How Ross Wilson has settled in at Newcastle United in his first week as sporting director
It hasn't been a full week for Ross Wilson as Newcastle United's sporting director, so it does seem a bit odd talking up how he's settling in, but there is a point.
By this point in his tenure, Paul Mitchell had already pissed off half of Newcastle's staff and players with his manic ego.
As Craig Hope has been at pains to mention at any given opportunity, Mitchell did not make a good first impression at the club, and while the rumours of a rift between him and Eddie Howe followed the club around like a bad smell in the early days were exaggerated, they weren't without merit.
Thankfully, Hope has now reported that things are off to a smoother start with Ross Wilson, who left Nottingham Forest to join the Magpies.
Craig Hope really didn't like Paul Mitchell, did he?
Writing in his Newcastle Confidential column, Hope took aim at Paul Mitchell before going on to admit that Wilson has made a much smoother start to life at Newcastle.
"I’ve had no reports of the new sporting director introducing himself to the players and declaring himself ‘elite’!
"His predecessor Paul Mitchell never really recovered from the start he made, when he rubbed up players and staff the wrong way during introductory meetings.
"Wilson is said to have taken a more humble and collegiate approach. He has spent time with Steve Harper at the academy and Grace Williams, the director of women’s football. He has also watched first-team training and continued his daily contact with Eddie Howe, which predated his arrival this week."
Ross Wilson will be judged on his transfer business next summer
It sounds as if everyone is far more comfortable with Wilson than they ever were with Mitchell, so hopefully this appointment sticks.
Of course, having good manners is just a bonus; the man needs to be good at his job too, so we'll have to see how he gets on, but expecting immediate changes would be a bit naive.
We aren't going to judge Wilson too harshly on the January transfer window if Newcastle end up doing little to no business, as the winter window is notoriously difficult. We'll save the pointy fingers of blame for the summer.
