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Reply | Alan Nixon reporting that McKenna is Brentford's ideal candidate....
at 22:50 12 Jun 2025
The reality is that it is very hard to keep a manager if a club a division higher come calling. Not impossible, but fans tend to talk themselves into their club being more attractive than it is. If I had a pound for every time a manager leaves for a higher league and fans call him a snake or say something like "I thought he would have wanted to stay for the project and build something."
For managers, they all know that the same fans who go on about loyalty will want rid of them if results turn. McKenna is a bit of a unique case as he has a double promotion followed by a relegation from a desperately hard Prem, so lots of credit in the bank. But managers are not guaranteed tomorrow, so I never blame them for moving for what they see as a better opportunity. They are not commodities, and have personal careers to think about. From the biased perspective of a football fan it is shocking when the manager of "their club" moves on, but it is perfectly natural, especially in a world where managers will be sacked at the drop of a hat.
If McKenna stays, it speaks volumes about how he sees Ipswich Town, as Premier League jobs are very difficult to come by, especially for British and Irish managers. So McKenna staying would signal (to me, anyway) that he is fully committed to Ipswich and would only leave (in the short term) for a top, top Prem job (or in the medium to long term if he fails to get Ipswich up this coming season, maybe). [Post edited 12 Jun 22:54]
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Reply | Cameron Humphreys with another goal for Wycombe this evening
at 23:00 3 Dec 2024
Wycombe fan here - he has been brilliant for us. The long winning streak ended, but we were 0-2 down away and he was a big part of getting us back to a point.
Hopefully he has developed well and can benefit you next season (though I suspect you will loan him to the Champo if you stay in the PL). |
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Reply | Any whisky connoisseurs on here?
at 02:35 1 Nov 2024
A second for Ardbeg! The 10 year is my staple, but the Corry and the Oogie are both superb.
I have found that a lot of scotch hobbyists start with the more accessible bourbon/sherry cask whiskys, but then eventually discover Islay and get way into those scotches, before eventually settling on a balance of both.
If you want to try some fantastic Irish, I would recommend Redbreast. |
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Reply | Cam Humphreys - wow
at 20:05 25 Aug 2024
I think it's all down to the injuries, unfortunately. He was brought in to be the starting LB / LWB last season, but only made 12 starts owing to the various knocks and injuries, so he never really generated any momentum. We knew going into the season that he was injury-prone, and sadly it turned out that way with us too. We let him continue training with us while he looked for a club, but it is going to be tough for him. Awful, as he seems a lovely lad and very talented, if he could just stay healthy! [Post edited 25 Aug 2024 20:06]
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Reply | Cam Humphreys - wow
at 20:02 25 Aug 2024
Bloomfield brought him on as a 10, which he stated after the game is further forward than he would usually plan to use him, but it worked out well! It would not surprise me if he stays there after that performance, as it is a position of need too. [Post edited 25 Aug 2024 20:03]
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Reply | Cam Humphreys - wow
at 23:22 24 Aug 2024
Wycombe fan here - an absolutely sensational debut! We were turgid before he came on, and the game literally turned on a swivel from night to day after he touched the ball for the first time and we looked dynamic and positive.
We have a history of developing top loanees well - Potts from West Ham last season won our POTS and of course we gave Eze his league debut too. Hopefully we can benefit you while also kicking on ourselves.
I am sure a lot of you know the Ipswich connections we have, with our manager Matt Bloomfield being a lifelong Ipswich fan and academy graduate, making a single Ipswich appearance before his 558 games for us (hence 'Mr. Wycombe') and having coached your youth while still playing for us. Our head of recruitment was also taken from Ipswich, so hopefully the connections stay strong.
All the best for this season - any neutral fan with a soul was delighted that you went up, and despite the two defeats, the level of opposition and the way you played overall suggests you are going to make a serious fist of it. It is brilliant to see Ipswich in the top flight. Maybe because I got into football around Panini 1986 with John Wark's moustache as a star and it just seems like you belong, but either way, it brings the world back into balance. Good luckl [Post edited 24 Aug 2024 23:25]
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Reply | Mc K now 5/4 for utd ...and that's the best price available not the shortest
at 19:47 25 May 2024
I know a lot of people know this (as stated above by some) but just to summarize.
1. Bookies exist to make a profit from punters.
2. They do not set odds based on what they think will happen, but where they think the money will come in to make them a profit.
3. Odds moving can mean something as simple as bookies feeling overexposed at a given number, or not having brought enough money in.
Obviously, you do see odds suddenly shoot up for someone right before they are hired when information is leaked, but when it is in the "will they, won't they" stage like the United job, the above rules apply. |
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Reply | The human element
at 20:20 24 May 2024
I would happily "hurt like hell" for a Man United payout - and not have to work with that damaged squad again! |
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Reply | Your 10/10 Girlfriend
at 18:36 24 May 2024
Joking apart, the analogy does not really work. To be more realistic to the McKenna scenario, it would be:
You are a small independent modelling agency, and you discover a 10/10 beauty. Models are ambitious, and rarely last long at one agency anyway, but you hang on to her for two and a half years while she becomes more and more known.
Eventually, her beauty is such that two of the biggest modelling agencies in the world come in and chuck money at her to join, which is inevitable eventually anyway.
Instead of understanding how the world works, you and your employees cry over it, and wonder how she could possibly have wanted to further her career elsewhere when you just love her soooooo much. Life is soooooooo unfair and she is not what you thought she was. Waaah.
You then find all the photos of her at the last Xmas party and cut out her face from each one. That will show her! [Post edited 24 May 2024 18:37]
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Reply | McKenna......out?
at 00:36 24 May 2024
It really is shocking that a successful manager might get a better job, and is receiving offers as such. Everyone know you should always stay at the original club where you have success and never leave, even if it less money and less career growth.
If McKenna goes, it should be with nothing but thanks. Is there a single fan who would not have taken this scenario two seasons ago? |
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Reply | If Brighton,Chelsea and Man Utd decide against appointing McKenna then what next
at 21:06 23 May 2024
I would say I am amazed that so many football fans are unaware of such obvious realities as "success means bigger clubs will eye up your manager" and "when big clubs come calling with serious money and opportunities, up and coming managers will seriously consider it" but I have seen it too many times from too many fans of too many clubs.
"Why would manager X want to leave Torquay after a great season and go to Doncaster?"
"Why would manager X want to leave Doncaster after a great season and go to Hull?"
"Why would manager X want to leave Hull after a great season and go to Palace?"
"Why would manager X want to leave Palace after a great season and go to Arsenal?"
There is a clue in there somewhere. If Ipswich lose McKenna and go for a manager further down, Ipswich fans would be aghast if that manager did not have the ambition to leave his current role and move to Portman Road.
Successful managers get mouth watering opportunities which hurt their current club when they leave. It's annoying, irritating, and sometimes infuriating, but it is reality. [Post edited 23 May 2024 21:09]
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Reply | The myth of "no loyalty"
at 22:58 22 May 2024
Spot on!
It is always painful to be a stepping stone club (which almost every club is outside of the big dogs), especially when you are cut off at the knees after success, but there is more than one principle covering the situation. For McKenna, this might be the best chance he ever gets to step up - for all he knows, he is yesterday's news a year from now.
I just hope McKenna is looked upon fondly even if he leaves, with some understanding of the dynamics. Bear in mind too, there is every chance Ipswich raid a lower club for THEIR successful manager to replace him. |
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Thread | The myth of "no loyalty"
at 20:27 22 May 2024
If McKenna leaves, there will be lots of tut tutting and cries of "no loyalty in football any more". However, this only ever happens when a club has been successful and therefore the manager is in demand. The fans have generally not had to show any loyalty because again, it has been a period of success. If McKenna had looked like taking the club down into L2 instead of starting the current climb, would anyone have insisted on being loyal to him?
Ultimately, fans prioritize their club (rightly), so they have no loyalty to a manager who may damage the club. Managers know this, so they strike while the iron is hot in their careers, as there may be no tomorrow for them if things go badly.
A great recent example of this is Oxford and Liam Manning. The following sequence happened:
1. Karl Robinson is doing well - fan loyalty.
2. Robinson stops doing well - fans say "get rid" despite his long tenure.
3. Liam Manning is doing well at MK.
4. MK lose all their loanees and start battling relegation. Manning is fired.
5. Oxford hire Manning and start off well - fan loyalty.
6. Manning gets great Champo offer - remembers the fickle nature of the sport - leaves.
7. Fans bleat about no loyalty.
8. Oxford hire Des Buckingham.
9. Buckingham starts badly - fans say "get rid".
10. Oxford stick with Des anyway and get promoted - fans crow about how great he is.
Football is just a fickle, fickle beast, and fans cannot chide managers for no loyalty when they will want a manager gone as soon as they hit an indifferent patch.
I hope McKenna stays, but if he goes it is the reality of the sport (unfortunately), not some heinous betrayal. |
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