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Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: mushRTID on January 23, 2022, 07:06:57 pm

Title: Grant McCann
Post by: mushRTID on January 23, 2022, 07:06:57 pm
Rumoured to have been sacked by Hulls new owners.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: dickos1 on January 23, 2022, 07:10:51 pm
Ridiculous after their last 2 results
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: sedwardsdrfc on January 23, 2022, 07:12:32 pm
Don't feel sorry for him if true. He did well at Hull though and has enhanced his reputation by going there. Feel like he might end up at SWFC when Moore gets sacked... can just see it happening
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: donnyguy on January 23, 2022, 07:15:11 pm
New man to come in is being reported as Shota Arveladze
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: roversdude on January 23, 2022, 07:30:38 pm
You reap what you sow
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: LincsRover on January 23, 2022, 07:32:03 pm
Oh dear, what a pity, never mind! At least he didn’t leave them with less than half a team just before a new season. No doubt he’ll get another job as he’s a decent manager but I won’t wish him well!  :byebye:
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: StocktonRover on January 23, 2022, 07:32:12 pm
He'll reap a nice pay off then get another job
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Filo on January 23, 2022, 07:32:18 pm
No sympathy here, f**k him!
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Chris Black come back on January 23, 2022, 07:40:29 pm
I was about to say despite the last two excellent results, they were punching well below their weight. Then I checked average gates. They get dreadful crowds. Only 11k average this season at home. Are they still boycotting the owners or is that as much as they pull in? Would imagine if we were in the Championship we wouldn’t be too far behind that.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: GazLaz on January 23, 2022, 08:23:04 pm
Their new owner will probably work out to be worse than the Alam family.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: PDX_Rover on January 23, 2022, 08:25:20 pm
Our GM’s better than your GM… lol
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: TixTheBox on January 23, 2022, 08:57:30 pm
As much of a shit as he was for ditching us how he did, he clearly made the right decision and is levels above us.

I don’t feel sorry for him losing his job, he won’t wallow either. Some club is going to be lucky/smart enough to appoint him. Fantastic gaffer.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: drfchound on January 23, 2022, 08:59:35 pm
That season under McCann was fantastic.
Lots of great memories.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: tyke1962 on January 23, 2022, 08:59:53 pm
I understand the Ill feeling from Rovers fans towards McCann I really do but ffs he  done a tremendous job at Hull City .

Another barmpot ownership at Hull City .
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Danmckay456 on January 23, 2022, 09:22:47 pm
He was backed by the owners and S**T on us to a local team so no sympathy from me.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: idler on January 23, 2022, 09:27:33 pm
He won’t be unemployed for long. He did a good job for us and then left us in the lurch but he’s history.
We need to move on and concentrate on the here and now.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: grayx on January 23, 2022, 09:30:40 pm
That season under McCann was fantastic.
Lots of great memories.
I agree.. was a great manager at Rovers. Should have tried harder to keep him.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: tyke1962 on January 23, 2022, 09:36:28 pm
He won’t be unemployed for long. He did a good job for us and then left us in the lurch but he’s history.
We need to move on and concentrate on the here and now.

I'd have him at Oakwell next season in league one all day long .

Hopefully that will happen when we too are under new ownership next season .

Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: karldew on January 23, 2022, 09:40:47 pm
I loved him as our manager and (maybe on my own here) wouldn’t actually mind him back one day. Maybe a bit of ‘Fergie at Posh’ vibe about him.

Can’t see anything but him being the next Sheff Wed manager, and probably pretty soon.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Red wizard on January 23, 2022, 10:08:43 pm
I wouldn't mind him back.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Sammy Chung was King on January 23, 2022, 11:09:33 pm
The thing is if he hadn’t produced the results, our board though a patient one would have sacked him. He just happened to have done a good job upto then. It didn’t smell great the way he left ,but sometimes these things just happen.

 He was joining a side higher than us with a greater crowd potential, plus better wages, better chance of being successful because of the funding available. I understand it but though he could have left with a bit more class than he did.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: eastender on January 23, 2022, 11:15:22 pm


Sh#thouse No Sympathy here.
(https://i.imgur.com/AbmhGSe.jpg)
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: PDX_Rover on January 23, 2022, 11:37:19 pm
He didn’t practice what he preached in the end about loyalty but the time with Rovers was great to watch. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: ChrisBx on January 24, 2022, 03:06:58 am
Very, very good manager. I wouldn't want him back here due to his previous, however I fully expect him to get picked up by a decent club fairly soon.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: RoversAlias on January 24, 2022, 03:54:04 am
I was annoyed at McCann and wanted him to fail at Hull for ages after his departure from Rovers.

In truth, he hasn't succeeded there. They're no better off than when he came in and the relegation two years ago was pathetic. But he got them back up and they've been getting better results of late, they were decent against Everton in the FA Cup when I watched them the other week.

He might be better off away from there. The new owner doesn't scream "reliable and trustworthy" to me.

Be careful what you wish for, springs to mind.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: DonnyBazR0ver on January 24, 2022, 08:34:15 am
Never had a problem with Mcann, or Moore for that matter, in wanting to manage at the highest level possible, so when you're head hunted by higher placed clubs and remunerated accordingly, then fair dos, that's ambition.

My only beef with Moore was the timing of the whole thing.

I believe McCanns reference to loyalty was aimed at Danny Andrew who seemed content to jump ship to a team in the same division instead of being ambitious and wanting to play at the highest level possible by having another crack at promotion with us.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Chris Black come back on January 24, 2022, 08:44:51 am
I think McCann has more about him than Moore. I was surprised how detached and distant Moore was as a manager. Didn’t seem to be any bond with the players or any obvious desire. I just cannot imagine what his team talks were like. Still a total mystery what he is all about as a manager.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: roversdude on January 24, 2022, 09:53:14 am
The football we played under GM was the best for a long time. Wouldn’t want him back though. Probably be back at Peterborough soon
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Michael Shaw on January 24, 2022, 10:58:04 am
McCann was a good manager and gave us some exciting football. He worked well and motivated the players. He made the best decision for himself, although I fully understand the resentment towards him from Rovers fans.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: DonnyBazR0ver on January 24, 2022, 11:33:51 am
Wouldn't it be funny if Moore gets replaced by McCann!?
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: BillyStubbsTears on January 24, 2022, 12:35:03 pm
McCann was hugely fortunate with us to inherit an excellent, settled squad that Ferguson had underperformed with.

Marosi
Andrew
Anderson
Butler
Coppinger
Whiteman
Blair
May
Marquis
Mason
Rowe
Wright.

They'd all been with us for a year or more when McCann took over. He added well with Willks, Kane and Downing, but finishing 6th in those circumstances wasn't an overachievement.

Folk forget easily how our performances tailed off in the second half of the season, with some baffling selections and aimless performances.

And then he left a shambles of an inheritance for Moore.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: 5minstogo on January 24, 2022, 12:42:09 pm
Who then left a shambles of an inheritance for Butler, Wellens, McSheffrey.......
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: pib on January 24, 2022, 12:45:12 pm
McCann was hugely fortunate with us to inherit an excellent, settled squad that Ferguson had underperformed with.

Marosi
Andrew
Anderson
Butler
Coppinger
Whiteman
Blair
May
Marquis
Mason
Rowe
Wright.

They'd all been with us for a year or more when McCann took over. He added well with Willks, Kane and Downing, but finishing 6th in those circumstances wasn't an overachievement.

Folk forget easily how our performances tailed off in the second half of the season, with some baffling selections and aimless performances.

And then he left a shambles of an inheritance for Moore.

Look at it another way - we looked nowhere near being able to compete for the play-offs under Ferguson, with, as you say, a similar squad.

Also, did anyone expect us to finish in the play-offs in 2018/19? I certainly didn't, and if I had time to go back through the posts on this forum I'd bet few were predicting we would.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Colin C No.3 on January 24, 2022, 12:49:25 pm
I wouldn't mind him back.
We have a manager.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Colemans Left Hook on January 24, 2022, 12:50:37 pm
New man to come in is being reported as Shota Arveladze



i could see them "chickening" out with McCann and getting a manager from Turkey   (and perhaps sign Cukar ???) but no he is a Georgian

Shota Arveladze is a Georgian former professional footballer and a manager who most recently worked at Pakhtakor Tashkent. Arveladze played at Dinamo Tbilisi, Trabzonspor, Ajax, Rangers, AZ and Levante.

Wednesday or Derby when Rooney "makes room" for him seems also a good shout
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Filo on January 24, 2022, 12:57:31 pm
Wouldn't it be funny if Moore gets replaced by McCann!?

I’d sooner Wednesday to wait until we’ve played them before giving him the boot
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: drfchound on January 24, 2022, 01:11:45 pm
McCann was hugely fortunate with us to inherit an excellent, settled squad that Ferguson had underperformed with.

Marosi
Andrew
Anderson
Butler
Coppinger
Whiteman
Blair
May
Marquis
Mason
Rowe
Wright.

They'd all been with us for a year or more when McCann took over. He added well with Willks, Kane and Downing, but finishing 6th in those circumstances wasn't an overachievement.

Folk forget easily how our performances tailed off in the second half of the season, with some baffling selections and aimless performances.

And then he left a shambles of an inheritance for Moore.

Look at it another way - we looked nowhere near being able to compete for the play-offs under Ferguson, with, as you say, a similar squad.

Also, did anyone expect us to finish in the play-offs in 2018/19? I certainly didn't, and if I had time to go back through the posts on this forum I'd bet few were predicting we would.

Some good points there pib.   We looked nowhere near being a playoff team under Ferguson and if I recall properly, not many of us fancied McCann to do well when he was appointed.
Our second half of that season wasn’t much different to the first half really.
We were in the top six for all but one of the last sixteen games and although we lost a couple of games back to back in April, with the exception of the 4-0 battering at Luton results weren’t too bad.
In fact, our worst spell that season was from October to mid November when we picked up just three points from seven league games.
McCann galvanised the team and we were a set of longer studs away from a Wembley play off final.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Chris Black come back on January 24, 2022, 01:28:57 pm
Ferguson helped recruit a good group of players but was a terrible manager with them. McCann picked up 90pc same squad and got us in the play offs and a full 17 points better off than Ferguson the season before. McCann did very well for us as a manager.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Alan Southstand on January 24, 2022, 02:07:28 pm
You can’t under emphasise the impact that Kane and Wilkes had on that team. We went from a top 10 side to a top 6 side and then he was supported with an ‘experienced’ centre back when we needed one in January.

We’d give anything to have Wilkes and Marquis up top now, not to mention Herbie in midfield!
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: TheFunk on January 24, 2022, 02:31:04 pm
Although we made the play offs with such an excellent squad, we were still a million miles away from the top 5. Which shows how bloody hard to get out of this division is. Well in the right direction it is.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: colincramb on January 24, 2022, 02:33:41 pm
Yes, anybody remember the debacle at Luton that season? 
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: scawsby steve on January 24, 2022, 02:39:25 pm
Yes, anybody remember the debacle at Luton that season?

Yes, I was there, it was dreadful. However, it was something of a one-off; and let's also recall playing 2 of the best teams off the park; Barnsley at Oakwell, and Charlton in the play-off semi-final.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: drfchound on January 24, 2022, 02:40:30 pm
Yes, anybody remember the debacle at Luton that season? 

Yep, I just wrote about it a few posts back.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Goole Rover on January 24, 2022, 03:16:55 pm
Peterborough calling ?
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Jonathan on January 24, 2022, 09:03:42 pm
I absolutely loved the McCann season.

We were treated to years of pure football under SO’D (the best manager in my lifetime). We had that season under Saunders / Flynn that was memorable in the way it ended but completely at the opposite end of the footballing spectrum to what we’d been used to before.

After that we floundered about for a bit lacking any real identity. The league 2 promotion season was great but I felt the way we ‘lost’ the title changed something in Ferguson and everything became a bit careful and cautious after. In fact it was pretty sedate and uninteresting back in League One.

In came McCann and I’ve never seen anyone capture the spirit of the club in that way. He seemed to just get it. We still played attractive football, but it wasn’t just nice. We attacked relentlessly and we mixed it too. I know the Peterborough home game stretched the boundaries of acceptability for some people, but I absolutely loved it. And that night away at Charlton was one of the proudest of my Rovers supporting life.

Yeah I was gutted he left so soon. But I’ll always hold McCann in high regard for that season.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Monkcaster_Rover on January 24, 2022, 09:12:04 pm
Away at Charlton is probably my best night following us. Unreal.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Branton Red on January 24, 2022, 09:27:54 pm
The season under McCann was the most entertaining and exciting year in a long time. Yes he inherited an excellent set of players from Ferguson but he got the best out of them whilst playing exciting, attacking football.

I was gutted when he left and maybe a bit bitter at the manner of his departure. Contrast that to Moore's departure which I was delighted with - in comparison his footballing philosophy was boring dross.

No schadenfraude from me on him being sacked by Hull - he was there longer than I expected especially after overseeing a relegation, will enjoy a nice pay off and get another job fairly quickly.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Chris Black come back on January 24, 2022, 09:34:43 pm
That Charlton game goes down as one of our greats and I think almost uniquely, joins that list as a defeat. It had absolutely everything. Perhaps because right at the end we were cheated, is why it doesn't feel like a defeat after all.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: RoversAlias on January 24, 2022, 09:39:33 pm
Charlton night was incredible. Somehow made all the better by our coach arriving after kick-off and with us already a goal down, running through the streets to get there and getting in just in time to see Rowe smash in the equaliser.

Grant McCann gave us the best football since Sean O'Driscoll. I don't think that is even a debate to be had.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: drfchound on January 24, 2022, 09:44:44 pm
We got in the ground five minutes before kick off and didn’t even get the chance to get a beer.
The game gave some almost out of body experiences that night.
I had palpitations when Marquis headed that third goal in and will never forget those two Scots who piled onto me and my bro in law when it went in.
They were former school mates of Ali Crawford and had come down specially to support him.
I remember RA saying “what just happened”.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Jonathan on January 24, 2022, 09:54:15 pm
I think it’s really harsh to reflect on McCann’s tenure by pointing out that we had a bad run that season. Goodness me who do we think we are? Yes he inherited some good players from Ferguson but it was hardly a complete squad, and it’s impossible to go though a season without hitting a sticky patch unless you have the kind of riches that the very elite do. Players get tired. Let’s not forget we had one of our best ever FA Cup runs that season too.

Basically he took on some good players that Ferguson left, recruited smartly, lost two key members of the Ferguson squad in Houghton and later Mason, and took a team that was nowhere near the play offs to a cheated penalty shoot out from Wembley.

The way we poured forward in games like the Charlton second leg (and as someone else has mentioned further up, Barnsley away) was quite simply a joy to watch. I don’t think anyone could feel short changed by that season.

McSheffrey’s initial focus on work rate and intensity gives me hope that, in time, we can see more like that.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: BillyStubbsTears on January 24, 2022, 10:22:26 pm
It wasn't just a "sticky patch" Jonathon. We underperformed for most of the second half of the season. We picked up 28 points from the final 20 matches and we often looked out of ideas against ordinary opponents.

We carried that into the playoffs - we were dreadful for the first 80 mins of the home leg.


The second leg was an all time great night for sure, but overall, I'll stick with my take. We didn't overachieve.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Chris Black come back on January 24, 2022, 10:46:13 pm
Although of the sides that finished above us, in that run we drew with three of them and lost two of them, so only a minority got the better of us. Games like Luton were dreadful but more often than not they couldn’t get the better of us when it mattered.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Drover on January 25, 2022, 12:17:13 am
Wouldn't it be funny if Moore gets replaced by McCann!?

I’d sooner Wednesday to wait until we’ve played them before giving him the boot

Sacking him straight after we beat them,would be really sweet.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: pib on January 25, 2022, 11:50:16 am
It wasn't just a "sticky patch" Jonathon. We underperformed for most of the second half of the season. We picked up 28 points from the final 20 matches and we often looked out of ideas against ordinary opponents.

We carried that into the playoffs - we were dreadful for the first 80 mins of the home leg.


The second leg was an all time great night for sure, but overall, I'll stick with my take. We didn't overachieve.

Do you think we would've got in the play-offs had Ferguson remained in charge?
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: BillyStubbsTears on January 25, 2022, 12:04:25 pm
No. Ferguson consistently put together good squads then failed to get the best out of them.

It's a low bar to set as a comparison.

A better one is what Moore managed in the COVID-hit season the year after. He inherited a disaster from McCann, with the squad shorn of key players not replaced, but by the time the season finished early, the patched up squad was within 1 point of where McCann' side had been at the same point the year before.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: since-1969 on January 25, 2022, 12:22:58 pm
Rumoured to have been sacked by Hulls new owners.
Absolutely disgusted at this , I hope get straight back into club worthy of his talents .
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: pib on January 25, 2022, 12:26:27 pm
No. Ferguson consistently put together good squads then failed to get the best out of them.

It's a low bar to set as a comparison.

A better one is what Moore managed in the COVID-hit season the year after. He inherited a disaster from McCann, with the squad shorn of key players not replaced, but by the time the season finished early, the patched up squad was within 1 point of where McCann' side had been at the same point the year before.

Fair point on Ferguson. But still not having that the McCann side didn't overachieve. Especially when you factor in the FA Cup as well.

There was plenty of quality in the McCann team (mostly laid on by DF), but it still lacked in depth. If he didn't overachieve with a play-off finish and the 5th round of the FA Cup, what would the season have had to look like for him to have overachieved? Top two?

Bear in mind the top 5 in that season had some insane quality in it. Sides with some really good players and managers who have gone on to better things, and in most cases better resources/budgets than we had. Sunderland in 5th finished on 85 points. Charlton and Pompey missed out on autos with 88. We also finished above Peterborough, Blackpool and Coventry, all of who are sides building towards the Championship and have since got there.

If's buts and maybe's around Moore, but McCann remains the only manager to get us into that sort of position in L1 in the past 10 years. The previous time to that, the owners were ploughing in a lot more money.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: dijit8 on January 25, 2022, 12:47:13 pm
We had a good season under McCann and he made some loan signings that fitted in well with what he inherited. I feel if he had stayed and built his own squad the following season replacing the players who left then that would have been a better way to have judged him.

We really would have seen how good a manger he was or if he was a one season wonder.

Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Pside on January 25, 2022, 01:24:58 pm
Just been sacked
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Southboy on January 25, 2022, 01:42:42 pm
Yes, anybody remember the debacle at Luton that season?

Yes, I was there, it was dreadful. However, it was something of a one-off; and let's also recall playing 2 of the best teams off the park; Barnsley at Oakwell, and Charlton in the play-off semi-final.

That was the game I said to my boy "Look, the Luton keeper has got a book out" and he actually looked. Still giving him grief about that...
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Draytonian III on January 25, 2022, 01:56:18 pm
Next stop Hillsborough or Oakwell  ? Has he still got that house in the Barnsley area that he used to rent out to Barnsley players/staff
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: roversdude on January 25, 2022, 04:07:48 pm
Just been sacked

It’s a shame
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: drfchound on January 25, 2022, 04:11:49 pm
Just been sacked

Never, when did that happen then?
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: roversdude on January 25, 2022, 04:17:27 pm
Just been sacked

Never, when did that happen then?

To be fair I think it’s only official today
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Sammy Chung was King on January 25, 2022, 04:24:18 pm
As much as it’s great to have personal standards, can you blame him for wanting to better himself. Most employer’s show no loyalty to anybody.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Pside on January 25, 2022, 06:42:38 pm
Just been sacked

Never, when did that happen then?

Today pal, about 13:00
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: drfchound on January 25, 2022, 06:49:59 pm
Just been sacked

Never, when did that happen then?

Today pal, about 13:00

Well that was a shock, probably the worst kept secret in football.
Title: Re: Grant McCann
Post by: Prez on January 27, 2022, 03:43:26 pm
I wouldn't mind him back.

Id rather have Madeleine McCann back.