thanks Dave, i was going to say it but in not such a diplomatic way as the dog bit didnt enter my mind.
fwiw, i believe Nigel would have continued to manage the team quite effectively if they were worried about him not being there due to health reasons, he had quality coaches etc in place doing the hard yards, he was the one piecing it all together keeping a close eye on everything. I read an article once where he said it wasnt his way of managing to be in everyones face every day, only when he thought it necessary, i think that is where the togetherness stems from that BT and JL have destroyed