Best SUFC manager ever

[Pinchy]

The teams under Harris, Bassett and Warnock felt close to the fans and were accessible to us, especially under Saint Dave. John Harris did very well but did get us relegated in 1968 too, he soon solved that little problem by bringing in some gems but did seem to neglect the reserves as time went on. In his first years he had great youth coming through, by the time he finished wi` us to let furphy manage we had very little depth... If anyone from Badger through to Woody was injured ... it was staniforth , goulding or ... the old battleaxe that did the laundry.

Dave gave us great days with very little money spent and the number of his squad that still live in the area or who regularly visit the Lane or keep an eye on our results shows what a great togetherness we had from 1988 to 1993. They`d give their all.

Dave 1st , just over Harris , 3rd i guess has to go to warnock but tragically he was useless in the top league unlike the other two, so really it`s Dave and John then daylight, then warnock, Furphy, Kendall , the rest and finally down to the floating turds that were Heath and Haslam & McEwen

Just to provide a little balance, Diplodocus Dave got us relegated twice and his "football" legacy has blighted us for decades. The attendances under him demonstrate just what many thought of his Hoof and Hope. Couldn't fill the ground even against Liverpool (27,000 for the first game) in the top division. By the time he was sacked it was sub-10,000 crowds. Many voted with their feet.

His popularity on here is far from reflective of the real world, where there exists a population that live lives outside a bubble of social media and message boards.

He is not fit to button John Harris' cardigan.

 

[DifferentClass]

I agree with Bassett.

Amazing to think a Landaner (from doawn soarth) became one of us and part of our DNA.

Are we forgetting a certain Anthony William Currie from Cricklewood?

 

[PokerBlade]

My view of the past might be coloured by the fact I was only eleven, but Nigel Spackman.

 

[ourbob]

David Weir.

 

[I should coco]

ust to provide a little balance, Diplodocus Dave got us relegated twice and his "football" legacy has blighted us for decades. The attendances under him demonstrate just what many thought of his Hoof and Hope. Couldn't fill the ground even against Liverpool (27,000 for the first game) in the top division. By the time he was sacked it was sub-10,000 crowds. Many voted with their feet.

Yes I really wish I'd never had that day at Leicester and obviously it was not one of the best days of my life.

Beating the unclean twice in a season was rubbish too.

Beating Manyoo at home and scoring the first ever Premier goal was worthless.

Winning away at Anfield. beating Arsenal, Chelsea and going to Wembley for the first time in my life were crap.

Bobby-Bobby-Bobby-Davison, Dane, Bradders, Deane and Agana, Bryson, Tracey, Kelly, Mel Rees (RIP), Bob Boookah, Hodgey all non players who never entertained us. Never.

Yup, Basset gave us nothing and thanks for putting me right.

 

[Revolution]

Yes I really wish I'd never had that day at Leicester and obviously it was not one of the best days of my life.

Beating the unclean twice in a season was rubbish too.

Beating Manyoo at home and scoring the first ever Premier goal was worthless.

Winning away at Anfield. beating Arsenal, Chelsea and going to Wembley for the first time in my life were crap.

Bobby-Bobby-Bobby-Davison, Dane, Bradders, Deane and Agana, Bryson, Tracey, Kelly, Mel Rees (RIP), Bob Boookah, Hodgey all non players who never entertained us. Never.

Yup, Basset gave us nothing and thanks for putting me right.

He's just a pig ignorant troll. Ignore him. He boycotted the Bassett era.

He hates Keith Edwards too. I've met Pig fans who have more respect for our former players and managers.

 

[Pinchy]

Yes I really wish I'd never had that day at Leicester and obviously it was not one of the best days of my life.

Beating the unclean twice in a season was rubbish too.

Beating Manyoo at home and scoring the first ever Premier goal was worthless.

Winning away at Anfield. beating Arsenal, Chelsea and going to Wembley for the first time in my life were crap.

Bobby-Bobby-Bobby-Davison, Dane, Bradders, Deane and Agana, Bryson, Tracey, Kelly, Mel Rees (RIP), Bob Boookah, Hodgey all non players who never entertained us. Never.

Yup, Basset gave us nothing and thanks for putting me right.

I was there on all those occasions. It was great. Once Deane and Agana had gone he hadn't a clue. He was one-dimensional and once proper football learned to deal with his "style" with some ease, he had nowhere to go but down.

Nowhere else but S2 is he regarded as a "great" or even good manager. Even in Jurassic Lane there is not the unanimity about him that would appear in the insulated world of the Internet forum. He was, along with Charles 'Who?" Hughes one of the architects of the "Long Ball", not "Long Pass" it might be noted. The two things are chalk and cheese. The latter is Tony Currie and Glen Hoddle; The former is Vinnie Jones and Wally Downes. Wally Fucking Downes.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Just to provide a little balance, Diplodocus Dave got us relegated twice and his "football" legacy has blighted us for decades. The attendances under him demonstrate just what many thought of his Hoof and Hope. Couldn't fill the ground even against Liverpool (27,000 for the first game) in the top division. By the time he was sacked it was sub-10,000 crowds. Many voted with their feet.

His popularity on here is far from reflective of the real world, where there exists a population that live lives outside a bubble of social media and message boards.

He is not fit to button John Harris' cardigan.

View attachment 20877

Or zip it up .

UTB

 

[Pinchy]

He's just a pig ignorant troll. Ignore him. He boycotted the Bassett era.

He hates Keith Edwards too. I've met Pig fans who have more respect for our former players and managers.

I didn't. I went to almost every game, home and away. He was the right man at the right time. It served a purpose. It had very little, however to do with proper football, played the right way (ask Tufty if you're unsure).

The inability of the S2 natives to move on is a little disturbing. Do they still watch black and white TV on small boxes that take minutes to warm up? Do they listen to Radio Luxembourg on transistor radios?

I don't hate Edwards. I saw and applauded nearly every goal he scored. He was unmatched at his level. I do, however, unlike many including Kiosk Keith himself, remember precisely what that level was.

 

[Revolution]

I didn't. I went to almost every game, home and away. He was the right man at the right time. It served a purpose. It had very little, however to do with proper football, played the right way (ask Tufty if you're unsure).

The inability of the S2 natives to move on is a little disturbing. Do they still watch black and white TV on small boxes that take minutes to warm up? Do they listen to Radio Luxembourg on transistor radios?

I don't hate Edwards. I saw and applauded nearly every goal he scored. He was unmatched at his level. I do, however, unlike many including Kiosk Keith himself, remember precisely what that level was.

Troll

Boring, one note troll.

 

[Snowman]

My view of the past might be coloured by the fact I was only eleven, but Nigel Spackman.

And at eleven little Poker you obviously had class and an eye for a well coached and assembled team playing football. Me, I liked Off White Cardy John Harris.

 

[Kop Cat]

Different things will be considered in the choice, e.g. position in the league, style of play,personality, money to spend etc, but I would have to say Dave Bassett. He got players to contribute far more than anyone would ever think, players such as Bryson, Beesley, Booker,Duffield and many more that were well off the radar before they came under Bassetts wing.

 

[Pinchy]

Troll

Boring, one note troll.

Hoofer.

Boring anti-football hoofer.

 

[I should coco]

Once Deane and Agana had gone he hadn't a clue.

Agana sold for £750k and Deano for £3m and how much did Reg Brearly allow DB to 're-invest'?

There is a limit to how many silk purses can be made from sow's ears.

I'm not denying he had his limitations and couldn't rebuild when we went down, but to try and re-write history and suggest we didn't have some fantastic times does you no credit.

It is those good times, rare in the last 40 years of dross, that made people suggest DB. Why not accept other people are allowed to have their own opinions rather than ramming your uber-passing-football line down people's throats again?

 

[Gimli]

At the risk of being labelled a dinosaur or a member of the hoofwaffe, Bassett gets my vote. And I think a lot of football fans would recognise his achievements - but then again David Weir did want to play nice football so maybe he was our best manager.

 

[Pinchy]

My view of the past might be coloured by the fact I was only eleven, but Nigel Spackman.

It certainly is. He hadn't a clue. He was Charlie Green's puppet. The most instructive thing, and indeed all you need to know, about Spackman is that he never had a full season as a manager at any of his three clubs.

A complete joke, he was.

 

[Pinchy]

Agana sold for £750k and Deano for £3m and how much did Reg Brearly allow DB to 're-invest'?

There is a limit to how many silk purses can be made from sow's ears.

I'm not denying he had his limitations and couldn't rebuild when we went down, but to try and re-write history and suggest we didn't have some fantastic times does you no credit.

It is those good times, rare in the last 40 years of dross, that made people suggest DB. Why not accept other people are allowed to have their own opinions rather than ramming your uber-passing-football line down people's throats again?

I have never, ever started a thread about Bassett. I don't do what you suggest. The reverse is true. Barely a day goes by without somebody posting sycophantic bollocks about Bassett. When they do, I merely speak the uncomfortable truth and stand up for proper football. I shouldn't have to. It's beyond debate anywhere else but S2. Bassett is a mere outdated novelty item anywhere else.

It's astonishing that S2, alone on the planet, doesn't acknowledge the "right way" to play the game and continues to laud grotesque, redundant anti-football and it's long-term unemployable architect, Diplodocus Dave.

Except, of course, embarrassingly for you Hoofers, the current manager does recognise the right way and says so on a regular basis.

 

[Bill puntin]

Under him we finished in the highest position in the league since 1907. His youth policy was brilliant. The football was great to watch

Yes gentleman John the best quiet man but players played for him and don't forget his coach John short I think ?

 

[I should coco]

It's astonishing that S2, alone on the planet, doesn't acknowledge the "right way" to play the game and continues to laud grotesque, redundant anti-football and it's long-term unemployable architect, Diplodocus Dave.

Leaving aside the fact that S2 is a postcode area, and not a person(s), who decided what the 'right way' is and where can I read this?

If you mean the Barca ticka tacka bore 'em shitless game, then count me out.

I note you continue to repeat the 'anti-football' line but make no acknowledgement of the fun, enjoyment and fantastic days that DB gave us. You say you were there, so presumably you sat po-faced at Filbert Street in 1990, shaking your head and dismayed how the anti-football had ruined a nice day out.

Change the record.

 

[Pinchy]

Leaving aside the fact that S2 is a postcode area, and not a person(s), who decided what the 'right way' is and where can I read this?

If you mean the Barca ticka tacka bore 'em shitless game, then count me out.

I note you continue to repeat the 'anti-football' line but make no acknowledgement of the fun, enjoyment and fantastic days that DB gave us. You say you were there, so presumably you sat po-faced at Filbert Street in 1990, shaking your head and dismayed how the anti-football had ruined a nice day out.

Change the record.

Hoofer

 

[PokerBlade]

It certainly is. He hadn't a clue. He was Charlie Green's puppet. The most instructive thing, and indeed all you need to know, about Spackman is that he never had a full season as a manager at any of his three clubs.

A complete joke, he was.

Borbokis, Fjortoft, Deano...you can't take those memories away from me.

 

[I should coco]

Hoofer

Thanks for the considered and well argued erudite response.

Much else worth reading in Troll Times today?

 

[Weasel]

Best manager in my time was Dave Bassett by a country mile (i was too young to see Utd under John Harris).

 

[Snowman]

Thanks for the considered and well argued erudite response.

Much else worth reading in Troll Times today?

At least you have not attracted the wrath of the dreaded.................FLY SWAT!

 

[Gimli]

Just because someone says they think Bassett was a good manager, it doesn't automatically make them a 'hoofer' - take his achievements on their own merits - he did what several other managers have totally failed to do. I actually agree that 'hoof ball' isn't the way to play football but that doesn't change the fact that Bassett achieved brilliant things in his time as our manager.

 

[Pinchy]

Thanks for the considered and well argued erudite response.

Much else worth reading in Troll Times today?

I've articulated the erudite argument many times, but you choose to ignore it.

The right way is passing football on the ground, not in the clouds (Brian Clough). It involves passing the ball to each other with purpose. It does not feature a series of aimless long, high punts. It sees no virtue in turning a game of football into a 90 minute game of chance as to which players can win the next loose ball, given away quite deliberately. It utilises skilled midfield players, rather than giving them stiff necks as the ball flies stratosphere-bound over their heads.

The right way has been employed for decades. From the great Hungarian team that ran rings around a plodding England that thought it was top of the tree, right through Milan, Ajax and Juve to the Barca, Real, and Bayerns of today. It's the football that wins games, leagues and trophies. It's the game played by the sublime Pele, Cruyff, Beckenbauer and Messi (and their lesser equivalents lower down the ladders). It is a mystery to Vinny Jones and Wally Downes. Wally Fucking Downes.

Managers and players alike; week-in; week-out, speak of playing the game the right way, sometimes it is expressed as "playing football". No-one, except your good self, it would appear, has any doubt whatsoever what they mean.

I hope that's erudite enough? You have, of course, every right to keep swimming against the tide, comforted by the knowledge that a few hundred S2 diehards in designer Fred Flintstone tunics, will be paddling along with you...

️

 

[snootyfenooty]

No-one comes close to Harris. His 70's team could beat any team on it's day, and on merit too. For example, have you ever seen a United team smash, and I mean smash Arsenal 5-0 and rub their noses in it for good measure too? Even though we won nowt during his tenure we played fantastic football and never went into a game expecting to lose.

 

[Pinchy]

Borbokis, Fjortoft, Deano...you can't take those memories away from me.

Spackman had never met nor even heard of Vas Borbokis until he arrived at the Lane for training. He was scouted and signed by Charles Green, as was Dellas. So was Brian Deane. Fjortoft was signed by Howard Kendall.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Looking at these posts most views do have validity.

I suppose it depends on the definition of "best".

Does it mean best at motivating players and working on a shoe string?
Does it mean had the biggest initial impact, almost instantly turning the club around?
Does it means the manager that gave us the best memories with cup runs and great matches?
Does it mean playing the best Barcelona style football?
Does it mean the manager who had the best results and league positions in the top flight?

For me the best is the person that had the biggest impact on the clubs fortunes in difficult circumstances.

For instant impact I'll always be greatful to Bassett and Wilder.

 

[Pinchy]

No-one comes close to Harris. His 70's team could beat any team on it's day, and on merit too. For example, have you ever seen a United team smash, and I mean smash Arsenal 5-0 and rub their noses in it for good measure too? Even though we won nowt during his tenure we played fantastic football and never went into a game expecting to lose.

Well said. Nobody who experienced both Harris and Bassett will vote for the latter.

Even Silent Blade, who I respect enormously even though we have differing views about Bassett, will say the same.