Toxic Atmosphere

[the other bob wilson]

I don't get how anything Kevin McNaughton says in that interview can be construed as a sign that Craig Bellamy (cos that's who we're talking about here isn't it) was responsible for the "toxic atmosphere" at the club when we got relegated. There's only one person mentioned by name by Super Kev and, surely, the implication is that he thought the new players brought in by Ole were the problem?

Those seeking to blame Bellamy are conveniently forgetting that he was part of a Championship winning squad a season earlier which many said were not the most talented in the league, but had a belief and spirit which was not bettered that year. It's also odd that, if McNaughton really is talking about Bellamy in that article, why would Bellars have come out of retirement to captain and manage one of the sides in his testimonial match six weeks ago?

[Cleve van Leef]

I don't get how anything Kevin McNaughton says in that interview can be construed as a sign that Craig Bellamy (cos that's who we're talking about here isn't it) was responsible for the "toxic atmosphere" at the club when we got relegated. There's only one person mentioned by name by Super Kev and, surely, the implication is that he thought the new players brought in by Ole were the problem?

Those seeking to blame Bellamy are conveniently forgetting that he was part of a Championship winning squad a season earlier which many said were not the most talented in the league, but had a belief and spirit which was not bettered that year. It's also odd that, if McNaughton really is talking about Bellamy in that article, why would Bellars have come out of retirement to captain and manage one of the sides in his testimonial match six weeks ago?

Exactly right.

[Vimana.]

I don't get how anything Kevin McNaughton says in that interview can be construed as a sign that Craig Bellamy (cos that's who we're talking about here isn't it) was responsible for the "toxic atmosphere" at the club when we got relegated. There's only one person mentioned by name by Super Kev and, surely, the implication is that he thought the new players brought in by Ole were the problem?

Those seeking to blame Bellamy are conveniently forgetting that he was part of a Championship winning squad a season earlier which many said were not the most talented in the league, but had a belief and spirit which was not bettered that year. It's also odd that, if McNaughton really is talking about Bellamy in that article, why would Bellars have come out of retirement to captain and manage one of the sides in his testimonial match six weeks ago?

Very fair points.

I shouldn't have piped up in the first place.
I do remember some stories at the time.

Anyhow, it is also possible that if Ole's influx plyers where 'the problem' - then 'problem' with whom? - each other? or in the eyes of established players? Both?

Perhaps it's a sleeping dog best left alone ;)

[Mr Soul '68]

I don't get how anything Kevin McNaughton says in that interview can be construed as a sign that Craig Bellamy (cos that's who we're talking about here isn't it) was responsible for the "toxic atmosphere" at the club when we got relegated. There's only one person mentioned by name by Super Kev and, surely, the implication is that he thought the new players brought in by Ole were the problem?

Those seeking to blame Bellamy are conveniently forgetting that he was part of a Championship winning squad a season earlier which many said were not the most talented in the league, but had a belief and spirit which was not bettered that year. It's also odd that, if McNaughton really is talking about Bellamy in that article, why would Bellars have come out of retirement to captain and manage one of the sides in his testimonial match six weeks ago?

I'm with you 100% here Bob, which is why in an earlier thread, I asked for the beans to be spilt. My thoughts, and my thoughts alone, would be that any toxic atmosphere would have been created by players Ole brought in