Post by garyspeedloyal on Aug 23, 2010 14:41:11 GMT
As we approach the latter end of 2010, which is classed as the first year of the second decade of the millenium I would like to canvass opinion of how the past year has gone and how we are looking as far ahead as 2019, the last year of the decade.
1. The FAW: I cannot believe that we are still going alarmingly backwards since Mark Hughes introduced professionalism and organisation to the governing body of our game. Our website, ticket marketing, delayed departure of the Millenium Stadium, merchandising and whole Modus Operandi is down to a body of people who will make the effort to turn up at internationals in their ties and blazers but to do next to nothing in between matches. The appointment of Brian Flynn, Umbro making the new kit and making good (undisclosed) monies from televison rights is all we can be greatful for within the last couple of years.
2. The television rights:
If the Sky deal has brought us so much revenue then why havent we had the revenue in place to have parted company with John Toshack. Since Sky have shown our matches the crowds have dipped, the public are unaware of what progress we are making, the public very rarely know where the matches are and the Welshness about BBC 2 coverage has not been replicated.
If the surplus monies has gone into developing the long term and we benefit in 2016 in France at the European Championships then so be it. Personally the FAW took the money to cover their own shortfalls when in came to marketing the 'brand' in the post Mark Hughes era.
3. Toshacks competitive era:
I am told by reliable sources that this was the first time John Toshack had ever been interviewed for a job and was the outstanding candidate. Gerrad Houllier wanted the post but for 2 years only. I cannot think of any player from the Mark Hughes era who has openly said the current gaffer is better in any shape or form than Mark Hughes, nor can I think of a time during John Toshack's era where I thought the whole nation, squad and staff belive any where near success is achievable. Toshack has not embraced the public, crowds are way down, the players have no look on him and his staff, Brian Flynn apart do not inspire youth, dynamism or creativity. A poor era that with an injury free run could see us win the Carling 4 Nations and qualify for Euro 2012, somehow, despite this now being his squad I feel he is not motivated enough to succeed and thus in turn this runs through to the players.
4. Craig Bellamy:
My personal favourite Welsh player since Denmark under Bobby Gould, Gary Speed is an absolute legen but Bellers deserves a whole amount of plaudits for the way he has handled the John Toshack era. Craig Bellamy has been called all kinds of things over the years but not dim, thick or stupid. I know that last October our National Team Manager, minus mobile phone, wanted rid of our current captain for being far too disruptive, injury prone and absent. Mr Toshack was desperate for our most high profile player to retire and then cast him in the role of villain.
I was actually told by an FAW Council member that he would not be back playing for Wales. But our captain stood firm and made himself un droppable, kept his council and watched events unfold to the point whre if he were dropped or criticised now the whole of Cardiff City's fan base would turn on our manager as opposed to when Craig Bellamy was marginalised at Manchester City under Roberto Mancini and under Mark Hughes where a dialogue break down caused the Montenegro pilava. Our No.1 player who should one day write a book on the John Toshack era.
Personally I am waitng for the Mick McCarthy/Roy Keane situation between manager and captain. A proud Welshman who has scored more goals than the manager did for his country, played at a higher level for longer than his manager and and won more caps for his country than his manager. His honesty has been refreshing at times and his commitment always 100%.
I must admit I was hurt when he said playing for Cardiff City would achieve more than playing 100 times for Wales, if Craig Bellamy played for Wales 100 time the last 30 caps would be under a different manager and with a more mature side around him. At 36 he could still do a fine job at France 2016.
If Craig Bellamy had played for either Manchester United or Liverpool his profile would have been higher, the fact he will win morwe caps than Ryan Giggs should not go un noticed as Giggs never had the injury issues Craig Bellamy did.
5. Backroom Staff:
Mark Hughes backroom staff have gone on to work at a higher lever than Dean Saunders and Roy Evans will do when they leave the Welsh set up. I only hope the next guy in Toshacks seat finds room for Brian Flynn and employs people who are young hungry and in touch with the modern way of thinking.
6. The next 10 years:
Gareth Bale, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, James Collins will all have played European football this season. If you compare the team that beat Italy in 2002 to the one that should line up against England in 2011 then we could give the Italian slayers a game. The side that beat Italy had John Hartson, Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Gary Speed all playing Champions League football, I would say that the Craig Belamy of now and Bale, Ramsey, Ledley as quartet could match the aforementioned.
The future has never looked better, even more so if the right manager is appointed. Before we all get excited, just remember this lot, the FAW Council appointed Gould and Toshack.
7. The League of Wales:
This one time potential hot bed of talent has produced very little league talent of note since Mark Delany came through.
Is any body accountable? This is the FAW, probably not.
I would risk a wager that more time is spent filling in applications and expense claims by FAW Council members than developing our national league.
8. Euro 2012:
Potentially our best ever side is about to play England twice in the space of 6 months, we have some of the Premierships most talked about players, some good Cahampionship players, the Carling 4 Nations in Ireland and still no hype or promotion.
Perhaps we should hire a Chief Exec.
9. Johnathan Ford:
As M People once sang 'What have you today, to make me feel proud' 8 Months into the job and still........
10. The FAW Strategic Plan:
No accountability, no formula and no real chance of succeeding.
The biggest joke is the plan to hold a European Competition final in 2013, either Champions League Final or Europa League final.
Where? We dont own the Millenium Stadium and all we have done is criticise it, oh and by the way can we host a major final on the worse footballing surface in the UK apart from Wembley.
This document was probably rushed out to keep the WAG quiet.
I am hoping that all the above will be pushed to one side as we hit the ground running and gain 9 points from the opening games with Craig Bellamy starring in all 3. We needed the Luxembourg game prior to the serious stuff, hopefully Bale and Bellamy will play all 3 opening matches otherwise we can forget it.
Toshack, its your campaign, its your squad, its your last chance, you can hide behind the young players left behind, but you cant behind the fact you have not given us one tidy campaign since being in office. Not even a near miss.
I cant wait for the future to unfold, no Toshack in 18 months time, some World Class Welshmen playing in Europe's top leagues, a Welsh club in the Premier League this time next year and the 4 Nations Cup to win.
Exciting times, can the FAW cope with it, probably not, but eh we've got a new Chief Exec coming.....
1. The FAW: I cannot believe that we are still going alarmingly backwards since Mark Hughes introduced professionalism and organisation to the governing body of our game. Our website, ticket marketing, delayed departure of the Millenium Stadium, merchandising and whole Modus Operandi is down to a body of people who will make the effort to turn up at internationals in their ties and blazers but to do next to nothing in between matches. The appointment of Brian Flynn, Umbro making the new kit and making good (undisclosed) monies from televison rights is all we can be greatful for within the last couple of years.
2. The television rights:
If the Sky deal has brought us so much revenue then why havent we had the revenue in place to have parted company with John Toshack. Since Sky have shown our matches the crowds have dipped, the public are unaware of what progress we are making, the public very rarely know where the matches are and the Welshness about BBC 2 coverage has not been replicated.
If the surplus monies has gone into developing the long term and we benefit in 2016 in France at the European Championships then so be it. Personally the FAW took the money to cover their own shortfalls when in came to marketing the 'brand' in the post Mark Hughes era.
3. Toshacks competitive era:
I am told by reliable sources that this was the first time John Toshack had ever been interviewed for a job and was the outstanding candidate. Gerrad Houllier wanted the post but for 2 years only. I cannot think of any player from the Mark Hughes era who has openly said the current gaffer is better in any shape or form than Mark Hughes, nor can I think of a time during John Toshack's era where I thought the whole nation, squad and staff belive any where near success is achievable. Toshack has not embraced the public, crowds are way down, the players have no look on him and his staff, Brian Flynn apart do not inspire youth, dynamism or creativity. A poor era that with an injury free run could see us win the Carling 4 Nations and qualify for Euro 2012, somehow, despite this now being his squad I feel he is not motivated enough to succeed and thus in turn this runs through to the players.
4. Craig Bellamy:
My personal favourite Welsh player since Denmark under Bobby Gould, Gary Speed is an absolute legen but Bellers deserves a whole amount of plaudits for the way he has handled the John Toshack era. Craig Bellamy has been called all kinds of things over the years but not dim, thick or stupid. I know that last October our National Team Manager, minus mobile phone, wanted rid of our current captain for being far too disruptive, injury prone and absent. Mr Toshack was desperate for our most high profile player to retire and then cast him in the role of villain.
I was actually told by an FAW Council member that he would not be back playing for Wales. But our captain stood firm and made himself un droppable, kept his council and watched events unfold to the point whre if he were dropped or criticised now the whole of Cardiff City's fan base would turn on our manager as opposed to when Craig Bellamy was marginalised at Manchester City under Roberto Mancini and under Mark Hughes where a dialogue break down caused the Montenegro pilava. Our No.1 player who should one day write a book on the John Toshack era.
Personally I am waitng for the Mick McCarthy/Roy Keane situation between manager and captain. A proud Welshman who has scored more goals than the manager did for his country, played at a higher level for longer than his manager and and won more caps for his country than his manager. His honesty has been refreshing at times and his commitment always 100%.
I must admit I was hurt when he said playing for Cardiff City would achieve more than playing 100 times for Wales, if Craig Bellamy played for Wales 100 time the last 30 caps would be under a different manager and with a more mature side around him. At 36 he could still do a fine job at France 2016.
If Craig Bellamy had played for either Manchester United or Liverpool his profile would have been higher, the fact he will win morwe caps than Ryan Giggs should not go un noticed as Giggs never had the injury issues Craig Bellamy did.
5. Backroom Staff:
Mark Hughes backroom staff have gone on to work at a higher lever than Dean Saunders and Roy Evans will do when they leave the Welsh set up. I only hope the next guy in Toshacks seat finds room for Brian Flynn and employs people who are young hungry and in touch with the modern way of thinking.
6. The next 10 years:
Gareth Bale, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, James Collins will all have played European football this season. If you compare the team that beat Italy in 2002 to the one that should line up against England in 2011 then we could give the Italian slayers a game. The side that beat Italy had John Hartson, Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Gary Speed all playing Champions League football, I would say that the Craig Belamy of now and Bale, Ramsey, Ledley as quartet could match the aforementioned.
The future has never looked better, even more so if the right manager is appointed. Before we all get excited, just remember this lot, the FAW Council appointed Gould and Toshack.
7. The League of Wales:
This one time potential hot bed of talent has produced very little league talent of note since Mark Delany came through.
Is any body accountable? This is the FAW, probably not.
I would risk a wager that more time is spent filling in applications and expense claims by FAW Council members than developing our national league.
8. Euro 2012:
Potentially our best ever side is about to play England twice in the space of 6 months, we have some of the Premierships most talked about players, some good Cahampionship players, the Carling 4 Nations in Ireland and still no hype or promotion.
Perhaps we should hire a Chief Exec.
9. Johnathan Ford:
As M People once sang 'What have you today, to make me feel proud' 8 Months into the job and still........
10. The FAW Strategic Plan:
No accountability, no formula and no real chance of succeeding.
The biggest joke is the plan to hold a European Competition final in 2013, either Champions League Final or Europa League final.
Where? We dont own the Millenium Stadium and all we have done is criticise it, oh and by the way can we host a major final on the worse footballing surface in the UK apart from Wembley.
This document was probably rushed out to keep the WAG quiet.
I am hoping that all the above will be pushed to one side as we hit the ground running and gain 9 points from the opening games with Craig Bellamy starring in all 3. We needed the Luxembourg game prior to the serious stuff, hopefully Bale and Bellamy will play all 3 opening matches otherwise we can forget it.
Toshack, its your campaign, its your squad, its your last chance, you can hide behind the young players left behind, but you cant behind the fact you have not given us one tidy campaign since being in office. Not even a near miss.
I cant wait for the future to unfold, no Toshack in 18 months time, some World Class Welshmen playing in Europe's top leagues, a Welsh club in the Premier League this time next year and the 4 Nations Cup to win.
Exciting times, can the FAW cope with it, probably not, but eh we've got a new Chief Exec coming.....
