According to Rob Fielding, supporters will not stop protesting against the present Director of Football because they are concerned about the club’s long-term prospects, even though they believe that Carol Shanahan’s open letter should be honoured.
As Rob Fielding puts it.
The open letter from Carol Shanahan, in my opinion, demonstrates the kind of devoted and passionate owners we have. It’s obvious that the Shanahans, in contrast to some of our former owners, are committed to improving Port Vale as a club. For that, they should be commended and thanked by supporters.
But even while Shanahan vehemently denies it, most fans still think that David Flitcroft is one of her blunders, as she admits in her letter.
Football is unusual in that people ask for people to be fired based on strong feelings and opinions. In other sectors, it wouldn’t occur, but in football, it does. Although I’ve never met David Flitcroft and generally wouldn’t wish unemployment upon anyone, much less a complete stranger, I firmly feel that our team can advance if we replace the current Director of Football.
What makes me think that way? Excuse the pun, but nothing is ever clear-cut, and David Flitcroft has accomplished something, I think. For instance, he has profited from Vale’s standing as a short-term residence for top loan players. But has he been more successful than unsuccessful?
The letter’s aims look a little out of order and lack some important ones, in my opinion. Before starting your long-term goals, I believe you should first organise and complete your short-term ones. Not the other way around.
Only one of the nine Flitcroft targets listed in the letter—”Stay in League One”—relates to the near future. It is the task whose solution is the least clear. The assignment only states that he and the club “will be doing everything that we can to do that again this year,” while the other tasks outline specific actions that were taken.
Now, wait a minute—is it accurate? Consider Tuesday evening. As director of football and head of the football section, I would contend that doing “everything that we can” would entail accepting ultimate responsibility. taking command on the sidelines and applying your more than 300 games of managerial expertise, rather than handing the reins to Will Ryder, a complete beginner.
