SWINDON TOWN: Di Canio eyes magnificent seven

Town boss Paolo Di Canio Town boss Paolo Di Canio

PAOLO Di Canio has reminded everyone associated with Swindon Town of the rich pedigree of the Coventry squad ahead of the two teams’ meeting in League One tomorrow, claiming he would happily sign seven of the Sky Blues’ playing staff at the drop of a hat.

While the sides may occupy positions at opposite ends of the division at present, Coventry have been buoyed by the recent appointment of new manager Mark Robins and have won their last two matches.

But it is not only the revitalised dressing room that worries Di Canio.

What worries the Italian is an abundance of Championship, Premiership and even international experience - experience that Di Canio would love to have in his own squad - that has led him to suggest that the Midlands outfit are a lot stronger than their lowly 20th place suggests.

“If I read to you seven players that Coventry have in their squad, I would have every single one. Not because I don’t have good players but because I would have them for their pedigree, for their quality and their knowledge.

“I would have them to stretch my squad.

“(Gary) McSheffrey 40 Premiership appearances, 266 Championship appearances; (Kevin) Kilbane 325 Premiership appearances, 109 national appearances; (Stephen) Elliott 17 Premiership appearances, 141 Championship appearances; (David) McGoldrick 130 Championship appearances; (Richard) Wood 206 Championship appearances; (David) Bell 155 Championship appearances; (Joe) Murphy 155 Championship appearances.

“I don’t mention Cody McDonald - a talented player, I don’t mention (Callum) Ball.

“Now with a new manager you see they have a different discipline, you see they have won their last two games, this is the dimension.

“When we played Leyton Orient people forgot that there were three players on the field with over 300 games in the Championship and Premiership. How many have we got?

“Tommy Miller; Alan Navarro had a small experience last year; Jay McEveley. It doesn’t mean I underestimate my players but it means in one game, even if we are top, it stays 50-50.

“They have two or three players that in one moment of football can damage you.

“You can see in some situations when we are blurry those players come out and show that they are not blurry - Tommy and Jay McEveley in some way.

“The others, with all respect, when things go in some way don’t.”

Tomorrow represents the third time in succession that Town have come up against a team with a newly-appointed manager, following the clashes with Joe Dunne’s Colchester and Kevin Blackwell’s Bury.

Therefore Di Canio and his players are more than aware of the dangers of playing a side with a new-found sense of adventure, invention and effort.

“Since the manager arrived they have won two games and he has sent a straight message because he has not changed many players,” he said.

“He maybe wants to make this team more solid and that only through victories can they get the right mentality. It’s not coincidence that he played for Man United.

“You can see there is a better discipline, shape, a real 4-4-2, they have knowledge.

“Now he has brought in discipline, desire, a better work ethic you can see it is a different team.

“It’s no coincidence.

“They are just over the relegation zone but before he was in charge they were in the relegation zone and then two games - boom, boom.

“Like Colchester the change of manager means bringing in meritocracy and enthusiasm and that means a lot for their side.

“It is three times in a row now that we have met a team that changed their manager two weeks before and you can see the difference.

“Fortunately the last game we won but three in a row!

“They come with different enthusiasm. I wanted to meet them four weeks ago to be honest when I saw them play against Stevenage, I said I couldn’t wait.

“Now I want to play anyway because we play at home, we are going to play with determination but not it’s more tough - just like Colchester.”

Comments(37)

pdc does wot he wants says...
6:39am Fri 12 Oct 12

a little bit to much praise for my liking why is he trying to give there players confidence maybe he should big his own players up and give them some confidence. no doubt all those players have a lot of expirience but some of them are nearly past it thats why they are where they are in the league. we have a team that is 4th in the league in the last 16 of the league cup and he wants there players bit puzzling but if pdc had his own way he would have a squad of about 50 i suppose that is just his way . we will see how good they realy are tomorrow. 3-0 town please

old town robin says...
8:10am Fri 12 Oct 12

pdc does wot he wants wrote:
a little bit to much praise for my liking why is he trying to give there players confidence maybe he should big his own players up and give them some confidence. no doubt all those players have a lot of expirience but some of them are nearly past it thats why they are where they are in the league. we have a team that is 4th in the league in the last 16 of the league cup and he wants there players bit puzzling but if pdc had his own way he would have a squad of about 50 i suppose that is just his way . we will see how good they realy are tomorrow. 3-0 town please
I think it's Paolo's way to gee up his own players with a pep talk to go out and show them we are better than them. For some reason we always play better against good opposition rather than some of the lesser quality teams.

Regarding their quality, I can remember Mcsheffrey coming here in 03/04 when he looked like a young matt Ritchie on loan at Luton, he took us apart single handed as they won 1-3, I believe, looking forward to seeing a good game of football, should have opened up the bank, we are getting as bad as the Pox for being a stadium with 3 sides..

Another view says...
8:53am Fri 12 Oct 12

You're probably right, Old Town, our players only seem to provide that something special on the big occassions, so he's building up the Coventry game.

Can you imagine what life must be like for Mrs PDC?? He gets home just in time to see his daughter then his wife go to bed.

Then he settles down, flack jacket on to get the atmosphere, pizza and bottle of peroni - not to watch a blue movie like most of us - but to watch yet another video of our next opponents!!!

The family will of course sleep with ear plugs in because of the inevitable kicking the dug-out, sorry, the leg of the settee gets.

Beyond the call of duty...?

SAPFanSTFC says...
8:58am Fri 12 Oct 12

Another view wrote:
You're probably right, Old Town, our players only seem to provide that something special on the big occassions, so he's building up the Coventry game.

Can you imagine what life must be like for Mrs PDC?? He gets home just in time to see his daughter then his wife go to bed.

Then he settles down, flack jacket on to get the atmosphere, pizza and bottle of peroni - not to watch a blue movie like most of us - but to watch yet another video of our next opponents!!!

The family will of course sleep with ear plugs in because of the inevitable kicking the dug-out, sorry, the leg of the settee gets.

Beyond the call of duty...?
:-)
---.
I hate to think how many hours he puts in....a very detailed view on most of the players as well.....his commitment and effort can never be doubted.
---.
Hate to say it but I can see a draw this Saturday....just get the feeling that we have had a bad rub of the green with the last three opponents all having new management.

Malkym says...
9:00am Fri 12 Oct 12

What I want to know is why he is trying to sign Brynner Bronson Coburn McQueen Vaughn Dexter & Buchholz hasn't he got enough strikers!

the don69 says...
9:07am Fri 12 Oct 12

Let me remind you Paolo!that the Magnificent so called seven!and the rest of the Coventry squad,are fifth from bottom!struggling,ha
ve only got 11 points,after getting relegated and are nothing special!anyone would think we're playing Blo*dy Barca tomorrow,get a grip man whats the matter with you??????????????

oncearedalwaysared says...
9:09am Fri 12 Oct 12

Agree with oldtown, we have approached our last two home games as bankers for the three points. I also see this as PDC's way of sending a message to the team that if they treat Coventry the same way as they did Orient and Colchester we will lose, let alone draw. Phsycology of the highest order in my view. Well done PDC, and good luck tomorrow.

madterrier says...
9:18am Fri 12 Oct 12

I think the only reason you might want some of those players is if you owned a knackers yard.

Stilloyal says...
9:29am Fri 12 Oct 12

the don69 wrote:
Let me remind you Paolo!that the Magnificent so called seven!and the rest of the Coventry squad,are fifth from bottom!struggling,ha ve only got 11 points,after getting relegated and are nothing special!anyone would think we're playing Blo*dy Barca tomorrow,get a grip man whats the matter with you??????????????
Yep just like struggling Orient and struggling Colchester.
He's spot on to be wary, Coventry are revitalised with their new manager as is nearly always the case.
Paolo doesn't want a hat trick of home defeats by a club that is apparantly struggling.

Coventry are far better than the previous two teams that beat us at home. We have to be on our game and play proper football not kick the bl00dy thing up in the air all the time as we did against Colchester.

the don69 says...
9:37am Fri 12 Oct 12

Stilloyal wrote:
the don69 wrote:
Let me remind you Paolo!that the Magnificent so called seven!and the rest of the Coventry squad,are fifth from bottom!struggling,ha ve only got 11 points,after getting relegated and are nothing special!anyone would think we're playing Blo*dy Barca tomorrow,get a grip man whats the matter with you??????????????
Yep just like struggling Orient and struggling Colchester.
He's spot on to be wary, Coventry are revitalised with their new manager as is nearly always the case.
Paolo doesn't want a hat trick of home defeats by a club that is apparantly struggling.

Coventry are far better than the previous two teams that beat us at home. We have to be on our game and play proper football not kick the bl00dy thing up in the air all the time as we did against Colchester.
Spot on to be wary Loyal!but Magnificent?I don't think so,good job he's not in a shoot-out with the real Magnificent Seven!McQueen,Bronso
n,Brynner and the boys,he would be in trouble!LOL!!!!!!

pdc does wot he wants says...
10:13am Fri 12 Oct 12

on a different note with williams out, time for bostock to get a go. last season he was quality in the last couple of games just behind benson and if it is pace paolo wants then i will be very supprised if storey isnt on the bench tomorrow. well i hope so anyway because if you think williams is quick then you aint seen nothing yet!

SeanG92 says...
10:36am Fri 12 Oct 12

I think this is Paolo taking the pressure away from his players, and putting it o Coventry. He is basically saying that they are favorites, that they should be out playing us, that we should worry about not being the better side on the day.

Tactical mind games from Paolo. Very clever :)

the wizard says...
11:19am Fri 12 Oct 12

I don't think he is terribly confident of two things, the team he is putting out tomorrow, and getting a result which will keep folk happy.

I hope we put up a solid performance and 1-0 will be enough. What I am fearful of is if they put five across the middle and we don't adapt.

Hoping to be travelling home after the game celebrating a solid home win.

mallorca says...
11:22am Fri 12 Oct 12

Time for Pdc to concentrate on his fit players, as to the magnificent 7 dunno yes he might be winding his players up????
I feel he needs to give them belief and encouragement.No reason why they cannot WIN
COME ON YOU REDS

mallorca says...
11:55am Fri 12 Oct 12

Change of subjetc.
How can Pompey continue to sign loan players week in week out when there in admin I think about to fold an owe mega Money?????
Is it the emergency thing?or because there getting mega gates think average is 12000 home gates.
Here we are in embargo due to 1.5% and are banned from signing players.
Mind you is probably a correct thing as our squad is on the large side.
Just wondered why Pompey have been allowed to do this

mallorca says...
11:55am Fri 12 Oct 12

Change of subjetc.
How can Pompey continue to sign loan players week in week out when there in admin I think about to fold an owe mega Money?????
Is it the emergency thing?or because there getting mega gates think average is 12000 home gates.
Here we are in embargo due to 1.5% and are banned from signing players.
Mind you is probably a correct thing as our squad is on the large side.
Just wondered why Pompey have been allowed to do this

hornet says...
12:35pm Fri 12 Oct 12

SeanG92 wrote:
I think this is Paolo taking the pressure away from his players, and putting it o Coventry. He is basically saying that they are favorites, that they should be out playing us, that we should worry about not being the better side on the day.

Tactical mind games from Paolo. Very clever :)
Not that clever considering Paolo has already mouthed off again last week telling his whole squad he can't even replace the kit man as he has spent all the money .?

Malkym says...
12:38pm Fri 12 Oct 12

the don69 wrote:
Stilloyal wrote:
the don69 wrote: Let me remind you Paolo!that the Magnificent so called seven!and the rest of the Coventry squad,are fifth from bottom!struggling,ha ve only got 11 points,after getting relegated and are nothing special!anyone would think we're playing Blo*dy Barca tomorrow,get a grip man whats the matter with you??????????????
Yep just like struggling Orient and struggling Colchester. He's spot on to be wary, Coventry are revitalised with their new manager as is nearly always the case. Paolo doesn't want a hat trick of home defeats by a club that is apparantly struggling. Coventry are far better than the previous two teams that beat us at home. We have to be on our game and play proper football not kick the bl00dy thing up in the air all the time as we did against Colchester.
Spot on to be wary Loyal!but Magnificent?I don't think so,good job he's not in a shoot-out with the real Magnificent Seven!McQueen,Bronso n,Brynner and the boys,he would be in trouble!LOL!!!!!!
You plagiarising posts again Don - see my 9.00 am post lol!

the don69 says...
1:14pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Malkym wrote:
the don69 wrote:
Stilloyal wrote:
the don69 wrote: Let me remind you Paolo!that the Magnificent so called seven!and the rest of the Coventry squad,are fifth from bottom!struggling,ha ve only got 11 points,after getting relegated and are nothing special!anyone would think we're playing Blo*dy Barca tomorrow,get a grip man whats the matter with you??????????????
Yep just like struggling Orient and struggling Colchester. He's spot on to be wary, Coventry are revitalised with their new manager as is nearly always the case. Paolo doesn't want a hat trick of home defeats by a club that is apparantly struggling. Coventry are far better than the previous two teams that beat us at home. We have to be on our game and play proper football not kick the bl00dy thing up in the air all the time as we did against Colchester.
Spot on to be wary Loyal!but Magnificent?I don't think so,good job he's not in a shoot-out with the real Magnificent Seven!McQueen,Bronso n,Brynner and the boys,he would be in trouble!LOL!!!!!!
You plagiarising posts again Don - see my 9.00 am post lol!
I'll call mine the Magnificent Seven rides again!Malky!LOL!!!!!
!!!!!!!

mike1990 says...
1:29pm Fri 12 Oct 12

the don69 wrote:
Malkym wrote:
the don69 wrote:
Stilloyal wrote:
the don69 wrote: Let me remind you Paolo!that the Magnificent so called seven!and the rest of the Coventry squad,are fifth from bottom!struggling,ha ve only got 11 points,after getting relegated and are nothing special!anyone would think we're playing Blo*dy Barca tomorrow,get a grip man whats the matter with you??????????????
Yep just like struggling Orient and struggling Colchester. He's spot on to be wary, Coventry are revitalised with their new manager as is nearly always the case. Paolo doesn't want a hat trick of home defeats by a club that is apparantly struggling. Coventry are far better than the previous two teams that beat us at home. We have to be on our game and play proper football not kick the bl00dy thing up in the air all the time as we did against Colchester.
Spot on to be wary Loyal!but Magnificent?I don't think so,good job he's not in a shoot-out with the real Magnificent Seven!McQueen,Bronso n,Brynner and the boys,he would be in trouble!LOL!!!!!!
You plagiarising posts again Don - see my 9.00 am post lol!
I'll call mine the Magnificent Seven rides again!Malky!LOL!!!!!

!!!!!!!
PDC will be referring to the Hole in the wall Gang next.

London Red says...
2:09pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Certainly a case of damned if you do damned if you don’t with PdC – for some on here there is nothing he can actually do right!
.
No that doesn’t mean he is always right before it is said – but likewise it doesn’t mean he is always wrong either!
.
Now if anyone on here thinks we have the best 23 players in league 1 or better still the best 4 forwards, best 4 wingers, best 4 CBs etc – you are living in some strange universe! Here’s a big news flash we DON’T!!!
.
How many teams would Chris Smith walk straight into? Supermairne are where?
.
Why did Rooney go to L2 and not L1? (can’t be a “rivals” thing as Risser went to Stevenage!)
.
Yes we have some fantastic players and a very good squad and I bet Robins (and all other mangers in L1) will be saying a similar thing about our own Wes, Ritchie, McEveley, Roberts, Miller, Ferry etc – in fact the Carlilse manager publically did!!!!!
.
However, I for one would much prefer McSheffery to be challenging Roberts for the left wing spot than either RDV or Rooney – why as he is quality and proven that at the highest levels. No disrespect to our lads –but why did PdC sign Roberts? The same reason applies to someone like McSheffery!
.
Likewise I would much rather Murphy as Wes’ understudy than Bedwell – no disrespect to the lad but as others have said many many times on here he is not experienced enough to take over – yet Murphy is and has expereince at L1, Championship and U21 levels!
.
Likewise McGoldrick, Elliott or McDonald (who has been my main target as a forward for us since PdC arrived – and one he went for!) would be much better for us than Storey as 4th choice or higher – again no disprespct to Storey but these guys have loads of games under their belt and goals at all levels – so are far more likely to fire us up than he would
.
So why would he be wrong to say he would have them here as they WOULD improve our squad! Just as players from other teams would as well – I would certainly want Jake Cassidy here and hope we are looking at him in January!!!!!
.
Also as other have said it is also pschology to shift pressure – nothing wrong with that – unless of course it backfires!
.
Finally the comments about Coventry being near the bottom are just as stupid as the comments about Tranmere and Stevenage being promoted already – it’s a long old season as as we have seen many times before the league come May looks totally different to October!
.
Otherwise just think every single side in L2 last year would have called us a joke side when we were near the bottom (remember some said we were heading to the BSP last September!) - only for us to rampage up through the league and win it easily in the end!
.
Orient are another prime example – a joke side bottom with no wins yet since (and including) 8 September they have 5 wins, 1 draw and only 2 defeats in 8 games!!!!

Oi Den! says...
3:19pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Was just thinking... maybe we should all concentrate a bit less on what the manager says and a bit more on what his team does - and I've been as guilty as anyone of picking PDC's comments to pieces. In these days of instant media, there's a continual demand for quotes from managers and players. To be frank, I think the less you hear from somebody, the more likely it will be that what you do hear is worth listening to. That's why the likes of me and a few others on here are capable of boring the pants off people. Sometimes we just have too much to say. So perhaps we should cut PDC and the players some slack, accept that they have to say something in answer to the media's questions, and that the answers cannot always be what we want to hear.

smirg kcab says...
3:43pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Let's send them all to Coventry .
Onwards and upwards

Stilloyal says...
4:49pm Fri 12 Oct 12

mallorca wrote:
Change of subjetc. How can Pompey continue to sign loan players week in week out when there in admin I think about to fold an owe mega Money????? Is it the emergency thing?or because there getting mega gates think average is 12000 home gates. Here we are in embargo due to 1.5% and are banned from signing players. Mind you is probably a correct thing as our squad is on the large side. Just wondered why Pompey have been allowed to do this
Possibly because they're only signed on one month deals mate.

DarrenSTFCRomain says...
6:18pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Is it me or is Paolo saying that we will lose tomorrow?.
OR is he in someway hopeing we lose so he can say more about the enbargo?..
.
Just looks a bit strange to me..
I wish he would praise are players up like he has theres.instead of saying the things that he says about his own players....
You know the ones that hw signed...

bongiaz says...
7:14pm Fri 12 Oct 12

the don69 wrote:
Let me remind you Paolo!that the Magnificent so called seven!and the rest of the Coventry squad,are fifth from bottom!struggling,ha

ve only got 11 points,after getting relegated and are nothing special!anyone would think we're playing Blo*dy Barca tomorrow,get a grip man whats the matter with you??????????????
Have you ever thought he may be playing mind games with his opponents? Obviously you have fallen straight into PDC's trap I hope Coventry do the same thing!!

the wizard says...
8:01pm Fri 12 Oct 12

DarrenSTFCRomain wrote:
Is it me or is Paolo saying that we will lose tomorrow?.
OR is he in someway hopeing we lose so he can say more about the enbargo?..
.
Just looks a bit strange to me..
I wish he would praise are players up like he has theres.instead of saying the things that he says about his own players....
You know the ones that hw signed...
I read it two or three times, went back to it again and read it twice before my post.

Seemed to me that he was paving the way towards explaining another home defeat. Not happy about his mind set I must admit.

I'll take a 1-0 home win or a draw especially if they put five in the middle, something which we seem to struggle with.

Should we loose I quite expect a few dummies will get spat out in the aftermath, he will say, " I needa more play-yers, they no geeve me more play-yers, so we lose-a the game"

DarrenSTFCRomain says...
8:20pm Fri 12 Oct 12

So would i take a home win...
and as for ccfc playing 5 in the middle thats a dead sert as every team in are division knows how we play?.

southside7 says...
9:57pm Fri 12 Oct 12

If there's 5 in the middle again we're hoofball f+cked. Hopefully, unlike David Cameron, Paolo will realise we need a pla B

the wizard says...
10:02pm Fri 12 Oct 12

southside7 wrote:
If there's 5 in the middle again we're hoofball f+cked. Hopefully, unlike David Cameron, Paolo will realise we need a pla B
I certainly hope so, A Plan B is essential as the season wears on, if other sides can adapt then so must we.
Still hoping for a good home win.

joey butler says...
10:10pm Fri 12 Oct 12

London Red wrote:
Certainly a case of damned if you do damned if you don’t with PdC – for some on here there is nothing he can actually do right!
.
No that doesn’t mean he is always right before it is said – but likewise it doesn’t mean he is always wrong either!
.
Now if anyone on here thinks we have the best 23 players in league 1 or better still the best 4 forwards, best 4 wingers, best 4 CBs etc – you are living in some strange universe! Here’s a big news flash we DON’T!!!
.
How many teams would Chris Smith walk straight into? Supermairne are where?
.
Why did Rooney go to L2 and not L1? (can’t be a “rivals” thing as Risser went to Stevenage!)
.
Yes we have some fantastic players and a very good squad and I bet Robins (and all other mangers in L1) will be saying a similar thing about our own Wes, Ritchie, McEveley, Roberts, Miller, Ferry etc – in fact the Carlilse manager publically did!!!!!
.
However, I for one would much prefer McSheffery to be challenging Roberts for the left wing spot than either RDV or Rooney – why as he is quality and proven that at the highest levels. No disrespect to our lads –but why did PdC sign Roberts? The same reason applies to someone like McSheffery!
.
Likewise I would much rather Murphy as Wes’ understudy than Bedwell – no disrespect to the lad but as others have said many many times on here he is not experienced enough to take over – yet Murphy is and has expereince at L1, Championship and U21 levels!
.
Likewise McGoldrick, Elliott or McDonald (who has been my main target as a forward for us since PdC arrived – and one he went for!) would be much better for us than Storey as 4th choice or higher – again no disprespct to Storey but these guys have loads of games under their belt and goals at all levels – so are far more likely to fire us up than he would
.
So why would he be wrong to say he would have them here as they WOULD improve our squad! Just as players from other teams would as well – I would certainly want Jake Cassidy here and hope we are looking at him in January!!!!!
.
Also as other have said it is also pschology to shift pressure – nothing wrong with that – unless of course it backfires!
.
Finally the comments about Coventry being near the bottom are just as stupid as the comments about Tranmere and Stevenage being promoted already – it’s a long old season as as we have seen many times before the league come May looks totally different to October!
.
Otherwise just think every single side in L2 last year would have called us a joke side when we were near the bottom (remember some said we were heading to the BSP last September!) - only for us to rampage up through the league and win it easily in the end!
.
Orient are another prime example – a joke side bottom with no wins yet since (and including) 8 September they have 5 wins, 1 draw and only 2 defeats in 8 games!!!!
Very Sorry London Red, but I was trying to read your above post earlier and it goes on so long, I fell asleep.

When I woke up, I read your post again but surprise, fell asleep yet again.

Having now given up London Red, I am going to watch my DVD of Ben Hur instead, much more interesting than your latest post!!!!

southside7 says...
10:44pm Fri 12 Oct 12

the wizard wrote:
southside7 wrote:
If there's 5 in the middle again we're hoofball f+cked. Hopefully, unlike David Cameron, Paolo will realise we need a pla B
I certainly hope so, A Plan B is essential as the season wears on, if other sides can adapt then so must we.
Still hoping for a good home win.
It must hurt Paolo more than any of us as we all know he loves good quality football rather than the Sunday League hoof city we've seen at times this season.

As an aside, Malpas was on 5live this afternoon talking about Jock Stein. Felt sorry for the old fella. I know I'm gonna get slated for this, but didn't see the hoofball with him, played it on the ground.

the wizard says...
11:19pm Fri 12 Oct 12

southside7 wrote:
the wizard wrote:
southside7 wrote:
If there's 5 in the middle again we're hoofball f+cked. Hopefully, unlike David Cameron, Paolo will realise we need a pla B
I certainly hope so, A Plan B is essential as the season wears on, if other sides can adapt then so must we.
Still hoping for a good home win.
It must hurt Paolo more than any of us as we all know he loves good quality football rather than the Sunday League hoof city we've seen at times this season.

As an aside, Malpas was on 5live this afternoon talking about Jock Stein. Felt sorry for the old fella. I know I'm gonna get slated for this, but didn't see the hoofball with him, played it on the ground.
Since the start of the year 2000 we have had a span of 12 managers, Malpas included up to the present day.

Some are maybe best forgot, but I wonder how they think of today's set up, it would be certainly interesting to hear a few views and comparisons of how they had to work and juggle players around.

the wizard says...
11:42pm Fri 12 Oct 12

I should add to the above that I counted Andy Kings two tenures as separate, so perhaps 11 people in 12 vacancies

bowralbob says...
11:49pm Fri 12 Oct 12

I have just returned to Australia after seeing my beloved Swindonr loose 2 of the 3 home games I went to see.
My thoughts are very mixed. How can a team play so well and beat Bournmouth so easily and yet struggle against LO and Colchester?
I think it must be a mindset problem as we can play attractive cutting edge football when we WANT to.
It appears the DESIRE to win is not always present and leads to a lackluster performance.
As an analogy a Mini driven with skill and flat out will beat a Porsche Boxter driven at half power and without passion.
More desire to win from one and all we will be top 6 otherwise mid table without it.
I also wonder if PDC might need a little more help? Does he need a right hand man who can be the fall guy when things go wrong? You can't take it out on the players every time as moral is greatly affected.
The Brian Clough /Peter Taylor management style springs to mind. Charismatic, outspoken and often controversial, Clough is considered one of the great managers of the English game. Yet it was Peter Taylor who made it possible he was there to work in the background and steady the ship.
As they say two heads ARE better than one.

Wilesy says...
12:11am Sat 13 Oct 12

Good stats compiled by Paolo on the Championship pedigree, but to be fair we have quite a few ourselves, don't forget Ward has played at a good level as well. We also have one or two besides Jay, Miller, Navarro that haven't played or haven't played much at that level but should be able to compete eg Wes, Ritchie, Bessone, Bostock, Ward etc.

One area we don't have experience is up front, Benson's exp is at lower leagues and Collins and Williams are League 2 and 1. I was a bit surprised we didn't push the boat out for an experienced striker of Championship quality in the summer, but can't complain at what we've got although it would be nice to see them bag a few more. Maybe this is the loan position Paolo is keen to strengthen in, although I would definitely give Bostock a go before looking elsewhere.

mancrobin says...
12:52am Sat 13 Oct 12

bowralbob wrote:
I have just returned to Australia after seeing my beloved Swindonr loose 2 of the 3 home games I went to see.
My thoughts are very mixed. How can a team play so well and beat Bournmouth so easily and yet struggle against LO and Colchester?
I think it must be a mindset problem as we can play attractive cutting edge football when we WANT to.
It appears the DESIRE to win is not always present and leads to a lackluster performance.
As an analogy a Mini driven with skill and flat out will beat a Porsche Boxter driven at half power and without passion.
More desire to win from one and all we will be top 6 otherwise mid table without it.
I also wonder if PDC might need a little more help? Does he need a right hand man who can be the fall guy when things go wrong? You can't take it out on the players every time as moral is greatly affected.
The Brian Clough /Peter Taylor management style springs to mind. Charismatic, outspoken and often controversial, Clough is considered one of the great managers of the English game. Yet it was Peter Taylor who made it possible he was there to work in the background and steady the ship.
As they say two heads ARE better than one.
I think that's an excellent observation Bowralbob (what's the story behind that name!?). Many Managerial legends have had a sidekick or a well stocked bootroom (eg Livrpool).

DiCanio has brought over some backroom staff from Italy but they appear very technical. Not like Taylor who had a nose for good players and an ability to mitigate the excesses of Clough with the egos of some of the prima donnas.

You've put your finger on Paolo's biggest failing. I think he had the chance to create that relationship with Paul Bodin but that clearly hasn't happened.

I suspect he cannot share power with anybody? His ability to do so will determine whether he becomes a great manager or not.

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