Phileas Fogg

? Are you purposely being contrarian or do you not understand what’s being said by many posters? His role requires skill in expressing himself, it’s not a ‘nice to have’ thing.

I just don’t think he’s particularly academic and, judging from his spelling, potentially dyslexic. Can’t tell if you’re joking about the foreign language thing. The issue here is that his current role requires a public speaking element. This isn’t his skill set. He’s expected to explain the club’s thinking on macro issues - and it’s clear he is weak in this area. You can’t just give him a pass because he was a good player and was successful in an academy role. Both are totally different.

It doesn’t have to be a “PR Person” hired for a specific role - it can be as simple as having someone in the boardroom who has a basic understanding of comms and messaging - which we clearly don’t. Tinnion’s strengths seem to be in roles which aren’t public facing - his new role has taken him outside of his comfort zone and forced him into something he’s clearly not very good at.

That’s true but it’s not quite the same. You wouldn’t describe Pearson as ‘still learning’ (even if, like Guardiola, he probably is) - in that context it means he is at a point in his development where he still has opportunity for rapid development. In this context, that’s an enormous risk to take.

I can’t think of one example of a successful club which has such an absurd model. I’m sure SL wouldn’t fill the HL boardroom with nodding dogs and yes men - challenge and accountability is required for success. At the top end, Liverpool and Brighton clearly have a harmonious cultures - but I can't imagine they operate in a bubble whereby difference of opinion and tough conversations are discouraged. It’s just ridiculous. Neither JL nor Tinnion have the appropriate experience for their respective roles - JL could probably do a similar role with the Flyers or something, but not in such a competitive industry as football. In days gone by, further back even when Colin Sextone was here, I can’t imagine he just went along with the party line. I honestly think the current regime’s would be satisfied with us being 1) mid table in the championship 2) successful youth setup 3) the occasional cup run 4) winning ‘social media club of the year’ or whatever it’s called 5) winning ‘family club of the year’ That wouldn’t require many tough conversations and is very comfortable measure of success. This is obviously completely different from what fans want as most would trade all of that for promotion.

I feel a tiny bit sorry for Tinnion - he’s in a role which has a public relations requirement and he just doesn’t have the skills/experience for it. I remember being a bit unimpressed by Richard Gould’s interviews at the time - but in hindsight what an enormous loss he was. We’ve significantly downgraded our boardroom - and done so wilfully. I appreciate Gould left by his own volition, but losing Alexander too (and not replacing him?), plus Pearson’s experience.. then filling it with Jon’s mates - it’s crazy. No checks and balances, no accountability, just groupthink. It’s a crazy approach and clearly won’t be successful.

I also said this a few months ago - would mean Pearson can take a step back given his health issues but still provide his experience and gravitas. I also think he’d be able to fulfil such a role without stepping on Manning’s toes. Lots of others would be too egotistical. Such a shame an arrangement that would likely be much better than the current setup would never be a possibility under such a weak board.

Are you going to contribute anything about the topic or just be contrarian to try and get a rise out of someone as per?

It’s a terrible answer because it answers neither of the questions

Owers would but he’s not a journalist. Someone like Ali Durden would be great for a show like this, unfortunately as he was a talented local journalist he got better opportunities. It was very impressive how 20man won City fans over despite being a Rovers man. I always felt he was very balanced considering.

I don’t think you’d get good answers to either of those. The ‘why’ has already been answered, so it would just be a repeat of what Jon said at the time. The involvement question he’d just say decisions like that are made as a collective blah blah. If he answered them honestly under truth serum they’d be worth asking. not in this context though.

I doubt someone who’s been watching as long as you claim would use ‘tbh’

OS says 20,995 i’m afraid so you are wrong

It’s a poor interview. It obviously isn’t his forte, but he takes no personal responsibility. He just deflects most of his answers to this perceived idea that the players need to adjust to his methods The answer about the impact he can have on games was clumsily worded, listened to it back a couple of times and I think he does ultimately mean things like set pieces rather than as a whole. He doesn’t seem like a motivating character at all, and I can see players becoming frustrated with him. I also didn’t like the implication that fan concerns are vapid and fickle - yes they can be reactionary, but cut away the hyperbole and the key points many people raise are usually valid and considered. Especially as they include the context of the competency of the decision makers and reasons for those decisions. I’m not quite sure he ‘gets’ us as a fanbase. The only other managers in recent-ish history I also thought this about were McInnes and SO’D. Pearson was obviously a far better communicator, and I think this likely gained him some leeway with support - but I do feel he made the effort to understand our fanbase - for example he’d have known the significance of the Cardiff game in terms of rivalry. He’s really got to get a win on Sunday. It’s perhaps even more significant considering Swansea appointed Williams recently who was seen as another likely pick for our vacancy. Losing again would just reinforce that the appointment, and the decision makers behind it, just don’t make correct calls.

He’s probably very good within his own niche - just wasn’t the right role for him at the time. Pound for pound his signings were very good. He could clearly spot a player

Agreed - Cardiff were probably the quietest i’ve seen them until the goal. The positioning is just all wrong - there’s no chance of interaction between home and away fans with S82 where they are - and as a result the atmosphere overall is bad.

If Manning were to be fired, i’d have no confidence that JL, SL and BT would pick anyone better. I’d actually have more confidence in Ian Gay, Robbored and Tony Wilkins picking next manager.

It’s just a bit odd all round. It is understandable that people have concerns about Manning - and one of them is a lack of experience. Then in this thread you have people backing the idea of appointing a manager with even less experience? I imagine it’s seen as a way to continue Pearson’s legacy - but since when has it been a binary choice between a Pearson model or a Manning model? Seems very reductive. Why stop at King? If the prerequisite is being a former Pearson favourite with 0 managerial experience why not approach Wes Morgan or Robert Huth? If the prerequisite is to be a fan - what about Louis Carey or Scott Murray? Just a bit of a strange lurch which seems very reactionary.

What a bizarre thread

There is 0 prospect of him being fired this season - that would mean the board would tacitly admit they were wrong - which they won’t do. I think we’ll float about in lower mid table and, rightly or wrongly, Manning will be generously backed in the summer. They need this appointment to work so they’ll do whatever it takes.

I don’t think Pearson would consider coming back in any circumstance - I’d be surprised if he managed again actually, seems content to relax.

The responses to your post - which has some good points - will always be skewed by the fact you’d prefer it if Manning fails.

Not really - how the ground looks and general upkeep are all part of the ‘soft power’ a club can display. Little things like that may subconsciously make the difference between a player signing, a sponsor or investment. Details matter.

Manager in his 30s Controversial appointment Replacing an experienced and popular manager = Lee Johnson reincarnated - such a lazy comparison

? by looking to his left?!