Afternoon all. I'm a Sunderland fan, just after your opinions and some information.
It's looking like there's a very good chance that Poyet is about to be announced as our new (old) manager. It's a bit of a coup for a League 1 club in my opinion if it happens. We obviously know him well but, as he's said himself, due to the constraints he was under and the challenges of the Prem compared to the leagues below we never saw the best of him or his football philosophy. Despite some great memories and moments he was never able to get us playing the increyable football he had you playing.
So I'm after some of your memories of how he took on League 1. How he managed the squad he inherited. How long it took before he got you properly effective (presumably his first full season after ensuring your safety after he first arrived)?
A couple of specific points I'm interested in. The first is his use and trust in younger, more inexperienced players. At Sunderland we have a few Academy lads that most believe to be far better than the first team plodders that are getting games ahead of them. It was a source of great frustration for most fans to see our previous manager (Phil Parkinson by the way, I realise L1 is the back of beyond that not many people have any interest in following) filling the squad with senior but limited pros and blocking the progression and pathway for our youth players. Even to the extent that in injury crises he would rather play others out of position than giving youth a chance.
I know this sounds like a typical fan's perspective, over romanticised and ill informed and that the real reason they're not getting a game is because they're not good enough. We're adamant that's not the case. To give you an example, 18 year old Bali Mumba was deemed not good enough by Parkinson and shipped out to South Shields on loan. On his return he was sold to Norwich who will be challenging for promotion in the league above. He's been getting absolutely rave reviews, from fans and media a like, in the performances he's made for them (before a current injury).
For me, with where we find ourselves as a club and under the constraints of the salary cap introduced at this level, establishing a pathway from the Academy is absolutely key and would be on my remit for any incoming manager. I'd hate to hear that Poyet has a similar aversion to Parkinson's.
The other point is whether Gus takes the game to teams at this level. Another frustration with Parkinson is that he always set us out to nullify the opposition rather than take the initiative and play on the front foot. With the resources Sunderland have compared to others at this level many considered that to be unacceptable. Poyet took that approach a lot for us in the Prem but that is acceptable as we were at the other end of the scale. In this league was he more attacking? Was it exciting to watch? Did his team create chances and score goals?
Sorry for the essay. I'm just really intrigued what this next chapter may bring. Any response would be greatly appreciated. Having typed all that he probably won't be appointed and Paul Cook will get the job instead. Ah well, I can always copy and paste on to Wigan's forum.
It's looking like there's a very good chance that Poyet is about to be announced as our new (old) manager. It's a bit of a coup for a League 1 club in my opinion if it happens. We obviously know him well but, as he's said himself, due to the constraints he was under and the challenges of the Prem compared to the leagues below we never saw the best of him or his football philosophy. Despite some great memories and moments he was never able to get us playing the increyable football he had you playing.
So I'm after some of your memories of how he took on League 1. How he managed the squad he inherited. How long it took before he got you properly effective (presumably his first full season after ensuring your safety after he first arrived)?
A couple of specific points I'm interested in. The first is his use and trust in younger, more inexperienced players. At Sunderland we have a few Academy lads that most believe to be far better than the first team plodders that are getting games ahead of them. It was a source of great frustration for most fans to see our previous manager (Phil Parkinson by the way, I realise L1 is the back of beyond that not many people have any interest in following) filling the squad with senior but limited pros and blocking the progression and pathway for our youth players. Even to the extent that in injury crises he would rather play others out of position than giving youth a chance.
I know this sounds like a typical fan's perspective, over romanticised and ill informed and that the real reason they're not getting a game is because they're not good enough. We're adamant that's not the case. To give you an example, 18 year old Bali Mumba was deemed not good enough by Parkinson and shipped out to South Shields on loan. On his return he was sold to Norwich who will be challenging for promotion in the league above. He's been getting absolutely rave reviews, from fans and media a like, in the performances he's made for them (before a current injury).
For me, with where we find ourselves as a club and under the constraints of the salary cap introduced at this level, establishing a pathway from the Academy is absolutely key and would be on my remit for any incoming manager. I'd hate to hear that Poyet has a similar aversion to Parkinson's.
The other point is whether Gus takes the game to teams at this level. Another frustration with Parkinson is that he always set us out to nullify the opposition rather than take the initiative and play on the front foot. With the resources Sunderland have compared to others at this level many considered that to be unacceptable. Poyet took that approach a lot for us in the Prem but that is acceptable as we were at the other end of the scale. In this league was he more attacking? Was it exciting to watch? Did his team create chances and score goals?
Sorry for the essay. I'm just really intrigued what this next chapter may bring. Any response would be greatly appreciated. Having typed all that he probably won't be appointed and Paul Cook will get the job instead. Ah well, I can always copy and paste on to Wigan's forum.
