Next Hibs Manager

[Hibs90]

Stop being silly

Nothing silly about it.

We will see.

[Lago]

Whilst I agree with all of this, I'm clinging to the hope that RG is a smart guy and is paying close attention to the fan base.

Appreciate a lot of people will think that's nonsense, but for me it's vital this time around.

If the majority of the fan base has a head scratching, wtf moment when the new man is appointed, he'll be fighting an uphill battle from day one.

If we appoint someone that makes us go 'ya dancer', he'll have a bit of a honeymoon period.
And who would that "dancer" be pray tell?

[Callum_62]

We will see.

None of these names Appleton included are giving me good vibes. Just read what the fans of their previous clubs think.Is there much bad words said about Appleton?

He's seems generally well regarded at all his previous clubs - which must be pretty rare I'd imagine

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[Alex Trager]

We both know that’s not happening

It’s a hypothetical. Like your scenario

[Corstorphine Hibby]

Jesus, you are a drama queen

He rose from the dead. You can't get much more dramatic than that?

[Hibs90]

It’s a hypothetical. Like your scenario

Mine is much more likely to happen, that’s the difference.

[Alex Trager]

Mine is much more likely to happen, that’s the difference.

But you agree it’s hypothetical

[Callum_62]

Mine is much more likely to happen, that’s the difference.How do you get a 'were fkd' from a EEN article saying we've met 1 guy twice with 3 more to come (2 un named)

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[Ronniekirk]

I hope he is still a possibility

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

Anything I have read seemed to indicate he is happy where he is so he may not fancy coming to us given the position we are currently in


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MikeyS]

Or maybe I’ve just got a point. We will see.

At the moment you have an opinion, not a point

[Brown Hibs]

Appleton would be fine. Keeps the ball on the deck. Not keen on Johnson but would give him a chance.

[SHODAN]

Gordon, just get a manager in who can do this. It's more important than "passing football". Thanks.

https://i.imgur.com/jiEjeyI.png

[Bostonhibby]

He rose from the dead. You can't get much more dramatic than that?That's all very well but I don't fancy some false deity as manager, probably still wouldn't improve our record against the poppy thieves.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Allant1981]

Or maybe I’ve just got a point. We will see.

Nah you're a drama queen

[Allant1981]

He rose from the dead. You can't get much more dramatic than that?

😁

[04Sauzee]

Could potentially but I imagine he’ll want his own people in.

Wouldn’t be surprised at all if we signed Marlon Pack who he had at Bristol. Just left Cardiff and is now out of contract, experienced centre mid who he’s praised a lot before.

Seem this and Pack doesn't sound like a player I'd be wanting based on these comments

https://twitter.com/bristolcitylive/status/1524420300309516288?t=MRl_SqNqfiI75MhyGTkpiQ&s=19

[Gordy M]

We clearly have other potential managers to speak to or we would have just announced Appleton or Johnson who are both without a club.

[Iain G]

Out of all the managers, and out of work managers, this list of 4 is the best we could come up with?

I'd really love to know what the thought process of everyone at Hibs is.

Can't get my head around it at all.

They are plotting and scheming and trying to find the worst, least inspiring characters to piss the fans off, minimise season ticket sales, get us relegated and turn Easter Road into a giant Llama farm...or something like that

[Coco Bryce]

Who is actually on this list of 4?

Appleton
Johnson
?
?

[MikeyS]

Who is actually on this list of 4?

Appleton
Johnson
?
?

Iain Gordon & Paul Hartley is what I heard.

[Gordy M]

Out of all the managers, and out of work managers, this list of 4 is the best we could come up with?

I'd really love to know what the thought process of everyone at Hibs is.

Can't get my head around it at all.

I do understand that some fans want some exotic exciting sounding name from foreign parts.....but put yourself in the boards shoes. They made a massive mistake with Maloney, do you really think they are going to gamble on the next man in. IF they did appoint someone from outwith the UK for example and it was another disaster, would you be on here defending the decision? I doubt it.....no one would, and can you imagine the fall out. They are going to go for someone who you may call boring but seen as giving us a chance to compete in the league and try and win a cup.

[bingo70]

Or maybe I’ve just got a point. We will see.

I don’t see what your point is? If you think Johnson is going to be a dud then that’s fine, but the link you posted was saying we’re still to interview another 3 people, we don’t know who those two are so why would that story lead you to thinking we’re ****ed?

[bingo70]

I do understand that some fans want some exotic exciting sounding name from foreign parts.....but put yourself in the boards shoes. They made a massive mistake with Maloney, do you really think they are going to gamble on the next man in. IF they did appoint someone from outwith the UK for example and it was another disaster, would you be on here defending the decision? I doubt it.....no one would, and can you imagine the fall out. They are going to go for someone who you may call boring but seen as giving us a chance to compete in the league and try and win a cup.

I agree with you.

My preference has always been for an adventurous ambitious appointment. Looking at where we are now though, a boring, safer appointment probably is the sensible choice just now.

[Since452]

I hope we're here this time next year saying they got it bang on.

[Unseen work]

Should we just go with one of them then if they're all on a par with Johnson? Save a lot of hassle and we'd know what we're getting.

I'd pick Jim Goodwin for his St Mirren connections.

My point is that people are getting annoyed/underwhelmed by the names we’re being linked with, look across the league and we would turn our nose up at most them despite the vast majority out performing us.

Imo Appleton, Robinson and Johnson are better on paper than the vast majority of them so let’s give them a chance

[Coco Bryce]

Iain Gordon & Paul Hartley is what I heard.

It was a serious question.

[eastmainsmsh]

Tam Courts has united playing well

[bingo70]

It was a serious question.

Nobody knows who the other two are or we would be discussing them?

[Northernhibee]

Tam Courts has united playing well

United fans I know aren’t a big fan and feel they’ve had their fair share of luck this season. Odd one as I think he’s done a fine job.

[Coco Bryce]

Nobody knows who the other two are or we would be discussing them?

I genuinely didn't know if it had been mentioned or not.

Its clearly one of them two who's getting it with it being all secret squirrel then.

[Callum_62]

Tam Courts has united playing wellDundee utd have won 4 of the last 22 league games

Perception is everything though!

Mad stat

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[bingo70]

I genuinely didn't know if it had been mentioned or not.

Its clearly one of them two who's getting it with it being all secret squirrel then.

Yeah, I said similar earlier, I’m also not convinced Appleton is even in the running.

If there genuinely are two other candidates they have to be foreign as the names would have leaked out by now if they were from these shores.

[Callum_62]

Yeah, I said similar earlier, I’m also not convinced Appleton is even in the running.

If there genuinely are two other candidates they have to be foreign as the names would have leaked out by now if they were from these shores.Graeme Arnold (oz) and Malky Mckay (another planet)

[emoji44][emoji23]

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[Since452]

Dundee utd have won 4 of the last 22 league games

Perception is everything though!

Mad stat

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

Poorest quality league in years. Probably the weakest league I can remember. Motherwell have been abysmal too and heading for Europe. Lost 15 games, minus 13 GD.

[04Sauzee]

Yeah, I said similar earlier, I’m also not convinced Appleton is even in the running.

If there genuinely are two other candidates they have to be foreign as the names would have leaked out by now if they were from these shores.

Appleton seems to be getting quoted for a number of Jobs down South with Blackburn being the latest.

[Coco Bryce]

Yeah, I said similar earlier, I’m also not convinced Appleton is even in the running.

If there genuinely are two other candidates they have to be foreign as the names would have leaked out by now if they were from these shores.

Said from the start it's Deila 🙏

[CapitalGreen]

Tam Courts has united playing well

His Dun Utd team have only scored 1 more goal than us.

[04Sauzee]

Yeah, I said similar earlier, I’m also not convinced Appleton is even in the running.

If there genuinely are two other candidates they have to be foreign as the names would have leaked out by now if they were from these shores.
What happened to the Henning Berg rumour or was that rubbished?

[ekhibee]

How do you get a 'were fkd' from a EEN article saying we've met 1 guy twice with 3 more to come (2 un named)

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

Do you have a selection?

[Green Reaper]

I wonder if the ex Malmo manager Tomasson is in the running?

[SteveHFC]

I wonder if the ex Malmo manager Tomasson is in the running?

:hyper

[bingo70]

Graeme Arnold (oz) and Malky Mckay (another planet)

[emoji44][emoji23]

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

Graham Arnold would be one of my first choices but again, if he was close to joining us, someone in the media either here or across there would have picked up on it.

I’m not convinced there’s anybody else but if there is it’ll be someone unemployed (not necessarily a bad thing) or coming from a country where nobody really cares about us or the manager 😂

[Callum_62]

Do you have a selection?Who's my choice?

I'm Not sure who's realistic but based on the names quoted I'd have a slight preference for Appleton given he's generally improved teams and has a good rep as a coach



Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[Bostonhibby]

They are plotting and scheming and trying to find the worst, least inspiring characters to piss the fans off, minimise season ticket sales, get us relegated and turn Easter Road into a giant Llama farm...or something like thatYou nearly had me there, but there's no such thing as giant llamas, they are all a pretty standard size.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Lago]

They are plotting and scheming and trying to find the worst, least inspiring characters to piss the fans off, minimise season ticket sales, get us relegated and turn Easter Road into a giant Llama farm...or something like that
Your a bad man 😁

[Silky]

Dundee utd have won 4 of the last 22 league games

Perception is everything though!

Mad stat

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

He did say "playing well". Playing well and winning don't always go together! That was always trotted out on here during Ross' tenure. We finished third and were "boring", "pragmatic" etc. Rarely were we classed as "playing well"!!

[tamig]

Mine is much more likely to happen, that’s the difference.

You are a slaver and a half.

[cabbageandribs1875]

Martindale says he will stay with livingston as long as they want him even though some interest from down south


full credit for his loyalty and fair enough if he's quite happy with his lot

[Brown Hibs]

Please tell me the names Tam Courts and David Martindale are appearing on this thread are firmly tongue in cheek.

[Mcbizz1998]

https://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/lee-johnson.1534270/page-25

Fifth post on this thread is a bit concerning.

Guy sounds like a bit of an oddball. Who goes on another teams fan forum to write an absolute bible of a post about a former manager?

[MikeyS]

Guy sounds like a bit of an oddball. Who goes on another teams fan forum to write an absolute bible of a post about a former manager?

Reminded me of that weirdo Norwich fan that used to post on here and Kickback and fell in love with Hearts even though he'd never been anywhere near the place. Cannae mind his name which is annoying. One for the older posters possibly.

[stantonhibby]

Reminded me of that weirdo Norwich fan that used to post on here and Kickback and fell in love with Hearts even though he'd never been anywhere near the place. Cannae mind his name which is annoying. One for the older posters possibly.

Shaun Lawson?

[Unseen work]

Every chance Goodwin could become available soon 😅

11 games
2 wins
4 draws
5 defeats
18% win rate

They can use the excuse of having a new squad next season but you’d be expecting a better impact than that

[MikeyS]

Shaun Lawson?

Thats the name!! Well remembered mate. He was a right strange bugger, very condescending if I remember right.

[Callum_62]

Every chance Goodwin could become available soon [emoji28]

11 games
2 wins
4 draws
5 defeats
18% win rate

They can use the excuse of having a new squad next season but you’d be expecting a better impact than thatHe'd have been a favorite on here too if he was still at St Mirren

Just aswell we gifted him 1 if his wins [emoji23]

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[bingo70]

Every chance Goodwin could become available soon 😅

11 games
2 wins
4 draws
5 defeats
18% win rate

They can use the excuse of having a new squad next season but you’d be expecting a better impact than that

He would have been one of the safe bets that know Scottish football as well.

FWIW I wouldn’t rule out him doing a decent job next season. They’ll be suffering the same issue as is just now in terms of players subconsciously downing tools once safe.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Every chance Goodwin could become available soon 😅

11 games
2 wins
4 draws
5 defeats
18% win rate

They can use the excuse of having a new squad next season but you’d be expecting a better impact than that

Just for a bit of perspective as to how bad that is - Shaun Maloneys win rate was 32% with 1.27ppg compared to Goodwins 0.91ppg.

[WhileTheChief..]

I do understand that some fans want some exotic exciting sounding name from foreign parts.....but put yourself in the boards shoes. They made a massive mistake with Maloney, do you really think they are going to gamble on the next man in. IF they did appoint someone from outwith the UK for example and it was another disaster, would you be on here defending the decision? I doubt it.....no one would, and can you imagine the fall out. They are going to go for someone who you may call boring but seen as giving us a chance to compete in the league and try and win a cup.

So no change then, we had that in JR :duck:

[Gordy M]

So no change then, we had that in JR :duck:

I think someone who had 'similar' results to JR but plays a more attacking type game and you could be onto something.......

[Lago]

So no change then, we had that in JR :duck:
Couldn't win a cup

[Mr. Wonderful]

I think someone who had 'similar' results to JR but plays a more attacking type game and you could be onto something.......

Theres that JR was defensive myth rearing it's head again. JR was many things but he set his teams up with wing backs, wingers, an attacking midfielder and often 2 strikers. Not defensive in the slightest.

Maloneyball on the other hand..

[andrew70]

Theres that JR was defensive myth rearing it's head again. JR was many things but he set his teams up with wing backs, wingers, an attacking midfielder and often 2 strikers. Not defensive in the slightest.

Maloneyball on the other hand..

The players maybe were designed to play these positions but Ross set up his team to sit back and counter attack. Often giving up possession and definitely not on the front foot. Aside from Boyle it was slow and insipid, that’s why we especially had a poor home record. Compared to what it should be.

You can’t rewrite history and Jack Ross got lucky there was no fans. It was no surprise when he correctly got emptied. Brutal.

[CapitalGreen]

The players maybe were designed to play these positions but Ross set up his team to sit back and counter attack. Often giving up possession and definitely not on the front foot. Aside from Boyle it was slow and insipid, that’s why we especially had a poor home record. Compared to what it should be.

You can’t rewrite history and Jack Ross got lucky there was no fans. It was no surprise when he correctly got emptied. Brutal.

Obviously at the end of the day final league position is all that matters but it can’t be understated how bad we were at home last season. A win against St Johnstone next weekend would mean we would actually finish this season with a better home record than we had last season*.

20/21 G19 W7 D6 L6 GD0 27PTS
21/22 G18 W6 D7 L5 GD+2 25PTS

*caveated by the fact we theoretically had easier games post split this year.

[jacomo]

Theres that JR was defensive myth rearing it's head again. JR was many things but he set his teams up with wing backs, wingers, an attacking midfielder and often 2 strikers. Not defensive in the slightest.

Maloneyball on the other hand..


He was defensive. It’s not a myth at all.

No formation is inherently more attacking than another: tactics are about more than just shape.

In Jack’s favoured 4-4-2 we looked quite attacking but in reality were set up to be cautious and risk averse. Then sometimes in the 2nd half he’d loosen up a bit.

[SMAXXA]

He was defensive. It’s not a myth at all.

No formation is inherently more attacking than another: tactics are about more than just shape.

In Jack’s favoured 4-4-2 we looked quite attacking but in reality were set up to be cautious and risk averse. Then sometimes in the 2nd half he’d loosen up a bit.

I disagree I don’t think he was defensive. One of the few managers who actually played 2 strikers at times I feel it was more the personnel that made us look more solid/defensive more than him setting up overly defensively.

[Sir David Gray]

Every chance Goodwin could become available soon 😅

11 games
2 wins
4 draws
5 defeats
18% win rate

They can use the excuse of having a new squad next season but you’d be expecting a better impact than that

40% of their points tally since he came in has been won against us too. 🙄

[Alex Trager]

Obviously at the end of the day final league position is all that matters but it can’t be understated how bad we were at home last season. A win against St Johnstone next weekend would mean we would actually finish this season with a better home record than we had last season*.

20/21 G19 W7 D6 L6 GD0 27PTS
21/22 G18 W6 D7 L5 GD+2 25PTS

*caveated by the fact we theoretically had easier games post split this year.

Wow.

That is surprising in the absolute extreme.

However, JR managed us at home this season delivering 3 of those wins

[Since452]

Every chance Goodwin could become available soon 😅

11 games
2 wins
4 draws
5 defeats
18% win rate

They can use the excuse of having a new squad next season but you’d be expecting a better impact than that

Quite incredible that Aberdeen are even worse than us.

[Sir David Gray]

Obviously at the end of the day final league position is all that matters but it can’t be understated how bad we were at home last season. A win against St Johnstone next weekend would mean we would actually finish this season with a better home record than we had last season*.

20/21 G19 W7 D6 L6 GD0 27PTS
21/22 G18 W6 D7 L5 GD+2 25PTS

*caveated by the fact we theoretically had easier games post split this year.

Our home record has been largely poor for a while now.

20/21 - 27 pts
18/19 - 27 pts
17/18 - 37 pts
13/14 - 19 pts (played 20 home games that season)
12/13 - 28 pts
11/12 - 13 pts
10/11 - 21 pts
09/10 - 31 pts
08/09 - 25 pts
07/08 - 35 pts

Over the previous 10 completed seasons where we have been in the top division we have only picked up 30+ points at home on three occasions.

If we win on Sunday and get 28 points at home for the season that would actually represent one of our better returns over the past 10 seasons we have been in the top flight.

[The Captain....]

Can’t say I’m excited by a manager who’s managed 4 teams, and his win percentage rate has only made it out the 30s once, and that was for the biggest team in League 1, still couldn’t get them promoted, and got sacked after getting pumped 6-0 by ****ing Bolton.

This recruitment process has been unbelievably disappointing.Agreed, seems a very average cv considering the time taken on the process.

I'm not a fan of lower league efl managers coming in, it's not been a success in the past.

Sent from my SM-S906B using Tapatalk

[bingo70]

Agreed, seems a very average cv considering the time taken on the process.

I'm not a fan of lower league efl managers coming in, it's not been a success in the past.

Sent from my SM-S906B using Tapatalk

The last 2 managers to finish third in our league were failed league 1 managers, Neilson and Ross. As well as that, going back a bit further, Mcinnes failed in the EFL with Bristol City, did Motherwell finish 3rd under Robinson? He failed at Oldham before going to Motherwell.

Failed EFL managers do work up here, even if it’s not the most adventurous or exciting backgrounds.

[James70]

Wonder why two of the four candidates haven't been named whereas the other two seem to be common knowledge:confused:

[MikeyS]

Wonder why two of the four candidates haven't been named whereas the other two seem to be common knowledge:confused:

I'd guess there are only 2 and the press are just having a stab in the dark.

[Dublin07]

Maybe they have asked not to be named as is their right or hibs don’t want to alert other teams to their availability.

[Coco Bryce]

Wonder why two of the four candidates haven't been named whereas the other two seem to be common knowledge:confused:

It's a cert one of two names that we don't know is getting the job.

[bingo70]

I'd guess there are only 2 and the press are just having a stab in the dark.

Hibs could be leaking the 4 candidates thing as well as it gives the perception that there was more competition for the role, making whoever gets it look better. Either that or the other 2 are Johnny foreigners with no links to the Scottish press.

[GloryGlory]

Wonder why two of the four candidates haven't been named whereas the other two seem to be common knowledge:confused:

Maybe their agents are better at keeping their clients' business confidential.

It isn't unknown for some agents to speak to a friendly reporter about interest in their client - player or coach - to see if more interest can be drummed up to try and get a better deal.

[hibee-boys]

Our home record has been largely poor for a while now.

20/21 - 27 pts
18/19 - 27 pts
17/18 - 37 pts
13/14 - 19 pts (played 20 home games that season)
12/13 - 28 pts
11/12 - 13 pts
10/11 - 21 pts
09/10 - 31 pts
08/09 - 25 pts
07/08 - 35 pts

Over the previous 10 completed seasons where we have been in the top division we have only picked up 30+ points at home on three occasions.

If we win on Sunday and get 28 points at home for the season that would actually represent one of our better returns over the past 10 seasons we have been in the top flight.

No wonder I find following Hibs such a chore as I can rarely make away games😏

[Coco Bryce]

Every chance Goodwin could become available soon 😅

11 games
2 wins
4 draws
5 defeats
18% win rate

They can use the excuse of having a new squad next season but you’d be expecting a better impact than that

Their current wage bill is massive as well :greengrin

[Mr. Wonderful]

Hibs could be leaking the 4 candidates thing as well as it gives the perception that there was more competition for the role, making whoever gets it look better. Either that or the other 2 are Johnny foreigners with no links to the Scottish press.

Or they could be guaging fan reaction

[bingo70]

Or they could be guaging fan reaction

Yeah, could be.

I would like to think they would have enough confidence in their recruitment process not to go down that route though.

[Springbank]

I see Watford (currently in the richest league in the world) have appointed a lower league manager from Forest Green, and no one seems to think that's boring.

[JamesHFC]

I see Watford (currently in the richest league in the world) have appointed a lower league manager from Forest Green, and no one seems to think that's boring.

Sums up the toxicity in our support.

[MikeyS]

It's a cert one of two names that we don't know is getting the job.

Like a Mowbray style appointment. I'd be impressed if a club could manage a no leak appointment in this day and age.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I see Watford (currently in the richest league in the world) have appointed a lower league manager from Forest Green, and no one seems to think that's boring.

I seen an article yesterday that said Watford fans were furious?

Whether they actually are or not I don’t know but it seemed to suggest they’re not happy at the appointment in the slightest.

[Wilson]

I seen an article yesterday that said Watford fans were furious?

Whether they actually are or not I don’t know but it seemed to suggest they’re not happy at the appointment in the slightest.

Shhh. Don't let that get in the way of putting the boot into your fellow supporters.

[MikeyS]

I seen an article yesterday that said Watford fans were furious?

Whether they actually are or not I don’t know but it seemed to suggest they’re not happy at the appointment in the slightest.

Got to be an improvement on old sleepy Woy!

[Paulie Walnuts]

Shhh. Don't let that get in the way of putting the boot into your fellow supporters.

Having had a look at the Watford forum they don’t seem particularly happy about it. It’s a bit of a car crash to read through though as FGR seem to be accusing Watford of deceit surrounding this which is making up most of the chat.

A lot of folk saying he’ll be gone by Christmas and are disappointed etc. They seemed to want Martinez.

[MikeyS]

Having had a look at the Watford forum they don’t seem particularly happy about it. It’s a bit of a car crash to read through though as FGR seem to be accusing Watford of deceit surrounding this which is making up most of the chat.

A lot of folk saying he’ll be gone by Christmas and are disappointed etc. They seemed to want Martinez.

🤣 thats some impressive Jambo level of dillusion! They want the coach of the number 1 ranked International team to join them in the Championship!

[oneone73]

Like a Mowbray style appointment. I'd be impressed if a club could manage a no leak appointment in this day and age.

Don't recall there being any leaks about Maloney?

[I'm Spartacus]

Tam Courts
Graham Alexander

2 guys that have punched well above their weight, Courts especially. Now I'm not suggesting either, but what is a decent observation that both have just gone about their business, much smaller clubs, but the press seem to round on inexperienced guys at certain clubs. Could it be that there is zero expectations at both these clubs and anything is a bonus?

[MikeyS]

Don't recall there being any leaks about Maloney?

Depends what you call leaks I suppose but his name was all over the press from the minute JR was sacked. He had cheerleaders a plenty.

Mowbray walked in to that press conference and not even the press had an idea he was getting the job!

[Sioux]

Obviously at the end of the day final league position is all that matters but it can’t be understated how bad we were at home last season. A win against St Johnstone next weekend would mean we would actually finish this season with a better home record than we had last season*.

20/21 G19 W7 D6 L6 GD0 27PTS
21/22 G18 W6 D7 L5 GD+2 25PTS

*caveated by the fact we theoretically had easier games post split this year.

For balance you should have mentioned that in 20/21 JR won 11 games away from home.

Compare that to 1972/73 when we won 7. These wins included beating power houses like East Fife, Morton, Arbroath, hertz. Failing to beat Dumbarton, Ayr United etc. Yet this team has been lauded as one of the best ever.

Stats eh!

[WeeRussell]

Tam Courts
Graham Alexander

2 guys that have punched well above their weight, Courts especially. Now I'm not suggesting either, but what is a decent observation that both have just gone about their business, much smaller clubs, but the press seem to round on inexperienced guys at certain clubs. Could it be that there is zero expectations at both these clubs and anything is a bonus?

Not zero expectations. Just different ones based on budgets, previous seasons etc.

They’ve not rounded on Courts because, as you say, he’s done a very good job.

[Coco Bryce]

Don't recall there being any leaks about Maloney?

There was. His name was on here that he had it before he got it.

[Coco Bryce]

Depends what you call leaks I suppose but his name was all over the press from the minute JR was sacked. He had cheerleaders a plenty.

Mowbray walked in to that press conference and not even the press had an idea he was getting the job!

That's what Ronny Deila is going to do :greengrin

[brog]

Poorest quality league in years. Probably the weakest league I can remember. Motherwell have been abysmal too and heading for Europe. Lost 15 games, minus 13 GD.

It's impossible to measure quality season by season but the team who are 2nd in our league are in a Euro final! I'm not sure the quality is really poor, more you have lots of teams of similar quality.
Incidentally is this season 1st time in split history that only the uglies made top 6 in consecutive seasons?

[Billy Whizz]

There was. His name was on here that he had it before he got it.

And The Sun

[brog]

For balance you should have mentioned that in 20/21 JR won 11 games away from home.

Compare that to 1972/73 when we won 7. These wins included beating power houses like East Fife, Morton, Arbroath, hertz. Failing to beat Dumbarton, Ayr United etc. Yet this team has been lauded as one of the best ever.

Stats eh!

I think last season can be regarded as a statistical outlier given there were no fans.

[Callum_62]

That's what Ronny Deila is going to do :greengrinWearing nothing but his undies

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[jeffers]

I’m rarely pro or con any manager when they are appointed, but Johnson I really hope doesn’t happen. The post from the Bristol City fan on the Sunderland forum had alarm bells ringing for me. I know some will see that it was only the opinion of one fan, but if another team appointed Maloney what would any of us tell their fans ? I also watched some of his videos, found him a bit of a joke character, the David Brent comparison didn’t feel far off.

Why we didn’t go for McInnes when Ross was sacked I didn’t understand, but I’m even more amazed we aren’t considering him now.

If we appoint Johnson I fully expect us to be in the same position in a years time, looking for yet another manager, while trying to clear out players he’s signed.

[Coco Bryce]

Guy at work just got me a cracker.

'If Arbroath come up there will have been only three Dick's that have managed in the Scottish Premiership..'

So after saying Dick Advocat I have been sitting racking my brains on the other.

Turns out the third one is Craig Levein.

[MikeyS]

That's what Ronny Deila is going to do :greengrin

I'd be happy with that Coco. Cannae see it, but he'd be a great choice.

[jeffers]

Guy at work just got me a cracker.

'If Arbroath come up there will have been only three Dick's that have managed in the Scottish Premiership..'

So after saying Dick Advocat I have been sitting racking my brains on the other.

Turns out the third one is Craig Levein.

:faf:

[Scottie]

Guy at work just got me a cracker.

'If Arbroath come up there will have been only three Dick's that have managed in the Scottish Premiership..'

So after saying Dick Advocat I have been sitting racking my brains on the other.

Turns out the third one is Craig Levein. :faf:


I'd be happy with that Coco. Cannae see it, but he'd be a great choice. With John Collins as his number 2 ? :dunno:

[nonshinyfinish]

I’m rarely pro or con any manager when they are appointed, but Johnson I really hope doesn’t happen. The post from the Bristol City fan on the Sunderland forum had alarm bells ringing for me. I know some will see that it was only the opinion of one fan, but if another team appointed Maloney what would any of us tell their fans ?

I don't think that's a fair comparison – Maloney's tenure was a disaster, the majority would say so and pretty much the only positive spin you'd find would be some who thought he deserved more time to try to turn things around.

Probably more like asking for one individual fan's opinion of Neil Lennon at Hibs – opinions vary wildly and he could sound brilliant or terrible or anywhere in between depending on who you ask.

[jeffers]

I don't think that's a fair comparison – Maloney's tenure was a disaster, the majority would say so and pretty much the only positive spin you'd find would be some who thought he deserved more time to try to turn things around.

Probably more like asking for one individual fan's opinion of Neil Lennon at Hibs – opinions vary wildly and he could sound brilliant or terrible or anywhere in between depending on who you ask.

Fair point, but what he said about him turned out to be pretty accurate.

[MikeyS]

:faf:

With John Collins as his number 2 ? :dunno:

JC might be best suited to an assistant job, no sure if his ego would allow him to come back in a lesser role though.

[number9dream]

Tam Courts
Graham Alexander

2 guys that have punched well above their weight, Courts especially. Now I'm not suggesting either, but what is a decent observation that both have just gone about their business, much smaller clubs, but the press seem to round on inexperienced guys at certain clubs. Could it be that there is zero expectations at both these clubs and anything is a bonus?


With one game remaining, Dundee United have one more point than they achieved last year under Micky Mellon. It's the same at Motherwell.
It would be churlish to suggest they haven't improved, but this has been a remarkably weird season, with so many low quality draws, and the standard of coaching is poor across the board.
If we get someone in who knows what they're doing it should hopefully make a big difference.

[MikeyS]

With one game remaining, Dundee United have one more point than they achieved last year under Micky Mellon. It's the same at Motherwell.
It would be churlish to suggest they haven't improved, but this has been a remarkably weird season, with so many low quality draws, and the standard of coaching is poor across the board.
If we get someone in who knows what they're doing it should hopefully make a big difference.

Totally agree mate, Motherwell are an absolute gang & D Utd are on a terrible run but still somehow managed to finish high. It should really act as a massive kick up the @rse to our club that this season is in no way acceptable.

A competent manager and good recruitment should see us comfortably above those 2.

[Sergio sledge]

I’m rarely pro or con any manager when they are appointed, but Johnson I really hope doesn’t happen. The post from the Bristol City fan on the Sunderland forum had alarm bells ringing for me. I know some will see that it was only the opinion of one fan, but if another team appointed Maloney what would any of us tell their fans ? I also watched some of his videos, found him a bit of a joke character, the David Brent comparison didn’t feel far off.

Why we didn’t go for McInnes when Ross was sacked I didn’t understand, but I’m even more amazed we aren’t considering him now.

If we appoint Johnson I fully expect us to be in the same position in a years time, looking for yet another manager, while trying to clear out players he’s signed.

I think the fact that McInnes's Aberdeen side went on a run of scoring 1 goal in 9 matches leading to his sack in 2021 when Jack Ross was leading us to third probably played a big part in the boards decision not to pursue him. That and the general consensus amongst Aberdeen fans that the football was boring under him.

He's got a decent record in terms of results but almost every time Aberdeen played against us they seemed to be playing brutal anti-football and that's not what fans want to see in general.

Th stat about us having the chance to have a better home record this season than last (when we finished third) is crazy. Suspect this is in a large part down to Jack Ros setting up the team to be counter-attacking which worked well away from home but not so much at home when more onus was on us to come out and attack teams.

[Since452]

With one game remaining, Dundee United have one more point than they achieved last year under Micky Mellon. It's the same at Motherwell.
It would be churlish to suggest they haven't improved, but this has been a remarkably weird season, with so many low quality draws, and the standard of coaching is poor across the board.
If we get someone in who knows what they're doing it should hopefully make a big difference.

:agree: Robbie Neilson has looked like Pep this season. Hearts are really the only team that showed any kind of consistency. Teams stunmling and staggering to 4th and 5th. Motherwell in 4th with -13 GD. Mental season.

[jeffers]

I think the fact that McInnes's Aberdeen side went on a run of scoring 1 goal in 9 matches leading to his sack in 2021 when Jack Ross was leading us to third probably played a big part in the boards decision not to pursue him. That and the general consensus amongst Aberdeen fans that the football was boring under him.

He's got a decent record in terms of results but almost every time Aberdeen played against us they seemed to be playing brutal anti-football and that's not what fans want to see in general.

Th stat about us having the chance to have a better home record this season than last (when we finished third) is crazy. Suspect this is in a large part down to Jack Ros setting up the team to be counter-attacking which worked well away from home but not so much at home when more onus was on us to come out and attack teams.

We need stability. Someone who has a proven track record at our level, not another gamble.

Sometimes managers reach a shelf life, I suspect McInnes did with Aberdeen. He proved over a number of seasons, despite losing key players he managed to rebuild - his last season he did struggle, but like us with Ross they don’t appear to have appointed anyone better. I don’t disagree about his style of football, but it wasn’t always his way.

I’ve renewed, I won’t throw my toys out the pram if we do appoint Johnson but I’m totally underwhelmed that out of all the managers we could have gone for they think he’s the best candidate.

[GreenCastle]

Would expect next season..

Celtic and Rangers to be strong again.

Hearts to be similar to this season but with more depth. Euro games could be an issue if playing more games.

Dundee Utd more solid as Courts has had more time with them.

Motherwell similar to Utd.

Ross County probably similar but may loose a few players.

Livi - similar but again depends who they loose / replace them with.

Hibs and Aberdeen you would expect to be better - can’t get much worse for either.

Killie - will be fighting for top 6

Both saints you would think need to improve or face going down. If Arbroath come up I imagine they will go straight back down.

Will just be as tight next season - Aberdeen and Hibs have the most rebuilding to do.

Hibs I think need at least 2 windows to fix this mess.

[bingo70]

We need stability. Someone who has a proven track record at our level, not another gamble.

Sometimes managers reach a shelf life, I suspect McInnes did with Aberdeen. He proved over a number of seasons, despite losing key players he managed to rebuild - his last season he did struggle, but like us with Ross they don’t appear to have appointed anyone better. I don’t disagree about his style of football, but it wasn’t always his way.

I’ve renewed, I won’t throw my toys out the pram if we do appoint Johnson but I’m totally underwhelmed that out of all the managers we could have gone for they think he’s the best candidate.

Jim Goodwin going to Aberdeen fitted that category, same with Tommy Wright going to Killie, neither of them worked out or are working out as the safe bet they were expecting.

[WhileTheChief..]

Tam Courts
Graham Alexander

2 guys that have punched well above their weight, Courts especially. Now I'm not suggesting either, but what is a decent observation that both have just gone about their business, much smaller clubs, but the press seem to round on inexperienced guys at certain clubs. Could it be that there is zero expectations at both these clubs and anything is a bonus?

Why would Dundee Utd and Motherwell fans have zero expectations for their clubs?

They're just as ambitious as us.

[jeffers]

Jim Goodwin going to Aberdeen fitted that category, same with Tommy Wright going to Killie, neither of them worked out or are working out as the safe bet they were expecting.

Disagree re Goodwin, he’d done OK at St Mirren no more. I’d have been disappointed if we went for him (or Wright for that matter.)

[GreenPJ]

Would expect next season..

Celtic and Rangers to be strong again.

Hearts to be similar to this season but with more depth. Euro games could be an issue if playing more games.

Dundee Utd more solid as Courts has had more time with them.

Motherwell similar to Utd.

Ross County probably similar but may loose a few players.

Livi - similar but again depends who they loose / replace them with.

Hibs and Aberdeen you would expect to be better - can’t get much worse for either.

Killie - will be fighting for top 6

Both saints you would think need to improve or face going down. If Arbroath come up I imagine they will go straight back down.

Will just be as tight next season - Aberdeen and Hibs have the most rebuilding to do.

Hibs I think need at least 2 windows to fix this mess.

Hearts are losing their best CH this summer and others (championship, league one) may look at Halkett now he has international recognition. Would also be surprised if others weren't looking at Kingsley as his set-piece ability is excellent. As mush as I would like him to be around for Scotland, I think Gordon has one more season in him and any injury will be more impactful the older he gets. The Everton lad is a loan albeit they may get him back (on loan). I know they will get money in the back with Europe but think they actually have more of a rebuilding/succession planning issue on their hands than is being recognised. Whoever replaces Gordon will not be a patch on his ability (he is worth 10-15 points a season for them at least).

[Key West]

Would expect next season..

Celtic and Rangers to be strong again.

Hearts to be similar to this season but with more depth. Euro games could be an issue if playing more games.

Dundee Utd more solid as Courts has had more time with them.

Motherwell similar to Utd.

Ross County probably similar but may loose a few players.

Livi - similar but again depends who they loose / replace them with.

Hibs and Aberdeen you would expect to be better - can’t get much worse for either.

Killie - will be fighting for top 6

Both saints you would think need to improve or face going down. If Arbroath come up I imagine they will go straight back down.

Will just be as tight next season - Aberdeen and Hibs have the most rebuilding to do.

Hibs I think need at least 2 windows to fix this mess.

Agree with all of this.

Hopefully Hibs won't go again with a streamlined squad which saw us struggling to put a forward on the pitch and suffer in covering the loss of Magennis for such a long period of time along with suspensions to Porteous. Also we shouldn't be relying on one person ( like Boyle ) to always be the difference between us and the best of the rest.

[Springbank]

:agree: Robbie Neilson has looked like Pep this season. Hearts are really the only team that showed any kind of consistency. Teams stunmling and staggering to 4th and 5th. Motherwell in 4th with -13 GD. Mental season.

Don't discount the benefit of buying good football players

Craig Gordon has missed 2 games for hearts this season & hearts lost them both
The sub goalie has faced 7 shots & lost 4 goals

You can't underestimate the number of points Gordon has helped hearts win this season

A bit like how we relied on Martin Boyle but decided to sell him, with obvious consequences

The transfer policy is arguably more important than the choice of manager, as good players win football matches

[bingo70]

https://twitter.com/skysports/status/1524691803336843265?s=21&t=cb2D6CC4DOgbjlZ1_gPuSg

New small interview with Lee Johnson been put out on sky sports.

Timing just a coincidence I am sure 😉

[MyJo]

Would expect next season..

Celtic and Rangers to be strong again.

Hearts to be similar to this season but with more depth. Euro games could be an issue if playing more games.

Dundee Utd more solid as Courts has had more time with them.

Motherwell similar to Utd.

Ross County probably similar but may loose a few players.

Livi - similar but again depends who they loose / replace them with.

Hibs and Aberdeen you would expect to be better - can’t get much worse for either.

Killie - will be fighting for top 6

Both saints you would think need to improve or face going down. If Arbroath come up I imagine they will go straight back down.

Will just be as tight next season - Aberdeen and Hibs have the most rebuilding to do.

Hibs I think need at least 2 windows to fix this mess.

I think your being generous to Killie unless they pull off something phenomenal in the transfer market this summer.

As crap as we have been this season there wasn't much between 4th and 10th in the league at the split and while it looks good on paper that Dundee United and Motherwell have finished high in the table and qualified for europe had just two or three points gone to Hibs or Livingston instead of them it would be us up there instead.

It's been those very fine margins because of how badly both us and Aberdeen have performed over the season rather than those other teams being strong and performing really well (with the exception of Ross County who have actually done a decent job compared to expectations)

[JimBHibees]

Disagree re Goodwin, he’d done OK at St Mirren no more. I’d have been disappointed if we went for him (or Wright for that matter.)

Yep never really took to Goodwin and really glad he isn't here plus the way his team was last Saturday wish them nothing but ill luck in the future. :greengrin

[Sergio sledge]

We need stability. Someone who has a proven track record at our level, not another gamble.

Sometimes managers reach a shelf life, I suspect McInnes did with Aberdeen. He proved over a number of seasons, despite losing key players he managed to rebuild - his last season he did struggle, but like us with Ross they don’t appear to have appointed anyone better. I don’t disagree about his style of football, but it wasn’t always his way.

I’ve renewed, I won’t throw my toys out the pram if we do appoint Johnson but I’m totally underwhelmed that out of all the managers we could have gone for they think he’s the best candidate.

Yeah totally agree we need stability, just think the board will be looking for someone who offers stability whilst also offering a track record of playing positive football. IMHO McInnes doesn't offer that.

If we were going for McInnes we'd be as well getting Jack Ross back, they are pretty similar.

[Callum_62]

If we were going for McInnes we'd be as well getting Jack Ross back, they are pretty similar.

I always find that perplexing - they are 2 differerent people, characters and operators



Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[Unseen work]

https://twitter.com/skysports/status/1524691803336843265?s=21&t=cb2D6CC4DOgbjlZ1_gPuSg

New small interview with Lee Johnson been put out on sky sports.

Timing just a coincidence I am sure 😉

I never minded the thought of him until I saw that awkward celebration when he’s wearing the scarf 😅

[bingo70]

I never minded the thought of him until I saw that awkward celebration when he’s wearing the scarf 😅

Yeah, if we appoint him the club will need to have a conversation with him about that.

[Smartie]

I've always quite liked Johnson - and felt like he's the type of pleasant character the players could relate to.

It's a bit more modern that the "Hairdryer" type that so many people would want us to have.

Not sure he's the type you'd be terrified about facing if you'd just had a minging first 45 at Tynecastle but our players tend to have looked more like running through brick walls for the managers they've liked rather than the ones they've loathed or simply not been on the same page as.

[ancient hibee]

Don't discount the benefit of buying good football players

Craig Gordon has missed 2 games for hearts this season & hearts lost them both
The sub goalie has faced 7 shots & lost 4 goals

You can't underestimate the number of points Gordon has helped hearts win this season

A bit like how we relied on Martin Boyle but decided to sell him, with obvious consequences

The transfer policy is arguably more important than the choice of manager, as good players win football matches

Gordon has had a fantastic season. It’s been needed because their defence is hopeless. That’s why he’s made so many saves .

[Unseen work]

Don't discount the benefit of buying good football players

Craig Gordon has missed 2 games for hearts this season & hearts lost them both
The sub goalie has faced 7 shots & lost 4 goals

You can't underestimate the number of points Gordon has helped hearts win this season

A bit like how we relied on Martin Boyle but decided to sell him, with obvious consequences

The transfer policy is arguably more important than the choice of manager, as good players win football matches

I said similar on another thread, if we have good players we will do well.

It’s all well and good trying to coach players to do certain things but players who are very good at this level and maybe played at a higher level have that game awareness and ability to get on the ball and make things happen. They have the ability to take someone out of the game by beating them, quick combination play, movement etc.

Manager is important but our recruitment this summer is massive

[Lago]

I seen an article yesterday that said Watford fans were furious?

Whether they actually are or not I don’t know but it seemed to suggest they’re not happy at the appointment in the slightest.
The article I read said Forest Green were furious at the way their manager had left, sure your haven't mixed up which club is actually furious?

[nonshinyfinish]

The article I read said Forest Green were furious at the way their manager had left, sure your haven't mixed up which club is actually furious?

Generally just assume that everyone's furious all the time.

[Lago]

https://twitter.com/skysports/status/1524691803336843265?s=21&t=cb2D6CC4DOgbjlZ1_gPuSg

New small interview with Lee Johnson been put out on sky sports.

Timing just a coincidence I am sure 😉
It reads pretty well, in my opinion

[davhibby]

I’m rarely pro or con any manager when they are appointed, but Johnson I really hope doesn’t happen. The post from the Bristol City fan on the Sunderland forum had alarm bells ringing for me. I know some will see that it was only the opinion of one fan, but if another team appointed Maloney what would any of us tell their fans ? I also watched some of his videos, found him a bit of a joke character, the David Brent comparison didn’t feel far off.

Why we didn’t go for McInnes when Ross was sacked I didn’t understand, but I’m even more amazed we aren’t considering him now.

If we appoint Johnson I fully expect us to be in the same position in a years time, looking for yet another manager, while trying to clear out players he’s signed.

You better not ask any Bristol City fans what they think of McInnes then. They had a nickname for him referring to the fact he never won any games.

[Lago]

Generally just assume that everyone's furious all the time.
Yeah you've kind of hit the nail on the head," can't please all of the people all of the time" etc.

[Paulie Walnuts]

The article I read said Forest Green were furious at the way their manager had left, sure your haven't mixed up which club is actually furious?

I can’t remember where I seen the article so I can’t go back and check but I’m fairly sure it was that Watford fans weren’t happy at all about the them dropping out the Prem and then appointing the FGR manager.

I had a look on the Watford forum and they don’t seem particularly impressed.

[Souter96Mac]

Would expect next season..

Celtic and Rangers to be strong again.

Hearts to be similar to this season but with more depth. Euro games could be an issue if playing more games.

Dundee Utd more solid as Courts has had more time with them.

Motherwell similar to Utd.

Ross County probably similar but may loose a few players.

Livi - similar but again depends who they loose / replace them with.

Hibs and Aberdeen you would expect to be better - can’t get much worse for either.

Killie - will be fighting for top 6

Both saints you would think need to improve or face going down. If Arbroath come up I imagine they will go straight back down.

Will just be as tight next season - Aberdeen and Hibs have the most rebuilding to do.

Hibs I think need at least 2 windows to fix this mess.

Football's a funny old game, folk would've expected us to finish top 4 this season. Folk thought Ange was going to fail at Celtic. Folk would've have expected the Huns to get to a Europa League final.

[Brightside]

I wanted an experienced foreign manager, a strong man manager, a positive coach. But i just dont think we are fishing in that pool. Our Manager budget doesnt appear to have changed in the last 10 years or so? So the current list is probably all thats available to us. Whoever it is, we need to move fast and he needs to very quickly make some squad decisions.

[Lago]

I can’t remember where I seen the article so I can’t go back and check but I’m fairly sure it was that Watford fans weren’t happy at all about the them dropping out the Prem and then appointing the FGR manager.

I had a look on the Watford forum and they don’t seem particularly impressed.
Agree, I know Forrest Green think he did dirty on them the way he left, Watford not happy because he's come from lower league football, kind of sums up football fans everywhere ��

[jeffers]

You better not ask any Bristol City fans what they think of McInnes then. They had a nickname for him referring to the fact he never won any games.

They probably aren’t enamoured with him, but it was years ago. He’s a proven manager at our level. Wasn’t long ago the Huns wanted him. They don’t typically appoint duds.

[leith lynx]

:agree: Robbie Neilson has looked like Pep this season. Hearts are really the only team that showed any kind of consistency. Teams stunmling and staggering to 4th and 5th. Motherwell in 4th with -13 GD. Mental season.
Don't think even Motherwell fans can believe they have qualified for Europe!...Good luck to them anyway.

[One Day Soon]

Don't discount the benefit of buying good football players

Craig Gordon has missed 2 games for hearts this season & hearts lost them both
The sub goalie has faced 7 shots & lost 4 goals

You can't underestimate the number of points Gordon has helped hearts win this season

A bit like how we relied on Martin Boyle but decided to sell him, with obvious consequences

The transfer policy is arguably more important than the choice of manager, as good players win football matches


Hearts will outspend us in the summer. They're generally more willing to speculate to accumulate than we are and they will have a lot of extra money coming in via the European ties and coverage. They will have players to replace so their extra spending may not widen the current gap too dramatically, but I expect it will widen nonetheless.

We have many, many players to upgrade and replace just to try for top six never mind any higher aspirations and a new manager is effectively starting from scratch in terms of style, tactics, first team squad, confidence, mental strength etc. And after this season the new manager is going to get next to zero leeway on early results next season so they will need to start well.

Our willingness to ignore your simple point that good players win football matches and hope instead that somehow we could cut corners to success has bitten our arse brutally since May 2016. In a football club everything - and I mean everything - flows from the team on the pitch, not the other way around. Amid a range of other initiatives, turmoil and administrative matters we have during the past half decade frankly neglected the football prime directive which is to build a team and squad good enough to win their matches.

[erin go bragh]

Don't think even Motherwell fans can believe they have qualified for Europe!...Good luck to them anyway.

They have qualified for Europe 8 out of the last 11 seasons . Some going that is .

[Gmack7]

Don't think even Motherwell fans can believe they have qualified for Europe!...Good luck to them anyway.

I think they've won 2 league games this year, emphasises how bad teams like us and Aberdeen have been all season

[cameronw-hfc]

Wouldn't it have made sense to get him in with a few games left of this season? Let him see what players he wants to keep/get rid. He'll be coming in during preseason and needing to pretty quickly decide who goes/stays and who needs brought in

[Golden Bear]

Wouldn't it have made sense to get him in with a few games left of this season? Let him see what players he wants to keep/get rid. He'll be coming in during preseason and needing to pretty quickly decide who goes/stays and who needs brought in

He'll only be allowed to watch footage of our games after the 9pm watershed. 🙄

[erin go bragh]

https://twitter.com/skysports/status/1524691803336843265?s=21&t=cb2D6CC4DOgbjlZ1_gPuSg

New small interview with Lee Johnson been put out on sky sports.

Timing just a coincidence I am sure 😉

Thought he sounded ok but this post from a Bristol city fan has gave me the fear .

Hi Sunderland fans,

Hope you're all keeping well. I've joined the board to attempt to give you a balanced view on Lee Johnson. I'm afraid I might find this hard though as I'm sure you find out on reading this post.

Lee Johnson was appointed following the sacking of Steve Cotterill. Cotts had just given us our best ever season, albeit it at league one level. We won the league at a canter amassing 99 points and just for good measure we won the Mickey Mouse trophy (Johnsons Paint). Regrettably things didn't fare so well in the Championship and at the first sign of trouble, he was booted out with us third from bottom, two points from safety with half the season gone. Our chairman, Steve Lansdown offered Cotts no backing whatsoever and was very quick to pull the trigger.

This brought about the appointment of Lee Johnson. Poached from Barnsley where he'd done quite well. They'd eventually get promoted off the back of his start to the season, although they had recently endured their record losing streak under LJ and so the reality is that the Barnsley fans weren't exactly massively upset to see him go.

Things changed dramatically when LJ was appointed. you may be aware of LJ's dad Gary. He was a legend of a manager for us and took us to the play off final in 07/08 with a squad that performed well above the level of the players contained within it (remember this point). It was during this time that Steve Lansdown (owner) struck up a lasting friendship with the Johnson family - alarm bells ringing at all?

A closed cheque book for Steve Cotterill suddenly opened wide and players that Cotts hadn't been allowed to sign (Lee Tomlin - 20k wages, our highest earner being on 13k) were suddenly given the green light. On the back of these signings, including your own (I think) Adam Matthews, Tomlin and Peter Odemwinge, Lee Johnson guided us to safety.

In the coming seasons we'd see signings authorised left, right and centre. For millions and millions of pounds. Money was thrown about like we've never seen before - some (including me) would say because of Lansdown's fondness for Johnson. And we established ourselves as a team that would flatter to deceive. It cannot be ignore that admit it all Lee Johnson stumbled across a formula to have us playing scintillating football and we were neck and neck with Wolves up until Christmas at the top of the league, including beating Manchester United in the league cup quarters and narrowly losing each of the semis to an injury time goal, until we'll crumbled away in extremely poor fashion that saw us go on a remarkable streak of results that looked like that welsh train station with the really long name, these runs included a record 8/9 L's in a row and another similar run. And a number of fans took to christening him streaky Johnson as he'd manage to paper over the cracks (my opinion) with a couple of wins and a draw thereafter.

Signing wise, Johnson signed a lot of dross. He signed foreigners that played next to no minutes, including the NZ goalkeeper who had arguably the worst performance any player has ever had for Bristol City ever, or maybe even any football team ever. There were a few like this. Players he talk up, pay a lot and then not play.

Things weren't all bad on the transfer front though. He'd sign Adam Webster for 4.5m from Ipswich and sell him to Brighton for up to 26m and he signed Josh Brownhill for a pittance and sell him to Burnley for 7m (although this was pretty obviously always going to happen given his obvious talent).

Johnson also played a pretty uninspiring midfielder (who I'd have happily let go on a free) up top. Bobby Reid was in his last chance saloon at Bristol City when an injury crisis saw Johnson play him up front in a very successful pre season. We'd go onto sell him to Cardiff for 10m and he now remarkably pays his trade with Fulham in the Prem. Johnson can take full credit for that.

He's also sell Johnathon Kodjia (15m to Villa), Aden Flint (7m - i forget whether to Cardiff or Boro) and Joe Bryan (6m Fulham), and whereas pro LJers would have you believe this was LJ's work, they were already at City (and had performed well) and so I'd suggest his credit in the transfers is extremely limited.

Post that defeat to Wolves, our football became awful. The worst we've ever seen at Bristol City. At the opposite end of the spectrum to what we'd seen earlier that season - hence why i used the phrase 'stumbled across a formula' earlier in this write up, it genuinely wasn't me being disingenuous. We were crap and Ashton Gate became anything but a fortress. We were weak, football was awful and more and more often fans would be calling for his head. But his good family friend Steve Lansdown stuck with him. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all bad, away from home we became masters of nicking a 0-1 win on the road, but this would (in my opinion) paper over the cracks of the dour home form.

We'd regularly enjoy a decent enough start to the season and then fade away dramatically to 8-12th spot and given the tens of millions of outgoings and then now bulging wage structure, Johnson left us with a bloated squad with players in it that we knew were quality (Tamas Kalas - 2 promotions to prom), but somehow they managed to look like sunday league players.

Don't get me started on playing players out of position, we'd see players shoehorned into the starting line up at the expense of someone who genuinely would play in the position that he needed to fill. Then there was the 'Johnson Tombola' - if you want a steady and consistent line up then I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place. Our star left winger - who'd finish last season at the top of the assist making charts, couldn't get a run of games in the team no matter how well he played - can you imagine his stats if he'd got a fair crack?

Then there's the credit taking. If we won "They players stuck to my plan brilliantly", if we lost he'd single players out. I seem to recall a game where we lost heavily. He brought on a sub at half time (or there abouts) with us 2 or 3 down, the proceeded to blame him when we lost 4-0. Our ability to hold a lead became nothing short of awful - do you recall when we were 3-0 up against you at half time and drew 3-3? Awful. Blaming players is something Johnson does equally as well as taking credit himself. And he's good at excuses, blaming Villa beating us on the positioning of the away fans and excuses too... there was a time when we got completely trounced by Brentford nd he said something like "After their third goal, we more than matched them" - we lost 3-0. You getting the picture yet?

Now comes my favourite point about Lee Johnson. The Johnsonisms. He is completely full of ****. As i understand it, there was quite a David Brent type character on STID? I never got far enough into the series to meet him, but LJ is more than a match for him. It got to a point where i couldn't listen to him. Win lose or draw I couldn't stand hearing what he had to say. It was just an embarrassment - I hope you'll learn exactly what it is that i'm referring to - but let just say you'd be well placed to start a thread on "Johnsonisms" on your forum and it'll be well populated very quickly.

I'm afraid I can't bring you much joyful news about your impending appointment of Lee Johnson. There were many points during his tenure where i'd have taken anyone to replace him - literally anyone - the football was that bad.

He does silly things, like measure the length of the grass, spend a shift in A&E, go to an army training camp, spend a night in the kitchen of a Michelin starred restaurant and his latest boast is to have sat down with someone who's amassed 9,000 hours of army interrogation - this is the sort of bull**** that might impress the newspapers, but in reality when he's playing a LB at CD, or a winger in CM don't really matter. He's calls them the 1%'s, but the 90%'s that matter, he couldn't seem to master.

So good luck Sunderland. I'm afraid to say you're going to need it. When you hear sky Sports refer to Bristol City playing a fast attacking expansive brand of football, the reality is that they're basing it on 4 months out of 5 years. The rest was rubbish. There came a point they'd say it every time we where on TV.

I hope that A Bristol City fan can come on here an give a good counter argument. As you can tell from above I'm absolutely no LJ fan, and I might have undersold some of his strengths (thinking about the opponent strengths rather than our own is another one). There are City fans who like him, but they tend to be the ones who deliberately ignore that he only got the job because the owner is essentially his god father and backed him with more finances that we've ever seen before.

Good luck lads and lasses. I fear you'll need it. Because at Sunderland he'll be without his biggest strength - Steve Lansdown.

[jeffers]

Wouldn't it have made sense to get him in with a few games left of this season? Let him see what players he wants to keep/get rid. He'll be coming in during preseason and needing to pretty quickly decide who goes/stays and who needs brought in

I was thinking the same. Are the guys out of contract all going to be leaving in the summer or will the recruitment “team” be making a decision about some of them ?

[HH81]

Heard the ex leeds manager came in and watched every single game from season before to see which players he wanted to keep.

Not sure many managers would do that but I thought it was a good idea.

[Unseen work]

OMG it’s happening

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/jon-dahl-tomasson-targeted-by-hibs-as-next-manager-as-slayer-of-rangers-enters-frame-3692285

[Heisenberg]

OMG it’s happening

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/jon-dahl-tomasson-targeted-by-hibs-as-next-manager-as-slayer-of-rangers-enters-frame-3692285

That would be unreal.

[weecounty hibby]

OMG it’s happening

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/jon-dahl-tomasson-targeted-by-hibs-as-next-manager-as-slayer-of-rangers-enters-frame-3692285

Now we are talking!!!! I think that would be an exciting appointment

[sesoim]

Wouldn't it have made sense to get him in with a few games left of this season? Let him see what players he wants to keep/get rid. He'll be coming in during preseason and needing to pretty quickly decide who goes/stays and who needs brought in

I totally agree about getting somone in quicker so that he could get to see the players in competitive action and try one or two things out before making decisions on them. I was hoping maybe the reason for the delay is that we wanted to speak to Malky Mackay but weren't allowed to do so till the season is over. Hopefully I'm right on that one because I don't fancy any of the English lower division managerial merry-go-round candidates we've been linked with.

[Alex Trager]

OMG it’s happening

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/jon-dahl-tomasson-targeted-by-hibs-as-next-manager-as-slayer-of-rangers-enters-frame-3692285

That is MUCH better Hibernian

[WeeRussell]

OMG it’s happening

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/jon-dahl-tomasson-targeted-by-hibs-as-next-manager-as-slayer-of-rangers-enters-frame-3692285

… could we see hibs.net unite if this was the man? 😁

[Callum_62]

… could we see hibs.net unite if this was the man? [emoji16]He's not very experienced in management

135 games since 2013

93 of them since 2020 though

Some analysis here

https://totalfootballanalysis.com/article/jon-dahl-tomasson-malmo-tactical-analysis-tactics

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[GreenCastle]

OMG it’s happening

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/jon-dahl-tomasson-targeted-by-hibs-as-next-manager-as-slayer-of-rangers-enters-frame-3692285

More like it !

[WhileTheChief..]

Now we are talking!!!! I think that would be an exciting appointment

:top marks:top marks:top marks:top marks:top marks:top marks

[JohnM1875]

OMG it’s happening

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/jon-dahl-tomasson-targeted-by-hibs-as-next-manager-as-slayer-of-rangers-enters-frame-3692285

Yes, yes, yes!

That's more like it, Hibs!

[WhileTheChief..]

That is MUCH better Hibernian

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Always had faith in RG :greengrin

[brog]

Thought he sounded ok but this post from a Bristol city fan has gave me the fear .

Hi Sunderland fans,

Hope you're all keeping well. I've joined the board to attempt to give you a balanced view on Lee Johnson. I'm afraid I might find this hard though as I'm sure you find out on reading this post.

Lee Johnson was appointed following the sacking of Steve Cotterill. Cotts had just given us our best ever season, albeit it at league one level. We won the league at a canter amassing 99 points and just for good measure we won the Mickey Mouse trophy (Johnsons Paint). Regrettably things didn't fare so well in the Championship and at the first sign of trouble, he was booted out with us third from bottom, two points from safety with half the season gone. Our chairman, Steve Lansdown offered Cotts no backing whatsoever and was very quick to pull the trigger.

This brought about the appointment of Lee Johnson. Poached from Barnsley where he'd done quite well. They'd eventually get promoted off the back of his start to the season, although they had recently endured their record losing streak under LJ and so the reality is that the Barnsley fans weren't exactly massively upset to see him go.

Things changed dramatically when LJ was appointed. you may be aware of LJ's dad Gary. He was a legend of a manager for us and took us to the play off final in 07/08 with a squad that performed well above the level of the players contained within it (remember this point). It was during this time that Steve Lansdown (owner) struck up a lasting friendship with the Johnson family - alarm bells ringing at all?

A closed cheque book for Steve Cotterill suddenly opened wide and players that Cotts hadn't been allowed to sign (Lee Tomlin - 20k wages, our highest earner being on 13k) were suddenly given the green light. On the back of these signings, including your own (I think) Adam Matthews, Tomlin and Peter Odemwinge, Lee Johnson guided us to safety.

In the coming seasons we'd see signings authorised left, right and centre. For millions and millions of pounds. Money was thrown about like we've never seen before - some (including me) would say because of Lansdown's fondness for Johnson. And we established ourselves as a team that would flatter to deceive. It cannot be ignore that admit it all Lee Johnson stumbled across a formula to have us playing scintillating football and we were neck and neck with Wolves up until Christmas at the top of the league, including beating Manchester United in the league cup quarters and narrowly losing each of the semis to an injury time goal, until we'll crumbled away in extremely poor fashion that saw us go on a remarkable streak of results that looked like that welsh train station with the really long name, these runs included a record 8/9 L's in a row and another similar run. And a number of fans took to christening him streaky Johnson as he'd manage to paper over the cracks (my opinion) with a couple of wins and a draw thereafter.

Signing wise, Johnson signed a lot of dross. He signed foreigners that played next to no minutes, including the NZ goalkeeper who had arguably the worst performance any player has ever had for Bristol City ever, or maybe even any football team ever. There were a few like this. Players he talk up, pay a lot and then not play.

Things weren't all bad on the transfer front though. He'd sign Adam Webster for 4.5m from Ipswich and sell him to Brighton for up to 26m and he signed Josh Brownhill for a pittance and sell him to Burnley for 7m (although this was pretty obviously always going to happen given his obvious talent).

Johnson also played a pretty uninspiring midfielder (who I'd have happily let go on a free) up top. Bobby Reid was in his last chance saloon at Bristol City when an injury crisis saw Johnson play him up front in a very successful pre season. We'd go onto sell him to Cardiff for 10m and he now remarkably pays his trade with Fulham in the Prem. Johnson can take full credit for that.

He's also sell Johnathon Kodjia (15m to Villa), Aden Flint (7m - i forget whether to Cardiff or Boro) and Joe Bryan (6m Fulham), and whereas pro LJers would have you believe this was LJ's work, they were already at City (and had performed well) and so I'd suggest his credit in the transfers is extremely limited.

Post that defeat to Wolves, our football became awful. The worst we've ever seen at Bristol City. At the opposite end of the spectrum to what we'd seen earlier that season - hence why i used the phrase 'stumbled across a formula' earlier in this write up, it genuinely wasn't me being disingenuous. We were crap and Ashton Gate became anything but a fortress. We were weak, football was awful and more and more often fans would be calling for his head. But his good family friend Steve Lansdown stuck with him. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all bad, away from home we became masters of nicking a 0-1 win on the road, but this would (in my opinion) paper over the cracks of the dour home form.

We'd regularly enjoy a decent enough start to the season and then fade away dramatically to 8-12th spot and given the tens of millions of outgoings and then now bulging wage structure, Johnson left us with a bloated squad with players in it that we knew were quality (Tamas Kalas - 2 promotions to prom), but somehow they managed to look like sunday league players.

Don't get me started on playing players out of position, we'd see players shoehorned into the starting line up at the expense of someone who genuinely would play in the position that he needed to fill. Then there was the 'Johnson Tombola' - if you want a steady and consistent line up then I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place. Our star left winger - who'd finish last season at the top of the assist making charts, couldn't get a run of games in the team no matter how well he played - can you imagine his stats if he'd got a fair crack?

Then there's the credit taking. If we won "They players stuck to my plan brilliantly", if we lost he'd single players out. I seem to recall a game where we lost heavily. He brought on a sub at half time (or there abouts) with us 2 or 3 down, the proceeded to blame him when we lost 4-0. Our ability to hold a lead became nothing short of awful - do you recall when we were 3-0 up against you at half time and drew 3-3? Awful. Blaming players is something Johnson does equally as well as taking credit himself. And he's good at excuses, blaming Villa beating us on the positioning of the away fans and excuses too... there was a time when we got completely trounced by Brentford nd he said something like "After their third goal, we more than matched them" - we lost 3-0. You getting the picture yet?

Now comes my favourite point about Lee Johnson. The Johnsonisms. He is completely full of ****. As i understand it, there was quite a David Brent type character on STID? I never got far enough into the series to meet him, but LJ is more than a match for him. It got to a point where i couldn't listen to him. Win lose or draw I couldn't stand hearing what he had to say. It was just an embarrassment - I hope you'll learn exactly what it is that i'm referring to - but let just say you'd be well placed to start a thread on "Johnsonisms" on your forum and it'll be well populated very quickly.

I'm afraid I can't bring you much joyful news about your impending appointment of Lee Johnson. There were many points during his tenure where i'd have taken anyone to replace him - literally anyone - the football was that bad.

He does silly things, like measure the length of the grass, spend a shift in A&E, go to an army training camp, spend a night in the kitchen of a Michelin starred restaurant and his latest boast is to have sat down with someone who's amassed 9,000 hours of army interrogation - this is the sort of bull**** that might impress the newspapers, but in reality when he's playing a LB at CD, or a winger in CM don't really matter. He's calls them the 1%'s, but the 90%'s that matter, he couldn't seem to master.

So good luck Sunderland. I'm afraid to say you're going to need it. When you hear sky Sports refer to Bristol City playing a fast attacking expansive brand of football, the reality is that they're basing it on 4 months out of 5 years. The rest was rubbish. There came a point they'd say it every time we where on TV.

I hope that A Bristol City fan can come on here an give a good counter argument. As you can tell from above I'm absolutely no LJ fan, and I might have undersold some of his strengths (thinking about the opponent strengths rather than our own is another one). There are City fans who like him, but they tend to be the ones who deliberately ignore that he only got the job because the owner is essentially his god father and backed him with more finances that we've ever seen before.

Good luck lads and lasses. I fear you'll need it. Because at Sunderland he'll be without his biggest strength - Steve Lansdown.

Why would you place so much faith in one person's opinion?

[Brightside]

OMG it’s happening

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/jon-dahl-tomasson-targeted-by-hibs-as-next-manager-as-slayer-of-rangers-enters-frame-3692285

It’s like they have read the room at last. Please make it happen.

[Unseen work]

Re Jon Dahl Tomasson does anyone know much about him? Other than slagging off rangers 😅

Sounds very exciting on paper as he was assistant for Denmark and won the league twice with Malmö but out of curiosity how big an achievement is that? Are they not one of the best and well backed teams and expected to win it?

Just curious if there’s any more information about styles etc

Edit - in answer to my own question: https://www.foottheball.com/manager-in-focus/who-is-jon-dahl-tomasson-ac-milan-legend-manager-malmo-tactical-analysis-champions-league/amp

Attacking football, scores goals

[Broxburn Greens]

OMG it’s happening

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/jon-dahl-tomasson-targeted-by-hibs-as-next-manager-as-slayer-of-rangers-enters-frame-3692285

This would be an amazing appointment

[JohnM1875]

It’s like they have read the room at last. Please make it happen.

That or we're chucking the name out there to say we at least tried to be ambitious... Now here's Lee Johnson 😂

[Callum_62]

Re Jon Dahl Tomasson does anyone know much about him? Other than slagging off rangers [emoji28]

Sounds very exciting on paper as he was assistant for Denmark and won the league twice with Malmö but out of curiosity how big an achievement is that? Are they not one of the best and well backed teams and expected to win it?

Just curious if there’s any more information about styles etc
Some early analysis of him here
https://totalfootballanalysis.com/article/jon-dahl-tomasson-malmo-tactical-analysis-tactics

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[davhibby]

Re Jon Dahl Tomasson does anyone know much about him? Other than slagging off rangers 😅

Sounds very exciting on paper as he was assistant for Denmark and won the league twice with Malmö but out of curiosity how big an achievement is that? Are they not one of the best and well backed teams and expected to win it?

Just curious if there’s any more information about styles etc

Getting them to the groups of the CL this season was a great achievement considering how hard that is

[Ronniekirk]

That or we're chucking the name out there to say we at least tried to be ambitious... Now here's Lee Johnson [emoji23]

Stop it Let us get excited for a day or two till he get a appointed elsewhere


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[degenerated]

Why would you place so much faith in one person's opinion?What sort of person that goes on to another teams fans forum to write an essay on an ex manager. I can absolutely guarantee that's a boy that's never heard Nat king Cole sing his very greatest hits.

[GreenCastle]

He’s recently won the Swedish league twice.

He won champions league plus various other club trophies as a player.

He’s already wound the Rangers fans up in Europe.

Can’t see this happening surely ?!!

[JohnM1875]

Stop it Let us get excited for a day or two till he get a appointed elsewhere


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If it actually happens though! 🤤

[Hibs90]

OMG it’s happening

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/jon-dahl-tomasson-targeted-by-hibs-as-next-manager-as-slayer-of-rangers-enters-frame-3692285

This would be an appointment that gets my seal of approval :thumbsup:


:wink:

[Tyler Durden]

Why would you place so much faith in one person's opinion?

The post is total BS anyway. Admits that they played scintillating football and developed multiple players who were sold on at great profit.

[Brown Hibs]

Could Tomasson be one of the unnamed 2?!

[Dibben]

🤞🏻

[GreenCastle]

It’s odd as no tower news outlet has the info so Moira Gordon must have a close source at the club who has given out the info or an agent telling her ??

If he’s currently at Malmo we would probably have to pay compensation for him.

Would be an odd career move unless he thinks it will open up options in England but surely he would do that by winning Swedish league.

[Mikey_1875]

If Tomasson is an option for us then make it happen!

[Callum_62]

It’s odd as no tower news outlet has the info so Moira Gordon must have a close source at the club who has given out the info or an agent telling her ??

If he’s currently at Malmo we would probably have to pay compensation for him.

Would be an odd career move unless he thinks it will open up options in England but surely he would do that by winning Swedish league.He's not at Malmö

He's unemployed

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[Since452]

OMG it’s happening

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/jon-dahl-tomasson-targeted-by-hibs-as-next-manager-as-slayer-of-rangers-enters-frame-3692285

Wow. Now that's what I'm talking about.

[SteveHFC]

https://youtu.be/8Jt-a4T3bGg

Any excuse to post this.

[Callum_62]

Does he know Scottish football though? [emoji57][emoji3]

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[Silky]

He’s recently won the Swedish league twice.

He won champions league plus various other club trophies as a player.

He’s already wound the Rangers fans up in Europe.

Can’t see this happening surely ?!!

Swedish league! But he's got no experience of Scottish football, which we were asking for on this forum. Meh.

[TelaStella]

I just hope this isn’t a too good to be true story. Is he one of the two unknown candidates from the start? Article certainly doesn’t allude to that but in fairness it’s a 30 minute old story that’s just broke and we’ll hopefully have more to hear and learn these next few days. If it’s solid then it is absolutely the only appointment to be made now. Over to you Hibs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hibee-boys]

… could we see hibs.net unite if this was the man? 😁

Count me in😍

[sadtom]

OMG it’s happening

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/jon-dahl-tomasson-targeted-by-hibs-as-next-manager-as-slayer-of-rangers-enters-frame-3692285

Not been impressed with the names mentioned so far. JDT is by far the one who has interested me most.
All appointments are a risk but he’d be one I’d be happy to see get the gig.

[JamesHFC]

This is going to mean even further disappointment when LJ is announced 😭

[Broxburn Greens]

Think we just need to see the response it’s generating on here.

This is a prospective candidate who has people already excited.

Top former pro
Managed Swedish champions to the CL groups
Knocked Rangers out the CL

Absolutely owned the Glasgow media in a presser 😂😂

[Barney McGrew]

I’ve no idea why JDT would be interested in joining us, but if it’s true Ron should give him the keys to Easter Road and East Mains, his chequebook and let him get cracked on with it.

[Unseen work]

If it’s Hibs’ plan to release names to gauge a response of fans then it will be clear the fans want JDT ahead of any of the other names mentioned.

It also looks to have made supporters of rival clubs a bit anxious and unable to slag us off

That said, I hope they go with who they genuinely think the right man is and not just what the fans say.

[SHODAN]

Make it happen.

[Waxy]

David Marshall, Tomasson?
Things taking an unexpected turn for the better and how.

[James70]

Doesn't mean to say he is interested in or has applied
for the Hibs job but would be brilliant if he is one of the four candidates.

[Allant1981]

I’ve no idea why JDT would be interested in joining us, but if it’s true Ron should give him the keys to Easter Road and East Mains, his chequebook and let him get cracked on with it.

Because he is unemployed and wants a job?

[Ronniekirk]

If it actually happens though! [emoji1786]

Would be showing ambition that’s for sure


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[weecounty hibby]

Just do it Ron, Ron do it. Ive thought about it intensely for 19 mins now and Jon Dahl Tomasson is the one. Let's just make it happen, get him along to ER on Sunday and make the end if a **** season just a wee but better

[JimBHibees]

Thought he sounded ok but this post from a Bristol city fan has gave me the fear .

Hi Sunderland fans,

Hope you're all keeping well. I've joined the board to attempt to give you a balanced view on Lee Johnson. I'm afraid I might find this hard though as I'm sure you find out on reading this post.

Lee Johnson was appointed following the sacking of Steve Cotterill. Cotts had just given us our best ever season, albeit it at league one level. We won the league at a canter amassing 99 points and just for good measure we won the Mickey Mouse trophy (Johnsons Paint). Regrettably things didn't fare so well in the Championship and at the first sign of trouble, he was booted out with us third from bottom, two points from safety with half the season gone. Our chairman, Steve Lansdown offered Cotts no backing whatsoever and was very quick to pull the trigger.

This brought about the appointment of Lee Johnson. Poached from Barnsley where he'd done quite well. They'd eventually get promoted off the back of his start to the season, although they had recently endured their record losing streak under LJ and so the reality is that the Barnsley fans weren't exactly massively upset to see him go.

Things changed dramatically when LJ was appointed. you may be aware of LJ's dad Gary. He was a legend of a manager for us and took us to the play off final in 07/08 with a squad that performed well above the level of the players contained within it (remember this point). It was during this time that Steve Lansdown (owner) struck up a lasting friendship with the Johnson family - alarm bells ringing at all?

A closed cheque book for Steve Cotterill suddenly opened wide and players that Cotts hadn't been allowed to sign (Lee Tomlin - 20k wages, our highest earner being on 13k) were suddenly given the green light. On the back of these signings, including your own (I think) Adam Matthews, Tomlin and Peter Odemwinge, Lee Johnson guided us to safety.

In the coming seasons we'd see signings authorised left, right and centre. For millions and millions of pounds. Money was thrown about like we've never seen before - some (including me) would say because of Lansdown's fondness for Johnson. And we established ourselves as a team that would flatter to deceive. It cannot be ignore that admit it all Lee Johnson stumbled across a formula to have us playing scintillating football and we were neck and neck with Wolves up until Christmas at the top of the league, including beating Manchester United in the league cup quarters and narrowly losing each of the semis to an injury time goal, until we'll crumbled away in extremely poor fashion that saw us go on a remarkable streak of results that looked like that welsh train station with the really long name, these runs included a record 8/9 L's in a row and another similar run. And a number of fans took to christening him streaky Johnson as he'd manage to paper over the cracks (my opinion) with a couple of wins and a draw thereafter.

Signing wise, Johnson signed a lot of dross. He signed foreigners that played next to no minutes, including the NZ goalkeeper who had arguably the worst performance any player has ever had for Bristol City ever, or maybe even any football team ever. There were a few like this. Players he talk up, pay a lot and then not play.

Things weren't all bad on the transfer front though. He'd sign Adam Webster for 4.5m from Ipswich and sell him to Brighton for up to 26m and he signed Josh Brownhill for a pittance and sell him to Burnley for 7m (although this was pretty obviously always going to happen given his obvious talent).

Johnson also played a pretty uninspiring midfielder (who I'd have happily let go on a free) up top. Bobby Reid was in his last chance saloon at Bristol City when an injury crisis saw Johnson play him up front in a very successful pre season. We'd go onto sell him to Cardiff for 10m and he now remarkably pays his trade with Fulham in the Prem. Johnson can take full credit for that.

He's also sell Johnathon Kodjia (15m to Villa), Aden Flint (7m - i forget whether to Cardiff or Boro) and Joe Bryan (6m Fulham), and whereas pro LJers would have you believe this was LJ's work, they were already at City (and had performed well) and so I'd suggest his credit in the transfers is extremely limited.

Post that defeat to Wolves, our football became awful. The worst we've ever seen at Bristol City. At the opposite end of the spectrum to what we'd seen earlier that season - hence why i used the phrase 'stumbled across a formula' earlier in this write up, it genuinely wasn't me being disingenuous. We were crap and Ashton Gate became anything but a fortress. We were weak, football was awful and more and more often fans would be calling for his head. But his good family friend Steve Lansdown stuck with him. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all bad, away from home we became masters of nicking a 0-1 win on the road, but this would (in my opinion) paper over the cracks of the dour home form.

We'd regularly enjoy a decent enough start to the season and then fade away dramatically to 8-12th spot and given the tens of millions of outgoings and then now bulging wage structure, Johnson left us with a bloated squad with players in it that we knew were quality (Tamas Kalas - 2 promotions to prom), but somehow they managed to look like sunday league players.

Don't get me started on playing players out of position, we'd see players shoehorned into the starting line up at the expense of someone who genuinely would play in the position that he needed to fill. Then there was the 'Johnson Tombola' - if you want a steady and consistent line up then I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place. Our star left winger - who'd finish last season at the top of the assist making charts, couldn't get a run of games in the team no matter how well he played - can you imagine his stats if he'd got a fair crack?

Then there's the credit taking. If we won "They players stuck to my plan brilliantly", if we lost he'd single players out. I seem to recall a game where we lost heavily. He brought on a sub at half time (or there abouts) with us 2 or 3 down, the proceeded to blame him when we lost 4-0. Our ability to hold a lead became nothing short of awful - do you recall when we were 3-0 up against you at half time and drew 3-3? Awful. Blaming players is something Johnson does equally as well as taking credit himself. And he's good at excuses, blaming Villa beating us on the positioning of the away fans and excuses too... there was a time when we got completely trounced by Brentford nd he said something like "After their third goal, we more than matched them" - we lost 3-0. You getting the picture yet?

Now comes my favourite point about Lee Johnson. The Johnsonisms. He is completely full of ****. As i understand it, there was quite a David Brent type character on STID? I never got far enough into the series to meet him, but LJ is more than a match for him. It got to a point where i couldn't listen to him. Win lose or draw I couldn't stand hearing what he had to say. It was just an embarrassment - I hope you'll learn exactly what it is that i'm referring to - but let just say you'd be well placed to start a thread on "Johnsonisms" on your forum and it'll be well populated very quickly.

I'm afraid I can't bring you much joyful news about your impending appointment of Lee Johnson. There were many points during his tenure where i'd have taken anyone to replace him - literally anyone - the football was that bad.

He does silly things, like measure the length of the grass, spend a shift in A&E, go to an army training camp, spend a night in the kitchen of a Michelin starred restaurant and his latest boast is to have sat down with someone who's amassed 9,000 hours of army interrogation - this is the sort of bull**** that might impress the newspapers, but in reality when he's playing a LB at CD, or a winger in CM don't really matter. He's calls them the 1%'s, but the 90%'s that matter, he couldn't seem to master.

So good luck Sunderland. I'm afraid to say you're going to need it. When you hear sky Sports refer to Bristol City playing a fast attacking expansive brand of football, the reality is that they're basing it on 4 months out of 5 years. The rest was rubbish. There came a point they'd say it every time we where on TV.

I hope that A Bristol City fan can come on here an give a good counter argument. As you can tell from above I'm absolutely no LJ fan, and I might have undersold some of his strengths (thinking about the opponent strengths rather than our own is another one). There are City fans who like him, but they tend to be the ones who deliberately ignore that he only got the job because the owner is essentially his god father and backed him with more finances that we've ever seen before.

Good luck lads and lasses. I fear you'll need it. Because at Sunderland he'll be without his biggest strength - Steve Lansdown.

One fans opinion

[Lee Marvin]

Scenes when Johnson is announced tomorrow

[hibee-boys]

I’ve no idea why JDT would be interested in joining us, but if it’s true Ron should give him the keys to Easter Road and East Mains, his chequebook and let him get cracked on with it.

He may see it as a gateway to a bigger job down south🤔 I see he has a young family though so it would be a hell of a big decision to move here.

[Saint Hibee]

https://youtu.be/8Jt-a4T3bGg

Any excuse to post this.

I’m in love!

[CropleyWasGod]

Given the potential for multiple mis-spellings of his name, he's a natural.

[Tambo]

I just hope this isn’t a too good to be true story. Is he one of the two unknown candidates from the start? Article certainly doesn’t allude to that but in fairness it’s a 30 minute old story that’s just broke and we’ll hopefully have more to hear and learn these next few days. If it’s solid then it is absolutely the only appointment to be made now. Over to you Hibs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The mystery man. Bigger names linked again if I'm honest I'm really looking forward to the announcement which maybe will be done Monday?

[yerauldda]

Ticks most boxes. Would get everyone buzzing for the new season.

[Green Reaper]

I wonder if the ex Malmo manager Tomasson is in the running?

RG obviously read this post I made yesterday 😅

[Heisenberg]

Scenes when Johnson is announced tomorrow

Going to be some reception for Appleton/Johnson. It’s heading for JDT or meltdown.

[Stevie Reid]

Don’t mind any of the candidates in the running so far, but JDT is next level stuff. Excited at that prospect.

[WhileTheChief..]

This would be an appointment that gets my seal of approval :thumbsup:


:wink:

Priorities :greengrin

I'm with you all the way on this one.

[Scorrie]

Given the potential for multiple mis-spellings of his name, he's a natural.

And his name fits great into the tune for Brown Girl in the Ring so he’s got an obvious song as well

[jeffers]

Now we are talking. Yes please !

[WhileTheChief..]

RG obviously read this post I made yesterday 😅

:top marksHappy to give you full credit if RG pulls this off.

This would be the best thing ever.

[BegbieHSC]

That’s more like it, Hibs.

Make it happen! Tomassson would be an outstanding appointment.

[CropleyWasGod]

And his name fits great into the tune for Brown Girl in the Ring so he’s got an obvious song as well

I'm having second thoughts now. **** that. :rolleyes:

I'll no be back etc etc.....

[BegbieHSC]

Does he know Scottish football though? [emoji57][emoji3]

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

He’s a Hun skelper! That will do 😅

[Bertie Wooster]

When would Hibs announce the next manager ? Does it look likely it will be done before the Early bird season ticket deadline

[Vault Boy]

Yes.

[gbhibby]

JDT the man for me.

[Lago]

This sounds like another Roy Keane revelation to me.

[Aldo]

Given the potential for multiple mis-spellings of his name, he's a natural.

Surely folk will manage JDT [emoji2369]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WhileTheChief..]

Kensall and Ian Gordon been trolling us big time with their ex-Hearts legend Johnson chat :wink:

Fair play to them if they pull this off.

It would be a huge statement of intent and give us all something to look forward to.

[JohnM1875]

Just praying Patrick McPartlin doesn't come along and ruin the buzz and confirms it.

[GreenCastle]

JDH and JDT

JDH did get Roda relegated and was sacked after that in his first job.

He’s got some Scottish footballs experience as he’s been to Ibrox already and dealt with the Scottish / U.K. media when a manager and player.

[CropleyWasGod]

Surely folk will manage JDT [emoji2369]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not if JD-H is still here :greengrin

[Aldo]

Not if JD-H is still here :greengrin

Indeed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Callum_62]

Surely folk will manage JDT [emoji2369]


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkThe post 3 posts after this already mixed them up

[emoji23][emoji23]

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[Pretty Boy]

Just praying Patrick McPartlin doesn't come along and ruin the buzz and confirms it.

If it's coming from Moira Gordon then I'd suggest there will be something in it. It may come to nothing but she won't just be plucking this from thin air, someone in or around Hibs has given her the heads up.

[Unseen work]

Feel sorry for Hibs and the potential manager if this story isn’t true.

All the fans are now absolutely buzzing about the thought of JDT and if it’s not him everyone will be gutted and very underwhelmed

[Alex Trager]

Just praying Patrick McPartlin doesn't come along and ruin the buzz and confirms it.

Hopeful that because they are from the same paper, or company or whatever it is true.

Generally can trust the EEN and by extension the Scotsman. Farrrr more so than any red tops.

This is the kind of name that you can see flips a switch in the support immediately. The buzz is immense.

If we can’t get him, another big name like him should be the target.

This would make me sign up to next season immediately.

[Aldo]

The post 3 posts after this already mixed them up

[emoji23][emoji23]

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[emoji23][emoji23]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bod]

When would Hibs announce the next manager ? Does it look likely it will be done before the Early bird season ticket deadline

For folk to pay more money then RG will announce him the day after

[WhileTheChief..]

Hopeful that because they are from the same paper, or company or whatever it is true.

Generally can trust the EEN and by extension the Scotsman. Farrrr more so than any red tops.

This is the kind of name that you can see flips a switch in the support immediately. The buzz is immense.

If we can’t get him, another big name like him should be the target.

This would make me sign up to next season immediately.

He's exactly what we've been looking for.

Had a stellar playing career, has won titles and has got a bit of something about him.

[AlbertK86]

If it's coming from Moira Gordon then I'd suggest there will be something in it. It may come to nothing but she won't just be plucking this from thin air, someone in or around Hibs has given her the heads up.

I don’t trust her with her Jambo leanings.

Her Sked and Fowler always put out what they think are subtle digs at Hibs and jump all over our fan base negativity.

Wouldn’t be surprised if she is putting this out there to make us look bad if it doesn’t happen.

Would hope I’m way off the mark but heard her try to trip up previous managers too often in the press conferences and read so much pish from her.

However, if true then at least the club are showing a bit ambition.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Greencore]

5 season tickets please If he's appointed.

[Stuarty1875]

JDT certainly ticks all the boxes

Hopefully Ron can make it happen.

[Paulie Walnuts]

JDT could be an exceptional appointment.

[The Captain....]

Would love to see JDT take the job but I think it's unlikely.

If they were to pull it off it would be very impressive.

I wonder how his name suddenly popped up at this stage of the process.

Exciting rumour regardless.

Sent from my SM-S906B using Tapatalk

[Alfred E Newman]

Swedish league! But he's got no experience of Scottish football, which we were asking for on this forum. Meh.

And does he “ get Hibs” ?

[HoboHarry]

I was panicking, thought JDT was John Terry lol....

[JimBHibees]

5 season tickets please If he's appointed.

Just buy them anyway :greengrin

[tamig]

I don’t trust her with her Jambo leanings.

Her Sked and Fowler always put out what they think are subtle digs at Hibs and jump all over our fan base negativity.

Wouldn’t be surprised if she is putting this out there to make us look bad if it doesn’t happen.

Would hope I’m way off the mark but heard her try to trip up previous managers too often in the press conferences and read so much pish from her.

However, if true then at least the club are showing a bit ambition.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That’s just nonsense. It’s not how any local paper acts with one of their local teams.

[CB Hibs 68]

Let’s try and temper our enthusiasm for this potential appointment.If there is an interview process in motion JDT will be asking all the questions of Hibs and what Rons plans are.Love it to happen but think there is little chance.

[hibee-boys]

5 season tickets please If he's appointed.

Buy them tonight, could swing the budget needed to get him to sign up…..if he doesn’t……I’m blaming you!🤪

[California-Hibs]

You can just see the buzz its created on here in the last few pages. Really hope in some way Ron understands that this is the kind of name that generates this kind of buzz. Someone get emailing him. It simply must be Tomasson at this point! 😁🤞🤞

[Smartie]

And his name fits great into the tune for Brown Girl in the Ring so he’s got an obvious song as well

If this is the main criterion then I take it it's between him and Michael Appleton then?

[WeeRussell]

Just do it Ron, Ron do it. Ive thought about it intensely for 19 mins now and Jon Dahl Tomasson is the one. Let's just make it happen, get him along to ER on Sunday and make the end if a **** season just a wee but better

I don’t know if it was intended but I can’t read that first sentence without humming the crystals in my head.

[FilipinoHibs]

JDT I am buzzin.

[Callum_62]

Anyone really know what JDT style is?

Wonder who would be on his team too

Still think it's unlikley

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[Allant1981]

I appreciate he won the league in sweden but does anyone actually know what he is like as a manager or are folk getting excited because he is a well known name?

[SlickShoes]

Can’t wait to see Bobby Williamson at the press conference on Monday

[Smartie]

Can’t wait to see Bobby Williamson at the press conference on Monday

Anyone know where I can get odds on Graham Rix?

[Col2]

I appreciate he won the league in sweden but does anyone actually know what he is like as a manager or are folk getting excited because he is a well known name?

Two titles in a row in top league in Sweden, group stages of champions league and a 57% win ratio in last 24 months as a manager. Also a champions league winner with AC Milan’s and capped over 100 times.

[WhileTheChief..]

Are folk saying it's unlikely for any specific reason or is it more of a 'it's too good to be true' kinda thing?