Jim Phipps interview with Paul Walker

[LoughboroBlade]

20 minutes of what was a very frank interview - https://audioboo.fm/boos/1656575

Quick summary:

- he's clear that the failure isn't just Weir's but there is blame that can be shared across the club
- the Prince's group seemingly met in London this week where various things were discussed. Changing the manager was deemed to be the single thing that could bring the most immediate improvement
- relegation would cost the club around £20 million, is completely unacceptable. But the Prince is no quitter, he'll be sticking around
- an experience for Weir to learn is probably "when to say no to well-meaning owners" (suggests they've been too keen to recruit new players, nothing has been able to be left to settle)
- there may be some adjustments that need to be made, but they will have to be done so that the academy to first team approach is seemless
- re: replacements, consideration at the board meeting was made on a short-list, will be a speedy appointment. We've an advantage of there being 'a number of excellent options'. There are a number of things we might have done to support Weir better - we are learning. Won't say if there are candidates we're looking at in work
- recognises automatic promotion has gone, still thinks playoffs possible
- too much change on a recruitment front can be damaging, we'll be bringing in an experienced manager who's answer to all the problems won't simply be to get more new players in. Ideally, the new man would have some idea about the players we already have
- we've just made a very important lesson. Not sure any other club in the league could have afforded to make the same mistakes. Weir goes with their blessings - he won't have to fight for any compensation.

 

[sheffielder]

I really love the cut of this man's cloth. Even he can see the mistakes and he has no experience in football. From his interview I would say the new manager is currently in a job and seeing out their last game today. I am rounding my shortlist down to Karl Robinson, Dean Smith and Stuart McCall.

Robinson will know first hand the players he is dealing with as we have signed the better players from our divsion in Baxter, Cuvellier and Brandy. I am pretty sure he could do something with McGinn, like he has done with Potter pig. He has the personality i believe young players will react to. He might not have set things a light with MK but he would have a different kettle of fish with us.

Smith, same as above and he had Cuvellier and Brandy in his team last year.

McCall, known to playing an attacking blend of 4-4-2/4-2-4 and this would suit underperforming players such as Brandy and Murphy. We are a different animal to the club he was interviewed for in the summer, good and bad.

I am not sure reading about Clough or Pulis that they light my fire as much as the 3 above.

Ruling out Slade because I think he has a job to complete already and I think we are beneath what Di Matteo would consider

 

[WhiteHawk]

Good interview. Errr, very open and honest, errr, sounded genuinely, errr, gutted that, errr they had to get, errr, rid of Weir.

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

Weir leaves with an unusual amount of goodwill.
I think most people are glad he has gone, but most people equally know the players have let him down badly.

I don't really agree what he says about bringing players in. No, bringing in players every week isn't good to get a settled team, but that is down to the fact we didn't bring them in sooner. We definitely still need some new players and to get rid of more deadwood. All of this should have been done before the season started, or at least before the transfer window shut.

 

[sheffielder]

Weir leaves with an unusual amount of goodwill.
I think most people are glad he has gone, but most people equally know the players have let him down badly.

I don't really agree what he says about bringing players in. No, bringing in players every week isn't good to get a settled team, but that is down to the fact we didn't bring them in sooner. We definitely still need some new players and to get rid of more deadwood. All of this should have been done before the season started, or at least before the transfer window shut.

To me I was desperate to see him go as it wasn't working, however when it was done I felt like I had stabbed a family member in the back

 

[God]

I really love the cut of this man's cloth. Even he can see the mistakes and he has no experience in football. From his interview I would say the new manager is currently in a job and seeing out their last game today. I am rounding my shortlist down to Karl Robinson, Dean Smith and Stuart McCall.

Robinson will know first hand the players he is dealing with as we have signed the better players from our divsion in Baxter, Cuvellier and Brandy. I am pretty sure he could do something with McGinn, like he has done with Potter pig. He has the personality i believe young players will react to. He might not have set things a light with MK but he would have a different kettle of fish with us.

Smith, same as above and he had Cuvellier and Brandy in his team last year.

McCall, known to playing an attacking blend of 4-4-2/4-2-4 and this would suit underperforming players such as Brandy and Murphy. We are a different animal to the club he was interviewed for in the summer, good and bad.

I am not sure reading about Clough or Pulis that they light my fire as much as the 3 above.

Ruling out Slade because I think he has a job to complete already and I think we are beneath what Di Matteo would consider

I must admit this fascination with Karl Robinson is beyond me. I just don't get it at all. Why? what's he ever achieved to turn heads so much? his MK Dons teams that have come to the Lane the last couple of seasons have been poor cynical sides. They've played negative football and last season as I recall I don't think they had a shot on goal and were ecstatic to go away with a point. Then there's his post match interviews. He reminds me a little of Keith Hill. Talks utter drivel ! is this what Blades fans aspire to?

No thanks not for me.

 

[TC10]

I must admit this fascination with Karl Robinson is beyond me. I just don't get it at all. Why? what's he ever achieved to turn heads so much? his MK Dons teams that have come to the Lane the last couple of seasons have been poor cynical sides. They've played negative football and last season as I recall I don't think they had a shot on goal and were ecstatic to go away with a point. Then there's his post match interviews. He reminds me a little of Keith Hill. Talks utter drivel ! is this what Blades fans aspire to?

No thanks not for me.

Got to agree.

There's a swell of support for Robinson from Blades fans but it has no real foundation if based on achievement of promotion from div 3.

Like Weir with a bit more experience and some (to date unmerited)swagger.

 

[Mendi]

time will tell how the club moves ahead.

 

[BladeFisher]

time will tell how the club moves ahead.

Very interesting interview.

Nice to have someone who considers some of the issues we as fans have been voicing on here. To have left things longer without a change would have been sheer madness.

 

[Pinchy]

sheffielder,

I'm worried about McCall. I have a feeling he might be a managerial Jamie Murphy, best left North of the border.

On the other hand, I wouldn't rule out Slade. We are at a low ebb but there is still an attraction in SUFC that simply doesn't apply to Leyton Orient. In my view, if offered, he would, in the immortal words of Bumble, "Start the car!"

 

[Wards]

I think Dean Smith would be a great appointment.

 

[sheffielder]

I think Dean Smith would be a great appointment.

If we are working within the division

Karl Robinson
Dean Smith
Phil Parkinson
Richie Humphries

Probably in that order for me

 

[sheffielder]

I must admit this fascination with Karl Robinson is beyond me. I just don't get it at all. Why? what's he ever achieved to turn heads so much? his MK Dons teams that have come to the Lane the last couple of seasons have been poor cynical sides. They've played negative football and last season as I recall I don't think they had a shot on goal and were ecstatic to go away with a point. Then there's his post match interviews. He reminds me a little of Keith Hill. Talks utter drivel ! is this what Blades fans aspire to?

No thanks not for me.

I think the bigger the club, the bigger his balls. i think with our job he would be more ambitious

 

[God]

I think the bigger the club, the bigger his balls. i think with our job he would be more ambitious

Well you must see qualities in him that I can't Sheff. I just think he's full of BS. I just think it would be another managerial disaster in employing him. Plus there's the awful cynical way his teams play. No way would I want that for Sheffield United.

 

[yorkshirecoast]

The fact is there isn't a single manager out there whose appointment would be universally popular. Every single viable option has already been slagged off on here.

Whoever it is - as long as he gets us playing more positive football, at a higher tempo - and actually sets out to win games rather than just trying to keep it tight - it will be an improvement on what has gone before.

 

[MCFC]

The fact is there isn't a single manager out there whose appointment would be universally popular. Every single viable option has already been slagged off on here.

Whoever it is - as long as he gets us playing more positive football, at a higher tempo - and actually sets out to win games rather than just trying to keep it tight - it will be an improvement on what has gone before.

That´s a fact of life at all clubs if we talk players and managers.. It´s like when I took my dad to watch Barca when on holiday "You know son, that guy Messi, wouldn´t want him..doesn´t track back at all"

 

[raul]

sheffielder,

I'm worried about McCall. I have a feeling he might be a managerial Jamie Murphy, best left North of the border.

On the other hand, I wouldn't rule out Slade. We are at a low ebb but there is still an attraction in SUFC that simply doesn't apply to Leyton Orient. In my view, if offered, he would, in the immortal words of Bumble, "Start the car!"

Next!

Sometimes we over-analyse, we coaches and managers – we were simply the better team," said Slade, who has already been linked with the vacancy at Sheffield United, a position for which he said he had not been approached.
Nor, apparently, does he wish to be. "It wouldn't be a temptation. I love this group and we're in a great position. It would take something very special for me, or I think any of the players, to leave."

 

[Sothall_Blade]

If we are working within the division

Karl Robinson
Dean Smith
Phil Parkinson
Richie Humphries

Probably in that order for me

Of current League One managers, I would go for the one with six promotions under his belt. Nearly 700 games experience, knows "this level" well, familiar with our players, already settled in the area, a strong personality to shake things up.

If we're going to pay compensation I would rather us fork out for a proven winner rather than someone who has managed to hang around in mid-table for a few years like Robinson and Smith.

Steve Evans seems the obvious choice of those meeting Phipps criteria. I'd like to know what people have got against him.
Do people believe that we can't compete with Rotherham now?

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Next!

Slade is bound to say that - particularly if we haven't approached him and he therefore doesn't think he is front-runner. I don't believe for a minute he would turn us down. Leyton Orient have had a great start to the season but even in our current state there is no comparison between the 2 clubs. I suppose the only question is whether he believes he can succeed at a much bigger club with much greater expectations.

 

[God]

The fact is there isn't a single manager out there whose appointment would be universally popular. Every single viable option has already been slagged off on here.

Whoever it is - as long as he gets us playing more positive football, at a higher tempo - and actually sets out to win games rather than just trying to keep it tight - it will be an improvement on what has gone before.

What he said. Nail-head-bang on.

 

[sheffielder]

Of current League One managers, I would go for the one with six promotions under his belt. Nearly 700 games experience, knows "this level" well, familiar with our players, already settled in the area, a strong personality to shake things up.

If we're going to pay compensation I would rather us fork out for a proven winner rather than someone who has managed to hang around in mid-table for a few years like Robinson and Smith.

Steve Evans seems the obvious choice of those meeting Phipps criteria. I'd like to know what people have got against him.
Do people believe that we can't compete with Rotherham now?

For me he is another manager who could alienate players before things got better. No way would want to come anyway and big Tony wouldn't let it happen.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

For me he is another manager who could alienate players before things got better. No way would want to come anyway and big Tony wouldn't let it happen.

Not too fussed about having another "nice guy".
If any of the players are alienated by a forceful character in the dressing room, so be it. We don't need their sort around anyway.

I don't see why he wouldn't want to come, we should ask the question anyway. Chairman have very little say in the matter.