Calderwood in the Scotsman

[Jim44]

I haven't seen any references to this but there was a fairly long in-depth interview by Aidan Smith in the sports section yesterday. Fairly inoccuous stuff but a couple of things raised my eyebrows.

"I don't feel under pressure. The job, being a manager, is something I love doing - and I'm loving it at Hibs. So while I accept results have to improve, I'm not worried. I'm sleeping fine. Have I been to see the chairman? No. If anything, the position we're in is giving me reason to do the exact opposite, to enjoy it even more." Then he leans forward in his chair. "And this job, being a manager, I'm good at it."


Does Calderwood accept they are in a relegation fight? "We're in a fight for the top six."

[Reaper]

In fairness to Calderwood, no interview he's given so far, and a few I've watched from when he was at Forest and Northampton are any different. He doesn't give anything away in any of them, portrays himself very well and gives a professional response to all the questions asked by the Interviewer.

Okay some of the comments might take you aback but he'll be well aware he's under pressure, well aware we're in a relegation fight and well aware when he needs to speak to the board, he doesn't need to splash it all over papers. I respect that. Too many times we've heard managers (not just at our club) giving a sob story in the papers, refusing to accept responsibilty that comes with their position and possibly in the hope of getting media and fans onside with them and as Liverpool so sadly did, washing the clubs dirty laundry in public. Calderwood appears to be the type who just knuckles down and gets on with it and will deal with the problems within the club internally without it having to be spilled all over the media.

Got to respect him for that.

[blackpoolhibs]

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I haven't seen any references to this but there was a fairly long in-depth interview by Aidan Smith in the sports section yesterday. Fairly inoccuous stuff but a couple of things raised my eyebrows.

"I don't feel under pressure. The job, being a manager, is something I love doing - and I'm loving it at Hibs. So while I accept results have to improve, I'm not worried. I'm sleeping fine. Have I been to see the chairman? No. If anything, the position we're in is giving me reason to do the exact opposite, to enjoy it even more." Then he leans forward in his chair. "And this job, being a manager, I'm good at it."


Does Calderwood accept they are in a relegation fight? "We're in a fight for the top six."

Not seen much proof of it yet though Colin.

[Wheat Hound]

Two things struck me about this interview.

One, he still lives in northampton and no mention made of a move up here. A sign he's not sure if he'll be here for the long haul?

Two, the part where he asks to speak off record. Reading between the lines, I reckon he was singling out the players he's not happy with.

A good interview though and one in which cc comes across well imho.

[ScottB]

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Two things struck me about this interview.

One, he still lives in northampton and no mention made of a move up here. A sign he's not sure if he'll be here for the long haul?

Two, the part where he asks to speak off record. Reading between the lines, I reckon he was singling out the players he's not happy with.

A good interview though and one in which cc comes across well imho.

No, it says he goes down South after games to see his son, and I take it you missed the bit, and indeed the headline, where he says he is in it for the long haul then?

I quite liked the interview personally, his comments about the players lacking commitment and shirking challenges particularly, and of course, noting the attitudes of some of the fans towards different players.

[Perspective]

I think the most interesting bit of that interview is the section not written - with his off-the-record comments. He obviously let the PR mask slip and said what he really thinks.

I actually think it's quite an encouraging interview - especially the big about it not mattering if 5/6 left this window because we still don't have a decent first 11. The comments on Nish/Zemmama are interesting too.

[persevere1875]

Maybe I read it differently but I read it as a man who knows were **** at the moment, who's sat down with a chairman who privately admits were **** at the moment and has been asked to do what he can until such time as the clear out begins, anything we can get money for in the meantime is a bonus but were having a mass clear out regardless.

I would have thought the comment about being able to lose another five or six of the players and it making little difference to the overall problem because we currently dont have a first 11, makes it appear like a manager who's been given the remit to rebuild and lets be realistic for a moment, If he's going to rebuild, and in all honesty the chances of us being the worst of a bad lot and actually going down are slim, where's his money best spent, Now ? Or the summer window ?

Think were looking at no more than a couple of seasoned battlers in this window and a total clear out in the summer.

[blackpoolhibs]

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Maybe I read it differently but I read it as a man who knows were **** at the moment, who's sat down with a chairman who privately admits were **** at the moment and has been asked to do what he can until such time as the clear out begins, anything we can get money for in the meantime is a bonus but were having a mass clear out regardless.

I would have thought the comment about being able to lose another five or six of the players and it making little difference to the overall problem because we currently dont have a first 11, makes it appear like a manager who's been given the remit to rebuild and lets be realistic for a moment, If he's going to rebuild, and in all honesty the chances of us being the worst of a bad lot and actually going down are slim, where's his money best spent, Now ? Or the summer window ?

Think were looking at no more than a couple of seasoned battlers in this window and a total clear out in the summer.

I don't believe we will go down, but disagree there's a slim chance we could. I think you are spot on with the rest though.

[Sir David Gray]

Link to the interview is here.

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/Interv...ood.6692381.jp

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No, it says he goes down South after games to see his son, and I take it you missed the bit, and indeed the headline, where he says he is in it for the long haul then?

I quite liked the interview personally, his comments about the players lacking commitment and shirking challenges particularly, and of course, noting the attitudes of some of the fans towards different players.

I'm not sure if it's a sign that he's not in it for the long haul but it does say that he drives down to Northampton every Saturday after a game to the house that he still owns. The following day, he goes down to London to collect his son from his ex-wife's house and they play golf.

Presumably, on the Sunday night he then drives all the way up from London to Edinburgh, in preparation for training on the Monday morning.

I find it a bit strange that he hasn't moved up here to be honest. That's a lot of running about that he's doing.

I also find it a bit strange that he thinks we're in a fight for a top six place.

[blackpoolhibs]

Just noticed from that interview his birthdays the same day as mine. Give me and yourself an early present on tuesday Colin.

[Wheat Hound]

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Link to the interview is here.

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/Interv...ood.6692381.jp



I'm not sure if it's a sign that he's not in it for the long haul but it does say that he drives down to Northampton every Saturday after a game to the house that he still owns. The following day, he goes down to London to collect his son from his ex-wife's house and they play golf.

Presumably, on the Sunday night he then drives all the way up from London to Edinburgh, in preparation for training on the Monday morning.

I find it a bit strange that he hasn't moved up here to be honest. That's a lot of running about that he's doing.

I also find it a bit strange that he thinks we're in a fight for a top six place.

That's the point I'm making, a lot of travelling for the man and doesn't give any indication that he intends moving up here permanently. He might say he's here for the long haul vut actions speak louder than words.

However, as I also stated above, I like the interview and really hope cc turns things around. I certainly don't want him to walk. I want him here for the long haul.

[NORTHERNHIBBY]

only thing that strikes me as funny is the bit where he finds it necessary to say that he is a good manager. In the football business, other people say that about you, and you let your results speak for you.

[matty_f]

I thought that was a good piece and it's reassuring to hear that calderwood has identified the same criticisms as we have.

[woodyloon]

[/B]

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Two things struck me about this interview.

One, he still lives in northampton and no mention made of a move up here. A sign he's not sure if he'll be here for the long haul?

Two, the part where he asks to speak off record. Reading between the lines, I reckon he was singling out the players he's not happy with.A good interview though and one in which cc comes across well imho.

Maybe CC should be less protective of the players and say what he really thinks when getting interviewed. Then if any player really nows he is not giving 100%, he might feel ,more incllined to give that bit extra, rather than being named and shamed.

[down-the-slope]

"What I certainly need is an example player, someone who can tackle. In the first game against Ayr one or two situations where we didn't come away with the ball were entirely unaccaptable. No matter how good a footballer you are, you must win your contacts, whether on the ground or in the air. At the moment some of the players think it's okay not to tackle. Well, there's only so much of that a guy like me can bear and it's definitely got to change."


This I liked best....He would have loved Matty Jack

[Greentinted]

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Link to the interview is here.

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/Interv...ood.6692381.jp



I'm not sure if it's a sign that he's not in it for the long haul but it does say that he drives down to Northampton every Saturday after a game to the house that he still owns. The following day, he goes down to London to collect his son from his ex-wife's house and they play golf.

Presumably, on the Sunday night he then drives all the way up from London to Edinburgh, in preparation for training on the Monday morning.

I find it a bit strange that he hasn't moved up here to be honest. That's a lot of running about that he's doing.

I also find it a bit strange that he thinks we're in a fight for a top six place.

Perhaps he's reasonably democratic and caught in between earning a living but maintaining quality contact with those close to him. While he is employed here, its more than feasable to deduce that his wife/ex wife and kids are settled where they are. And in the fickle world of football based employement he's decided that upheaval for those close to him would be unfair on them. Who knows? Maybe someone should ask him.

[Aubenas]

With avge manager's jobs lasting 18 months now, I think most managers have a 'base' and rent in the town where they manage. I'd imagine a club house/flat is part of the deal when you manage Hibs. When you do move clubs it must be a lot easier dealing with lets than sales.Makes sense anyway to keep a place in Northampton as it means he's not having to drive all the way to London in a oner on a Saturday evening - you could also say it's not a bad base if he's down south scouting. I think he's committed and I also thought it says a lot about the guy that he's prepared to do that to keep close to his lad. He doesn't know the Edinburgh area; he might have thought it better to rent and then look for a place in the close season when he's found out what his routine is like.

I've always wondered where would be the best place to live if you played for Hibs - close to East Mains, close to Easter Rd, near the M8???

I'm not trying to defend CC - just pointing out there could be many reasons for him keeping the place in Northampton. And yes - fine interview by Aiden Smith

[Dinkydoo]

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"


Does Calderwood accept they are in a relegation fight? "We're in a fight for the top six."

Strange.

Not what he's saying here today: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/footbal...6908-22853015/

"Whatever happens I need new players. I'd settle for one new player just now. Someone who is accustomed to a fight and ready for it. A British player, preferably."

OK he doesn't say a "relegation" fight but it doesn't sound to me as if he's talking about a battle at the top end of the table.

[bingo70]

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With avge manager's jobs lasting 18 months now, I think most managers have a 'base' and rent in the town where they manage. I'd imagine a club house/flat is part of the deal when you manage Hibs. When you do move clubs it must be a lot easier dealing with lets than sales.Makes sense anyway to keep a place in Northampton as it means he's not having to drive all the way to London in a oner on a Saturday evening - you could also say it's not a bad base if he's down south scouting. I think he's committed and I also thought it says a lot about the guy that he's prepared to do that to keep close to his lad. He doesn't know the Edinburgh area; he might have thought it better to rent and then look for a place in the close season when he's found out what his routine is like.

I've always wondered where would be the best place to live if you played for Hibs - close to East Mains, close to Easter Rd, near the M8???

I'm not trying to defend CC - just pointing out there could be many reasons for him keeping the place in Northampton. And yes - fine interview by Aiden Smith

I think it's a sad day when we're objecting to our manager going to see his son for a round of golf once a week, one night and then a day off is not a lot to ask and if he never had that he'd go mad, on a sidenote, possibly a problem Yogi had if he was unable to just step away from it, have a breather and reflect on what he was doing wrong and get some perspective.

Thought it was a decent article, one thing i'm not sure of though, am i right in saying CC asked to say something to the journalist off the record but he's gone ahead and printed it anyway? seems pretty bad craic if that is the case and i wouldn't expect CC to open up again anytime soon, also hope it doesnt have any effect on the players now they know he might be thinking one thing and saying something different, although it does appear he's told them his patience is wearing thin.

[bingo70]

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Strange.

Not what he's saying here today: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/footbal...6908-22853015/

"Whatever happens I need new players. I'd settle for one new player just now. Someone who is accustomed to a fight and ready for it. A British player, preferably."

OK he doesn't say a "relegation" fight but it doesn't sound to me as if he's talking about a battle at the top end of the table.

How? He's saying what he needs to start winning games, whether thats to avoid relegation or move towards the top 6 is irrelevant.

[JimBHibees]

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I think it's a sad day when we're objecting to our manager going to see his son for a round of golf once a week, one night and then a day off is not a lot to ask and if he never had that he'd go mad, on a sidenote, possibly a problem Yogi had if he was unable to just step away from it, have a breather and reflect on what he was doing wrong and get some perspective.

Thought it was a decent article, one thing i'm not sure of though, am i right in saying CC asked to say something to the journalist off the record but he's gone ahead and printed it anyway? seems pretty bad craic if that is the case and i wouldn't expect CC to open up again anytime soon, also hope it doesnt have any effect on the players now they know he might be thinking one thing and saying something different, although it does appear he's told them his patience is wearing thin.

Totally agree, off the record kind of means that the boy shouldnt have mentioned it, pretty unprofessional IMO.

[E.T. is a Hibee]

That a crackin interview, cant wait till he starts the punting of the unwanted!

Go on CC, DO YOUR STUFF!!!

[Sir David Gray]

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Perhaps he's reasonably democratic and caught in between earning a living but maintaining quality contact with those close to him. While he is employed here, its more than feasable to deduce that his wife/ex wife and kids are settled where they are. And in the fickle world of football based employement he's decided that upheaval for those close to him would be unfair on them. Who knows? Maybe someone should ask him.

I don't blame him for wanting to keep in contact with his son, it's only natural that any father would want to do the same.

However, I think it's impractical for him to be going down to the south of England every week, whilst he has a full time management job in Scotland. It's about a 7 hour drive from London to Edinburgh and that's on a good day. That is pretty tough going if you're doing that every week.

At the end of the day, it's Hibs who are his employers and whilst I have no problem with this arrangement if it's having no negative impact on the job he's doing with us, I would question if that is actually the case, considering the amount of travelling that he is doing every week after a game.

[ScottB]

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That's the point I'm making, a lot of travelling for the man and doesn't give any indication that he intends moving up here permanently. He might say he's here for the long haul vut actions speak louder than words.

However, as I also stated above, I like the interview and really hope cc turns things around. I certainly don't want him to walk. I want him here for the long haul.

So he stays down South at the weekend, he presumably stays here all week long. So where does that make his main home? Just because he retains a house nearer to his son he's not in it for the long haul? I'm sure he has the cash to afford a home here and a home there should he want to.

It's indicative of the atmosphere around here of blowing up the slightest thing into an issue to complain about!

[ScottB]

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I don't blame him for wanting to keep in contact with his son, it's only natural that any father would want to do the same.

However, I think it's impractical for him to be going down to the south of England every week, whilst he has a full time management job in Scotland. It's about a 7 hour drive from London to Edinburgh and that's on a good day. That is pretty tough going if you're doing that every week.

At the end of the day, it's Hibs who are his employers and whilst I have no problem with this arrangement if it's having no negative impact on the job he's doing with us, I would question if that is actually the case, considering the amount of travelling that he is doing every week after a game.

Frankly it's none of the clubs business what he does with his day off, and if he is committed enough as a father to travel down to see his kid every week then full power to him.

[Barney McGrew]

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I don't blame him for wanting to keep in contact with his son, it's only natural that any father would want to do the same.

However, I think it's impractical for him to be going down to the south of England every week, whilst he has a full time management job in Scotland. It's about a 7 hour drive from London to Edinburgh and that's on a good day. That is pretty tough going if you're doing that every week.

At the end of the day, it's Hibs who are his employers and whilst I have no problem with this arrangement if it's having no negative impact on the job he's doing with us, I would question if that is actually the case, considering the amount of travelling that he is doing every week after a game.

So the alternative is he either uproots his family from the home they'll have been in for a number of years or doesn't see his son every week?

[Dinkydoo]

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How? He's saying what he needs to start winning games, whether thats to avoid relegation or move towards the top 6 is irrelevant.

Seems completely relevant to me considering the OP stated - Does Calderwood accept they are in a relegation fight? "We're in a fight for the top six."

It came across to me as if he acknowledged the fact that we could well be in for a relegation dogfight in the Sunday Mail.

He didn't come out and say it in so many words but the line "Someone who is accustomed to a fight and ready for it." indicates to me that he's fully aware of our current predicament.

[bingo70]

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I don't blame him for wanting to keep in contact with his son, it's only natural that any father would want to do the same.

However, I think it's impractical for him to be going down to the south of England every week, whilst he has a full time management job in Scotland. It's about a 7 hour drive from London to Edinburgh and that's on a good day. That is pretty tough going if you're doing that every week.

At the end of the day, it's Hibs who are his employers and whilst I have no problem with this arrangement if it's having no negative impact on the job he's doing with us, I would question if that is actually the case, considering the amount of travelling that he is doing every week after a game.

So you think he'd be doing a better job if he wasn't travelling on his day off?

In what sense? would we be better organised? would players not be making daft mistakes? would we be scoring more goals? would we have had signings in? would he motivate the players better?

Although you say you've no problem with this it appears you do and I honestly find the fact he's being questioned about this absolutely pathetic and i think people, not just you, need to get some perspective.

I'd be more worried about the integrity of our manager if he didn't make a point of doing this to see his son every week.

[Greentinted]

Just read the whole Scotsman article and if thats Smith's standard these days he's as well wrapping it. There was a time when he was naturally engaging but whatever ability he had is well past its use-by date.
Must do better.

[Sir David Gray]

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Frankly it's none of the clubs business what he does with his day off, and if he is committed enough as a father to travel down to see his kid every week then full power to him.

As I say, if it's not having an effect on the job that he's doing then I would agree with that but if it is (and I would find it difficult to believe that it's not, to be honest) then I would argue that it's got everything to do with the club.

I will repeat that I do not have any problem in the slightest with him wanting to spend time with his son, I actually find it quite admirable that he's going to those lengths to spend a day with him.

However, if he wishes to keep up this arrangement of seeing his son every weekend and it's not possible for his son to come up here and live, I would suggest that Colin Calderwood is not suited to working as a manager in Scotland at this moment in time.