“Even on the best of days, you would be doing extremely well to go to the Hawthorns and get a result.”
They are a hard and organised unit, with several talented individuals who will take chances.
With West Brom sitting third in the league, how ironic that Tony Mowbray is after Peter Grant’s coaching skills.
It seems like such a long time has passed since Grant’s departure, and there is no doubt that matters have actually got worse for all involved with Norwich City.
There were 53 applicants for the job, with several ‘high-calibre` names according to the Turners.
The names being bandied about by the press have not screamed of ambition, but there are one or two names which could motivate a team and get them performing, as well as attract ‘names’ to our little outpost in deepest, darkest rural Norfolk.
One of these is Paul Jewell of course; the man we all want. His credentials speak for themselves, leaving the game on a high after keeping Wigan in the top flight.
His outspoken nature, likeable character and ability to get the best out of his players means that he is also being linked with the Middlesbrough job.
Now ask yourself this: would you rather steady a sinking ship and turn around a Championship club with little or no funds, or play in the Premier League with support from a committed and wealthy chairman in Steve Gibson, as well as a squad that includes Stewart Downing, Gaizka Mendieta, Mido and Jonathan Woodgate? Hmm, let me think…
The two names that have interested me most are Simon Grayson and Paul Ince.
Managerially, the two can hardly be separated in what they’ve achieved, so I’m using two key factors to tip the balance in favour of Ince.
He is an internationally renowned player, whose name will be familiar to most. This is vital as he doesn’t need to try hard to impress people. They will already have a high degree off respect for him.
Secondly, the MK Dons have been very easy on the eye recently with their pacy style, which is surely more akin to the way we want to play than Blackpool’s style.
I had my reservations about Ince but he seems to strike me as someone who gets things done. He’ll lay it on the line if he needs to, he has been brought up in an excellent football environment and he will appeal to players because of his glittering career.
I would see the Norwich job as a step up from the MK Dons, but whether Ince would is another matter.
A man who has similar qualities, but a less impressive collection of medals is Phil Parkinson.
While at Colchester, they were terrific. The team felt compelled to play for this young upstart who had plenty to say.
Winning 40% of his games at Layer Road, it was the fateful stint at Hull which derailed his young managerial career.
I was surprised he didn’t succeed at Hull, as he always impressed me with his demeanour and the type of football Colchester played under him.
Let us be in no doubt though, his appointment would be a huge risk and there are more than enough similarities to himself and fellow tough-tackling-midfielder-cum-coach Peter Grant.
I’ve also heard that people want an experienced manager to come in.
Well, there’s Glenn Roeder, who has plenty of experience at the top level of the game, but not much in the way of achievement.
Same goes for Peter Reid, whose career burnt out rather quickly after Sunderland.
Martin Allen is one we can’t discount, but I’ve heard that MK Dons are playing far better football under Ince than they ever did under Allen.
I think it would be a big shock if Tony Pulis left his far rosier situation at Stoke for the mess at Carrow Road.
There may well be a man out there that we have all discounted. A man who may fit the role, but who we never expected to come to the club. David O’Leary perhaps??