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What stood out for me is the clarification that Christian isn't performing 2 roles (CEO and DoF). The DoF role doesn't exist within the current structure. Responsibilities performed by Sir Les have apparently been reassigned to other roles, most notably Heads of Departments. However, what concerns me is that some of these Heads report into the CEO rather than the first team coach. With some questionable performances (particularly around fitness and recruitment), how does this structure work and what is Christian doing to improve these areas?
I would have liked to see Brian stretch Christian by pushing back in certain areas. For example, when challenged to provide examples of the team's general inability to beat struggling teams, Brian failed to name one team. This season QPR have drawn twice with Oxford (without scoring) and lost games against Norwich, Blackburn, West Bromwich Albion, Derby, Norwich and Southampton when they were down the bottom and in poor form. Yes, some of those teams have since picked up but it was QPR who provided the catalyst for their turnaround in fortunes. Even West Ham have built momentum on the back of their FA cup win (a fact since confirmed by Jarrod Bowen).
That all being said, I'm looking forward to part 2, particularly questions around fitness, the pitch, and the expanded play-offs. I'm somewhat surprised that recruitment and analytics doesn't appear to be on the agenda. Hopefully part 2 proves me wrong.
[Post edited 23 Mar 13:43]
5
Nourry interview on 14:47 - Mar 23 with 11834 views
What stood out for me is the clarification that Christian isn't performing 2 roles (CEO and DoF). The DoF role doesn't exist within the current structure. Responsibilities performed by Sir Les have apparently been reassigned to other roles, most notably Heads of Departments. However, what concerns me is that some of these Heads report into the CEO rather than the first team coach. With some questionable performances (particularly around fitness and recruitment), how does this structure work and what is Christian doing to improve these areas?
I would have liked to see Brian stretch Christian by pushing back in certain areas. For example, when challenged to provide examples of the team's general inability to beat struggling teams, Brian failed to name one team. This season QPR have drawn twice with Oxford (without scoring) and lost games against Norwich, Blackburn, West Bromwich Albion, Derby, Norwich and Southampton when they were down the bottom and in poor form. Yes, some of those teams have since picked up but it was QPR who provided the catalyst for their turnaround in fortunes. Even West Ham have built momentum on the back of their FA cup win (a fact since confirmed by Jarrod Bowen).
That all being said, I'm looking forward to part 2, particularly questions around fitness, the pitch, and the expanded play-offs. I'm somewhat surprised that recruitment and analytics doesn't appear to be on the agenda. Hopefully part 2 proves me wrong.
[Post edited 23 Mar 13:43]
"What stood out for me is the clarification that Christian isn't performing 2 roles (CEO and DoF). The DoF role doesn't exist within the current structure..."
He's described himself as a "football focused CEO". He's doing both roles. Andy Belk, head of recruitment, reports into him, but he reported into Les when he was here too. Alex Carroll likewise. Chris Ramsey reported into Les but has gone, Ben Williams has come and reports into Christian. It's not different, it's just one person doing the roles, they've rebadged it, and really staffed up underneath him so there are more department heads reporting into him.
19
Nourry interview on 14:50 - Mar 23 with 11805 views
What stood out for me is the clarification that Christian isn't performing 2 roles (CEO and DoF). The DoF role doesn't exist within the current structure. Responsibilities performed by Sir Les have apparently been reassigned to other roles, most notably Heads of Departments. However, what concerns me is that some of these Heads report into the CEO rather than the first team coach. With some questionable performances (particularly around fitness and recruitment), how does this structure work and what is Christian doing to improve these areas?
I would have liked to see Brian stretch Christian by pushing back in certain areas. For example, when challenged to provide examples of the team's general inability to beat struggling teams, Brian failed to name one team. This season QPR have drawn twice with Oxford (without scoring) and lost games against Norwich, Blackburn, West Bromwich Albion, Derby, Norwich and Southampton when they were down the bottom and in poor form. Yes, some of those teams have since picked up but it was QPR who provided the catalyst for their turnaround in fortunes. Even West Ham have built momentum on the back of their FA cup win (a fact since confirmed by Jarrod Bowen).
That all being said, I'm looking forward to part 2, particularly questions around fitness, the pitch, and the expanded play-offs. I'm somewhat surprised that recruitment and analytics doesn't appear to be on the agenda. Hopefully part 2 proves me wrong.
[Post edited 23 Mar 13:43]
It's all well and good him claiming he's not doing the role of CEO and DoF because the role of DoF doesn't exist but it seems like he's quite involved in the DoF stuff.
I'd associate a DoF with all things football:- transfers, contract renewals, hiring managers/head coach, fitness and the game model. We've had Nourry before say that if Belk and the manager disagree on a signing he'd get involved and take a closer look, which is basically how I imagine it went when Belk was reporting to a DoF. Nourry is the only person commenting in public about contract renewals and new signings including the new head coach when he arrived. He also spoke extensively about the game model when he first arrived. As you rightly point out he also oversees all the heads of departments that would have previously reported to the DoF.
So he does most of what you'd expect a DoF to do but doesn't do both jobs because technically the role of DoF doesn't exist. It's hard to argue with Hunter when he say's he thinks we're all idiots.
12
Nourry interview on 14:59 - Mar 23 with 11749 views
It's all well and good him claiming he's not doing the role of CEO and DoF because the role of DoF doesn't exist but it seems like he's quite involved in the DoF stuff.
I'd associate a DoF with all things football:- transfers, contract renewals, hiring managers/head coach, fitness and the game model. We've had Nourry before say that if Belk and the manager disagree on a signing he'd get involved and take a closer look, which is basically how I imagine it went when Belk was reporting to a DoF. Nourry is the only person commenting in public about contract renewals and new signings including the new head coach when he arrived. He also spoke extensively about the game model when he first arrived. As you rightly point out he also oversees all the heads of departments that would have previously reported to the DoF.
So he does most of what you'd expect a DoF to do but doesn't do both jobs because technically the role of DoF doesn't exist. It's hard to argue with Hunter when he say's he thinks we're all idiots.
Absolutely, it's just semantics.
7
Nourry interview on 15:12 - Mar 23 with 11677 views
"What stood out for me is the clarification that Christian isn't performing 2 roles (CEO and DoF). The DoF role doesn't exist within the current structure..."
He's described himself as a "football focused CEO". He's doing both roles. Andy Belk, head of recruitment, reports into him, but he reported into Les when he was here too. Alex Carroll likewise. Chris Ramsey reported into Les but has gone, Ben Williams has come and reports into Christian. It's not different, it's just one person doing the roles, they've rebadged it, and really staffed up underneath him so there are more department heads reporting into him.
It's good Nourry has done this interview and I will watch part 2 when it comes out. But, I'm left feeling perplexed, as I always do when listening to him.
Why am I not more convinced by him? I don't like the biz speak he uses but even so, I feel I ought to be at least a little impressed by the claims of how well things are going with his rearranged staff structure, game model and medium to long term plans. But no, I'm not convinced or impressed.
Maybe it's me and I've taken a dislike to the man. Perhaps in another season or two he'll have proven my feelings wrong. But until and unless that happens, what I've heard about him on here and elsewhere, and what I see on the field of play, will determine my opinions about Nourry.
5
Nourry interview on 16:55 - Mar 23 with 11271 views
It's good Nourry has done this interview and I will watch part 2 when it comes out. But, I'm left feeling perplexed, as I always do when listening to him.
Why am I not more convinced by him? I don't like the biz speak he uses but even so, I feel I ought to be at least a little impressed by the claims of how well things are going with his rearranged staff structure, game model and medium to long term plans. But no, I'm not convinced or impressed.
Maybe it's me and I've taken a dislike to the man. Perhaps in another season or two he'll have proven my feelings wrong. But until and unless that happens, what I've heard about him on here and elsewhere, and what I see on the field of play, will determine my opinions about Nourry.
I agree with this, and was having this same conversation with someone at HQ on Saturday. Also had a similar(respectful) exchange on X with another fan.
The points about merging the roles, hiring someone so young and with no relevant experience etc. have been well made on here before. And that is the camp I find myself firmly in - not least because, like the guy on the Patreon Awaydays pod, I'm also a CEO of a company but did not achieve this until I was well into my late 40's. This seems pretty normal to me - decades of experience get you to this stage based on all the learnings you have which, hopefully, put you in good stead to succeed in the role.
Appointing someone with zero experience just seems crazy to me. However, I like to think I can listen to reason, and try not to just stay ensconced in my position no matter what. The points being made back to definitely had some merit, and I try to bear those in mind and remain open minded as far as possible.
But like you, I think I have taken a dislike to him - for the reasons stated but also because you just cannot trust a word he says. He may, ultimately be very trustworthy and become successful, but he does not help himself by his very peculiar communications strategy. A more experienced (thicker skinned?) operator would know that no CEO has all the answers. No CEO gets everything right. CEO's improve by making mistakes and learning form them. CEO's get buy in by being human, admitting mistakes, showing vulnerability (I could write you an essay on vulnerability based leadership) and most certainly NOT by pretending everything is great when it isn't.
This for me now is the biggest problem. The inexperience is showing itself everyday, and punters like me see through the facade.
Despite my attempts to be open minded, it's gonna take a hell of a shift for me to become a fully fledged member of the Nourry supporters club. And I reckon 90%+ of that is on him.
Glory hunter, me
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Nourry interview on 17:28 - Mar 23 with 11081 views
I agree with this, and was having this same conversation with someone at HQ on Saturday. Also had a similar(respectful) exchange on X with another fan.
The points about merging the roles, hiring someone so young and with no relevant experience etc. have been well made on here before. And that is the camp I find myself firmly in - not least because, like the guy on the Patreon Awaydays pod, I'm also a CEO of a company but did not achieve this until I was well into my late 40's. This seems pretty normal to me - decades of experience get you to this stage based on all the learnings you have which, hopefully, put you in good stead to succeed in the role.
Appointing someone with zero experience just seems crazy to me. However, I like to think I can listen to reason, and try not to just stay ensconced in my position no matter what. The points being made back to definitely had some merit, and I try to bear those in mind and remain open minded as far as possible.
But like you, I think I have taken a dislike to him - for the reasons stated but also because you just cannot trust a word he says. He may, ultimately be very trustworthy and become successful, but he does not help himself by his very peculiar communications strategy. A more experienced (thicker skinned?) operator would know that no CEO has all the answers. No CEO gets everything right. CEO's improve by making mistakes and learning form them. CEO's get buy in by being human, admitting mistakes, showing vulnerability (I could write you an essay on vulnerability based leadership) and most certainly NOT by pretending everything is great when it isn't.
This for me now is the biggest problem. The inexperience is showing itself everyday, and punters like me see through the facade.
Despite my attempts to be open minded, it's gonna take a hell of a shift for me to become a fully fledged member of the Nourry supporters club. And I reckon 90%+ of that is on him.
Well said NYR. I’ve never been in your work situation. You’ve been there, done it etc. I haven’t but I just smell a rat.
I really hope that it turns out well via Nourry, , but I don’t feel it.
We’re a stepping stone, which is fine - this is big business. I just don’t trust the bloke.
Did I ever mention that I was in Minder?
4
Nourry interview on 17:52 - Mar 23 with 10973 views
It's good Nourry has done this interview and I will watch part 2 when it comes out. But, I'm left feeling perplexed, as I always do when listening to him.
Why am I not more convinced by him? I don't like the biz speak he uses but even so, I feel I ought to be at least a little impressed by the claims of how well things are going with his rearranged staff structure, game model and medium to long term plans. But no, I'm not convinced or impressed.
Maybe it's me and I've taken a dislike to the man. Perhaps in another season or two he'll have proven my feelings wrong. But until and unless that happens, what I've heard about him on here and elsewhere, and what I see on the field of play, will determine my opinions about Nourry.
I think one of the issues is he seeds the conversation with things like “starting businesses”, and “I worked for many other global clubs” (but conveniently leaves out the context…. Which was as a backroom staff recruiter in the main) and then alludes to the fact he “was offered other opportunities and turned them down”, in the context of his current CEO/DOF role (but again doesn’t provide the context of what role, but by linking it, implies it was at the same level).
Therefore, all of this it seems, is designed to big himself up in the process, and directly elevate his level of experience, which lets be honest, didn’t amount to much prior to QPR. How could it? He was only 3-4 years out of uni.
Yet, it’s quite plainly clear no other club in professional football - with his background and experience - would have been offered a job as the top dog at our level or above. It just doesn’t happen (apart from at QPR of course… ).
So, he comes across as regularly bending (manipulating) the truth to suit his own agenda. That then in turn makes the rest of the information feel off, or untrustworthy, because the preceding information has set a certain tone. And this is not a one off thing, it’s in most interactions. And has been demonstrated in club comms also.
That said, to balance it out, the strategy and direction the club have taken under his leadership- driven by the owners it must be added (who finally understood through trial and error what direction we needed to take) is bang on the money.
I don’t think it’s particularly innovative or forward thinking, but simply long overdue common sense for a club like QPR, and indeed *most* clubs in the EFL are following this strategy to a greater or lesser degree. The player trading model and all that surrounds it, including academy, is quite literally the ONLY strategy.
But at the end of the day, execution is absolutely key. And that is what I am personally watching, can he and we execute?
For instance, putting 3-4m down on Saito for example, which was not warranted on form or data, and 2-3m on celar, are going to be heavy misses that really set us back. Unless they now act decisively, rather than doubling down, and try to recoup and quickly reinvest on a new stock pick (young player) this summer. That’s what I would like to see. Be decisive. Act quickly.
The strategy is the easy part. Proof will be in the pudding, but overall, I do love the direction we are finally taking as a club.
8
Nourry interview on 19:09 - Mar 23 with 10750 views
I agree with this, and was having this same conversation with someone at HQ on Saturday. Also had a similar(respectful) exchange on X with another fan.
The points about merging the roles, hiring someone so young and with no relevant experience etc. have been well made on here before. And that is the camp I find myself firmly in - not least because, like the guy on the Patreon Awaydays pod, I'm also a CEO of a company but did not achieve this until I was well into my late 40's. This seems pretty normal to me - decades of experience get you to this stage based on all the learnings you have which, hopefully, put you in good stead to succeed in the role.
Appointing someone with zero experience just seems crazy to me. However, I like to think I can listen to reason, and try not to just stay ensconced in my position no matter what. The points being made back to definitely had some merit, and I try to bear those in mind and remain open minded as far as possible.
But like you, I think I have taken a dislike to him - for the reasons stated but also because you just cannot trust a word he says. He may, ultimately be very trustworthy and become successful, but he does not help himself by his very peculiar communications strategy. A more experienced (thicker skinned?) operator would know that no CEO has all the answers. No CEO gets everything right. CEO's improve by making mistakes and learning form them. CEO's get buy in by being human, admitting mistakes, showing vulnerability (I could write you an essay on vulnerability based leadership) and most certainly NOT by pretending everything is great when it isn't.
This for me now is the biggest problem. The inexperience is showing itself everyday, and punters like me see through the facade.
Despite my attempts to be open minded, it's gonna take a hell of a shift for me to become a fully fledged member of the Nourry supporters club. And I reckon 90%+ of that is on him.
Superb post.
I have not been a CEO, but I have reported into one of a company multiples the size of QPR.
The lying (and that is what it was) about his career background when he started set the tone. I think the main driver is insecurity. You see that a lot with intelligent, ambitious, young people. They want everyone to understand how smart and capable they are so they over egg the pudding a bit. Nourry puts spades of extra egg into his pudding (most likely because he knows he is in no way qualified for the role).
There is relatively little harm in that approach as an up and coming junior/middle manager. You learn. We all do. Because we all make mistakes.
But as a CEO, it’s a problem. It undermines trust. And trust is the bedrock of creating a highly functioning leadership team and a successful organisation. In business an, imo, sport. And, as you say so aptly, vulnerability, along with authenticity, honesty, and humility are what builds trust. Most people know CEOs have to make difficult decisions that many won’t like. But if you do it with those traits you can successfully navigate them and help your business successfully navigate them.
My concern is exactly the same. Perhaps because I think it is so important, I see the failings in this regard all over the place, more than is fair for a young CEO. But it’s such a red flag for me, it’s hard for me to ignore, and then when I add to that what I hear from various people on a fairly regular basis, it just reinforces that red flag more and more. His handling of people is not good. Williams is worse!
Perhaps Nourry will prove to be a genius. Perhaps things will be executed better in years 3 and 4. Perhaps the mistakes - and there have been a lot - will be learnt from. I sincerely hope so. But, first, you need to acknowledge mistakes to learn from them. And secondly, usually in leadership roles, it’s not simply your smarts, but how you engage with and lead people that matter the most. Football is still a people business.
Some honesty, transparency, and humility would go a long way, both with fans and staff at the club. I have made this point to those in the club before, but it has fallen on deaf ears (to date).
12
Nourry interview on 20:45 - Mar 23 with 10495 views
"What stood out for me is the clarification that Christian isn't performing 2 roles (CEO and DoF). The DoF role doesn't exist within the current structure..."
He's described himself as a "football focused CEO". He's doing both roles. Andy Belk, head of recruitment, reports into him, but he reported into Les when he was here too. Alex Carroll likewise. Chris Ramsey reported into Les but has gone, Ben Williams has come and reports into Christian. It's not different, it's just one person doing the roles, they've rebadged it, and really staffed up underneath him so there are more department heads reporting into him.
I think it's pretty clear where I stand on the Nourry debate nevertheless it's somewhat encouraging that he's prepared to give interviews. If anything it allows us to compare and contrast against previous sound-bytes. As you rightly point out, he's simply re-badged the role hence why I would've liked to have seen Brian press him further on this point. No disrespect to Brian but there was a little too much "that makes sense" for my liking. A little more scrutiny would have unravelled some of Christian's points, particularly his patently untrue claims of receiving similar offers from other clubs and coming into this role with experience.
However, in the interests of balance what I would say is this. None of us know exactly what Christian is accountable for. Accountability is very different to responsibility and the latter doesn't necessarily come with decision-making authority. My hunch is that Nourry is getting direction from the board and is simply responsible for delivery. If my hunch is correct then Christian isn't really a Director or CEO in the true sense, regardless of what his job title states.
[Post edited 23 Mar 21:04]
2
Nourry interview on 21:59 - Mar 23 with 10397 views
I have not been a CEO, but I have reported into one of a company multiples the size of QPR.
The lying (and that is what it was) about his career background when he started set the tone. I think the main driver is insecurity. You see that a lot with intelligent, ambitious, young people. They want everyone to understand how smart and capable they are so they over egg the pudding a bit. Nourry puts spades of extra egg into his pudding (most likely because he knows he is in no way qualified for the role).
There is relatively little harm in that approach as an up and coming junior/middle manager. You learn. We all do. Because we all make mistakes.
But as a CEO, it’s a problem. It undermines trust. And trust is the bedrock of creating a highly functioning leadership team and a successful organisation. In business an, imo, sport. And, as you say so aptly, vulnerability, along with authenticity, honesty, and humility are what builds trust. Most people know CEOs have to make difficult decisions that many won’t like. But if you do it with those traits you can successfully navigate them and help your business successfully navigate them.
My concern is exactly the same. Perhaps because I think it is so important, I see the failings in this regard all over the place, more than is fair for a young CEO. But it’s such a red flag for me, it’s hard for me to ignore, and then when I add to that what I hear from various people on a fairly regular basis, it just reinforces that red flag more and more. His handling of people is not good. Williams is worse!
Perhaps Nourry will prove to be a genius. Perhaps things will be executed better in years 3 and 4. Perhaps the mistakes - and there have been a lot - will be learnt from. I sincerely hope so. But, first, you need to acknowledge mistakes to learn from them. And secondly, usually in leadership roles, it’s not simply your smarts, but how you engage with and lead people that matter the most. Football is still a people business.
Some honesty, transparency, and humility would go a long way, both with fans and staff at the club. I have made this point to those in the club before, but it has fallen on deaf ears (to date).
He's addressing the trust issue by surrounding himself with a coaching staff of like-minded individuals.
So we effectively have a CEO and COO with very little experience of football or of running businesses the size of QPR supported by a bloated group of coaches who owe their positions to the CEO.
I don't know if it will work as a management structure but it has the foundations of a decent cult movement.
I said on the Williams thread that a lack of experience at the top needn't be a problem if there's a good plan in place and the plan works. But what happens when the plan isn't working?
Last season we were hampered by chronic injury problems. This season we've had the same problems.
Ideally someone in the coaching or medical staff should be flagging up the problem and asking if our methods are wrong.
Instead we have a setup now where most of the senior football staff owe their job to the glorious leader. So the leadership simply denies that there is a problem and everyone else sings from the same song sheet.
Also I will pickup on one thing he mentioned in the interview.
He (correctly) said that last season nearly all our wins were against bottom half teams and we didn't beat any of the top sides - we did win at Sunderland on the final day but to be fair their minds were on bigger things.
This season we beat league leaders Coventry at home.
On the face of it that does sound impressive and Nourry does cite it as progress.
Until you remember that the season before we won at Leicester and thumped Leeds 4-0 under Marti Cifuentes.
And the season before that the hapless Gareth Ainsworth pulled off a hugely fortunate 2-1 win at Turf Moor that was to be champions Burnley's only home defeat of the season. (And Burnley would have sewn up the title that day, so they were definitely up for it!)
The Championship is an attritional and highly competitive league. Bottom half teams beat top half teams with far more regularity than you see in the PL.
Last season's results were a freak in the way they panned out. The fact we beat Coventry this season (while they were on a significant dip in form) is nice, but not proof of progress.
[Post edited 23 Mar 22:38]
6
Nourry interview on 22:08 - Mar 23 with 10328 views
He's addressing the trust issue by surrounding himself with a coaching staff of like-minded individuals.
So we effectively have a CEO and COO with very little experience of football or of running businesses the size of QPR supported by a bloated group of coaches who owe their positions to the CEO.
I don't know if it will work as a management structure but it has the foundations of a decent cult movement.
I said on the Williams thread that a lack of experience at the top needn't be a problem if there's a good plan in place and the plan works. But what happens when the plan isn't working?
Last season we were hampered by chronic injury problems. This season we've had the same problems.
Ideally someone in the coaching or medical staff should be flagging up the problem and asking if our methods are wrong.
Instead we have a setup now where most of the senior football staff owe their job to the glorious leader. So the leadership simply denies that there is a problem and everyone else sings from the same song sheet.
Also I will pickup on one thing he mentioned in the interview.
He (correctly) said that last season nearly all our wins were against bottom half teams and we didn't beat any of the top sides - we did win at Sunderland on the final day but to be fair their minds were on bigger things.
This season we beat league leaders Coventry at home.
On the face of it that does sound impressive and Nourry does cite it as progress.
Until you remember that the season before we won at Leicester and thumped Leeds 4-0 under Marti Cifuentes.
And the season before that the hapless Gareth Ainsworth pulled off a hugely fortunate 2-1 win at Turf Moor that was to be champions Burnley's only home defeat of the season. (And Burnley would have sewn up the title that day, so they were definitely up for it!)
The Championship is an attritional and highly competitive league. Bottom half teams beat top half teams with far more regularity than you see in the PL.
Last season's results were a freak in the way they panned out. The fact we beat Coventry this season (while they were on a significant dip in form) is nice, but not proof of progress.
[Post edited 23 Mar 22:38]
Our record against the top 8 this year… Lost 7-1 to Cov, beat them 2-1 at home. Handed our ars twice over by Boro. Handed our ars by Ipswich. Away to come. Beaten at home by Millwall. Away to come. Beat Hull twice. Easily beaten twice by Southampton. Beat Wrexham away, lost the home game. Lost at Derby, home game to come.
4
Nourry interview on 22:13 - Mar 23 with 10285 views
He's addressing the trust issue by surrounding himself with a coaching staff of like-minded individuals.
So we effectively have a CEO and COO with very little experience of football or of running businesses the size of QPR supported by a bloated group of coaches who owe their positions to the CEO.
I don't know if it will work as a management structure but it has the foundations of a decent cult movement.
I said on the Williams thread that a lack of experience at the top needn't be a problem if there's a good plan in place and the plan works. But what happens when the plan isn't working?
Last season we were hampered by chronic injury problems. This season we've had the same problems.
Ideally someone in the coaching or medical staff should be flagging up the problem and asking if our methods are wrong.
Instead we have a setup now where most of the senior football staff owe their job to the glorious leader. So the leadership simply denies that there is a problem and everyone else sings from the same song sheet.
Also I will pickup on one thing he mentioned in the interview.
He (correctly) said that last season nearly all our wins were against bottom half teams and we didn't beat any of the top sides - we did win at Sunderland on the final day but to be fair their minds were on bigger things.
This season we beat league leaders Coventry at home.
On the face of it that does sound impressive and Nourry does cite it as progress.
Until you remember that the season before we won at Leicester and thumped Leeds 4-0 under Marti Cifuentes.
And the season before that the hapless Gareth Ainsworth pulled off a hugely fortunate 2-1 win at Turf Moor that was to be champions Burnley's only home defeat of the season. (And Burnley would have sewn up the title that day, so they were definitely up for it!)
The Championship is an attritional and highly competitive league. Bottom half teams beat top half teams with far more regularity than you see in the PL.
Last season's results were a freak in the way they panned out. The fact we beat Coventry this season (while they were on a significant dip in form) is nice, but not proof of progress.
[Post edited 23 Mar 22:38]
Some excellent comments as always on this , my uptake for what it is is this
Scott jones with an accent . It’s the easiest way to describe him , same cv full of nothing . Same well you didn’t really .
It’s the emporers new clothes with him some people,can see the obv bull shit some are sitting down with a large spoon and asking for seconds.
started watching it , then thought id rather slam my bollox in the car door a few times as it would be less painful overall.
Am guessing you have given up now on procreating Wombat.
But crack on - whatever floats your boat. Rather you than me, Sir !!!!!!
Back to Mr Nourry
A few pointers for me.
If he was my overall big boss, i would personally never feel fully secure in post, as gave up on corporate roles many moons ago, as didnt want to play the game, sell my soul and use ridiculous buzz words and shout the loudest to get further forward. But if Christian was my manager, i would not trust him one inch.
However, he is not and anyhow, he is in charge now of a football club , where staff are in the most insecure job roles, you can get in terms of time.
Despite him being in charge of a football clubs operations, it is big business and also a corporate type structure in terms of running.
I do also know that many senior roles are now much more available to younger people. The bigger the value of technology in all organisations now, those with top knowledge in such things means that some younger people get to much more senior roles very much younger than twenty years ago.
And i do think that technology has a massive role in football now and even more so going forwards. And focus on data analysis particularly for recruitment, i do tend to agree with this strategy to unearth a few young hidden gems.
There are going to be some failures in recruitment and some big successes and think we can all name names where we are failing or succeeding here.
The attempts to raise funds by developing young players and selling at the right times, lets see where this gets us.
What i personally dont mind but appreciate it winds some up - he has no real emotion linked to QPR, he will therefore not get blindsided by questions or opinions of fans in the way he bases his ideas to get success. If he does follow a plan then we will see, where we go.
i hope sometimes he does realise some things have been questioned and will honestly.look at them, to see how improvements can be made if failings happen.
Feel he learnt that buying from random countries leagues and based on their data has more possibilities of failure as to those that are succeeding in lower leagues in this country.
i dont underestimate his intelligence and also his will to be a success here. Although, as a manager, i feel his distant and aloof type character in a normal organisation, would be mistrusted. But then football is far from normal.
Anyone who has been offered a role of this magnitude at his age, does actually need to have balls, and in this sense i dont doubt his sense of self belief, which at least suggests he will do anything for the club and himself to be a success. People like Christian dont like losing so on that side for me he is ok.
i personally have never had a manager massively younger than me, but know one mate in particular, who suddenly got moved on after decades at an organisation hy a new manager that was younger than his daughters.
And again, i personally am not against his age. However, i feel his age is the reason for his one clear failing, i have seen so far, in that he is a terrible communicator.
When Donald Trumps press secretary speaks on his behalf or a deputy who can communicate at all levels to the entire spectrum of very different people, backgrounds and ages.such as Rubio, people are more engaged. An extreme example i know !!!!
For me, he should communicate via a person much better versed in such matters. As like Williams, his waffle knows no bounds !!
i think next season will be the key.
if we move on players such as Saito, Varane and Celar and get some monies in that helps, keep improving a few younger players and add where we need to, and if injured players manage to maintain greater fitness levels and the season moves sweetly on.
The jury is out for me. I think, overall, he could improve things and there is no doubt, we are achieving similar or slightly better results with a lot younger squad.
He clearly does get aroused chatting about his power, cant say that was anything that worked that way for me, but yes this next season will be a deal breaker.
Would he be my mate, no, has he made unpopular decisions, yes, but if we some how got promotion such things would be forgotten.
Personally, i find a lot of the roles within totally alien, but again times always change and as the saying goes there are many different ways to skin a cat.
He is doing ok and there is potential, but lets see where we are in a years time. I feel that will be the key to seeing whether this will be a success..
Many things have improved this season, but the injuries has been the major failing. If i was the CEO myself, i would be questioning the performances of those responsible for managing this. Has it been bad luck or poor execution. For me , if Williams is the key man with regards to this, i feel he will replace Williams.
The recent interview with Ben Williams for me suggested a man completely struggling to stay afloat. i know some suggest he is unlikely to replace Ben, ie Nourry mark 2, but i can see Nourry as quite ruthless in his decision making and he doesnt stand on sentiment and for me, i do think its a possibility Williams could be replaced.
Yes lets see next season.
The major issue i have though, with him being a techy nerd type chap, crikey amateur mistake number one. Its so easy to change your name on screen in Video feeds, so maybe perhaps the future number one at QPR is now to be "Paul Morrissey" as Nourrys screen feed suggested he was !!!!!!
Our record against the top 8 this year… Lost 7-1 to Cov, beat them 2-1 at home. Handed our ars twice over by Boro. Handed our ars by Ipswich. Away to come. Beaten at home by Millwall. Away to come. Beat Hull twice. Easily beaten twice by Southampton. Beat Wrexham away, lost the home game. Lost at Derby, home game to come.
It's not a great record, despite what Nourry said, however our squad is very young. These results are no better or worse than previous years, but whereas we had sometimes up to 5 loans and/or aging players we now have a young squad that we actually own.
This is a first Championship season for a lot of this squad and even those that may be playing a second, they're still very young. This is a big plus for us as they will improve.
It's not a great record, despite what Nourry said, however our squad is very young. These results are no better or worse than previous years, but whereas we had sometimes up to 5 loans and/or aging players we now have a young squad that we actually own.
This is a first Championship season for a lot of this squad and even those that may be playing a second, they're still very young. This is a big plus for us as they will improve.
i agree with this and we have coped reasonably well with a dreadful injury crisis in the second part of the season also.
It's not a great record, despite what Nourry said, however our squad is very young. These results are no better or worse than previous years, but whereas we had sometimes up to 5 loans and/or aging players we now have a young squad that we actually own.
This is a first Championship season for a lot of this squad and even those that may be playing a second, they're still very young. This is a big plus for us as they will improve.
I completely agree. Get the team fit and relatively injury free, several Kone/Burrell types with a year under their belt, couple of additions in the remaining problem positions I think we could have an excellent season next year.
So why embellish? Why exaggerate? We’ve been mostly thrashed out of sight by the top eight this year. We’ve conceded 36 goals in 13 games against them.
It’s the same with this sudden point about loan signings and owning all our players. Last season we had Edwards, Saito, Dembele, Min Hyeok, Cashby… but he was overseeing that. The year before he got here we had no loans at all to start with, then he added Hayden and Hodge in January.
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Nourry interview on 07:21 - Mar 24 with 9683 views
‘What first attracted you to working for the Multi-millionaire, Ruben Gnanalingam ?’
Maybe football success is measured a little differently in terms of results for a CEO but so far the next set of interview questions could be fairly challenging:
1) how much money did you make or lose as CEO of QPR every year ? 2) what transfer successes and failures were you responsible for ? 3) how did you improve fan engagement and the stadium facilities ? 4) how did you improve non-match day revenue ? 5) what development players came through the system and the planned academy ? 6) what assets have you developed (and completed) for the future ? 7) why do you always finish around 16th and get knocked out of the cup in the first round every year ? 8) tell me more about the list of injuries - contact and non contact…. 9) what is your communication strategy ? 10) were you also the DoF or not ?
Could be the perfect fit for Spurs when they get relegated and plan on stealing 16th from us next season.
Those possessed by devils, try and keep them under control a bit, can't you ?
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Nourry interview on 07:28 - Mar 24 with 9679 views
I completely agree. Get the team fit and relatively injury free, several Kone/Burrell types with a year under their belt, couple of additions in the remaining problem positions I think we could have an excellent season next year.
So why embellish? Why exaggerate? We’ve been mostly thrashed out of sight by the top eight this year. We’ve conceded 36 goals in 13 games against them.
It’s the same with this sudden point about loan signings and owning all our players. Last season we had Edwards, Saito, Dembele, Min Hyeok, Cashby… but he was overseeing that. The year before he got here we had no loans at all to start with, then he added Hayden and Hodge in January.
Absolutely. Semantics apart, I do agree with the philosophy of having fewer loan players. At least that part of the strategy makes sense to me.
I am not a fan of Nourry, but do try and not fall into the therefore-everything-he-ever-says-or-does is awful camp. A fair ear helps and at least he is speaking.
But I felt uncomfortable straight away with his bit about being offered similar roles by other clubs - what was the point in saying that?
Then I am OK with the loans and younger player philosophy, but as I have said before what about the realisation that should only be part of the team and your experienced reliable stalwarts like Dunne, Cook, Field need to be there too? The major flaw in the plan for me.
Really don't like the part where he bit back at the interviewer saying we do badly against poor teams and him saying that we haven't this season. Well, for one, yes we have and second - if you are trying to split hairs about results when we are yet again right on course for a disappointing season, why do that? Surely you can say the results need improving.
As for having an ambition to get more points than last season - wow. Be still my beating heart. How does that equate to his splashing out all our PSR funds on Saito, Edwards, Kone et al?
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