What happens next?
By Chris Thompson
April 6 2005
A look at what the new manager will be taking on, and what, with Rush's departure, is probably no more.
April 6 2005
A look at what the new manager will be taking on, and what, with Rush's departure, is probably no more.
Ian Rush may have left on a sour note, but for the chairman, he couldn’t have proved to have exited at a more timely moment. Chester still have 5 more games to go until the end of the season, and for the time, physio Clive Goodyear and technical co-ordinator David Bell will take charge of first team affairs, probably until the end of the season.
With the club practically secured of league football for a second consecutive time next year, it gives the chairman, Stephen Vaughan, between now and the end of the season, to appoint a new manager, bring him down to watch a couple of games, build his own team, and begin the summer fresh for a new season.
I’m disappointed Ian Rush has left. He just needed time, but Chester’s an ambitious club, stemming from the supporters who witnessed a fantastic season just a year ago in the conference national, and a slightly, admittedly fantasist chairman. Although I’m never doubting what he has done for the club, with the money, and the fantastic commitment he has shown. I felt slightly let down when he dismissed Mark Aizlewood, because it was unfair to Ian Rush. But it was the only way that could drive a loyal man out of the club, which at the end of the day, was what he, as owner, saw in the best interests of Chester City.
However, on the transfer market, Chester can probably say goodbye to a whole hoist of players. Ian Rush and Mark Aizlewood were interested in signing, in the coming summer:
Paul Harrison (goalkeeper, Liverpool)
Andy Parkinson (midfielder, Grimbsy)
Gary Jones (versatile striker, Tranmere)
Joe Doolan (midfielder, Doncaster)
Gregg Blundell (striker, Doncaster)
…those, and also in purchasing the following players, currently, and previously here on loan. Ian Rush always stated that he bought players in on loan with the view to purchasing them, not just as short-term, cheap replacements
Loan signings, previous (by Rush):
George Elokobi (full back, Colchester)
Colin Doyle (goalkeeper, Birmingham)
David Bayliss (full back, Luton)
Ian Hillier (full back, Luton)
Taiwo Atieno (striker, Walsall)
Eddie Anaclet (midfielder, Southampton)
Loan signings, present (by Rush):
Robbie Foy (striker, Liverpool)
Michael Brown (midfielder, Preston)
Andy Nicholas (full back, Swindon)
Carl Regan (full back, Droylesden)
The futures of several players also look quite bleak, unless they revive form under the new manager.
Defensive midfielder, Andy Harris has been out of contention under Rush, and has spent the last two months on loan at struggling Forest Green Rovers (where former City coach, Alan Lewer is manager).
Striker Kevin Rapley has too been out of contention. He has been on loan to Forest Green, and recently to Droylesden.
Winger Andy Watson has made just one game since his summer arrival from Farsley Celtic. He has spent time on loan at Forest Green too.
And young striker, Cortez Belle, has had two spells away at struggling Newport County.
To add to the growing list of players who may leave, ‘keeper Wayne Brown is being kept a close eye on by Stevenage.
City meanwhile continue to struggle to fill the full-back positions. Darren Edmondson, Stephen Vaughan and 5 loanees have tried to fill the gap, but rather unsuccessfully, as they continue to try and win over the Chester support, and may be out of favour in the summer. The central defensive trio of Hessey, Bolland and Hope, have been OK, but some improvement in this area is definitely required if Chester wish to progress.
Into midfield, is probably our best area on the pitch. Ben Davies and Paul Carden are expected to sign on the dotted line in the next few weeks, as Chester look to keep hold of their two industrious central midfielders, and summer signing from Morecambe, Stewart Drummond is beginning to come into form. Chester have bought in Ashley Sestanovich to add more depth in the centre until the end of the season, in addition to the promising right midfield player, Robbie Booth, who scored 4 goals in the reserves against Wrexham recently. Ryan Lowe has proved a good buy on the flanks, but Chester still need a Kevin Ellsion-type-winger, with some pace and the ability to run with the ball, shoot it or cross it and bring others into the game, if they wish to continue employing a 4-4-2 formation which is to be particularly effective.
Moving up front, Michael Branch is a fantastic player-so why aren’t we using him to his maximum capability? He can be used in the flanks with his speed and crossing capabilities, as effectively as he can be used in the front two, but Ian Rush has struggled to bring in the personnel to enable him to play, despite lots of tried and tested changes. I think for starters, we need someone big and powerful to partner him who can wear a defence down, for Branch to work his magic amongst a tiresome back opposition, or maybe a target man, to meet the end of Branch’s crosses.
Presently, if Cortez Belle doesn’t return and find himself in the new manager’s plans, Chester will be left with just Branch up front, as Robbie Foy is expected to return to Liverpool, Kevin Rapley is highly unlikely to have a future at the Deva, and it would be between Shaun Whalley, who’s yet to sign professionally, and Mike Walsh, who recently has, to fill the other spot.
At the moment, Chester’s squad requires a lot of additions. It presently looks like this, NOT including the loan players who have come in or out, who I’m only assuming will struggle to hold a future place in the team
(Goalkeepers) - Wayne Brown, Chris McKenzie
(Defenders) -
Phil Bolland (centre back, right footed),
Shaun Hessey (centre back, left footed),
Richard Hope (centre back, left footed),
Darren Edmondson (full back, right footed),
Stephen Vaughan (full back, right footed)
(Midfielders) -
Paul Carden (centre midfield, right footed),
Ben Davies (centre midfield, right footed),
Stewart Drummond (centre midfield/right midfield, right footed)
Ryan Lowe (right/left wing, right/left footed)
Ashley Sestanovich (centre midfield, right footed)
*Robbie Booth (right wing, right footed)
(Strikers) -
Michael Branch (right footed)
*Michael Walsh (right footed)
…just 15 players.
*Recently signed professional contracts from the youth set-up.
Apologies if you’re bored by this point! Finally, I’ve looked around at all the managers who been sacked from a League 2 club this season, who may be in line to replace Rsh. None of them really take my liking, as much as I would the club like to bring in an experienced manager at this level as opposed to someone who’s never played/managed at this in this league before.
Hervé Renard was sacked/left Cambridge.
Jimmy Quinn was sacked/left Shrewsbury, but I believe he is assistant to the outgoing Barry Fry at Peterborough.
Keith Curle was sacked/left Mansfield.
Gary Mills was sacked/left Notts County.
Graham Rix was sacked/left Oxford.
Ernie Tippett was sacked/left Rushden and Diamonds.
Tony Adams was sacked/left Wycombe Wanderers.
The only other contender I can think of is John Aldridge, another former Liverpool striker, who as a player, was very similar to Ian Rush. Formerly of Tranmere, he had a lot of success just across the way before a difficult season in the old division one, after he helped them to promotion from the old division 2. He also led them to a League Cup final in 2000, which is an incredible achievement. He resigned from Tranmere in 2001 after a disappointing season.
With the club practically secured of league football for a second consecutive time next year, it gives the chairman, Stephen Vaughan, between now and the end of the season, to appoint a new manager, bring him down to watch a couple of games, build his own team, and begin the summer fresh for a new season.
I’m disappointed Ian Rush has left. He just needed time, but Chester’s an ambitious club, stemming from the supporters who witnessed a fantastic season just a year ago in the conference national, and a slightly, admittedly fantasist chairman. Although I’m never doubting what he has done for the club, with the money, and the fantastic commitment he has shown. I felt slightly let down when he dismissed Mark Aizlewood, because it was unfair to Ian Rush. But it was the only way that could drive a loyal man out of the club, which at the end of the day, was what he, as owner, saw in the best interests of Chester City.
However, on the transfer market, Chester can probably say goodbye to a whole hoist of players. Ian Rush and Mark Aizlewood were interested in signing, in the coming summer:
Paul Harrison (goalkeeper, Liverpool)
Andy Parkinson (midfielder, Grimbsy)
Gary Jones (versatile striker, Tranmere)
Joe Doolan (midfielder, Doncaster)
Gregg Blundell (striker, Doncaster)
…those, and also in purchasing the following players, currently, and previously here on loan. Ian Rush always stated that he bought players in on loan with the view to purchasing them, not just as short-term, cheap replacements
Loan signings, previous (by Rush):
George Elokobi (full back, Colchester)
Colin Doyle (goalkeeper, Birmingham)
David Bayliss (full back, Luton)
Ian Hillier (full back, Luton)
Taiwo Atieno (striker, Walsall)
Eddie Anaclet (midfielder, Southampton)
Loan signings, present (by Rush):
Robbie Foy (striker, Liverpool)
Michael Brown (midfielder, Preston)
Andy Nicholas (full back, Swindon)
Carl Regan (full back, Droylesden)
The futures of several players also look quite bleak, unless they revive form under the new manager.
Defensive midfielder, Andy Harris has been out of contention under Rush, and has spent the last two months on loan at struggling Forest Green Rovers (where former City coach, Alan Lewer is manager).
Striker Kevin Rapley has too been out of contention. He has been on loan to Forest Green, and recently to Droylesden.
Winger Andy Watson has made just one game since his summer arrival from Farsley Celtic. He has spent time on loan at Forest Green too.
And young striker, Cortez Belle, has had two spells away at struggling Newport County.
To add to the growing list of players who may leave, ‘keeper Wayne Brown is being kept a close eye on by Stevenage.
City meanwhile continue to struggle to fill the full-back positions. Darren Edmondson, Stephen Vaughan and 5 loanees have tried to fill the gap, but rather unsuccessfully, as they continue to try and win over the Chester support, and may be out of favour in the summer. The central defensive trio of Hessey, Bolland and Hope, have been OK, but some improvement in this area is definitely required if Chester wish to progress.
Into midfield, is probably our best area on the pitch. Ben Davies and Paul Carden are expected to sign on the dotted line in the next few weeks, as Chester look to keep hold of their two industrious central midfielders, and summer signing from Morecambe, Stewart Drummond is beginning to come into form. Chester have bought in Ashley Sestanovich to add more depth in the centre until the end of the season, in addition to the promising right midfield player, Robbie Booth, who scored 4 goals in the reserves against Wrexham recently. Ryan Lowe has proved a good buy on the flanks, but Chester still need a Kevin Ellsion-type-winger, with some pace and the ability to run with the ball, shoot it or cross it and bring others into the game, if they wish to continue employing a 4-4-2 formation which is to be particularly effective.
Moving up front, Michael Branch is a fantastic player-so why aren’t we using him to his maximum capability? He can be used in the flanks with his speed and crossing capabilities, as effectively as he can be used in the front two, but Ian Rush has struggled to bring in the personnel to enable him to play, despite lots of tried and tested changes. I think for starters, we need someone big and powerful to partner him who can wear a defence down, for Branch to work his magic amongst a tiresome back opposition, or maybe a target man, to meet the end of Branch’s crosses.
Presently, if Cortez Belle doesn’t return and find himself in the new manager’s plans, Chester will be left with just Branch up front, as Robbie Foy is expected to return to Liverpool, Kevin Rapley is highly unlikely to have a future at the Deva, and it would be between Shaun Whalley, who’s yet to sign professionally, and Mike Walsh, who recently has, to fill the other spot.
At the moment, Chester’s squad requires a lot of additions. It presently looks like this, NOT including the loan players who have come in or out, who I’m only assuming will struggle to hold a future place in the team
(Goalkeepers) - Wayne Brown, Chris McKenzie
(Defenders) -
Phil Bolland (centre back, right footed),
Shaun Hessey (centre back, left footed),
Richard Hope (centre back, left footed),
Darren Edmondson (full back, right footed),
Stephen Vaughan (full back, right footed)
(Midfielders) -
Paul Carden (centre midfield, right footed),
Ben Davies (centre midfield, right footed),
Stewart Drummond (centre midfield/right midfield, right footed)
Ryan Lowe (right/left wing, right/left footed)
Ashley Sestanovich (centre midfield, right footed)
*Robbie Booth (right wing, right footed)
(Strikers) -
Michael Branch (right footed)
*Michael Walsh (right footed)
…just 15 players.
*Recently signed professional contracts from the youth set-up.
Apologies if you’re bored by this point! Finally, I’ve looked around at all the managers who been sacked from a League 2 club this season, who may be in line to replace Rsh. None of them really take my liking, as much as I would the club like to bring in an experienced manager at this level as opposed to someone who’s never played/managed at this in this league before.
Hervé Renard was sacked/left Cambridge.
Jimmy Quinn was sacked/left Shrewsbury, but I believe he is assistant to the outgoing Barry Fry at Peterborough.
Keith Curle was sacked/left Mansfield.
Gary Mills was sacked/left Notts County.
Graham Rix was sacked/left Oxford.
Ernie Tippett was sacked/left Rushden and Diamonds.
Tony Adams was sacked/left Wycombe Wanderers.
The only other contender I can think of is John Aldridge, another former Liverpool striker, who as a player, was very similar to Ian Rush. Formerly of Tranmere, he had a lot of success just across the way before a difficult season in the old division one, after he helped them to promotion from the old division 2. He also led them to a League Cup final in 2000, which is an incredible achievement. He resigned from Tranmere in 2001 after a disappointing season.
Bookmark or share this story with:
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon