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My sole basis? I can only assume you haven't read my other posts in this thread. Black is an intelligent, thoughtful man (evident in his press conferences and the recent TalkSport interview). He is bilingual, which could help both current players and future recruits. He likely has a wide...

For god's sake, nobody is assuming he would succeed. Anybody who thinks any manager is a dead cert to succeed at any club just doesn't pay attention to football. It is a crapshoot. All that is being said is that Eric Black has excellent credentials to be manager of CCFC. That should be beyond...

Nostalgia is a sweeping, loaded term. I don't like it because it sucks reason out of the discussion. I don't think it matters whether we are talking about a player or a manager, former CCFC or not - the only question is whether a good, rational case can be made for them. I think that is a...

I think terms like "nostalgia" colour any argument a bit. The only question has to be whether somebody is up to the job. I'm sure that the Wednesday fans might have had nostalgic reservations over a 35 year old Roland Nilsson in 1997, but he came to us and did a sterling job. I don't understand...

Looking to hire John Sillett and/or George Curtis would be nostalgic. Black is 49 and still in his prime. There are plenty of healthy reasons to want to hire him: lives locally, available, did well at CCFC before, lots of experience at the higher levels, contacts around the game, bilingual...

It might be useful to do so! I'm seeing a lot of outrage, but not many culprits. At worst, people seem to be saying he wouldn't be their first choice - but there is a huge distinction between that and saying he will fail/stands no chance/won't get their backing.

Quoted for truth!

Sure. No manager should ever be pre-judged. Success or failure seems to be randomly assigned. Mind you, this does remain a curious choice, especially given the movement of the bookmakers these past couple of weeks ...

I think you are exaggerating the reaction, to be fair. People aren't electrified by the appointment, but they have no reason to be. I'm sure he'll get broad backing, like most CCFC managers, and it will be interesting to see how he does.

The wrong appointment, I feel. But it will be interesting to see how he does.

Hmmm. Interesting turn of events. Pressley was a big mover with the bookmakers as soon as Robins was sacked. Considering we apparently did a rigorous search for a manager, this has a bit of a whiff about it.

Ahhh yes. Nothing better than relaxing on a Sunday watching Weah, Baggio, Gullit, Seedorf, Signori, Del Piero et al with Peter Brackley and Kenneth Wolstenholme.

Oh I don't know about that. Miles better, of course, than the old BBC days with AR Lewis and bloody Illingworth. But Channel 4's coverage was excellent. They had the best team yet assembled: Nicholas, Atherton, Hussain, Simon Hughes, Benaud, Slater etc. They also helped popularise the game again...

Townsend is a tit. The only football coverage that came close to near-perfect was Football Italia with Sir James Richardson. Still producing the gold for the Guardian's footie coverage.

It was effectively over by the 22nd September.

You are not alone in having these doubts about Black, but I just don't think many of them hold up to scrutiny. 1. The 10 years don't matter; he has spent that time coaching at higher levels, rather than sitting in the armchair like George Graham. 2. He hadn't proved himself as a manager...

I don't think anybody would dispute the sheer amount of sport you can get with Sky (though I don't think their presentation is any better than most of the terrestrial channels). For me, what is disturbing about Sky is how they have a near-monopoly on sports now. It is all very well saying "you...

Agreed. Pressley has been quietly but consistently backed at the bookmakers since Robins left, despite no media reports (until lately) linking him to the club. Smacked of some inside knowledge. Whereas Black was always just such an obvious candidate to go for. I do hope Eric returns - it would...

Definitely a good time to give the promising ones a run out.

For sure. He was treated even more shamefully than Eric Black: handed managerial duties as well as playing duties amidst the Richardson/debt crisis. And after doing well ... had Jim Smith and his Derby rejects foisted upon him. Then fired prematurely. Ugh.