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So it wasn't the players then

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comment by Hector (U3606)

posted on 11/4/17

Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.....

i know who he means, you know who he means, the dog's in the street know who he means...

posted on 11/4/17

It's probably Shakespeare. By the sound of the allegation.

posted on 11/4/17

comment by Baz tard (U19119)
posted 17 minutes ago
It's probably Shakespeare. By the sound of the allegation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I doubt it because he would have got rid in the summer plus I don't think he'd have the influence.

Could be Rudkin?

posted on 11/4/17

Especially if there was friction over transfers.

posted on 11/4/17

Knowing what happened last season and that CR and CS had not talked to each other for a month before he was sacked. The removal of the photo from the club media site showing CR shouting at CS. I think its fairly obvious who CR thinks it is. When asked CS said after the sacking he had not spoke to CR. He said "he had not but would be open to in the future".

I think SC needs to get the managers job here or elsewhere as i don't think their will be many managers will want him as there assistant.

posted on 11/4/17

Interestingly he uses the singular and plural in this quote so may have been more than one “Maybe it was someone behind me. I had a little problem the year before and we won the title. Maybe this year, when we lose, these people push a little more.” From the sports psychologist interview shortly after the sacking it was evident there was some disagreement between CR and the sports science team. Them, Ruskin, CS, MS, perhaps the canteen staff really liked making wedges and chicken burgers. We'll never know, let's look forward to Wednesday

posted on 11/4/17

Don't forget the kit man

posted on 11/4/17

Tea lady?

posted on 11/4/17

It did seem to be anyone except the results, strange formations and tactics, I'm sure it will sink in with him eventually.

posted on 11/4/17

My guess would be Rudkin because of failed transfers. CR wasn't happy in the summer just the same as the rest of us and he blamed Rudkin.

posted on 11/4/17

Well, it could be Neville or Rudkin but it's difficult to see the motive; it could be Stowell but you wouldn't think he would have the influence. You have to conclude that he means Shakespeare.

One problem though: Everyone's assuming the reliability of the narrator. Just because he's saying it doesn't mean that he or his perception is right. i.e. He says there were problems last season but with results this season things got much worse. Another perspective could be that such a "snake in the grass" might actually have been trying to stop things going wrong last season but kept a lid on it but not been able to prevent a Claudio-led collapse this season.

This is about perception. Remember that everyone will have their own, and surely nobody really expected Ranieri to come out and say: "Yes, the failure this season was entirely my fault."

Also remember that Snape was a Slytherin.

posted on 11/4/17

Do you go from being a premier league winning manager to one who is going to get a team relegated on your own or do you need some help.
I think that that winning the PL gave CR the power to start to make changes and those within the club did not want change. I am not talking about tactics im talking about bringing in hs way of training sports science style of play and there was evidently some resistance to that rather than help with it.

I think CR might of been naive to think he was not part of a power struggle within the club and he orchestrated his own demise but who stuck the knife in enough to unseat him who knows.

If there is a new manager in the summer watch your back sunshine

posted on 11/4/17

If it ain't broke, etc etc etc.

Also, Claudio has got well known form for second season syndrome.

To be honest, we probably didn't need any distraction like this on the eve of one of our biggest ever games. Maybe it could have been done after the quarter final matches....?

posted on 11/4/17

I don't think its a distraction the Fuchs interview was put out as a spoiler to stop any impact from CR everyone within the club knows what happened.
Also Claudio true to form back the players and said they weren't involved so if anything that releases pressure on them and shows their (former)manager backs them to the bitter end.

posted on 11/4/17

Nev, is this not a scenario that fits the statements:

Ranieri (last season) : Do we really need all this sports science and sports psychology? Our tactics are far more important and we should cut back on it.
Shakespeare (or other) : It's been very effective. It's important for player performance here.
Ranieri: Also, we're not keeping the ball enough for long term success. We can't have 35% possession throughout the season.
Shakespeare: It's what the players are good with and comfortable with though.
Ranieri: We can refine our tactics in the short term, but longer term there has to be a change.

Ranieri (this season) : We still don't have enough possession and we still have these hang-ups on sports science and psychology. Things must change now.
Shakespeare : If they work, why change them? Our players benefit from these things and may not be adaptable to a largely different style.
Ranieri: That is an excuse. We must change and the players must accept this.
Shakespeare: I strongly disagree and advise against it.

Ranieri (later) : Why are the players still training this way?
Shakespeare: This is the way to get the best out of them. Things are going very wrong and we have get back on track or we could be in a relegation fight.
Ranieri: We have discussed this. They must change, adapt and accept the situation. They cannot have these comfort blankets forever.


Who is right in this scenario? Surely both have a point? But you can see how Ranieri might think he has somebody working against him while Shakespeare might feel he has the best interests of the club and the squad at heart, going behind Ranieri's back not to spite him but because he won't listen to sense.

I very much doubt this situation is black and white, and even with Ranieri being vague about "someone behind him", we're only hearing half of the story. In fact in some ways it's worse because the target of this isn't being identified and allowed to give their own side.

posted on 11/4/17

Who pushed Claudio Ranieri?

The biggest drama since who shot JR. Cluedo is to be reworked to have Craig Shakespeare with the sports science department, or Neville with the Pearson love triangle, through to Rudkin and the failed transfer policy.

For the record my guess would be Neville and Shakespeare, who will have faught to retain the regime they saw as successful.

To be fair to them, I think they're ultimately right.

posted on 11/4/17

to whoever pushed Claudio out.

Surely the performances and results since he has gone has proven that he was holding the team back.

He tinkered with a winning formula - he just couldnt help himself could he!

I love the narratives Dung - are you a playwright in your spare time?!

posted on 11/4/17

Not exactly, but I have co-written a sort-of pantomime before.
And I have a self-published novel available on Amazon.

posted on 11/4/17

This one, by any chance....?

http://questingblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ConfessionsOfADungeonMaster1980.pdf

comment by johngee (U5021)

posted on 11/4/17

Missed last two games - see you are still trying to bring some substance to these pages Nev .... !

Stayed in Germany last week rather than travel back for Sunderland and had pleasure of watching old boy Kramaric score the winner for my local team here Hoffenheim 1899 against Bayern Munich. Great performance and terrific atmosphere.

Kramaric is real hero here –they love his unselfish play and all round performance. He had struggled for goals but recently had scored seven in last seven games. Slipped up last weekend but doing well as a team

Good to see him settled and enjoying his football. I posted in the past that I had opportunity to see around their academy here and Gareth had chance to train there during his month internship in Heilbronn. The then under 19 coach is now first team manager and having fantastic season with strong chance of European football after almost getting relegated last season.

Almost a Leicester City type rejuvenation –without the accompanying issues which surfaced this year with the toxic situation surrounding Ranieri and other factions.
They are still amazed here that a man who had achieved winning the Premier League for a relatively small club and subsequently guided them to the quarter finals of the European Champions league could possibly be sacked especially as they follow closely the tribulations of Guardiola at Manchester City – who had such success winning the Bundeslegia.

Shame to see the good will which surrounded the club and city be so quickly dissipated around European football discussions where there is still some debate about circumstances of sacking.I wonder who is shaking in their shoes pending further revelations.

One or two are on shaky ground.

It may be that because of the toxic nature of the circumstances the owners will be forced to stay with Shakespeare and of course that well known and respected football first team coach Stowell . I am sure talented potential Premier League stars can hardly wait to receive the benefits of his skills and know how.

Was not surprised to see us lose at Everton as we lost the preceding Premier matches in 6 of the seven European ties under Ranieri –which shows the difficulties of trying to prepare teams for mid week Europe games. although of course Ranieri was held responsible. Regretfully I do not expect us to have to struggle further as Simeone knows very well these pressure situations and his big match experience will prove too much I think for our acting manager.

It will also be vital that we can handle the potential of a losing run with Crystal Palace, Arsenal and WBA on the horizon. We could easily face six consecutive defeats and it will be interesting to see how the current structures and personnel cope. Also whether it would draw criticism of team formation selection and tactics to explain defeats!!

Its going to be a difficult close season with a need to restructure the team and a number of players past their sell by date. Also some players who want to further their careers will feel they need to move –in this I include Ndidi and Mahrez with Gray also tempted by offers.

Whether we like it or not –in this day and age players look carefully at the structures of the clubs they join – and it is unlikely we can attract the level of Chief Coach / Manager who will encourage top players to sign.

posted on 11/4/17

comment by johngee (U5021)
posted 11 minutes ago
Missed last two games - see you are still trying to bring some substance to these pages Nev .... !

Stayed in Germany last week rather than travel back for Sunderland and had pleasure of watching old boy Kramaric score the winner for my local team here Hoffenheim 1899 against Bayern Munich. Great performance and terrific atmosphere.

Kramaric is real hero here –they love his unselfish play and all round performance. He had struggled for goals but recently had scored seven in last seven games. Slipped up last weekend but doing well as a team

Good to see him settled and enjoying his football. I posted in the past that I had opportunity to see around their academy here and Gareth had chance to train there during his month internship in Heilbronn. The then under 19 coach is now first team manager and having fantastic season with strong chance of European football after almost getting relegated last season.

Almost a Leicester City type rejuvenation –without the accompanying issues which surfaced this year with the toxic situation surrounding Ranieri and other factions.
They are still amazed here that a man who had achieved winning the Premier League for a relatively small club and subsequently guided them to the quarter finals of the European Champions league could possibly be sacked especially as they follow closely the tribulations of Guardiola at Manchester City – who had such success winning the Bundeslegia.

Shame to see the good will which surrounded the club and city be so quickly dissipated around European football discussions where there is still some debate about circumstances of sacking.I wonder who is shaking in their shoes pending further revelations.

One or two are on shaky ground.

It may be that because of the toxic nature of the circumstances the owners will be forced to stay with Shakespeare and of course that well known and respected football first team coach Stowell . I am sure talented potential Premier League stars can hardly wait to receive the benefits of his skills and know how.

Was not surprised to see us lose at Everton as we lost the preceding Premier matches in 6 of the seven European ties under Ranieri –which shows the difficulties of trying to prepare teams for mid week Europe games. although of course Ranieri was held responsible. Regretfully I do not expect us to have to struggle further as Simeone knows very well these pressure situations and his big match experience will prove too much I think for our acting manager.

It will also be vital that we can handle the potential of a losing run with Crystal Palace, Arsenal and WBA on the horizon. We could easily face six consecutive defeats and it will be interesting to see how the current structures and personnel cope. Also whether it would draw criticism of team formation selection and tactics to explain defeats!!

Its going to be a difficult close season with a need to restructure the team and a number of players past their sell by date. Also some players who want to further their careers will feel they need to move –in this I include Ndidi and Mahrez with Gray also tempted by offers.

Whether we like it or not –in this day and age players look carefully at the structures of the clubs they join – and it is unlikely we can attract the level of Chief Coach / Manager who will encourage top players to sign.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sounds very much like you're predicting/expecting a slide in form for you to have those concerns. I don't share them.

I also think the game tomorrow is going to be a bigger test for Simeone than it is for us because they're going to have to come out and play while we can stick to our game plan.

I don't see how they have any choice but to attack us on Wednesday because if they don't then we'll happily take a point, we won't go on the offensive to suit them. This means they have to break us down and that's something they struggle with.

So what does Simeone do? Attack us at the Calderon knowing they probably have to get something before coming back to the KP and play directly into our hands or sit back expecting us to come on to them and then have to change their game plan and attack. Or settle for a draw and hope to beat us away?

posted on 11/4/17

He doesn't believe it was Shakey either

http://sportwitness.co.uk/ranieri-exonerates-leicesters-craig-shakespeare-italian-media-100-sure-players-not-behind-sacking/

My money is on Rudkin for sure.

posted on 11/4/17

Due you think the translation is quite right he meant loyal assassin?
My mother had a phrase which somes up what CR has said "dammed with faint praise"

Something is rotten in the kingdom of Demark

posted on 11/4/17

Slightly more in this one where if quote is correct it points towards a director “I don’t think it was the players who killed me, it’s always the directors and Presidents who decide the fate of a club."

http://app.football-italia.net/?referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.football-italia.net%2F100953%2Franieri-%25E2%2580%2598power-games-leicester%25E2%2580%2599#article/footballitalia-100953

posted on 11/4/17

I swear this has got Rudkin's name all over it, bumchummy with the owners and everything you hear about him makes him sound like a snake, even the way he looks.

CR probably told him he didn't know what he was doing and he wasn't qualified for the job. I know CR was peed off we didn't get Keane and he blamed JR of certain rumours are correct.

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