out, PDQ, Johnstone should get his chance. I’m almost out of patience with our strikers.
One win in twenty three home league games! You couldn’t make it up.
When Clark goes, which I think is 90% certain now… you can guarantee that the players won’t give a sh*t. They’ll just pick up their wages as normal, without a care in the world. I’m bitterly disappointed for the man, but I think he’d be best leaving now, while he still has some reputation left.
He should have been sacked at the end of last season. Anybody that disagrees with him is bombed out.He takes no notice of his coaches.If he’s sacked,and i’ll be surprised if he is,it’s his own fault.
I would still love to hear the truth about what happened with McDermott and Fazackerly. That was really strange but it was obviously sorted out so they kept quiet.
I can tell you Shiley Blue – Fazakeley and McDermott walked, becuase they couldn’t work with Clark anymore. FACT.
Richard M is right.He took no notice of their advice.
I honestly don’t think he will be sacked. They won’t pay the £500k it will cost at least to get rid of him and entourage. Nobody else is interested in him to take him off our hands for free and he won’t walk out on his contract.
And people still defend him.
It’s far too easy for people to blame the manager when things aren’t right…. but for me, the blame falls entirely on the players, not being able to see out a game when they’re in front. Unprofessional at best.
But, I’ve already said that I think it’s time for a change… but my opinion of Clark hasn’t changed.
He’s the manager.He carries the can. The team were comfortable until Half time,as in all of our home games.Something seems to happen during the break,and i don’t think some of his substitutions work.so is it his team talk ? I don’t know,but something is going wrong at half time.
My mind’s made up. I feel genuinely sorry for Clark and the hand he’s been given, but it’s now the end of September, we have only 7 points, and are incapable of holding a lead. It’s one thing to lose, but the least we demand is you go down fighting. Didn’t happen against Sheff Wed and didn’t happen today either. Fulham were truly shit and undeserving of 3 points. I agree that Clark has done all he can, but it’s not enough. We either get rid of Clark now and replace him with someone (Rowett? Francis??) or WE WILL be relegated.
As Napoleon once said, “Don’t bring me good generals, bring me lucky ones”. Sadly, Clark is nether good or lucky!
I think that’s a very fair assessment.
Oh and one other thing, Spector is fast becoming a bigger liability than Robinson – he should be dropped immediately, preferrably sold. I’m losing count of the amount of goals / points he has cost us this past 12 months, Burnley, Forest, Wigan, Fulham…..
Absolutely spot on. What chance does a manager have when his most experienced players are the biggest liabilities.
There is no excuse when he keeps picking Robinson who is over the hill and he has got other centre backs.
You have to feel for Edgar and Grounds. They’ve worked like Trojans this season, but keep being let down by more experienced players. I think if he’s going to play Davis and Reilly in centre midfield (which appears to be the best partnership) then the only way he can shoe Caddis in, is at right back. Swap Robbo for Hall and we might be ok. But still, my biggest worry is up front. The wastefulness in front of goal is costing us dearly.
If Clark is replaced, it has to be someone with experience… lots of it. Forget the Rowetts and blokes like that, we need the Neil Warnock/Tony Pulis no-nonesence type. Anything less and we’ll leave this division with a whimper.
No chance of Warnock or Pulis Staffs, that’s why I’m thinking Rowett, if he was considering Blackpool then I’m certain we could get him at Blues, he has an emotional attachment to the club and might relish the chance to step up two leagues in the Pyramid. Not sure why you don’t think he’s a “No-nonsense” type – always seemed hard as nails and a leader on the pitch when at Blues.
I know Richard, that’s why I said a Warnock/Pulis type. Rowett, like Clark, is untried at this level… can we really afford to appoint that kind of manager again? I’ve no doubt he’ll make a good manager in time, but we can’t afford for him to ‘practice’ on us. But, I’m more than willing to be proved wrong. Maybe with Sir Trev alongside for experience?
Well, he’s hinted at it in the mail this week – plus probaby wouldn’t be overly concerned about the money. At this point Rowett or Francis (or the two of them in partnership0 doesn’t sound too bad to me…
As I’ve said, my opinion of Clark hasn’t changed. For me, he’s the right manager, but at the wrong club. I’ve always supported the guy and I’m not going to start slagging him off now. But, where I will agree with others, is it may now be time to make a change. If not now, certainly in the next 2 or 3 games if things don’t improve drastically. I can’t say fairer than that.
Gotta be honest,Trev didn’t impress me as our manager.His man management is as bad as Clarks.
Agreed.Now isn’t the time for potential.We need experience. For once,i don’t care how we play,we need points.We have to stay in this division.
To be honest though, we could all pull names out of the air, but there aren’t that many suitable candidates. If they pay off Clark and his team, there will be less to pay for a salary, plus no chance of paying compensation. That means, it’s either going to be another lower division manager (who is available)…. or some unknown from abroad (who is available.) Doesn’t fill me with too much confidence.
Other problem is I havnt got much faith in our owners to make a good decision on a replacement as they have proved inept in virtually every other aspect of running the club. Not that should hold them back from getting rid of Clark as enough is enough now. I think he would make a good assistant manager somewhere but as for making key decisions at the right time he is hopeless.
So, it looks like Rowett is the chosen one, looking around the boards. But, who else would be a sensible choice? I mean managers/coaches who would fit all the criteria (wages, experience, availability, etc.) Answers on a postcard.
Steve Clark, Chris Hughton. Don’t think either are in work at the moment but both would be a massive improvement on LC using whatever criteria you may wish to name.
Having watched Marvellous on Thursday night, perhaps a punt on Neil ‘Nello’ Baldwin wouldn’t be a bad idea. He said that he always wanted to be a football manager and he quoted Brian Clough fairly often.
Couldn’t be any worse than what we have here.
Sorry, Hughton pissed on his chips when he walked out on Blues after just one season…..I don’t think he would be welcomed back by the Blues faithfull…..
The thing that rankles with me, was that, even whilst we were still in the Europa Cup, it was obvious to anyone with half a brain that the guy wouldn’t be here beyond that season. In every single interview, he was totally non-commital about his future. If he’d said something like, “If things go well, and they want me here, then yes, I’d love to carry on next season.” It’s the very least you’d expect… but not once did he commit to the club. That’s just my view of course, but I won’t be changing my mind on Hughton.
What on earth do you expect him to say – I have always wanted to be Birmingham City manager and want to stay here for the rest of my working life. He is a professional football manager not a Blues fan. He has a right to take whatever opportunities come his way just like the rest of us.
He got a chance to manage in the Premiership and better tems and conditions. He had no special ties to Blues as a fan or an ex-player so why shouldn’t he take the opportunity to better himself – we all would in our own careers. Don’t you think Clark would have walked away if he got a better offer. The simple fact of the matter is nobody has been interested in him.
What can you actually achieve in one season? Yes. he got us into the play-offs and almost into the next round of the Europa.. but what could he have done with the same players (and a couple of additions) the following season? He might well have gotten us into the premier. I think we deserved more than one season out of him after giving him his chance.
Tbf Richard,Pannu told Hughton that a takeover was imminent. They bullshit him.
Steve……It is difficult to believe that you have access to Pannu and Hughton’s conversations.
Believe what you like mate.
Forget about who any potential new manager might be — the thing is: who would pick him? If Pannu is out on Tuesday, then who is actually running the show? And what do they know about who would make a good manager? If Pavlakis holds the upper hand, he’d probably want to take a longer look at LC before ditching him. I reckon Clark will still be there this time next month.
Pavlakis will have already taken a good look at Lee Clark. He’s been knocking around the club for quite some time, and has a pretty good idea of what he’s capable of. He’s also acutely aware of fans feelings toward him.
I just hope he can find a way of appointing a new manager to bring renewed hope to the pitch, if not to the boardroom.
i was at Uttoxeter races last week and the Burton Albion team were in the box next door, spoke to Mark Sale for a while and asked him if Rowett would be interested in the job, he said he would jump at the chance to manage Blues, not a bad option and probably could do a better job, with limited resources much like he does at the Albion!
This squad aren’t promotion challengers Rob,but they shouldn’t be relegation fodder either. I think a new manager with new ideas is needed. I like Rowett,but i wonder about inexperience.
We can talk about our players not being good enough, but any that were any good would be sold anyway to keep BIHL going. We”ll be in Division 2 before anything happens. I’m totally demoralised. Even watching Chelsea demolish the Vile on TV didn’t cheer me up!
My issue with Clark is simple but not personal.
He must realise his record is appalling so why doesn’t he resign.?
Any honourable man would accept he’s not up to the job and come to some amicable arrangement with the club and leave.At the moment he’s doing more damage to the club which in time may be irretrievably.
Waiting to be sacked for the big “pay off “speaks volumes about his personality and character .
I’m afraid I disagree totally with that. I think it speaks volumes for the guy that he won’t quit… that he wants desperately to get things right. I do think though, that he probably knows he’s on borrowed time and wants to turn it round before the axe falls. I can’t blame the bloke for that.
Staffs LC knows which side his bread is buttered. He knows nobody else will employ him after this debacle he also knows as long as he keeps ignoring the calls to go he is putting bread on the table and if he was to be sacked he would get a nice wedge of severance pay which will set him up for a while. The only losers are us the fans as we continue to watch a poor manager dealing with a very challenging situation which has been the case since he started.
Let’s just say he walked tomorrow… what makes you think he wouldn’t get another job on Tuesday? What makes you say “He knows nobody else will employ him?” Your proof?
When I listen and read other people’s views within the game, there’s very few who don’t think he’s done a good job under the circumstances. Now that might not be what you, or other Blues fans think, but people within the game do… and that’s what matters, not what you or I think.
The proof is that there are vacant positions and speculated to become vacant positions an his name does not crop up on any lists only the hope from us Blues fans that wish him to go.
As for proof where is the proof that Hughton ran scared? He chose to go to a club with more of a future than Blues from what I can see and that is based on a friend of mine who went to school with Chris Hughton and indeed played football with him in his younger days.
It’s all academic atm… but we’ll see one way or the other fairly soon I would think.
Like who?
I wouldn’t be surprised to see if he wasn’t wanted back at Newcastle.
It doesn’t speak volumes at all Staffs.He can’t get the best out of this squad.He should do the decent thing and walk.
Tbh steve, I think the debate about Clark is all but over. The agenda now, is when and how to make the change and who will be the chosen one… and by whom?
Give me a break. He is hanging on for the pay off and I don’t blame him. Unfortunately it’s costing us dear in wasted time and lost points.
I don’t think the owners can ignore the groundswell against Clark now tbh. PP2 ain’t stupid, he’ll be well aware of the situation. I’d be very surprised if words haven’t been exchanged already.
Hughton ran scared last time because of the predicament we were in, regards the ownership… so he’s unlikely to want to come back now things are worse. And, let’s face it, he spent millions at Norwich and made a pig’s ear of it. Clarke, I’m not sure about, but suspect he would prefer a high end Champs club at least. It’s unlikely we could afford the likes of Hughton or Clarke anyway, even if they are unemployed. With Rowett, yes, it would be nice to have an ex-player in charge, but, as I’ve already said, he’s totally untried at this level. If it didn’t work out, we couldn’t afford another pay off, so we’d be stuck with him too.
If Lee Clark goes, it needs someone with a bit of nous and football knowledge to get the next appointment right…. unfortunately, there’s no one inside BIHL that even comes close to that description.
The board fed him BS Staffs.He didn’t trust them.
If and I say, if, that is true, fair enough. I’ve read an awful lot around the internet concerning the last 3 or 4 years, blah blah this FACT and blah blah that FACT, but I’ve rarely read much proof to back it up. Of course, I accept that there are plenty of people who know far more than I do, but without the proof, you just never know what to believe.
Fed up with poor football, poor results. LC is the second longest serving manager in the division. Who says sticking with someone thru thick and thin is important. Only bright light is Demerai gray. The sale of the club is just as gloomy. .nobody with money interested. What will tuesdays meeting bring? I think nothing. How much is Lee clark paid?
Staffs,
I don’t think its fair to say “Hughton ran scared ” he was offered a better job and he was wise enough to see that under the current owners we were going nowhere-you can’t blame him for being ambitious?
So what makes you think he’d come near the job again…. and even if he did, how long do you think it would be before he ‘accepts a better offer’?
Personally, I’d welcome anyone in the job before Hughton.. but that’s just my opinion.
I do think Hughton would be a good replacement but I don’t think for one moment he will come back.As for selecting a new manager the club could employ a consultant( preferably an ex-manager”)to advise the board.TF as an example or maybe Peter Reid.It wouldn’t be an issue .
I said this last night. Someone like Rowett, with TF as advisor. I think, to give the job to someone like Rowett on his own bat, could be out of the frying pan into the fire. There’s no knowing if he too would be out of his depth at this level. It has to be either someone with vast experience, or a younger coach with an older head alongside. I think the nature of the job demands this. They can’t afford to get the next appointment wrong.
Hate to say this, but ironically I think Administration is the only thing that can save Blues. Yes it would virutally guarantee relegation to League 1, but it’s the only thing that’s going to forceably prise the club from the hands of the Hong Kong goons running the show, who only care about their HKSE listing and don’t give a toss about BCFC.
It would also finish Clark, and might make the club an attractive option for some real investors, who could then get the club (100% owned not 24%!) at a fraction of the £40 million BIHL are demandng.
I couldn’t disagree with any of that… and I’ve always been against admin. But I really don’t see any other way.
I don’t think there can be too much argument now that Clark will be gone soon, I think it’s probably reached the point where his position is becoming/has become untenable. When it reaches that point, something always has to give… and whether BIHL like it or not, they’ll have to find the money for a pay-off from somewhere. Some say they can’t afford to… but can they afford not to now?
A couple of names I’ve not seen mentioned anywhere so far… Dave Jones and Mark Robins. Just throwing them into the hat as maybe affordable.
Hmm….Neither fill me with much enthusiasm, Dave Jones massively underperformed with Sheff Wed, was Mark Robbins any better with Huddersfield? The danger here Staffs in that making “Championship Experience” your number one criteria, you are automatically dismissing up and coming managers from the lower leagues, and potentialy opening the door to a lot of dross.
I’m sure Jones and Robins would love to come to St Andrews and pick up a pay-packet, I’m sure Dave (can’t even remember his name!) the ex-Leeds boss would welcome us with open arms – but personally I’d far rather a hungry, ambitious manager wanting to prove his worth at a higher level – that’s why I’d prefer someone like Karl Robinson at MK Dons or Gary Rowett at Burton….
Yes, I understand that reasoning too. There are a few up-and-coming lower league managers, the likes of Karl Robinson, Justin Edinburgh etc… but would the job be too much for them at this level? This is why I stressed that the next appt. has to be right… we can’t afford to pay another manager off if it goes tits up.
I think Dave Jones is a good shout to keep us in this division.Robins ?
The club needs a lift and a new Manager could provide that for both the players and fans..a bit of hope? We all Know Clark has limited ability(yes I’m being kind) and he is only here because he was available and cheap and willing to work within a tight situation…but simple fact is he is out of his depth..he seems to have lost the little motivational skill he had and as the team he has assembled are “his” players he should carry the can..fact is they are not good enough if you build a team with lower league players you will have a lower league team..you may strike lucky and pick up a good one..Clark hasn’t! The couple of decent youngsters we have cant be expected to carry us through…Never Rated Spector and Robbo has been a good servant and aside from giving the ball away cheaply now anyone who runs at him will get clobbered and shirt pulled because his legs have gone….fast becoming a liability…I agree with some of the names mentioned there are some experienced managers out of work….+ Steve Clark,Curbishley either way I think once Pannu is out of the way the greek fella will want to make his mark..lets hope so!! before it’s too late
Don’t know how true it is,but i,ve been told Clark will be gone before our next home game. I,m surprised by that.I didn’t think they would get rid.
I think it is more to do with the hope of changes in circumstances after the 30th Sept.The rumour mill is going to get really hot as we approach this potentially life changing date.
Reading between the lines,OP seems to think something will happen after Pannu goes next week.
Steve……Again I envy your inside knowledge of club matters. Not are you privy to Pannu and Hughton conversations, but are privileged to be told that Clark will be gone before the next home game!
Or are you a fantasist?
Just been on Freeforums and OP is saying the same about Clark.Somebody has mentioned Michael Johnson.I hope not.Maybe i,m just fantasising though.
I saw that too… and I’m with you. Johnson would be a disaster, as would Robbo. I do believe that someone with roots/connections to the club should should be involved in the set-up, you need that at every club… but I think romanticism shouldn’t be part of the criteria. Give the position to the best man (available) for the job.
7 points out of a possible 27 are stats that sadly don’t lie.
it’s reached the time to make some changes. KRO
Dave I think we reached that point ages ago but like all good Bluenoses we are always prepared to give the under dog a chance again and again. But now even the LC tinted specs have cracked on those who would give him chance after chance.
Lets hope there is a change and it is for the good, change for the same or worse will certainly not help matters.
There’s certainly a need for fresh ideas on the coaching side, because, I don’t think we’re half as bad a side as some people think. We’re definitely good enough in the first half of games, but with the first setback, the confidence and belief goes to pot. That’s where we need to address things first. I still believe we can be a middle to top half team.
Another that crossed my mind, is Gary Megson. He’s not the greatest manager I’ve ever seen, but he’s good at galvanizing a team and sorting them into a solid unit. I think he did a sound job at most of the clubs he’s managed. Not always a fan’s favourite though.
Couple of people saying Clark was sacked this morning.
I suppose that, if he has been, we’ll be the last to know as usual.
Let’s hope it’s true. That would cheer me up on a Monday morning.
If it’s going to happen I think it will be after Pannu goes on tuesday.
Reading around the boards, etc, the feeling is that PP2 is waiting for PP1 to do one, so he can flex his muscles. Time will tell if he’s got the power, or even the b*lls to use it.