Ryan Lowe

[Th10]

With Ryan Lowe having been to a number of matches this season I was expecting him to be appointed.

Personally, I'm a bit underwhelmed by his hiring. Seems like he's imploded wherever he's been and I'm indifferent to the video of him doing the rounds. And, despite him being on the scene, the club tried for a different manager before him, so it doesn't even look like the board were convinced. He's also apparently good mates with Gregor Rioch so there's a hint of nepotism as well.

So no, I can't say I'm happy about this appointment but we are where we we are. Knocking off cleaners at Plymouth, arguing with fans and questioning their coaching experience, making burner accounts on social media, he's a wrong-un.

Gives an interesting twist to the fans forum, though. Wonder if anyone asks him about previous transgressions?

I doubt we’ll ever know if there’s any truth that we wanted someone else as first choice or who it was. If it was Wellens then the only club he’s done ok at is Leyton Orient, he’s not been great anywhere else.

Sometimes the ‘wrong uns’ bring success. Paul Jewell wasn’t liked by quite a few people, he had quite a few run ins and hit the national papers due to something going on in his personal life. Paul Cook also upset quite a few people but I thought he had us on the way back to pushing for promotion to the premier league before covid and the Chinese owners struck.

Maloney was a great bloke but it seemed like he was too much of a nice guy and perhaps the players took advantage of that and got away with underperforming. If Lowe is willing to call them out, get rid of any deadwood and replace them with better players then I think that’s a big step forward for us. Time will tell but I’m far more optimistic about having Lowe in charge than any of the other names that were being mentioned.

 

[moonay]

Right ... enough is enough.

I'm pleased we've now got a new manager, and as I didn't really have any favourite or affiliation to anyone on the candidate list, Lowe does at least seem to have some decent (ie good) pedigree.

I've not posted much about any of the candidates, partly cos I didn't have much to offer re commenting on their records, but mainly cos I just wasn't bothered about who it was until they were signed.

However, let's not re-write history when reminiscing over previous incumbents.

There have been some atrocious managers we have appointed in the last 12 years, all of which defied any logic for differing reasons.

Coyle
Mackay
Joyce
Toure
Maloney

I'm sorry MiW ... I have great respect for much that you post (except the politics stuff obviously ) but the inclusion of Maloney in this list crosses a line beyond anything that could be deemed acceptable.

Last season, with bugger all to spend, a points deduction, a takeover and despite doing the job of a few others too, he had us in a mid table finish.

I've absolutely no problem in accepting the allegations that this season (partly following the accomplishments of last season) has been somewhat disappointing ... mainly in the style of play ... but again, we were heading for a solid mid-table finish.

To include Maloney in that list is (again, for me) absolutely out of order. I get that not everyone was happy with his style (mainly cos they thought he was intending to play in the all too often slow, laboured manner, rather than the occasional glimpses of the quicker, pressing, incisive, confident, sin miedo approach).

There. I've said it. I'll shut up now.

 

[Made in Wigan]

With Ryan Lowe having been to a number of matches this season I was expecting him to be appointed.

Personally, I'm a bit underwhelmed by his hiring. Seems like he's imploded wherever he's been and I'm indifferent to the video of him doing the rounds. And, despite him being on the scene, the club tried for a different manager before him, so it doesn't even look like the board were convinced. He's also apparently good mates with Gregor Rioch so there's a hint of nepotism as well.

So no, I can't say I'm happy about this appointment but we are where we we are. Knocking off cleaners at Plymouth, arguing with fans and questioning their coaching experience, making burner accounts on social media, he's a wrong-un.

Gives an interesting twist to the fans forum, though. Wonder if anyone asks him about previous transgressions?

I recall a certain Mr Jewell caught in a compromising position on a car bonnet but it didn’t do his career any harm. I couldn’t care less if he wants to work his way through the cleaning staff, hell he could knock Brenda off as far as I’m concerned, though workplace conduct these days is more heavily scrutinised.

I don’t buy the implosion statement. He’s done well throughout his career, progressed and walked from Knob End when he felt he’d taken them as far as he could. I’ve no doubt knob enders wanted more after three mid table Championship finishes, but that’s just football fans and football in general.

Just my opinion, but personally I think he’s a good fit, though he maybe disappointed if he thinks he’s gonna get the Brick rocking. Mind you any sort of entertainment will be a bonus on the back of the sleep inducing dross we’ve had for the past two seasons so you never know.

The sport needs characters and we have a good track record with scouse managers such as Jewell and Cook and suspect it’ll be the case again with Lowe.

 

[Made in Wigan]

Right ... enough is enough.

I'm pleased we've now got a new manager, and as I didn't really have any favourite or affiliation to anyone on the candidate list, Lowe does at least seem to have some decent (ie good) pedigree.

I've not posted much about any of the candidates, partly cos I didn't have much to offer re commenting on their records, but mainly cos I just wasn't bothered about who it was until they were signed.

However, let's not re-write history when reminiscing over previous incumbents.


I'm sorry MiW ... I have great respect for much that you post (except the politics stuff obviously ) but the inclusion of Maloney in this list crosses a line beyond anything that could be deemed acceptable.

Last season, with bugger all to spend, a points deduction, a takeover and despite doing the job of a few others too, he had us in a mid table finish.

I've absolutely no problem in accepting the allegations that this season (partly following the accomplishments of last season) has been somewhat disappointing ... mainly in the style of play ... but again, we were heading for a solid mid-table finish.

To include Maloney in that list is (again, for me) absolutely out of order. I get that not everyone was happy with his style (mainly cos they thought he was intending to play in the all too often slow, laboured manner, rather than the occasional glimpses of the quicker, pressing, incisive, confident, sin miedo approach).

There. I've said it. I'll shut up now.

To be fair I was in two minds whether to include him. I did purely because I thought it was the wrong appointment at the time given his relative lack of experience and performance at Hibs, and the crux of my post was about poor recruitment.

I accept your point and upon reflection it’s probably unfair to lump him in with that lot. Not the worst manager we’ve had but I stand by the fact the most boring.

 

[moonay]

To be fair I was in two minds whether to include him. I did purely because I thought it was the wrong appointment at the time given his relative lack of experience and performance at Hibs, and the crux of my post was about poor recruitment.

I accept your point and upon reflection it’s probably unfair to lump him in with that lot. Not the worst manager we’ve had but I stand by the fact the most boring.

You're a gentleman sir.

 

[Scottish Latic]

I think he should be able to get more out of what he has.

There's a few basic things that will make a massive difference, that any manager worth their salt should be able to do:


2. Get more movement off the ball

This is a must. We look like Burtons shop window while the back 3/4 pasted it between their selves

 

[Frank Bullitt]

With Ryan Lowe having been to a number of matches this season I was expecting him to be appointed.

Personally, I'm a bit underwhelmed by his hiring. Seems like he's imploded wherever he's been and I'm indifferent to the video of him doing the rounds. And, despite him being on the scene, the club tried for a different manager before him, so it doesn't even look like the board were convinced. He's also apparently good mates with Gregor Rioch so there's a hint of nepotism as well.

So no, I can't say I'm happy about this appointment but we are where we we are. Knocking off cleaners at Plymouth, arguing with fans and questioning their coaching experience, making burner accounts on social media, he's a wrong-un.

Gives an interesting twist to the fans forum, though. Wonder if anyone asks him about previous transgressions?

I'm more concerned about what he does as head coach of Wigan Athletic, a fresh start for both him and us, unlike Maloney he may learn from his mistakes.

Welcome aboard Lowey!

 

[king_dezeeuw06]

In terms of a RWB, we do have Dion Rankine who according to KDZ (apologies Sir if it wasn't you what said it) played well in that position for (was it) Exeter?

He did play there for Exeter last season if i remember correctly he got mixed reviews from their fans and didn't get many goals or assists.

He's been awful for us so far but he's under contract for another couple of years after this one so just hope Lowe can get a lot more out of him.

 

[AndABusShelter]

Right ... enough is enough.

I'm pleased we've now got a new manager, and as I didn't really have any favourite or affiliation to anyone on the candidate list, Lowe does at least seem to have some decent (ie good) pedigree.

I've not posted much about any of the candidates, partly cos I didn't have much to offer re commenting on their records, but mainly cos I just wasn't bothered about who it was until they were signed.

However, let's not re-write history when reminiscing over previous incumbents.


I'm sorry MiW ... I have great respect for much that you post (except the politics stuff obviously ) but the inclusion of Maloney in this list crosses a line beyond anything that could be deemed acceptable.

Last season, with bugger all to spend, a points deduction, a takeover and despite doing the job of a few others too, he had us in a mid table finish.

I've absolutely no problem in accepting the allegations that this season (partly following the accomplishments of last season) has been somewhat disappointing ... mainly in the style of play ... but again, we were heading for a solid mid-table finish.

To include Maloney in that list is (again, for me) absolutely out of order. I get that not everyone was happy with his style (mainly cos they thought he was intending to play in the all too often slow, laboured manner, rather than the occasional glimpses of the quicker, pressing, incisive, confident, sin miedo approach).

There. I've said it. I'll shut up now.

Agreed, ended badly for him but to put him in the same tier as the utter **** Mackay is insulting in itself

 

[Runcornfan1978]

I stand by the fact the most boring.

I'll have to agree to disagree with you on that one MiW. The title of most boring football manager must surely go to Joyce. Maloney had "glimpses" albeit not many, but the odd glimpse of attacking football & on the rare occasion it was pretty decent, i.e. Huddersfield.

Joyce IMO never even attempted to play attacking football & always seemed content with draws.

The football under Swain was no good either. And he'd have been in my list of worst managers. However, in his defence, we seriously didn't have the proverbial pot to piss in back then relying on us signing Crewe reserves.

 

[Peters kipper]

One thing that is really strange is nearly everyone seems quite happy about this decision - even on X.

That really is unusual

 

[Made in Wigan]

I'll have to agree to disagree with you on that one MiW. The title of most boring football manager must surely go to Joyce. Maloney had "glimpses" albeit not many, but the odd glimpse of attacking football & on the rare occasion it was pretty decent, i.e. Huddersfield.

Joyce IMO never even attempted to play attacking football & always seemed content with draws.

The football under Swain was no good either. And he'd have been in my list of worst managers. However, in his defence, we seriously didn't have the proverbial pot to piss in back then relying on us signing Crewe reserves.

I watched in the Swain days but it’s that long ago and I was only a kid so difficult to recall and provide any assessment of him.

I narrowed the list to appointments since Bob left. As I say some utterly bizarre appointments, for differing reasons, it’s difficult to believe or understand how they were made. No hindsight needed either, they were so wrong at the time and proved to be so (I now exclude Maloney from the list having considered it).

I guess we could debate which teams was the most boring to watch, those of Joyce or Maloney, but I think we can agree neither provided much entertainment. I went for Maloney as he was managing in L1. I accept Championship and above a more pragmatic approach maybe needed, but he was managing in a poor L1 and we had the worst goalscoring record and barely mustered attacks, and certainly didn’t have sustained periods of pressure. It was just unacceptable in my opinion and made attending a chore to the point I was going to jack it in after 40 years as it had stopped becoming pleasurable it was that boring.

 

[SayingNuthin']

Didn't know much about Lowe until reading this thread.

Encouraged by the fact he seems to play 3-5-2 due to our collection of centre halves, available wing-backs and giving direct support to our isolated centre forward.

Somewhat wary of potential nepotism, via Rioch, and whispers of previous conduct. On the latter point though, aren't most of us entitled opportunities to learn from previous mistakes?

Good luck to the fella and, at least, it'll be different in the coming weeks and months.

 

[Kenny Morris]

Interesting that Lowes role is “head coach” and not manager.
So looks like he will be further down the pecking order than Shaun M in the new structure and concentrating solely on coaching without all the other distractions

 

[Rueben]

One thing that does concern me is the insinuation that SM was potted because of his input on poor recruitment ( and in general it was bad ) and this could be taken away from the head coach. Surely the guy picking the team should have a say on what is needed and not placed in the hands of a panel with little playing experience. Don't throw the baby away with the bath water. Happy with Lowe though.

 

[king_dezeeuw06]

Interesting interview with Lowe that's worth a watch:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1900109589284106390

One thing that stood out to me was he's going to meet the players and tell them his 'non negotiables they have to buy into'. You can immediately tell he's got more of an edge to him personality wise and sounds like he's going to be a lot more demanding than Maloney. I think that is what the team needs as it always felt like Maloney was a bit too nice for the ruthless world of football management.

He mentioned that he's going to bring in at least one member of coaching staff with him, but it didn't sound like that someone was already lined up or imminent. But it sounds like he's planning to keep Whelan.

Also interesting that he said he wasn't going to talk about his philosophy or style or formation and just wants a winning philosophy and style.

 

[Pie Believer]

I recall a certain Mr Jewell caught in a compromising position on a car bonnet but it didn’t do his career any harm. I couldn’t care less if he wants to work his way through the cleaning staff, hell he could knock Brenda off as far as I’m concerned, though workplace conduct these days is more heavily scrutinised.

.........................................

The sport needs characters and we have a good track record with scouse managers such as Jewell and Cook and suspect it’ll be the case again with Lowe.

I'm honestly shocked by this misogynistic post. I'm surprised no one has called him out yet. What you choose to practice in your personal/work life is your business, but that doesn't mean it should be endorsed on here.
PS You must be infuriated that there are laws in place to protect victims of misogyny.

 

[king_dezeeuw06]

One thing that does concern me is the insinuation that SM was potted because of his input on poor recruitment ( and in general it was bad ) and this could be taken away from the head coach. Surely the guy picking the team should have a say on what is needed and not placed in the hands of a panel with little playing experience. Don't throw the baby away with the bath water. Happy with Lowe though.

I think a lot of clubs run like this now where recruitment is done for the manager with varying degrees of their involvement.

But it's something that i hope is asked at the fans forum. I'd ask it but i'm not sure if i'll be able to make it now.

 

[Stevetic]

I think Les Bagg would be a fine addition to the coaching team.

Bleeding hell, not heard that name for donkeys

 

[Soccerates]

I recall a certain Mr Jewell caught in a compromising position on a car bonnet but it didn’t do his career any harm. I couldn’t care less if he wants to work his way through the cleaning staff, hell he could knock Brenda off as far as I’m concerned, though workplace conduct these days is more heavily scrutinised.

I don’t buy the implosion statement. He’s done well throughout his career, progressed and walked from Knob End when he felt he’d taken them as far as he could. I’ve no doubt knob enders wanted more after three mid table Championship finishes, but that’s just football fans and football in general.

Just my opinion, but personally I think he’s a good fit, though he maybe disappointed if he thinks he’s gonna get the Brick rocking. Mind you any sort of entertainment will be a bonus on the back of the sleep inducing dross we’ve had for the past two seasons so you never know.

The sport needs characters and we have a good track record with scouse managers such as Jewell and Cook and suspect it’ll be the case again with Lowe.

Character is one thing.

Bringing a club into disrepute another.

You mention Paul Jewell, who presided over the single worst season in Premier League history and has had a mixed bag of backroom jobs since.

Everyone should be able to atone for their mistakes. This guy doesn't seem to be someone who handles these things with any shred of humility.

So yes, let's hope he's learnt from mistakes made.