Russell Slade - The Nowhere Men

I'm currently reading a brilliant book called 'The Nowhere Men' about the top football scouts in the country. On page 139 there is a very interesting story about Russell Slade when he was manager of Brighton. Below is the text, as spoken by Brighton chief scout, Barry Lloyd:

'If you don't go to games , how do you know if you want to sign players? This is a f*cking classic, unbelievable. Russell Slade was manager, when I was chief scout, and he asked, 'Have you seen Liam Dickinson at Derby?' I said, 'Funnily enough, I only saw him play when he was at Stockport. He got twenty odd goals. He waddles around the pitch, he can't f*cking jump, his first touch is crap, can't head the ball. Anything else you want to know? ..... Russell said, 'Look Bal, I want him and that's the end of the story.' We signed him. Within a month, we're trying to get him out on loan, because he was so bad. And of course Russell didn't last longer than another couple of months.'

Personally, I wouldn't trust Slade with a penny in January and fear things are about to go from bad to worse.

Well that's reassuring...

I'm currently reading a brilliant book called 'The Nowhere Men' about the top football scouts in the country. On page 139 there is a very interesting story about Russell Slade when he was manager of Brighton. Below is the text, as spoken by Brighton chief scout, Barry Lloyd:

'If you don't go to games , how do you know if you want to sign players? This is a f*cking classic, unbelievable. Russell Slade was manager, when I was chief scout, and he asked, 'Have you seen Liam Dickinson at Derby?' I said, 'Funnily enough, I only saw him play when he was at Stockport. He got twenty odd goals. He waddles around the pitch, he can't f*cking jump, his first touch is crap, can't head the ball. Anything else you want to know? ..... Russell said, 'Look Bal, I want him and that's the end of the story.' We signed him. Within a month, we're trying to get him out on loan, because he was so bad. And of course Russell didn't last longer than another couple of months.'

Personally, I wouldn't trust Slade with a penny in January and fear things are about to go from bad to worse.

Now we have 11 players waddling

I know it's not the point of the post, but that is a top book. Really enjoyed it

It is a brilliant book. One of the best I've read in a long time and a real eye opener. Sadly it only confirms that top scouts think Slade is a dinosaur.

Nothing new here - can't take Slade seriously and can't see anything changing for the good while Tan's in charge. For 40 years city have meant the world to me but I hav had the guts kicked out of me once to often by this circus. We lost our identity when we sold our soul and our only hope is a benevolent cash rich consortia taking control or relegation causing Tan to lose interest.

January will be a disaster.

I'm reading this at the moment as well - an engaging and enjoyable read, but not very well written at all in my opinion - annoying/confusing narrative, but worth persevering for the insight. The comments about Slade came out of the blue and made me laugh - these guys know the football scene and chose not to paint him in a great light - says it all really.
Really makes you question why anyone would pursue a career in football, if they had options.

I can't help thinking our signings in January will be a disaster.
The only way is down from now on. Unfortunately.

A book would never tell a few fibs to sell now would it. There as bad as newspapers.

Whatever your view the facts are that the player was sent on loan shortly after signing. Slade was gone not long afterwards.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liam_Dickinson

Liam Michael Dickinson (born 4 October 1985) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Stalybridge Celtic.

He began his senior career in non-league football with Irlam. He also played for Swinton Town, Trafford and Woodley Sports, before signing a professional contract with Stockport County in December 2005. He scored the winning goal in the 2008 League Two play-off final, before he won a £750,000 move to Derby County in July 2008. However he never made a first team appearance for the "Rams", and instead spent time on loan at Huddersfield Town, Blackpool, and Leeds United, before transferring to Brighton & Hove Albion in July 2009. He spent time on loan at Peterborough United, before winning a £150,000 move to Barnsley in June 2010. He never started a league game for the "Tykes", and was instead loaned out to Walsall and Rochdale, before he was allowed to join Southend United via Plymouth Argyle in July 2011.