Sunderland fans loving POMO’s and USP’s

[One Team]

2 minutes ago, tin said:

What odds Paul Cook takes it on and gets them over the line?

LJ should never have got the job here and should’ve been given the boot much earlier than he was IMO. I’m not surprised to see him fail at Sunderland, even if the term fail is nuanced.

His stock is only going one way, unless Ashton offers him a way out at Ipswich in the future. 

Cook second favourite at the bookies, Steve Bruce third!

Edited January 30, 2022 by One Team

[lenred]

Just now, Red Exile said:

Had occurred to me! But Ashton's only just appointed a new chap to that role.

I'm not sure why LJ wants to be a manager. He appears to have a decent reputation as a coach but has zero track record of actually leading sides to league success, at any level. 

Would his drive / ambition / ego whatever allow him to be a coach? I’m not so sure. Maybe if it was for one of the very best perhaps but they generally have their own right hand guys.  

[Red Army 75]

2 minutes ago, Kodjias Wrist said:

Alex Neill be a good fit i reckon! 

I was thinking I would like to see Gareth Ainsworth given a chance at a bigger club. 

[Kodjias Wrist]

1 minute ago, Red Army 75 said:

I was thinking I would like to see Gareth Ainsworth given a chance at a bigger club. 

Would he leave though? Has strong ties to Wycombe and a decent chance of promotion back too. But yes Ainsworth is someone I would of had if not for NP.

[MarcusX]

19 minutes ago, One Team said:

Yes it was a bad defeat, but they are third FFS! 

Seems a mental decision but I guess they think they need a final push? 

If the new person gets them up does LJ get some of the credit? 

Either way his CV will still read reasonably well despite not having gained a promotion or trophy. 

He’s won a trophy, to be fair

[One Team]

1 minute ago, MarcusX said:

He’s won a trophy, to be fair

Yep, fair point mate forgot about that!

[Supersonic Robin]

20 minutes ago, billywedlock said:

I never approved of our appointment of LJ. He was ill prepared at the beginning and only got worse with his confused mind. Made worse by having Ashton as his sidekick. I never cared that he played for us and never used to worry that his dad managed him. I just thought it was a terrible appointment and the football played for the majority of time was awful as he was making it up. I am not wanting to argue the issue, just to say I am far from his fan.

However. I have not followed Sunderland until today. Now I know he has the biggest budget (ever) in L1 and 5000 fans went to Bolton yesterday . But if I look at the table, they are 3rd 2 points off of the top. I can see others have games in hand, but the return of 5 points out of the last 15, and that terrible loss has clearly sent the board over the top. But, wow, that is his team, and even if they do not do automatic , play offs are certain. I just looked at their forum, and no shock, the same issues LJ rear their head again. He has not evolved with age or recognised his weaknesses. However, he has also managed to get Sunderland close, and he does have his coaching ideas and strategy, that has them that very close. They are in play and it is far from a lost cause. On the surface seems a little crazy.  You can only think he has not convinced them he knows what to do to keep them up there after such a battering. No idea.

For all of his lack of ability, LJ is very honest and a dedicated hard working person. He certainly does not steal a living. He is just not very good. 

I'm interested to hear the thinking behind some of these views? Some pretty bold criticism in there - what makes you think he was THAT bad/incompetent? (I'm not contesting you, just interested to hear the explanation)

[ROKERITE]

I said when he got the job he was the nightmare appointment. At least that particular nightmare is over now. He survived losing 4-0 at Pompey and 5-1 at Rotherham this season but 6-0 at Derby was an embarrassment too far.

[Red Exile]

8 minutes ago, One Team said:

Their forum is quite a read. 

Lots of “enough was enough” type comments. 

Enough of what? One point off promotion, two points off the title? 

If they were outside the play offs or way off automatic and they had that defeat they perhaps I’d see the point. 

I’m not much of a LJ fan but it seems very harsh. 

Well they've won 1 in 5 and already shipped 5 goals at Rotherham and 4 at Portsmouth this season...I would imagine they'd be looking at streaky Lee and think 'here he goes again' and have pulled the plug before they're on a club record losing streak. LJ has form when it comes to falling out of contention...and no form at all when it comes to seeing the job through. They've got a decent squad. They should be expecting promotion.

I was surprised he was appointed in the first place.

[One Team]

Just now, Red Exile said:

Well they've won 1 in 5 and already shipped 5 goals at Rotherham and 4 at Portsmouth this season...I would imagine they'd be looking at streaky Lee and think 'here he goes again' and have pulled the plug before they're on a club record losing streak. LJ has form when it comes to falling out of contention...and no form at all when it comes to seeing the job through. They've got a decent squad. They should be expecting promotion.

I was surprised he was appointed in the first place.

Good points mate.

[Simon79]

2 minutes ago, ROKERITE said:

I said when he got the job he was the nightmare appointment. At least that particular nightmare is over now. He survived losing 4-0 at Pompey and 5-1 at Rotherham this season but 6-0 at Derby was an embarrassment too far.

As you will be a bit more in the know, except for the fact they lost to Bolton 6-0 & not Derby! Did Sunderland spend a lot in the summer? Or big free signings? Generally interested. COYR 

[YGBjammy]

Seems harsh to me, but it's Sunderland so I'm not surprised.

Sunderland is such a weird job for a manager to take; if you get promoted then you won't get much credit as it's "expected" and if you don't get promotion then you're branded a failure.

[ROKERITE]

3 minutes ago, Simon79 said:

As you will be a bit more in the know, except for the fact they lost to Bolton 6-0 & not Derby! Did Sunderland spend a lot in the summer? Or big free signings? Generally interested. COYR 

Yes Bolton of course, my mind's racing. There weren't any big fees as I recall but expensive Bosmans and loans. I actually said early on that surely even Johnson couldn't fail to win promotion with the squad that had been put together. But this month has seen additions which make ours the best group of players in League One. A Championship centre-half and two £10,000,000 rated midfielders either permanent or on loan. Any half competent manager/head coach should guide us over the line. As one of your fans has written the all too familiar Johnson signs were there that he would fall short again. We'll just have to see if we finally get it right this time. 

[Red Exile]

13 minutes ago, Supersonic Robin said:

I'm interested to hear the thinking behind some of these views? Some pretty bold criticism in there - what makes you think he was THAT bad/incompetent? (I'm not contesting you, just interested to hear the explanation)

I'm sure @billywedlock can explain what he meant but for what it's worth LJ's weaknesses were set out time and again by the sceptics (like me!) whilst he was here.

My take would be that he got the job because he was SL's vanity project...SL would pick a winner. LJ had no track record of achieving the promotion we were told was the club's ambition.  His best sides seemed to be picked by force of circumstance, when he had choices to make he often made the wrong ones. He seemed incapable of arresting losing streaks, paralysed on the sidelines watching the game go by. He loved another 'club in the bag' but the clubs never seemed to make a set. He had resources undreamed of by any City manager in my 50 years supporting the club...and squandered them. In my opinion, which I appreciate can be contested, he left us in a worse place than he found us...and we are suffering the consequences. Should never have been appointed. Not a bad man, I liked him as a player, and I felt for him at times, out of his depth. Thankfully it's in the past.

[Sleepy1968]

54 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

If at any point in his career Lee Johnson works under Pep, give me a shout and I’ll have 10 bottles of Weston’s Vintage send over to you. 

The only place that’ll happen is in LJ’s mind. 

Does it count if he's on the catering staff at the training ground, or part of the cleaning crew?

[lenred]

3 minutes ago, YGBjammy said:

Seems harsh to me, but it's Sunderland so I'm not surprised.

Sunderland is such a weird job for a manager to take; if you get promoted then you won't get much credit as it's "expected" and if you don't get promotion then you're branded a failure.

I’d imagine anyone getting them up would get treated pretty well up there, even if it’s more expected than at most other places. They are absolutely desperate to get out of League 1. 

[BS4 on Tour...]

1 hour ago, steveybadger said:

Usually I’m all in favour of giving manager’s time, and the timing here does seem odd. However something doesn’t seem quite right there (a team In the top 3 losing 6-0 to modest opposition) and given LJ’s propensity for streaky results, maybe a new manager bounce might actually give them the push they need?

A bit like when we lost 6-0 at Ipswich when thundering towards possible promotion under Gary Johnson - I loved GJ’s comment after that one - “It was a bad day at the office, but we’ll redecorate the office and we’ll be back” ...

Edited January 30, 2022 by BS4 on Tour...

[BrizzleRed]

32 minutes ago, One Team said:

Their forum is quite a read. 

Lots of “enough was enough” type comments. 

Enough of what? One point off promotion, two points off the title? 

If they were outside the play offs or way off automatic and they had that defeat they perhaps I’d see the point. 

I’m not much of a LJ fan but it seems very harsh. 

I think they were a few points clear at the top not long ago and check out the numbers of games in hand some of the teams below have. 

Quite a few on their forum were remarking on the record of his teams imploding towards the sharp end of the season, so maybe that was on their board’s mind too.  We’re very well acquainted with his record on that score!.

[Major Isewater]

1 hour ago, Super said:

Why would we want him?

Other than the fact that we have an experienced manager in Pearson who is one year into a three year contract and showing signs of developing a very good young side  there is absolutely no reason to bring back LJ or any bugger else:

[steveybadger]

2 minutes ago, BS4 on Tour... said:

A bit like when we lost 6-0 at Ipswich when thundering towards possible promotion under Gary Johnson - I loved GJ’s comment after that one - “It was a bad day at the office, but we’ll redecorate the office and we’ll be back” ...

Yep had forgotten that, though in his case it was a bad day at the office.

[Tinmans Love Child]

1 hour ago, Southport Red said:

Amazing really. Of course a appalling result yesterday but playoffs still very doable I would have thought. 

Automatic still very doable!

[tin]

38 minutes ago, Red Exile said:

I'm sure @billywedlock can explain what he meant but for what it's worth LJ's weaknesses were set out time and again by the sceptics (like me!) whilst he was here.

My take would be that he got the job because he was SL's vanity project...SL would pick a winner. LJ had no track record of achieving the promotion we were told was the club's ambition.  His best sides seemed to be picked by force of circumstance, when he had choices to make he often made the wrong ones. He seemed incapable of arresting losing streaks, paralysed on the sidelines watching the game go by. He loved another 'club in the bag' but the clubs never seemed to make a set. He had resources undreamed of by any City manager in my 50 years supporting the club...and squandered them. In my opinion, which I appreciate can be contested, he left us in a worse place than he found us...and we are suffering the consequences. Should never have been appointed. Not a bad man, I liked him as a player, and I felt for him at times, out of his depth. Thankfully it's in the past.

Spot on. I’ll add to the fact that he arrived on the back of an 8-game losing streak at Barnsley, and had achieved nothing there or at Oldham. He was still a novice learning his trade and IMO was a significant downgrade on Cotterill.

If SC was to go, a proven manager should’ve been brought in to get the best out of our young, hungry squad. For what it’s worth, I doubt any proven manager would work under Ashton and him selling the family silver sometimes against LJ’s will. Maybe that goes some way to explaining his appointment here.

But, to me, we needed one or two quality additions to add to that squad and SC would’ve been fine. Instead, Ashton undermined him and the rest is history. 

Edited January 30, 2022 by tin

[Gazred]

12 managers in 10 years. He did well to manage 14 months at that rate.

Must be a bit more to it than a hiding yesterday, they are still well in the mix for promotion.

[BS4 on Tour...]

1 hour ago, Red Alert said:

I like him but a team vying for promotion do not lose 6:0....

We lost 6-0 at Ipswich in the season we got to the play off final vs Hull ... 

[BS4 on Tour...]

1 hour ago, E.G.Red said:

Just reported that LJ has left Sunderland

Seems a bit strange given their league position - I reckon Ipswich could be his next destination or him and Jamie could make an emotional return to Yeovil Town

[kiwicolin]

Now, they have sacked Lee Johnson 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Red Exile]

2 minutes ago, BS4 on Tour... said:

We lost 6-0 at Ipswich in the season we got to the play off final vs Hull ... 

I was there, went to almost every match that season and what a season it turned out to be! Long trip home that evening but it didn't feel like a thrashing though, Bradley Orr was sent off early in the second half, which hadn't helped. So we lost but it was the core of the promotion side from the previous season and we knew they were a resilient bunch. And GJ was a proven winner...one of my favourite City managers. 

 

[archie andrews]

8 minutes ago, BS4 on Tour... said:

We lost 6-0 at Ipswich in the season we got to the play off final vs Hull ... 

and we lost 6 nil at tranmere 89/90 season.......

[BS4 on Tour...]

1 hour ago, Fordy62 said:

Warnock to Sunderland is a rumour!

You rang?!

[archie andrews]

9 minutes ago, BS4 on Tour... said:

We lost 6-0 at Ipswich in the season we got to the play off final vs Hull ... 

then beat em at home about 3 games later....

[BS4 on Tour...]

3 minutes ago, Red Exile said:

I was there, went to almost every match that season and what a season it turned out to be! Long trip home that evening but it didn't feel like a thrashing though, Bradley Orr was sent off early in the second half, which hadn't helped. So we lost but it was the core of the promotion side from the previous season and we knew they were a resilient bunch. And GJ was a proven winner...one of my favourite City managers. 

I was at Hamilton Academical vs Partick Thistle on that day ...

[BS4 on Tour...]

1 hour ago, Red Exile said:

Sunderland was always a gamble for him...going to a club that actually expected to win promotion, something LJ has never achieved as a manager at any level in well over 400 matches and never looked like achieving with us for all the 'clubs in the bag' he was handed. Be interesting to see what he does next. 

Ipswich or Yeovil I reckon ...

[PFree]

1 hour ago, TomF said:

They’re two points off the top 

But they have played four more games than the team above from memory?

[Dynamite Red]

Let's be honest his people skills when things get tough are one his biggest flaws. Would not be at all surprised if he lost the dressing room. 

[richyy66]

48 minutes ago, ROKERITE said:

I said when he got the job he was the nightmare appointment. At least that particular nightmare is over now. He survived losing 4-0 at Pompey and 5-1 at Rotherham this season but 6-0 at Derby was an embarrassment too far.

You haven't got promoted yet, . Think you may be getting a bit ahead of yourself. Or are you just dreaming......

Derby are in the Championship.

[lenred]

3 minutes ago, PFree said:

But they have played four more games than the team above from memory?

Yep 4 games more than second place and two more than first.  

[One Team]

29 minutes ago, tin said:

Spot on. I’ll add to the fact that he arrived on the back of an 8-game losing streak at Barnsley, and had achieved nothing there or at Oldham. He was still a novice learning his trade and IMO was a significant downgrade on Cotterill.

If SC was to go, a proven manager should’ve been brought in to get the best out of our young, hungry squad. For what it’s worth, I don’t any proven manager would work under Ashton and him selling the family silver sometimes against LJ’s will. Maybe that goes some way to explaining his appointment here.

But, to me, we needed one or two quality additions to add to that squad and SC would’ve been fine. Instead, Ashton undermined him and the rest is history. 

Bravo! Absolutely nailed it mate.

[Red-Robbo]

3 minutes ago, Dynamite Red said:

Let's be honest his people skills when things get tough are one his biggest flaws. Would not be at all surprised if he lost the dressing room. 

 

I'd not phrase it quite like that. Most of his ex-players seem quite fond of him. But he isn't a motivator. When the going gets tough, I think he panics and the last thing you want to pick up on as a player is a boss panicking. 

[Porto Red]

1 hour ago, Fordy62 said:

If at any point in his career Lee Johnson works under Pep, give me a shout and I’ll have 10 bottles of Weston’s Vintage send over to you. 

The only place that’ll happen is in LJ’s mind. 

Please stop

[Dynamite Red]

6 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

I'd not phrase it quite like that. Most of his ex-players seem quite fond of him. But he isn't a motivator. When the going gets tough, I think he panics and the last thing you want to pick up on as a player is a boss panicking. 

He also likes to call players out, most top managers deflect criticism of their players and foster a togetherness. He seems to be more concerned about deflecting criticism from himself. I can imagine it quickly puts noses out of joint within a team dynamic. 

Edited January 30, 2022 by Dynamite Red

[cidercity1987]

I feel sorry that he didn't get the season. I am a fan of his but he has a midtable feel and this was his opportunity to get a promotion on the CV

[Dastardly and Muttley]

12 minutes ago, BS4 on Tour... said:

Ipswich or Yeovil I reckon ...

Scotland beckons IMO. Not sure a Championship side take a risk, he’ll think he’s too good for most L1 sides and anyone lower.

 

[Portland Bill]

18 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

I'd not phrase it quite like that. Most of his ex-players seem quite fond of him. But he isn't a motivator. When the going gets tough, I think he panics and the last thing you want to pick up on as a player is a boss panicking. 

The ex players I’ve heard on certain podcasts, are far from fond of him

[Pezo]

10 minutes ago, Portland Bill said:

The ex players I’ve heard on certain podcasts, are far from fond of him

The negative I've heard is Fielding and to be fair the headline was good coach but poor man management which I think everyone knows.

He was a coach and not a manager so one way of looking at it was Fielding thought he was good at his job.

[Red-Robbo]

15 minutes ago, Portland Bill said:

The ex players I’ve heard on certain podcasts, are far from fond of him

 

Some obviously aren't, but I know a couple who are, although they recognise his limitations. 

[the1stknowle]

Sunderland

5 December 2020

30 January 2022

78

40

20

18

51.3

 

This isn't a record that should get any manager sacked from a League One club given they have been in league one for four years.

[hertsexile]

Johnson sacked following 6-0 loss to Bolton 

[red panda]

Next Ipswich manager?

[BTRFTG]

To those querying why Sunderland acted as they did tonight, (acted as we should have 18 months before he eventually went,) when in management it's never about where you are but where you aspire to be and how you plan to get there. A quick scan of the Sunderland forums leads one to the inevitable conclusion that one can't kid a kidder. Doubtless the Sunderland board also sounded out elements of the playing staff. From the gibberish he came out with post-match yesterday, would you stand up and back him? De Facto managers delegate to players on the pitch but any manager worth their salt will tell you you always ensure your charges know that when tasks are delegated and should they fail, you're the backstop. You stand up and carry the can 100%, never ones charges.  If it isn't your fault your bosses will know, those you deal with will understand, your humility will be acknowledged and accommodated. That's the whole point of delegation. Yesterday, rather than highlight all that went right in his planning he should have focussed on what went wrong, even if it wasn't his fault, but fully accepting responsibility for the drubbing. Every pun intended but Johnson isn't big enough to do that.

For all the stories Johnson had to tell there was always the nagging doubt that he'd never be able to back them up. As when he was on speed dial to some of Europe's finest managers whilst delivering his best managerial performances and did they place their trust their him? Like Ryan Kent they did. Sporadically playing a kid out of position, in a system nobody other than Johnson thought worth playing. Those actually on speed dial weren't shy in calling each other with dire warnings of how best to protect their talent.

Again, the basics of management, whatever sector one occupies, is ones most important assets are the folks who work within and interact with ones organisation. Johnson's fundamental problem is he isn't a people person. It's easy to cast him with Napoleon Complex but that's because the prerequisite for stereotype is a deeply engrained element of truth. As many times before, the Sunderland board must have reviewed his antics against Lincoln, his posturing, his short-lived fuse, his running as quick for cover behind the nearest lump he can find when realising he's out of his depth. Biggest problem for him is he's probably never in his life been on the receiving end of a lamping. Nothing so useful as to focus ones actions and strategy.

Does his going change my attitude toward him? Not one bit. He ruined this club, that's his legacy, that isn't for changing.

[Taz]

7 minutes ago, the1stknowle said:

Sunderland

5 December 2020

30 January 2022

78

40

20

18

51.3

 

This isn't a record that should get any manager sacked from a League One club given they have been in league one for four years.

To be fair, an iffy run and a hammering was never going to end well at somewhere like Sunderland. "Too good to be in league 1" is what they think.

He was extremely lucky here in the respect that Lansdown has never been one to quickly pull the trigger, as well as the fact that the Johnsons and Lansdowns have a very good relationship. He was never going to last there (or anywhere else probably) for as long as he was here, without winning things.

[fgrsimon]

I think his luck just ran out this time. When he was on that record breaking run of losses here, he got almost a gimme against Rotherham at Ashton Gate and they were the worst Championship side for years that season. 

Sunderland's next game is Donny at home and they're bottom

Only 2 points off top 2 but Wigan have 4 games in hand and Rotherham 2, so in reality could be 8 points or so. 

Edited January 30, 2022 by fgrsimon

[Fordy62]

8 minutes ago, BTRFTG said:

To those querying why Sunderland acted as they did tonight, (acted as we should have 18 months before he eventually went,) when in management it's never about where you are but where you aspire to be and how you plan to get there. A quick scan of the Sunderland forums leads one to the inevitable conclusion that one can't kid a kidder. Doubtless the Sunderland board also sounded out elements of the playing staff. From the gibberish he came out with post-match yesterday, would you stand up and back him? De Facto managers delegate to players on the pitch but any manager worth their salt will tell you you always ensure your charges know that when tasks are delegated and should they fail, you're the backstop. You stand up and carry the can 100%, never ones charges.  If it isn't your fault your bosses will know, those you deal with will understand, your humility will be acknowledged and accommodated. That's the whole point of delegation. Yesterday, rather than highlight all that went right in his planning he should have focussed on what went wrong, even if it wasn't his fault, but fully accepting responsibility for the drubbing. Every pun intended but Johnson isn't big enough to do that.

For all the stories Johnson had to tell there was always the nagging doubt that he'd never be able to back them up. As when he was on speed dial to some of Europe's finest managers whilst delivering his best managerial performances and did they place their trust their him? Like Ryan Kent they did. Sporadically playing a kid out of position, in a system nobody other than Johnson thought worth playing. Those actually on speed dial weren't shy in calling each other with dire warnings of how best to protect their talent.

Again, the basics of management, whatever sector one occupies, is ones most important assets are the folks who work within and interact with ones organisation. Johnson's fundamental problem is he isn't a people person. It's easy to cast him with Napoleon Complex but that's because the prerequisite for stereotype is a deeply engrained element of truth. As many times before, the Sunderland board must have reviewed his antics against Lincoln, his posturing, his short-lived fuse, his running as quick for cover behind the nearest lump he can find when realising he's out of his depth. Biggest problem for him is he's probably never in his life been on the receiving end of a lamping. Nothing so useful as to focus ones actions and strategy.

Does his going change my attitude toward him? Not one bit. He ruined this club, that's his legacy, that isn't for changing.

Goodness me. Have yourself a high five!

[And Its Smith]

1 hour ago, tin said:

Spot on. I’ll add to the fact that he arrived on the back of an 8-game losing streak at Barnsley, and had achieved nothing there or at Oldham. He was still a novice learning his trade and IMO was a significant downgrade on Cotterill.

If SC was to go, a proven manager should’ve been brought in to get the best out of our young, hungry squad. For what it’s worth, I doubt any proven manager would work under Ashton and him selling the family silver sometimes against LJ’s will. Maybe that goes some way to explaining his appointment here.

But, to me, we needed one or two quality additions to add to that squad and SC would’ve been fine. Instead, Ashton undermined him and the rest is history. 

He achieved at Oldham FYI. At some clubs, achievement doesn’t just mean promotion 

[Davefevs]

6 hours ago, chinapig said:

My point is he needed a mentor when he joined us not a bad influence like Ashton. An experienced Director of Football might have been ideal. The die is now cast so it's too late to change him now.

That’s long been my thought too.  Who was his football philosopher too, all the good ones have had someone to base their style on, e.g. Wenger had Platini’s dad.  

[lenred]

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

That’s long been my thought too.  Who was his football philosopher too, all the good ones have had someone to base their style on, e.g. Wenger had Platini’s dad.  

Surely his dad and his uncle were his mentors? In his eyes at least?  Not officially of course but I’d imagine that’s what his answer may be if asked (along with direct lines to Pep etc!)

Edited January 30, 2022 by lenred

[the1stknowle]

29 minutes ago, Taz said:

To be fair, an iffy run and a hammering was never going to end well at somewhere like Sunderland. "Too good to be in league 1" is what they think.

He was extremely lucky here in the respect that Lansdown has never been one to quickly pull the trigger, as well as the fact that the Johnsons and Lansdowns have a very good relationship. He was never going to last there (or anywhere else probably) for as long as he was here, without winning things.

One year in a job, winning over half your games. That is a good job at Sunderland. And he just got manager of the month a few weeks ago. 

I agree that a big chunk of their fans seem entitled like few others outside traditional top 4. 

[Davefevs]

3 hours ago, Fordy62 said:

A Mate has just text to tell me that apparently the decision to leave was mutual and LJ is off to join Pep at Man City. 

Pep as his no2 I assume…uncle Brian has sorted it

3 hours ago, Fordy62 said:

Warnock to Sunderland is a rumour!

That would be the ultimate kick in the gonads for LJ, firstly being replaced by his assistant here, then being replaced by a “dinosaur” (not my view) when he’s a bright, modern coach.

[Portland Bill]

2 hours ago, One Team said:

Their forum is quite a read. 

Lots of “enough was enough” type comments. 

Enough of what? One point off promotion, two points off the title? 

If they were outside the play offs or way off automatic and they had that defeat they perhaps I’d see the point. 

I’m not much of a LJ fan but it seems very harsh. 

Fans of other clubs had the thoughts that he was doing a good job when he was here, but they never had to sit and watch drab, boring, negative football, and then get told we won the game on “box entries” after losing for the ninth time in a row!. 

In my view he is a fraud, one cup run in 8-9 seasons  as a manager is no track record, basically he has done absolutely zilch in his management career.

He took away my love of watching my club play, for that I will never forgive him. 
Sunderland have done what SL should have done 2-3 years earlier, in fact, he should never have been appointed here in the first place. 

[Frenchay Red]

If it wasn't for the fact that SL appointed his dad as manager he would never have played for us nor have been ridiculously given the head coach job.

Lansdown's folly.

[Davefevs]

53 minutes ago, lenred said:

Surely his dad and his uncle were his mentors? In his eyes at least?  Not officially of course but I’d imagine that’s what his answer may be if asked (along with direct lines to Pep etc!)

Yet, he slagged off his dad to a forum member (at a Q&A session) along the lines of “my dad is just a good man-manager of lower league players”.  That’s pretty dismissive, and lack of recognition of his own weaknesses in man-management.  He might’ve had a better tactical brain than his dad, but you need more than that.

[SydneyCity]

Chucking it out there… is there a proportion of this that could be linked to his reported "Covid rant"?

 

[Lrrr]

Random shout for his next job, England age group stuff, think the U20’s are without a coach atm. Takes him out of the league spotlight for now.

[BUTOR]

2 hours ago, Portland Bill said:

Fans of other clubs had the thoughts that he was doing a good job when he was here, but they never had to sit and watch drab, boring, negative football, and then get told we won the game on “box entries” after losing for the ninth time in a row!. 

In my view he is a fraud, one cup run in 8-9 seasons  as a manager is no track record, basically he has done absolutely zilch in his management career.

He took away my love of watching my club play, for that I will never forgive him. 
Sunderland have done what SL should have done 2-3 years earlier, in fact, he should never have been appointed here in the first place. 

If cotts is going to be lauded as a ‘double winner’, then Johnson deserves credit for an EFL trophy. 

Some of the replies on this thread are oddly personal. The Lee Johnson years didn’t come close to other, genuine horrors of the past. Yes, he was given time and money, and at our worst we were drab, but at our best we could be scintillating. 

His era had excitement and some of the loftiest heights we experienced in the previous decade. Compare this to other managers of the last 10-20 years who barely even left with a memorable win on their city CV. 
 

The truth is, there is, was, and always will be, some kind of strange personal vendetta against Lee Johnson from sections of our fan base. I don’t understand it, you don’t know the man. He was the manager of your football team, but some of you have such deeply personal character assessments that you can’t possibly be basing solely on that? 
 

Edited January 31, 2022 by Bouncearoundtheground

[RedLionLad]

Johnson lost just 18 games out of 78 at Sunderland. 
 

As a comparison, Pearson has lost 23 out of 45.

Edited January 31, 2022 by RedLionLad

[BCFC Grim]

5 hours ago, RedLionLad said:

Johnson lost just 18 games out of 78 at Sunderland. 
 

As a comparison, Pearson has lost 23 out of 45.

After having to pick up the complete mess that Ashton and Johnson left us in. I've seen more identity in how we play in the last month that anything LJ produced in his last two years. 

Add in the what LJ was allowed to bring in, while Pearson is having to make do with what was left to him I'd say that was a pointless comparison.

[SecretSam]

I'm baffled by two things: the decision by Sunderland (they're THIRD), and the (continued) hatred for LJ on here.

Yes, things went wrong towards the end, but was that all down to him? We had some tremendous results and let's not forget, we were in a real mess when he took over.

It was the right time to let him go from AG, but this decision by Sunderland is nuts.

[RedLionLad]

18 minutes ago, BCFC Grim said:

After having to pick up the complete mess that Ashton and Johnson left us in. I've seen more identity in how we play in the last month that anything LJ produced in his last two years. 

Add in the what LJ was allowed to bring in, while Pearson is having to make do with what was left to him I'd say that was a pointless comparison.

If you’re telling me that facts are pointless but your opinion trumps it, then that’s ok.

[Numero Uno]

5 hours ago, RedLionLad said:

Johnson lost just 18 games out of 78 at Sunderland. 
 

As a comparison, Pearson has lost 23 out of 45.

Wonderful perspective there

[Ecko]

5 hours ago, RedLionLad said:

Johnson lost just 18 games out of 78 at Sunderland. 
 

As a comparison, Pearson has lost 23 out of 45.

The difference between league 1 and championship is huge. Pointless comparison.

[Numero Uno]

2 minutes ago, Ecko said:

The difference between league 1 and championship is huge. Pointless comparison.

Not to mention no consideration of the completely different circumstances in each situation. Joke comparison not pointless tbh……