Critchley

Yeah learn from the money Bowler brought in, the values of Grimshaw, Ekpiteta and Yates, and a promotion in his first season.
Learn from us getting 60 pts in the Championship. Getting 4 pts from a rampant Fulham side who are now firmly established in the Prem, winning at Sheff Utd, something few teams have done since.....
Big mistake Simon. 🤪
And of course he will achieve exactly the same again, like he did at QPR after failing as assistant at Villa . We sure have had great results reappointing ex managers . What could go wrong . This time fans will be divided as they were over Appleton . He won’t get the same patience shown to him in his first season , remember the excruciatingly slow start he had without a defensive coach ?
It would be a very lazy appointment imho.
I already have my season ticket and will go regardless , but will I be watching a team doomed to relegation before a ball is kicked ? Hope not .
 
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As a manager Critchley has always has Mike Garrity alongside him. He basically ran the training sessions. I would be surprised if he didn't come with him as his assistant again. He then also needed a more experienced coach alongside him. Not sure how Dobbie fits into that setup?
 
Except Critchley wasn't a duff manager. Duh.
Too many fans are against him now because of the manner he left. His football wasn’t good in the latter stages and since he left he hasn’t done well. Perhaps my wording wasn’t the best but I was alluding more to the re-appointments of Grayson and Appleton. Grayson was appointed again after a successful first term, but was dire 2nd time and as for Appleton, he was tripe first time and even worse second (not entirely his fault though). Historically, second term managers haven’t done well here. To get STs sold, we need someone new and who the fans will warm to - I don’t think Critchley would do that.
 
I'm in two minds on this.
But realistically, how he left is irrelevant. Most people, however much they loved their job, would move to double their salary. And you don't have to justify why you're leaving to your previous employer, workmates or customers.
Critchley made mistakes. He got too emotionally involved with the fans, and he got stale. The drop-off at the end of the season, when we were safe and after two intense seasons, was alarming but understandable.
Whoever's decision it was for him not to make a statement was wrong. But it doesn't change anything really. People change, people make mistakes, people learn from them.
If Critchley returns, we HAVE to back him, or what's the point of supporting the team? It's not like he's a convicted criminal or wife beater.
 
I'm in two minds on this.
But realistically, how he left is irrelevant. Most people, however much they loved their job, would move to double their salary. And you don't have to justify why you're leaving to your previous employer, workmates or customers.
Critchley made mistakes. He got too emotionally involved with the fans, and he got stale. The drop-off at the end of the season, when we were safe and after two intense seasons, was alarming but understandable.
Whoever's decision it was for him not to make a statement was wrong. But it doesn't change anything really. People change, people make mistakes, people learn from them.
If Critchley returns, we HAVE to back him, or what's the point of supporting the team? It's not like he's a convicted criminal or wife beater.
Good post TT and the list of his mistakes is absolutely right. As FYF has said he did bring in some good players whose value he undoubtedly increased, but towards the end of his spell he did go stale. I just think someone new wouldn’t have that baggage and would be a fresh start. If we appointed NC and his newly formed team made a poor start, he and SS would get pelters on here and we’d be back to square one.
 
I’d love Critchley back. He ticks all the boxes. The only black mark is the manner in which he left and tbh it’s only because he didn’t write a statement. Think how ridiculous it is that people are willing to discount all of that good, tangible important stuff that makes him qualified for the role because of something like a bloody statement… also we don’t even know what the full story was in terms of what the agreement was from Villa in terms of communication etc… or how that conversation with members of the Blackpool hierarchy actually went when he left. We all blame Critchley but we don’t know any of the facts.

The only thing that’s important to me is he has the qualifications, background, contacts and demonstrable ability to complete the job we need doing.
 
I’d love Critchley back. He ticks all the boxes. The only black mark is the manner in which he left and tbh it’s only because he didn’t write a statement. Think how ridiculous it is that people are willing to discount all of that good, tangible important stuff that makes him qualified for the role because of something like a bloody statement… also we don’t even know what the full story was in terms of what the agreement was from Villa in terms of communication etc… or how that conversation with members of the Blackpool hierarchy actually went when he left. We all blame Critchley but we don’t know any of the facts.

The only thing that’s important to me is he has the qualifications, background, contacts and demonstrable ability to complete the job we need doing.

What's the old adage '...be nice to people on the way up, because you'll meet them on the way down'.
 
I don't think there's any restriction on thanking people for their support.
You ‘don’t think’ - I know for a fact I’m not allowed to post about my old company now I’m with a new one without the express permission of the board and marketing team. Footballs such big business and social media and comms. such a massive part of it I’d expect the rules are pretty severe.
 
Critchley was blessed in league one to have Ballard in defence and two really good strikers in Simms and Yates who basically got us promoted.

Since leaving us he's had a complete nightmare at villa where Gerrard even called him out in one interview and then nearly got QPR relegated.

I think we should be looking elsewhere
 
Critchley was blessed in league one to have Ballard in defence and two really good strikers in Simms and Yates who basically got us promoted.

Since leaving us he's had a complete nightmare at villa where Gerrard even called him out in one interview and then nearly got QPR relegated.

I think we should be looking elsewhere
Critch also found those players and brought them to us in League 1…
 
Too many fans are against him now because of the manner he left. His football wasn’t good in the latter stages and since he left he hasn’t done well. Perhaps my wording wasn’t the best but I was alluding more to the re-appointments of Grayson and Appleton. Grayson was appointed again after a successful first term, but was dire 2nd time and as for Appleton, he was tripe first time and even worse second (not entirely his fault though). Historically, second term managers haven’t done well here. To get STs sold, we need someone new and who the fans will warm to - I don’t think Critchley would do that.
Fair enough. I wouldn't appoint Critch again either. I'd prefer somebody fresh and untarnished. But I'd prefer him to some of the options. He's clearly a very capable coach and he also knows the young players out there, and brought some good free and cheap signings here while he was with us. We found that much more difficult after he left.
 
Two things.
Firstly the statement on leaving...I think he intended it but went on holiday and mistakenly thought he could do it when he got back. By then, nothing he could have said would have made any difference and anything he did would have been received with absolute pelters. So he decided not to bother to save more abuse. It was a mistake definitely but not a hanging offence.
Secondly I think the supposed slump at the end of his reign is exaggerated. Yes we had some dodgy results, the Peterborough one standing out but we also picked points up as well including a big home win. It's overplayed on here, the players were tired after two mentally draining seasons and it was the end so no right to reply in what happened next. Like Dobbie , I would never judge anyone on the last few games of a season that are dead rubbers.
I don't know what to make of it if we reappointed him. It feels lazy and unimaginative by Simon if we do but I wouldn't be totally against it. I certainly don't think you should make decisions in fear of what the fanbase think so if that's his choice we have to back it. I'd just like less drama on here, more football and start winning games again.
 
Critchley was blessed in league one to have Ballard in defence and two really good strikers in Simms and Yates who basically got us promoted.

Since leaving us he's had a complete nightmare at villa where Gerrard even called him out in one interview and then nearly got QPR relegated.

I think we should be looking elsewhere
Because Villa being shit had nothing to do with Gerrard...

You can't say he did nothing but hand out bibs and put out cones one minute, to then say he was entirely responsible for Villa's decline.
 
Two things.
Firstly the statement on leaving...I think he intended it but went on holiday and mistakenly thought he could do it when he got back. By then, nothing he could have said would have made any difference and anything he did would have been received with absolute pelters. So he decided not to bother to save more abuse. It was a mistake definitely but not a hanging offence.
Secondly I think the supposed slump at the end of his reign is exaggerated. Yes we had some dodgy results, the Peterborough one standing out but we also picked points up as well including a big home win. It's overplayed on here, the players were tired after two mentally draining seasons and it was the end so no right to reply in what happened next. Like Dobbie , I would never judge anyone on the last few games of a season that are dead rubbers.
I don't know what to make of it if we reappointed him. It feels lazy and unimaginative by Simon if we do but I wouldn't be totally against it. I certainly don't think you should make decisions in fear of what the fanbase think so if that's his choice we have to back it. I'd just like less drama on here, more football and start winning games again.
I'm pretty sure that it was Villa who prevented him making a statement as part of the terms of his new contract.
 
I think he's a stand out candidate given what he did here first time but as we know, sequels very rarely live up to the first episode. Truth is he was just 1 statement away from the majority creaming themselves over a return. If he'd just said the right things, I'd have been welcoming him back with open arms. The thing is leopards never change their spots but snakes can shed their skin. If he is to return then he absolutely needs to front up about how he left, get on the front foot with the supporters and maybe have a live tattooing session. That along with Dobbie under him, should hopefully allow us to move forward.
 
I'm pretty sure that it was Villa who prevented him making a statement as part of the terms of his new contract.
If that's true and I'm not doubting you then how bloody silly. He was our manager anyway , why should they dictate anything. Can a simple goodbye and thanks not be done?
 
I think Dobbie would great for us or a Critchley/Dobbie combo. Both scenarios would be perfect.

However I would like Bowyer to be appointed as manager even if it’s just for two seconds as I lumped £30 quid on him last week at 4/1 when football insider said it was a done deal .

I’m not normally a gambler 😳
 
If that's true and I'm not doubting you then how bloody silly. He was our manager anyway , why should they dictate anything. Can a simple goodbye and thanks not be done?
It’s all about your new employers priorities not you as the employee. Football and comms., marketing and social media is massive - it’s also massive business. Villa themselves and their partners don’t necessarily want a now Villa employee gushing about what is to all intents and purposes a rival (not necessarily on the pitch but in every aspect off of it). From the minute Critchley signs for Villa it’s 100% about their priorities. If you’re Critchley you want a positive relationship with that new employer and partner so you sign the contract, accept the terms, policies and processes and unfortunately accept you don’t get to talk about Blackpool.
 
He's welcome back provided he has a snake tattoo inked on his snake, by the Muckers top brass. I hear they have a real kink for managers and intimate tattoos 😉
 
Ballard comment is fair - he made a difference but it was Critch that wanted him.
Simms only came in Jan with big Gaz injured. By then we were already motoring in the league. He also took Embleton who Sunderland didn’t want and coached him into a real quality 10 / 11 who came up with key moments in that promotion season.

When you think of the other players we brought in from the lower leagues or free from academies we got far more right than wrong in his tenure.

First thing first. If he comes, send him to the Armfield to check tats. Get Raggy to shout at him a bit and demand a tweet apologising for being unfaithful and running off with that rich girl with the flashy smile. Tell him we still love him but he hurt us and that takes time to get over and trust again 😉

Then get back to plan A. Raiding lower leagues for gems and grabbing kids from Prem academies that feel they’ve got something to prove.

Or just give it Dobs 👍
 
Why would Villa stop him from giving his appreciation to BFC & us supporters? I just cannot see that happening under any circumstances.
He's just an ungrateful Judas snake.
His exit wasn’t managed well by him.

I put it down to his inexperience of being in that type of situation .
 
His exit wasn’t managed well by him.

I put it down to his inexperience of being in that type of situation .
He shouldn't have needed advice, but if he did, his agent should also have better advised him.
"Look after the people on your way up, as you never know if you'll meet them again on your way down".
 
I'm pretty sure that it was Villa who prevented him making a statement as part of the terms of his new contract.
That’s not true. Nor was the holiday an excuse as he was already on holiday when contacted. No manager in history has ever been prevented from issuing a ‘goodbye’. He didn’t and then the ‘I’ll do it in my welcome interview’ came after. It was very half hearted even then.

Body language counts and that was a major cock up that sticks in peoples minds; a bit like Grayson psychologically ejeculating when PNE scored against us, which added to many not being convinced re his return (I am not sure why SS claims that wasn’t a problem ie his return because it was).

I think this would be a PR disaster and as such, unlikely to happen.
 
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Time to move on from the no apology now
If he’s our manager we should welcome him back
What good will it do with everyone moaning about it?
The players all loved him. He knows what to do to get us out of league one 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
 
His exit wasn’t managed well by him.

I put it down to his inexperience of being in that type of situation .
Sadler said he fell out with Critch over him leaving. That may well have affected Critch's behaviour. Sadler has since fallen out with other people around him at the club. Sadler has a short fuse by all accounts. Critch's behaviour was very out of character so i dont think we know the full story. People like to fill in the blanks in accordance with their sense of betrayal. And then lash out.
 
Sadler said he fell out with Critch over him leaving. That may well have affected Critch's behaviour. Sadler has since fallen out with other people around him at the club. Sadler has a short fuse by all accounts. Critch's behaviour was very out of character so i dont think we know the full story. People like to fill in the blanks in accordance with their sense of betrayal. And then lash out.
Did he voy ?

 
The appointment of Critch would be a reasonably safe choice by Sadler, he knows the players, he has the experience and ability, and it is only one season since he left so he is still current. If he gets off to a bad start, I am sure that there will be a section of the fans that will be calling for him sacked, but that would be the same for any manager including Dobbie. The only real risk for Sadler is that Cricth has form for leaving when more money is on the table, but that is the same for any ambitious manager in demand. However, the elephant in the room is that there may have been
more to Critch leaving than just salary, maybe it was the club was not prepared to recruit the players he wanted, or he had a poor working
relationship with Mansford or even Sadler. Critch was backed well in league one, but in the championship, we struggled to sign the players he
wanted.

It would, in my opinion, be better to move for someone new, and not Dobbie, that had some management experience but whose career path was definitely upward and above all could get us into the championship.
 
Experience indicates that NC has an eye for a good footballer and excels in coaching such players to higher standards. At the same time, without a wily sidekick in tow (and I’m not referring to MG), he seems to lack areas of tactical nous. This would suggest to me that unless, as in the past, he specialises in developing youth, he would be most gainfully employed in a director of football-type role. And more effectively than the likes of GB, in my view. If elevated to such a position, NC would dispense with the need to separate the tasks of (1) a coaching supremo & (2) a recruitment chief. A move in this direction would clear the path for SD becoming head coach/team manager. As to SD’s possible assistants; while many have not unreasonably called for the return of ST, I wondered if Mr Crainey might be a good shout too. The latter is one of the best defenders ever to wear the shirt. And alongside the attack-minded SD, these graduates of the ‘Holloway school’ could maybe provide the winning chemistry we urgently require. In another breath, I’m simply making a case for round pegs in round holes, so to speak.
 
That’s not true. Nor was the holiday an excuse as he was already on holiday when contacted. No manager in history has ever been prevented from issuing a ‘goodbye’. He didn’t and then the ‘I’ll do it in my welcome interview’ came after. It was very half hearted even then.

Body language counts and that was a major cock up that sticks in peoples minds; a bit like Grayson psychologically ejeculating when PNE scored against us, which added to many not being convinced re his return (I am not sure why SS claims that wasn’t a problem ie his return because it was).

I think this would be a PR disaster and as such, unlikely to happen.
I have it on pretty good authority from within the club
 
Experience indicates that NC has an eye for a good footballer and excels in coaching such players to higher standards. At the same time, without a wily sidekick in tow (and I’m not referring to MG), he seems to lack areas of tactical nous. This would suggest to me that unless, as in the past, he specialises in developing youth, he would be most gainfully employed in a director of football-type role. And more effectively than the likes of GB, in my view. If elevated to such a position, NC would dispense with the need to separate the tasks of (1) a coaching supremo & (2) a recruitment chief. A move in this direction would clear the path for SD becoming head coach/team manager. As to SD’s possible assistants; while many have not unreasonably called for the return of ST, I wondered if Mr Crainey might be a good shout too. The latter is one of the best defenders ever to wear the shirt. And alongside the attack-minded SD, these graduates of the ‘Holloway school’ could maybe provide the winning chemistry we urgently require. In another breath, I’m simply making a case for round pegs in round holes, so to speak.
Now Critchley as DoF, with Dobbie as manager is a combination I could get behind. It would make a lot of sense and would work well imo.
 
And of course he will achieve exactly the same again, like he did at QPR after failing as assistant at Villa . We sure have had great results reappointing ex managers . What could go wrong . This time fans will be divided as they were over Appleton . He won’t get the same patience shown to him in his first season , remember the excruciatingly slow start he had without a defensive coach ?
It would be a very lazy appointment imho.
I already have my season ticket and will go regardless , but will I be watching a team doomed to relegation before a ball is kicked ? Hope not .
Fuck You tipped me over the edge now 😵 Critch & Dobbies Tangerine Army 🎶🎵🎶
 
To quote Sir Humphrey “That would be a brave choice Simon”

I understand why a lot of people are against it. I was disappointed in the way in which he left but that’s football today. I was even more disappointed in his lack of appreciation for the fans. I think that’s on him.

But I’m over it now and I won’t get overly vexed if he came back. He was a good coach for us previously.

I’ll still support the team no matter who the manager is.
 
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