McLaren and all.......Joka's man mangement

[rogerpbackinMidEastUS]

With all of the sacking and upheavals around us, one thing Joka did/said stands out a mile to me.
As we sail along on the "Goodship TeamMorale" one or two players were criticized for losing possession
in risky positions.
He said  "If a player loses possession in certain areas causing us problems , it is my fault as they are only
following my instructions and the system we all agree on to play"

How's that for man management and shouldering the blame for just about any mistake they may make.
It gives the players huge faith and confidence which is radiating in every area of our play.
Knowing that they won't be chastised 'internally' for the odd lapse in concentration and Ream-like unfortunate
slices frees their spirits to entertain and tsunami most teams.

I am so confident of a top 4/5 spot I could run naked around Craven Cottage if someone paid for my air fare :0)

Happy times for all of us and I won't be disheartened if we slip up on Tuesday, which of course we won't.
I predict only 1-0 or 2-1

[YankeeJim]

I'm starting a Go-Fund Me account so that we can gather enough money to pay Roger not to run naked around the Cottage. Such a sight would certainly cause the Prime Minister to send in Special Forces to protect the eyes of children and the more demur ladies.

[Bill2]

Our man is fantastic I cannot think of anything he has done which has turned out wrong, every club in the Chapionship and a number in theorem are kicking themselves they did not appoint him.

[rogerpbackinMidEastUS]

I'm starting a Go-Fund Me account so that we can gather enough money to pay Roger not to run naked around the Cottage. Such a sight would certainly cause the Prime Minister to send in Special Forces to protect the eyes of children and the more demur ladies.

Jim,
Withdraw the not, I need some fish and chips or end me the GoFundMe money
Not a lot for anyone to see

[rogerpbackinMidEastUS]

Llandrindod Wells FC are looking for a manager
Perhaps Steve and Chris can set up in the middle Nogood Boyo country

[Snibbo]

I have to say last season I had my doubts,  as we wallowed in the lower half of the table,  but the turnaround this season has been sensational.  Credit too to the way he's worked with and within the parameters set by Shad and Kline. Lesser characters might have spat the dummy.  Between them they've made it work and it might just be a model for sustainable success and attractive,  uncynical football. Good knows we need more of that.

[F(f)CUK]

It wasn't that long ago that people on here were dismissing Joka. Even the guy who sits next to me at the cottage is beginning to sound positive. If you had heard him during our poor run in early season you'd understand what a turnaround that is.

[MJG]

Its similar to the no blame culture Tigana installed, especially in the first season in the championship.

The whole season for many has been an education in patience.
Patience in Joka to find the right blend.
Patience in our style of play.
Patience in waiting for the hard work and good play to bear fruit.

A lot on here felt Joka was right man from the off, many had doubts last season and as recent as October/November that he should be in charge.

But he seems to always have been a man with a plan, even down to injury time penalties not being given to 16 year olds on a hat trick.
No stone is upturned with this man. From playing the music loud (His idea) at the cottage during the warmup, to making sure that the club laid the same surface at Craven Cottage tat MP. (without the corner slopes tho).
We might see some selections as odd, we might not like some of the players for various reasons, but one thing is clear he is the right man in the right place for us now.

[Holders]

I never had any doubt about him - I liked the job he did at Watford and the way they played.

Over recent years I often wondered if I'd ever see Fulham playing attractive football again, as we had with Macdonald and Tigana. SJ's given us that and we're a pleasure to watch again.

[Woolly Mammoth]

With all of the sacking and upheavals around us, one thing Joka did/said stands out a mile to me.
As we sail along on the "Goodship TeamMorale" one or two players were criticized for losing possession
in risky positions.
He said  "If a player loses possession in certain areas causing us problems , it is my fault as they are only
following my instructions and the system we all agree on to play"

How's that for man management and shouldering the blame for just about any mistake they may make.
It gives the players huge faith and confidence which is radiating in every area of our play.
Knowing that they won't be chastised 'internally' for the odd lapse in concentration and Ream-like unfortunate
slices frees their spirits to entertain and tsunami most teams.

I am so confident of a top 4/5 spot I could run naked around Craven Cottage if someone paid for my air fare :0)

Happy times for all of us and I won't be disheartened if we slip up on Tuesday, which of course we won't.
I predict only 1-0 or 2-1

How much is your air fare ?

[fcfulham55]

To turn around in the way we have, on a shoe string budget is phenomenal! 

[The Road Less Travelled]

To turn around in the way we have, on a shoe string budget is phenomenal!

We spent the fifth most on new signings this season, with only Wolves above us having not been a PL team last year.  That's hardly a shoestring budget.

[snarks]

Its similar to the no blame culture Tigana installed, especially in the first season in the championship.

The whole season for many has been an education in patience.
Patience in Joka to find the right blend.
Patience in our style of play.
Patience in waiting for the hard work and good play to bear fruit.

A lot on here felt Joka was right man from the off, many had doubts last season and as recent as October/November that he should be in charge.

But he seems to always have been a man with a plan, even down to injury time penalties not being given to 16 year olds on a hat trick.
No stone is upturned with this man. From playing the music loud (His idea) at the cottage during the warmup, to making sure that the club laid the same surface at Craven Cottage tat MP. (without the corner slopes tho).
We might see some selections as odd, we might not like some of the players for various reasons, but one thing is clear he is the right man in the right place for us now.

I also wonder if he's arranged for an alteration to the slope at the corners a little too, I seem to think that players stand a little more on a level now when waiting to take them. I have thought this from seasons beginning. Still I may just be giving him too much credit.

[toshes mate]

Some excellent comments on this thread about SJ's man and team management.  I believe the most significant changes have been in team fitness-for-purpose, attitude, belief and confidence.  As rogerpinvirginia says SJ is the one in charge and so he accepts blame for things that do not go as planned because he wants both ball and players to move around so that we maximise possession and create opportunities at the same time.  He has players on the field who don't just boot the ball into row Z when defending, and don't go for quick goal opportunities when something better can be had by being patient.  The players are being coached by staff who know what they want to achieve because they are also a part of the whole team plan.  Everybody is on the same wavelength and that is a priceless commodity in any team sport.  As MJG says both in attitude and results to date, SJ is the right man for the job in so many different ways.

[rogerpbackinMidEastUS]

With all of the sacking and upheavals around us, one thing Joka did/said stands out a mile to me.
As we sail along on the "Goodship TeamMorale" one or two players were criticized for losing possession
in risky positions.
He said  "If a player loses possession in certain areas causing us problems , it is my fault as they are only
following my instructions and the system we all agree on to play"

How's that for man management and shouldering the blame for just about any mistake they may make.
It gives the players huge faith and confidence which is radiating in every area of our play.
Knowing that they won't be chastised 'internally' for the odd lapse in concentration and Ream-like unfortunate
slices frees their spirits to entertain and tsunami most teams.

I am so confident of a top 4/5 spot I could run naked around Craven Cottage if someone paid for my air fare :0)

Happy times for all of us and I won't be disheartened if we slip up on Tuesday, which of course we won't.
I predict only 1-0 or 2-1

How much is your air fare ?

Depends on the time of year, but it would have to a warm month  :0)

[hovewhite]

SJ is the man with the plan and have really enjoyed the brand of joka football this season and feel we will only get better.

[Twig]

To turn around in the way we have, on a shoe string budget is phenomenal!

We spent the fifth most on new signings this season, with only Wolves above us having not been a PL team last year.  That's hardly a shoestring budget.

Sorry but since Joka joined our net transfer expenditure has been close to zero. So I agree with the phrase "on a shoestring".  If you doubt me, stat to has posted very comprehensive summaries of our dealings.

[fcfulham55]

To turn around in the way we have, on a shoe string budget is phenomenal!

We spent the fifth most on new signings this season, with only Wolves above us having not been a PL team last year.  That's hardly a shoestring budget.

But net spend on transfers was -£1m. That's not top 5! even Bristol city topped that! We cant compete with the bigger teams + newly relegated teams in terms of budget, especially under our current ownership more focussed on profit than success.  And ok, lots of people don't take into account the high wages paid out.  But selling on our best players last season on higher wages freed up a lot of potential money we could've re-invested. in which we didn't.  January, we lost players. replaced them with 2 loaned out players. It's all going ok at the moment, so no one will moan. in fact be more delusional. We're not running away with the league title, in which we could've been with 1 or 2 additions. Decent CB and a striker that can finish our play.

[The Road Less Travelled]

We're 8th in the net spend table this season - one place below our league position.  Bristol City have a transfer profit of £1.3million according to Transfermarkt.com.  Newcastle have a net transfer profit of £30million or so too, you'd not argue they were operating on a shoestring budget because of it though.

Don't get me wrong, Jokanovic is doing an incredible job considering the state of the squad in terms of quality and mental aptitude at the end of last season and we have made huge strides.  But to suggest he's doing so whilst being thwarted by a shoestring budget isn't particularly accurate from the information we have available - and he's only had the two transfer windows this season as we were under an embargo in the January one immediately after his appointment.

Transfer spend table for reference:
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/championship/transferbilanztabellenplatz/wettbewerb/GB2

[Woolly Mammoth]

To turn around in the way we have, on a shoe string budget is phenomenal!

We spent the fifth most on new signings this season, with only Wolves above us having not been a PL team last year.  That's hardly a shoestring budget.

Sorry but since Joka joined our net transfer expenditure has been close to zero. So I agree with the phrase "on a shoestring".  If you doubt me, stat to has posted very comprehensive summaries of our dealings.

I agree with Twig here, spot on.