How Maynard went from 'man in a van' to Notts boss

[SmiffyPie]

I had my doubts about his experience but gave him the benefit of the doubt. Started to have a melt down when we had that bad run, then began to appreciate his desire to improve and his ability to change tack when needed. I also liked the fact that the players (the whole set up actually) seem to get on with him. Has he improved? without a doubt and to keep us where we are is a testament to the whole lot of 'em. It is also a good indication of his new found standing that Spurs are happy to let us have Abbott and the new faces Notts are attracting.

[drillerpie]

It's sad that some people use the fact he was managing a football club and holding down a full-time job as a stick to beat him with rather than applauding him for what is a remarkable achievement. I genuinely hope it works out for him here. So far, so good, despite a very rocky start.

Well said!

[Boomerangpie]

Play pretty tippy tappy attacking football get talented young player from Spurs on loan. It?s that simple. Don?t emulate PL club style don?t expect good talented young loan players

[ForeignLegion]

Good on him, rolled the dice and it now seems to be paying off. I can't be doing with all the humble pie stuff; it's no different to any one of us going into a new role and taking time to find our feet.

[Mud Pie]

It's sad that some people use the fact he was managing a football club and holding down a full-time job as a stick to beat him with rather than applauding him for what is a remarkable achievement. I genuinely hope it works out for him here. So far, so good, despite a very rocky start.

well said. It's the insecurity of trying out an unknown, I think for some fans. Not just an unknown manager, but also moving on from the endless succession of autocratic old-school types, and focusing on a Notts identity first, personality second. Relying a little more on data, a little less on shouting.

Anyway, I'll say if before the doubters do: he hasn't won anything yet! Football is a results driven business but statistically, Maynard is already the best (depending on exactly how you define it) manager we've had in ten years! Hands up, I had started to lose faith in him before Xmas, but his response to that has been really good so far - and like another poster said, at no point did it look like he'd lost the players confidence in him. I really like his brand of Notts football, all that in-game rotation is super smart, and hope continues to learn upwards.

[MAD_MAGPIE]

It's sad that some people use the fact he was managing a football club and holding down a full-time job as a stick to beat him with rather than applauding him for what is a remarkable achievement. I genuinely hope it works out for him here. So far, so good, despite a very rocky start.

I wholeheartedly agree with every word you have said. You need to have something about you as well to be able to give up a two decade career to join an unforgiving and cut throat industry like football where every decision you make as a coach is publicly scrutinised. SM has good players around him, a good management team and a good recruitment team as well which is key. He will have learned so much in his first year full time and he’s had a number of challenges both last season. Also during games as well especially the recent one against Cheltenham which was a crazy game.

I want SM to be successful as it means Notts will be successful. Plus it can make a good story for those on the outside looking in and part time or grassroots coaches up and down the land who want and have aspirations to progress in the fully professional game.

[bule1]

Not really related but not worth another thread, see that LW's Swansea have just conceded their 2nd goal due to getting caught out whilst passing it around in a slow build up. Sound familiar at all.....

[countygump]

I can see a film script there!! - who should we get to play Maynard? - I'm thinking Hugh Jackman

Got to be a musical?

When the BT met the County? When the wi-fi met the Super Pies?

Opening number has to be:


They don't know how to love me
What to do, how to move me
I've been changed, yes, really short changed
In these past few days when I've seen myself
I wished I was somewhere else.

[durhampie]

Well at least he has more tactically astute than the other two wallies..

[OchPie]

I'm really on the fence about the second half of our season last year. Our January business was not great, and that's putting it mildly. And LW must have known his back line wasn't up to it, but with him leaving and a new unproven coach coming in, did we look an attractive prospect?

Other than Jatta, our incomers were:

Scott Robertson
Lewis Macari (after 6 month loan)
Luca Ashby-Hammond
Charlie Colkett
Jaden Warner

Robertson was solid, and Macari was clearly good business but was already in the club. The rest... did not really help.

I think with the squad we had, LW's "outscore the opposition" approach made more sense than SM's "hunker down in defence and remove our attacking threat" approach. But I think SM has grown a huge amount since then, and our back line this season is unrecognisably better.