Derek McInnes

[BogBrush1903]

Agree with this. I don't really know what folk mean by McInnes getting "free rein". He's done a good job, that's why he's still got a job. Under his reign we've had our most successful spell as a club in decades (yes I am well aware we've only actually won 1 cup before someone points it out - but in terms of league position and performances in cups we've done pretty well). I would imagine the broad objectives set out for McInnes each year are something along the lines of "finish at least 3rd, get us to at least one cup final" or perhaps "achieve the same, or better than last year". Over the last few years he has achieved those objectives. I'm sure if we'd finished 5th or 6th in the league the last two years and been knocked out of the cups in the early rounds consistently he'd have been punted by now. And I'm sure if that happens in the next two years he'll be punted as well.

As stated above, Milne's opinion of McInnes isn't some weird, mysterious, personal love in... the vast majority of people would look at his record and say he's done well consistently since he arrived here. The only people who seem to disagree are a section of our own fans (and their opinion IS based on personal reasons, rather than his track record I would suggest).

The historical comparison doesn't work for me, you cannot separate the manager from the times in which we was working in.

For instance, it's difficult to assess Ebbe Skovdahl's tenure when even clubs like Dundee were bringing experienced international players whilst we were making do with the likes of Phil McGuire & Ben Thornley.

McInnes hasn't had competition for much of his reign from Govan and even now it's very diluted. Hearts went into administration and were relegated, Hibs and Dundee United were in the second tier too. Only now is the old status quo beginning to re-assert itself (United aside)

McInnes needs to stop repeating his tactical mistakes and find a way to win silverware because as soon as this run of second places end, people like yourself will start calling for his head too.

However, my feeling is that the he's missed the chance to become more than a one cup wonder (the 2014 Scottish Cup was there on a plate for him after putting Celtic out at Parkhead) and he's now just wanting to maintain the steady performances and hope that another job that's attractive to him comes his way.