Phil Stubbins’ summer clean-out of his squad at the Newcastle Jets draws parallels with Ange Postecoglou’s at Brisbane Roar back in 2010, but does that mean Newcastle can go on and win a toilet seat?
It’s difficult to see how, but then again no one really tipped the Roar to go on and win the A-League after Postecoglou and his side went through a similar process.
The major difference between the two though is that Postecoglou has a firm philosophy on the way he wants his sides to play football.
Possession-based football, closing down opponents and trying to win the ball back as soon as you lose it are all a part of the Postecoglou way of playing, but what are the key attributes of the Stubbins style of football?
It’s a question many would struggle to answer.
Stubbins has lurched from formation to formation trying to find the best one to suit his players. Of course every manager has their own methods but wouldn’t it be easier for Stubbins to have a clear formation in mind, off which he can build his side?
It can also be argued that this isn’t really Stubbins’ side, as owner Nathan Tinkler recently stated in his reveal-all interview with The World Game.
So this clean-out had to happen, one way or another. For it to happen mid-season is probably a blessing in disguise for Newcastle despite it meaning this season is now nothing more than a transitional one. It is better to get this out of the road now and hope that it shapes the squad to be in a better position for next season, as it was when Postecoglou first took over at the Roar.
The similarities continue when you look at the key players that have been axed by both men during their mid season clean outs – in particular Craig Moore and Kew Jaliens.
Moore was captain of the Roar, a decorated player, former Socceroo and certainly a key figure in the Roar dressing room, yet Postecolou saw no place for him in his side.
Stubbins has done the same with Jaliens, who again is a well-travelled pro and was captain of the Jets. Both bold moves.
Other senior players were cut from both sides and left a gaping hole of experience that most experts would value as ‘priceless’. But what is the point of keeping experienced heads if they don’t want to buy into a new coach’s philosophy? Is that what has happened with the supposed ‘player revolt’ at the Jets?
The Jets fall-out wasn’t limited to players, as assistant coach Clayton Zane left as well. A war of words erupted between himself, Stubbins and Tinkler through the media that added further fuel.
This certainly hasn’t been a good look for the Jets, something the fans of the club have been quite vocal about.
Even before the season kicked off there was trouble between the Jets’ active supporters group – The Squadron – Jets officials and FFA officials over new active supporters rules, which were brought in to ward off ‘unruly behaviour’ in the active supporters areas across the A-League.
Club owner Nathan Tinkler has been the main target of criticism from fans, the media and players alike but he has been very brave during this whole saga.
While Tinkler cut his teeth in the mining and business sectors to earn a crust – and a large one at that – he has thrown himself right into the deep end with this Newcastle Jets project. He took the reins when the club needed him most, during the late player and staff payments and the player and staff cleanouts. He fronted the media and defended the club’s integrity well.
Now he is going about rebuilding the club from the area he loves and was raised in. He wants them to go back to the glory days when they won the third edition of the A-League. Whether or not he has gone about it the right way or not, only time will tell, but it’s fair to say Tinkler has taken the hard road. When it would have been so much easier to sack the one man in charge, in Phil Stubbins, rather than a raft of players, he did the opposite to what most club owners the world over do on a slightly too regular basis.
It takes guts to do that and it would certainly be nice to see Tinkler rewarded with a successful Newcastle Jets in the future.
Tinkler has made next season a make-or-break one for his era as the owner of the Jets. By making the decisions he has, which look to be the right ones as the squad has been underwhelming for a number of seasons now, Stubbins must deliver finals football to the Hunter – at the very least.
Can Stubbins do it? That is the question on a lot of people’s lips. Either way, expect even more fireworks next season and even on the run home in this season as the Jets embark on a defining period in their history.
j binnie
Guest
RBB - MY oriiginal comment was to Waz concerning where the development of coaching began and I mentioned 3 names that are in the history books ,one Hogan, being recognised worldwide as the 'father" of modern coaching techniques.You then to chose to cite these 3 names and added Stubbins. I don't know Stubbins so would not pass comment on his coaching ability. If I missed your point I am sorry,the only reason I mentioned the 4 men I did was to add to my list of successful coaches,I was not comparing Stubbins with them . Ok? Cheers jb
RBBAnonymous
Guest
You totally missed my point JB. Stubbins shouldnt even be mentioned in that company. He is a hack. He cant coach, I dont care what nationality he is or where he draws his coaching inspiration from. If you think he can coach you might as well committ yourself to a mental hospital before its too late.
j binnie
Guest
RBB - Did you forget Paisley,Clough,Fagan and Saunders who not only won the top league but went on to dominate European football winning 7 European Cups between 1976-1984.? jb
j binnie
Guest
Fadida - A good question and I am assuming your emphasis is on the word "English"for there is little doubt that English football 1945 thru to 1954 was based on a physical game that fact of course excluding names like Matthews,Finney,Carter,Shackleton, and of course Bobby Charlton and David Beckham all of whom would grace any world class team playing today.So as you would have to admit "England" has produced a lot of world class players over those years but it is in the hierarchy of the game you have to find the lack of money being made available to multiply those numbers after Hungary (1953 and 54),and then Brazil,Italy and of course Germany showed them,England that there was a bit more to football than the long used WM formation that had "ruled" the English game for nearly 25 years.Even after the "rebel" manager Ramsey proved they could win the world cup in 1966 with his "wingless wonders" the FA still could not admit that the game,how it was played, and how players were prepared had changed.But as I said that is not the fault of "English coaching". I recommend a book written by one Jonathan Wilson called "Inverting the Triangle" as compulsory reading as to how coaching has developed over the last 90 years and in this fine example of investigative journalism you will read of men,widely unrecognised,who took coaching to the world and how, having been shown the basics, "foreigners" took it to the next levels. For an example,Gusztav Sebes who masterminded that great Hungarian team never failed to praise the English coach Jimmy Hogan who he insisted had been at the root of Hungary's development.By the way Sebes was also credited with playing what was to become known as "total football" 25 years before the Dutch in 1974.I hope you get an opportunity to read this book I can almost guarantee you will not lay it down once you start,It is a fascinationg journey through the development of our game.Cheers jb
Griffo
Roar Guru
It looks like Stubbins will get his 'red hot go' at coaching his own team next season. I just hope that Tinkler is capable of pulling the trigger when he realises that backing Stubbins to do a Ange is like flogging a dead horse... ...I'm assuming that Tinkler has to make the final decision. Just can't see Mitchell Murphy having all the control on that front. Maybe, just maybe, we'll be in with a shot for A-League 12.
FEDUP !!!!
Guest
The BIG difference between Ange And Stubbins is that Ange CAN COACH!
Fadida
Guest
The difference is Lowe can manage a group of men. Stubbins can't. Stubbins clearly had no idea tactically either. Lowe has got one of the best squads in the league. If they fall away and win nothing he won't be the best coach this season.
Fadida
Guest
The key word I used is "naff" jb. There are plenty of good English coaches I imagine (though the last time an English manager/coach won the premier league was..., There are however plenty of Terry Butcher types who talk a good game, of passion and work rate but are tactically bereft. Stubbins is one of those. Th failings of Englaish football to produce "world class" talent are down to poor grassroots coaching, and an insular approach, or would you disagree?
tommaso
Guest
I am enjoying the above comments - I am a neutral re Phil Stubbins but he does come across as being an ordinary coach speaking in clichés and doesn't seem to have the confidence of the players. There is no way you can compare him with AP as AP exerts authority and respect from the players.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
names like Hogan,Whittaker and Rowe............................and wait for it....................Stubbins.
j binnie
Guest
Towser - A very common problem,one much more widespread than the two instances you mention.Since becoming the "in thing" for rich men to own a sporting identity this problem has been in existence and no dubt will continue into the future.It is the very nature of things especially in the sporting world. Been there done that. jb.
Towser
Guest
At the Gold Coast we had a Football naive owner Big Clive who was relying on the Football knowledge of one Miron Bleiberg a man who made the "Riddler" from Batman look like an amateur. The Gold Coast Riddler I'm sure only kept his job because Clive didn't know WTF he(Miron) was talking about. Fast Forward to a similar scenario at the Jets with Tinks replacing Clive & Stubbins replacing the carpet layer. Stubbins is no RIddler, but he is if you listen to him a clone of the English Football manager who talks in cliches,straight out of the post match interviews going back to the "Big Match" days with Brian Moore. If men like Clive & Tinks want to get involved in football they need men from a much higher footballing stratosphere than either Bleiberg or Stubbins to guide the club from top to bottom. With such a Football director blokes like the Riddler or Cliche Phil wouldn't have got near any football club who had a clue what they were doing.
langou
Roar Guru
The best manager in the league this year is Kenny Lowe. Last year people were saying the same things about him as they were of Stubbins.
j binnie
Guest
Fadida - You never cease to amaze me with your comments re the "English Coaching Book". Why someone with your apparent knowledge would do this is strange considering most of the trends and innovations in coaching over the last 90 years can be traced back to that country.. If you care to investigate the genre you will find names like Hogan,Whittaker and Rowe heavily involved in taking change in fooball thinking to the world. .Now if you aimed your barbs at the secular thinking of the hierachy of English football , the FA,who refused point blank tp accept the changes these men were "preaching",I think your "statements" would then be much closer to the truth.Cheers jb
Johnny
Guest
Can Stubbins do an Ange Postecoglou? No.
Fadida
Guest
Spot on Batou. Stubbins has never made a single tactical observation, or move. He's all about working socks off, putting in a shift, winning individual contests, showing mettle, passion (for more consult the Naff English Coach handbook). The football is defensive, aimed at minimising losing margins, rather than winning games. Case in point the last Roar loss, bringing on extra defenders with the scores level Postecoglu always had a plan
Fadida
Guest
He's cleared out the sqaud, removing any strong characters to oppose his own weak character. Can he a) recruit well b) learn to coach by next season? No chance. The man is a fool
Fadida
Guest
Yeah, Stubbins is doing a fantastic job Uncle. One win in twenty. Yes, that's ONE won in TWENTY. The football is dire. Stubbins may not have signed Jaliens or Griffiths but he appointed them captain and vice. He sacked them both. I suspect he appointed Young and Packer. I find it hard to relieve he'd have no input into his staff. He sacked them both. Michael Bridges resigned due to his disappointment with how things were run. But yes, Stubbins and Tinkler are doing a great job. Oh, and Stinkler needs a gun to his head to pay players what they are entitled to One win in twenty. Postecoglu had previous coaching success prior to Roar, and a philosophy. Stubbins has neither. He's the classic English coach (ala Terry Butcher). High in cliches but low on quality
Fadida
Guest
Agree 100% RBB
Uncle Junior
Guest
What makes you say those players were signed by Stubbins? As far as I've been reading, Robbie Middleby had complete control over the football department and all those players were signed by Middleby; not Stubbins. Based on what I saw last Friday when Jets played the in-form team of the A-League (Sydney FC), Stubbins is doing a great job. Newcastle totally controlled the play, constructed neat passes to move the ball into the box. The only thing lacking was the final pass, or decent shot.