Parky

Alex was an Arnensen buy totally and unwanted by Mourinho.

As usual you are wrong. Schevchenko was suggested by Pini Zhavi. Roman liked the look of him but it wasn't his idea. It is said they are friends yes.

They haven't spent a penny have they? They've spent money and had the most successful 3 years in their history. Your point being? It's Kenyon's point that matters.

Alternatively, if the bloke who has to get results doesn't have a clue about who to bring in or which buy represents value for money you end up with a lot of expensive dead wood, which is what we've witnessed with our previous two managers. Both systems have their strengths and weaknesses. I personally believe that a DoF who works well with the manager and is concerned with the long term planning (i.e. youth setup, scouting network etc) leaving the short term first team decisions to the manager can be a real asset to a club. Just because Jol is under pressure doesn't mean their setup is a failure. They've still got an awful lot of talent and if they bring in an even better manager like Ramos it could push them forward even more than their two respective top 5 finishes (which people seem to conveniently forget about after Spurs' disappointing start to the campaign).. Just because there's apparently some issues now doesn't mean the(ir) DoF setup is worthless all of a sudden. Even at Chelsea where the roles seem to be clearly defined there was friction all last season..Arnensen/Kenyon/Mourinho it is said rarely saw eye to eye on purchases (Schevchenko and now Alex), to the point that Mourinho it was felt might even leave in the summer. Weave into this Pini Zhavi and his 'cut' and there is quite a spiders web for any manager to handle. With Big Sam if he didn't chose the DOF I'd leave things as they are....Notwithstanding recent rumours...wink wink.. If the chairman of a club wanted to install a DoF to oversee the long term planning of the club, the last thing he should do is let the current manager chose this person. Consult the manager yes, take account of his preferences and considerations certainly, but I can't see the sense in letting the manager (somebody who is there temporarily in nearly all cases) chose the DoF.. I think you'd have to do that. But better still let him find someone he can work with or suggest some candidates.

They haven't spent a penny have they? BTW I don't think Kenyon would agree with you.

Fucking hell Europeeen places!!!

Alternatively, if the bloke who has to get results doesn't have a clue about who to bring in or which buy represents value for money you end up with a lot of expensive dead wood, which is what we've witnessed with our previous two managers. Both systems have their strengths and weaknesses. I personally believe that a DoF who works well with the manager and is concerned with the long term planning (i.e. youth setup, scouting network etc) leaving the short term first team decisions to the manager can be a real asset to a club. Just because Jol is under pressure doesn't mean their setup is a failure. They've still got an awful lot of talent and if they bring in an even better manager like Ramos it could push them forward even more than their two respective top 5 finishes (which people seem to conveniently forget about after Spurs' disappointing start to the campaign).. Just because there's apparently some issues now doesn't mean the(ir) DoF setup is worthless all of a sudden. Even at Chelsea where the roles seem to be clearly defined there was friction all last season..Arnensen/Kenyon/Mourinho it is said rarely saw eye to eye on purchases (Schevchenko and now Alex), to the point that Mourinho it was felt might even leave in the summer. Weave into this Pini Zhavi and his 'cut' and there is quite a spiders web for any manager to handle. With Big Sam if he didn't chose the DOF I'd leave things as they are....Notwithstanding recent rumours...wink wink..

You mean a Proper Manager like Souness mackems.gif Yeah.

Samples of the tea have been taken away for analysis by the North London plod.

He's said he hates the way Comolli spits in his tea all the time and the way Comolli brings in home made latka pies for Levy the beancounter.

Shove it in there if it doesn't have any legs. This is more about the systems though.

I chuckle even as I type out the thread title. The last couple of years on here there have been so many 'preachers' of the 'new way'. The continental system of DOF and manager. But what happens if the DOF isn't sanctioning or actioning the correct purchases? What happens if he starts to question the managers judgement and tactics? If you like this season is as much about the traditional manager ie Big Sam as against the 'continental style' of Commoli and Martin the mong. Chaos they say has descending at WHL with clandestine meeting with candidates. A good strong manager is all you need. Said it all along. blueyes.gif

We are serious not sure how serious Deco is. But you never know.

Basically we haven't got a creative midfielder, but we do have box to box (Barton) and a gaggle of DM's. In the modern game fans crying out for the signing of creative players is seen as some form of sickness by most managers, SA included and a wild luxury by others. None of these stances bears up to scrutiny as all the top teams have creative midfielders in their various guises and players who are dual role. And the newly arrived ELANO is doing wonders for Man City proving my point with ease.

Barcelona? 8)

They seem very tight with the cash and overly cautious. They can't keep just buying for the future cause the future never arrives. blueyes.gif As I've maintained since the start of the season Jol will get found out this year.

We have to be careful the midfield doesn't become watercarriertastic. Geremi Smith Butt (Faye)

Technically Dave would be screaming by now to merge this thread with my playmaker one the charlatan.

Baggiooo's idea of a backlash.

The clear choice is Emre, but he is too in and out of games for my liking and he hasn't the ability to hurt the opp with his creativity. A nice player with a good touch he might be and ocassional good short/mid range passing, but sorely lacking in vision to really excel at the role. We need to buy one for when teams shut up shop at SJP. A player who will start most home games and has the ability to change a game coming on as sub in the away games percieved too tight for him to perhaps start. In saying that it isn't a crisis and I'm very happy with the start we've made and things will come together. Would be nice to have the snipers rifle in the locker mind. The reason I started the other thread is that I'm fairly certain we're getting one and if not now then in Jan.

Bit of a sticky upper caps key I'm afraid.

Unbeaten start 4 out of 6 two tough games Bolton and Villa. The side are still learning about each other as is SA. We perhaps need to look at playing 442 at home with a bit more creativity in the middle. YOu only have to look at how ManU are struggling to bed in with new players and the loss of Rooney. These things take time. Didn't see the game so I won't comment.

We desperately need a creative player especially for home games. Many more teams are now going to come and try to defend as they are becoming aware we are much more organised and harder to score against. Where as under GR they knew we would make mistakes at the back and they would come and have a bit of a go.

It's his spiritual home.

Aye, Sam is stretching his credibility with this one. Phil Fucking Neville? I am as we speak penning a rather scathing analysis of Big Sam's colonisation of the word 'Big'.