[kris_boing]

I can't be the only one who thinks this bloke needs to take some of the blame for the dross we are watching at the moment.


Sessegnon, Anelka, Sinclair, Lugano and Anichebe must be close to earning 200k a week in total which is about £10 mil a year.


I can't imagine Garlicks position is concrete at the moment.

[timdon]

I can't be the only one who thinks this bloke needs to take some of the blame for the dross we are watching at the moment.


Sessegnon, Anelka, Sinclair, Lugano and Anichebe must be close to earning 200k a week in total which is about £10 mil a year.


I can't imagine Garlicks position is concrete at the moment.

I think that is a bit harsh on Sessegnon, who we know can be excellent, but isn't in the best of form and not suited to the style of how we are playing at the minute, and Sinclair, who has been injured and needs match time. The other 3 I would agree have been poor buys.
But honestly we don't know how much RG influenced these purchases or how it all works behind the scenes. Maybe he is to blame partly, but we are guessing. Equally maybe, it was SC who was pushing for them and whose judgement was flawed. We will probably never know.

[Baggie Boy]

Lets look at it this way shall we,

Dan Ashworth during his reign brought in last summer Ben Foster, Claudio Yacob and Romelu Lukaku, these three significantly strengthened our squad and the three players who also came in didn't work out but were on low wages and so luckily did not really affect the club (Popov you could argue was good or bad). In addition to this he is responsible for Mulumbu, McAuley, Olsson, Jones, Amalfitano (See report on long-term target) and Gera.

Richard Garlick in comparison has brought in Anelka who has flopped, Sesegnon who despite us already knowing he has attitude issues signed him anyway (Really wise after PO?), Anichebe who is renown for not scoring when it is blatent we need to replace RL and PO, Sinclair who I admit remains to be seen in terms of influence and Lugano who we don't play.

[kris_boing]

Sessegnon has played well in 2 or 3 games out of about 15 now?


My point is that Ashworth got the glory when things went well so Garlick should get his share of the blame with the mess we are in now.

[pete]

Lets look at it this way shall we,

Dan Ashworth during his reign brought in last summer Ben Foster, Claudio Yacob and Romelu Lukaku, these three significantly strengthened our squad and the three players who also came in didn't work out but were on low wages and so luckily did not really affect the club (Popov you could argue was good or bad). In addition to this he is responsible for Mulumbu, McAuley, Olsson, Jones, Amalfitano (See report on long-term target) and Gera.

Richard Garlick in comparison has brought in Anelka who has flopped, Sesegnon who despite us already knowing he has attitude issues signed him anyway (Really wise after PO?), Anichebe who is renown for not scoring when it is blatent we need to replace RL and PO, Sinclair who I admit remains to be seen in terms of influence and Lugano who we don't play.

BANG ON!

[BB74]

Garlick has been consideing jacking it in for months.

[wbako]

Garlick has been consideing jacking it in for months.

I wish he had jacked it in before the summer transfer window.

[Baggie Boy]

Another point I should have made was one which occurred to me when he was first appointed. Dan Ashworth was a former football player whereas Garlick is a lawyer. Garlick did play at a youth level but he certainly does not know the game like other potential targets. This could negatively affect his judgement on players, how to modernise the club and make decisions on the youth system. Admittedly he has advisors and scouts but he needs the knowledge himself.

Typical example was when DA signed Yacob. Beforehand he went all the way to Argentina to watch him, bearing in mind Garlick is a lawyer and a man who does not know the system he probably would not make that extra visit. In essence he does not have the tools required to benefit the club unlike Dan Ashworth had. Andy Marriott in my opinion was the man for the job.

[overseas baggie]

But how much was Peace to blame?  It seems like Peace only agreed to open the wallet, under duress, about 48 hours before the window closed.  As a result, the club was chasing last minute deals in a late frenzy, rather than carrying out a strategic plan.

So Clarke didn't really get what he wanted and ended up with a lop-sided squad.  Garlick ended up buying whatever was available, being no means the top choices,  and Peace is disgruntled because of having his hand forced.  His unwanted foray into the market of paying transfer fees became a negative because of what we ended up buying.

An earlier decision by Peace would have enabled better quality buys, more time to offload surplus players, and Clarke would probably now still be in a job.

[LiamTheBaggie]

There was always going to be a struggle for him settling into this new role. I'm sure Dan Ashworth wasn't exactly seamless at first.

His major test is getting this managerial appointment spot on. In terms of recruitment, I don't think he's done a bad job either. It just took us an awfully long time to complete our business. The likes of Scott Sinclair and Stephane Sessegnon were undoubtedly improving our squad - it's a shame one has been injured and the other is blowing hot and cold - which is expected - if he wasn't, he wouldn't be with us in the first place. Matej Vydra is another who will improve the squad but Steve Clarke just failed to utilise him - although he spent quite a while injured.

There's also a lot of talk about Nicolas Anelka. I don't actually believe he was wanted by the club in fairness. He was predominantly a Steve Clarke signing and Garlick and Peace backed his judgement - ultimately it looks as though that has backfired. We did, however, over spend on Victor Anichebe and that signing can be criticised.

Lugano has joined the club with a great pedigree and Amalfitano has also impressed in patches. What needs to be remembered is that Dan Ashworth wasn't some super scout. He was heading of scouting operations. Just because he's left for pastures new doesn't mean that our scouts have disappeared either. Their job shall continue and Richard Garlick will be their new manager. Anybody would think that Ashworth had scouted Mulumbu, Yacob and co all by himself.

My only doubts regarding Richard Garlick is whether he is trusted enough by Peace and whether he has the bottle to push Peace like Ashworth would have. Maybe in time, once he's familiarised himself with the role fully, we'll see a different approach with Garlick testing the boundaries a bit more.

The summer, depending on what division we're in, shall be the major test for him when you consider there are pieces of this squad which have become increasingly stale.

[hardtobeat]

For me this is where JP´s model falls apart. I cannot for the life of me see what expertise RG can bring to the pivotal role of Director of Football. If i were an established manager there is no way i would accept a non footballing man making decisions over my head and having such a loud voice on recruitment. In his defence i would say that in it makes sense to have a legal mind involved somewhere along the line.

[timdon]

There was always going to be a struggle for him settling into this new role. I'm sure Dan Ashworth wasn't exactly seamless at first.

His major test is getting this managerial appointment spot on. In terms of recruitment, I don't think he's done a bad job either. It just took us an awfully long time to complete our business. The likes of Scott Sinclair and Stephane Sessegnon were undoubtedly improving our squad - it's a shame one has been injured and the other is blowing hot and cold - which is expected - if he wasn't, he wouldn't be with us in the first place. Matej Vydra is another who will improve the squad but Steve Clarke just failed to utilise him - although he spent quite a while injured.

There's also a lot of talk about Nicolas Anelka. I don't actually believe he was wanted by the club in fairness. He was predominantly a Steve Clarke signing and Garlick and Peace backed his judgement - ultimately it looks as though that has backfired. We did, however, over spend on Victor Anichebe and that signing can be criticised.

Lugano has joined the club with a great pedigree and Amalfitano has also impressed in patches. What needs to be remembered is that Dan Ashworth wasn't some super scout. He was heading of scouting operations. Just because he's left for pastures new doesn't mean that our scouts have disappeared either. Their job shall continue and Richard Garlick will be their new manager. Anybody would think that Ashworth had scouted Mulumbu, Yacob and co all by himself.

My only doubts regarding Richard Garlick is whether he is trusted enough by Peace and whether he has the bottle to push Peace like Ashworth would have. Maybe in time, once he's familiarised himself with the role fully, we'll see a different approach with Garlick testing the boundaries a bit more.

The summer, depending on what division we're in, shall be the major test for him when you consider there are pieces of this squad which have become increasingly stale.

This has to be one of the most coherent, balanced and intelligent posts I have read for a long time. Agree with every word Liam.

[overseas baggie]

For me this is where JP´s model falls apart. I cannot for the life of me see what expertise RG can bring to the pivotal role of Director of Football. If i were an established manager there is no way i would accept a non footballing man making decisions over my head and having such a loud voice on recruitment. In his defence i would say that in it makes sense to have a legal mind involved somewhere along the line.

I agree.  Every club needs a legal director, but the legal director doesn't need to be the director of football.

[Adder]

I suspect there are a lot of qualities needed to be technical director. They seem to organise various different aspects of the club one of which would be scouting. I would think you need a good brain and good people skills as well as reasonable football knowledge.
Lets face it if Garlick played for Rotherham as a youth it doesn't necessarily make him a worse judge of a player or other footballing issues than someone who's played at the top level for 20 years.
Peace and the board must know him well and think he has the qualities needed.

[Albion79]

Spot on post Liam!

Ashworth did a great job, but he wasnt solely responsible for every great signing, same as Garlick isnt too blame for every poor signing, also worth remembering although a lot of good players came in during Ashworths time, a lot of players who came inwere very average at best, for Ben Foster, you have a Marcus Rosenberg, for a Lukaku, you have a El Ghannassy, personally i feel Yacob is vastly over rated too.

Point trying to make is its not all the Director of Football work (or whatever there called) if things go great and same as its not their fault it things dont work out.

Players signed this summer have bigger reputations than we have signed previous, i wouldnt write any off them off yet as some only been here half a season, but they should be the ones upping their game, and i think the existing core also are well below the levels they have set previous.

We are a in a bad run, and everyone from JP to the fans has to ask themselves what can they do better, not just one person.

[Standaman]

The notion that Ashworth was in some ways a super scout is a bit misguided the legwork was done by people working for him there is no particular reason why this summers signings have been generally a let down but plainly if they continue to fall short it reflects badly on the man in charge of recruitment. As ever there is conjecture about whose signings they were but the key decision is what we go to market for and that is down in large part to the Head Coach who sets out where he wants the squad strengthening. Equally we are operating within a budget and there is a limited amount of choice within that budget.

Prior to the current downswing in form most fans were pleased with our summer signings business particularly when Sesegnon and Amalfitano were showing good early form. I do not think the signings have failed because they were not properly researched but in every signing there is an element of risk and at the moment every risk we took this summer on a player's temperament, talent or fitness seems to have gone wrong.

Ashworth took a risk on Odemwingie's temperament which we knew could be a little bit suspect he was fortunate that it did not meltdown until after the he had his first glorious season. It should be remembered that Ashworth also managed to bring in a few that probably haven't worked out Rosenberg and Tchoyi spring to mind and are we building a statute to the legend that is Liam Ridgewell?

Personally I will wait to see what the incoming Head Coach makes of the summer signings and see what happens next summer

[HampshireBaggie]

I think it's time for a revolution at the hawthornes. A new head coach with a new approach. I want to see high pressing attacking football. Look at Southampton, it can be done while being solid at the back. Anyway this is about the head coach and the topic is about Garlick.

The reason I posted this comment in here is because as well as a new head coach I think we need a new director of football alongside the new man. A football man who will work well under Peace and alongside the new head coach. And we also need new coaches. Kiely and Downing out too.

It's time for a revolution at the Albion and we need to invest in new personnel and new ideas.

[The Black Pearl]

I think it's time for a revolution at the hawthornes. A new head coach with a new approach. I want to see high pressing attacking football. Look at Southampton, it can be done while being solid at the back. Anyway this is about the head coach and the topic is about Garlick.

The reason I posted this comment in here is because as well as a new head coach I think we need a new director of football alongside the new man. A football man who will work well under Peace and alongside the new head coach. And we also need new coaches. Kiely and Downing out too.

It's time for a revolution at the Albion and we need to invest in new personnel and new ideas.

I agree with your sentiment, but with the lack of pace we have had the back we would be torn to shreds.

[LiamTheBaggie]

Although some are making suggestions that a new man is needed for the role. It is worth remembering that we have a chairman who seems to be able to fall out with more or less everybody. Finding someone who can do the role efficiently and be able to manage and work with Jeremy Peace was always going to be a struggle. With the club seemingly keen on continuity it was no surprise that Garlick was handed the reigns. Furthermore, finding someone who can manage medical science, the academy, recruitment and other areas was always going to be a struggle - I would imagine many of the candidates mentioned only had expertise in recruitment which doesn't necessarily fit the job title.

[Albion79]

Have to say not quite sure why we need a revolution when last season we finished the best we had for 30 x years, probably the last 10 x years progressed as a club every season, including bouncing back from relegations when other clubs have fell apart.

I think this is the best squad of players we have had in my time watching certainly, and i think all we need is the right coach to get the best out of them, i agree about the attacking football bit, we are only going to be a midtable team with the odd cup run so we need to be entertaining to keep people interested, but i think the right coach can sort all that, not wholesale changes throughout the club.

Clarke to start with embraced the attacking football but sadly like many coaches then started to setup not to lose and that usually ends one way, the sack!

[GREGMT]

We have far TOO MANY players, whether that's Garlick's fault I don't know?

Anyone would think we have 88 league matches not 38!  It was all very well Clarke insisting on additions but the club should have been more ruthless on players leaving.  I would think every Monday morning, there are players banging on the door asking why they aren't playing.  There really is no substitute for quality.

Whether Clarke was looking at the Chelsea model for squad size I don't know?  What I do know is Chelsea are expected to excel in the European Cup, League Cup, FA Cup and Premier League!

This is why it's almost Xmas and we don't know the best starting 11.  For me, most of the summer signings have enhanced the quality in the squad, but we have the "hangers on" who seemingly don't want to be transferred out of the club.

I don't think Garlick's job is that difficult, there's the Worldwide Player Database, Pro Zone, Player DVD's plus watching matches in person all out there. 

2 points: I don't think the Albion squad has evolved quickly enough and I don't think Peace is flexible enough in accepting lower transfer fees for players past their sell-by date.  It's a nonsense having players like Dorrans on the payroll just to train.

[LiamTheBaggie]

I love the notion where football fans say "sell him" and "sell him". Unfortunately, for someone to be sold there has to be a buyer and in the case of Rosenberg and Graham Dorrans, the two most likely to depart the club, there hasn't been a buyer. I think the removal of those should take the club to the required 22 man squad which Peace wants.

[GREGMT]

The thing is, if Peace is demanding transfer fees above their true value, then there'll be no buyer.  Then we're left with an unhappy player and paying their wages for zero return.

Squad size has got to be a key element in club strategy.  Surely there should be a balance between incoming and outgoing players. 

The more I think of August 31 2013, I believe Clarke forced Peace's hand at the eleventh hour for incoming players leaving no bargaining position for outgoing players due to time constraints.

If I was Peace I'd be demanding that 5 or 6 players leave in the Winter Transfer Window before we even consider reinforcements.  This squad size must be re-aligned.

[Adder]

Have to remember we are not the only club doing things at the 11th hour in the window - there's a lot of testing the water with bids etc. in the early part of the window but once players start moving towards the end ,players can suddenly become available who weren't before. It's not necessarily panic buying just because they are signed on the last day.

[GREGMT]

I agree, the majority of transfers take place on the last day of the windows which can present problems.

The fact we can take part in only 38 league games means that the focus has to be on quality over quantity.  Clubs like Chelsea will naturally have 2 players for every position.  If you think about they are guaranteed 6 champions league games and maximum is 13.  Then they are expected to reach the latter stages of FA and League Cups which comprise a maximum of around 7 ties in each.

Therefore, Chelsea could be playing 20 or more cup matches to our 5 or 6 for example.  We should not be mirroring Chelsea's squad size.