Deptford Yellow 258 Posted May 20, 2022 Me and my son (whose picture I use for my masthead pic) just bumped in to Alex Neil walking out of our local mini-Tesco’s … He must be staying in a Greenwich hotel prior to tomorrows game … He looked pensive but gave us a warm smile when he clocked my son in his full Norwich kit … 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christoph Stiepermann 1,131 Posted May 21, 2022 Alex Neil is the manager I've just so happened to bump into the most, he's an absolute top guy. I've never asked him for a photo or stopped him, just given him a hand wave or a head nod when I walked past him but he still knows me by name from the one, brief time I spoke to him about 6 years ago. top man and a really good manager, I hope he gets promoted this year, I'll be watching the L1 play off final later to cheer his team on 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HoolaOHoolahan 21 Posted May 21, 2022 I'll be cheering his team on too. I always liked him as our manager, and he left on pretty good terms all things considered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Paddons Beard 2,424 Posted May 21, 2022 1 hour ago, Christoph Stiepermann said: Alex Neil is the manager I've just so happened to bump into the most, he's an absolute top guy. I've never asked him for a photo or stopped him, just given him a hand wave or a head nod when I walked past him but he still knows me by name from the one, brief time I spoke to him about 6 years ago. top man and a really good manager, I hope he gets promoted this year, I'll be watching the L1 play off final later to cheer his team on Met him a few times including an end of season dinner (where I did get a pic!) . Always found him an absolute top bloke . I also remember his banter with the city fans when we played Preston as I sat behind the away dug out . AN reminded us that he signed Maddison when JM nearly scored . I hope Sun’land go up solely because of him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Paddons Beard 2,424 Posted May 21, 2022 (edited) 10 hours ago, Deptford Yellow said: Me and my son (whose picture I use for my masthead pic) just bumped in to Alex Neil walking out of our local mini-Tesco’s … He must be staying in a Greenwich hotel prior to tomorrows game … He looked pensive but gave us a warm smile when he clocked my son in his full Norwich kit … Great story Deptford . Son looks a top guy and a credit to you . PS my lad lives on the Peninsula but he is a bit old for the full kit 😂 Edited May 21, 2022 by Graham Paddons Beard 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary 1,735 Posted May 21, 2022 Nothing against Neil...but hope Sunderland stay down. Need League One to be as strong as possible next season to consign ipswich to year 5 in the lower leagues 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fiery Zac 1,066 Posted May 21, 2022 32 minutes ago, Graham Paddons Beard said: Met him a few times including an end of season dinner (where I did get a pic!) . Always found him an absolute top bloke . I also remember his banter with the city fans when we played Preston as I sat behind the away dug out . AN reminded us that he signed Maddison when JM nearly scored . I hope Sun’land go up solely because of him. It was the fans goading him behind the away dugout, shouting "That's James Maddison, remember him??" To which he replied "I signed him", which was quickly followed by "why didn't you play him then" He took it well though, was said with smiles all round Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lake district canary 4,531 Posted May 21, 2022 Echo most of these sentiments. With Sunderland permanently a club connected with us by the "Friendly Final" of the 1985 Milk Cup - and with Alex Neil in charge, will be cheering them on today. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keelansgrandad 6,679 Posted May 21, 2022 Always seemed a nice chap. As did Chris Hughton and Daniel Farke. All of them just stuck in the NCFC EPL maelstrom. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hogesar 9,618 Posted May 21, 2022 Yeah, really down to earth, humble guy. Anyone who spoke to him whilst at Norwich will know he was genuinely so happy and appreciated the opportunity. Took nothing for granted. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Danke bitte 965 Posted May 21, 2022 I always felt for Neil, tried his best but I find his appointment very questionable. Clearly inexperienced and at such a young age tasked with guiding us back to the Premier League and keeping us there. Not to mention his lack of experience in the English transfer market. Stitched up like a kipper comes to mind. Will always be eternally grateful for that amazing day at Wembley though. As for the play off final, I think if Sunderland come up with him they’ll be quite a force. So Wycombe for me. Purely on a selfish basis. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ashwood 24 Posted May 21, 2022 My wife and I somehow managed to gatecrash the players party after the Wembley play off final as we were staying in the same hotel . After asking Alex Neil to pose for a selfie with us he insisted on getting us a drink from the bar . Although we only spoke for a few minutes , for the rest of the evening he kept his eye on us and as soon as our glasses became empty he would appear with two more . Smashing fellow ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GodlyOtsemobor 2,248 Posted May 21, 2022 Have to admit I always did like Alex, and still have a soft spot and like to see him doing well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yellowrider120 761 Posted May 21, 2022 4 hours ago, Graham Paddons Beard said: Met him a few times including an end of season dinner (where I did get a pic!) . Always found him an absolute top bloke . I also remember his banter with the city fans when we played Preston as I sat behind the away dug out . AN reminded us that he signed Maddison when JM nearly scored . I hope Sun’land go up solely because of him. Totally agree. Seriously under rated manager. He always speaks with genuine appreciation of his time here and was eternally grateful for the chance we gave him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mason 47 1,373 Posted May 21, 2022 1 hour ago, Danke bitte said: I always felt for Neil, tried his best but I find his appointment very questionable. Clearly inexperienced and at such a young age tasked with guiding us back to the Premier League and keeping us there. Not to mention his lack of experience in the English transfer market. Stitched up like a kipper comes to mind. Will always be eternally grateful for that amazing day at Wembley though. As for the play off final, I think if Sunderland come up with him they’ll be quite a force. So Wycombe for me. Purely on a selfish basis. If I recall correctly Neil was manager around the time we brought in Joe Royal as a footballing consultant and had Phelan/ Irvine pop up in the backroom staff. Can't help but wonder if this was the progenitor for the move to a sporting director model, finding a need for more experience outside of what a single manager can provide. I did feel ultimately AN's downfall was having no idea what to do with a chequebook. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Angry 1,545 Posted May 21, 2022 Seems a nice guy, unlike that other grumpy Scottish git we had a while ago whose name escapes me 🤣 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duncan Edwards 2,219 Posted May 21, 2022 Neil always seemed a good guy but I have to hope Sunderland stay down. Only because we’re going to need three teams worse than us next season and I fancy we’ve got a better chance of finishing above Wycombe. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keelansgrandad 6,679 Posted May 21, 2022 33 minutes ago, Duncan Edwards said: Neil always seemed a good guy but I have to hope Sunderland stay down. Only because we’re going to need three teams worse than us next season and I fancy we’ve got a better chance of finishing above Wycombe. Well thats optimism for you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt. Pants 4,195 Posted May 21, 2022 Great thread. If only we'd held on to that lead at Newcastle then who knows what may have happened. Top bloke though and will always be welcomed back at Carrow Rd. From our perspective I sort of hope Wycombe wins as I can see Sunderland being quite strong in the Chump, plus it will be more competition for the Binners. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crabbycanary3 994 Posted May 21, 2022 So, the general census of opinion is that we like Alex Neil, but think Pritchard and Roberts are not as nice. Sam Vokes anyone? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Hairy 3,759 Posted May 21, 2022 I'd have Alex Neil back over Dean Smith every day of the week Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Real Buh 3,423 Posted May 21, 2022 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Ken Hairy said: I'd have Alex Neil back over Dean Smith every day of the week I mean. Maybe 😆 His reaction to the goal at least proves he cares. Dean smith is a closed book sitting their on the touchline In a sweater vest drinking a brew from a mug. A MUG!. Edited May 21, 2022 by The Real Buh 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Hairy 3,759 Posted May 21, 2022 2 minutes ago, The Real Buh said: I mean. Maybe 😆 His reaction to the goal at least proves he cares. Dean smith is a closed book sitting their on the touchline I’m a sweater vest drinking a brew from a mug. A MUG!. Your obsession with Smith's mug has literally been the most enjoyable part of this season 👍😂 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Real Buh 3,423 Posted May 21, 2022 Just now, Ken Hairy said: Your obsession with Smith's mug has literally been the most enjoyable part of this season 👍😂 It’s wrong and I’m not having it. a mug on the touchline is as bad as an umbrella. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Hairy 3,759 Posted May 21, 2022 Just now, The Real Buh said: It’s wrong and I’m not having it. a mug on the touchline is as bad as an umbrella. Where do we stand on gilets? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Real Buh 3,423 Posted May 21, 2022 (edited) 1 minute ago, Ken Hairy said: Where do we stand on gilets? Depends on how padded they are too little you look like Ralph C Nesbitt in your wife beater vest. Too much and you look like Marty McFly or you’re in the RNLI you go club shop like lambert or Pulis or you rock a suit. Either/Or. Edited May 21, 2022 by The Real Buh 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Paddons Beard 2,424 Posted May 21, 2022 Looooong ball from Wycombe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Paddons Beard 2,424 Posted May 21, 2022 17 minutes ago, Crabbycanary3 said: So, the general census of opinion is that we like Alex Neil, but think Pritchard and Roberts are not as nice. Sam Vokes anyone? Good bloke . Played in the 1p5wich game Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tetteys Jig 830 Posted May 21, 2022 21 minutes ago, Crabbycanary3 said: So, the general census of opinion is that we like Alex Neil, but think Pritchard and Roberts are not as nice. Sam Vokes anyone? Genuinely no hate to Pritchard. Was good for us, left for a profit back to the prem. sure it didn’t go to plan but I don’t blame him. Roberts was just arrogant and ultimately not good for us. Shame because he’s clearly a talented player. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christoph Stiepermann 1,131 Posted May 21, 2022 Sunderland utterly dominant when it matters. Familiar viewing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
