Former Peterborough boss Dave Robertson set for under 21 job at Southend United

[Eddy Melito]

isnt this whole thing a smoke screen? im yet to see any evidence that the U21 team are playing in an U21 league rather than just the usual pontins or whatever reserve league. that wont change while the indoor facilities continue to rust in pieces taking up space at the training ground as you need them (amongst many other things) to become a category 2 academy where there is an organised U21 league.

 

[rlb999]

If it happens, an ambitious appointment for the club and probably not the inexpensive option. For some people on here to describe it as a disappointment is incredible - unless your sole objective for the club is to see jobs given to the boys. I don't know if he'll do well or do badly but all things considered this is surely a coup?

 

[usa_shrimper]

Don't know anywhere near enough about his role at Posh to comment on whether he was popular or not but given that he got the first team job, he clearly did alright. Got a lot of experience in youth coaching and will be perfect for working alongside King Kev to develop him into a candidate for the role in the future, can't help but think that it's come a bit too soon for him.

That doesn't stop anybody else making up ****

 

[OldBlueLady]

Actually putting some advance info on the website in regards to matches etc would be a better starting point.....

Fair point, will take that comment to liaison.

 

[EastStandBlue]

Really, really good appointment. Actually surprised by how astute that is.

 

[EastStandBlue]

let alone from the fact that Robertson is unproven.

Eh? The man has more than 15 years experience as a coach, not to mention the Pro Licence which Maher doesn't. He's been involved with Peterborough's academy over the last decade and they've had some great success in bringing through young and untested players. Maher would've simply been a popularist appointment. The U21s isn't about getting tens of fans to the odd game, it's about bridging the gap between the youth side and the seniors. I'd feel much more comfortable with Robertson doing that than Maher.

 

[RHB]

I know nothing about the bloke, nor to I have friends or relatives that do, so, for what it's worth, I asked the Posh board. Ignoring the fact that I managed to call him Robinson (prat mode), some responses are below:

'A super chap, I am sure you will not regret it. Well experienced with the under 21's.'

'didn't know him personally, but agree with Brian.really pleased for Robbo, did a great job with our youth
I understand he was offered his old youth job, but declined, good luck Robbo.'

'You will not find a more committed man in football. He spent ten years plus with us and I have never heard a bad word uttered against him. He did well with our youths and development squad but found 1st. team duties a touch too far. Maybe in the future he will be good enough to step up to that position.'

'Robinson? Who he? We used to have a manager called Robertson who got us out of a jam last season and by golly preserved our League 1 status.'

If I get any more feedback I'll post later, unless it's more **** taking about my inability to get his name right!!

 

[Jam_Man]

Whilst Maher may have been the choice of many fans it would be generally be based on him as a player, who knows what he is like as a coach ?

The right man for the job should be chosen based on experience and ability, not out of sentiment.

Id love to see Maher back at he club but if Robertson is the better coach then dont see a problem with that.

 

[manor15]

I know nothing about the bloke, nor to I have friends or relatives that do, so, for what it's worth, I asked the Posh board. Ignoring the fact that I managed to call him Robinson (prat mode), some responses are below:

'A super chap, I am sure you will not regret it. Well experienced with the under 21's.'

'didn't know him personally, but agree with Brian.really pleased for Robbo, did a great job with our youth
I understand he was offered his old youth job, but declined, good luck Robbo.'

'You will not find a more committed man in football. He spent ten years plus with us and I have never heard a bad word uttered against him. He did well with our youths and development squad but found 1st. team duties a touch too far. Maybe in the future he will be good enough to step up to that position.'

'Robinson? Who he? We used to have a manager called Robertson who got us out of a jam last season and by golly preserved our League 1 status.'

If I get any more feedback I'll post later, unless it's more **** taking about my inability to get his name right!!

Good work RHB, definitely sounds like he was very unpopular and hated by a lot of the youths/people in the club/fans...

 

[Jam_Man]

Indeed. If he was that unpopular they would never have given him the first team job.

 

[ooh-andy-ansah]

Indeed. If he was that unpopular they would never have given him the first team job.

Sorry but don't subscribe to that view. Steve Evans is an example of how you can be a complete and utter **** and still get a job.

 

[RHB]

I know nothing about the bloke, nor to I have friends or relatives that do, so, for what it's worth, I asked the Posh board. Ignoring the fact that I managed to call him Robinson (prat mode), some responses are below:

'A super chap, I am sure you will not regret it. Well experienced with the under 21's.'

'didn't know him personally, but agree with Brian.really pleased for Robbo, did a great job with our youth
I understand he was offered his old youth job, but declined, good luck Robbo.'

'You will not find a more committed man in football. He spent ten years plus with us and I have never heard a bad word uttered against him. He did well with our youths and development squad but found 1st. team duties a touch too far. Maybe in the future he will be good enough to step up to that position.'

'Robinson? Who he? We used to have a manager called Robertson who got us out of a jam last season and by golly preserved our League 1 status.'

If I get any more feedback I'll post later, unless it's more **** taking about my inability to get his name right!!

One more from another Posh board:

'Most definitely. A number of our present first-team squad started in the U.21's when Robbo was in charge. Nurturing young players is his strength.'

Admittedly, five responses in total is not huge, but interesting that not one was negative.

 

[EastStandBlue]

'Most definitely. A number of our present first-team squad started in the U.21's when Robbo was in charge. Nurturing young players is his strength.'

.

And that's the important one. We've a number of promising players coming through at the moment and the U18s is seemingly well stocked with players who could yet make the grade (The likes of Wabo and Walker are grabbing headlines, but I understand Tom Clifford's certainly one to watch). As loyal a servant Maher has been, and as much as there can still be a role for him at the club, entrusting him with their development when there are far more qualified and experienced coaches out there would be a ridiculous move.

 

[Blue_Shrimper1959]

Reliably informed the Academy at Posh was a success mainly due to Gavin Strachan who was a coach at the time. The bulk of the academy hated Robertson. You don't have to like your boss but this is a critical period for youngsters and I worry about this appointment.

You can't say the success of an academy is down to an U18 manager, who's only responsibility is the development of his current crop of U18 players- which was Strachan's role. The success of the academy will primarily down to the structure implemented by the academy manager/director/head of coaching, all the way down to the U9 players/pre academy. Robertson held the role of academy manager, and whilst I have no knowledge of his methods or structure, he did have a number of players come through his academy to play first team football, which shows he had success.

This is a good appointment, he has knowledge and experience in youth development and first team football- which therefore means he has the experience and knowledge to aid the current U21's make the difficult step up from Development football into professional football.

 

[ooh-andy-ansah]

One more from another Posh board:

'Most definitely. A number of our present first-team squad started in the U.21's when Robbo was in charge. Nurturing young players is his strength.'

Admittedly, five responses in total is not huge, but interesting that not one was negative.

Well we saw what their first team squad was like a couple of weeks ago, hardly inspiring is it.

 

[RHB]

Well we saw what their first team squad was like a couple of weeks ago, hardly inspiring is it.

Maybe so, but you would have thought that there would have been some negative feedback on the guy. I still don't have a view on the guy, but after the stuff I have read from the Posh fans, I'm prepared to keep an open mind and see what results he produces with us.

 

[manor15]

And when Brown eventually goes, Coughlan will have competition for the obvious first choice shout.

 

[Jam_Man]

Doubt it, we dont have much of a history of appointing from within.

 

[manor15]

Doubt it, we dont have much of a history of appointing from within.

I agree, but won't stop someone's brother's golf mate's taxi driver being told by Ron that we're doing it because it'll be cheaper and won't have to put a new guy up at the Roslin.

That said, we must have one of the most experienced backroom teams at this level with his addition, Horton, and Brown, which can only help to develop Coughlan, Maher and any others.

 

[Napster]

Doubt it, we dont have much of a history of appointing from within.

you mean apart from Steve Thompson (asst to Murphy), Colin Murphy (director of football above Taylor), Tilson (academy manager), Newman (Webb assistant), I'm sure there's more before this.