Views On Hollins: Part VI
Friday, 14th Sep 2001 00:00

Views On Hollins: Part VI - Management Style

Hollins to me summed up all that is poor about lower league management, so I for one am not sad that he has left us. I have read with interest the other viewpoints on our ex-manager, and it strikes me that how anyone can defend his management style and tactical knowledge, not least forgetting his distinct lack of contacts within the footballing world, is beyond me.

How many of us have stood on the North Bank and seen the distinct lack of interest in anything said by Hollins to the players. It has been clear to me that the players were not motivated one bit by his management, and therefore they in turn have played well below par on numerous occasions. If you are a manager of people in any walk of life you must attain mutual respect in order for your staff to believe in your ideas, this was something that has not been in the home dressing room at the Vetch for sometime.

His treatment of fellow professionals for daring to speak out of turn has cost us points in league matches, of that I have no doubt. Matt Bound, a stalwart of our championship winning season was left out for suggesting to practice defending from set-pieces. This is a reasonable request bearing in mind that we were and still are at times rubbish in this area. This is only one example of his petulance in the face of criticism. How will people respect a man that stamps his feet when he doesn't get his own way?

We have all been amazed at his incessant after-match ramblings, what on earth was he on about? I for one believe that the Hollins Diaries on this site could be real!

The final thing that amazed me about the man was, how does a professional man, who has worked in football all his life have absolutely no contacts at his former clubs. QPR and more importantly Chelsea have an abundance of youth talent that is clammering for first team football, potentially another Frank Lampard Jr. who had a short spell at the Vetch. During our relegation fight last season we needed, some new blood in order to help dig us out of the hole. These players did arrive in October (Gio&Romo) and in the New Year (Verschave&Fabiano) but were they derived from his vast football contacts, no, they came via an agent offering these players to him.

We were all fooled for a long time, but we now as the "Internet Whingers!" have finally got what we have for so long wanted. Cheers for the Championship John, but no thanks for the entertainment value you have offered. No thanks for your open door policy with the wage paying fanbase. And no thanks to your lame, pathetic excuses about why you couldn't motivate XI professional players to listen to you.

Goodbye John, now lets get behind our club 100%