Millers invest in recruitment revamp

[millavanilla]

You never know Blackstock could have a bright future at Rotherham - who knows - perhaps a player coach role for our attack minded youngsters. But some posters have the future wrapped up havn't they. They wrote the history and own the future.... Sad they're not millionaires with all the insight they have....personally ( as a supporter ) I hope he has a very successful stay here - we all wish him well I'm sure.

Cant blame blackstock, hes gonna get what he can wherever that may be..blame the people who signed him, they no nothing about football and it beggars belief that after spouting "we must get value for money" that weve fallen for it.. .
I believe the club is crippled and are going into years of decline..the only good thing this time is that we're not in the red or so we're told..few of these players are good enough for the league below, and we need to get rid of most of them, but the ridiculous contracts are in the way...to pay them off and get a new team together will cost a fortune so that wont happen..so we're stuck with what weve got, and thats not very good.. anybody thinking that we could mount a challenge next year with this lot has got to be asleep..more likely we'll be heading the other way, its that bad..

[sawmiller]

I await with interest to see what happens - glad we are progressing this crucial aspect of the club's future

[leedsmiller]

The major problem with the club today, and over the years, has been the scattergun, piecemeal approach to everything. Setting aside the stadium, which speaks for itself, we've been panicked into bringing in players unfit for purpose, the Blackstock 3-year contract being a prime example; chosen the cheaper option or the quick fix whenever possible; tampered here and there... We've had ideas but have never seen them through to fruition, we've had plans which have never materialised, we've had promises and statements which have never been fulfilled... There has never been a comprehensive, whole-hearted, informed, long-term approach.

I've no issue with trying something new, recruitment has been diabolical in recent seasons so, let's bring in a Head of Recruitment with his software package. It couldn't be any worse than the Stubbs-inspired fiasco. My main concern is that every initiative is addressed in isolation. If we are to adopt a more professional, a more technical approach to recruitment then we need to be looking at our approach to new technology across the board. If we are to upgrade recruitment then this needs to link into a reassessment of contracts and wage structure. Similarly, if we're looking to attract quality players, we need to be able to offer them quality medical and training facilities. I'm not suggesting we do everything overnight but we need a plan, properly costed, with deliverable timescales. This in itself can act as an incentive in showing us to be a progressive club with aims and objectives. Showing somebody a field and saying this is where our new training facilties might be in a few years time simply isn't good enough. Showing them a detailed plan, with drawings and timelines shows intent rather than dreams.

[millertop]

I don't know what goes on being closed doors but from what I do see is we are way behind every other club even lower ones, we always have been.

I don't think we have enough staff to cover all the work.

Anyone know who the millionth fan was that's won two seats in the lounge for the QPR game?

[mikemiller]

I don't know what goes on being closed doors but from what I do see is we are way behind every other club even lower ones, we always have been.

I don't think we have enough staff to cover all the work.

Sounds about right...
Just hope that TS realises that the computer software , etc, is supposed to be an aid to the Chief Scout and scounting network, NOT a replacement for them!

[Pocket rocket]

Pocket, I have nothing but admiration and gratitude for Tony Stewart and everything he's done for our club.
However I'm not alone in thinking he needs some help and should be looking to appoint a few professionals into key positions to improve the infrastructure of the club. Some of his comments appear very amateurish and out of touch because communication is not one of his strong points. In fact it's never been one of the club's strong points either so that's one area that needs to be addressed.
You're right, I have followed the Millers for a long time (60 years) and we have had some crap but also some good times as well.
Our current situation is not the worst of times we have faced but I think TS and the board have missed a golden opportunity to take the club forward and now they are rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic.
That's what really irks me because I reckon it will be a while before we get out of this mess.
I hope I'm wrong and a miracle happens but I stopped believing in those years ago 😕

Agree with a lot of that.

He does need help and like I said probably needs to leave the interviews to somebody else.

The position we're in ain't great but can be fixed not this season but going forward yes.

I'm still with TS.

[Citizen Erased]

60k on software for stats you can get on wikipedia.

Oh dear.

[mellowmiller]

The major problem with the club today, and over the years, has been the scattergun, piecemeal approach to everything. Setting aside the stadium, which speaks for itself, we've been panicked into bringing in players unfit for purpose, the Blackstock 3-year contract being a prime example; chosen the cheaper option or the quick fix whenever possible; tampered here and there... We've had ideas but have never seen them through to fruition, we've had plans which have never materialised, we've had promises and statements which have never been fulfilled... There has never been a comprehensive, whole-hearted, informed, long-term approach.

I've no issue with trying something new, recruitment has been diabolical in recent seasons so, let's bring in a Head of Recruitment with his software package. It couldn't be any worse than the Stubbs-inspired fiasco. My main concern is that every initiative is addressed in isolation. If we are to adopt a more professional, a more technical approach to recruitment then we need to be looking at our approach to new technology across the board. If we are to upgrade recruitment then this needs to link into a reassessment of contracts and wage structure. Similarly, if we're looking to attract quality players, we need to be able to offer them quality medical and training facilities. I'm not suggesting we do everything overnight but we need a plan, properly costed, with deliverable timescales. This in itself can act as an incentive in showing us to be a progressive club with aims and objectives. Showing somebody a field and saying this is where our new training facilties might be in a few years time simply isn't good enough. Showing them a detailed plan, with drawings and timelines shows intent rather than dreams.

Leeds, I completely agree with this as it has been apparent that there has not been a robust plan in place since the club landed in the Championship.
All the actions seem reactive and many announcements come over as amateurish. This latest statement about recruitment software is a case in point.
This technology has been employed by other clubs for years, we are playing catch up, yet the announcement makes it sound as though we have found a wonderful cure all.
In reality the technology should be viewed as an aid to the overall process and not the be all and end all so I hope the new Head of Recruitment is allowed to get on with his job without the Technical Committee forever asking "what does the computer say?"
Things need to change radically if the club is to make real progress but I'm not sure the current board will readily accept the need for significant change.
It's an old saying but a true one and something Steve Evans was fond of quoting: "Fail to plan, plan to fail" and that's exactly what's happened.

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

60k on software for stats you can get on wikipedia.

Oh dear.

Yes indeed and there's the other free indicator, those that cost a lot are going to be better than those that don't cost a lot.

[leedsmiller]

Things need to change radically if the club is to make real progress but I'm not sure the current board will readily accept the need for significant change.
It's an old saying but a true one and something Steve Evans was fond of quoting: "Fail to plan, plan to fail" and that's exactly what's happened.

As you say, mellow, the first step is recognising the need for change, which means accepting mistakes have been made and that structures elsewhere within the club haven't been sufficiently developed to complement NYS nor to keep pace with what's happening elsewhere. Ironically, with fortunes at a very low ebb, we now have an ideal opportunity to rip out the old and bring in the new. Hopefully, we can use the next 6-18 months to good effect, to show we really have learned from past mistakes, to rebuild and to create a solid platform to move forward once again. (Holds breath in anticipation ).