Gavin Baldwin on Radio Sheffield

[GazLaz]

Reasonable interview, he is clearly good at his job and I don’t agree with the criticism he’s been getting.

But he’s not very Inspiring to supporters is he.
Nice guy I’m sure, but we desperately need some charisma back in senior positions. I’m sure that will get jumped on, but I think it is important especially to the casuals.

You are right, I’m not even sure it necessarily even needs to be charisma though. Just a bit of footballing vision. Anything for the fans to buy into.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

The ultimate point is half the fans don't care about what he does they just want to see winning football.  There was no criticism when we were winning games.  It is a tough gig football.

Right now fans need someone to have a pop at and he's it (rather unfairly).  I noted it last night how a few bad refereeing decisions got the crowd going a bit with someone to have a pop at.

[pib]

They're not the best answers are they?

I appreciate GB has his strengths on the commercial side but doesn't sound like he knows football.

On the DOF/TD question he basically said they'll wait for the new manager to come in and decide then whether to appoint a DOF or similar. Doesn't that defeat the whole point of it?

We're about 8-9 years or so into his tenure as CEO and we still don't seem to have a football strategy. And before anyone says it, "give the manager a top 8 budget from Club Doncaster funds and hope we get in the play-offs some years" isn't a strategy.

[Campsall rover]

They're not the best answers are they?

I appreciate GB has his strengths on the commercial side but doesn't sound like he knows football.

On the DOF/TD question he basically said they'll wait for the new manager to come in and decide then whether to appoint a DOF or similar. Doesn't that defeat the whole point of it?

We're about 8-9 years or so into his tenure as CEO and we still don't seem to have a football strategy. And before anyone says it, "give the manager a top 8 budget from Club Doncaster funds and hope we get in the play-offs some years" isn't a strategy.

No good having a DoF if the manager we appoint is not going to be happy with that arrangement.
They have got to be able to work together and have clearly defined roles.

[Alan Southstand]

Just to emphasise how bad things have become, I noticed a quote from Leon Wobschall saying that since we last played Oxford at home, last February, we have got 29 points from a possible 129.

Says it all how the Club has been going over the last few seasons.

GB and the Board have to take some responsibility for that and maybe, a little late, they have realised how bad things really are. The thing is, I’ve not heard one word of acceptance that they may, just may, have got a few things wrong.

Like someone has already said, GB had an opportunity to say something and he stopped short.

[pib]

They're not the best answers are they?

I appreciate GB has his strengths on the commercial side but doesn't sound like he knows football.

On the DOF/TD question he basically said they'll wait for the new manager to come in and decide then whether to appoint a DOF or similar. Doesn't that defeat the whole point of it?

We're about 8-9 years or so into his tenure as CEO and we still don't seem to have a football strategy. And before anyone says it, "give the manager a top 8 budget from Club Doncaster funds and hope we get in the play-offs some years" isn't a strategy.

No good having a DoF if the manager we appoint is not going to be happy with that arrangement.
They have got to be able to work together and have clearly defined roles.

Disagree. If they want to put a different structure in place and have a DOF, surely the purpose of that is to create continuity and consistency in the way the club operates as managers come and go. Otherwise we end up chopping and changing the whole system when the manager changes, which is what has put us into the mess we're in now.

Put the structure and system in place, then get a manager/head coach to fit, IMO. If a manager isn't happy with how the club operates, don't appoint him.

[roversdude]

They're not the best answers are they?

I appreciate GB has his strengths on the commercial side but doesn't sound like he knows football.

On the DOF/TD question he basically said they'll wait for the new manager to come in and decide then whether to appoint a DOF or similar. Doesn't that defeat the whole point of it?

We're about 8-9 years or so into his tenure as CEO and we still don't seem to have a football strategy. And before anyone says it, "give the manager a top 8 budget from Club Doncaster funds and hope we get in the play-offs some years" isn't a strategy.

No good having a DoF if the manager we appoint is not going to be happy with that arrangement.
They have got to be able to work together and have clearly defined roles.

Sensible approach it can be an interview question- how they would work with a DOF.
The fact that a DOF is even being talked about to me is an acceptance that things can be improved

[acacia94]

Think you've nailed it there pib. You put a structure, strategy and plan in place and recruit people that align with it. There's a common direction of travel and ethos. If people leave the whole thing doesn't then collapse and need restarting from scratch – as in the McCann and Moore examples.

[ColinDouglasHandshake]

What's with all the 'Club Doncaster' obsession anyway? Heard a question asked on this interview driving up last night about Club Doncaster and Doncaster Rovers.

Anyone remember York City Soccer Club a few years back when that mad owner took charge and wanted to Americanise them and rebadged the crest?

[Campsall rover]

They're not the best answers are they?

I appreciate GB has his strengths on the commercial side but doesn't sound like he knows football.

On the DOF/TD question he basically said they'll wait for the new manager to come in and decide then whether to appoint a DOF or similar. Doesn't that defeat the whole point of it?

We're about 8-9 years or so into his tenure as CEO and we still don't seem to have a football strategy. And before anyone says it, "give the manager a top 8 budget from Club Doncaster funds and hope we get in the play-offs some years" isn't a strategy.

No good having a DoF if the manager we appoint is not going to be happy with that arrangement.
They have got to be able to work together and have clearly defined roles.

Disagree. If they want to put a different structure in place and have a DOF, surely the purpose of that is to create continuity and consistency in the way the club operates as managers come and go. Otherwise we end up chopping and changing the whole system when the manager changes, which is what has put us into the mess we're in now.

Put the structure and system in place, then get a manager/head coach to fit, IMO. If a manager isn't happy with how the club operates, don't appoint him.

It’s a difficult one pib.  It really depends on what the defined role of the DoF is.

I think the manager has to have the final say as to who is signed and who is not.
I just think we need someone with more professional football knowledge than GB someone who knows the leagues, who has a huge contact base throughout the game and can implement a wide scouting network.

Someone who can take the pressure off both Gavin and the manager allowing them to concentrate on what they are best at.
Let GB concentrate on the Business, commerial and financial side of running the club. His role should be maximising all financial streams through Club Doncaster to create more revenue that can be made available for the playing budget.
The manager can then concentrate all his efforts to the training ground. 

I hope that is what the board are thinking unless they have another strategy in mind that is going to be workable and effective.

It is going to be interesting to see what transpires. We may hear more on Monday eve at the Meet the Owners meeting.

[Campsall rover]

What's with all the 'Club Doncaster' obsession anyway? Heard a question asked on this interview driving up last night about Club Doncaster and Doncaster Rovers.

Anyone remember York City Soccer Club a few years back when that mad owner took charge and wanted to Americanise them and rebadged the crest?

CDH what are you on about. What That chap at York may or may not have have been proposing has no resemblance to what Club Doncaster is about.

Club Doncaster has improved and increased revenue streams into DRFC.
What is the obsession some people have with belittling Club Doncaster.  Go do some homework I suggest before knocking it. 

[Tazemma]

I find it very strange that the guy who is the front of the club and leading it from a business model perspective is open to suggestions on how to run the club.

Surely he should be dictating this and people fit into his model. Shows lack of leadership to me which doesn’t actually install confidence that we know what we are doing.

[sedwardsdrfc]

Thats why they need a football role it's obvious. GB has clearly got the club maximising any income opportunities and making money outside football thats great. If we had a football person doing that we'd be useless at brining money into the club. But equally can GB do what he's good at and drive the on the pitch vision especially when you know you haven't the footballing experience.

Club Doncaster is basically realising that the stadium sits empty the vast majority of the year and there is surely ways to profit from what it a good community asset in a good location. It's not some replacement for DRFC i don't understand why people have a problem with it. If the club did those things in DRFC's name no one would have a problem.   

[Alan Southstand]

Another thing GB said that it was planned to have 3 ‘marquee’ signings in the summer. I’m presuming he didn’t mean tents, so other than Tommy Rowe, who are the others?

Plus, knowing that they had 2 players already injured, out of the 7 senior pro’s we had left, why didn’t we allow for more than 3?

Also, why did the Chairman have to tell all the playing staff (on Monday) that we would be putting in substantial funds to reinforce the squad? Were we about to have a mutiny?

The interview does throw up more questions!

[Alan Southstand]

I think the manager has to have the final say as to who is signed and who is not.

Couldn’t agree more, Campsall. However, I’m not sure that’s how it works presently. From what I understand the manager and 3 others decide who would be good for us to sign, but then the final nod is given by Blunt (from a financial perspective). I dare say the manager does carry sway in that little committee, and he can be advised by the CEO on funding aspects, but Blunt has the final word. Sometimes, however, I think ‘value for money’ is not fully utilised and we’ve been guilty of short termism in our dealings.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Another thing GB said that it was planned to have 3 ‘marquee’ signings in the summer. I’m presuming he didn’t mean tents, so other than Tommy Rowe, who are the others?

Plus, knowing that they had 2 players already injured, out of the 7 senior pro’s we had left, why didn’t we allow for more than 3?

Also, why did the Chairman have to tell all the playing staff (on Monday) that we would be putting in substantial funds to reinforce the squad? Were we about to have a mutiny?

The interview does throw up more questions!

Why shouldn't the players be kept informed of plans for the January?? They are as entitled if not more to be told.

Times in business in the past when you're short staffed  it's necessary to tell your hard worked staff that reinforcements are on the way.

[Alan Southstand]

The manager could have done that, DBR, surely. Anyway, it matters not. What about the first point?

[roversdude]

I think the manager has to have the final say as to who is signed and who is not.

Couldn’t agree more, Campsall. However, I’m not sure that’s how it works presently. From what I understand the manager and 3 others decide who would be good for us to sign, but then the final nod is given by Blunt (from a financial perspective). I dare say the manager does carry sway in that little committee, and he can be advised by the CEO on funding aspects, but Blunt has the final word. Sometimes, however, I think ‘value for money’ is not fully utilised and we’ve been guilty of short termism in our dealings.

The injured players were due back imminently though so why look at replacements ? Obviously it never panned out like that but you tend to believe the medical experts

[GazLaz]

Another thing GB said that it was planned to have 3 ‘marquee’ signings in the summer. I’m presuming he didn’t mean tents, so other than Tommy Rowe, who are the others?

Plus, knowing that they had 2 players already injured, out of the 7 senior pro’s we had left, why didn’t we allow for more than 3?

Also, why did the Chairman have to tell all the playing staff (on Monday) that we would be putting in substantial funds to reinforce the squad? Were we about to have a mutiny?

The interview does throw up more questions!

Close was defiantly a big signing. Proper player.

[Alan Southstand]

You mean the medical ‘experts’ that could have been dealing with both players injuries far sooner. Or, the ones that gave a wrong diagnosis on Fej’s injury?

[roversdude]

Genuine question were/are they employed by the club or are these external specialists?

[RugbyRover]

I find it very strange that the guy who is the front of the club and leading it from a business model perspective is open to suggestions on how to run the club.

Surely he should be dictating this and people fit into his model. Shows lack of leadership to me which doesn’t actually install confidence that we know what we are doing.

 

[Padge_DRFC]

Another thing GB said that it was planned to have 3 ‘marquee’ signings in the summer. I’m presuming he didn’t mean tents, so other than Tommy Rowe, who are the others?

Plus, knowing that they had 2 players already injured, out of the 7 senior pro’s we had left, why didn’t we allow for more than 3?

Also, why did the Chairman have to tell all the playing staff (on Monday) that we would be putting in substantial funds to reinforce the squad? Were we about to have a mutiny?

The interview does throw up more questions!

Close and Hiwula. However both are underperforming when played.

[Copps is Magic]

Baldwin said the most important criteria for the new manager was recruitment. Thank god he can see it, or the board sees it! The new manager can't be a spectacular coach with no immediate contacts in the game. We'll just go down. He has to have some immediate ability to bring in new players.

I think generally its good they're asking some deeper questions about the structure of the club, clearly there is gap between the administration and the footballing side. We are reactive here rather than proactive and its not clear what the long term footballing strategy is.

[keith79]

Exciting times ahead.

[MachoMadness]

Not sure what to make of that. Ok, they're open minded but the suggestion that we'll build the staff around the successful applicant surely says we'll have the same problems, no? Like if we hire a head coach and build a whole new DoF setup around him, and then the
HC leaves, we'll still be left picking up the pieces? Surely to really commit you go out and hire the best possible DoF for the job and build around him, not the other way around.

[DonnyOsmond]

Potentially Knoyle as a big signing. Was League Two team of the year and had some Championship interest.

[Copps is Magic]

Not sure what to make of that. Ok, they're open minded but the suggestion that we'll build the staff around the successful applicant surely says we'll have the same problems, no? Like if we hire a head coach and build a whole new DoF setup around him, and then the
HC leaves, we'll still be left picking up the pieces? Surely to really commit you go out and hire the best possible DoF for the job and build around him, not the other way around.

I agree, the DOF should always (usually) come before the manger/HC but it sounds like in our circumstance (wide range of different candidates applying) it will depend on who we employ and not wanting to upset the applecart with a 'bigger' name manager.

Whether its a DOF or whoever, I think they really need someone 'ahead of the game' at the club on footballing matters. Someone who's out there looking at data, strategies, players, future managers well before we will ever need them.

[RoversAlias]

Baldwin said the most important criteria for the new manager was recruitment. Thank god he can see it, or the board sees it! The new manager can't be a spectacular coach with no immediate contacts in the game. We'll just go down. He has to have some immediate ability to bring in new players.

I think generally its good they're asking some deeper questions about the structure of the club, clearly there is gap between the administration and the footballing side. We are reactive here rather than proactive and its not clear what the long term footballing strategy is.

Whilst I do agree with your overall point, and I'm yet to fully listen to Baldwin's latest interviews, it concerns me that we are apparently still going to place all this emphasis on the manager.

The manager should not be the individual that drives recruitment. The person in that role should be adept at leading a group of players, at honing them as a team and developing them in training week after week. Transfers, contracts, sourcing players and all of that should be dealt with by a dedicated Head of Recruitment or Director of Football, whatever you want to call them, with a clear strategy in place that allows all to collaborate together.

Richie Wellens must have had contacts. He had players he wanted to bring in and did. We signed over a dozen players in the summer and half of them were players who Wellens had previously coached or whom he knew through his connection to Man Utd's academy. Knoyle, Smith, Barlow, Gardner, Galbraith and Williams all fit this criteria and I think it's fair to say that that list is a mixed bag of players.

Mr. Baldwin has not convinced me with much he has said in the past 6 months, which is a shame, because I don't think he deserves the vitriol that some have levied at him. But this club is crying out for some modernisation in its structure and I am worried that it won't come now even though it is blatantly needed.

[silent majority]

I'm surprised at how many people on here are identifying the issues and the problems with player choice and recruitment, yet nobody seems to know the answer, or at least a consistent theory on how it should operate.

Let me just point out though that Gavin is not involved in the selection of players. Yes he gets involved in contract negotiation and advising the manager with respect to who is clearly not affordable or who's agent is talking too tough, but not during the selection process. That aspect is carried out by the football side of the business, that is the manager, talent identification guy, and senior pros. So, those who think he doesn't know enough about the football side shouldn't worry. What Gavin is though is an excellent sportsmen who forged his own sporting career. He does specialise in the business side of the club, to obvious effect.