Let's have a Guess

[magpie_mania]

Not just a gut feeling - we've been here before when he was part of a management set-up and it ended in failure. Perhaps during the time he's spent away from the club has resulted in an improvement in his coaching/management skills. Fingers crossed.

You've decided that it will end in failure already. Why not give the bloke a chance? He was an assistant to Derry and therefore Derry called the shots. Now Ardley is the boss and Abbott will follow his leading.

I'm behind him totally.

[Rez1862]

You've decided that it will end in failure already. Why not give the bloke a chance? He was an assistant to Derry and therefore Derry called the shots. Now Ardley is the boss and Abbott will follow his leading.

I'm behind him totally.

I'll always back the club but that doesn't necessarily mean I'm delighted with every appointment or that I think this appointment is doomed to failure from the start. I've stated elsewhere that I think Ardley is an average manager and I'm not convinced that Abbott will improve performances. Time will tell if I'm right or wrong!

[magpie_mania]

I'll always back the club but that doesn't necessarily mean I'm delighted with every appointment or that I think this appointment is doomed to failure from the start. I've stated elsewhere that I think Ardley is an average manager and I'm not convinced that Abbott will improve performances. Time will tell if I'm right or wrong!

You said in an earlier post that you think it will end in failure.

Make your mind up!

[Freeman25]

If a manager can't get the players to listen to instructions, what chance does the assistant have

Exactly, and Doyle is already in the dressing room, we already have strong characters that will lead regardless of their role. If Doyle played without wearing the armband does anybody think he'd play or act any differently?

People are over estimating how much impact the assistant manager has on the team, he's there to assist, hence the name, Ardley is the one in charge calling the shots and if players don't follow his instructions they won't play, we've seen him have that stance with plenty of players already, it's not likely to change

[Rez1862]

You said in an earlier post that you think it will end in failure.

Make your mind up!

I think maybe I was slightly too knee-jerk earlier! Still seems a bit of an odd one to me but I'm not the one making the decisions. Probably for the best, really.

[Freeman25]

I think maybe I was slightly too knee-jerk earlier! Still seems a bit of an odd one to me but I'm not the one making the decisions. Probably for the best, really.

Why do you think it's odd our manager has chosen a likeable guy with 20 years of experience in coaching to be his assistant manager?

[Rez1862]

Why do you think it's odd our manager has chosen a likeable guy with 20 years of experience in coaching to be his assistant manager?

There doesn't appear to be any previous link between Abbott and Ardley, and he's hardly pulled up any trees anywhere either prior or since his stint at Notts.
I don't see why the likeable aspect should have any relevance. I've never seen 'likeable' as part of any person spec for a job before...

[LaxtonLad]

Why do you think it's odd our manager has chosen a likeable guy with 20 years of experience in coaching to be his assistant manager?

Because having an experienced assistant manager alongside you has got to be better than plucking someone with no experience at all out of the changing room, no matter how strong or popular he is, or that he used to play for us. A strong, popular, ex-player might look promising at first but who knows how he'll cope with responsibility?

Playing the game is a lot different to coaching it, a player will have a natural talent to play football but can he utilise that talent to coach others to progress from the training field onto the playing field? Some can, most can't. A talent for playing is no guarantee for teaching ability.

[Freeman25]

There doesn't appear to be any previous link between Abbott and Ardley, and he's hardly pulled up any trees anywhere either prior or since his stint at Notts.
I don't see why the likeable aspect should have any relevance. I've never seen 'likeable' as part of any person spec for a job before...

Being likeable as an assistant is relevant because keeping the players happy that aren't playing and keeping the atmosphere in the dressing room high is a big part of the job. How does one "pull up trees" as a backroom staff member? Can you name someone that is? Can you suggest someone better than Abbott that you would have gone for?

[Rez1862]

Being likeable as an assistant is relevant because keeping the players happy that aren't playing and keeping the atmosphere in the dressing room high is a big part of the job. How does one "pull up trees" as a backroom staff member? Can you name someone that is? Can you suggest someone better than Abbott that you would have gone for?

I think you're getting likeable and respected confused.
I can't recommend anyone better for the job because I don't work within the industry and know who is available or our budget.
The obvious answer of a brilliant assistant is Peter Taylor, from over the river. As I've said before, I hope I'm wrong but it doesn't fill me with confidence. Care to tell me why you think this will end well, other than 'he's a nice chap?