Marcus Bean column: Jimmy is just what R’s need

by Marcus Bean

SACKING managers mid-season seems to be all the rage – and a number of my old clubs have joined the trend.

Making a change halfway through the season can be risky. You’ve got to get the right man or it can be counter-productive.

In my opinion, QPR have made a shrewd move in appointing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – even though he is a Chelsea legend!

Hasselbaink has been a revelation at Burton Albion, achieving promotion in his first season and taking them to the summit of League One.

Why do I think he will do well? Last season I played against Burton, who were top of League Two at the time and on a fantastic run. What impressed me was the structure and shape of the team.

It was clear to me that every player had a clear understanding of his role in the system.

They retained possession well, switching the ball to try to create one v one situations out wide.

However, they were not afraid to play the ball in behind if the opportunity presented itself.

John Mousinho, Burton’s captain, was singing his praises while on my A-licence coaching course in the summer.

He said he was meticulous and knew exactly what he wanted, even moving players a matter of inches in order to achieve perfection!

QPR is a club in transition, trying to find its identity again, and the financial problems have been well documented.

Hasselbaink’s time working on a limited budget will be great for the Rs and, if he can discover more hidden gems like the impressive Nasser El Khayati, good times can return to the Loft – providing the fans remain patient and ignore his past in SW6!

Meanwhile, despite some high-profile managers being linked to the job, Brentford refused to follow the status quo and appoint the same recycled people who fail and seem to walk seamlessly into another job. Dean Smith is a great fit for them.

Walsall have been playing the same brand of football the Brentford fans have grown to love and expect for a number of years.

The club has a clear philosophy on how they expect the game to be played and appoint managers who buy into it.

It is great to see two managers from the lower leagues, in Hasselbaink and Smith, get the opportunity at a higher level.

Colchester’s decision to part company with Tony Humes would not have been taken lightly, I’m sure.

Chairman Robbie Cowling never makes knee-jerk decisions and is one of the few who can’t be accused of being trigger-happy in the wild west that we know as football management.

He has invested heavily in the club, has an excellent youth system and a clear philosophy of promoting players and staff from the academy.

Now might be the right time for a fresh face from outside the club to take the managerial reins and freshen things ups a little.

However, I wish Wayne Brown all the best in his caretaker role.