brooklyngooner said:
I'll amend my statement to say they're some of the better ones, but the idea that they're the best fans around is a fabrication,
Well I never claimed they were the best of the best, just one of them and better than Bolton's.
As for Allardyce, it's not a matter of getting into Europe, which he could do, but do it regularly and make a dent when it happened. Robson had a European pedigree; Allardyce has little. Getting past the group stages of the UEFA Cup isn't terribly impressive given that more often than not you're playing teams like Guimaraes who are going to get relegated from the Portuguese Superliga.
Just getting a team like Bolton into Europe in the first place is impressive. We can't forget who we're talking about here, it's not like it's Spurs coasting along playing crappy European opposition they were always going to beat, the UEFA Cup would still be quite the challenge to most Premiership clubs, Bolton included. A not very interesting challenge to my mind, but difficult all the same.
I don't think European experience is that crucial though to be honest. Everyone has to take their first step into the Champions League at some point, Newcastle might be an attractive team to a lot of managers, but they're not so big that they can expect to bring in someone like Capello or whatever like Man Utd or Arsenal might if they were after a new manager. Even with Allardyce I don't think Newcastle fans should even consider the Champions League for another two or three years, there's already 5 really good teams going for those 4 spots. Even if they can get up to that level, UEFA Cup is the more likely destination I feel. Which Sam already has some experience of and he can gain more European experience there before, in a few years time, they MIGHT be able to get into the Champions League.
As I say though, I don't think the experience is that crucial. Just as some players can walk straight into management at a high level and do really well, managers who ahven't been in Europe much can join a team expecting to do well there and fulfill those expectations. Look at Mark Hughes. He immediately went into international management and did a great job with Wales, came to Blackburn having never take charge of any domestic club and is working wonders. Stuart Pearce was on the coaching staff at City for a few years, but hadn't even come close to managing a team. Despite losing the likes of Anelka and Wright-Phillips he's done very well, they certainly haven't lost any form despite losing such good players.
If Newcastle want to be the big club they claim to be, and be regular European adventurers, it's not so much that Fat Sam isn't the man as there are many other qualified candidates to do it with more European experience and demonstrated tactical nous.
Are there? Does anyone really want Sven anymore? Has he shown any particular tactical nous, or has he shown that sometimes he does things right but also has the ability to put out formations that make even the best players perform poorly? Not to mention he can't keep his mouth shut, and GOD know show he'd handle the big personalities at Newcastle.
Shearer has no experience at all (as I say that's not a terrible thing, but if we're talking who's better qualified), Curbishley has no European experience and I think is a worse domestic manager than Allardyce anyway, Steve Bruce has done pretty well at birmimgham before this year but again certainly not as well as Sam has.
Hughes, Jewell and Pearce are doing very well at their respective clubs, but all lack experience in places Sam has it and in many ways are still learning the game (maybe that's unfair for Jewell). Moyes get Everton into Europe and promptly crashed out, he can't seem to decide if he's a good manager or bad, I really can't see them taking Keegan back however well he did last time.
Van Gaal is taking over at AZ Alkmaar, Hiddink already manages PSV and Australia and I don't see why Newcastle would appeal over that, if I was him it'd take one of the top 4 or 5 clubs to bring me to England.
I'm going through the bookies favourites there btw. The only one I've left out is Martin O'Neill, who's just behind Sam. He's probably the best choice, who would actually be willing to go there. I'd pick him without a shadow of a doubt...if his personal circumstances allow it. If not...and some super qualified manager who wants the job doesn't magically appear...I think Sam's the best choice.
