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Listening to a recent podcast got me thinking.
Robbie Savage said that the most professional footballer he ever worked with was Craig Bellamy.
Take a listen from 14 minutes http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0531dwt
Now I know quite a few of us on here think that CB could well make a decent manager if given the chance, but has he got the temperatment when it comes to his players making mistakes?
I remember Bellers telling me once that he achieved what he did, not so much through natural talent as hard work. First on the training ground, last to leave and the one thing he hated was other players who didn't work hard.
I think his unpredictability is a positive, as his passion, as his credibility as a footballer ,there you have it, a potential manager, it's about respect in the game and he also has that .
If you were a chairman then the most obvious concern about Bellamy from his playing days, certainly early playing days, was his temperament and how he reacts to those not living up to his standards. It's the first question you'd want answered before giving him the big job.
I think that's why he has done exactly the right thing in starting with the youth set up. He could easily have taken a management position at a club by now but he's thinking long term, working his way up, doing an apprenticeship rather than throwing himself in at the deep end. I get the the feeling that both Bellars himself and CCFC could well benefit greatly from his approach in the not too distant future.
That's a good podcast to be fair. Some really good discussions and a good laugh
I think Bobby Robson had a lot to do with it too.
Slightly off topic. Have you read Bobby Robson's autobiography? If not its well worth a read. He mentions Bellamy in there several times. One quote goes along the lines of "Bellamy could start an arguement in a phone box".
That made me chuckle.
I think Savage comes across well on the show. He's clearly thick as shit but he's brutally honest about everything on there which makes him likeable.
I've read Syed's books Bounce and Black box thinking and they're a really good read too. His covers some of the topics on the show.
I think its no real secret that Bellamy is going to be Warnocks successor. My concern however is what sort of squad Warnock is going to leave Bellamy.
Whilst there is a place for a journeymen like Halford, as he covers a number of positions, and Sol because hes still a bloody good player, I just hope Warnock doesnt load the squad with 30 somethings.
Certainly from listening to Bellamy talk previously his football ideals somehwat differs to Warnocks.
Its a problem Trollope had trying to make silk purse out of a sows ear with Slades squad, and I fear Bellamy might suffer in the same way.
The fact that Jamie Mackie and Clint Hill are free agents does worry me slightly. Im just glad Sean Derry has retired.
Hill is 38 and Mackie is signing a new deal at QPR, apparently. I think we will have a half decent squad come September. We need squad depth, especially out across the midfield and up front but it isn't a bad side. I don't think we need any journeymen etc, we've got a few of them as it is, although he'll certainly bring in some trusted disciples.
I'm amazed we haven't signed Jamie Mackie mate. I thought that would be nailed on!
I share your concerns about the squad Bellamy would inherit from Warnock as we all saw what happened with Trollope.
I think if we do go for it this year it will probably be shit or bust again. I we don't get promoted this season i would live to see Bellamy take over and do a rebuilding job similar to what has gone on a Fulham.
I think it's imperative that there are two different goals set by the board this season.
1) For us to challenge immediately for play offs
2) To continue developing a system of play that can somehow be recognised as the Cardiff way in years to come.
I do think that it's possible for this to happen and the latter will only bear fruit in years to come. It will inevitably be difficult and in an ideal world we'd all be singing off the same hymn sheet but we have to find a way that is sustainable if we stay in the championship and that can only be done by developing our own.
Have to say, the podcast is superb by the way
A bit off topic but another classic Bobby robson remark was the one about Paul Gasgoine.
He said he found him in the dressing room one day after training and he was crying. When robson enquired what was wrong he said it was because Gazza had just found out that his sister had 2 brothers and he only had one!!
I think that's classic!