Can we please get over all the hype and unrealistic over expectation with the Stan Collymore situation and focus on the reallity. The threat of a third successive relegation is vety real and it is quite clear the current squad is not good enough to survive in this league. Despite all the blather about being able to choose a new management team from the very best available nationwide, blah blah blah, we have ended up with a predictable choice, all three of whom were in the frame from previous managerial vacancies. Apart from the job titles, this could have been the outcome when Bond was sacked. It's going to take a miracle now and the extent of the task is only underlined by the inordinate, disproportionate faith invested in an ex player turned pundit with no track record as a manager, coach or any other position. I wish the new coaching team well but they need to be able to get on with the job without unnecessary distractions, identify suitable transfer targets and do their best to try to eke out a survival strategy, forgetting about grandiose structural pretensions, a new stadium and the rest of it.
1. A pundit who got you a CEO which you didn't have for 5 years. The alternative if Tom wasn't there? I dread to think.
2. A pundit who has a recruitment head ready who's knows every player in the nation( six hundred Conference players watched, analysed and picked out to fit what we need, now, today) who can be extricated from their clubs to bring in quality. He walked into Grimsby in pre season, the oldest squad in the division and brought 8 recommended in. They are TOP of the league.
3. A pundit who's managed to persuade the owner to take a back seat in order to not inflame a tense situation. Likewise a supporter base ready to turn at any moment.
4. A pundit who can speak to anyone in this sport within 30 minutes and who's built relationships with clubs over years, many of whom have already committed to helping us as and when.
5. A coaching trio who we had to sell the club vision to, none of whom were in a hurry to leave their clubs without hearing from a football man that a structure would be in place.
6. A pundit who's had 300 emails from scouts, managers, recruitment specialists, players all wanting to get involved.
7. A pundit who's been to 50 clubs at home and abroad learning and understanding how clubs are run, their structures , things they've done well and not. Invited in by all. There is nobody in English football who's been into more clubs to learn about structure more than I. No one. Ask around the industry!!!
8. A pundit who has only ever offered 3 clubs help and delivered for each. Delivered. I have zero interest getting **** from random fans of clubs I have no connection to, it's hard enough getting **** from those you do!
9. A pundit who's given you more clarity and information as to what the stench is at Southend, relaying that to the owner so that there's a fighting chance of getting rid of the chancers, schemers and malintents at the club. Without identifying them it's not relegation you'd have to worry about, it's bankruptcy.
19. A pundit who's had "yes, we'll help" from every club he's contacted rather than the "Southend? Hahaha" that is the image your club has inflicted on itself with toxic chancers who've walked through the door.
If I were you I'd have a long hard look at yourself and find out where I've suggested I'm a messiah or where I've strolled in acting like one .
I've offered real time help to turn a situation around that is one of the most embarrassing and reckless declines I've seen in football for decades. A lesson in self destruction, poor planning, woeful hires, zero structure and a reckless disregard for honesty and integrity.
I didn't cause this, I walked out of Roots Hall leaving you with £3.5 million from A £150k outlay within 6 months . I don't come with the stench of failure that has been so readily accepted at the club. Nor will I, I've never been involved with any club that's been relegated at any level and I won't start now.
This morning, my Mom, in a care home fell and smashed her face in. I came to Dagenham instead of going to the Midlands to see her. She's in hospital and I'm driving back now, then back south to continue to work on solutions for you to moan and cry about. When my Sister died of cancer while I was at Southend, I was given unlimited time off. I took not one day off because I wanted to do my job properly. So I'd ease off on questioning my character or ability or professionalism.
Be careful what you wish for, dumping on people offering help isn't acceptable.
Because qualified people at the club have served you so well, haven't they?
Have some damn respect.
Stanley Victor Collymore.
