Eric Black - First Impressions
Eric Black - First Impressions
Here's the situation. The GLF deadline is only a few short hours away and I haven't written anything. I quickly think of all the interesting and controversial topics of the day I could write about but draw a blank. So instead, my dear readers, you will be subjected to a lengthy rant on the topic of Eric Black. Staggeringly predictable and no doubt it will be dealt with more eloquently by others in this very publication. But that's life.
When Billy Davies was sacked, I wasn't particularly bothered who got the job. As long as it wasn't a rookie. So, when Eric Black was appointed last month, I was less than happy. In fact, it would not be unfair to say that out of all the candidates seriously considered for the job, he would have been near, if not at, the bottom of my list of preferences. At the time I duly made mumbling noises about supporting the manager regardless, but on that Tuesday night I was mentally picturing what Victoria Park looks like from the away end.
However, as I began to think about the appointment, I slowly became more optimistic. The most important thing in Eric's favour is that he isn't making a straight transition from playing to managing. Alex McLeish and Billy Davies both made some very naive tactical mistakes that they maybe wouldn't have had they spent a little time not playing before taking charge of a team. Eric's enforced break will have given him the chance to think through a lot of his tactical masterplans.
Secondly, Eric has had some experience of management. Yes, he's never been in charge before but being involved at all in the Celtic debacle a few years ago will prove invaluable. As the saying goes, you learn more about players (and in this case, yourself) in adversity - and let's face it, Eric won't have to face anything worse than the star striker going on strike at half time! Another tick in the plus box...
Eric's staff are another reason to be cheerful. Okay, so Terry Butcher representing Motherwell will make some people's skin crawl but there is no doubt he will be able to motivate the players. Most folk believe Billy Davies struggled with this at times and Terry certainly has 'winning' qualities. The players have already implied that Eric concentrates on the tactical side of things while Butcher ensures everyone is fully committed to the cause. This could well prove to be a very fruitful partnership. Pinching Chris McCart and, more importantly, George Adams from Celtic may well have a more significant effect in the long term than Black himself. Youth is the future and in these two, we have a pair of highly respected coaches.
The 'Inside Football' business also fills me with confidence. Eric and Terry obviously have a sound working relationship and this little enterprise means they will have seen loads of matches. Eric's contacts abroad have already been utilised with the signing of Eric Deloureaux and it should give us access to lot of cheap and hopefully good players.
This is being written in the wee hours before the Aberdeen game so Eric's record is currently a win, a loss and a draw. Considering the loss and draw were both in Dundee, he's doing fairly well so far. And since results are what matters, the above rambling could be called irrelevant. It will be very interesting to see how Eric does as a manager. It will be a rocky road but ultimately I think he will be successful.
Derek Wilson
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