| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… 00:46 - Apr 27 with 5514 views | charlie1 |
…. then what an inspired, and brave, choice.
You’d think he would have had a decent (for League 1) amount of money available to make the appointment. Could have easily thrown that money at a high-profile old head to try and appease his bosses with a higher likelihood of promotion than a largely unheard of young coach who had never managed before.
He bought vision, clarity, calmness, passion, intelligence, an abundance of talent and, from everything I’ve seen so far, a huge amount of potential.
Hindsight tells us what an excellent appointment McKenna has been, but the courage to take the gamble in the first place can’t be understated. |  | | |  |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 10:01 - Apr 27 with 1416 views | woodbridge_blue |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 08:52 - Apr 27 by CityBlue |
hindsight tells us what a great appointment Ashton was! |
Which of course, begs the question, who is responsible for appointing Mark Ashton? | | | |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 10:11 - Apr 27 with 1389 views | Bluesky |
As I said elsewhere - he should take a lap of honour on Saturday - and slap a few hands. |  | | |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 10:29 - Apr 27 with 1359 views | tractorboy1978 |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 09:51 - Apr 27 by Steve_M |
Nope, he blamed the players already here when we ended up further from the playoffs than we were when he arrived and, by the time he was sacked, had started blaming the players signed in the Summer.
With the money we spent we should have been bringing in very good players for this level. |
I think it's been proven beyond doubt that Richardson was a huge part of Cook's previous success. Add in Anthony Barry (ex-Chelsea and taken to Bayern by Tuchel) and you can see why it really clicked at Wigan. He didn't get his coaching team right here. | | | |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 10:30 - Apr 27 with 1356 views | portmanking |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 10:29 - Apr 27 by tractorboy1978 |
I think it's been proven beyond doubt that Richardson was a huge part of Cook's previous success. Add in Anthony Barry (ex-Chelsea and taken to Bayern by Tuchel) and you can see why it really clicked at Wigan. He didn't get his coaching team right here. |
Yep, I think it's clear to see that, at Wigan, Cook was the motivator and Richardson/Barry were the brains behind the operation. | | | |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 12:10 - Apr 27 with 1289 views | LegendofthePhoenix |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 09:48 - Apr 27 by Steve_M |
Nah. |
What's your reasoning SteveM? Ashton has been relentless. He works from stupid o clock to stupid o clock for this club. He has listened to fans, and former players. Engaged with the community, the owners, and of course the management team. Made brave decisions when needed. Keeps well out of Kieran's decisions on teams. Ensured investment in areas that needed it after decades of decline. It's hard to think of a single thing Ashton has done wrong.
After we secure promotion, hopefully on Saturday, I for one would be very happy to join in a rousing chorus of appreciation. |  |
| |
| Judgement is the thing on 12:29 - Apr 27 with 1255 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Judgement is the thing on 09:29 - Apr 27 by Dyland |
Ashton's no genius but he has good football knowledge and nous. He's also ambitious and those ambitions match the owners. It's a good fit, and is clearly going well for the time being.
Does he have a bit of an ego? For sure, but I don't mind that, as long as there are checks and balancing acts, which there seem to be in O'Leary etc.
I like Ashton. He's got balls, gives a sh1t, and is thus far doing a cracking job chief execing our footy club. I don't care if he comes across a bit cheese roll, I don't live or work with the bloke. |
Agreed with all of that. If I did live with him I'd be softening the edges of that beard a bit, but thankfully I don't have to worry about that.
He's doing a great job so far. Just to 'get' what fits our club from the off is no mean feat. I mean, what bleedin idiot would think the circus of Keane would fit us? |  |
| |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 12:45 - Apr 27 with 1240 views | Freddies_Ears |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 10:01 - Apr 27 by woodbridge_blue |
Which of course, begs the question, who is responsible for appointing Mark Ashton? |
Mike O'Leary. They have worked together previously, starting at West Brom.
My best guess is that they were looking for a new project, with O'Leary taking the lead as Ashton was conflicted due to his role at BCFC. O'Leary was involved in ghe deal to take over ITFC from the very start of the due diligence process, long before anything was public. | | | |
| Don't disagree with the sentiment on 15:39 - Apr 27 with 1174 views | itfcjoe |
| Don't disagree with the sentiment on 09:36 - Apr 27 by Dyland |
Cook was a bit a patsy if you look at what's gone down in hindsight, and possibly a necessary one to give McK the best possible chance.
I certainly feel no ill will towards Cook for what went down here, notwithstanding some allegedly poor treatment of certain players shown the door.
As commented though, his backroom staff ethos was as prehistoric as it comes. |
It seemed a classic Jocks v Nerds problem - where in every area of the club a huge amount was being made about how well qualified people were, which degrees they had, further studies, different languages learned
And then for potentially the most important role the backroom staff were Gary Roberts with zero coaching badges and Ian Craney who gave up on his to go back and be a baker. There seemed no genuine career planning from them to go into coaching, just a something to do type mentality without the requisite basics and fundamentals learned |  |
| |
Login to get fewer ads
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 19:36 - Apr 27 with 1089 views | Steve_M |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 12:10 - Apr 27 by LegendofthePhoenix |
What's your reasoning SteveM? Ashton has been relentless. He works from stupid o clock to stupid o clock for this club. He has listened to fans, and former players. Engaged with the community, the owners, and of course the management team. Made brave decisions when needed. Keeps well out of Kieran's decisions on teams. Ensured investment in areas that needed it after decades of decline. It's hard to think of a single thing Ashton has done wrong.
After we secure promotion, hopefully on Saturday, I for one would be very happy to join in a rousing chorus of appreciation. |
Basically that’s his job though, I’m happy to give him - and the owners - applause for that but a song seems a bit much. Just as the Bristol City fans calling him the devil incarnate were way over the top, then we’re essentially judging Ashton by on pitch results. |  |
| |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 19:41 - Apr 27 with 1079 views | Keno |
Oh Marky Ashton you are the love of life ........ |  |
| |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 22:33 - Apr 27 with 1032 views | Charlie_pl_baxter |
Was it McKenna or the interim team that went three at the back last season? Thought that was good mgt whoever it was, recognised we didn't have the players for the previous system and changed it. |  |
| |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 22:43 - Apr 27 with 1016 views | clive_baker |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 19:41 - Apr 27 by Keno |
Oh Marky Ashton you are the love of life ........ |
Super, super Mark
Super Marky Ashton
Marky. You just know it.
Ffs. |  |
| |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 06:45 - Apr 28 with 939 views | Deano69 |
MA had been tracking KMs career for a while and had him in his sights from day one. He said it would have been easier to have appointed a stalwart, well known name but it doesn’t fit with what we are trying to do here. A talented, ambitious and hungry manager was as he described him. What a coupe, in fact the pair of them. |  |
| |
| If Ashton was the one to ultimately choose McKenna… on 06:53 - Apr 28 with 938 views | PioneerBlue |
Yes there is a lot of focus on KMcK. Yes MA and his considerable risk has been paying dividends on the pitch and it’s inspired the club but if we haven’t understood it’s not about individuals we haven’t been listening hard enough. It’s a massive collective effort off and on pitch to get this club pointing in the right direction, this includes us the supporters.
The stand out thing with KMcK is the obvious quality of the backroom team, fitness and warm ups are another level, the GK, Defensive, Midfield and Attacking coaching units have all built capability and delivered pretty consistently.
All this is for another day, we’ve achieved nothing yet!
One game at a time. | |
| |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
