Now and again I wish Harry Redknapp was at our club.
Fortunately, if I lie down in a darkened room it passes quickly. But it always hits me around this time of year.
It’s about the transfer window, of course. People are now posting pictures of skeletons at computers, to illustrate the feeling of being a City fan waiting for news to feed on.
The problem is the club, of course, and in particular David McNally. Harry is garrulous, profligate, indiscreet and generally irresponsible. Ruinous for his clubs, but wonderful box office.
In contrast, McNally is serious, discreet and responsible. A consummate professional – and very frustrating for us fans eager for tidbits.
We’ve seen enough of Mr McNally to know he’ll be working night and day, focused on exactly what he (or in this case Alex Neil) wants. He’ll achieve whatever can be achieved without jeopardising the solvency of the club.
And he won’t be deflected from his path by clamour from the fans.
For me – and I hope the majority of our fans – that’s the way I want it to be. I’m pretty sure it will work out well. But it’s hard on us.
I’m not ‘in the know’ (in fact, I’m so far out of it that I spent months wondering what ‘itk’ meant) but I did talk about Robbie Brady on this forum a while ago, and why he seemed to me – from the things that are visible to fans – a good fit for our needs.
It seems that the invisible factors might be favourable too and we’re trying to acquire him.
Fingers crossed.
In the other direction, it seems we may have seen the back of the Wolf. To judge from social media, our fans are divided about him.
Was he always ill-equipped for the physical and mental rigours of the Premier League?
Or did Chris Hughton’s style and approach prevent him having a fair chance to show us why he was so highly rated?
I’m inclined towards the first view. But I can’t help wondering: if McGregor hadn’t pulled off a freaky save, and Snodgrass hadn’t inexplicably torn the penalty from his hands, then Ricky might have started with three goals in three games.
That’s a platform for confidence, and he might have blossomed instead of wilting.
Who knows?
Our squad, as has been pointed out, is more experienced and stronger-looking than last time we came up to the top flight. However, the Premier League moves on too.
Our 1992-93 heroics belong to that part of City’s history, and to that part of the Prem’s history but it couldn’t happen now. Even since 2011 the standard and depth of squads has improved.
At the end of the season Alex Neil praised his squad, while saying that three or four ‘quality additions’ would be needed for the next challenge.
That sounds right to me, and it’s what I’d expect David McNally to be burning the midnight oil to achieve.
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In a moment of weakness, I recently revealed to this forum that I’m an MCC member. Yes, just as many readers had no doubt already concluded, I’m officially an old fart.
In truth, few MCC members match the stereotype of the plump reactionary snoozing in his stripey jacket but at least one exists, and the press will always feature him (lazy journalism as usual – present company excepted, of course).
I probably don’t get value for my annual subscription – but having waited 20 years to get in, I’m damned if I’m giving it up now. And I must admit, Lord’s on a summer’s day takes some beating, perhaps surpassed only by Carrow Road.
Gary jumped on my revelation and challenged me to get pictures of myself (and possibly others) in Canary shirts at cricket ‘headquarters’. At risk of finding myself up in front of the Committee and having my stripes removed, I’ll give it a go.
Not the most important reason to watch this space, but in the absence of transfer news….
“Consummate professional”? Yes well he should be able when he earnt a £350K bonus for the season we were relegated. He has brought out the same line again this summer about every spare penny will go into playing budget (even though last time we were relelgated we made a profit). We will see if he can keep Alex Neil happy and match his ambitions, otherwise history will repeat itelf and he’ll be off rather too soon as was Lambert.
Stewart – I’ve been in the Motor Cycling Club for years and wear my blazer with pride.
The silence from Carrow Road is almost deafening – cards are being held very close to the chest with respect to any transfers – maybe that’s best as you suggest.
I have to say I’m surprised that the head of recruitment job is still vacant after its previous incumbent left for ‘undisclosed reasons’ back in March. We bought well last summer with Barry Simmonds (no, not the Eggheads bloke) in position – maybe we’re missing the input of that man with his finger on the pulse?
Neil Adams was supposed to be returning to an as then undefined position at the club – what’s the situation with that I wonder?
Pab (1). Thanks for the comment. Yes, the amounts we’ve paid DMc can look eye-watering, but three points perhaps worth making:
1. Chief Execs elsewhere earn similar amounts or more, without delivering three promotions, a transformation in the operational efficiency of their clubs, or finding a Paul Lambert/Alex Neil
2. The financial year doesn’t match the football season, so it can (wrongly) appear that DMc earned a bonus for failure
3. The only reason we made a profit in the relegation season is that we didn’t have to pay the bonuses set aside for staying up. As DMc said, we’ll never be so sad to be profitable.
Pab, are you saying that Lambert would’ve stayed if there was a greater budget for players available? I don’t think we could’ve matched the offer of managing Villa whatever policy we had on the playing budget front, if that’s what you’re saying. In fact, whether or not he knew it, it seems Lambert was chosen for managing a club well on a tight budget, as Villa wanted to cut costs and remain competitive. At least they managed the first part *giggles*.
McNally hasn’t been an unqualified success, but anyone who can dig up a managerial gem like Alex Neil has at the very least earned a second chance.
Apart from the MCC bit, one of the best articles I’ve read since Wembley. Spot on.
Re Ricky, shoulda woulda coulda. He was unlucky, especially with that McGregor save, in the early games, but if he was worth his salt he would’ve put it behind him and got on with his job. I’m sure few strikers would envy being the one-up-top in that side but he had chances and he didn’t take them. For that role we need someone we can rely on.
I think Jerome can do a job for us in the PL, up to a point. Hooper would be a good choice to play off him if we’re chasing games or going out on the front foot against teams in the lower half. Grabban has potential but will need to sharpen up. His lob against Charlton, for example, was sublime, but some of his finishing was woefully wayward, and that was in the Championship.
Ah pab (1), you must be one of these folks for whom club success is actually more painful than failure. Makes it so much harder to come up with something genuine to moan about when we’re doing Ok doesn’t it?
What you have clearly forgotten is that ironically we only made the profit because we were relegated, performance related payments thus being significantly reduced below the expected level. Had we stayed up we would have made a loss.
For me the club should always be either in the in the top 26 in the country, so either in the Premiership or top part of the Championship. With the current structure of the Premiership clubs like ours are going to fall out of from time to time; so getting at least into the playoffs after that happens is what’s important.
In their first 13 years of ownership before McNally’s arrival Delia and Michael had only achieved that top 26 finish 3 times, and 2 of those were in the Championship.
After McNally’s debut season in league one, which obviously he could do nothing about, we have achieved it in all 5 seasons since. Doesn’t that tell you something?
For me no news on signings is good news. The peace & contentment of promotion still pervades.
The one piece of new I wanted/ expected has almost arrived – RvW heading for Dover.
If David McNally is paid by results, lets pay him more! Managers will come and go (though I think Neil will stay a while), but keeping the stabalising, shrewd influence of McNally & the Board has be key to the success in recent years.
Am happy to agree appointing Alex Neil was fantastic decision. Just felt the earlier McNally hero worship a bit excessive. After all he was the person who came out with the ‘relegation worse than death’ comment and apparently scoured europe for best managerial replacement before finding the best person was the youth coach at Colney. The decision to fire Hughton only 5 games before end of season was hard to fathom, and ridiculed nationwide. If you argue McNally could not make decisions single handedly without Board support then you seem to want to laud him for the good decisions and excuse him for bad ones.
Anyway, that’s all in the past. We’re going to stay up this season. Do need another centre back to help with getting a few clean sheets and a reliable new striker. QPR and Burnley got relegated even tho they had a good striker (Charlie Austin and Danny Ings) so the key will be less error prone defence and our midfield chipping in with a good few – hope Redmond, Joihnson and Howson can oblige here.
Is D Mc a success , is he worth his money ??? The facts speak for themselves. Before him where were we in the Lge ( Not in the top 26 ). Who was the manager? & how much money did we have in the bank ( NONE ). I was one of the few who defended him when AN appointed , trusting his judgement on the strength of his track record. I now rest my case OTBC
I can’t decide what’s more staggering; people still questioning McNally or anyone even entertaining the thought of wanting Harry Redknapp at the club!?!
It really matters not what other clubs have done so far. Each club has different requirements, which is why what we need is the only thing that matters.
Clearly, it would be ideal for us to have everyone signed up before pre-season begins, but, that rarely happens.
The lack of a head of recruitment (now rectified) probably makes little difference too. It’s not like it’s a one man show.
Personally, I would rather we got exactly who we want, even if that takes a little longer than the impatient masses would prefer.
Dave H (11): I hope I explained the reasons Harry crossed my mind – and why they’re very bad reasons!
Three people were key in our turnaround from the despair of League 1: Lambert, Holt and McNally. McNally was the first appointment and the catalyst for the other two. And he’s the one who remains, as hungry as ever for City’s success.
@13 Stewart – Holt was actually a Gunn purchase, albeit under McNally’s watch.
Probably only one of the ten (?) that was a success?
Gary F.(12) – surely the HoR role is vital – why else bother with it?
The new guy was at Burnley – doesn’t inspire confidence but then his hands were tied presumably.
The previous HoR came from Fulham – that’s two from freshly relegated sides – doesn’t seem to be a blemish on their CVs. I suppose the successful ones are well in at the top clubs and unlikely to take a step down.
Let’s see how he pans out over the summer.
@15 Cosmos P of course it’s important. Being “a man down” always causes issues. However, the point I was trying to make is, when that happens, you have to carry on and cover it.
Some have suggested it’s the main reason for our limited activity to date. Personally, I just don’t believe that to be the case.
Gary F. (16) – it’s Cosmo, I don’t claim any Carl Sagan-inspiration!
Being a man down on the pitch can work both ways with positive and negative outcomes – same off it.
However, you’re probably right in this case as our squad is strong.
Looks like we’ve missed out on van Persie!
Stewart (13) You did – but it’s still a scary thought!
Entertaining read as always Stewart. Regarding the Wolf and near misses, I still remember that save by Stockdale at Fulham in the “must win game” that we eventually lost. He still could’ve been the hero, but I don’t think he was ever cut out for the Prem. Compare him to Wilfried Bony (who we were also linked with, and came to the Prem at the same time for a similar price) and they are chalk and cheese – Bony creates something from nothing, Wolf never did.
It might be slightly embarrassing (Steve Bruce’s word) that we’ve had three bids for Brady knocked back, but I think it sends out the right message to other clubs we might potentially do business with that we won’t be throwing our money around just because we’re back in the big league.
Well said Keith (7), but it is called the Premier League. It has been called the Premier League since 2007. Premier League. Premier League. Premier LEAGUE. I think I’ve made my point.