If it's John Still...

[gafferbee]

Discuss...

Personally I think the man gets a bad rap. He took us to the Div 3/L2 playoffs (twice, right?) which was basically our best performance in TWENTY YEARS. He's branded as a long-ball specialist but we've seen plenty of dire football in the years since he left. And we've been relegated three times.

I spent time around him while working for the club back in 2000-01, and he came across as a bit of a gent, who had a fairly simple philosophy when dealing with lower league players that can be summed up as "don't confuse them". This approach looked very sound when compared to whatever Tony Cottee did to the players after taking over from Still.

Anyway, I get that lots of people can't stand him/his football. And I 100% agree that he would not exactly be a forward-thinking, fresh appointment.

But is he really any worse than Martin Allen?

[ninestein]

John Still would be a strong manager at this level. We could do a lot worse. He will get the side functioning and they will learn how to defend properly. Some of the football played under him by Luton and Dagenham was quite decent. It wasn't all long ball. The chairman has backed him financially before and I'm sure he would do again.

I would have no problem if TK goes down that route. And if he brings Darren Currie with him as no.2 we will have some proper Barnet people in the dugout whom a lot of us can relate to.

[aclassman]

But isn't appointing JS a backward step?
Next we will have PF back as a director of football.

I really think we need someone new, keen, dedicated, thirsty for success and wanting to plan a long term future with the club.

[alexbach]

Agreed. Beware the revisionists. Remember a function at underhill when he was genuinely touched at the welcome. His first conference winning Luton played good football

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[Berlinbee]

I reckon Ian Hendon could do a decent job second time around having got some more coaching and managerial experience under his belt

[ninestein]

I remember we played Luton in PSF just after they won the title. MA and Still were talking a lot to each other in the 2nd half. It was almost like Still the teacher and MA the student. If we did get him, that would be two heavyweight managers appointed by the 2 relegated sides. Both have won the division recently and only a year apart.

I think we have to recognise that if there are not enough strong candidates out there within our means, we may have to opt for the tried and tested solution. Maybe when we are a league side again and 'on the up' we can entice the higher calibre of coach.

Don't gef me wrong, if we went for Garrard or Waddock I'd be pleased and back them all the way. Still would also be a safe pair of hands, and we're more likely to get him without a fight as Dagenham need the money. I see they are calling a meeting of their members on Thursday to discuss the club's situation...

[jerroll]

I reckon Ian Hendon could do a decent job second time around having got some more coaching and managerial experience under his belt

Possibly, not a bad call. Hendo had supposedly been set to take over when nugnet and medals were appointed.

[Jon83]

Is this a genuine rumour or just someone having suggested the name to cause a debate?

Didn’t MA say that our conference winning team was based upon discussions with JS?? Age isn’t an issue (see Hodgson) but health is. Not sure I’d be that keen on him coming back but then I’m not really sure who’s the best candidate!

[barnet_pls]

I would not want us to go near Hendon. Doesn't seem like he's progressed or developed at all over the years. Would be too much of a risk. Unfortunate.

[BigBee]

I reckon Ian Hendon could do a decent job second time around having got some more coaching and managerial experience under his belt

Possibly, not a bad call. Hendo had supposedly been set to take over when nugnet and medals were appointed.

I believe that Hendo was interviewed by James Thorne, at the same time as
Westley and was previously in the frame when Nugent was appointed.

My understanding is, that Hendo was considered by the Chairman, to be a
viable option on both occasions, but left the interview process to Thorne.

Ultimately Thorne recommended different options to TK who backed
Thorne’s judgement.

Quite where this leaves Thorne, as a link in the chain to appoint our
next manager, is anybody’s guess.

[BigBee]

I reckon Ian Hendon could do a decent job second time around having got some more coaching and managerial experience under his belt

Possibly, not a bad call. Hendo had supposedly been set to take over when nugnet and medals were appointed.

I believe that Hendo was interviewed by James Thorne, at the same time as
Westley and was previously in the frame when Nugent was appointed.

My understanding is, that Hendo was considered by the Chairman, to be a
viable option on both occasions, but left the interview process to Thorne.

Ultimately Thorne recommended different options to TK who backed
Thorne’s judgement.

Quite where this leaves Thorne, as a link in the chain to appoint our
next manager, is anybody’s guess.

[northantsbee]

John Still is 68, I think he'll probably decide to retire when he decides to leave Dag & Red. However, I wouldn't not be averse to to him doing a scouting job for the club, he is good at spotting young and overlooked talent.

[john dockers shorts]

FFS no to Ian Hendon.... Absolute ledge etc but no.

Has no credentials at all.

'Still out' is a manager who knows the job and is a winner... Although I was delighted when we finally got rid. Always thought we massively underachieved with him.

Wouldn't be massively dissatisfied but not overly excited

[kingpinfid]

No one wanted Hendo to succeed more than me when he took over from Fairclough.

But he simply wasn’t good enough.

Time for a new manager.

[Tuesds]

But isn't appointing JS a backward step?
Next we will have PF back as a director of football.

I really think we need someone new, keen, dedicated, thirsty for success and wanting to plan a long term future with the club.

By this rationale, we would overlook the man who has won the conference three times and who has had Dagenham competing at the right end of the Conference for the last couple of years despite few resources, and instead appoint Rossi Eames.

We don't need someone wanting to plan a long-term future with the club, specifically. We want to win the Conference next season. We have a parachute payment, and we have football league quality players (see the final weeks of the season) in the final year of their contracts.

One season. That's all we need. That's all any club needs, really. Fans talk about wanting a long term appointment, but then your young, talented manager has eight first team players out injured including the main striker and has a bad run, and we're all demanding his head.

Relative to the standards of the last two years, one full season would be a long-term appointment. If Still wanted the job was healthy enough and hungry enough to give it a go for a season, I think he'd be a good appointment.

As I've said elsewhere, the common denominator between our 04/05 and 14/15 Conference triumphs was appointing a manager who knew what it takes to win a championship, and was ready to do it in their first season. John Still's won the Conference title with three different clubs already...