Message #161417

[DrillingCobbler]

I think Aidy, like many good managers has a stubborn streak. That is because he believes in his ability. But he isn't anywhere near as stubborn as some of you lot make out.

Last season (early doors) he told our group...categorically...that a certain player would never ever play for the club again. The reason? Because he was not good enough. Nothing personal or anything. Said player returned to the team very soon afterwards, despite AB being adamant at the time he wouldn't. So in other words he totally went back on his word and gave the kid a chance which he took.

He also tried several approaches last season away from home, none of which were overly successful. He didn't change the home tactics because at the end of the day, they bloody worked! If its not broken don't try and fix it.

Like Stuart Gray (Constantine) he has invested a high percent of his budget on Platt. He believes in him, and somehow he's got to try and get a return on that investment. On the occasions when Platt was fit last season he showed that he is a very decent player. The issue we now have is that a fit Platt at his stage in his career is unlikely to be a common situation. But his other big money striker...Nicholls...also injured it is difficult for him at this stage to throw more money in the direction of a forward who to improve the team sufficiently is likely to want 100k pa or more. DC has clearly pulled the shutters down on this expenditure and Aidy has to manage the situation as best as he can. He has to talk his squad up in the papers, back them up during radio interviews etc. Its frustrating for us fans but thats the way it is.

Suffice to say I've seen enough evidence in the last 18months to prove that Aidy is not overly stubborn. Certainly not in the Atkins league of stubbornness!