Lucky number 7
By Jimmy Nolan
September 12 2023
By my calculations Mark & Nicola have appointed 6 managers in their time at the helm of Rovers. They have appointed six managers, inherited one and we have also had numerous caretakers. They have had a great deal of recruitment experience to the top job, getting it right has proven more difficult.
Ian Dawes, our latest permanent manager to leave, has the worst win rate since the manager they inherited, Rob Edwards. Dawes has a better record if you include his 7 games as caretaker manager, albeit only marginally better, if you just count the 8 games he had as official manager, not caretaker. He has a win rate of 12%, this rises to 14% if you count League games since he took over. You could also argue that the win on penalties in the League Cup should be added, but I am not including that as it was on penalties.
The roll call of managers runs
- Micky Adams
- Gary Brabin
- Micky Mellon
- Mike Jackson
- Keith Hill
- Micky Mellon
- Ian Dawes
Mark and Nicola have been at the helm for 469 League games. In that period we have been promoted twice and relegated twice, albeit the last one was on points per game. Arguably, that relegation from League 1 was were our problems began. We had just started to turn the corner when the season was suspended due to COVID. Our relegation on points per game resulted in Micky Mellon going off to Dundee, we have been trying to patch together the pieces ever since.
Our managers under Mr & Mrs Palios has varied from the incredibly experienced but disappointing (Micky Adams), the return of the prodigal son (Micky Mellon) and the 'we weren't surprised that didn't work out' (all the rest). Some, like Brabin, found great talent. Only one has gone on to greater things, if you regard being an Assitant as an achievement, in that Mike Jackson is No2 at Burnley.
The hope now is that the club draws upon the experience of past appointments to identify someone who can develop the team long term 450 League matches have been with managers appointed by the current owners, and on average managers have lasted for about 65 games. That figure is skewed by Mick Mellon's first period in charge where he was at the helm for 198 games. Any new manager coming in might be concerned that on average they get a season to prove themselves. That's a tough gig.
I've avoided stating my own preference here. That's probably because I've made the wrong call in the past. I thought, for example, that Adams had the ability to be a great manager. I was wrong. Then again I wouldn't have appointed Micky a second time, and I think we are long due a clear out of our back room team. Too often supporters hanker after an ex-player coming in to revive the glories of the past. I don't want that. We have few glories since our period in what now is the Championship. I want success, but most of all I want a manager that keeps us in the EFL and takes us forward.
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Mellon first time was a success, and had a pattern of promotions. Second-time around he was a good appointment - lots of promotions, success here and he did a decent job at Dundee United.
Jackson was a sensible continuity appointment. We believed we were starting a roll despite the demotion and continuity was the right plan. It never worked, but the appointment was good.
Brabin stabilised a good in turmoil and brought in the right players. He's a big reason why we weren't stuck in the National League for a decade, and the downward path we were on meant National League North was a possibility if the wrong appointment.
Adams was a very good appointment and I was convinced he would take us in the right direction. I was very wrong, but don't think the owners are to blame for that.
Dawes had worked himself into a position where if he wanted the job he had to have it. The pressure on someone else coming in straight after Mellon would be huge. He was appointed when we had nothing to lose, and has gone before we're too far off the play-offs. Time will tell with him.
Hill is the only appointment I'd question. Dawes had done wonders, and we probably should have waited until a defeat to make the change as Hill came in with too much expectation and pressure. His recent history at Bolton would always make him slightly scrutinised, but his record is similar to many that people are saying we should go for now. From a purely business perspective it wasn't a bad appointment, even if for fans it was underwhelming.
So I have faith in the owners to bring in the right person. There's still a long time to go this season and I think if we can build together the right line-up we could do well. I'd like to see someone in for the Accrington game - if Adkins wins that with a great performance it suddenly puts the new guy under a little pressure.
I agree that relegation from League 1 was a body blow, and probably meant that any potential buyers were scared off. We now have a situation where the owners have the burden of running the club but not the resources to run it in the way they initially envisaged. Everything stems from this particular challenge.
Quote:dave-p
Adkins to take the job full time. Would be a great bit of business.
I think we should wait until we see how things work out first!
Quote:he has a wife and home in hampshire so woyld have to take that into a decision.hes currently stayin with his mum and dad on the nockyALOTBSOLQuote:dave-p
Adkins to take the job full time. Would be a great bit of business.
I think we should wait until we see how things work out first!