Quote: Cruncher "Or alternatively it just shows that people are impatient.'"
The lack of an earlier announcement has led to constant questioning of Nobby and IL on this and it doesn't really matter why they want to know or ask the question. It has become a story in itself and a distraction. The media has got what it thinks is a story and keeps plugging away.
Quote: Cruncher "The club has clearly taken the view that this season must finish before next season's business commences. And it's purely a matter of opinion whether that's the right way to do it, or the wrong way.
'"
It is but what I said was the constant questioning does IMO reinforce the opinion that an earlier announcement would have been the way to go.
Quote: Cruncher "I'm starting to think it's the wrong way, because - though I'm sure IL has the club's best interests at heart - it isn't going down well among a vocal section of the fans, and nonsensical conclusions like "it shows he's smug and arrogant" are the result. There's also the journalistic pique angle. Press men looking for a story - like Eddie and Stevo - are furious that they aren't getting one, and are becoming ever more strident in their criticism.'"
This is what I am getting at.
Quote: Cruncher "For IL's own sake, he perhaps should have seen this coming and made an announcement. I'm also concerned that this delay is raising expectations.'"
Perhaps he will do it differently next time.
Depending on the name in the frame it is raising and lowering expectations IMO and the latter is potentially dangerous commercially and to IL's reputation. You only have to look at the reaction in the thread on Sharp being the potential new coach. Before him most names in the ring were considered positive choices, even Wane to a degree. The fact there has been no announcement and Sharp is a free agent plus W/L/A's rumour shows the lack of knowledge can have the knives out for IL when he hasn't even made such an appointment - as far as we know! The lack of an announcement has done him no favours here.
Quote: Cruncher " Okay, we're always going to get idiotic rumours like Jon Sharpe is the next coach, but we've also had names like Des Hasler banded around - which are equally unfeasible but only serve to get people excited. If the eventual outcome is Shaun Wane, who I would love to see as assistant-coach but would have serious reservations about in the top job, then I feel there'll be a real sense of anti-climax, and again the fans will be peeved and the atmosphere poisoned.'"
I think had he announced Nobby was leaving a couple of months back and Wane was taking over it would have got much more of a positive reaction than it will if he is announced as coach once our season is over. The reason for this is all the speculation about coaches like Hasler has as you mentioned previously raised expectations so Wane will seem like a second best afterthought.
Unfortunately it would not be possible to do that though (announce Wane as coach while Nobby served his contract out) because it would be an impossible situation have your current coach sat there knowing the U21 coach had got his job. This is one scenario where you can't name the successor before the end of the season if the successor is from within the club, unless of course you actually sack the coach and install the assistant or U21 coach in his place.
This brings me back to my opinion that if a coach who is considered not good enough is coming to the end of his contract and you decide not to keep them on, then you are forced to sack them before the end of their contract unless you are prepared to do what IL is done which is maintain the no comment stance and put up with the flak.
It's a lot different to keeping on a successful coach to the end of contract who wishes to leave once his contract is up. In that scenario everybody knows the score because the coach has usually made his position clear and everyone knows he is off. When it's the opposite and everyone assumes (but does not know for certain) the coach is not wanted next season we get what we have got with Nobby and IL.
Dave
