GA did wonderful things for our club and was the right man for that period of time. We've moved on and I think most would see bringing GA in as a step back.
Hopefully we don't need to bring anyone in. It would be such a shame for MB to go through the rough times, only to leave as the good ones are properly starting.
The one I am worried about is Watford. It will be really annoying for Blooms to miss a week while managing the full seven day average there and returning.
Should Bloomfield move on (and fingers crossed he doesn’t) I’d be delighted to have Ainsworth back, but there’s no way he’d be the choice of the current owners.
I don't think it's fanciful to think that a club that has been a part of Matt Bloomfields life for 20 years has an insignificant part of his heart and headspace in making any decision.
If he was asked, I don't think he'd go, especially with the improvements he can see around the club on a day-to-day level.
If he DID, I'd take GA back, although I'm sure the owners would probably take an U23 coach from somewhere.
Bear in the mind the new ownership have no relationship with GA whatsoever, and barely a connecting thread now - not even too many players who played for him, let alone staff who worked with him.
As for MB, hopefully this ends in another extension, and a fat one, though that would not necessarily mean job security, as our owner could pay any sacking compensation without missing it.
This is an excellent point. MB is probably already on more as a L1 manager than he ever was as a player, but being a Champo manager could set up his family for the foreseeable.
Either way, I would not begrudge him going, even if I don't want it to happen.
Ainsworth is a legend at our club but there is no way I would want him back. Our football has moved on immeasurably in the time he has left. Far more pleasing on the eye and entertaining. Not sure Ainsworth has it in his kit bag to get us playing the football we’re witnessing now. Not convinced Bloomfield would go . Interesting on some betting sites , he doesn’t appear.
Hope life is treating you and your lovely family well. Often think back to those convivial chats and bants with you all, not forgetting best (?!) mate Martin, of course.
Love Gaz, but I'd be worried any 2nd time round couldn't possibly live up to the first time success wise.
What doesn't seem to have been mentioned though, is the idea that Gaz particularly wanted us to play up and at em football, rather than it being the most effective way with the players he had available.
We weren't anywhere near as agricultural in the championship were we? So why would we be now we clearly have much higher budget available then his days?
I believe Potter actually turned down Ajax, so it would be an interesting answer to a trivia question if he parlayed that confidence into joining a Champo relegation fight!
Having taking a temperature of Coventry fans on their forum and Twitter, I can confidently say they are a bunch of idio...er, informationally challenged supporters.
"Bloomfield? Never heard of him."
"If Coventry hire Bloomfield I am done - it would be a disgrace".
"Are you kidding me? He almost got Colchester relegated and had a 10th placed finish with Wycombe."
Very popular long-serving manager who took over a club in dire straits, got two promotions and almost got them to the Prem and the FA Cup FInal (VAR!!!) gets the push, fans not happy, Chairman announces the arrival of a fine young manager who has had a good first half of the season in League One. Fans back on board immediately with a brisk three cheers...
I think this is more it. He learned on the job as a manager, and had to be agricultural as that's the only style of play we could do effectively, with the players he could afford. He was hardly likely to play quick passing football with an attack of Paul Hayes and Garry Thompson. There were many times he and Dobbo showed they could switch it up, and showed it towards the back end of the Championship run.
When we got promoted there, the stat that we were rock bottom of the possession stats, and highest at getting the ball upfield quickly, was due to the players. We had Akinfenwa and JJ, and a fairly industrious midfield. We've now got a technically better squad, and I'm sure a smart manager could carry on coaching them to knock it around progressively. While we're playing more attractive football now, we're not some tiki-taka team dominating possession, as we tried to be last season. We do knock it around smartly, and then are very good at getting it quickly through the lines.
However, it's redundant, as Blooms isn't going anywhere.
The only way Gaz would come back...or possibly want to come back...was if he was asked to save our skin again, I reckon.
Like GA Blooms wants to establish himself and moving on from a club having achieved nowt I think he would consider failure.
If we get promotion or almost get promotion and he gets a lucrative call from a bigger club he might go...but I think job security, respect of the ownership and autonomy are not to be sniffed at.
Comments
Looking at the Coventry forum, it appears the following two things are true at the same time:
Did irony go out of fashion and I missed it?
Surely this comes down to cash?
He's got a family to think about. While I'm sure he made a decent living with us he probably didn't earn big money as a player.
If Coventry (or any club) offer him a financial package too good to refuse then the emotional tie to WWFC won't matter.
GA did wonderful things for our club and was the right man for that period of time. We've moved on and I think most would see bringing GA in as a step back.
Hopefully we don't need to bring anyone in. It would be such a shame for MB to go through the rough times, only to leave as the good ones are properly starting.
The one I am worried about is Watford. It will be really annoying for Blooms to miss a week while managing the full seven day average there and returning.
Should Bloomfield move on (and fingers crossed he doesn’t) I’d be delighted to have Ainsworth back, but there’s no way he’d be the choice of the current owners.
I don't think it's fanciful to think that a club that has been a part of Matt Bloomfields life for 20 years has an insignificant part of his heart and headspace in making any decision.
If he was asked, I don't think he'd go, especially with the improvements he can see around the club on a day-to-day level.
If he DID, I'd take GA back, although I'm sure the owners would probably take an U23 coach from somewhere.
Bear in the mind the new ownership have no relationship with GA whatsoever, and barely a connecting thread now - not even too many players who played for him, let alone staff who worked with him.
As for MB, hopefully this ends in another extension, and a fat one, though that would not necessarily mean job security, as our owner could pay any sacking compensation without missing it.
Just checked and the drive time is given as almost exactly same from Felixstowe to Coventry as it is Felixstowe to Adams Park or Harlington. Gulp.
@glasshalfempty
1. The Guardian article speculates Coventry are interested in MB.
2. There is no evidence Coventry have approached MB.
3. Odds on next manager are purely based on articles and internet message board speculation (until immediately before an appointment).
4. Put your feet up. Pour a glass of your favourite cola and enjoy silly season.
This is an excellent point. MB is probably already on more as a L1 manager than he ever was as a player, but being a Champo manager could set up his family for the foreseeable.
Either way, I would not begrudge him going, even if I don't want it to happen.
Ainsworth is a legend at our club but there is no way I would want him back. Our football has moved on immeasurably in the time he has left. Far more pleasing on the eye and entertaining. Not sure Ainsworth has it in his kit bag to get us playing the football we’re witnessing now. Not convinced Bloomfield would go . Interesting on some betting sites , he doesn’t appear.
Sounds eminently feasible to me @BlueBoy.
Hope life is treating you and your lovely family well. Often think back to those convivial chats and bants with you all, not forgetting best (?!) mate Martin, of course.
Matt Blooms Wikipedia page has him as The Cov. Manager and favourite on Oddschecker.
Love that they think they can get Potter.
Although Potter is in a difficult position for his next job and time is quickly motoring along...so maybe he might be tempted?
Love Gaz, but I'd be worried any 2nd time round couldn't possibly live up to the first time success wise.
What doesn't seem to have been mentioned though, is the idea that Gaz particularly wanted us to play up and at em football, rather than it being the most effective way with the players he had available.
We weren't anywhere near as agricultural in the championship were we? So why would we be now we clearly have much higher budget available then his days?
I believe Potter actually turned down Ajax, so it would be an interesting answer to a trivia question if he parlayed that confidence into joining a Champo relegation fight!
He's got to be looking at low end premier league, or top of championship.
I know Coventry were premier league in the 90s, but we're talking a long time ago now!
Having taking a temperature of Coventry fans on their forum and Twitter, I can confidently say they are a bunch of idio...er, informationally challenged supporters.
"Bloomfield? Never heard of him."
"If Coventry hire Bloomfield I am done - it would be a disgrace".
"Are you kidding me? He almost got Colchester relegated and had a 10th placed finish with Wycombe."
Paraphrasing, but you get the idea.
Very popular long-serving manager who took over a club in dire straits, got two promotions and almost got them to the Prem and the FA Cup FInal (VAR!!!) gets the push, fans not happy, Chairman announces the arrival of a fine young manager who has had a good first half of the season in League One. Fans back on board immediately with a brisk three cheers...
I may be wrong, but I don't see it.
I think you're right - his name still has some cache, being mentioned in the England frame (even if it is not clear if he was actually considered).
My bet would be someone like West Ham if they ditch their current floundering chap.
Shame it’s not down to the fans.
Coventry won the FA cup in 1987. With that level of success they can only expect the very best managers.
With the sacking of Robins, Blooms also moves up to 28th out of the 92 in tenure.
Surely he wants to get into the top five before leaving? 😁
I think this is more it. He learned on the job as a manager, and had to be agricultural as that's the only style of play we could do effectively, with the players he could afford. He was hardly likely to play quick passing football with an attack of Paul Hayes and Garry Thompson. There were many times he and Dobbo showed they could switch it up, and showed it towards the back end of the Championship run.
When we got promoted there, the stat that we were rock bottom of the possession stats, and highest at getting the ball upfield quickly, was due to the players. We had Akinfenwa and JJ, and a fairly industrious midfield. We've now got a technically better squad, and I'm sure a smart manager could carry on coaching them to knock it around progressively. While we're playing more attractive football now, we're not some tiki-taka team dominating possession, as we tried to be last season. We do knock it around smartly, and then are very good at getting it quickly through the lines.
However, it's redundant, as Blooms isn't going anywhere.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Bloomfield
Love that they think we're so massive that a 10th place finish in tier 3 of English football is an outrage
I was going to ask if we could have that in writing. Then I realised we already have it. You’d better be right @prufrock_91 !!
100%.
With Pierre and Stewart at times it was clear the tactic was take 1 touch then launch it.
Imagine having Low and Taylor instead, proper ball players.
We are truly blessed.
The only way Gaz would come back...or possibly want to come back...was if he was asked to save our skin again, I reckon.
Like GA Blooms wants to establish himself and moving on from a club having achieved nowt I think he would consider failure.
If we get promotion or almost get promotion and he gets a lucrative call from a bigger club he might go...but I think job security, respect of the ownership and autonomy are not to be sniffed at.