This I agree with, I remember reading years ago that Steve Coppell loved a kick around in the 5 a sides and he still had a bit of magic. These players need to get a grip and understand that while tv money has sent wages flying, most of them can't actually play decent football.

Nobody comes out of this very well. It's been a car crash from the summer and from what I've been told, combined with reading between the lines it went like this.

1. In May Parish met Big Sam to discuss transfers only to be left stunned at Sam wanting to leave.

2. Immediately the board made contact with Marco Silva who was making noises to force Watford's hand. We were keen but Watford had made strides in securing silva. It was never an option.

3. Pellegrino was then our number 1 choice. He had a great interview, was a good fit and worked with Sammy Lee before. The board wanted to appoint him but he was waiting on Southampton offer.

4. Dyche agent was keen for talks but palace had their man in Pellegrino. Meanwhile, FDB's agent made his move.

5. Parish set up interview and was impressed with the Dutchman who claimed he'd alter our playing style over time. Despite being impressed Pellegrino was first choice.

6. Pellegrino went to Southampton. Time was ticking and a decision had to be made.

7. FDB appointed.
----------------------

this post by Laddo seems to be spot on .

It appears that there are a number of facets at play here, which ultimately contributed in FdB getting the boot and the ensuing confusion as to what actually happened.

1) FdB's attitutde towards players
2) Player Power
3) SP's inability to keep off of social media when he needs to

Whilst I'm all for a Manager to stamp his own authority on a club and with the squad, to upset the apple cart quite so quickly (if what's been reported is to be believed) is something of a triumph.

It appears that FdB was/is intent to live off of his playing reputation to force his ideals (however merited) on to a team to get them playing his way.

This is twice now that he has upset a squad within a short period and twice now that he has been shown the door.

I hope for his sake that he drops his ego and learns from this mistake as it's ok to act this way in a club that molded you with that mentality, subsequently allowing you to work with players in that style (as in Ajax); but another entirely to try and force that on other clubs in other countries.

Managing is as much about building relationships with players as it is coaching them and developing their skill sets.

As for Player Power...I'm a little concerned that SP is too close to a number of players, who seem to have running to him when they get upset.

To be fair to FdB, telling Ward and Damo that they weren't good enough is pretty much what us on the boards have been saying for 12months...the truth is hard to take, but again its not what you say its the way you say it.

However, for players to then go to the Chairman in order to oust the Manager and for Parish to then (seemingly) act on their behest shows he is too close to the squad. We've already seen that he has a fair amount of sentiment (we saw that we Jonniesta getting yet another contract) and I accept that he, like us is a fan first and foremost. But he needs to distance himself now from the day to day squad issues, concentrating on the Club's infrastructure and plans for progression. Perhaps that's why DF is now in as DoF?

Finally SP and Social Media; he needs to know when to go on it and when to simply turn the phone off.

Part of what makes SP special and someone to be treasured is that he DOES interact with us, but in the last few days his tweets have caused confusion around the situation when mentioning we need to stick together before then sacking FdB within 12hrs.

This confusion has led to further unnecessary interaction with Trolls etc. who are all over the situation due to the lack of clear thought and direction..just what the fans and club needs at a time like this from its Chairman.

All in all its been a pretty unedifying 36hrs for the club and it'd be wrong to blame any one individual...it appears that there were a number of contributors that have led to the current situation but now is the time to move on, as always and support the eleven that take the pitch.

I just hope that the experiences of the last few days have given SP food for thought and that lessons are learned preventing this from happening again.

The Voice of Reason In An Otherwise Mediocre World

He simply had no clue of man management. If its true that after Kellys shocking performance against Swansea he told him he was rubbish and sent to train with the U23 then thats not on. Drop him yes but send him into exile no. The players must have really annoyed at the treatment of their mate. De Boer sounds like a right arrogant piece of wotk

One of the main problems is not adapting to the new style was the lack of pre-season games. FdB said he normally had 6 or 7 matches pre-season, so it wasn't down to him that we only had 4. I thought there was meant to be a tour of Ireland but that seemed to vanish.

As for Ward and Kelly, I'm afraid they haven't been good enough for a couple of years, but that's no excuse for making them train with the u23s - that's normally when there are disciplinary issues with a player. If not being good enough was an excuse for that, then most of our first team squad should be training with the kids!

Very illuminating, seems to have got the sequence of events spot on. Great post