tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33388979.post116463681212658532..comments2024-03-27T07:37:20.144+00:00Comments on electrichalibut.co.uk: sport thoughtselectrichalibuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14365477143816746297noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33388979.post-1164707038338688472006-11-28T09:43:00.000+00:002006-11-28T09:43:00.000+00:00I must admit to a certain amount of sympathy for R...I must admit to a certain amount of sympathy for Robbo - <I>every</I> picture of him in the paper for the last few months has been of him looking anguished in the stands with Rob Andrew just out of focus over his shoulder with a grim expression on his face. <BR/><BR/>I'd be surprised if they gave the England job to an "outsider" like Gatland or Mallett, but you never know. More likely Ashton will get it as "caretaker", or Andrew will "reluctantly" step in on a temporary basis. A serious conspiracy theorist might say they only parachuted Andrew in over Robinson's head to force him out....<BR/><BR/>Speaking of "caretaker managers"....that expression always used to puzzle me, as I assumed it was similar to "player manager" i.e. a player <I>and</I> a manager, "player coach" etc. So I envisaged the guy giving the team talk, sending the players out onto the pitch and then grabbing his mop and going to clean the toilets. Apparently that's not how it works.electrichalibuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14365477143816746297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33388979.post-1164701647558741182006-11-28T08:14:00.000+00:002006-11-28T08:14:00.000+00:00Regarding replacing Andy Robinson.Yes, like I said...Regarding replacing Andy Robinson.<BR/>Yes, like I said in a post, he <I>should</I> go. I DO NOT blame him in particular though, for England's woes. Never thought I'd say this about the tubby get, but I actually feel quite sorry for him. He took on an impossible job, and then effectively had all power taken from him with the appointments of people like John Wells and Squeaky.(I <I>do</I> understand he's not <I>blameless</I> though, FAR from it).<BR/>He should go for his own sake, as well as England's. And he should go back to Bath to help them - God knows they've got their own problems at the moment, but at least he'll be back at <I>home</I>.<BR/><BR/>If he walks (which I think he still should) or he's pushed, matters not in regard to a possible replacement.<BR/><BR/>You've mentioned 2 people who are being widely touted in the press to replace him. I suspect that 'Our Ricky' has made his intentions clear at Bris, and will KNOW that ALL of his good work will be rendered hypocritical should he leave. He will NOT go to England now. Maybe in a couple of years or so...?<BR/>As for Dean Ryan - possibly the same applies... and I personally think he just wouldn't want the job. Too much of a 'Leader' and not enough of a 'Manager' to fit in at "Haich-Queue" - a fact he SURELY must be aware of? You would think?<BR/><BR/>So that leaves the others being touted in the press.<BR/>ie Brian Ashton, Martin Johnson, Nick Mallet, Eddie Jones, Warran Gatland or Squeaky himself.<BR/><BR/>Warran Gatland would be a short term thing, and I don't suppose he'd enjoy the <I>pleasure</I> of working under the shambolic, archaic RFU either.I suspect that would rule him out. Same goes for Eddie Jones. (I don't think the RFU would contact <I>him</I> anyway.<BR/>Nick Mallet would be an unpopular choice - I wouls give the RFU some credit if they realise this, so THAT leaves Ashton, Johnson and Squeaky.<BR/><BR/>It's WAY too early for Martin Johnson, the second ugliest man in the world (second to Neil Jenkins) to be considering international management, and he's more of a leader too, (rather than a manager). He has repeatedly demonstrated both on and off the park his very short fuse - NOT the stuff the RFU want to work with.<BR/><BR/>So I think that basically leaves Ashton or Squeaky. I'm not convinced Ashton will take it on,because the WHOLE SETUP is a complete farce, and he must know it is, from the <I>inside</I> out.<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure they <I>CAN</I> replace Andy Robinson. I'm not sure if anyone would <I>want</I> the job at the moment. Apart from, perhaps, ONE PERSON...<BR/><BR/>Squeaky himself. <BR/><BR/>The 'Teeth Grinder' has recently been employed by the RFU to a job that I'm pretty sure even <I>he</I> couldn't summarise the job description of.<BR/>I think he'd just LOVE the chance to be 'ENGLAND'S SAVIOUR'. <BR/>If I had a bet on it, I'd plump for Rob Andrew. I certainly don't think he'd be the best at it, but I'm not sure if the farts at the RFU or the man himself are giving themselves much choice.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Just my take on the whole fiasco.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com