Di Canio eyes magnificent seven (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

a little bit to much praise for my liking why is he trying to give there players confidence maybe he should big his own players up and give them some confidence. no doubt all those players have a lot of expirience but some of them are nearly past it thats why they are where they are in the league. we have a team that is 4th in the league in the last 16 of the league cup and he wants there players bit puzzling but if pdc had his own way he would have a squad of about 50 i suppose that is just his way . we will see how good they realy are tomorrow. 3-0 town please

pdc does wot he wants wrote:
a little bit to much praise for my liking why is he trying to give there players confidence maybe he should big his own players up and give them some confidence. no doubt all those players have a lot of expirience but some of them are nearly past it thats why they are where they are in the league. we have a team that is 4th in the league in the last 16 of the league cup and he wants there players bit puzzling but if pdc had his own way he would have a squad of about 50 i suppose that is just his way . we will see how good they realy are tomorrow. 3-0 town please

I think it's Paolo's way to gee up his own players with a pep talk to go out and show them we are better than them. For some reason we always play better against good opposition rather than some of the lesser quality teams.

Regarding their quality, I can remember Mcsheffrey coming here in 03/04 when he looked like a young matt Ritchie on loan at Luton, he took us apart single handed as they won 1-3, I believe, looking forward to seeing a good game of football, should have opened up the bank, we are getting as bad as the Pox for being a stadium with 3 sides..

You're probably right, Old Town, our players only seem to provide that something special on the big occassions, so he's building up the Coventry game.

Can you imagine what life must be like for Mrs PDC?? He gets home just in time to see his daughter then his wife go to bed.

Then he settles down, flack jacket on to get the atmosphere, pizza and bottle of peroni - not to watch a blue movie like most of us - but to watch yet another video of our next opponents!!!

The family will of course sleep with ear plugs in because of the inevitable kicking the dug-out, sorry, the leg of the settee gets.

Beyond the call of duty...?

Another view wrote:
You're probably right, Old Town, our players only seem to provide that something special on the big occassions, so he's building up the Coventry game.

Can you imagine what life must be like for Mrs PDC?? He gets home just in time to see his daughter then his wife go to bed.

Then he settles down, flack jacket on to get the atmosphere, pizza and bottle of peroni - not to watch a blue movie like most of us - but to watch yet another video of our next opponents!!!

The family will of course sleep with ear plugs in because of the inevitable kicking the dug-out, sorry, the leg of the settee gets.

Beyond the call of duty...?

:-)
---.
I hate to think how many hours he puts in....a very detailed view on most of the players as well.....his commitment and effort can never be doubted.
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Hate to say it but I can see a draw this Saturday....just get the feeling that we have had a bad rub of the green with the last three opponents all having new management.

What I want to know is why he is trying to sign Brynner Bronson Coburn McQueen Vaughn Dexter & Buchholz hasn't he got enough strikers!

Let me remind you Paolo!that the Magnificent so called seven!and the rest of the Coventry squad,are fifth from bottom!struggling,ha
ve only got 11 points,after getting relegated and are nothing special!anyone would think we're playing Blo*dy Barca tomorrow,get a grip man whats the matter with you??????????????

Agree with oldtown, we have approached our last two home games as bankers for the three points. I also see this as PDC's way of sending a message to the team that if they treat Coventry the same way as they did Orient and Colchester we will lose, let alone draw. Phsycology of the highest order in my view. Well done PDC, and good luck tomorrow.

I think the only reason you might want some of those players is if you owned a knackers yard.

the don69 wrote:
Let me remind you Paolo!that the Magnificent so called seven!and the rest of the Coventry squad,are fifth from bottom!struggling,ha ve only got 11 points,after getting relegated and are nothing special!anyone would think we're playing Blo*dy Barca tomorrow,get a grip man whats the matter with you??????????????

Yep just like struggling Orient and struggling Colchester.
He's spot on to be wary, Coventry are revitalised with their new manager as is nearly always the case.
Paolo doesn't want a hat trick of home defeats by a club that is apparantly struggling.

Coventry are far better than the previous two teams that beat us at home. We have to be on our game and play proper football not kick the bl00dy thing up in the air all the time as we did against Colchester.

Stilloyal wrote:

the don69 wrote:
Let me remind you Paolo!that the Magnificent so called seven!and the rest of the Coventry squad,are fifth from bottom!struggling,ha ve only got 11 points,after getting relegated and are nothing special!anyone would think we're playing Blo*dy Barca tomorrow,get a grip man whats the matter with you??????????????

Yep just like struggling Orient and struggling Colchester.
He's spot on to be wary, Coventry are revitalised with their new manager as is nearly always the case.
Paolo doesn't want a hat trick of home defeats by a club that is apparantly struggling.

Coventry are far better than the previous two teams that beat us at home. We have to be on our game and play proper football not kick the bl00dy thing up in the air all the time as we did against Colchester.

Spot on to be wary Loyal!but Magnificent?I don't think so,good job he's not in a shoot-out with the real Magnificent Seven!McQueen,Bronso
n,Brynner and the boys,he would be in trouble!LOL!!!!!!

on a different note with williams out, time for bostock to get a go. last season he was quality in the last couple of games just behind benson and if it is pace paolo wants then i will be very supprised if storey isnt on the bench tomorrow. well i hope so anyway because if you think williams is quick then you aint seen nothing yet!

I think this is Paolo taking the pressure away from his players, and putting it o Coventry. He is basically saying that they are favorites, that they should be out playing us, that we should worry about not being the better side on the day.

Tactical mind games from Paolo. Very clever :)

I don't think he is terribly confident of two things, the team he is putting out tomorrow, and getting a result which will keep folk happy.

I hope we put up a solid performance and 1-0 will be enough. What I am fearful of is if they put five across the middle and we don't adapt.

Hoping to be travelling home after the game celebrating a solid home win.

Time for Pdc to concentrate on his fit players, as to the magnificent 7 dunno yes he might be winding his players up????
I feel he needs to give them belief and encouragement.No reason why they cannot WIN
COME ON YOU REDS

Change of subjetc.
How can Pompey continue to sign loan players week in week out when there in admin I think about to fold an owe mega Money?????
Is it the emergency thing?or because there getting mega gates think average is 12000 home gates.
Here we are in embargo due to 1.5% and are banned from signing players.
Mind you is probably a correct thing as our squad is on the large side.
Just wondered why Pompey have been allowed to do this

Change of subjetc.
How can Pompey continue to sign loan players week in week out when there in admin I think about to fold an owe mega Money?????
Is it the emergency thing?or because there getting mega gates think average is 12000 home gates.
Here we are in embargo due to 1.5% and are banned from signing players.
Mind you is probably a correct thing as our squad is on the large side.
Just wondered why Pompey have been allowed to do this

SeanG92 wrote:
I think this is Paolo taking the pressure away from his players, and putting it o Coventry. He is basically saying that they are favorites, that they should be out playing us, that we should worry about not being the better side on the day.

Tactical mind games from Paolo. Very clever :)

Not that clever considering Paolo has already mouthed off again last week telling his whole squad he can't even replace the kit man as he has spent all the money .?

the don69 wrote:

Stilloyal wrote:

the don69 wrote: Let me remind you Paolo!that the Magnificent so called seven!and the rest of the Coventry squad,are fifth from bottom!struggling,ha ve only got 11 points,after getting relegated and are nothing special!anyone would think we're playing Blo*dy Barca tomorrow,get a grip man whats the matter with you??????????????

Yep just like struggling Orient and struggling Colchester. He's spot on to be wary, Coventry are revitalised with their new manager as is nearly always the case. Paolo doesn't want a hat trick of home defeats by a club that is apparantly struggling. Coventry are far better than the previous two teams that beat us at home. We have to be on our game and play proper football not kick the bl00dy thing up in the air all the time as we did against Colchester.

Spot on to be wary Loyal!but Magnificent?I don't think so,good job he's not in a shoot-out with the real Magnificent Seven!McQueen,Bronso n,Brynner and the boys,he would be in trouble!LOL!!!!!!

You plagiarising posts again Don - see my 9.00 am post lol!

Malkym wrote:

the don69 wrote:

Stilloyal wrote:

the don69 wrote: Let me remind you Paolo!that the Magnificent so called seven!and the rest of the Coventry squad,are fifth from bottom!struggling,ha ve only got 11 points,after getting relegated and are nothing special!anyone would think we're playing Blo*dy Barca tomorrow,get a grip man whats the matter with you??????????????

Yep just like struggling Orient and struggling Colchester. He's spot on to be wary, Coventry are revitalised with their new manager as is nearly always the case. Paolo doesn't want a hat trick of home defeats by a club that is apparantly struggling. Coventry are far better than the previous two teams that beat us at home. We have to be on our game and play proper football not kick the bl00dy thing up in the air all the time as we did against Colchester.

Spot on to be wary Loyal!but Magnificent?I don't think so,good job he's not in a shoot-out with the real Magnificent Seven!McQueen,Bronso n,Brynner and the boys,he would be in trouble!LOL!!!!!!

You plagiarising posts again Don - see my 9.00 am post lol!

I'll call mine the Magnificent Seven rides again!Malky!LOL!!!!!
!!!!!!!

the don69 wrote:

Malkym wrote:

the don69 wrote:

Stilloyal wrote:

the don69 wrote: Let me remind you Paolo!that the Magnificent so called seven!and the rest of the Coventry squad,are fifth from bottom!struggling,ha ve only got 11 points,after getting relegated and are nothing special!anyone would think we're playing Blo*dy Barca tomorrow,get a grip man whats the matter with you??????????????

Yep just like struggling Orient and struggling Colchester. He's spot on to be wary, Coventry are revitalised with their new manager as is nearly always the case. Paolo doesn't want a hat trick of home defeats by a club that is apparantly struggling. Coventry are far better than the previous two teams that beat us at home. We have to be on our game and play proper football not kick the bl00dy thing up in the air all the time as we did against Colchester.

Spot on to be wary Loyal!but Magnificent?I don't think so,good job he's not in a shoot-out with the real Magnificent Seven!McQueen,Bronso n,Brynner and the boys,he would be in trouble!LOL!!!!!!

You plagiarising posts again Don - see my 9.00 am post lol!

I'll call mine the Magnificent Seven rides again!Malky!LOL!!!!!

!!!!!!!

PDC will be referring to the Hole in the wall Gang next.

Certainly a case of damned if you do damned if you don’t with PdC – for some on here there is nothing he can actually do right!
.
No that doesn’t mean he is always right before it is said – but likewise it doesn’t mean he is always wrong either!
.
Now if anyone on here thinks we have the best 23 players in league 1 or better still the best 4 forwards, best 4 wingers, best 4 CBs etc – you are living in some strange universe! Here’s a big news flash we DON’T!!!
.
How many teams would Chris Smith walk straight into? Supermairne are where?
.
Why did Rooney go to L2 and not L1? (can’t be a “rivals” thing as Risser went to Stevenage!)
.
Yes we have some fantastic players and a very good squad and I bet Robins (and all other mangers in L1) will be saying a similar thing about our own Wes, Ritchie, McEveley, Roberts, Miller, Ferry etc – in fact the Carlilse manager publically did!!!!!
.
However, I for one would much prefer McSheffery to be challenging Roberts for the left wing spot than either RDV or Rooney – why as he is quality and proven that at the highest levels. No disrespect to our lads –but why did PdC sign Roberts? The same reason applies to someone like McSheffery!
.
Likewise I would much rather Murphy as Wes’ understudy than Bedwell – no disrespect to the lad but as others have said many many times on here he is not experienced enough to take over – yet Murphy is and has expereince at L1, Championship and U21 levels!
.
Likewise McGoldrick, Elliott or McDonald (who has been my main target as a forward for us since PdC arrived – and one he went for!) would be much better for us than Storey as 4th choice or higher – again no disprespct to Storey but these guys have loads of games under their belt and goals at all levels – so are far more likely to fire us up than he would
.
So why would he be wrong to say he would have them here as they WOULD improve our squad! Just as players from other teams would as well – I would certainly want Jake Cassidy here and hope we are looking at him in January!!!!!
.
Also as other have said it is also pschology to shift pressure – nothing wrong with that – unless of course it backfires!
.
Finally the comments about Coventry being near the bottom are just as stupid as the comments about Tranmere and Stevenage being promoted already – it’s a long old season as as we have seen many times before the league come May looks totally different to October!
.
Otherwise just think every single side in L2 last year would have called us a joke side when we were near the bottom (remember some said we were heading to the BSP last September!) - only for us to rampage up through the league and win it easily in the end!
.
Orient are another prime example – a joke side bottom with no wins yet since (and including) 8 September they have 5 wins, 1 draw and only 2 defeats in 8 games!!!!

Was just thinking... maybe we should all concentrate a bit less on what the manager says and a bit more on what his team does - and I've been as guilty as anyone of picking PDC's comments to pieces. In these days of instant media, there's a continual demand for quotes from managers and players. To be frank, I think the less you hear from somebody, the more likely it will be that what you do hear is worth listening to. That's why the likes of me and a few others on here are capable of boring the pants off people. Sometimes we just have too much to say. So perhaps we should cut PDC and the players some slack, accept that they have to say something in answer to the media's questions, and that the answers cannot always be what we want to hear.

Let's send them all to Coventry .
Onwards and upwards

mallorca wrote:
Change of subjetc. How can Pompey continue to sign loan players week in week out when there in admin I think about to fold an owe mega Money????? Is it the emergency thing?or because there getting mega gates think average is 12000 home gates. Here we are in embargo due to 1.5% and are banned from signing players. Mind you is probably a correct thing as our squad is on the large side. Just wondered why Pompey have been allowed to do this

Possibly because they're only signed on one month deals mate.

Is it me or is Paolo saying that we will lose tomorrow?.
OR is he in someway hopeing we lose so he can say more about the enbargo?..
.
Just looks a bit strange to me..
I wish he would praise are players up like he has theres.instead of saying the things that he says about his own players....
You know the ones that hw signed...

the don69 wrote:
Let me remind you Paolo!that the Magnificent so called seven!and the rest of the Coventry squad,are fifth from bottom!struggling,ha

ve only got 11 points,after getting relegated and are nothing special!anyone would think we're playing Blo*dy Barca tomorrow,get a grip man whats the matter with you??????????????

Have you ever thought he may be playing mind games with his opponents? Obviously you have fallen straight into PDC's trap I hope Coventry do the same thing!!

DarrenSTFCRomain wrote:
Is it me or is Paolo saying that we will lose tomorrow?.
OR is he in someway hopeing we lose so he can say more about the enbargo?..
.
Just looks a bit strange to me..
I wish he would praise are players up like he has theres.instead of saying the things that he says about his own players....
You know the ones that hw signed...

I read it two or three times, went back to it again and read it twice before my post.

Seemed to me that he was paving the way towards explaining another home defeat. Not happy about his mind set I must admit.

I'll take a 1-0 home win or a draw especially if they put five in the middle, something which we seem to struggle with.

Should we loose I quite expect a few dummies will get spat out in the aftermath, he will say, " I needa more play-yers, they no geeve me more play-yers, so we lose-a the game"

So would i take a home win...
and as for ccfc playing 5 in the middle thats a dead sert as every team in are division knows how we play?.

If there's 5 in the middle again we're hoofball f+cked. Hopefully, unlike David Cameron, Paolo will realise we need a pla B

southside7 wrote:
If there's 5 in the middle again we're hoofball f+cked. Hopefully, unlike David Cameron, Paolo will realise we need a pla B

I certainly hope so, A Plan B is essential as the season wears on, if other sides can adapt then so must we.
Still hoping for a good home win.

London Red wrote:
Certainly a case of damned if you do damned if you don’t with PdC – for some on here there is nothing he can actually do right!
.
No that doesn’t mean he is always right before it is said – but likewise it doesn’t mean he is always wrong either!
.
Now if anyone on here thinks we have the best 23 players in league 1 or better still the best 4 forwards, best 4 wingers, best 4 CBs etc – you are living in some strange universe! Here’s a big news flash we DON’T!!!
.
How many teams would Chris Smith walk straight into? Supermairne are where?
.
Why did Rooney go to L2 and not L1? (can’t be a “rivals” thing as Risser went to Stevenage!)
.
Yes we have some fantastic players and a very good squad and I bet Robins (and all other mangers in L1) will be saying a similar thing about our own Wes, Ritchie, McEveley, Roberts, Miller, Ferry etc – in fact the Carlilse manager publically did!!!!!
.
However, I for one would much prefer McSheffery to be challenging Roberts for the left wing spot than either RDV or Rooney – why as he is quality and proven that at the highest levels. No disrespect to our lads –but why did PdC sign Roberts? The same reason applies to someone like McSheffery!
.
Likewise I would much rather Murphy as Wes’ understudy than Bedwell – no disrespect to the lad but as others have said many many times on here he is not experienced enough to take over – yet Murphy is and has expereince at L1, Championship and U21 levels!
.
Likewise McGoldrick, Elliott or McDonald (who has been my main target as a forward for us since PdC arrived – and one he went for!) would be much better for us than Storey as 4th choice or higher – again no disprespct to Storey but these guys have loads of games under their belt and goals at all levels – so are far more likely to fire us up than he would
.
So why would he be wrong to say he would have them here as they WOULD improve our squad! Just as players from other teams would as well – I would certainly want Jake Cassidy here and hope we are looking at him in January!!!!!
.
Also as other have said it is also pschology to shift pressure – nothing wrong with that – unless of course it backfires!
.
Finally the comments about Coventry being near the bottom are just as stupid as the comments about Tranmere and Stevenage being promoted already – it’s a long old season as as we have seen many times before the league come May looks totally different to October!
.
Otherwise just think every single side in L2 last year would have called us a joke side when we were near the bottom (remember some said we were heading to the BSP last September!) - only for us to rampage up through the league and win it easily in the end!
.
Orient are another prime example – a joke side bottom with no wins yet since (and including) 8 September they have 5 wins, 1 draw and only 2 defeats in 8 games!!!!

Very Sorry London Red, but I was trying to read your above post earlier and it goes on so long, I fell asleep.

When I woke up, I read your post again but surprise, fell asleep yet again.

Having now given up London Red, I am going to watch my DVD of Ben Hur instead, much more interesting than your latest post!!!!

the wizard wrote:

southside7 wrote:
If there's 5 in the middle again we're hoofball f+cked. Hopefully, unlike David Cameron, Paolo will realise we need a pla B

I certainly hope so, A Plan B is essential as the season wears on, if other sides can adapt then so must we.
Still hoping for a good home win.

It must hurt Paolo more than any of us as we all know he loves good quality football rather than the Sunday League hoof city we've seen at times this season.

As an aside, Malpas was on 5live this afternoon talking about Jock Stein. Felt sorry for the old fella. I know I'm gonna get slated for this, but didn't see the hoofball with him, played it on the ground.

southside7 wrote:

the wizard wrote:

southside7 wrote:
If there's 5 in the middle again we're hoofball f+cked. Hopefully, unlike David Cameron, Paolo will realise we need a pla B

I certainly hope so, A Plan B is essential as the season wears on, if other sides can adapt then so must we.
Still hoping for a good home win.

It must hurt Paolo more than any of us as we all know he loves good quality football rather than the Sunday League hoof city we've seen at times this season.

As an aside, Malpas was on 5live this afternoon talking about Jock Stein. Felt sorry for the old fella. I know I'm gonna get slated for this, but didn't see the hoofball with him, played it on the ground.

Since the start of the year 2000 we have had a span of 12 managers, Malpas included up to the present day.

Some are maybe best forgot, but I wonder how they think of today's set up, it would be certainly interesting to hear a few views and comparisons of how they had to work and juggle players around.

I should add to the above that I counted Andy Kings two tenures as separate, so perhaps 11 people in 12 vacancies

I have just returned to Australia after seeing my beloved Swindonr loose 2 of the 3 home games I went to see.
My thoughts are very mixed. How can a team play so well and beat Bournmouth so easily and yet struggle against LO and Colchester?
I think it must be a mindset problem as we can play attractive cutting edge football when we WANT to.
It appears the DESIRE to win is not always present and leads to a lackluster performance.
As an analogy a Mini driven with skill and flat out will beat a Porsche Boxter driven at half power and without passion.
More desire to win from one and all we will be top 6 otherwise mid table without it.
I also wonder if PDC might need a little more help? Does he need a right hand man who can be the fall guy when things go wrong? You can't take it out on the players every time as moral is greatly affected.
The Brian Clough /Peter Taylor management style springs to mind. Charismatic, outspoken and often controversial, Clough is considered one of the great managers of the English game. Yet it was Peter Taylor who made it possible he was there to work in the background and steady the ship.
As they say two heads ARE better than one.

Good stats compiled by Paolo on the Championship pedigree, but to be fair we have quite a few ourselves, don't forget Ward has played at a good level as well. We also have one or two besides Jay, Miller, Navarro that haven't played or haven't played much at that level but should be able to compete eg Wes, Ritchie, Bessone, Bostock, Ward etc.

One area we don't have experience is up front, Benson's exp is at lower leagues and Collins and Williams are League 2 and 1. I was a bit surprised we didn't push the boat out for an experienced striker of Championship quality in the summer, but can't complain at what we've got although it would be nice to see them bag a few more. Maybe this is the loan position Paolo is keen to strengthen in, although I would definitely give Bostock a go before looking elsewhere.

bowralbob wrote:
I have just returned to Australia after seeing my beloved Swindonr loose 2 of the 3 home games I went to see.
My thoughts are very mixed. How can a team play so well and beat Bournmouth so easily and yet struggle against LO and Colchester?
I think it must be a mindset problem as we can play attractive cutting edge football when we WANT to.
It appears the DESIRE to win is not always present and leads to a lackluster performance.
As an analogy a Mini driven with skill and flat out will beat a Porsche Boxter driven at half power and without passion.
More desire to win from one and all we will be top 6 otherwise mid table without it.
I also wonder if PDC might need a little more help? Does he need a right hand man who can be the fall guy when things go wrong? You can't take it out on the players every time as moral is greatly affected.
The Brian Clough /Peter Taylor management style springs to mind. Charismatic, outspoken and often controversial, Clough is considered one of the great managers of the English game. Yet it was Peter Taylor who made it possible he was there to work in the background and steady the ship.
As they say two heads ARE better than one.

I think that's an excellent observation Bowralbob (what's the story behind that name!?). Many Managerial legends have had a sidekick or a well stocked bootroom (eg Livrpool).

DiCanio has brought over some backroom staff from Italy but they appear very technical. Not like Taylor who had a nose for good players and an ability to mitigate the excesses of Clough with the egos of some of the prima donnas.

You've put your finger on Paolo's biggest failing. I think he had the chance to create that relationship with Paul Bodin but that clearly hasn't happened.

I suspect he cannot share power with anybody? His ability to do so will determine whether he becomes a great manager or not.