My biggest concern for January, in the light of the Diarra affair, is that, even though we have massive financial clout, the best players in the world are not going to be paricularly enthralled at working with Les, Bowen or Hitchcock.
Players who have a high profile want to work with Managers and Coaches who are renowned for their methods and proven success. They want to learn from them as it enhances their own CV. Although our team made a promising start at Blackburn they are by no means proven.
Now Garry Cook may be able to persuade some Marquee signings, the uncertain financial climate will certainly help him. But we are making life difficult for ourselves by asking them to play for a young, unproven Manager.
I may well be wrong and that World Football recognises and respects Les . but I feel he doesn't have the standing and experience to be able to handle a project like this.
Can you imagine asking Casillas or Buffon to work with Kevin Hitchcock? best known for being a Chelsea Reserve Keeper? Or Kaka, Massi or Henry working with Mark Bowen? It just seems all wrong to me. It's like going to Oxbridge and being taught by the Janitor.
Our Academy is the envy of the Country, the best young players in the Country want to come to us to work with Jim Cassell. We need to make sure our Senior setup is of a similar stature on a global scale.
As I said January will be make or break time, and it won't just be about results on the pitch . I hope Les steps up to the mark.
Players who have a high profile want to work with Managers and Coaches who are renowned for their methods and proven success. They want to learn from them as it enhances their own CV. Although our team made a promising start at Blackburn they are by no means proven.
Now Garry Cook may be able to persuade some Marquee signings, the uncertain financial climate will certainly help him. But we are making life difficult for ourselves by asking them to play for a young, unproven Manager.
I may well be wrong and that World Football recognises and respects Les . but I feel he doesn't have the standing and experience to be able to handle a project like this.
Can you imagine asking Casillas or Buffon to work with Kevin Hitchcock? best known for being a Chelsea Reserve Keeper? Or Kaka, Massi or Henry working with Mark Bowen? It just seems all wrong to me. It's like going to Oxbridge and being taught by the Janitor.
Our Academy is the envy of the Country, the best young players in the Country want to come to us to work with Jim Cassell. We need to make sure our Senior setup is of a similar stature on a global scale.
As I said January will be make or break time, and it won't just be about results on the pitch . I hope Les steps up to the mark.