It's an extra-ordinary situation FFS. It's not about ******* money. Where's your frigging compassion?
You're missing my point. You said the list manager isn't required on game days, implying that Bailey's absence can be adequately covered on game day by our list manager. If that is the case, why do we need Bailey at all? Why doesn't Noble just do both jobs full time?
The answer, I presume, is because (1) Bailey's role extends well beyond the 2 1/2 hours between the sirens on a Saturday and (2) Bailey brings skills and knowledge to the role that Noble doesn't.
(1) suggests that to do both roles might be beyond a single person. In my view, in 2014, Noble's job is more important than Bailey's. I don't think we are a legitimate premiership threat whatever clever tactics we play with, but there are quality free agents on offer which could transform us into one.
(2) suggests that there might be better candidates than Noble for Bailey's job, assuming Bailey is not doing it.
Now, as I've said repeatedly, I can understand why the club has taken this path. It is a hugely difficult situation, both from a professional football club's perspective and from a human perspective. As a short term measure, I don't have a serious problem with Noble given the fact that the annual assistant coach swap meet is over and it is probably not easy to find a quality replacement. I also agree that it is important that Bailey isn't unceremoniously booted when he has far bigger issues on his hands.
But, as a professional football club, we also have to face the reality that there are no guarantees that he will be up to the job in 2015 or ever again. We are not talking about a suspension, or a personal issue which will pass. It is serious stuff. We would be negligent not to be discreetly assessing our contingency plans so that if the news on Bailey does not improve, we are in a position to find more than a stop gap alternative for next year. I don't know Dean Bailey, but from what I've heard about him I have no doubt he would understand that the club has to prepare for all possible eventualities.
If my memory is right, each of Dangerfield, Sloane and Walker come out of contract next year. Noble will be a busy boy doing his own job, without having to do someone else's as well.