trousers Posted 21 February, 2009 Share Posted 21 February, 2009 If it was so obvious to Wotte that we needed to change tactics from "Poortvliet's" dogmatic system, then why did it take him 6 months to do something about it? As per the original OS articles when he and Poortvliet joined the club last summer, he had a remit which gave him influence on first team strategy. If he deserves credit for today's performance (which I don't doubt) then he also deserves equal criticism for keeping shtum for so long. IMHO of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 21 February, 2009 Share Posted 21 February, 2009 maybe because he was not in charge of the first team....unless I am wrong on that..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 21 February, 2009 Share Posted 21 February, 2009 didn't he? or was it someone else was first team coach? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rover Posted 21 February, 2009 Share Posted 21 February, 2009 maybe because he was not in charge of the first team....unless I am wrong on that..? You are - we were told it would be flexible interchangeable Dutch total football management. Wotte WAS involved. Mind you Lowe was choosing the team which rather puts the kybosh on things anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Landrew Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 I think Wotte must have had some involvement or comment, earlier in the season, because Poortvliet said that he was sick of him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaSaint Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 Perhaps he did speak up - eventually, but maybe it was through one of those "unofficial communication lines" that Rupert allegedly likes to cultivate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 If it was so obvious to Wotte that we needed to change tactics from "Poortvliet's" dogmatic system, then why did it take him 6 months to do something about it? As per the original OS articles when he and Poortvliet joined the club last summer, he had a remit which gave him influence on first team strategy. If he deserves credit for today's performance (which I don't doubt) then he also deserves equal criticism for keeping shtum for so long. IMHO of course. I think you will find the club's stance will be "he never had anything to do with the first team" very soon. Airbrush and Stalin are two words that spring to my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 You are - we were told it would be flexible interchangeable Dutch total football management. Wotte WAS involved. Mind you Lowe was choosing the team which rather puts the kybosh on things anyway. does that mean they would chose the exact same team..make the exact same subs play the exact same way... no it does not... one of the reasons jan is gone is that wotte disagreed with him and fell out with him funny that, I bet that is not what people want to hear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidthesquid Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 I think Wotte must have had some involvement or comment, earlier in the season, because Poortvliet said that he was sick of him. Maybe Wotte kept saying 'play 4-4-2' and Jan kept refusing Maybe he said it to Rupert, too & Jan thought he went behind his back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 Perhaps he did speak up - eventually, but maybe it was through one of those "unofficial communication lines" that Rupert allegedly likes to cultivate. Maybe a whole bunch of them spoke up. Wotte - seems to have had a public falling out with JP and some of the players and seems to have been having a dig at the previous regime's training methods in between the digs at the fans that we got all worked up about Hockaday & Webster - where are they now and why? Wotton - carted off to Brighton for a couple of weeks heck, even Leon seems to have had a go with his "Brit manager lined up" But then maybe not as we don't know what goes on day to day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadoldgit Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 Whatever went on in the past didn't work. What he is doing now seems to be making a difference. Instead of picking holes perhaps we should just support him now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintjay77 Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 They may have been brought in as a duo but I was under the impression Wotte was there to Assist Jan by feeding him players that were ready for the 1st team. The idea of the reserves playing the same formation as the 1st team and them all training together on the same things are obviously good ideas but if JP had the decission on how they should all play then surly the blame lays with him for the lack of changes? Maybe Hockaday and Webster will be brought back in now? I have said before that I think the whole "Dutch Experiment" idea is a good one. But it needs the right people both in the playing staff and coaching staff for it to have any chance of working. Same can be said of the British way as was proved by Gray, Wigley, Dodd and Gorman compared to Hoddle and WGS. Hope that Wotte is the right man now and its not too late to save our season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
um pahars Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 I think you will find the club's stance will be "he never had anything to do with the first team" very soon. Airbrush and Stalin are two words that spring to my mind. What do you mean very soon??? The airbrush was wheeled out the minute Poortvliet got the boot and went in to overdrive that evening. It hasn't stopped either, be it statements and comments on the OS or in the Press, or in off the recrod briefings and comments to others. I haven't been impressed by the way Poortvliet has been hung out to dry. Wotte was to a large degree complicit in the 28 game farce and to suggest otherwise is rewriting history. They came as a pair from the joint interviews, the double pub sessions, the Q & A's at the AGM, the after match briefings, the original statments etc etc etc. However, he has shown that he is not as stubborn/foolish/one dimensional as Poortvliet, so I give him credit for accepting that Lowe's policy of youth and Total Football was flawed (even the great Chris Imwelumo might want to rethink his comments!!!). He will be judged over the period of his tenure, the points he amasses and how the team performs. 2 points from 4 games was poor, yesterday was very promising and so I hope the rebuilding starts from 21st Feb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 where else would a new manager, after a good result, be criticsed for being a assistant, or reserve team, or director of football etc? Sure other, more open minded fans would look to see how he does as first team manager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Paul Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 where else would a new manager, after a good result, be criticsed for being a assistant, or reserve team, or director of football etc? Sure other, more open minded fans would look to see how he does as first team manager All people are saying is that he's been involved all season. He said that he recommended Dyer for a new contract, so obviously been involved in the first team. Had Dodd taken over from Gorman and Dodd, would his part in that duo and the results they got forgotton? The original question is a good one, did he speak to Jan or has he had a rethink and come to the conclusion that this "Dutch" way of playing was heading stright to league 1. Personally I think he's been allowed to play any of the squad, whereas Jan's hands were tied by appearence money issues. I would also like to know if the reserves and youth team will now be playing this more direct style or has the policy of all team's seamlessly playing the same way been binned as a failure as well? Here's hoping so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 Under Jan we stuck 3 past Preston, so let's not get too carried away. The fact that we're now playing more direct, with senior players all involved is a good thing. Most have been calling for that all season. If Wotte manages to save us, it will just show how stupid the appointment of Jan and the selection and formation policies were earlier in the season. It takes a big man to admitt his mistakes, but I somehow doubt whether Lowe will consider earlier policies a mistake. I fully expect all the blame will be laid firmly at Jan's door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadoldgit Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 Under Jan we stuck 3 past Preston, so let's not get too carried away. The fact that we're now playing more direct, with senior players all involved is a good thing. Most have been calling for that all season. If Wotte manages to save us, it will just show how stupid the appointment of Jan and the selection and formation policies were earlier in the season. It takes a big man to admitt his mistakes, but I somehow doubt whether Lowe will consider earlier policies a mistake. I fully expect all the blame will be laid firmly at Jan's door. By sacking JP doesn't that indicate that mistake has been made, recognised and dealt with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stthrobber Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 Wotte was to a large degree complicit in the 28 game farce and to suggest otherwise is rewriting history. They came as a pair from the joint interviews, the double pub sessions, the Q & A's at the AGM, the after match briefings, the original statments etc etc etc. You are right in as much as he was part of Lowes "revolutionary" coaching experiment/flirt with disaster (delete as appropriate) But he and JP couldn't stand each other, had never met before arriving at Southampton and therefore it comes as no surprise that things went t!ts up The fact is that we don't know that Wotte didn't speak up before. We just know he didn't go public. Either way, yesterday was a great win and might yet just be the kickstart we have needed, but there is a long way to go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
um pahars Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 I would also like to know if the reserves and youth team will now be playing this more direct style or has the policy of all team's seamlessly playing the same way been binned as a failure as well? Here's hoping so. IMHO, that was all a load of bollcks anyway. The whole idea that these youngsters had been brought up with this style of play and we changed the first team to match it was just nonsense. Also what was nonsense was the idea that our youngsters only knew one way to play etc etc etc. So what had been happening in all the years before? How did Walcott & Bale manage to shake off the stigma of only playing 4-3-3. It was all a load of ******** propaganda, and even though I haven't got loads of time for Wiseman, he called it right yesterday when he said only a 5 year old would have fallen for the propaganda being served up this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 Perhaps he is just a yes man as well as Portvliet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 Wotte was in charge of the academy for most of the season, with Henderson as reserves manager and Hockaday (who was youth team manager) as first team coach. Now JP and Hockaday have gone, Henderson is taking over the youth team, with Gorre as reserve team manager. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
um pahars Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 You are right in as much as he was part of Lowes "revolutionary" coaching experiment/flirt with disaster (delete as appropriate) Exactly. I'm not saying he was responsible for everything, as ultimately I'd like to think that Poortvliet had the last say, but he was defintiely complicit to some degree. I just don't particularly like the rewriting of history and blaming Jan for everything when this was always sold to us as a Revolutionary Coaching Set Up with a seamless tranistion, coaches interchanging etc etc etc. But he and JP couldn't stand each other, had never met before arriving at Southampton and therefore it comes as no surprise that things went t!ts up Rich, I would be wary of all the little briefings and snippets coming out of St Mary's in recent weeks. There is a campaign to portray Poortvliet as the villain and to exonerate Wotte from any blame and to give him a clean slate as he's now the gaffer, but he has to take his share of stick for his part in this awful season. And of the two of them, Wotte most definitley is the one with the "reputation" and a fair bit of history. But what these little t1tbits do tell us is that this Revolutionary Coaching Set Up was a total fck up right from the very start. It makes the Wigley decision almost rational!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Super Saint Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 Under Jan we stuck 3 past Preston, so let's not get too carried away. The fact that we're now playing more direct, with senior players all involved is a good thing. Most have been calling for that all season. If Wotte manages to save us, it will just show how stupid the appointment of Jan and the selection and formation policies were earlier in the season. It takes a big man to admitt his mistakes, but I somehow doubt whether Lowe will consider earlier policies a mistake. I fully expect all the blame will be laid firmly at Jan's door. You seem to be forgetting the fans, we usually get the blame for most things Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 By sacking JP doesn't that indicate that mistake has been made, recognised and dealt with? I thought he resigned. Unless the Club aren't telling us the truth. I thought the last regime "failed to communicate with supporters" according to Lowe, so he would keep us all informed and tell the truth, wouldn't he?, unless he's a hypercrite, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stthrobber Posted 22 February, 2009 Share Posted 22 February, 2009 Rich, I would be wary of all the little briefings and snippets coming out of St Mary's in recent weeks. There is a campaign to portray Poortvliet as the villain and to exonerate Wotte from any blame and to give him a clean slate as he's now the gaffer, but he has to take his share of stick for his part in this awful season. And of the two of them, Wotte most definitley is the one with the "reputation" and a fair bit of history. I've just been reading things that were said in articles Steve. I wouldn't portray JP as any kind of villain. I just think he was simply found out as a decent man out of his depth at this level and who, sadly for him, lacked a plan B. Whether he was undermined by Wotte or not I don't know but either way, he wasn't up to the job and should really never have been given it in the first place, although hindsight is wonderful of course. It would have rankled with me if I had managed at a much higher level than my head coach, but I would have kept my gob shut if he had done a good job and proved worthy, but sadly that wasn't the case. IMO Wotte has done nothing yet to show that he isn't out of his depth, since despite JP's shortcomings, he did get some very good and unexpected wins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadoldgit Posted 23 February, 2009 Share Posted 23 February, 2009 I thought he resigned. Unless the Club aren't telling us the truth. I thought the last regime "failed to communicate with supporters" according to Lowe, so he would keep us all informed and tell the truth, wouldn't he?, unless he's a hypercrite, of course. Sacking, resigning, leaving my mutual consent....whatever...fact is he is gone and I suspect that there was a discussion beforehand... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintRobbie Posted 23 February, 2009 Share Posted 23 February, 2009 I think you will find the club's stance will be "he never had anything to do with the first team" very soon. Airbrush and Stalin are two words that spring to my mind. Exactly. But also because he was part of the management team that wanted to go for the youth policy in the first place and thought it could be made to work. He was the one 2 years ago who convinced Lowe. I think anyone who has a supposedly decent knowledge of football but can advise on that sort of crass decision without understanding the consequences is either: a. Prepared to do anything for a job. b. Is not very good. c. Is happy to sit back and have his wages paid whilst doing nothing. d. Happy to do whatever he can to get out of his native land in order to lie low for a while in football. e. Does not understand the English league. f. Some or all of the above. I am not convinced that Wotte's motives and our motives remain the same - the ultimate good of SFC. He's a journeyman and I cannot support a manager who has up until now been so inexpliably incompetent. One win means nothing. Situation no change at the bottom of the table. 3-4 and we may reassess. But for now I'm afraid all I see in Wotte is an individual another self-interested man in the image of Lowe. I am happy to change my opinion and say he may have some talent afterall if he can rescue this Club - he must have some ounce of footballing knowledge to get here in the first place... but then SCW had watched a game or two... but for me this man has been and IS part of the Lowe problem. There are many managers unemployed out there with better records and understanding of the CCC than this man. As a fan who has advocated (and still does) consistency in management as being a critical rule of football team chairmanship this instinctively seems the wrong thing to say, but intuitively all I see in Wotte is more failure... even if he keeps us up (which he won't). JP was right about him. It was Wotte and Lowe who failed to give JP the tools to work with afterall. Wotte is not the answer - Lowe isnt either. Both are a package. Both need to move on. For what its worth, if Lowe and Wotte left now I think any unemployed manager could have the same impact on our team - if not a greater one. Consistency in management doesnt apply in Wotte's case for me... he's a 'shnake' as they say in Holland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintDonkey Posted 23 February, 2009 Share Posted 23 February, 2009 Rich, I would be wary of all the little briefings and snippets coming out of St Mary's in recent weeks. There is a campaign to portray Poortvliet as the villain and to exonerate Wotte from any blame and to give him a clean slate as he's now the gaffer, but he has to take his share of stick for his part in this awful season. And of the two of them, Wotte most definitley is the one with the "reputation" and a fair bit of history. The quotes about JP and Wotte not knowing each other before they came here - and not getting on when they did - didn't come from the OS, they came from JP after he departed. For all you might want to dress it up as propaganda can you just concede that whatever the plan might have been the actuality was that Wotte was not directly involved in first team affairs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 23 February, 2009 Share Posted 23 February, 2009 The quotes about JP and Wotte not knowing each other before they came here - and not getting on when they did - didn't come from the OS, they came from JP after he departed. For all you might want to dress it up as propaganda can you just concede that whatever the plan might have been the actuality was that Wotte was not directly involved in first team affairs? if so...pretty much puts all the speculation to bed IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
um pahars Posted 23 February, 2009 Share Posted 23 February, 2009 can you just concede that whatever the plan might have been the actuality was that Wotte was not directly involved in first team affairs? If Wotte was not involved in team affairs, then why did the OS state he was on numerous occasions, why has he been involved in transfer selections, contract decisions, why was he wheeled out alongside Jan at fans functions, at Q & A's at the AGM etc etc etc. To claim Wotte was not directly involved in first team affairs goes against everything we have seen and heard from last summer. Jan was ultimately in charge and the buck stopped with him on all decisions, but Wotte played his part. if so...pretty much puts all the speculation to bed IMO What speculation is it addressing??? Not really sure what you're getting at here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965onwards Posted 23 February, 2009 Share Posted 23 February, 2009 Wotte is as egotistical as Lowe. The reality is that these kind of people can only be worked with in the short-term before a parting of the ways is inevitable. This goes for players,coaches,directors,executives,secretaries etc. Everything in Wottes managerial history suggests that he cannot be trusted to work successfully with others long term,albeit he seems adept at procuring new positions,no doubt he talks a good game. I think he is probably as good for us at the moment as anyone,and the players seem to be responding to him,which is all we can ask. He is not the answer long term,as his failings will eventually result in the same problems he has been involved with everywhere else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyFartPants Posted 23 February, 2009 Share Posted 23 February, 2009 This week a gobby know all said: Wotte is as egotistical as Lowe. The reality is that these kind of people can only be worked with in the short-term before a parting of the ways is inevitable. This goes for players,coaches,directors,executives,secretaries etc. Everything in Wottes managerial history suggests that he cannot be trusted to work successfully with others long term,albeit he seems adept at procuring new positions,no doubt he talks a good game. I think he is probably as good for us at the moment as anyone,and the players seem to be responding to him,which is we can ask. He is not the answer long term,as his failings will eventually result in the same problems he has been involved with everywhere else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965onwards Posted 23 February, 2009 Share Posted 23 February, 2009 How much do you get paid for the one-liners JFP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 23 February, 2009 Share Posted 23 February, 2009 What speculation is it addressing??? Not really sure what you're getting at here. that wotte and jan are the same...that wotte will be doing nothing different than jan...that jan was doing no different to what wotte would have done... y'get me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Super Saint Posted 23 February, 2009 Share Posted 23 February, 2009 that wotte and jan are the same...that wotte will be doing nothing different than jan...that jan was doing no different to what wotte would have done... y'get me Do you realise how much like Nineteen Canteen you are starting to sound like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 23 February, 2009 Share Posted 23 February, 2009 Do you realise how much like Nineteen Canteen you are starting to sound like? dont care...im off tomorrow and you would have forgotten in a few days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965onwards Posted 23 February, 2009 Share Posted 23 February, 2009 Put it down to pre-op tension WSS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Super Saint Posted 23 February, 2009 Share Posted 23 February, 2009 Put it down to pre-op tension WSS. Either that or we're gonna have to call TDD 'His Lordship' :shock: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
um pahars Posted 23 February, 2009 Share Posted 23 February, 2009 that wotte and jan are the same...that wotte will be doing nothing different than jan...that jan was doing no different to what wotte would have done... y'get me I think Wotte has already proved that he is much more flexible than Poortvliet and he has also recognised the folly of the strategy that we went with for the first 28 games. No doubt about it, he has said it, but more importantly he has demonstrated it with his team selections and tactics on the pitch. Whether he has the ability to deliver survival still remains to be seen, but there can be no doubt he is willing to try something different. But that wasn't the argument/debate. It was how much he contributed to the previous 28 games farce, and there can be no denying that he was in there with Jan and the others in the Revolutionary Coaching Set Up. Whether he is able to just throw away all the baggage from the first 28 games and move us forward is something we will have to judge him on in the run in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 23 February, 2009 Share Posted 23 February, 2009 I think Wotte has already proved that he is much more flexible than Poortvliet and he has also recognised the folly of the strategy that we went with for the first 28 games. No doubt about it, he has said it, but more importantly he has demonstrated it with his team selections and tactics on the pitch. Whether he has the ability to deliver survival still remains to be seen, but there can be no doubt he is willing to try something different. But that wasn't the argument/debate. It was how much he contributed to the previous 28 games farce, and there can be no denying that he was in there with Jan and the others in the Revolutionary Coaching Set Up. Whether he is able to just throw away all the baggage from the first 28 games and move us forward is something we will have to judge him on in the run in. all very fair. it may have been that he took the lead on tactics etc and now is blaming Jan, IMHO very very unlikely but would suit some conspiracy theorist seeking to see the worst in saints, more likely, had involvement but Jan picked team, gave team talks, subs, tactics etc, lead on training Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oz Posted 24 February, 2009 Share Posted 24 February, 2009 cos wotte is **** as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 24 February, 2009 Author Share Posted 24 February, 2009 (edited) maybe because he was not in charge of the first team....unless I am wrong on that..? No, you're not wrong. Which is why I was careful not to say he was "in charge of the first team" in the first place. (I believe 'an influence on first team strategy' was the phrase of choice) Why is there an automatic assumption on here that when one questions what has happened in the past that one is somehow by default criticising the here-and-now? All I've done is highlight the fact that it was quite clear from the club's publicity drive, when Poortvliet and Wotte were installed, that the running of the club pitch-side was very much going to be a team effort (I haven't re-posted the various articles here for fear of repeating oneself for the umpteenth time but the 'evidence', for want of a less confrontational word, is out there). I simply believe that Wotte has performed a U-turn rather than the "nowt to do with me guv" quotes we've seen over the last few weeks. (IMHO). As I say, just because I'm highlighting what I perceive to be selective memory doesn't mean that I'm making a premature judgement on what Wotte is doing now. I actually think he may turn out to be good for us FWIW. Which all makes highlightling the scenic route it's taken to potentially arrive at the right appointment even more relevant. So, just to summarise, it is possible to be open minded as well as being observationally critical of past events. That said, it is more amusing if some people think otherwise, so, as you were.... Edited 24 February, 2009 by trousers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 24 February, 2009 Share Posted 24 February, 2009 cos wotte is **** as well! Is he? - sauce? :-) I prefer his own version... from his interview last week (and I paraphrase slightly) "He is a rubbish manager..... until results prove otherwise" And while he would not have been my choice, he is what we have until something changes at the top and so I TRULY hope that he proves himself wrong during the time he is with us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFC Forever Posted 24 February, 2009 Share Posted 24 February, 2009 I for one am hoping that wotte can do the job and do it well. Whether we stay up or not is not the main issue right now. We want to see our team improving enough to show a fighting spirit and some character. With the system now changed we have to believe in miracles being possible. Let's have a good game against Cardiff and start to believe the target can be reached. We need to be able to win another 5 games I feel to remain in the CCC. I pray that we do this and then start next seasson with a team of players both stronger and better prepared for the fight ahead than this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 24 February, 2009 Share Posted 24 February, 2009 (edited) If it was so obvious to Wotte that we needed to change tactics from "Poortvliet's" dogmatic system, then why did it take him 6 months to do something about it? As per the original OS articles when he and Poortvliet joined the club last summer, he had a remit which gave him influence on first team strategy. If he deserves credit for today's performance (which I don't doubt) then he also deserves equal criticism for keeping shtum for so long. IMHO of course. I do not have any secret sources but have read a lot of "reputable" threads on JP and MW on this site and in contact with others. But it goes like this. Originally (three years ago) RL was ready to sign Wotte as coach / manager. RL backed out at the last minute (oops Rupert) and signed Burley instead. George Burley here during two seasons before he went to Scotland. Then came Pearson who left after the summer, RL (reverting to his original plan) signed Wotte - but then (for some unknown reason ) brought in Poorfliet over him? Remember they were called the "gang of four " last summer with everyone interacting with all the players. Perhaps because of his seniority, international background, World Cup 78 etc, JP became boss and Wotte number 2. It seems they didn't like each other very much and JP ran the show his way, and Wotte kept an eye on the Reserves, (who results were considerably better than the first team !) The answer to your original question is: you don't criticise your boss in public - not if you want to keep the job that is - but there were obviously bad words between them, behind the scenes that never reached the ears of the media. Thankfully. Now MW has the reins over the whole squad, we'll see if he is better than JP. Come back in a month...... and you'll have your answer. Edited 25 February, 2009 by david in sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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