Leon still stropping out

[Kinky Gerbil]

Indeed, but we could have let Chris Iwelumo take the pen, seems to have done OK on spot kicks this season for Colchester? And his penalty against Swindon looked good? And, this could be the clincher, he did actually win the penalty in the play-off final, didn't he?

After who played him in?

 

[London Irish]

Well, it does give a reason for why he didn't sign a long-term deal in order to 'finish the job' - one presumes he has a job he'd like to finish at Reading too and Madjeski doesn't seem to have too much of a problem with him only signing for a year at a time.

I agree, Madjeski certainly didn't when it looked as though he might have to sack him after Reading's dreadful finish to the season last year. But it's a bit different now, the story you quote explicity says Madjet wants him to sign a longer deal! What if Coppell's name now gets touted for other, better jobs? Madjeski got burned by the Pardew situation, and if it can happen to Brighton, it can happen to Reading when bigger clubs come calling. To be honest, I'd laugh, talk about f***ing justice!

 

[London Irish]

After who played him in?

Played him in! It was a huge long run by Big Chris!

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

A surge of energy went through the Albion end of the stadium just before the former Stoke City striker barged his way through the City defence, and after a one-two with Knight he was hacked down by Danny Coles. Referee Richard Beeby was well placed and without hesitation pointed straight to the penalty spot. Knight then did the rest.

 

[itszamora]

I agree, Madjeski certainly didn't when it looked as though he might have to sack him after Reading's dreadful finish to the season last year. But it's a bit different now, the story you quote explicity says Madjet wants him to sign a longer deal! What if Coppell's name now gets touted for other, better jobs? Madjeski got burned by the Pardew situation, and if it can happen to Brighton, it can happen to Reading when bigger clubs come calling. To be honest, I'd laugh, talk about f***ing justice!

I can't be bothered to re-load the thing, but Madjeski also says something along the lines of 'he takes contracts very seriously, which I like' - which again to me perhaps suggests there could be some truth in Uncle Buck's statements about Coppell wanting to stay. Although you can say to that we got the compensation money and went up anyway that year - however whether we might have done better since is of course another debate.

 

[London Irish]

Both, as it happens. It's only the way you phrase it that makes them appear polar opposites.

But you're evading the most salient point here; do you really reckon we'd have been promoted without Knight?

Not at all. I agree with what Uncle Buck saw, which is a player decline in effectiveness in the second half of the season, we just disagree on the reasons.

But I would have sold him if we had got a good offer for him and that good sum of money could have led to us buying a decent striker in his place. If those conditions were in place, I don't think it would have cost us promotion, on the contrary it might have improved the team because Knight was a declining influence for us.

If you think back to the play-offs, I don't think he played a major role in any of the 3 vital games, a free kick on to the bar is all I can recall in the final, nothing at all in the two Swindon games. And I only recall that because it was unique that a free kick of his got anywhere near the target! (He had taken over Chippy's free kick duties for a while).

 

[The Laughing Bluebird]

If you think back to the play-offs, I don't think he played a major role in any of the 3 vital games......

Apart from the winning goal in the final.....

 

[London Irish]

I can't be bothered to re-load the thing, but Madjeski also says something along the lines of 'he takes contracts very seriously, which I like' - which again to me perhaps suggests there could be some truth in Uncle Buck's statements about Coppell wanting to stay. Although you can say to that we got the compensation money and went up anyway that year - however whether we might have done better since is of course another debate.

You can accept Uncle Buck's version of events if you like. I find it weak and lacking in detail. I also find them implausible because you have to buy into an anti-Dick Knight conspiracy theory that says he preferred the compo money to a manager he clearly respected and rated. I just don't believe conspiracy theories, if you are the type that does, then good luck to you.

Now on the other hand we have ROSM's account, which contains a series of events that is rich in detail with timings and chronology. It also accords with Dick Knight's stated version in the public domain. Now, because I have no reason to think that the chairman is a liar, I think ROSM's account wins hands down, on both the details front and the credibility and believability front.

There you go. You have a choice Sam.

 

[Uncle Buck]

You can accept Uncle Buck's version of events if you like. I find it weak and lacking in detail. I also find them implausible because you have to buy into an anti-Dick Knight conspiracy theory that says he preferred the compo money to a manager he clearly respected and rated. I just don't believe conspiracy theories, if you are the type that does, then good luck to you.

Now on the other hand we have ROSM's account,which contains a series of events that is rich in detail with timings and chronology. It also accords with Dick Knight's stated version in the public domain. Now, because I have no reason to think that the chairman is a liar, I think ROSM's account wins hands down, on both the details front and the credibility and believability front.

There you go. You have a choice Sam.

They are not rich in detail, they just fit with your agenda.

 

[London Irish]

Apart from the winning goal in the final.....

Yeah, I covered that - we had a better penalty taker in the team who, unlike Leon, is still trusted by his team to take them now

 

[itszamora]

You can accept Uncle Buck's version of events if you like. I find it weak and lacking in detail. I also find them implausible because you have to buy into an anti-Dick Knight conspiracy theory that says he preferred the compo money to a manager he clearly respected and rated. I just don't believe conspiracy theories, if you are the type that does, then good luck to you.

Now on the other hand we have ROSM's account, which contains a series of events that is rich in detail with timings and chronology. It also accords with Dick Knight's stated version in the public domain. Now, because I have no reason to think that the chairman is a liar, I think ROSM's account wins hands down, on both the details front and the credibility and believability front.

There you go. You have a choice Sam.

You make it sound like Star Wars - Do I become a loyal Jedi or dare go to the dark side?

 

[London Irish]

They are not rich in detail, they just fit with your agenda.

This is your account:

The account that did the rounds was that Coppell spoke to Reading but turned them down as he wanted to complete what he started here. However he was encouraged to talk to them again.

ROSM's:

- Coppell didn't want to manage the albion initially. he missed two interviews and kept Knight waiting to agree a third.

- 13 games in. Knight gets rid of Hinshelwood. Coppell is now consultant and Swindon and fancies the job.

- Coppell comes to end of season.

- We go down. Coppell cannot make his mind up to stay. After 4 weeks of thinking, he agrees a deal.

- We do well (very well in fact) and Reading enquire of his agent is he is available. he agrees to speak to them and his agent meets with reading twice before official approaches are made to the Albion.

- The club let him speak to reading. Coppell says he cannot make up his mind (although the agent by now is already talking terms).

- he goes to DK and expects an offer of more money (to match the reading offer) still no guarantees he will stay. With no guarantees, DK is unwilling to make that offer.

- Reading offer a compensation package and the Albion accept.

- Coppell joins reading.

I'll leave it to NSC which account offers more detail on the key events.

 

[London Irish]

You make it sound like Star Wars - Do I become a loyal Jedi or dare go to the dark side?

Go the Han Solo route - you even get the girl

 

[Les Biehn]

Is it me or is it a bit difficult to argue the toss over how we would have done if we sold Knight half way through that season. For a start most of us hoped he would score the goals that would keep us in the Championship (I didn't think he would do great but no where near as shit as he did) so why would we have sold him. Secondly he was pretty naff that second half of the promotional season and we would have done well to have got some money for him but that might have meant not going up, nobody knows. All you can say is we should have sold him that close season but that is only with the knowledge of hindsight.

 

[itszamora]

Go the Han Solo route - you even get the girl

 

[Les Biehn]

Go the Han Solo route - you even get the girl

A girl that got off with her own brother though.

 

[London Irish]

A girl that got off with her own brother though.

I don't believe it. Les has some sexual standards

 

[Les Biehn]

I don't believe it. Les has some sexual standards

That is Libellous.

 

[eastlondonseagull]

Am SOOOO not surprised Leon's stropping out

We all knew it was coming. A headline-making hat trick on his debut, but his ego's too big for his size 5s.

 

[ROSM]

I wondered when you would get involved, not that you added much.

That is harsh. I hope I have added to the debate with my differing opinion.

In pulling this together I have quoted from the following sources:

Dick Knight (re the initial approaches to Coppell by the Albion - this meeting took place between his first interviews and Hinshelwood's appointment) - the comment was made that Coppell wanted a job..........not THE job.

a business associate of John Madejski (re the meetings with Coppell and his representatives)

3 players (who backed up the comments made by the Madejski associate)

an employee of Sky Sports (re the comment about taking us as far as he can)

Of course it may just all be rubbish.

I have posted this version of event twice before. Only now has it got a reaction. If you have evidence that says my version or views are incorrect then feel free to share them now.

You say that Coppell was enocuraged to speak to Reading. By whom?

In reality, I think Coppell is the best manage we have had since Cattlin. I would have him back tomorrow. However, when a woman goes behind your back, you may take her back. However many of your friends, when in the same situation may not.

Also, Sam. Please dont count me as the dark side. I have never aligned with LI or UB. I consider them flip sides of a coin. They need to exist to justify the other. I dont want to be part of that!

In reality, there isn't much difference in mine or UBs version of events. The main difference is that some would have you believe that Coppell was forced out. Where as it is my view that Knight wan't prepared to throw money at someone who wasn't prepared to put some guarantees up.

As I have said before, if your wife is setting up a liaison with someone else - and then wants you to buy her a sportscar. You may want to be sure that she will stay around.

Coppell isn't coming back. Leon Knight isn't coming back. We still got promoted and we are where we are. End of Story.