I said last week I thought Iain Dowie was very unlucky to be sacked by Coventry and I thought the timing of the decision was shocking.
Unfortunately for Coventry fans that bore to fruition as they lost 5-0 at home to West Brom and crashed out of the FA Cup on Saturday. There's no way in the world that would have happened if Iain had still been in charge of the club.
Coleman: replaced Dowie
Why didn't Ray Ranson let Iain take charge against West Brom and if it had all gone wrong then he could have justifiably sacked him on the following Monday?
Ranson wanted to bring in his own man, which is his prerogative because he's the chairman and he's put his money into the club, but why sack Dowie a few days before a big cup game?
If he had Chris Coleman lined up to come in then why didn't he bring him in before the cup tie? The whole place would have had a lift, the result could have been different and even if they had lost, nobody would have judged Chris because he would only have been there a few days.
Why didn't Ray Ranson let Iain take charge against West Brom and if it had all gone wrong then he could have justifiably sacked him on the following Monday?
Chris Kamara
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Instead, they put John Harbin in charge as caretaker manager, who is a rugby man and a fitness coach. It was just a silly situation.
I thought Dowie was doing a good job, but you have to accept that these things happen in football and chairmen will make decisions.
I wouldn't criticise his decision to sack Dowie because I understand the new regime wanted their own man in charge, but I would question the timing of it because if it had been handled better, they could be in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup now.
But the one thing Ranson got 100 per cent right was his choice for the man to take over from Dowie.
After the doom and gloom of Saturday, it was important for him to give the club a lift by appointing a big, big name and they've done that with Coleman.
Stature
In fact, I'm a little bit surprised they managed to attract a manager of his stature. I was speaking to him recently and he'd had offers to go back to Spain, but there is a rule that if you've managed a club in the Spanish Second Division, you can't go to another one until the end of the season.
That's not a bad idea and maybe it's something we should consider in this country. But after leaving Real Sociedad, it meant he couldn't get another job over there until the summer.
He was very keen to get back into football and I don't think it has been recognised what a good job he did at Fulham. Since he left they've realised what they lost because their fortunes have gone downhill.
And now he's decided to go and work for an ambitious chairman and it could turn out to be a good journey for them.
His short spell in Spain will have made him a better manager. Chris was on Goals On Sunday a few weeks ago and we had a long chat about the things he'd learned over there including different approaches to systems and formations.
He also has experience of keeping a team away from the bottom of the Premier League, so he is more than qualified to do well in the league below.
Tools
He's got the tools, he's got the stature, he commands respect and he'll need an immediate impact because of their league position.
It's interesting that a lot of managers have struggled to have an immediate impact when they have joined clubs mid-season.
You look at the likes of Kevin Keegan, Neil Warnock, Roy Hodgson, Ian Holloway and Allan Irvine and they didn't get the best results in their first few games. In the past you could almost guarantee an improvement under a new boss.
But Chris has got good contacts and he's going to need them because that squad has been light since the start of the season. I expect him to bring in two or three new faces to add a bit of quality.
Dowie barely had a penny to spend when he was in charge and couldn't bring many players in. What he did was to get them revved up for one-off games, but they struggled a bit for consistency.
However, I expect Chris to get Coventry out of trouble and climb away from the danger zone before the end of the season.
Do you agree with Kammy? Let us know what you think by using the feedback form below and continue to email him your questions here
Now to your email...
Do you think, given more of a chance, that Bryan Robson would have done well at Sheffield United? And do you think Kevin Blackwell will still be there at the start of next season? Dave, Worried Blade.
KAMMY SAYS: That's a difficult question to answer, Dave. When Kevin McCabe appointed Bryan Robson before the start of the season, he was expecting the club to at least reach the play-offs. They came down from the Premier League with money to spend and they were able to attract players like James Beattie and put him on Premier League wages. He was Bryan's big signing and I think he's done the business for them, but the rest of the squad haven't done as well and it's difficult to say if Bryan could have turned it around.
As with the situation at Coventry, I thought the timing was poor. Bryan had just got a draw at West Brom and they had Middlesbrough coming up in the FA Cup. That was one of Bryan's former clubs and he would have had a big incentive to show them how good he was as a manager.
Kevin Blackwell has come in and did ok in his first game to get a draw against a Premier League side. Short-term managers are part of the game now - like Kevin, Gary McAllister and Nigel Pearson have only been given contracts until the end of the season - and results will dictate whether he gets the job beyond that. It's a case of waiting and seeing.
Hi Chris, just wondering if you fancy the Superclarets' chances of gaining promotion this year? The signing of Andy Cole should ease our goalscoring worries and after the comeback at QPR we have showed that we will not crumble under pressure, although the bookies still have QPR favourites ahead of us to go up even though they are seven points behind us?? Jordan Smith, Burnley.
KAMMY SAYS: I'm surprised to hear you say QPR are favourites ahead of Burnley for the play-offs because I don't fancy them to get anywhere near this season. They'll be happy just to get through this campaign and they will be looking to get amongst it next year. Flavio Briatore has told me that they are taking a long-term view on things.
As for Burnley, they've got a fabulous manager in Owen Coyle as I said when he first came and nothing has made me change my mind since then. Signing Andy Cole is a masterstroke really. He's not played much football in the last two years, but you know if you put the ball in the box then he'll score goals for you. I'd compare it to the loan signing of Henrik Larsson by Manchester United last season. He was a wonderful guy to bring in to the Premier League and the signing of Cole is just as good for Burnley in the league below.
Burnley will create enough chances because that's the way Coyle likes to play. They are a decent side and won't be too far away, that's for certain.
Kammy, I'm a Wolves fan and I cannot believe we are not battling for automatic promotion slots. We have the stadium, the fans, the brand new first-class training facilities, we have a good manager in Mick McCarthy and we have the players, but we cannot seem to get a run going. Do you think it's time for Mick to go, or do you think we should play the long-term game and wait for the players to develop? With so much money available upon promotion to the Premier League, I think a change should be sooner rather then later. Cheers Chris, Jas Singh, Wolverhampton.
KAMMY SAYS: I understand exactly where you're coming from Jas because it's been hard for Wolves over the years. They've got the fan base, they've had money available and Mick McCarthy is a good manager, as he proved when he took Sunderland up.
You're right to say they have good players as well. One of the surprises of the season for me is that Freddie Eastwood hasn't scored 20 goals already. Maybe he's not played enough games or maybe I was wrong in my opinion of him because I thought he was a top goalscorer. One or two Premier League clubs rang me and asked me about him and I said he'd score goals at any level.
It's not over yet. Mick is still confident about the rest of the season, but there are just so many teams involved in the promotion race, you never know. The saving grace for Mick after their disappointing cup exit to Cardiff is that he's still got plenty of time to get them into the play-offs. But Mick is a realist and he knows that if they don't make it then he'll probably be heading for the exit door.
Comments (11)
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Shakeel Goulthorp (Coventry City fan) says...
Hi Chris. I thought you were going to be our new manager! :) Seriously mate, it was a shock to see Dowie go, along with Flowers who has been a Sky Blues fan since childhood so that was a shame. Mr Coleman got us off to a great start - a win in a local derby match against Leicester - what better way? There's a lot of deadwood that needs clearing out before the start of next season, and with the takeover FINALLY (!!!) complete, Ray Ranson has (apparently) promised ¿10m to spend on players in the summer. See you at the Ricoh! Shakeel.
Posted 22:01 24th February 2008
Luke Williams (Burnley fan) says...
I have to disagree with you saying QPR are a better side that Burnley. Burnleys recent form is about 3rd or 4th out of the whole championship which is really good. Burnley play some of the best football in the championship imho, also maybe not recently but we have beaten Wolves away 3-2, Watford 2-1 away and Charlton 3-1 away. Its not just the results that are important but so are the performances and Burnley are better perfomers than QPR.
Posted 16:30 22nd February 2008
Tom kleveland Nielsen (Stoke City fan) says...
Hi Chris. I remember you when you was playing for my favorite team Stoke City. Stoke has been brilliant this year. I have followed almost every game on the internet also seen 4 stoke-games on Danish TV. This season you never know when Stoke is beaten. No team in the Championship has come back from behind so many times as Stoke! No team in the Championship has players both in defense, midfield and attack, who can score goals as Stoke. Stoke has 4 players in top 10 in Actim Players Ratings. Many managers think Stoke is only lumping the ball forward, but that is not the case and if the rivals in the top 6 not realise that, then Stoke will fly in to the top league!!! Because Stoke is playing som excellent and entertaining stuff. Here we come - Stoke City
Posted 13:21 22nd February 2008
Olly Wilkinson (Coventry City fan) says...
I am looking forward to seeing what Coleman can do although im sure that he is going to do a fantastic job and I believe he is the best man for the job at the moment. I would love to see what i think he is going to do which is gradually get on the road to the Premier League, the Championship is a rather strong league at the moment and is getting better as it goes on what with all the ex-Prem players. I just want to see the old Cov again like they should be, in the top league about 14th, which is going to take a lot of time but at least we may find a way soo!
Posted 10:08 22nd February 2008
Adam Taylor (Coventry City fan) says...
Hi Chris, as a massive coventry fan for many years now i am very excited and looking forward to the times ahead. With a new chairman who know's about football and a top class manager at the helm i finally feel after years in the championship we have a base to push for promotion next season. Over recent weeks i had begin to lose alot of interest in football because of the style of football we were playing under Iain Dowie dont get me wrong i wish the guy all the best for the future and thank him for his efforts with us but he was a truely awful manager at City. The style of football was hurrendous long ball up to nobody and we had to listen to the same excusses every week. As for our squad we need a major clearout with half the squad not good enough for the blue square premier. But as i said i have full confidence in Ranson and Coleman and look forward to good times ahead. Come on you sky blues lets stay up this year and promotion next year.
Posted 22:43 21st February 2008
Alex Maclure (coventry city fan) (Coventry City fan) says...
Hi Chris, I totally agree with you that the sacking of Iain Dowie was very unlucky. If we had just kept him till the West Brom game then we might have had more confidence. It was clear that we were falling apart in that game, I should know, I was there. Now we need super Chris Coleman to pick up the pieces.
Posted 22:25 21st February 2008
Dave Allcock (Coventry City fan) says...
Hi Chris, I know you are mates with Dowie but to be honest he was not at the races with Coventry, if you look at last season with Micky Adams in charge we are worse off with apparently a better squad than Micky's. It was right for Dowie to move on and when you have a disagreement with the chairman who is uncertain about you anyway you will always lose. I never really backed Dowie and I wish Micky was still with us but Mr Ranson has pulled a master stroke of genius by getting Chris Coleman in. I am still shocked we got a manager of his quality and there is such a buzz around Coventry since he arrived. We will get promoted with Chris in charge and I don't mind if it takes 2 years, this club needs a long term plan and now that we are debt free thanks to Mr Ranson who ALL sky blue fans owe a massive thank you too for saving us from folding, we will go from strength to strength. Aside from the FA Cup game only Marshall, Tabb, McNamee and since arriving Fox and Dann have been the only players worthy of the Sky Blue shirt this season and it hurts a lot to have to say that, so I really hope we can keep those players together and have a bit of a clearout in the summer and we can have a real go next season. Lets write off this season we won't go down so no need to worry, LET'S LOOK TO THE FUTURE, LETS ALL SING TOGETHER, KEEP THE FAITH and WE WILL BE BACK IN THE TOP FLIGHT VERY SOON. CHRIS COLEMAN'S SKY BLUE ARMY!!!
Posted 20:48 21st February 2008
Surinder Bisal (Coventry City fan) says...
Chris, I feel really sorry for Iain Dowie, when he joined Coventry, his motivational techniques were making a big difference. Unfortunately with the transition of ownership of the club, he has been dealt a poor hand, over the season, with very little money to invest in new players. Coventry is a big club, with all the potential to be a good premiership side. We need a bit of luck, and as you say 3 or 4 good players - to bolster the side. It will be great to get a creative mid-fielder and a genuine striker. We can only dream on...Sky Blue Army!!!
Posted 20:45 21st February 2008
Mark Spencer (Queens Park Rangers fan) says...
Hi Kammy! I totally agree regarding the rangers seasonal hopes,to cement our place in the division.Everything is brand new at loftus rd after no foundations to build over the past 10 years or so! Flavio has a buisness sense i would think that he'd dread the rangers goig up this season but he can dream,keep smiling like all rangers fans.Theres no negativity around at all feels so positive .What a difference 6 months make!!!! Top interview prior to the chelsea cup game still makes me smile regarding the warmth from english football fans,how rangers have taken to him,How much was a billionaire coat? did we have a chance ? no! Wheres roman? scared of your billions! Top man kammy!
Posted 19:41 21st February 2008
Steven Nutt (Coventry City fan) says...
Chris, I think you have it spot on with your comments about Dowie, i would still say today that Dowie had the skills to do the job and to do it well, what a shame he didnt really have the situation at the club and the finances that could have complemented him. Coleman is as you say a manager of high quality and lets all hope that he can lift many unhappy Coventry supporters
Posted 15:56 21st February 2008
Philip Ellery (Queens Park Rangers fan) says...
Hi Chris, I am surprised that you think QPR will not make a move towards the Play-offs this season. I know we have left things late but having seen us stuff Bristol city and Watford recently I truly believe we are capable of putting a very good run together. As for the game against Burnley we could have and should have thrashed them out of sight, we are by far a better side than them, please do not let the result fool you.
Posted 13:45 21st February 2008
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