Readers comment: 3rd September 2004
N.B I have come in for some criticism
over my comments regarding the idea of Terry Venables taking over
as Sir Bobby's replacement and although I stand by them I have decided
to publish the following e-mail (with consent of course) that I received
from someone who doesn't share my thoughts on El Tel, just to show
that this website is as it says - a supporters forum & E-zine.
Of course I will use this website to promote who I would like as manager
(Ottmar Hitzfeld), but I would never deny a fellow supporter to have
his/her say. Anyway check it out... (but don't agree ;)
By Paul Davidson
I feel I need to write in having read your quite damning appraisal
of Terry Venables and although he isn't at the top of my own list,
that would be Celtic's Martin O'Neill, I can see a level of reasoning
behind the idea of bringing in El Tel as a short-term option. An option
I'm not dead-set against if it allows for time to pass so that we
can bring in the right long-term man for the job.
Many notions have been put forward to build a case as to why our beleaguered
Chairman would opt for the "cockney barrow boy", the "charlatan"
as this web site has reveled in labeling him as, but the one overriding
notion that seems to escape many people's attention is that Shepherd's
first choice simply isn't available yet. That choice I believe (and
hope) is Celtic's Martin O'Neill. I don't for one minute believe that
Alan Shearer is set to take over after this season ends and that El
Tel is to be appointed as his "mentor" in the meantime.
After all our so-called string pulling Captain today announced that
he is too young for the job.
If as I hope and believe, that our first choice option isn't available
just yet, then what is so wrong about bringing in a man who has had
success with such a short-term interim job before? With our local
rivals Middlesbrough of all clubs.
I seem to remember he stopped the rot and saved them from relegation
and although I'm not hinting that we are in such a position, because
we aren't, we never the less need someone to steady a tossing ship.
And Terry Venables is exactly the man to come in and bring calm and
order to our club. I'd much rather see El Tel in the dugout for a
few months if it meant we get our man as it were at the end of the
season rather than seeing a 3rd or even 4th choice man brought in
simply because our first choice wasn't available for a few months.
Terry Venables may have his faults and may not be a man of morals
and etiquette but his coaching skills can't be questioned. He has
proved at Middlesbrough that he can shape a solid defensive unit with
a bunch of misfits, strays and wannabees to work with. What's to say
he can't do it at Newcastle where, individually, we have a good group
of players who just need a man who can organise them and get them
playing as a team. He's available, prepared and experienced to do
such a job and if this is what it takes for us to get a man of Martin
O'Neill's calibre to the club who will be a long term answer then
by all means bring in El Tel Freddy. I for one would support this.
Regards, Paul Davidson
More of your e-mails regarding who you would like to replace
Sir Bobby here
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