Best Of

Dodds fits the profile of a head coach (not manager) that will be judged on their ability to implement tactics defined by a Director of Football, and get the most out of players signed on criteria by the DoF as being suited to those tactics. My old man used the phrase "nodding dog", which may or may not be fair.

It's hard to imagine any established managers with a strong personality wanting to take a job like that, and Bloomfield's departure seemed inevitable if this is indeed the profile of head coach Dan Rice has in mind.

He’s a way off. Was caught game watching a few times and physically looked half a yard off the pace.

He was probably enjoying his end of season break when he got signed so it’s not a surprise.

Totally agree with your last sentence. Franco for me has some significant limitations and I don’t think he’s good enough for the Championship. Norris would be a great signing.

Give me an up and coming young coach anytime over a 'name' manager who might want to change things that aren't broke so they can do things their way.

MO'N, Ainsworth and Blooms were all relatively untested. Sm*th had all the experience in the world.

If it is to be Dodds , a coach as opposed to an existing manager, unlikely to have the normal entourage of first team coach, goalkeeper coach etc etc, I wonder if the club will find room for Vokes in the management team. Personally, I would have thought it would be a good move as he understands the culture of the club. I assume Grace will go back to his normal role.

I’d be more than happy with this type of appointment. A long way from the dreaded big names that worried me.

The majority of successful managers began their careers as a coach, the list is endless. They start with youth teams, acquire the necessary coaching qualifications and gradually get experience in senior football. I have no idea if Dodds is joining us or whether or not he’s the right fit, but anyone entrusted with leading the first team at a huge club like Sunderland is clearly a man to be respected.

I always expected us to go for someone we'd never really heard of, but half expected it to be a foreign coach. Reading between the lines online he is an excellent coach and very popular with the players. We have to give him a chance people !

Gaz and Blooms didn't exactly have a lot of experience when they were appointed.

Also, he's not Ian Evatt or Lee Johnson !!

On Norris, hearing things are quite advanced.

Is Francos distribution good ? I think his kicking has been pretty poor recently. Look im not his biggest fan, I've made that pretty obvious, but even I have warmed to him slightly as there's no doubt he pulls off some fantastic saves, like he did yesterday, he has kept us in some games for sure. But for me he just looks so nervous and a bit weak still when crosses come into the area.