x

I Don't Like Ultimatums

Ultimatums - A Very Dangerous Game To Play

Home >Story Index> The Danger With Ultimatums

Ultimatums are, in my opinion, dangerous things to make. Imagine walking into your employer and saying "Give me a pay rise or I'm off" - some people may get that pay rise, others get their bluff called and are made to look silly. Personally, as a manager myself I would never give into an ultimatum. Why? Because the moment you give into it once then you get them thrown at you time and time again.
Imagine this scenario. The management committee have a few conversations tomorrow and decide that they better act. They offer Addo and Nicho a new contract and the management team congratulate themselves on a job well done. They work throughout the season and into the start of next one, wheeling and dealing in the transfer market. Around October things are not going their way and they decide they want a few more pound notes (or even Euros!) to buy some players. "No" say the board, "no money, you have spent enough". Ah, let's issue another ultimatum "Give us some money or we will leave" Or maybe we re-sign Sidibe and then we get an offer that the board want to take "Let him go and we leave" say the management. The possibilities are endless.
Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas are under contract at this football club until the end of the season. Why should they be offered new deals now? We have a dozen or so players out of contract at the end of the season as well. Do you hear ultimatums from this corner as well?
I will be honest and say that I am undecided about whether we should renew the contracts of Addo and Nicho. They have done a decent job with the hand they have been dealt since they have been here but we have real tests this week in Scunthorpe and Hull with all due respect to the likes of Southend and Halifax. We still have Luton and Mansfield at the Vetch, they are big tests too. I don't think we can fully judge the management until the end of the seaosn AFTER they have had a decent run with a fair hand that they seem to have at the moment.
So why should they be offered contracts now? Can you imagine a queue of clubs lining up to take them on at the moment? I can't see it to be honest but I remain open to being surprised on this front. But at the same time I feel disappointed that Peter Nicholas has gone on record in making this "sign us or we're off" statement. No one person should be allowed to hold this football club to ransom. Not one.
We are putting results together and if this continues then they both deserve a second bite at the cherry next season but of course if they don't continue then I don't believe that they do. It is still too early to make our minds up about whether they should get that chance in my opinion and I urge the management committee (or whatever we call them) not to give into this ultimatum and if Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas walk away because they stand firm then so be it.

What Do You Think? Voice Your Opinion On The Message Board

Would you like to submit your story or become a regular columnist on JackArmy.net? If so, contact us here

JackArmy.net Links: This Season / Roger's Testimonial Details / The Jack Pack Message Board / Division Three Table / Fixtures and Results / Submit Your Stuff / Play Don't Know Jack / Photo Gallery / Jack Plug Fanzine / The Supporter's Trust / SMS News / Ringtones / Travelling Away? / Poll Results / Contact Us / Site Stats

Thankyou for visiting www.jackarmy.net - Rivals Site Of The Month October 2001

What to read next:

Watch me rise up and leave, all the ashes you made out of me – Report
On Friday night, under the lights at Loftus Road, Queens Park Rangers landed on their wheels, pulled over and asked what you were worried about.
Queens Park Rangers 4 - 0 Leeds United - Photo Gallery
Pictures from Ian Randall on an extraordinary night at Loftus Road as QPR put their season to bed with a 4-0 thumping of promotion chasing Leeds.
Queens Park Rangers 4 - 0 Leeds United - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
End game – Preview
QPR need one result, in any one of a multitude of the remaining games, to secure their Championship safety - they get first swing at getting it for themselves tonight at home to Massive Leeds United.
So near and yet so far - History
Ahead of the visit of Leeds to Loftus Road on Friday we look back at the final day of the 1975/76 season when QPR got the 2-0 win they needed to take their title bid down to Liverpool's final match at Wolves - 48 years ago this week.
Three into two won't go, will Leeds last the pace? Oppo profile
Having started the year with nine straight wins Leeds looked all set to overpower the Championship even in this extreme year at the top, but they’ve dropped points in five of their last ten to put the whole thing back in the balance. Nico Franks and Gruev Armada (@timmsy_ks) gave us the latest.
Bond in charge of Leeds clash - Referee
Premier League referee Darren Bond is the man entrusted with Friday night’s televised clash between QPR and Leeds.
Dykes' long awaited goal secures crucial QPR win - Report
QPR moved themselves to within touching distance of Championship survival with a scrappy, hard fought, tense 1-0 home win against Preston on Saturday.
Queens Park Rangers 1 - 0 Preston North End - Photo Gallery
Pictures from Ian Randall at Loftus Road where Lyndon Dykes scored the only goal and QPR secured a priceless 1-0 win against Preston to all but assure their Championship status for next season.
Queens Park Rangers 1 - 0 Preston North End - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.