Next Up - Freeman's Replacement

[William the White]

Who could we get that would "capture the imagination" ?

We need solid, capable & experienced. I'd fear a reaction if it was Mackay just because of the fact that some large section would go onto the attack due to recent revelations. There are decent number who would fit the general bill.

I'll admit to thinking "really ?" when Rioch was appointed. I was delighted with Coyle's selection. I remember seeing the negative reaction to Megson and thinking how unreasonable that was. I came on here when we got Freedman and made the comprehensive response of "Meh !" which sort of summed up my view.

It is a bit of a lottery, like all recruitment, but the main thing is not to make obvious errors.

Talking of which I see Di Canio is reported to have chucked his hat in the ring. To quote a former boss of mine when a guy came over to us and said "Denis ... just to say I'm chucking my hat in the ring for that job vacancy". He looked up and between puffs on his fag said "You do that Ralph. I'll just pick it up and toss it right back out again !"

He taught me a lot did Denis.

Put it this way - Gartside better have as much sense as Denis.

[EverSoYouri]

Who could we get that would "capture the imagination" ?

We need solid, capable & experienced. I'd fear a reaction if it was Mackay just because of the fact that some large section would go onto the attack due to recent revelations. There are decent number who would fit the general bill.

I'll admit to thinking "really ?" when Rioch was appointed. I was delighted with Coyle's selection. I remember seeing the negative reaction to Megson and thinking how unreasonable that was. I came on here when we got Freedman and made the comprehensive response of "Meh !" which sort of summed up my view.

It is a bit of a lottery, like all recruitment, but the main thing is not to make obvious errors.

Talking of which I see Di Canio is reported to have chucked his hat in the ring. To quote a former boss of mine when a guy came over to us and said "Denis ... just to say I'm chucking my hat in the ring for that job vacancy". He looked up and between puffs on his fag said "You do that Ralph. I'll just pick it up and toss it right back out again !"

He taught me a lot did Denis.

Put it this way - Gartside better have as much sense as Denis.

You say that, but imagine this - Di Canio with Campo as his righthand man! Sold?

[William the White]

Who could we get that would "capture the imagination" ?

We need solid, capable & experienced. I'd fear a reaction if it was Mackay just because of the fact that some large section would go onto the attack due to recent revelations. There are decent number who would fit the general bill.

I'll admit to thinking "really ?" when Rioch was appointed. I was delighted with Coyle's selection. I remember seeing the negative reaction to Megson and thinking how unreasonable that was. I came on here when we got Freedman and made the comprehensive response of "Meh !" which sort of summed up my view.

It is a bit of a lottery, like all recruitment, but the main thing is not to make obvious errors.

Talking of which I see Di Canio is reported to have chucked his hat in the ring. To quote a former boss of mine when a guy came over to us and said "Denis ... just to say I'm chucking my hat in the ring for that job vacancy". He looked up and between puffs on his fag said "You do that Ralph. I'll just pick it up and toss it right back out again !"

He taught me a lot did Denis.

Put it this way - Gartside better have as much sense as Denis.

You say that, but imagine this - Di Canio with Campo as his righthand man! Sold?

I am trying to keep that well away from my imagination, which I hope to preserve for future use...

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I'd back Mowbray - I'd back any manager we appointed (well, to a degree). But we all have our own personal preferences I guess, and guys we'd rather we avoided. I suppose the best thing to avoid is hiring someone like Megson again, who was on a hiding to nothing from day one because no one, it seemed, wanted him.

My personal feeling right now is I'd like someone who can capture the imagination. A Mowbray or a Hughton doesn't strike me as being of that mould, but like I said, I'd get behind whoever is in charge because, at the end of the day, he'd be one of us.

Agree with pretty much all of that. Some would excite me more than others, some would worry me more than others, some would have me watching through my fingers awaiting disaster, but they'd all be responsible for the club I love.

Mowbray? I'm not as against him as some seem to be. I suspect his biggest plus is that he wants to Play Good Football, but isn't that one of two main reasons we went for Coyle?

[EverSoYouri]

I'd back Mowbray - I'd back any manager we appointed (well, to a degree). But we all have our own personal preferences I guess, and guys we'd rather we avoided. I suppose the best thing to avoid is hiring someone like Megson again, who was on a hiding to nothing from day one because no one, it seemed, wanted him.

My personal feeling right now is I'd like someone who can capture the imagination. A Mowbray or a Hughton doesn't strike me as being of that mould, but like I said, I'd get behind whoever is in charge because, at the end of the day, he'd be one of us.

Agree with pretty much all of that. Some would excite me more than others, some would worry me more than others, some would have me watching through my fingers awaiting disaster, but they'd all be responsible for the club I love.

Mowbray? I'm not as against him as some seem to be. I suspect his biggest plus is that he wants to Play Good Football, but isn't that one of two main reasons we went for Coyle?

I feel like we need another Rioch - but can't see one out there, so I'll take anyone* who can stop the slide, repair the schism with the fans and help us believe the future is positive (I'm willing to allow that a return to the Prem might be several years away...but wouldn't it be nice to follow Swansea's footballing path, for example?)

As for Coyle, I still hold that inflexibility was his problem. I haven't forgotten the relief/joy when he replaced Megson nor some splendid times when we were a pleasure to watch (albeit they were short-lived). If he'd stayed in charge, would we be higher or lower in the football rankings than we are now? I really don't know.

* anyone except MacKay (won't rehash my objections).

[thebish]

I feel like we need another Rioch - but can't see one out there...

the original 100% real one is still out there... he's only 67 - just saying, like!

[Prufrock]

I'd back Mowbray - I'd back any manager we appointed (well, to a degree). But we all have our own personal preferences I guess, and guys we'd rather we avoided. I suppose the best thing to avoid is hiring someone like Megson again, who was on a hiding to nothing from day one because no one, it seemed, wanted him.

My personal feeling right now is I'd like someone who can capture the imagination. A Mowbray or a Hughton doesn't strike me as being of that mould, but like I said, I'd get behind whoever is in charge because, at the end of the day, he'd be one of us.

Agree with pretty much all of that. Some would excite me more than others, some would worry me more than others, some would have me watching through my fingers awaiting disaster, but they'd all be responsible for the club I love.

Mowbray? I'm not as against him as some seem to be. I suspect his biggest plus is that he wants to Play Good Football, but isn't that one of two main reasons we went for Coyle?

But like Coyle, he hasn't got a clue on how to get there! Beyond telling them all to attack. Which might work short term, but long term ends up with a squad full of Martin Petrovs. Mowbray is the one out of all of them I'm most against I think.

If he gets it, of course I'll get behind him though. Mackay is the only one I think I'd struggle a bit with on that front. Doesn't matter how shit you are beforehand, once you're here you're a white. (Though patience can run thin, Darren).

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Heh - agreed. Some of us have more patience than others, and all of us would have differing degrees of patience with the same bloke. That's the triumph of free will.

Must admit I don't know much about Mowbray except when we've played his teams. Very tempting to do some research/crowdsourcing on the potential new men but it feels like there's too many of the buggers, I'd spend all week on it...

[Enoch]

Do some proper work!

Lazy boy.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Do some proper work!

Lazy boy.

My appetite for that can be judged by the promptness of this response.

[Enoch]

Do some proper work!

Lazy boy.

My appetite for that can be judged by the promptness of this response.

I've seen how dexterous you youngsters can be around a keyboard. I've no doubt you've put a few thousand words down already this morning.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Do some proper work!

Lazy boy.

My appetite for that can be judged by the promptness of this response.

I've seen how dexterous you youngsters can be around a keyboard. I've no doubt you've put a few thousand words down already this morning.

A few hundred perhaps, but my job's more about correcting the words of others these days.

[boltonboris]

Personally, I'm most excited about Lennon.. No idea why. Just an inkling

[IggyTheDawgster]

Over 20 managers have applied for the vacancy now. Not surprising really, The only way is up and if someone gets us out of this mess they will be hailed as a hero whoever it is.

[boltonboris]

Yeah, but "who would come to Bolton Wanderers"

[Worthy4England]

Yeah, but "who would come to Bolton Wanderers"

Only Souness, O'Leary and Dowie if memory serves correctly...

[Harry Genshaw]

Personally, I'm most excited about Lennon.. No idea why. Just an inkling

Yeah, I'm coming round to that way of thinking too. It might be because I didn't think he'd fancy it and there will be a bit of kudos in appointing him. Whether he'd be any good or not - who knows?

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Even though he would be linked with bigger and better jobs if he makes a good go of it, I have to admit I'm warming to Lennon rather than "a Brian McDermott" (sorry Brian, but you know the type). Thing is, there's a lot of unemployed managers. Of course Di Canio would love the job, he's banging on every closed door.

[Peter Thompson]

Personally, I'm most excited about Lennon.. No idea why. Just an inkling

This....

[thebish]

Personally, I'm most excited about Lennon.. No idea why. Just an inkling

Yeah, I'm coming round to that way of thinking too. It might be because I didn't think he'd fancy it and there will be a bit of kudos in appointing him. Whether he'd be any good or not - who knows?

I really don't know about Lennon... would he flood the club with scots-league imports on the basis that they did ok up there so must be good?

he's only ever managed one club - and the one thing people seem consistent in asking for is experience of the championship...

I wonder if the excitement over him beinmg in the frame (which, if I am honest, I share to some degree) is simply because he's the best known - a "name" if you like?