A few things have changed....Lost half a squad, on an embargo, haven't paid players, haven't paid staff, knocked a few loyal suppliers, can afford to open the training ground, players don't even see the physio, no one has heard from management and we ended up with the lowest ever points total......
Losing the majority of the squad was always going to be the plan. At the time of AB&T being interviewed in October, it was common knowledge that we needed the high earners off the books, and there were others here who were stealing a living. AB&T would have known that, and would have known we would need to bring in almost a new squad. It’s possible the financial reach has changed, but again, these guys already knew how skint we were.
The players and staff not being paid isn’t anything new, either. In fact, in AB&T’s case, it’s the complete opposite. They know better than anyone what it’s like for employees of SUFC to not be paid on time. Yet they were willing to look past that in October.
Same situation with the embargoes & constant HMRC battles. It’s nothing new.
I can see how the training ground fiasco could be seen as off-putting, but the pair of them spent enough time at that very same training ground, so it’s at least a place they know well.. warts and all. We know (hope?) it’s not a long-term problem.
All of these things would have gone through AB’s mind back in October, and yet he was still keen on the job... certainly keen enough to show upto the interview suited and booted.
But apart from that why on earth would AB choose to stay at Millwall and in doing so give himself an opportunity to manage at Championship level and be secure for life......When he has a chance to prove what he doesn't have to by saving SUFC from the National league and beyond......He has passion, loves Southend, would run through brick walls and bleed for us fans......That is, until a pointless radio interview offends the usual suspects after his second defeat in a row.....Then it will all change.
Now that sounds on the money.
I mentioned to someone earlier, that it wouldn’t surprise me if Millwall were planning on having a decent crack at promotion next season. Their chairman isn’t too bad (by one fans account at least) and they’re making strides to sort out a new stadium. They’ve got a half sensible manager in Rowett, and with a few quid chucked into the playing side, they could be on the up.
In that scenario, it absolutely makes sense for AB to want to stay where he is. So much so, that if he walked away from that to return to this basket case of a club, then you’d be forgiven for questioning his mind state.
FWIW, until another theory comes along I believe that back in October, he had a choice of stagnating with Millwall or closing his eyes, crossing his fingers and jumping off of the cliff with us.
Now, that choice has become, go on an adventure with Millwall or close his eyes, cross his fingers and jump off of the cliff with us.
It’s not that difficult a choice, I suppose.