Harry Redknapp's first interview since leaving Spurs

[TheGreenLily]

I think he probably has a point re the 'intellectual coaches'. I remember being really impressed listening to AVB's first interview for Spurs, like, really really impressed by the eloquence and erudition of the man. But then it dawned on me, 'will he be able to communicate his ideas and theories to the players?' and 'will the players be able to translate this into consistent performances on the pitch?'.

I don't think I answered the question in my interior monologue. I think I just ignored it, annoyed at my sense of optimism being washed away by the realisation that English/Premiership footballers are spoilt little brats (particularly, I felt, the English lads at Spurs, Parker aside) and that any grand ideas AVB may have of transforming us into an English Porto would be strangled at birth by stubborn, spoilt, lazy players, reluctant to adapt to advanced coaching techniques.

But then it could be argued that Levy needs to stand by his manager to overcome the points you made, unlike Roman, and get rid of those players you describe so eloquently and truthfully.

This is why AVB needs time, mainly due to bring the youngsters though so that we really will be an English Porto. This IMO is more impartation than where we finish the season as long as it is not relegation, which I don't think will will happen.

 

[SpurSince57]

I think he probably has a point re the 'intellectual coaches'. I remember being really impressed listening to AVB's first interview for Spurs, like, really really impressed by the eloquence and erudition of the man. But then it dawned on me, 'will he be able to communicate his ideas and theories to the players?' and 'will the players be able to translate this into consistent performances on the pitch?'.

I don't think I answered the question in my interior monologue. I think I just ignored it, annoyed at my sense of optimism being washed away by the realisation that English/Premiership footballers are spoilt little brats (particularly, I felt, the English lads at Spurs, Parker aside) and that any grand ideas AVB may have of transforming us into an English Porto would be strangled at birth by stubborn, spoilt, lazy players, reluctant to adapt to advanced coaching techniques.

Yet every player interview I've read has been extremely positive about The Bearded Wonder and his methods, so you were worrying about nothing.

 

[Mullers]

Powerpoint is simply tool....you don't need it , but if you know how to use it as AVB does it can be a useful tool to help prepare players for game, you know tactics, oppositions strength's and weaknesses, that kind of thing. But then again I doubt Redknapp even knows what a computer is.

 

[StartingPrice]

Powerpoint is simply tool....you don't need it , but if you know how to use it as AVB does it can be a useful tool to help prepare players for game, you know tactics, oppositions strength's and weaknesses, that kind of thing. But then again I doubt Redknapp even knows what a computer is.

It was a bit of a sad comment, wasn't it.
Smacks of someone putting it in his head...something like they say we are at our best when we play 4-4-2, I didn't think we were but I played it and I was right, we weren't

Something like: 'Arry, yeah, listen M8, still can't believe they sacked you. You did nuffin' wrong. This jumped up Johnny foreigner they've replaced you with, he uses fackin' PowerPoints presentations to give his team-talk, jumped up twat. Fackin' ponce! What was wrong with your methods. you don't need nno fackin' Powerpoint presentation to manage. What the fack does he want to give a Powerpoint presentation for (that's valuable time talking and playing golf wasted). If I were you at gat at him about this - everytime we someone interviews you mention Powerpoint presentation at some stage - we'll bring this jumped up, Portu-geesee genger-heed to his knees in no time. Cheers, 'Aitch

 

[Mullers]

It was a bit of a sad comment, wasn't it.
Smacks of someone putting it in his head...something like they say we are at our best when we play 4-4-2, I didn't think we were but I played it and I was right, we weren't

Something like: 'Arry, yeah, listen M8, still can't believe they sacked you. You did nuffin' wrong. This jumped up Johnny foreigner they've replaced you with, he uses fackin' PowerPoints presentations to give his team-talk, jumped up twat. Fackin' ponce! What was wrong with your methods. you don't need nno fackin' Powerpoint presentation to manage. What the fack does he want to give a Powerpoint presentation for (that's valuable time talking and playing golf wasted). If I were you at gat at him about this - everytime we someone interviews you mention Powerpoint presentation at some stage - we'll bring this jumped up, Portu-geesee genger-heed to his knees in no time. Cheers, 'Aitch

He made similar noises when he replaced Ramos, It wouldn't surprise me if someone encouraged him to make such a comment but I'm sure he had no hesitation at jumping at the chance to do so.

 

[Sp3akerboxxx]

To be honest, some of those quotes epitomize the reason he needed to go. "I haven't seen many coaches who are better than me" - well then why did we always end up losing against the top teams if you are such a good coach? And how many other coaches HAVE you seen?

I'm sorry but football is a game of geometry, which immediately makes it pretty complex. The goal should be to simplify the message and instructions, but saying "it's a simple game" (which is a variant of "just kick it around" basically) - shows ignorance imo. You don't have to explain things in a complicated, mathematical way to players, but YOU have to understand it. By analogy, chess pieces don't need to understand the strategy of the player, or geometries and tactics of the game, they just need to go where you tell them. But you better believe that the person playing the game needs to understand the intricacies and be smart strategically or they will lose. No pro Chess player will say Chess is a simple game, but compared to football, it is played on a board that is what, 4 square feet at most?

But we didn't "always lose to the best teams", in actual fact it was Chelsea who had the worst record versus top 6 opponents last season out of the top 6.

 

[Harry_Snatch]

Managers like Don Revie were preparing massive dossiers decades ago.

Don Revie won a bunch with Leeds didn't he?

 

[StartingPrice]

He made similar noises when he replaced Ramos, It wouldn't surprise me if someone encouraged him to make such a comment but I'm sure he had no hesitation at jumping at the chance to do so.

Oh, yeah, I wasn't impying he needed much encouragement.
And, in all likelihood, he probably holds modern new fangled managers and their thingammijig computer fings with utter contempt
Just, in this instance, I was drawing attention to the meeja and their ridiculous axe-grinding and usage of anyone/anything in furtherance thereof

But we didn't "always lose to the best teams", in actual fact it was Chelsea who had the worst record versus top 6 opponents last season out of the top 6.

And they...er...finished...er...SIXTH

 

[StartingPrice]

Don Revie won a bunch with Leeds didn't he?

He did.
Fundamentally, there are two approaches, one of which is the meticulous attention to detail approach, as epitomoised by Mr Revie/Mourinho/AVB, and the other is the it's a simple game, don't over-complicate it, it's all about inspiration and relaxation and spontaneity, you stifle this if you overcomplicate it approach, epitomised by Cloughie/Aitch.
Which approach is more successful depends to a large degree in who is implementing it. Under Cloughie, the simple approach was a work of sheer genius, disguising the massive complexity of his brain's inner-workings. Under a mediocre manager, the meticulous approach can just seem like anal-retention.
IMHO, as said when others were criticising 'Arry, something inbetween the two is probably the ideal approch (hence comments about a cross between 'Arry and AVB being the perfect combination), though I am sure that most managers, while conforming to one stereotype, probably contain within themselves elements of the other, to a greater or lesser degree.

The problem I am trying to highlight, however, is the notion that being meticulous is something that came in with Mourinho and AVB. It didn't. Both approaches have been competing for many years - as with so many other issues, some folk just like to make one of a set of competing ideas seem traditional or new-fangled (depending on how they are presenting themselves) to prioritise their own opinion on which approach is better. They should be able to stand or fall in direct competition, without trying a cheap trick like that.

 

[Sp3akerboxxx]

Oh, yeah, I wasn't impying he needed much encouragement.
And, in all likelihood, he probably holds modern new fangled managers and their thingammijig computer fings with utter contempt
Just, in this instance, I was drawing attention to the meeja and their ridiculous axe-grinding and usage of anyone/anything in furtherance thereof



And they...er...finished...er...SIXTH

And remind me who was their manager for most of that season?

 

[Harry_Snatch]

He did.
Fundamentally, there are two approaches, one of which is the meticulous attention to detail approach, as epitomoised by Mr Revie/Mourinho/AVB, and the other is the it's a simple game, don't over-complicate it, it's all about inspiration and relaxation and spontaneity, you stifle this if you overcomplicate it approach, epitomised by Cloughie/Aitch.
Which approach is more successful depends to a large degree in who is implementing it. Under Cloughie, the simple approach was a work of sheer genius, disguising the massive complexity of his brain's inner-workings. Under a mediocre manager, the meticulous approach can just seem like anal-retention.
IMHO, as said when others were criticising 'Arry, something inbetween the two is probably the ideal approch (hence comments about a cross between 'Arry and AVB being the perfect combination), though I am sure that most managers, while conforming to one stereotype, probably contain within themselves elements of the other, to a greater or lesser degree.

The problem I am trying to highlight, however, is the notion that being meticulous is something that came in with Mourinho and AVB. It didn't. Both approaches have been competing for many years - as with so many other issues, some folk just like to make one of a set of competing ideas seem traditional or new-fangled (depending on how they are presenting themselves) to prioritise their own opinion on which approach is better. They should be able to stand or fall in direct competition, without trying a cheap trick like that.

I think if you have to try to be one of the 2 then you will fail. Clough was undoubtedly a natural at being clough and Jose the same. From watching AVB, he doesn't come off as anything but natural.
Generally people that need to be meticulous tend to have more respect for the simple approach because they wish they could be like that but they can't. People that keep it simple often try to rubbish the meticulous approach because they can't understand it. It's human nature tbh.

 

[StartingPrice]

And remind me who was their manager for most of that season?

Yes...but the fact that you seem to think it is a clincher points to just how indoctrinated you are by the meeja portratyal of his time at Chelsea.
He was hired to phase the veteran players out and make them more exciting. The owner stated repeatedly that finishing outside the top 4 was not a problem that season, including not long before sacking him. When he was sacked, Chelsea were 5th and well within touching distance of 4th - after he was sacked di Matteo had a lower points per game ratio and took them form 5th and within touching distance of 4th, to 6th and somewhat off the pace. The Chelsea dressing-room was poisonous for his predecessors, and shows signs of being poisonous for his successor. It was the first year of a project that was intended to be beneficial in the long-run not the short.
Of course he made mistakes, everyone does, but I think he is a better man and manager for his time at Chelsea and his experience in the EPL with them with benefit us.

I think if you have to try to be one of the 2 then you will fail. Clough was undoubtedly a natural at being clough and Jose the same. From watching AVB, he doesn't come off as anything but natural.
Generally people that need to be meticulous tend to have more respect for the simple approach because they wish they could be like that but they can't. People that keep it simple often try to rubbish the meticulous approach because they can't understand it. It's human nature tbh.

 

[King of Otters]

Yet every player interview I've read has been extremely positive about The Bearded Wonder and his methods, so you were worrying about nothing.

Oh dear. And what player interviews would they be exactly?

We have a squad of 25 players, how many do you claim to have heard interviews with praising AVB's methods?

Even discounting the glaringly obvious fact that player interviews are not at all indicative of the genuine feelings of the player in question, let alone those of the entire group.

Did any of our players come out and criticize Ramos' methods while he was at the club? No? Because to do so would be career suicide.

Ergo, your point is....pointless.

 

[King of Otters]

But then it could be argued that Levy needs to stand by his manager to overcome the points you made, unlike Roman, and get rid of those players you describe so eloquently and truthfully.

This is why AVB needs time, mainly due to bring the youngsters though so that we really will be an English Porto. This IMO is more impartation than where we finish the season as long as it is not relegation, which I don't think will will happen.

I agree entirely, but it takes a big chequebook to overhaul a squad and re-shape it in the image of the manager. Forget about signing players, you need to be able to take a hit on selling the 'spoilt brats' I referred to. Just look how long it's taken us to sell Jenas and Bentley ffs! And they're (effectively) still here!

 

[TheGreenLily]

I agree entirely, but it takes a big chequebook to overhaul a squad and re-shape it in the image of the manager. Forget about signing players, you need to be able to take a hit on selling the 'spoilt brats' I referred to. Just look how long it's taken us to sell Jenas and Bentley ffs! And they're (effectively) still here!

But not really a big check book, but rather having a good scouting system that can pinpoint the right players, so a manager like AVB can cast his magic spell and really bring them on.

Hence the dismissal of the head of scouting

 

[StartingPrice]

Oh dear. And what player interviews would they be exactly?

We have a squad of 25 players, how many do you claim to have heard interviews with praising AVB's methods?

Even discounting the glaringly obvious fact that player interviews are not at all indicative of the genuine feelings of the player in question, let alone those of the entire group.

Did any of our players come out and criticize Ramos' methods while he was at the club? No? Because to do so would be career suicide.

Ergo, your point is....pointless.

Not sure who you are replying to...but - Ramos stated publicly that we were absolutely not in a relegation battle, and almost immediately afterwards Jonathon Woodgate stated during a TV interview that this club is most definitely in a relegation battle. He may not of criticised Ramos's methods, but when a senior pro like Woody comes out and contradicts his manager so publicly, and in stating that the club (as a result of those methods) it pretty much publicly questioning the managers competence and methods (and also borders on challenging his authority) afaiac.

 

[Harry_Snatch]

Oh dear. And what player interviews would they be exactly?

We have a squad of 25 players, how many do you claim to have heard interviews with praising AVB's methods?

Even discounting the glaringly obvious fact that player interviews are not at all indicative of the genuine feelings of the player in question, let alone those of the entire group.

Did any of our players come out and criticize Ramos' methods while he was at the club? No? Because to do so would be career suicide.

Ergo, your point is....pointless.

Why would you choose not to believe player interviews but choose to believe a media portrayal of a manager that has been very different to the way he has come accross?

 

[King of Otters]

Not sure who you are replying to...but - Ramos stated publicly that we were absolutely not in a relegation battle, and almost immediately afterwards Jonathon Woodgate stated during a TV interview that this club is most definitely in a relegation battle. He may not of criticised Ramos's methods, but when a senior pro like Woody comes out and contradicts his manager so publicly, and in stating that the club (as a result of those methods) it pretty much publicly questioning the managers competence and methods (and also borders on challenging his authority) afaiac.

I was replying to the ever abrasive SS57. Yes, I remember that. And I would agree that in contradicting the manager like that you also undermine him to a certain extent. But that was one player, how many players at the club would have been concerned by Ramos' methods & lack of English but choose not to speak out? The vast majority I would imagine. I remember a little nod and a wink between Jenas & Bentley in the interview after the 4-4 at Arsenal in Harry's second game which suggested to me that they, whilst silent in public, had been active behind the scenes in undermining Ramos.

My point is that player interviews, on the official site or in the papers, are not an accurate gauge of the general current of feeling in the club. Players know how to play the game, they know what the fans want to hear and they also know it is utter madness to criticize a manager until he's out the door.

 

[King of Otters]

Why would you choose not to believe player interviews but choose to believe a media portrayal of a manager that has been very different to the way he has come accross?

er, who said I believe the media portrayal? Read the conversation back. I said I was concerned that the players would not adapt to AVB's advanced (compared to the 'arry regime) coaching techniques.

 

[StartingPrice]

I was replying to the ever abrasive SS57. Yes, I remember that. And I would agree that in contradicting the manager like that you also undermine him to a certain extent. But that was one player, how many players at the club would have been concerned by Ramos' methods & lack of English but choose not to speak out? The vast majority I would imagine. I remember a little nod and a wink between Jenas & Bentley in the interview after the 4-4 at Arsenal in Harry's second game which suggested to me that they, whilst silent in public, had been active behind the scenes in undermining Ramos.

My point is that player interviews, on the official site or in the papers, are not an accurate gauge of the general current of feeling in the club. Players know how to play the game, they know what the fans want to hear and they also know it is utter madness to criticize a manager until he's out the door.

You are obviously correct that up until things are drastically wrong, almost beyond repair, players are not gonna say Managwer X is a twat - but I think we can allow that in an nterview like this, Walker will say pretty much what he feels. He could have kept quite about training. He could have said it is rigorous, with no reference to Mr Rekdnapp's Old School methods. But he chose tosay exactly what he said, which suggests, if it doesn't outright state, that the players are (at present) happy with those methodologies.