Updated: Mike Phelan is the new First Team Coach

S

SussexYellow

Active Member
Typical! I had a day yesterday when I did not get the opportunity to log in and that's the news that breaks!

Delighted with the appointment.

Agree with the comments that NA has yet to prove himself and whilst not going down the conspiracy theory route shall we say that we do seem to have given ourself options!
 
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Canaryboy

Canaryboy

Well-Known Member
If Adams had won all 15 matches he still wouldn't be a proven manager. Nobody was complaining after the good start to the season, but a sticky patch in a handful of games makes him a failure to some people. The Board will be more patient than this 'knee jerk' reaction to a couple of bad results.
Our bad form stretches a lot further back than "a handful of games". More like 10 games now. Or quarter of a season, or more than half of Adams' reign. Neither is it a "couple of bad results", we have 2 wins, 4 draws and 4 defeats in our last 10 games. We're 20th in the form table and as close to 19th position in the league as we are to 1st, we aren't a million miles away from the halfway point in the season. Fans believe that he is looking increasingly unlikely to be incapable of achieving what many would consider our minimum objective this season, a top 6 finish.  I don't think people are being "knee jerk" at all to be honest. He is simply being judged on results, like any other manager would be.
 
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eatonparkboy

eatonparkboy

New Member
Our bad form stretches a lot further back than "a handful of games". More like 10 games now. Or quarter of a season, or more than half of Adams' reign. Neither is it a "couple of bad results", we have 2 wins, 4 draws and 4 defeats in our last 10 games. We're 20th in the form table and as close to 19th position in the league as we are to 1st, we aren't a million miles away from the halfway point in the season. Fans believe that he is looking increasingly unlikely to be incapable of achieving what many would consider our minimum objective this season, a top 6 finish.  I don't think people are being "knee jerk" at all to be honest. He is simply being judged on results, like any other manager would be.
 To be honest, he has probably been judged on one performance/result. I believe he was being assessed for the first games but the Forest match, where even his staunchest ally would have wondered what he was doing in the second half, was the tipping point for the board.

Last season we criticised them for the inaction with Hughton so how can we criticise anything about this matter. This isn't change, it's replacing one of the spark plugs. Neil Adams is still the manager. Mike Phelan has come in, to quote Lambert, "to give the others a hand".

And of course it is natural that the board would have chosen someone to come in and, if the new backroom team isn't successful, take the reins if a change is needed. Someone who can probably get a bit of advice from arguably the best manager that British football ever had

But we are all optimistic that this team is going to bring back even better times. To make sure that Redmond doesn't just have storming games for the Under 21's. To make sure that the back four is organised properly. To make sure that we don't change the formation or system each game. To make sure we don't leave substitutes on the bench.
 
The Great Mass Debater

The Great Mass Debater

New Member
Brilliant news. Really happy about this. 

You have to wonder though whether though it's something similar to what Fulham did last season, when Fulham bought in Meulensteen alongside Jol, and then sacked Jol a couple of games later and appointed the former. 
Would definitely have to think this was plausible. If anything you would at least hope that the board learned from the Hughton thing on how and when to sack a manager. Bringing someone in who is able to take over should the decision be taken is a smart move, other than it carries the risk Adams might be undermined by his presence. 

If Adams is to go, Phelan has then next 5 weeks to assess the squad and influence if not direct transfer policy in the window, which would mean sacking Adams after the window to be replaced by Phelan wouldnt be as brainless as bringing someone new in at the same point.

Phelan obviously very experienced and hopefully will be able to provide what Adams lost with Royle. If I were Phelan though, Id struggle with the idea of playing second fiddle to such an inexperienced manager though.

Great appointment though
 

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