I'm not bothered. Maybe the Ross bloke could help us get players in from the Scottish market, which we like to do at Barnsley, so I would say him. But I don't mind really. I'm not totally convinced that the coach is necessarily the key appointment many people think it is - not at our level anyway. I think most coaches adopt the same industry-standard techniques. Hiring any of the above managers won't stop Adam Davies failing to command his area.There are probably only a few who get consistently good results whichever team they manage. Many just ride the wave based on the quality of the players they are allowed to bring in, or if they get the lottery of recruitment right - and are equally likely to win 6 on the bounce or lose 6 on the bounce based on that. So long as we've got the quality of players on the pitch, we'll be alright. Not having loads of injuries and having Mcburnie and Isgrove in the side for the rest of the season is more important than any coach.
The someone who doesnt live in the country held a season ticket for twenty five years, followed the team to 70 odd league grounds, with yhe exception of one season never missed a home game from 1975 to 1999. So you can pack that slur in if it's aimed at me. I'm sorry for moving though Conan, I'll tell the other half I'll have to leave her so I can be a proper fan shall I?
No one is obligated to spend £300 plus on a season ticket. If they don't like what they see they can simply say they've had enough. I just find it grates when people can't go but start playing the loyal supporter card when there's no comeback on them. If I don't want to go I won't. Whether I live on Grove Street, in Dingle or on the banks of Lake Titicaca.
If you don't want to go fair enough. It's really no skin off my nose. I go when I can. I can't go as often as I'd like.
OK, then who would you actually like to take over (realistically)? Personally, I think Ross would be a very good choice. Bearing in mind the fact that anyone who we employ now will be some sort of gamble, either due to lack of experience at our level, or the fact that they will have failure somewhere on their CV, who better is around right now? Jack Ross's win percentage is extremely impressive, plus he gained a Master's degree in Economics before becoming a pro footballer, which suggests that he's no fool, to put it mildly. I'd be very impressed if we managed to persuade him to join us, as reports on him from Scotland say he plays very attractive football, and suggest that he'll be in line for top jobs there sooner rather than later. Granted their league isn't great, but he's far more likely to end up qualifying for European competition there than he is with us, which is a reasonable incentive to stay there. I'm genuinely interested in who you'd like to see appointed, not just who you'd be underwhelmed by.
I think he'd be a great appointment. He's done a fantastic job at Shrewsbury. But under the circumstances are his achievements there any more impressive than Jack's at St Mirren?
Yes. The Scottish Championship is about on par with the Conference. Two of the clubs get gates of less than 900. St Mirren are the fourth biggest club in it. Shrewsbury are second in the division we may well be in next season. Last season they were the 16th best supported side. Just to give an indication of their relative budgets.
Fair points. But St Mirren are still running away with a league which contains Dundee United, whose budget surely dwarfs theirs. They were looking like relegation certs for most of last season, so the turnaround under Ross has been spectacular. Plus they lost their supposed best player for peanuts in the summer. I'm not trying to belittle Hurst's achievements, far from it. I think he'd be a very shewd appointment. I just don't see him being any less of a gamble than Ross. For me, the fact that the standard of football in that league isn't great isn't anywhere near as much of a factor when judging managers' ability as opposed to that of players. Danny Wellbeck and Theo Walcott would clearly tear League 1 to shreds. But put Arsene Wenger in charge of Rochdale with their resources, and there's no guarantee he'd do any better there than Keith Hill.
Shrewsbury were bottom of League One with 10 points from 15 games when Hurst took over. They're now top of the league above teams like Wigan, Blackburn, Bradford, Charlton and Portsmouth.
No need to try and convince me, I'd be very pleased if we appointed Hurst. Just I wouldn't be significantly less pleased if it turns out to be Jack Ross. They're both still gambles, with no guarantee of success.
Who knows who was on the original shortlist and who has either turned us down or we’ve been denied permission to approach them. I guess Hurst would be one we’d be after but maybe he is in that bracket. Given the statements issued by our owners it’s clear they aren’t going to throw money at the club and I have no problem with that. At least I don’t reckon we’ll go out of business. Given that, what is the point of appointing one of the merry go round managers who’d be on higher wages. No manager is a guarantee of success. Our last two have done ok compared to some other recent encumbents. Both have moved on without being sacked. It’s what we do. Take someone untried at this level and hopefully move them on after some success. Unfortunately not the instant solution that some folk want or need so that to they are overwhelmed enough to renew a season ticket.