The Technical Board

[Ricky]

The Chief Scout shouldn't be on the board - he should be bringing recommendations to the board along with the manager.

Same principle as business - the person coming asking for money isn't usually on the board.

The scout should know the most about the players in question though. And the list states that the team manager is part of the board, and he'd only be more prone to bias than any scout as he's the one in most need.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

The scout should know the most about the players in question though. And the list states that the team manager is part of the board, and he'd only be more prone to bias than any scout as he's the one in most need.

Then the scout is on the manager's staff - and still shouldn't be on the board.

Don't doubt that he's the subject matter expert, but doesn't mean he should be making strategic decisions.

He should be providing the recommendations for decisions to be made.

 

[boo radley]

I'd be inclined to agree with that in parts, however, the major reason Clough was fired was not for footballing reasons

What does that mean, financial - as in bought too many players? that is what those who were against him are quoting.
Whops, sorry I really ought to catch up before I post.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Been thinking about this in light of Mcabes comments that the signings made this season wouldn't have passed the technical board, does this not undermine the managers position somewhat or am I missing something?

Should be stressed that McCabe didn't say all of the signings made this year wouldn't have been, but "many", so it's unclear without drilling that down what criteria the technical board now specifies.

If financial (I.e we will not pay x per week or y in fees or z in signing-on fees) I'd say that's fair enough direction – allowing the manager flexibility on the choice of who these players are within a budget. If it were as simple as just that we wouldn't need a specific board for that.

As I said on another thread, this has a danger of veering into interference when they start making judgment calls on a player's attributes – on his age, injury history, hunger, temperament etc. By the sounds of it, the technical board isn't a means where on recruitment they identify targets and present them to the manager – they discuss players presented to them by the manager (who will have worked closely with the head of recruitment on these). The presence of the academy head on it is presumably there to try and ensure the squad is balanced enough to allow a pathway to the first team.

On last year's signings, assuming Hammond wouldn't have been signed I'm guessing that is purely on the financial criteria. Regardless of fans views on him, I'd be extremely worried if it were simply a judgment that he was too old, or "we don't think he's a very good player, so No".

 

[boo radley]

These are just the ones i know:
- Quantity over quality recruitments,

- Failure to manage player value (falling out with serviceable players -- Andy Butler, Neill Collins, JCR, etc.; playing players irregularly, thus impairing value).

- Failure to recruit/get along with central defenders,

- Failure to inform and make himself accountable to the board

you see that one in bold is down to McCabe dropping another bollock. It is his job when appointing the manager to either keep an eye on him or give him free reign. Even if he said "Mal it is your job to make sure Nige acts wisley". It is his fault for not appointing the right overseer. Then he excuses Mal by stating that football has changed. Well I have news for you Kev it is ever evolving and that includes dealings with agents,players and your backroom staff. If only you were accountable we would not be in this perpetual mess.
I'd really like McCabe to define that sentence.

 

[SwissBlade]

Why the hell would the academy manager have a say on signings for the first team but not the chief scout? And aren't David and Martin Green on the technical board?

I can see exactly why the Technical committee includes the Academy manager, after all he's the guy developing the players in preparation for first team football and the academy should also impact the first team recruitment.

The chief scout should also be on board and i'd be surprised if he isn't represented in some way. He has to be accountable, otherwise when the Board meet to discuss buying a centre half the scout can be given a remit to search out a centre half other than Dan Burn

Thanks Swiss, but aren't these er footballing reasons?

I mean if NC had a health problem then that's a 'non footballing reason' but the majority of the above probably are with the possible exception of 'working relationships'.

Ok, understood, there were some 'onfield' points as well, its a little subjective, but i'd say that these were non footballing in the sense that they don't relate (directly) to onfield performances or results, but how he is as a manager. I get your point though.

 

[SwissBlade]

you see that one in bold is down to McCabe dropping another bollock. It is his job when appointing the manager to either keep an eye on him or give him free reign. Even if he said "Mal it is your job to make sure Nige acts wisley". It is his fault for not appointing the right overseer. Then he excuses Mal by stating that football has changed. Well I have news for you Kev it is ever evolving and that includes dealings with agents,players and your backroom staff. If only you were accountable we would not be in this perpetual mess.
I'd really like McCabe to define that sentence.

Mal was brought in on the recommendation of Clough, wasn't he? And also got axed after Clough left. So perhaps rather than being an excuse, its an admission that he fucked up.

That said, not everything at United is McCabe's fault which you seem to be suggesting. McCabe has come out and spoken at two Forums, where is the Prince and his entourage right now? They were all #bettertogether last season as we looked to go #forwards. Its a 50/50 partnership.

 

[BladeFisher]

Mal was brought in on the recommendation of Clough, wasn't he? And also got axed after Clough left. So perhaps rather than being an excuse, its an admission that he fucked up.

That said, not everything at United is McCabe's fault which you seem to be suggesting. McCabe has come out and spoken at two Forums, where is the Prince and his entourage right now? They were all #bettertogether last season as we looked to go #forwards. Its a 50/50 partnership.

Yeah and he's got more dosh to be able to fly in too!

 

[SwissBlade]

Yeah and he's got more dosh to be able to fly in too!

Only when we reach the Championship

 

[BushBlade]

I have one simple question for KM; have you seen what has happened to Villa and Newcastle and do you understand why?

 

[boo radley]

Mal was brought in on the recommendation of Clough, wasn't he? And also got axed after Clough left. So perhaps rather than being an excuse, its an admission that he fucked up.

That said, not everything at United is McCabe's fault which you seem to be suggesting. McCabe has come out and spoken at two Forums, where is the Prince and his entourage right now? They were all #bettertogether last season as we looked to go #forwards. Its a 50/50 partnership.

So you are putting part of the blame on a guy who came in 2.5 years ago?
Apparently the money is there from him once we make the championship. That has only come to light in the last few months.
Who is being economical with the truth, the man who has just come in or the man who has had control for years ?

 

[SwissBlade]

I have one simple question for KM; have you seen what has happened to Villa and Newcastle and do you understand why?

Do you understand why?

 

[SwissBlade]

So you are putting part of the blame on a guy who came in 2.5 years ago?
Apparently the money is there from him once we make the championship. That has only come to light in the last few months.
Who is being economical with the truth, the man who has just come in or the man who has had control for years ?

The comment about "game changing" investment was made when the Prince arrived, however it was only a matter of weeks/ months that it was confirmed by both McCabe and the Prince, that the major investment would only be possible once we reached the Championship.

I would've thought that 2.5 years is more than enough time for the Prince to be accountable or shall we just blame McCabe for everything... If thats the way you want to take this thread, go for it, but i'm sorry i don't have the inclination.

 

[BushBlade]

Do you understand why?

Yes. Because the wrong people were empowered to make important decisions. But I'm really not in the mood to discuss this, or owt about the Blades right now.

 

[northsomersetblade]

He talks well about the problems McCabe, doesn't he, lots of people have made bad decisions in his very well developed opinion.
There's only one constant at the club now in the years of decline and fall so far as I can see.
Funny how he has never once seen these problems in advance or stepped in to snuff them out before they grow, like managers of businesses do everyday. Successful businesses, I mean.

 

[boo radley]

The comment about "game changing" investment was made when the Prince arrived, however it was only a matter of weeks/ months that it was confirmed by both McCabe and the Prince, that the major investment would only be possible once we reached the Championship.

I would've thought that 2.5 years is more than enough time for the Prince to be accountable or shall we just blame McCabe for everything... If thats the way you want to take this thread, go for it, but i'm sorry i don't have the inclination.

At the next forum you can ask McCabe if he thinks the prince is just as accountable. How many times has he been to the games over that 2.5 years and what are his responsibilities? Perhaps we can ask McCabe how he sees the Prince's roll?

 

[SwissBlade]

At the next forum you can ask McCabe if he thinks the prince is just as accountable. How many times has he been to the games over that 2.5 years and what are his responsibilities? Perhaps we can ask McCabe how he sees the Prince's roll?

It seems that you're the one questioning the accountability. They're 50-50 owners, not season ticket holders.

 

[boo radley]

It seems that you're the one questioning the accountability. They're 50-50 owners, not season ticket holders.

You suggested that others should be accountable as well and mentioned the Prince. I just threw in a few possible questions. I think McCabe is fully responsible for this worst period in our history ever. You seem to think others should take some blame off him, I do not.

 

[SwissBlade]

You suggested that others should be accountable as well and mentioned the Prince. I just threw in a few possible questions. I think McCabe is fully responsible for this worst period in our history ever. You seem to think others should take some blame off him, I do not.

It comes down to ownership, not matches attended. The prince has 50% of the club and was also behind the Adkins appointment. He is 50% accountable

 

[JJBlade]

The Technical Board


The Blades boardroom and their alternative way on how to run a football club. Just do it differently to everybody else and everything will be fine.

 

[zablade]

I've been Technically Bored most of the games this season if that helps

 

[Bladesman]