Time to defend Mark Bowen?

[WestYorksRoyal]

I know, Kia's man and part of the Dai regime. But...

Built a squad that nearly stayed in the Championship despite impossible circumstances.

Gave us our best window and managerial appointment in a decade after relegation. It would have been the famed "relegation reset" had off pitch matters not dragged it down.

I'd take him over Jacobson any day. I think our owners have shown enough "ambition" with recruitment given what they inherited; they just got the decisions wrong.

[Brogue]

I wouldn’t bet on it

[Snowflake Royal]

I know, Kia's man and part of the Dai regime. But...

Built a squad that nearly stayed in the Championship despite impossible circumstances.

Gave us our best window and managerial appointment in a decade after relegation. It would have been the famed "relegation reset" had off pitch matters not dragged it down.

I'd take him over Jacobson any day. I think our owners have shown enough "ambition" with recruitment given what they inherited; they just got the decisions wrong.

One of our better recent managers too. Never any doubt he was very good at his job(s). The problem is he has a gambling addiction that made his position untenable

[Armadillo Roadkill]

I know, Kia's man and part of the Dai regime. But...

Built a squad that nearly stayed in the Championship despite impossible circumstances.

Gave us our best window and managerial appointment in a decade after relegation. It would have been the famed "relegation reset" had off pitch matters not dragged it down.

I'd take him over Jacobson any day. I think our owners have shown enough "ambition" with recruitment given what they inherited; they just got the decisions wrong.

One of our better recent managers too. Never any doubt he was very good at his job(s). The problem is he has a gambling addiction that made his position untenable

Ian just said all that needs to be said about this.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

I know, Kia's man and part of the Dai regime. But...

Built a squad that nearly stayed in the Championship despite impossible circumstances.

Gave us our best window and managerial appointment in a decade after relegation. It would have been the famed "relegation reset" had off pitch matters not dragged it down.

I'd take him over Jacobson any day. I think our owners have shown enough "ambition" with recruitment given what they inherited; they just got the decisions wrong.

One of our better recent managers too. Never any doubt he was very good at his job(s). The problem is he has a gambling addiction that made his position untenable

Ian just said all that needs to be said about this.

Was a bang average manager in my view. Had the benefit of Joao, Meite, Moore and Ejaria (when decent), Richards, Olise coming through, Swift etc and the performances were largely turgid and we limped to a lower half finish and pretty much downed tools when safe.

The same side just about nearly made the play offs the following season under Pauno

[Hound]

Pauno very much had the benefit of Bowen’s work though

I’d say it’s becoming obvious we underestimated Bowen as DoF. The signings since he has gone have been pretty poor, muddled, with no clear idea of what we’re trying to be. Bowen definitely brought that

[Snowflake Royal]

One of our better recent managers too. Never any doubt he was very good at his job(s). The problem is he has a gambling addiction that made his position untenable

Ian just said all that needs to be said about this.

Was a bang average manager in my view. Had the benefit of Joao, Meite, Moore and Ejaria (when decent), Richards, Olise coming through, Swift etc and the performances were largely turgid and we limped to a lower half finish and pretty much downed tools when safe.

The same side just about nearly made the play offs the following season under Pauno

Bang average would be an improvement over most our recent managers tbf.

He took over a struggling side and got them comfortably mid-table.

He spotted Moore was rubbish and crippling us financially and tried to move him on. He got more out of McIntyre than anyone else.

And that Paunovic side that finished 7th, the further it got from Bowen's work, the more it fell apart. It was good for the 6 months following Bowen's departure, mostly based on the first 8/9 games after he left.

[Vision]

Bowen's record as interim manager was excellent. It dropped off considerably once he got the job full time. In fact we were a bit of a shambles by the end of the season.

My memory may be going but i thought McIntyre was excellent for Pauno, as were Richards and Olise..

[Clyde1998]

Pauno very much had the benefit of Bowen’s work though

I’d say it’s becoming obvious we underestimated Bowen as DoF. The signings since he has gone have been pretty poor, muddled, with no clear idea of what we’re trying to be. Bowen definitely brought that

Was Bowen still DoF at the start of our first League One season? Jared Dublin seems to have been a highly important figure in that transfer window, even if he'd left the club by the time it actually started.

[Bigtimmeh]

As a manager I think Bowen had some of the right ideas (toughen up) but was limited. Pauno took his ideas and built on them.

As a DoF I think that Bowen made some amazing signings. With hindsight, the squads that he put together whilst under embargo were full of quality.

However, getting banned from football during a crucial period for the team is irresponsible and stupid. Everyone makes mistakes, but his gambling let the whole club down.

Interesting to see he now has a role with Forest Green Rovers, working alongside Savage senior..

[Extended-Phenotype]

Did I dream the narrative that Bowen was gambling money to try and help fund the club?

I wish I had more exciting dreams about tits and dinosaurs.

[Millsy]

Did I dream the narrative that Bowen was gambling money to try and help fund the club?

I wish I had more exciting dreams about tits and dinosaurs.

You want to dream about mammary glands on reptiles? Interesting.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Bit of a gamble to defend him