I’m delighted for Alex Neil at achieving promotion for Norwich City just a few months after joining and transforming them. Alex was groomed for the Hamilton Accies job by former boss Billy Hamilton for years before being given the position as a 31-year-old two years ago. Billy would talk him through training games, “Reds are being overrun, would you do to change things?” I listened into some of this, but in football it’s never apparent what’s being absorbed and what’s slipping through the cracks.
Lots of credit has to go to our former commercial head, David McNally, who took as Norwich chief exec six years ago, in the wake of departing Neil Doncaster. McNally spent much of season 2013-14 dangling the Sword of Damocles over Chris Hughton, before sacking him with relegation looming, then sacking his replacement, Neil Adams, whose only previous coaching role was as a Norwich youth coach.
Fresh from having to admit a mistake in appointing an inexperienced manager, it was unfathomable that McNally gambled on Alex Neil. Last season Neil got Accies into the play-off final against Hibs, where they lost the first leg 0-2 at home. At that stage his achievements were no better than could be expected, but Terry Butcher was master tactician at opponents Hibs.
Ahead of the second leg Butcher spoke to his players about post-match celebrations. The only thing anyone at Hibs could celebrate after the game was Butcher’s resignation. Six months of spectacular overachieving with Accies this season was enough for McNally to see something special in Alex Neil. It was a breath-taking gamble which worked.
Norwich’s gamble has echoes in our own, in appointing Ronny Deila, but Celtic had a bit more form to judge. When I asked a Norwegian journalist about Ronny last summer he actually compared Stromsgodset wining the league to Hamilton Accies winning the SPFL. Ronny had six years, not six months, of pretty spectacular form to study before Celtic made their offer.
Ronny and Celtic know they are working to a medium-term plan and that short-termism isn’t going to get in the way. Such planning is a luxury in football, and isn’t something Celtic enjoyed when they were caught in an arms race with a liquidation-bound opponent. Norwich might just have learned enough self-awareness to know that next season’s target shouldn’t be survival, it should be medium-term development, even if that means accepting the short-term pain of relegation.
I read yesterday that Real Madrid have sacked a manager every season they failed to win a major trophy since Alfredo Di Stefano’s side finished second in La Liga, and were losing finalists in the Copa’ Liga, Copa del Rey and Cup Winners’ Cup, the latter to Aberdeen. Medium-termism at Real is counted in weeks, not seasons. Being intolerant of short-term failure is incredibly wasteful.
Alfredo was sacked a year later.
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So come on Motherwell!
“Then we paid to watch cheats steal league titles when MO’N took charge, though even then they only managed to win them on the last day.”
Beatbhoy,
Probably one for another day but I’m still not convinced all that malarkey started when we think it did.
Much earlier methinks
HH
Anybody heard from Oldtim since our glorious Sunday? H H Hebcelt
Tontine Tim
14:19 on 26 May, 2015
weeman67
19:59 on
25 May, 2015
As it is Memorial Day here in th U.S.A. I would like to thank all who have served and who are serving at this time. May your God be with you and guide you home safely.
*I showed your recent posting about the virtual Vietnam Wall to Mrs. TT including the photies of Alex Chisholm, since then she has relayed this info to family home and abroad. They all grew up with Alex and recalled his sad funeral, so a lot of memories were stirred
TT…..my first 6 months in the States I didn’t have a car, Alex would pick me up on a Fri/Sat night and we would go bar hopping. A lot of memories, he was a great guy..
Good afternoon all.
It feels soooooo much better to be on the mend. Almost back to full fitness after the worse fortnight imaginable. :-))))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Tom I think that’s the point. That it’s a near impossible task.
Although one guy managed to score a goal instead. Even better!
I’ve renewed my ST and am absolutely delighted to have done so. :-))))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
scottishleaf
Met your brother on Sunday.
First time I have seen him in a very long time. I actually last met him in the airport when I was going on honeymoon.
Hope you are well mate
LB
Tom McLaughlin
I think they should have been given at least 5 attempts each to be fair.
I would just love to have been out there on Sunday to be honest. That would have been magic.
LB
Geordie Munro
I’m thinking of the Discount Option Scheme, pre-EBTS , which started around 1999, so under Dr. Jo and Barnes we were being cheated too, you’re right.
Improperly registered players, whether EBTs are found to have been legally used or not.
You may be thinking of even earlier than this!
geordie munro,
Too true, I also believe that the cheating was going on well before the MON days. Remember, if they had beaten Malmo or Maribor, much of what we now know would have stayed hidden for a while longer so it would not be beyond reason to expect that there is plenty more under the rug which has not yet been exposed.
Unfortunately, no-one in Scotland has the balls to investigate that organisation in an honest and thorough manner, though in some cases with justification as the threats would come thick and fast if too much was uncovered.
AR
What happened to the ole Discount Option Scheme money?
LB aye he mentioned he had seen you :)
We usually travel together but I coach 2006’s and Conor plays for the team and we had arranged to play Falkirk 06’s at The Falkirk Stadium.
Anyone who knows me well will know I have a horrible sense of direction and get can lost very easily, put it this was if I have a 50/50 choice on a road/pavement you can be assured I will pick the wrong one!
All good buddy, if you are in town on the 6th for the JCS event then we can catch up. Think your Da might be heading through?
Ciaran thinking about getting a ST next season if he can get a seat close to where me and Daz sit.
Hope you can get one close to your wee bhoy, something magical about taking your son to the football :) Especially if you support Celtic!
Cheers
SL
Anyway was driving from Falkirk to Glasgow and stupid Sat Nav took my through Glasgow Cross etc. so only got into the ground at 12:15
I enjoyed when the stadium announcer referred to the youth team winning the final “against another team”.
DBBIA
It was used to buy even more players they couldnae afford, thus, ever -so- cheatingly depriving us of glory (titles), fun (CL nights), and money (CL cash).
But you can only play the hand you are dealt, apparently, even if you can see the marked cards and the guy behind you looking at your hand.
Oops sat nav bit should have been after my horrible sense of direction!
scottishleaf
Hahahahaha
You shouldn;t be on the roads!!!
I will see what I can do for the JCS event mate. I am moving house in a few weeks.
Aye your brother was telling me about your jaunt out to Falkirk pre-match.
I just have to wait until the renewal period is over and see what is available and then sign up for the 10 month payment deal.
My wife is going back to work full time. Mostly to allow me a season ticket;-)
LB
I know there are a few bhoys on here who either are or were in Turkey, and wondering if I could pick their brains.
Turning 50 in the fall, and thinking of spending a few weeks in Turkey to celebrate … thinking a few days in Istanbul, a few days in Cappadocia, and, if possible, a few days diving (if someone can recommend some place that is decent for diving and not too remote).
KT’s family are a bit concerned and would like us to avoid the lebanon/syria part ….
any thoughts would be most appreciated.
Cheers,
M
Morrissey the 23rd
We need more like him!
When I phoned to complain about the official website talking of KC’s goal of the season being scored against Rangers, the SLO, who I know has a very difficult remit, told me : “But that’s what they’re called”.
I don’t know if he took my advice to look at the RIFC website, but the stadium announcer has given me some hope!
Beatbhoy- yes, but what didn’t kill us made us stronger.
Stronger, more handsome [if possible] and well balanced individuals.
Weefra
just on, looked back and saw that you are on the road to recovery. Good news.
mike in toronto
Thanks for that buddy, it is good to be back. That was a horrible time I had. :-))))
Spoke to bmcuw about an hour ago, now that is a cheer up if ever there was one. Lol
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
BCW, I think the cheating goes further back, I’m sure that Judas had “wee tax problem” in France when he signed for them. Somebody here should be able to clarify that.
can someone in charge do something about the sky bet pop up ads??????
its getting harder and harder to get onto this blog
a great blog is being ruined
people will eventually stop browsing this blog
its the way of the net if something becomes too hard to access
Listened to Chris Sutton on ‘My Sporting Life’ with Danny Baker on Talk Sport late on Sunday night, and I have never heard someone express such love for the club.
Said that his five years were the best of his life, let alone career.
Accused Dunfermline of lying down again.
Said Larsson was best in the world.
Said people can’t understand just how amazing the fans are.
LB
No I shouldn’t be on the roads! The real miracle is I have never even came close to having a crash :)
And that’s a good wife you have there! Mine makes me go out and referee in all weathers to pay for mine and Conor’s ST’s and away tickets etc. That’s why she won’t be able to complain the first time I take him to a Euro away game ;)
Good luck with the house move, my next house move will be when I retire to Catalonia!
Hopefully see you on the 6th, if not take it easy
WeefratheTim
so glad to hear your feeling better ….just a pity it couldnt have been a week sooner
missed you at the corner ….. you owe me a hug :-))
HH
From( a very dodgy nowadays) memory, I’m sure Hugh Adam in one of his interviews, mentioned people paid in envelopes.
I dont mean they received the financial equivalent to their wages in stationery.
DBBIA
In this case, very possible.
Exceptionthatprovestherulecsc.
Livibhoy
You are maybe a good player!
I think it would be embarrassing enough just having 1 attempt at it!
Still smiling at the 2nd guy sticking it in the net :)
Number one teamplayer Kris Commons knows what it’s all about.
He added: “The highlight of this season for me was signing a new contract.”
http://www.celticfc.net/news/8352?
dharma bam
Hugh Adams blew the whistle on a lot of dodgy goings on at poundland but it has subsequently been swept under the carpet and the man ridiculed. Shameful.
dena29
I wish it could have been a week earlier, but, fear not, all debts (hugs) shall be paid in full. Lol.
Hope you and the family are well ‘G’. KTF.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Weefra …
This getting old thing isn’t all its cracked up to be ….
I did something to my back, so doing rehab for the last few weeks …… the little girl (30, but looks about 10) is pushing and prodding me … even convinces me that I should try acupuncture! To my surprise, she seems to know what she is talking about …. still not perfect, but better than it has been in years ….. I have a 50 km charity bike ride this weekend, and wasn’t sure I would make it, but its looking good ….
I’m doing the ride with an Itallian pal, and the better half said I can go for an Italian veal sandwich if I finish the 50 Km.
for an Italian veal sandwich, I’d crawl the last 10 km if I have to!
but tell BMCUMW to keep Sunday afternoon free, just in case I need his help! :)
Sorry if already posted
Great we vid on our win on Sunday
http://videocelts.com/2015/05/blogs/incredible-video-of-celtics-title-triumph
tom mclaughlin-you have been told previously to scroll by my posts, as you are incapable of holding a conversation, and deliberately ignore requests to reply to your supercilious responses.FYI, a bhoy posted a complaint about his seat and called on the Ticket Office to sort it out, why would he get involved with any other department.You deliberately provoke responses on every subject on here ,with attention seeking snide replies, .Previous guff includes giving the boy who watches your car at CP £20,and during a good debate on here re the new drink/drive limit, you miraculously got a tug by the polis,30 seconds after it became law.As I say, scroll on by, and save the’oh dear’ response, for the next guy who tells where to get off.
coolmore ….
glad to hear that. I worshipped the guy when he was here, but a few things had made me question whether I had gotten him wrong (that game against the zombies, his downing tools, comments about RD) ….. so, glad to hear he is back amongst the faithful!
HH
mike in toronto
Yer bang on about old age. My nephew is a high heid yin in the NHS, dentistry, and he told me last weekend, at my age, a general anaesthetic is not so good. Ffs I’m 68. Lol.
Good luck with yer cycle and enjoy yer veal sandwich. Boaby will be on standby. Hahaha.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
It’s Constantinople, not Istanbul.
HH.