Why we have Fallen

[pethouse]

Like most people, I have been a bit dumb founded by the unfolding of our current season. And, like most, have been trying to fathom what has gone wrong, especially considering the optimism at the start of the season. Yes, we have had many injuries, but we won our first premiership while missing important players (namely Ricciuto, Modra, Liptak, Vardy). I don’t think it’s the coaching staff or methods, as all aspects were in place last year and we did pretty well. So, with basically the same list and coaching personnel, something must be missing – namely John Reid.
John appeared a surly, grumpy person to supporters and outsiders, but apparently he was totally respected and appreciated by the players. He protected and looked after them. He knew what the players wanted or needed, even before they did. I believe he was able to control a lot of the day-to-day issues that would raise their ugly heads. He negotiated the majority of the player contracts; his departing legacy was to ensure that Tippett was re-signed.
This isn’t meant to denigrate Phil Harper in any way, he may very well turn out to be an excellent football manager, but he does have extremely large shoes to fill. It may very well be just a coincidence that our downfall coincides with his departure. Just in case it’s not, perhaps we could hire him as a consultant, to appraise our situation and offer some guidance.

 

[Mackay train12]

I think its ridiculous to pin our poor season on John Reid leaving the club, yes he was a great manager but it has had nothing to do with our on field performances.

 

[Allefgib]

I'd be very interested to know how the internal workings of the club have changed with him leaving.

Was he grumpy and surly internally? You sayd 'apparently he was totally respected... by the players' is that apparently based on external view of the situation or based on feedback?

Or was he surly and grumpy with other people internally or not the players?

I've heard he was fairly 'difficult' character to manage internally but not with enough evidence for me to fully believe it - though it isn't really hard to believe

 

[Allefgib]

I think its ridiculous to pin our poor season on John Reid leaving the club, yes he was a great manager but it has had nothing to do with our on field performances.

About as ridiculous as pinning it on injuries I'd say. That is to say it could indeed be a factor without being the main reason for our lack of effort and confusing actions of the player group.

Maybe Reidy had a bit more influence on the footy department than we gave him credit for. It's effectively people who were under his management that have been under performing this year...

 

[Mackay train12]

About as ridiculous as pinning it on injuries I'd say. That is to say it could indeed be a factor without being the main reason for our lack of effort and confusing actions of the player group.

I am not one of those who is looking for excuses like injuries or fitness. There are much larger problems at our club like the lack of quality midfielders and the fact that there have been periods this season where our players have almost looked disinterested

 

[Allefgib]

I am not one of those who is looking for excuses like injuries or fitness. There are much larger problems at our club like the lack of quality midfielders and the fact that there have been periods this season where our players have almost looked disinterested

Agreed. 'serious issues' some would say.

Still be incredibly interested to know how the club dynamics have changed since Reidy left.

For instance - without JR there has the player disinterest gone up?

 

[pethouse]

I'd be very interested to know how the internal workings of the club have changed with him leaving.

Was he grumpy and surly internally? You sayd 'apparently he was totally respected... by the players' is that apparently based on external view of the situation or based on feedback?

Or was he surly and grumpy with other people internally or not the players?

I've heard he was fairly 'difficult' character to manage internally but not with enough evidence for me to fully believe it - though it isn't really hard to believe

An employee of the AFC told me that the players loved John Reid. The grumpy aspect is more of an observation - he certainly scared me on more than one occasion

 

[Allefgib]

An employee of the AFC told me that the players loved John Reid. The grumpy aspect is more of an observation - he certainly scared me on more than one occasion

Can you tell us what part of the organisation the employee worked in?

Well more to the point can you give us a view of how accurate that persons view would be?

 

[pethouse]

Can you tell us what part of the organisation the employee worked in?

Well more to the point can you give us a view of how accurate that persons view would be?

It would be very accurate - liaising with John would have occurred at least 5-6 times a year. It was mentioned during one of my "Gee, JR appears grumpy..." observations. It was said during John's tenure so, once again, no reflection or comparison with Phil is being implied.

 

[jenny61_99]

Is Pethouse JR?

 

[pethouse]

Is Pethouse JR?

Ha Ha - I'm not that grumpy (but don't ask the missus)

 

[Allefgib]

It would be very accurate - liaising with John would have occurred at least 5-6 times a year. It was mentioned during one of my "Gee, JR appears grumpy..." observations. It was said during John's tenure so, once again, no reflection or comparison with Phil is being implied.

Cheers mate

I hope Macca23 reads this and can share any knowledge he might have of how club dynamics have changed since Reidy has moved on.

Macca?