The Norwich boss was understandably trying to dampen expectations given that we are still only ten games into the season, but I would suggest that berating the local press, radio and TV guys isn’t the way to go about it. He’d be better off popping in to the city centre pubs and talking directly to the fans because whether he likes it or not, that’s where the optimism is at its greatest.
Or alternatively, try and sneak a few one-nil wins without some of the exceptional and entertaining football his team played on Saturday.
No Paul, I’m afraid that the media isn’t your problem. Things are going well, you have put together a good side and you and your coaching team are employing the right tactics. I’m afraid that if you want to dampen expectations, you’d be better off asking Bristol City boss Keith Millen to do a job swap!
Millen is an honest guy in a horrible position. His team sit rooted at the foot of the table, he’s inherited a team that hadn’t gelled after former boss Steve Coppell bolted before a ball had barely been kicked and now they are losing confidence as each minute of the game ticks by.
And to top it all off, he’s been a Bristol City man for twelve years and would give his right arm for the opportunity to dampen expectations!
My clipping from this morning's copy of The Sun
The Sun’s football website: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football
I spoke to one of his players in the car park after the game and as it wasn’t really on the record I won’t mention his name. However, the player in question dispelled any theories that Millen had lost the confidence of the team. He said:
“After Coppell’s resignation Keith was left to pick up the pieces. He inherited new players, Coppell had sold some that Keith knew well and of course we’re without Nicky (Maynard) until December at the earliest and he’s the type of player who can help build the confidence with one of his spectacular goals.
At the moment we’re going one goal down and you can see heads drop. It’s even tougher at home because the level of expectation is so great. What we need to do is get that first goal to help build our confidence. “
Millen himself is determined to see it through, although his position depends on how long the board can hold their nerve. My guess would be two more games and they’re probably weighing up future managerial options anyway. Millen said:
“All I can do as a manager is work hard on the training field, talk to the players and do everything I can to get the results right.
I don’t mind taking the pressure if it means I’m taking it off the players then so be it, because they’re the ones that have to go out and perform.
It is tough, but they’re a good group and I’m close to them. I know there’s some good quality in there and that’s why the frustration’s so hard to take, but they’re working hard and while you’ve got a group who are willing to work hard you’ve got a chance.
I’ve never walked away from a battle and I never will. I’ll keep working as hard as I can and I can’t work any harder than I am. I’ll keep fighting until someone takes that decision away from me.”
Oh, how Millen would love to have to pressure of smiling faces, pats on the back and expectations of Premier League football.
Song artist: Billy Ocean
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