In talks with Darrell Clarke

Crikey, we can't get behind a manager when we're in the play offs. Admittedly their expectations wouldn't be as high as ours but all credit to their fans for backing him.

 

1) No egregious sportswear on the touchline. Are you playing? No? Well put some proper clothes on then

2) No non-sequiturs in the press conference

3) Have the right number of syllables in your name to fit standard terrace songs

4) Be a bit fight-y during the game

5) Have some sort of trademark post-match celebration.

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...rrell-Clarke-loss-daughter-mental-health.html

The more I read about him, the more I think he's a great choice. He has been through the ringer big time (daughter and parents), yet he's achieved so much (5 promotions). He doesn't like a lack of ambition and that's played a part in him leaving Cheltenham so it will be interesting how we try and match his. He's won all 4 play off campaigns he's been involved in, which is hopefully an omen. He wants to manage for 1,000 games and get promoted from each division.

 

In the last picture on that article - is the guy with him on the touchline our ex-assistant?

 

Quite happy with this.. decent appointment.. feel a bit for Cheltenham tho.. we're like their Luton

 

Certainly not one who was on my radar, but I actually think this is a good appointment.

I listen to NTT20 fairly regularly, and around February time, they were describing Cheltenham as a top 10 side, with the way Clarke had got them playing. They didn't quite make it out in the end, but I reckon that's more down to how they started the season before his appointment.

Took Port Vale up in 2022, and was probably harshly sacked having steered them to an 18th place finish. They subsequently were relegated the year after.

He's probably the most experienced manager we've appointed too since, probably DW mk 2.

 

I'm happy with this. The more I read about him the more he seems a great fit. We need Connor now as player coach

 

Phew....

 

Being reported around here that he is leaving Cheltenham, so it looks likely. He has connections with the wider region through his Mansfield connections. I think that he would do a good job. He almost pulled off the miracle escape with Cheltenham last season and would have done so had they not lost at home to Carlisle United. He can bring Luke Southwood with him, please, as well. He developed a high-intensity, high press style at Cheltenham and it almost worked out. He will be his own boss, which the board might find hard, but he knows this league, has good contacts, is a good judge of a player. He will be an effective manager who will develop his own style. He also seems to be a good man manager, as players seem to have loyalty to him and want to play for him. He has taken several around various clubs, including Bristol Rovers, Port Vale and Cheltenham. There are not many Cheltenham players who would improve our squad, but Southwood would. Hope it's true. It looks as though it is this time and more than a rumour, especially as it has already been reported locally that he is definitely leaving Cheltenham Town.

 

Clarke appointed and then announcing Conor back would certainly bring a hell of a lot more positivity back after a pretty negative month or so. Which would be great to see.

 

Will Ferry too ideally. LWB, only 23 and out of contract. A lot of L1 writers etc. rate him highly. I know my mate Gab Sutton on twitter is a big fan or Ferry and says he should be playing at a team higher up.

 

3) Have the right number of syllables in your name to fit standard terrace songs
"Clark e" is our king...

 

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...-treated-as-the-manager-who-lost-his-daughter

He will be glad to be back nearer his children. He is really ambitious so one has to presume he's happy with the reassurances he would have received from our board that they match what he will want to receive. He speaks highly of our old pal Flicker.

 

Crikey, how much can a bloke take? Very moving reading that, he's been through some terrible stuff.

 

I felt like I'd been gutted by the time they left.

 

And calls everyone 'Bro'

 

No appointment guarantees success but there’s little to criticise about this one.

Experience at this level, turned a relegation cert into what was a half decent side last season, flexible in approach and plays on the front foot.

Ticks all the boxes for me. Has had a few slow starts in the past so we need to give him time. Let’s see what squad he’s equipped with before setting too many expectations too.

 

Trust me, he won't. I recall his saying, after a couple of early poor performances by his Cheltenham team who just couldn't score, 'that wasn't a Darrell Clarke performance' and went on to apologise to the fans. He is a straight talker and doesn't pull punches. Very animated. Players will sweat blood for him. Liked by the fans of the teams he has managed. Somehow has coped with the tragedy of losing his daughter. A legend in at least four towns and four clubs.

 

Generally played three centre backs and wing backs at Cheltenham, so more of the same here. He would, though, switch formations, which the board might not like.

 

It's only fair that they can have Collins