Another job at a higher level comes up, another rumour of our managers leaving begins. I remember writing an article rebuking interest from Grimsby last season, I’m damn sure I’m going to do the same again now.
I don’t, for one split second, believe Danny and Nicky Cowley would walk away from everything they’ve built at Lincoln to manage Southend United. Apart from the fact it is closer to home, what can Southend genuinely offer them? They’re a similar sized club to us but with much smaller support. Any new managers have less than a fortnight to bring in new faces to aid against relegation and, if they’re not able to do that, it is likely they’ll swap places with us in May. Where is the attraction in that?
I don’t mean to be rude to Southend, but when Danny and Nicky leave us, they’re going to step upwards rather than sideways. This isn’t a delusional fan of a small club thinking above his stations, it is fact. Nothing separates us and Southend other than a few league positions and the fact we’re on an upward trajectory and they’re not.
Besides, let’s have a look at Danny and Nicky’s philosophies shall we? They want to build, that is one of the things they put at the very top of their priorities. They’re building a legacy here and they’ve pledged to be with us for as long as we match their ambition. Michael Bostwick, Matt Green, Lee Frecklington, James Wilson and an as-yet unnamed striker prove we’re matching their ambition. The training ground, whilst a stumbling block, is in hand and being done in the correct manner. Everyone around the club acts with the same integrity and honesty as the man leading our first team. Why on earth would the catalyst for all of this walk away now, right on the eve of taking us to the next level?
These are ambitious managers but they are also from an educational background, a background in which you study and work hard for an end goal, achieve it and move on to the next. You don’t dip out of one subject when you’re doing well in it to see if you can take a harder one, you climb in well-managed steps rather than through the back door. You earn your stripes the right way. Remember, we turned down an approach from Notts County last year, with the managers blessing I’m sure. Danny and Nicky know League One is coming soon enough, they don’t need to risk their entire legacy for the sake of six months and a chance to avoid the M11.
No, if (and sadly when) they do go to the next level, it will be the next level. Another 12 months managing Lincoln City will see them open up the next league, the Championship. If they get Lincoln City from National League to League One in 24 months, clubs in the second tier will start to pay attention. At that point you can’t possibly begrudge them a chance to progress their career, can you? Nobody would truly begrudge it now, if Ipswich or Norwich came knocking we couldn’t realistically say ‘you’ll be better off here’, but when it’s Southend you can say that with confidence and absolute assurance that they will be better of staying put.
Here’s my prediction, make of it what you will. They’ll move on at the end of a season, never during. They won’t entice players to a club and then jump ship before they’ve made their debut, nor will they embark on a season’s journey and end it half way through, not unless it is a life-changing offer. Southend United will not be a life changing offer. Nottingham Forest might be, Ipswich Town might be but to step up one division isn’t something I can see them entertaining when they’re almost their anyway.
The Cowley’s and Lincoln City have a special relationship and I firmly believe when they do leave it will be at the end of a season and with the blessing of the fans they’ve made so happy over the past eighteen months. They’ll move to a job in which they believe they can add value over a period of time, maybe restoring a former Premier League team to the top flight or breathing new life into a jaded second tier side. They won’t swap a few league spaces for a reduction in motorway miles.
If you’re worried tonight, don’t be. Danny and Nicky won’t have paid any attention to the news Phil Brown is on his way, I’d wager they’ve spent more time talking about Sean Raggett’s inclusion in the Norwich side and whoever they’re fighting to sign in the transfer window. If I’m not worried, a man who usually worries about not having enough to worry about, then I guarantee you shouldn’t.
I’ll bare my arse in Woolworths window if Danny Cowley becomes Southend’s new manager.
Southend United are a far bigger club, with support to match, a new stadium in the planning, a greater history, bigger spending power, and all round, not only a massive step up from minnows Lincoln, but a far more attractive proposition to any young aspiring manager, so I should suspect, “if”, ever graced with the chance to manage Southend United, they would happily walk there, and rightfully so.
Southend average attendance – 6904, Lincoln average attendance – 8687.
Places between the two sides in the league pyramid – 11.
Southend league titles (top 5 leagues) – 3. Lincoln league titles (top 5 leagues) – 3
Lincoln also getting a new stadium.
Yes, much, much bigger.
As an Imps supporter with a son who is both a Southend fan and shareholder I would like to point out the many flaws is this ridiculous comment but don’t have enough time or space to do it properly. However the bigger spending power remark is completely laughable I have seen the accounts of both clubs and I know which set of accounts I would rather have as my own. I suggest Mr Sanders reassess his comments and just accept that the Cowley are staying put for now.
Southend fan? Only 6000 there last time out. ………and what history?
Mr Sanders……you are living in the land of the cloud cuckoo.
I hardly think the club with the highest attendance in League Two, can be called a “minnow”.
Great article again Gary, I fully concur with everything you’ve written.
I am not sure Mr Saunders has got his facts right.Southend average home attendance 6904,City 8687.City planning a new stadium and more spending power due to new investment and money earned last year.City formed 1884,Southend 1904.Danny Cowley has 100%backing of the board and fans and is one year into a five year contract.Bigger clubyour having a laugh haha
Mark Saunders is either tongue in cheek with his comments trying to show how absurd it is to compare the sides or he’s a complete dipstick who thinks if a teams further south in the country they must be bigger and more important.
Me thinks mr sanders is a green-eyed Grimsby fan or somewhat confused. Maybe both?!
Whether Mr Sanders is from’ Grimesby’ or from Shrimpland I think the sea air and some dodgy seafood has clearly affected his thought processes and is now living in the land of the Delusioned .
My only slight support for the southend point is that comparing average attendances over the past few years would show a bigger disparity in Southend’s favour, and it was not so long ago they were in the Championship. They do also have the bigger stadium coming as it is backed by the council, and an enroumous catchment area. All that said, no way would they go there. And agree fully, they would move in the close season so they can get things moving