While true in this case, it's one of my favourite football clichés that a new manager/HC 'spoke well'. You never hear anyone go, 'Ohhh, he spoke really badly'.
Impressed with that - he was hugely respectful to what has come before this season (and before that) and understanding that his role is to keep the wheels turning, not to make wholesale changes.
Also felt he answered honestly. One slightly interesting moment when he said the conversations with the owners had started slowly - maybe a subtle reference to the fact he wasn't first choice. Equally I may be reading too much into it!
Certainly hit all the right notes. Developed a thick skin at Sunderland (won’t be a complete pushover), wants to maintain what’s been working and not enact wholesale change, paid tribute to the foundations laid etc etc. A lot to like about that first interview.
Unfair. Smith had come from a Premier League club and expected certain standards (golf-adjacent leisurewear and fans that understood defensive structure). He also encouraged Dave Farrell to wear red boots which was Brave in the Puma King dominated mid 1990s. Rethink needed!!
Free hit on Saturday so no pressure this week . I hope that he can keep Vokesy involved as that would be a good win for him. Vokes played at highest level and I could see him being groomed as part of our new world order to come along for the ride.
Very ‘style over real substance’ on the interview front (not a negative) and difficult to gage just what he’ll be like as a Head coach beyond the odd bits and pieces posted on other club forums.
I must say that our whole media packages have been upgraded to be much more polished although the autogenerated CCs that are littered with incorrect words should be tightened up for readability.
He seems like a solid guy, right PR answers for the moment and at least not a Steve Evans / Ian Evatt type personality.
Welcome aboard, although it all comes down to results in this business so be lucky!
He certainly comes across as a nice guy and an astute reader of the game. To my mind the key question is whether he has the commanding presence that will be needed with a squad bursting with expensive talent and - I imagine - big personalities.
There will be a lot of squad members who expect to play each week but won't be - Dodds will need to keep them all motivated and in a positive mindset in order to prevent dissent creeping in - and then be able to quickly stamp down on any grumbling before it leaves him feeling undermined. If he tries to be everyone's mate I think that might be harder to achieve.
Matt Bloomfield had a ruthless streak that meant he commanded respect. Plus he was Mr Wycombe - I wonder whether players have as much natural respect for coaches who have never played professionally (I honestly don't know - it didn't seem to affect Mark Warburton or Danny Cowley when winning). Matt was also manager so everyone knew the buck stopped with him, whereas Mike Dodds is head coach and therefore not top dog. If players have an issue do they go to him or to Dan Rice? If the latter, that could leave Dodds bypassed and again undermined.
I have every hope that his experience at Sunderland will have given him the answers to all this. But as I say, to my mind that will be his biggest challenge.
Was that the one held (I think) in the Centrespot? If so I remember going with my wife - who knows nothing about football, but a little bit about people - saying that he came across as a horrible, arrogant prick.
Comments
I was skeptical, but that interview has sold me to be fair.
While true in this case, it's one of my favourite football clichés that a new manager/HC 'spoke well'. You never hear anyone go, 'Ohhh, he spoke really badly'.
But yes, he seems like a humble bloke who's very clear about that needs to be done in the short term. Bring it on!
A good listen - I like him!
Impressed with that - he was hugely respectful to what has come before this season (and before that) and understanding that his role is to keep the wheels turning, not to make wholesale changes.
Also felt he answered honestly. One slightly interesting moment when he said the conversations with the owners had started slowly - maybe a subtle reference to the fact he wasn't first choice. Equally I may be reading too much into it!
Another observation: does Dan Rice's coat have enough pockets?
The only pockets that matter are Lommy's. Specifically their depth.
Maybe that's why Bloomfield fell out with him 😶
All good so far
Definitely like Doddsy's first interview.
Liked him saying we'll do what's best for SIXTEEN games.
Basically telling us we'll be promoted with one game left. Nice one.
You've set a good challenge there...to find the worst possible new manager press conference!
Maybe he bought it so he doesn’t have to pay for a bag when he goes on a plane.
Steve Mclaren, FC Twente and that weird accent thing
Not a manager then, but didn't Barton do the same when he signed for Marseille?
To be fair..... the new gaffa came across exceptionally well to me in that interview..... I think what he said was spot on.
I was on the fence about him.... but he's certainly got my full support.
He seems like a genuine bloke.... he's not too dissimilar to blooms in terms of personality and humility etc tbh
Ron Atkinson sitting in the wrong dugout when he took over at Forest was pretty good
Have you seen the Jamaica one?
Not his first press conference but an absolute all-timer from Steve Bruce here https://youtu.be/6pHtdyQKEfo?feature=shared
In his pea like brain he was speaking fluent French.
Lots of things to like about that. Seems smart, respectful, understands his own limitations. Very good.
Anyone concerned he may have a drug problem? He couldn’t stop talking about getting back on the grass.
Certainly hit all the right notes. Developed a thick skin at Sunderland (won’t be a complete pushover), wants to maintain what’s been working and not enact wholesale change, paid tribute to the foundations laid etc etc. A lot to like about that first interview.
I shudder when I remember Alan Smith's first meeting with the fans, when he clearly had little respect for his predecessor.
Good interview, liked a lot of what he had to say.
i just hope the amount of new players who’ve walked through the door in the last few weeks don’t become a hindrance.
Good luck Mike!
"Wanderers Worldwind"
Unfair. Smith had come from a Premier League club and expected certain standards (golf-adjacent leisurewear and fans that understood defensive structure). He also encouraged Dave Farrell to wear red boots which was Brave in the Puma King dominated mid 1990s. Rethink needed!!
Free hit on Saturday so no pressure this week . I hope that he can keep Vokesy involved as that would be a good win for him. Vokes played at highest level and I could see him being groomed as part of our new world order to come along for the ride.
Very ‘style over real substance’ on the interview front (not a negative) and difficult to gage just what he’ll be like as a Head coach beyond the odd bits and pieces posted on other club forums.
I must say that our whole media packages have been upgraded to be much more polished although the autogenerated CCs that are littered with incorrect words should be tightened up for readability.
He seems like a solid guy, right PR answers for the moment and at least not a Steve Evans / Ian Evatt type personality.
Welcome aboard, although it all comes down to results in this business so be lucky!
He certainly comes across as a nice guy and an astute reader of the game. To my mind the key question is whether he has the commanding presence that will be needed with a squad bursting with expensive talent and - I imagine - big personalities.
There will be a lot of squad members who expect to play each week but won't be - Dodds will need to keep them all motivated and in a positive mindset in order to prevent dissent creeping in - and then be able to quickly stamp down on any grumbling before it leaves him feeling undermined. If he tries to be everyone's mate I think that might be harder to achieve.
Matt Bloomfield had a ruthless streak that meant he commanded respect. Plus he was Mr Wycombe - I wonder whether players have as much natural respect for coaches who have never played professionally (I honestly don't know - it didn't seem to affect Mark Warburton or Danny Cowley when winning). Matt was also manager so everyone knew the buck stopped with him, whereas Mike Dodds is head coach and therefore not top dog. If players have an issue do they go to him or to Dan Rice? If the latter, that could leave Dodds bypassed and again undermined.
I have every hope that his experience at Sunderland will have given him the answers to all this. But as I say, to my mind that will be his biggest challenge.
Was that the one held (I think) in the Centrespot? If so I remember going with my wife - who knows nothing about football, but a little bit about people - saying that he came across as a horrible, arrogant prick.
How right she was.
Ah spoof account. Sorry I’d misjudged you previously - I thought you were being serious.
Well played.