Time to show your worth Mr Birch

[Ollessendro]

Commercial skills

Now is the time for Trevor Birch to show that he really is commercially savvy. Speed leaving has presented a real opportunity and it is important that United learn from their mistakes. McCabe made some catastrophic management choices and Birch/McCabe rushed the Speed appointment. Speed’s subsequent struggle has been pointed out (subtly) by Birch (i.e. “we need a manager with Championship experience”) and it is important he that he helps make the right choice. Birch is CEO and must carry some weight with the board. Now is the time for his to use his experience, pick the right manager and tenaciously tell the board that we take that person. It doesn’t matter if we pay compo for the right person and Mr Birch needs to use all his experience to get ‘his man’.

The right man

For me it can be only one. It’s O’Driscoll. Can we afford him? We have to. Don’t tell me we can’t stump up the cash if we really need it. Are we willing to pay compo for him? We should do. Again, if he is ‘the right man’ then we should fork out. Simple. Will he come? Possibly. Coily responded to one of my comments with a thought provoking comment. Why wouldn’t O’Driscoll come? We are a bigger club than Donny. Fact. We can offer more money and have more potential (certainly in time). If he is confident in his ability then he can go much further with the Blades than Donny. It’s local so he wouldn’t have to move.

Birch should be playing an instrumental role in all of the above. He picks the right candidate and then tells the board who it is. He uses his commercial skills to convince them to pay the right salary and offer compo. Just as important he speaks directly to O’Driscoll. This has two aspects: firstly making sure he is the right man (hearing his plans etc) and convincing him (along the lines of ‘we’ll give you money, we’re a bigger club, there’s huge potential, there’ll be investment, it will be a long term deal’ or whatever).

I’d take Micky Adams (begrudgingly) over the likes of Coleman, Hughton, Brown and Southgate. Any of those four would show that Birch actually doesn’t have the commercial skills. I’d be interested in Souza and Poyet, but have doubts on timing. Looking to the future I think that Craig Short and John Pemberton might be toptions, but after Birch’s experience comments then they are ruled out. But for me there is only one real choice.

Experience

Birch has a lot of experience and is highly regarded in the industry. In my eyes the jury is still out on him. Now is his time to really show his worth. Despite what Micalijo and others say (no offence Mic) Birch is clearly an intelligent, articulate business man. He has a good track record and I doubt McCabe would be paying that kind of money to a mug. I’ve written to Birch a handful of times and he always responds quickly. His replies are positive, intelligent and constructive. He carries himself well in interviews and has looked like he knows what he is talking about at forums and club events.

Now I am not saying that Mr Birch is the messiah, merely telling it how I see it. On Birch’s watch there have been some bad decisions. Offering new contracts to deadbeats such as Monty, Quinn, Cresswell and signing crap like Nos, Ertl and Kozluk have been backward steps. The timing of the Blackwell decision was awful. Speed was a rushed decision and turned out a bad one. That said there are counter arguments for all these. If the manager was pushing for players to get new contracts, then Birch was right to back him. The sacking was awful timing, but was it solely Birch’s decision. It is easy to blame him for the board’s decision. Offering the job to Speed seemed sensible at the time and most United fans (including me) were behind it. Don’t get me wrong, I am not defending Birch, but perhaps there is more to it than meets the eye.

Conclusion

Why am I banging on about this? The point is that the time has come for our £300k a year Chief Executive. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Stand up and be counted Trevor. He can convince McCabe, he carries weight with the board and he needs to us every ounce of skill and knowledge to make sure we get the right man.
I am willing to forget about the poor decisions and back Birch if we get the right man.

Over to you Trevor .....

 

[beightonblade]

well all i can say is................ if yer don't get the foundations reight ..................yer may as well not bother !

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Agree totally as per comments on other threads but reading between the lines elsewhere, it appears as though messrs Adams and Horsefield are on their way to the Lane as we speak.

It's irelevant if SO'D is not interested but if he is, then this is one penny pinching step too far.

 

[sheffielder]

I have nothing against the appointment of Adams, however I would like to say that if he does come in Birch lied with his interview in regards to how the club want us to play football. The one thing I like about Adams is that he should know the lower leagues better than anyone include S'OD. I just wish the club would stop the shit

 

[beightonblade]

we shud have kept Blackwell if Mickey is the man.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Something tells me this isnt over yet and that it is still very much a two horse race. The only detail we can sumise from all this is that it is far easier to get permission to speak to Micky Adams than it is SOD.

I dont think a decision will be made until the start of next week. The bookies have caught wind of MA travelling for talks and have shit themselves.

 

[Wards]

If we've identified SOD as our man, and refusing to stump up the comp, then it will be one major kick in the bollocks yet again.

I understand the horse hasn't bolted just yet but this has all the signs of the 'Blades-Way' all over it -identify your target and opt for the cheap option!

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Something tells me this isnt over yet and that it is still very much a two horse race. The only detail we can sumise from all this is that it is far easier to get permission to speak to Micky Adams than it is SOD.

I dont think a decision will be made until the start of next week. The bookies have caught wind of MA travelling for talks and have shit themselves.

We'll just have to wait and see what SO'D says to Radio Sheff today, that will probably tell us all we need to know. If it's not him then it's Adams.

 

[bartman]

I have nothing against the appointment of Adams, however I would like to say that if he does come in Birch lied with his interview in regards to how the club want us to play football. The one thing I like about Adams is that he should know the lower leagues better than anyone include S'OD. I just wish the club would stop the shit

Listening to the Vale fans,Adams team plays good football. In what way has Birch lied ? In my mind I what United to play agressive(mentally) attacking football where they can mix it in terms of style depending on the opposition

 

[Tuns]

To be fair we don't know what informal chats have gone on to sus out who would take it etc before we've gone for Adams if that is the case.

A key plus of Adams is that he really cares about United with a passion, this is his dream job and will have drive and determination to push the club forwards at a time when it is lacking at the top of the club.

SOD could be consumed by the apathy at the top, whereas I get the feeling Adams will somehow find a way to make it work.

In the circumstances I'd be relatively happy with either though they do bring very different qualities.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

We'll just have to wait and see what SO'D says to Radio Sheff today, that will probably tell us all we need to know. If it's not him then it's Adams.

I think it will be more a case of....we'll know IF they speak to SOD. If they cant get an interview with him today we know why. If they speak to him I doubt we've even had permission yet and therefore probably wont get it.

Agree with what Tuns said about Adams. Those are the reasons why he's the slightly better option IMO.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

To be fair we don't know what informal chats have gone on to sus out who would take it etc before we've gone for Adams if that is the case.

A key plus of Adams is that he really cares about United with a passion, this is his dream job and will have drive and determination to push the club forwards at a time when it is lacking at the top of the club.

SOD could be consumed by the apathy at the top, whereas I get the feeling Adams will somehow find a way to make it work.

In the circumstances I'd be relatively happy with either though they do bring very different qualities.

Fair shout, I for one am judging him on the Leicester team which was very much lump and hope but maybe he has adapted over the years, they certainly outplayed us at the Lane last season by all accounts.

I won't be impressed if we let SO'D slip through our fingers but I wouldn't be overly against Adams as it has a certain Warnesque look to it and a bit of passion from the top certainly wouldn't go amiss. Style aside, he has got the credentials at this level and with little money to spend.

 

[sheffielder]

I am not unhappy about Adams having the job. Don't have a problem with it at all.
From what I have read of Adams though don't expect anything like S'OD. Also we have players more suited for S'OD than we do Adams in my opinion

 

[lenners]

Looks more and more like Adams. If we're going down the cheap route, he looks like the best on offer.
But if they actually think SOD is the man they really wanted but are scared of paying the compo, that only underlines the lack of commitment to any longer term planning which we absolutely desperately need.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Also we have players more suited for S'OD than we do Adams in my opinion

I'm of the exact opposite opinion. I think when they're all fit we have exactly the players to suit Adams and not SOD.

 

[sheffielder]

I'm of the exact opposite opinion. I think when they're all fit we have exactly the players to suit Adams and not SOD.

Most of our players are small and we lack pace and power. I think too much is made of the fact we can't play football. We did until Speed lost a bit his bottle after the Scunthorpe game.

 

[Micalijo]

I'm of the exact opposite opinion. I think when they're all fit we have exactly the players to suit Adams and not SOD.

Why is that? We have no pace at all. I thought successful long ball which Adams definitely is imo depends on 442 with pace out wide, height in midfield, strength up top and a quick man up top?

 

[Wards]

Have to agree, the football was great against derby and scunny, only the finishing didn't match. If we hadn't conceded 4 against scunny then I'd wager we'd have stuck with it

 

[Micalijo]

Ollie - just to clarify I have no doubt that Birchy is an intelligent, articulate bloke and if success is measured in part on pay packets then he has done it. He's probably got caught up in the BS necessitated by SUFC/McCabe's fiscal issues in the recession and he can't say 'don't buy season tickets because we are rubbish' but I think his efforts at communicating with and understanding the fans have been shocking. His first default position is corporate bollocks and that is not what we need. As you say, this is his chance and give me SOD anyday over longball Mickey who will no doubt think Monty is best thing since sliced bread.

I'm not sure what you mean by his track record either because anyone of us on here could have flogged Chelsea.

 

[lenners]

I'm of the exact opposite opinion. I think when they're all fit we have exactly the players to suit Adams and not SOD.

The last thing we should be doing is picking a manager based on the collection of loanings, journeymen and Chedwyn we currently have.
We ought to be thinking much beyond that.

 

[Kopped]

I'm with SCB. The players we have are much more suited to Adams. We have a "MIX" of players of differing styles as opposed to the passing game.

KB, brought in players to play "HIS" style of football.

Speed tried to play "FOOTBALL".

Both inevitably failed, so bringing in SOD would be a sideways step (IMO) to Speed.

Adams will be able to mix it. Whether he can handle this level is the only question I have over his appointment.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Why is that? We have no pace at all. I thought successful long ball which Adams definitely is imo depends on 442 with pace out wide, height in midfield, strength up top and a quick man up top?

Not necessarily. Contrary to what some believe on here, there isnt just one way of playing that sort of game. It tends to depend on whether you want to hit the channels and use any pace you do have, or simply lump it to a target man and look for the knocks downs and hold up play. Height is a key factor but if only up front if you're going to adopt the latter approach. If you're going to try and do the former, then yes you need pace.

Besides that, Adams is not a hoof merchant at all. I would say his style is rather similar to Mick McCarthy's.....get the ball forward quickly into key areas. Everyone seems to judge him against his Leicester side, who (lets face it) only had the players to play one way. His Fulham side played very good football and so do Port Vale to an extent.

Mic, do you honestly think our current players are capable of playing the way SOD wants them to? Perhaps I'm under-estimating them but I have my doubts.

Morgan, Nosworthy, Monty, Ertl, Cresswell, Hendo.....hmmm, apart from a couple of injuries we seems to have a number of players that suit a more direct approach to me.

 

[Micalijo]

Not necessarily. Contrary to what some believe on here, there isnt just one way of playing that sort of game. It tends to depend on whether you want to hit the channels and use any pace you do have, or simply lump it to a target man and look for the knocks downs and hold up play. Height is a key factor but if only up front if you're going to adopt the latter approach. If you're going to try and do the former, then yes you need pace.

Besides that, Adams is not a hoof merchant at all. I would say his style is rather similar to Mick McCarthy's.....get the ball forward quickly into key areas. Everyone seems to judge him against his Leicester side, who (lets face it) only had the players to play one way. His Fulham side played very good football and so do Port Vale to an extent.

Mic, do you honestly think our current players are capable of playing the way SOD wants them to? Perhaps I'm under-estimating them but I have my doubts.

Morgan, Nosworthy, Monty, Ertl, Cresswell, Hendo.....hmmm, apart from a couple of injuries we seems to have a number of players that suit a more direct approach to me.

No, I don't think the players we own with the exception of Britton at times can pass wind. I'd still have SOD rather than Adams though and think with SOD we could finish 4th bottom which is all that matters

 

[SteelCity Blade]

The last thing we should be doing is picking a manager based on the collection of loanings, journeymen and Chedwyn we currently have.
We ought to be thinking much beyond that.

Quite possibly len.....and the club may ultimately take that view. But with no money, falling attendances and the risk of relegation.....they have a decision to make. If we dont base the appointment on what we have currently then we're taking a huge risk.

 

[God]

Looks more and more like Adams. If we're going down the cheap route, he looks like the best on offer.
But if they actually think SOD is the man they really wanted but are scared of paying the compo, that only underlines the lack of commitment to any longer term planning which we absolutely desperately need.

I dont think its a question of being scared to pay the compo lenners its more a question of wont. At this moment in time McAbe et al are all more concerned with reaching the club in the black target by 2012 than appointing the right manager at a cost to the club. I'd be very surprised if that compo money goes anywhere else except the creditors.

 

[super_pig]

bloody hell.. olle in thought provoking post.. this must be important stuff
i dont' care if we go down.. i want a complete overhaul of the psychology of the club.. i'm sick of all of this hoofball shite.. i'm sick of being a 'workmanlike side'.. it will get us nowhere in the long run.. it just isn't a successful method (as well as being awful to watch).. it's now or never AFAIC

 

[SteelCity Blade]

No, I don't think the players we own with the exception of Britton at times can pass wind. I'd still have SOD rather than Adams though and think with SOD we could finish 4th bottom which is all that matters

Mic, whole heartedly agree with that sentiment. If someone could promise me 4th bottom under SOD then I would be very happy with the appointment because I feel long term he could move us forward. I'm not against having him at all. I just think that with our playing staff we run a huge risk of dropping a division if we go down that road. Adams is a more perceivable quick fix to me and wouldn't be incapable of moving us forward. He's a lot smarter than he's been given credit for on here.

 

[lenners]

I dont think its a question of being scared to pay the compo lenners its more a question of wont. At this moment in time McAbe et al are all more concerned with reaching the club in the black target by 2012 than appointing the right manager at a cost to the club. I'd be very surprised if that compo money goes anywhere else except the creditors.

Aye but not planning for 2012 on the pitch will mean that bottom line looks much less healthy in 2012.
If you don't plan to get the football right, the accounts will be ferked anyway.

 

[super_pig]

they've obviously not taken into account (anywhere) that if the standard of football improves, more people might be inclined to start turning up again??

 

[God]

Aye but not planning for 2012 on the pitch will mean that bottom line looks much less healthy in 2012.
If you don't plan to get the football right, the accounts will be ferked anyway.

I'm with you all the way on with that Lenners, thats how it should be. Unfortunately we are run by businessmen who cant see the wood for the trees.