Managers as players

[1973Blade]

Nigel Clough was the cultured striker, who as manager was defensive and over cautious. Nigel Adkins the goalkeeper who as manager persisted with a dodgy keeper. Now Chris Wilder the defender who as manager goes all guns blazing to outscored the opposition, at times neglecting the defence. Why is this?

 

[blade too long]

it works

 

[DifferentClass]

Dave Bassett, who spent his entire career playing amateur football, managing in the top flight?

 

[BushBlade]

Nigel Clough was the cultured striker, who as manager was defensive and over cautious. Nigel Adkins the goalkeeper who as manager persisted with a dodgy keeper. Now Chris Wilder the defender who as manager goes all guns blazing to outscored the opposition, at times neglecting the defence. Why is this?

Because the position you're suited to is as much down to your physical attributes as your mentality. CW liked to get forward but, with all due respect, wasn't skilful enough to be a winger.

Clough was technically gifted so played up front, like his dad. Perhaps his lack of flamboyance is why he never quite fulfilled his early potential. Too dour.

Goalkeepers are usually good at jumping and catching a ball. A bit like a big daft dog. And usually mental. I think that covers Adkins and explains why so few become successful managers.

 

[BushBlade]

Dave Bassett, who spent his entire career playing amateur football, managing in the top flight?

Mourinho, Wenger. Both splay footed semi-pros.
Arrigo Saachi. Shoe salesman.

 

[blade too long]

carlos carvahal used to rent out pedalos in Albufuera

 

[georgebernardshaw]

Gentleman John Harris

 

[BushBlade]

carlos carvahal used to rent out pedalos in Albufuera

Bet he was shit at that too.

 

[blade too long]

Bet he was shit at that too.

he still gets to shout come in number 9 your times up

 

[snootyfenooty]

Bet he was shit at that too.

Nay, he managed to convince them that £49 for 90 minutes hire was better value than the other pedalo hirer downtown who only charged £20 for 90 minutes.

 

[northsomersetblade]

May I just point out that Bryan Robson was a world class box to box midfielder?

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

Clough wasn't really an out and out striker, tho. He played deeper than that. More like an advanced midfielder, or a non-drifting no.10. Did he really not fulfil his potential ? The moves to Liverpool and Man City didn't work out, but in that Forest team he was a super player. Everything went thro him and Neil Webb.

 

[northsomersetblade]

Clough wasn't really an out and out striker, tho. He played deeper than that. More like an advanced midfielder, or a non-drifting no.10. Did he really not fulfil his potential ? The moves to Liverpool and Man City didn't work out, but in that Forest team he was a super player. Everything went thro him and Neil Webb.

Clough was a good player but his achilles heel was his lack of pace, that's a major reason why he played deeper

 

[Harry's Game]

carlos carvahal used to rent out pedalos in Albufuera

Foxy, Lyndz, and any legal minded people who love this forum breath a sign of relief you spelt 'pedalos' correctly.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Gentleman John Harris

John Harris was part of the Chelsea team that won the League title in 1955.

 

[coaxingstar71]

It doesn't follow that great players make great managers, Bobby Moore tried management and was not a success. Similarly, good coaches don't necessarily make good managers either, David Weir, John Carver, Blackwell and arguably our own Alan Knill being blade examples.

Who would have marked Wilder out as a good future manager when he played for us?

Alex Ferguson is another who had an unremarkable career as a player.

 

[coaxingstar71]

John Harris was part of the Chelsea team that won the League title in 1955.

Sorry georgebernardshaw , I wasn't sure if you knew this or not or whether you were proving or disproving the OP.
I think he was captain too, but not certain.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Neil Warnock had a nomadic career through the shitholes and cesspits of the lower divisions and retired from playing quite early.

 

[georgebernardshaw]

Sorry georgebernardshaw , I wasn't sure if you knew this or not or whether you were proving or disproving the OP.
I think he was captain too, but not certain.

Yes, I did know mate, and to be honest, I wasn't exactly sure where the OP was coming from either - doesn't really matter, John Harris was a very good player, and the best manager we've had to date.

 

[I should coco]

Goalkeepers are usually good at jumping and catching a ball. A bit like a big daft dog. And usually mental. I think that covers Adkins and explains why so few become successful managers.

Pinchy will be along soon to make the case for Blackwell as the exception that proves the rule.

May I just point out that Bryan Robson was a world class box to box midfielder?

Box to box like this?

 

[TBW57]

Clough wasn't really an out and out striker, tho. He played deeper than that. More like an advanced midfielder, or a non-drifting no.10. Did he really not fulfil his potential ? The moves to Liverpool and Man City didn't work out, but in that Forest team he was a super player. Everything went thro him and Neil Webb.

That was because of Nottingham's poor quality curry houses.

 

[northsomersetblade]

Pinchy will be along soon to make the case for Blackwell as the exception that proves the rule.



Box to box like this?


View attachment 24488 View attachment 24489

Sadly yes but it was not always so

 

[Silent Blade]

John Harris was part of the Chelsea team that won the League title in 1955.

 

[N20 Blade]

I remember reading on the Oxford pre-match thread about CW's alleged 'chip on the shoulder'; whilst I don't subscribe to their rationale, I think he is a truly driven person (as were Ferguson and B Clough) due to some extent to not fulfilling his potential as a player (again AF/BC). He briefly played at the top table and wanted more; he shrewdly worked out it would be as a manager. The greatest compliment I can pay him is that his ambitions hopefully lie beyond United because if they do then we will be the ones that benefit most. If we are Wilder's 'Aberdeen' so be it. I'm pleased he's got so little national recognition for his work here and NTFC over the last 18 months or so. Please stay under the radar for another few seasons Chris.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Can't believe we haven't given Martin Peters a mention on this thread yet!

Great player, utter wank manager.

 

[Treeton Blade]

Can't believe we haven't given Martin Peters a mention on this thread yet!

Great player, utter wank manager.

All time worst Utd boss, tied with David Weir.

 

[Revolution]

All time worst Utd boss, tied with David Weir.

Harry Haslam is offended.

 

[Canterbury Blade]

As a youth Chris played central midfield for school and Sheffield Boys. That's where Sluthampton picked him up from, somewhere along the line he converted to defence, but his DNA is attacking football.

And trust me, he was pretty good at it, as I was the centre back who he played in front of for two seasons. Many a time through him bailing me out, he made my McPhail like performances look like a cross between Pique and Beckenbauer, (well that's what my Mum said anyway!)