r00fie1
Well-known member
Hi everyone.
Its that time again.................................
Before we look at tonight`s game, we have to pay tribute to our own Neil Warnock.
"NEIL WARNOCK!
HE`S TOP OF THE LEAGUE!"
Love him or hate him, he is by far. one of the most successful Managers in the English Football League over the last 40+ years.
Neil described himself as "Mr Marmite" to the watching media on Monday [1st November].
Tonight [Tuesday 2nd November] Neil will surpass DarioGradi`s record of 1601 games as Manager in his career!
Its 1602 games tonight (!) - making him "Top of The League"!
As Cloughie might say - Hes not the best Manager, but hes certainly in the top one
Its astonishing really - "if Im honest about it" - hes above the likes of `Arry Redknapp, Brian Clough and Alex Ferguson!
Neil Warnock is from a generation where Managers crafted successful teams out of players who trained on sandy beaches, sweating it out on Army Assualt Courses and running till they dropped.
He`s taken the most unlikely teams to the top and lifted others beyond their wildest dreams. Hes still remembered fondly by fans of Rotherham, Notts County, Plymouth, QPR, Cardiff, Scarbro`, Sheffield United and a few others besides. His blunt and ,sometimes, abrasive style doesnt always suit the media and others connected to the game - but no one can doubt his passion and ability. He has admitted himself that he likes the notion of being a maverick - says he knows hes doing right when hearing fans chanting "Neil Warnock...what a .......!" His self-deprocating humour often washes over football "journalists" who have perhaps grown up with the Premier League, with pitches like billiard tables and money sloshing round the top of the game.
He takes players and teams, who the media describes as "no - hoper`s" and turns them into world - beaters. QPR, Cardiff City, Notts County, Scarbro` and Sheffield United immediately spring to mind. No one can doubt him. On his tenure at QPR, he describes his players as a "bunch of misfits" (!) - some of whom, he was told - were "unmanageable". Not to him though.
For those who know the film "THE DIRTY DOZEN" - Neil is Lee Marvin ["the Gaffa"] who takes 12 Soldiers out of prison on a mission destined to fail(?).
Even the General`s think he has no chance. The "Gaffa" [Lee Marvin] uses unorthodox methods to achieve his objectives - much to the annoyance of those in authority [sound familiar?!] - but he builds a team out of "misfits" who blow the doubters out the water
His teams arent "dirty" but they are always ready to run through brick walls. Where others might ask for a blank cheque book to build a side - Neil gets on with recruiting players no-one has heard of!
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Here is what The Gaffa had to say to Sky Sports:
"I must have been decent at my job to do 1,601!" joked Neil Warnock after Middlesbrough's 2-0 defeat to Birmingham last Saturday.
Despite the loss, the Boro boss was in a typically jovial mood - and for good reason. It was the day the 72-year-old equalled the record for the most games managed in English professional football.It has been some journey. Since he first entered the EFL as a manager with Scarborough in 1987, Warnock has taken charge at 14 different clubs, from Torquay, to QPR, to boyhood club Sheffield United and won promotion on a record eight occasions.
On Tuesday night, when he takes his side to Kenilworth Road to face Luton, he will make history once more when he takes charge of the 1,602nd match.It is a remarkable figure, but one he admits he never imagined reaching.
"I never set out to do anything like that," he said. "I can't see something like this being beaten. In another 16-17 games, it will be the most Football League games. Hopefully I can keep my job a bit longer.
"Simon Jordan got me out of retirement at Palace because I thought I was going to be finished after Sheffield United. He told me to have a couple of months and help him out and it's things like that that have kept me in it. Rotherham United was special. They got me back in after I'd called it a day then.
Its that time again.................................
Before we look at tonight`s game, we have to pay tribute to our own Neil Warnock.
"NEIL WARNOCK!
HE`S TOP OF THE LEAGUE!"
Love him or hate him, he is by far. one of the most successful Managers in the English Football League over the last 40+ years.
Neil described himself as "Mr Marmite" to the watching media on Monday [1st November].
Tonight [Tuesday 2nd November] Neil will surpass DarioGradi`s record of 1601 games as Manager in his career!
Its 1602 games tonight (!) - making him "Top of The League"!
As Cloughie might say - Hes not the best Manager, but hes certainly in the top one
Its astonishing really - "if Im honest about it" - hes above the likes of `Arry Redknapp, Brian Clough and Alex Ferguson!
Neil Warnock is from a generation where Managers crafted successful teams out of players who trained on sandy beaches, sweating it out on Army Assualt Courses and running till they dropped.
He`s taken the most unlikely teams to the top and lifted others beyond their wildest dreams. Hes still remembered fondly by fans of Rotherham, Notts County, Plymouth, QPR, Cardiff, Scarbro`, Sheffield United and a few others besides. His blunt and ,sometimes, abrasive style doesnt always suit the media and others connected to the game - but no one can doubt his passion and ability. He has admitted himself that he likes the notion of being a maverick - says he knows hes doing right when hearing fans chanting "Neil Warnock...what a .......!" His self-deprocating humour often washes over football "journalists" who have perhaps grown up with the Premier League, with pitches like billiard tables and money sloshing round the top of the game.
He takes players and teams, who the media describes as "no - hoper`s" and turns them into world - beaters. QPR, Cardiff City, Notts County, Scarbro` and Sheffield United immediately spring to mind. No one can doubt him. On his tenure at QPR, he describes his players as a "bunch of misfits" (!) - some of whom, he was told - were "unmanageable". Not to him though.
For those who know the film "THE DIRTY DOZEN" - Neil is Lee Marvin ["the Gaffa"] who takes 12 Soldiers out of prison on a mission destined to fail(?).
Even the General`s think he has no chance. The "Gaffa" [Lee Marvin] uses unorthodox methods to achieve his objectives - much to the annoyance of those in authority [sound familiar?!] - but he builds a team out of "misfits" who blow the doubters out the water
His teams arent "dirty" but they are always ready to run through brick walls. Where others might ask for a blank cheque book to build a side - Neil gets on with recruiting players no-one has heard of!
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Here is what The Gaffa had to say to Sky Sports:
Middlesbrough: Neil Warnock breaks record for most games managed in English professional football
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock broke the record for the most games managed in English professional football on Tuesday night, when Boro lost 3-1 to Luton at Kenilworth Road; the 72-year-old has now taken charge of 1,602 matches during spells with 14 clubs
www.skysports.com
"I must have been decent at my job to do 1,601!" joked Neil Warnock after Middlesbrough's 2-0 defeat to Birmingham last Saturday.
Despite the loss, the Boro boss was in a typically jovial mood - and for good reason. It was the day the 72-year-old equalled the record for the most games managed in English professional football.It has been some journey. Since he first entered the EFL as a manager with Scarborough in 1987, Warnock has taken charge at 14 different clubs, from Torquay, to QPR, to boyhood club Sheffield United and won promotion on a record eight occasions.
On Tuesday night, when he takes his side to Kenilworth Road to face Luton, he will make history once more when he takes charge of the 1,602nd match.It is a remarkable figure, but one he admits he never imagined reaching.
"I never set out to do anything like that," he said. "I can't see something like this being beaten. In another 16-17 games, it will be the most Football League games. Hopefully I can keep my job a bit longer.
"Simon Jordan got me out of retirement at Palace because I thought I was going to be finished after Sheffield United. He told me to have a couple of months and help him out and it's things like that that have kept me in it. Rotherham United was special. They got me back in after I'd called it a day then.
Most games managed in English professional football
Most games managed in English professional football
Name Games managed Dario Gradi 1,601 Neil Warnock 1,601 Fred Everiss 1,524 Sir Alex Ferguson 1,503 Brian Clough 1,451 Jim Smith 1,442 Harry Redknapp 1,434
Name | Games managed |
---|---|
Dario Gradi | 1,601 |
Neil Warnock | 1,601 |
Fred Everiss | 1,524 |
Sir Alex Ferguson | 1,503 |
Brian Clough | 1,451 |
Jim Smith | 1,442 |
Harry Redknapp | 1,434 |
"Those circumstances and having those 16 games at Rotherham really whetted my appetite for the Cardiff carry on. You can't put your finger on just one thing that keeps you coming back."
On December 1, he will turn 73, yet shows no sign of slowing down, no doubt helped by his constant ability to lighten the mood of a press conference or playing up to his charismatic persona.
"I have really enjoyed it and set out to give the clubs I am at something to cheer about and a bit of humour in the game," he added. "There is not enough humour in the game. I like to make people laugh and smile and enjoy life.
"Younger managers get a bit brainwashed with clipboards and qualifications and forget the little things in life like the humour. You can't give them a course in humour. I have always enjoyed that part, and meeting the away fans, the banter and getting some stick. I couldn't have done as many games without humour."
With the aforementioned defeat to Birmingham bringing a three-match winning streak to an end, Middlesbrough have slipped back into the middle of the Championship table.
But with just six points separating 19th-placed Preston and fifth-placed Huddersfield, all that could change in an instant and a promotion push could soon be back on the cards.
When it comes to winning promotion, Warnock is a man who knows what he's doing. Taking Cardiff to the Premier League in 2018 moved him above Dave Bassett, Graham Taylor and Jim Smith, who all achieved promotion on seven occasions.
Even in an age of big-spending in the Championship, it is Warnock's old-fashioned values that make him successful time and time again. And an unprecedented promotion number nine could be added to his CV in just a matter of months, too.
Sky Sports' Jobi McAnuff on the Sky Sports EFL Podcast:
"Opposition-wise, it's never nice coming up against his teams, I've got to be honest. I had my extra-large shin pads and ankle pads on when I played against them! You know what you are going to get and I think, with good managers, you can see elements of their personality in their teams.
"I think Neil Warnock has done that across his whole career. I know a lot of lads who have played for him and they absolutely loved it. For me, management is about getting the best out of those players and understanding what makes them tick. He just knows which buttons to push and how to push them.
"It's a massive compliment to him for how long he has done it, how successful he has been and to have that desire to keep wanting to do it. He could easily retire - and be happily retired - but he's got that passion in him that you still see now and it's great to see.
"You look at managers these days and it is very much a short-term job and some that have negative experiences or don't quite do well, you never see them again. The fact that he keeps coming back, he keeps getting jobs and he keeps doing well and building teams again is unbelievable."
Sky Sports' Andy Hinchcliffe on the Sky Sports EFL Podcast:
"If you're in football as long as Neil Warnock, you have to adapt because players have changed, their mentality has changed. You can keep a bit of what you are, but you do have to adapt the way that you coach and talk to players because man-management is so important these days.
"He's still proving successful and there is a chance this season, with him in charge at Middlesbrough, that they could creep up and challenge the top six. We'll see him in midweek and we'll certainly hear him as well because he loves to stick it to referees! It appeals to fans, it appeals to players and he must be great to play for. If you are around this long, it's not by accident; clearly you are doing a lot right.
"When he left Cardiff, I just wondered if that was it and though that surely, in his 70s, he was just going to sit back and watch the game. He can't help himself. He is what he is - a football coach and a manager - and he needs to be in that dressing room and on that touchline. Can he go into his 80s?! I'd be surprised if he doesn't!"
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More of Neil later. Lets look ahead to tonight`s game at Kenilworth Road:
Tonight`s Fixtures:
The Championship Table before Kick Off:
Tonight`s Fixtures:
The Championship Table before Kick Off:
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Head 2 Head
With Flashscore:
LUT 3-1 MID | Luton - Middlesbrough
www.flashscore.co.uk
Halloween night provided a bit of a shock for Luton Town and Middlesbrough as they both fell to respective 2-0 defeats following their own positive runs prior. For Luton, their five-game unbeaten Championship run came crashing down (W3, D2) though that hasn’t ended their top-six hopes just yet as they can pull clear of ‘Boro’ with a win here.
Inspiring confidence amongst the Luton ranks is their solid record across their last 11 home league games (W4, D6, L1), though turning draws into wins is imperative if the ‘Hatters’ are to climb the table. However, this could be yet another tight match if manager Nathan Jones’ personal record against Middlesbrough is anything to go by, as all three games ended with under 2.5 goals (D1, L2).
Another week, another drab encounter ensued for Middlesbrough, as they played out a seventh straight game with under 2.5 goals - the longest current streak of any EFL side. However, it was a match that saw boss Neil Warnock equal the record for most games managed in English football as he enjoyed his 1601st such occasion in the dugout.
Each of Middlesbrough’s last six games have now ended 2-0 (W4, L2) and it looks likely there will be another winner in this clash given that none of Middlesbrough’s last ten matches ended level. As Warnock makes that managerial record his own here in his 1602nd match, a win would be the icing on the cake, but this will be no walk in the park as the visitors have won just two of their last nine league encounters with Luton (D4, L3).
Players to watch: With top scorer Adebayo potentially unavailable, Luton may need Harry Cornick to step up - he’s had a hand in six of their last ten goals (4G, 2A).
Meanwhile, Matt Crooks has impressed at Boro with three goals and an assist, though he seeks his first away goal involvement since March.
Hot stat: Warnock hasn’t lost any of his five league H2Hs with Luton in this century (W3, D2), though both away games ended 1-1.
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The View from Kenilworth Road.
The Hatters will hope to get back to winning ways when they face Middlesbrough in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Tuesday evening.
Loss against Preston ended a five-game unbeaten run at the weekend, whilst Boro suffered the same fait after they were defeated by Birmingham on Saturday.
One goal separates the two sides on goal difference in what will prove to be a tight encounter at Kenilworth Road.
The opposition:
Middlesbrough are level on points with the Hatters but a point below with an inferior goal difference.
Nigel (?!) Warnock’s side are usually tricky customers, which manager Nathan Jones pointed out in his post-Preston press conference.
Match Preview | Middlesbrough (H)
The Hatters will hope to get back to winning ways when they face Middlesbrough in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Tuesday evening.
www.lutontown.co.uk
The Hatters will hope to get back to winning ways when they face Middlesbrough in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Tuesday evening.
Loss against Preston ended a five-game unbeaten run at the weekend, whilst Boro suffered the same fait after they were defeated by Birmingham on Saturday.
One goal separates the two sides on goal difference in what will prove to be a tight encounter at Kenilworth Road.
The opposition:
Middlesbrough are level on points with the Hatters but a point below with an inferior goal difference.
Nigel (?!) Warnock’s side are usually tricky customers, which manager Nathan Jones pointed out in his post-Preston press conference.
“Every game is a tough game. There are very few teams that are inexperienced at the level.
The three teams that come up have been regulars in the Championship before so it’s a constant grind, it’s a tough league and we have to make sure we do the right things.”
Last time we met:
It was a score draw when the two sides last met in May earlier this year. Glen Rea had given the Hatters the lead but Duncan Watmore hit back for Boro within two minutes.
James Collins missed a penalty with 20 minutes to play and despite that, it extended Town’s unbeaten run to five matches in the Sky Bet Championship.
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Red and White Shorts:
March 1974, Boro clinch the 2nd Division Championship with a 1-0 win at Kenilworth Road thanks to a goal from David Mills.
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