Manager of the season

Who would you go for? And why?

IMO:

If Liverpool win the title it's obviously Benitez.

If they don't, and Everton win the FA Cup while getting 5th/6th, it's Moyes.

If neither of the above happens, then it's Hodgson.

Another good shout could be Zola, after slowly turning West Ham's form and season around.

Steve Bruce has done a great job at Wigan too.

And Martin O'Neill would arguably have been the unanimous winner if not for Villa's collapse over the past couple of months.

Another option is Megson, who led Bolton to mid-table stability despite even his own fans still not liking him.

Or perhaps some people prefer the job done by Pulis at Stoke, keeping them up (almost) with a poor squad and worse football.

Fergie?

Guus if he wins the cup double?

Phil Brown

If we finish 7th (Qualify for Europe) then it's Zola...

Its still too early to say Kas. Based on current positions etc and based on the fact that Everton HAVEN'T won the FA cup yet, I'd be inclined to say Zola.

Hodgson

Mick McCarthy

Zola

Poll added.

kas wrote:Poll added.

Keegan

what a pointless time to make a poll, still 3 massive trophies up for grabs. relegation undecided.

Looking at league only, and assuming it finishes roughly as it is:

Met expectations - Fergie, Benitez, O'Neill, Moyes, Wenger, Hiddink - i.e. the top 6, who are the same top 6 as last yr!

Exceeded expectations - Hodgson, Bruce, Zola, Pulis, Redknapp - i.e. those who've taken teams on limited budgets or in bad positions into midtable/UEFA spot.

A particular success for one of the first lot might take it in their favour: League (Benitez); FA Cup (Moyes); 4th Spot (O'Neill). But if Chelsea take the Fa Cup and Man Utd the league, I don't think either manager would get huge individual credit, so it should then go to one of the 'exceeded expectations' group.

If CL counts, that mixes it up a bit and rather depends who wins!

Not sure Redknapp has exceeded expectations. The gap between relegation and Europa cup spot is so small two wins can make it look attainable. Aren't Stoke in contention now.

Tupac

Glentuple wrote:what a pointless time to make a poll, still 3 massive trophies up for grabs. relegation undecided.

But this way at least we can have fun going back and (mis)quoting people.

Khadrim wrote:Not sure Redknapp has exceeded expectations. The gap between relegation and Europa cup spot is so small two wins can make it look attainable. Aren't Stoke in contention now.

debaser has clearly been a successful victim of 'Arry's TPFEG brainwashing campaign

Khadrim wrote:Not sure Redknapp has exceeded expectations. The gap between relegation and Europa cup spot is so small two wins can make it look attainable. Aren't Stoke in contention now.

The Harry Redknapp league table would see Spurs in 5th place, assuming their points average from the time he's been in charge were to be applied to the first 8 games. That's pretty impressive, they'd be in with a shout for 4th.

But let's not forget Redknapp spent 30m on just 2 players in January, and more on others like Chimbonda who have hardly played since. That's a luxury other managers in the "exceeded expectations" group didn't have, Hodgson and Zola being the best examples.

Hiddink

kas wrote:But let's not forget Redknapp spent 30m on just 2 players in January, and more on others like Chimbonda who have hardly played since. That's a luxury other managers in the "exceeded expectations" group didn't have, Hodgson and Zola being the best examples.

His expectations were basically to keep them up. Scroll back in the West Ham Spurs thread and there's a post around New Yr from Spurs fan saying 14th-17th is best they can hope for. He's exceeded that.


To be fair, all of those I said have exceeded expectations benefit from the fact expectations were pretty low! For various reasons, most of them simply had a target of safety

Unless Fergie wins the league and CL, Roy Hodgson.

kas wrote:But let's not forget Redknapp spent 30m on just 2 players in January, and more on others like Chimbonda who have hardly played since. That's a luxury other managers in the "exceeded expectations" group didn't have, Hodgson and Zola being the best examples.

He spent £45mil on 5 players.

3 of them have been excellent and Galvanised the side. the other 2 have increased competition.

Dragões azuis e brancos wrote:

kas wrote:But let's not forget Redknapp spent 30m on just 2 players in January, and more on others like Chimbonda who have hardly played since. That's a luxury other managers in the "exceeded expectations" group didn't have, Hodgson and Zola being the best examples.

He spent £45mil on 5 players.

3 of them have been excellent and Galvanised the side. the other 2 have increased competition.

That's my point. I'm sure Zola would like 15m to spend on a striker who can stay fit and galvanise West Ham (and is committed to the cause, unlike the wantaway Bellamy).

West Ham were never in serious relegation trouble at any point this season.

Zola did spend most of the Bellamy money on Savio, he could've found a player more "ready" if he looked hard enough.

Zola had about £8m to spend on Savio...And as I said...I think that's with clauses...

Zola has galvanised the side with youth players. Collison has been immense...the likes of Noble and Tomkins consistently playing...Stanislas now in the team, Sears and Savio getting parts to play. The likes of N'Gala and Payne on the bench. He's had it alot harder. especially with injuries again.

Redknapp has done a good job, but it wasn't expected that Tottenham would go down. At the same time...he also went through a very dodgy patch. He's done well...but he's had an advantage, and both us and Fulham are still above Spurs in the league...

Dragões azuis e brancos wrote:West Ham were never in serious relegation trouble at any point this season.

Zola did spend most of the Bellamy money on Savio, he could've found a player more "ready" if he looked hard enough.

First point is wrong...we were at the start, when we coulnd't win for treacle. We are 5/2 and 15/8 with some bookmakers to go down.

Second point is wrong...the figure for Savio is about £8m, and again as I say, I think with clauses. I'm sure it's only about £5m up front. Most 'ready' strikers who'd come in and improve the side would cost around £10m-£12m like Bellamy did.

It makes no difference what the top 4 do, or how many trophies they win, none of them will be manager of the season in my eyes. Neither will O'Neill with the massive resources he has.

The only possibles for me are Hodgson, Zola, and Moyes - in that order.

I don't know why Redknapp is being discussed. Awful manager.

Hodgson Next year will be even better, me thinks, before he'll eventually manage England national team

He's been in the smaller leagues, and everywhere practicly, I'm sure he's got intelligence like no other, and will be Teh man if he wants to someday. I remember him quite clearly from his time in Viking here, and he was always the most sympatic guy with a great eye for the game and the best tactics. He's done very very well, without me been watching too much of EPL and Aston Villa

Kimbo wrote:It makes no difference what the top 4 do, or how many trophies they win, none of them will be manager of the season in my eyes. Neither will O'Neill with the massive resources he has.

The only possibles for me are Hodgson, Zola, and Moyes - in that order.

I don't know why Redknapp is being discussed. Awful manager.

What about if they win every game 10-0 except two draws v newcastle

L-r d wrote:

Kimbo wrote:It makes no difference what the top 4 do, or how many trophies they win, none of them will be manager of the season in my eyes. Neither will O'Neill with the massive resources he has.

The only possibles for me are Hodgson, Zola, and Moyes - in that order.

I don't know why Redknapp is being discussed. Awful manager.

What about if they win every game 10-0 except two draws v newcastle

What if an elephant eats Ferguson on the morning of the CL final, does Fergie get credit if Man U win?