Poisonous dwarf is at it again...

[micls]

People seem to be viewing success as directly equating to being the best.

Here's why it's a fallacy.

Put the current Barca, Man U or any similar team in the LoI and they'd walk it. In fact, I could manage them and they'd still win. Would that make me the best manager? Clearly not.

So why didnt Doolin, McDonnell or Mathews win it? Why didnt ye come closer than 20odd points behind? Because theres no way in hell ye spent that much less, comparatively?

To claim developing youth is the only way to be a good manager is ridiculous. How many Derry players atm came through their youth system(how many have been youths while Kenny was manager?) and how many did Kenny buy in? Buying other people's youths just means you've an eye for talent, it doesnt mean you're the one developing it. Kenny prefers spotting younger talent e.g. McGinn, but he's still just buying/taking what other people have developed.

If developing talent is the only thing that matters then Pete Mahon is the best manager in the league, however most would accept that while its a good talent its far from the only important thing.

Being able to spot a player that will improve your team and put together a team that can dominate(like Shels) is a talent. Being able to take an underachieving team, whip them into shape and make them close to unbeatable is a talent. Being able to get that same team to keep focus and play football weeks after the league is over(when they hammered us 3-0) is a talent.

Fenlon has many managerial talent, not perfect by any means, but to simply label him a a 'chequebook manager' is ridiculous. That implies the person with the most money winning, which has been repeatedly stated is not the case.

[brianw82]

Last 4 posts here are actually some of the best I've read on foot.ie. Quality stuff.

[MariborKev]

To claim developing youth is the only way to be a good manager is ridiculous. How many Derry players atm came through their youth system(how many have been youths while Kenny was manager?) and how many did Kenny buy in?

No one said that- there is also buying young players to make the breakthorough.

[derrymac]

To paraphrase the peerless Brian Clough:

"Well, I ask him which way he thinks it should be done, we get down to it, we talk about it for 20 minutes and then we decide I was right."

how appropriate that the film version of This Damn United is being released now. We have our own Irish version... This Damned City?
A successful manager takes over a quality team and only lasts a short time... Is there any truth that Fenlon chopped up Kenny's desk in the Brandywell offices? While Derry could not be compared to Leeds, neither can Pat Fenlon be compared to Brian Clough but reading the book, the comparisons are scary

[micls]

No one said that- there is also buying young players to make the breakthorough.

The claim was

His failure to develop youth throughout his management career illustrates that he doesn't maximize individuals talent, ergo he can't be considered a good manager.

Saying someone can't be considered a good manager if they dont develop youth is basically the same as saying that youth is the most important thing.

Whats the difference between buying young talent and buying older lads? On one hand you get youth and a better chance of selling them on(plus their probably cheaper), on the other you get experience, but their both basically the same thing, buying someone who someone else has brought through and nurtured.

Personally Id prefer a manager who bought youth simply because its probably better value but give me the choice of buying older fellas and winning the league and I dont think many would have to think too hard about it

[BohDiddley]

Fenlon is so much more than a chequebook manager. The vastly improved performance from players in his first year in charge at Bohs clearly demonstrates that. He got absolute class from people who had been rated as mediocrities under his predecessor.
His huge determination and his will to win is matched by near-obsessive attention to detail and, yes, a ruthless streak. I'd much rather have him on my side.
I can understand his resentment at the consistently faint praise emanating from MNS and his hostility towards some of the bitter big-mouths there, and if it motivates him and his players so much the better.