As I was saying on June 16th......

[notexactlyshakespe]

First, congratulations to Dean Edwards for leading a new consortium into a position which guarantees football at Plainmoor next season. After so many years in the cloakroom, it must be a joy to have made it to the kitchen. Let's hope his recipes don't empty the restaurant.

Like many others who have seen owners come and go, I have, during the sixty years I've been attending matches, home and away, supporting the club through thick and thin, been hoping the club would enter a phase of more broad-based ownership through some such outfit as the Supporters' Trust. The current board should obtain the backing of TUST. There's not really much choice.

Disappointingly, the rhetoric which has accompanied the takeover does not augur well for the club under the new regime. 'No more namby pamby' sadly implies a return, not to the eighties as Edwards implies but to the mindless, turgid approach of Juan Knill. If it were a return to the eighties we might hope for the spirit of 'Back to the Future', whose message was respect and fun. Instead, I fear a return to 'Jurassic Park'.

If I want to see a ball booted upfield and players knocked over like bowling pins, I'll be off up the road to Sandy Park, or even check out the more affordable Tics at the Rec.

The reason those of us who chose the round ball code as youngsters prefer football is because of the artistry, athleticism, speed and vision it encourages; the reason modern coaches like Chris Hargreaves are succeeding (viz Eddie Howe at Bournemouth) is because they value skill and respect their players. Recall Hargreaves from gardening leave immediately. Unfortunately, defensive coach, Lee Hodges, has proved to be not up to the job at this level so he need not put away his spade just yet but Ken Veysey has a really good record in bringing out the best from his charges and deserves to return from the allotment.

Support grows when teams play well under positive leadership, success comes when confidence grows as gates grow. Let's hope Deano can look beyond the unambitious horizon he has suggested and recall the spirit of Wembley where I and my sons saw him score two important goals for United against Bolton and Blackpool.
Last edited by notexactlyshakespe on 16 Jun 2015, 16:14, edited 2 times in total.

Added in 5 minutes 59 seconds:
I repeat: Recall Chris Hargreaves from gardening leave immediately.

[Kit_robin]

No, he's rubbish.

[wivelgull]

Favourite Player: Larry Baxter! Man, that puts me and tomogull, and stefano and all the other so-called old codgers in the shade. Notexactly shakespeare is the real thing!

[taxilady]

Ken Veysey returned from the allotment weeks ago. If Hargreaves returned, I think the stewards would have to abandon their referee protection to safeguard the manager, assuming that he was still somewhere near the pitch at the end of the game; he developed a marvellous turn of speed towards the end of his 'reign' towards the tunnel !! A lot of fans would be on his back within three minutes of the match starting (I may be over-generous here ).

[Dave]

No thanks to Hargreaves, maybe a good coach, certainly an awful manager. If he comes back, I might find it hard not to coin a phrase from Dragons Den.

[notexactlyshakespe]

No, he's rubbish.

Cor. You must think you're good, Kit Robin.

There may have been one or two man-management issues last season which resulted in under-performance by a couple of players and CH may have been a bit rash in letting Nico go but he's got a contract, he won't have the appalling Dean Edwards breathing down his neck and he's a good coach.

I'm pleased that my advice in June regarding Kenny Vesey was followed; let the board give due consideration to Greavsie and they may find they solve more than one problem.

As for Taxi Lady's gloomy prediction about the behaviour of some of the more cretinous fans, she's obviously taken in too many drunken passengers and has formed a dark view of human nature.

[A Realist]

I can exclusively reveal that Hargreaves has been paid off by the club when he accepted a settlement a few week ago. So he will not be returning.
































Well actually I cant but as it seems everyone else is in the know I thought I'd pretend I was as well.

[Kit_robin]

Cor. You must think you're good, Kit Robin.

There may have been one or two man-management issues last season which resulted in under-performance by a couple of players and CH may have been a bit rash in letting Nico go but he's got a contract, he won't have the appalling Dean Edwards breathing down his neck and he's a good coach.

I'm pleased that my advice in June regarding Kenny Vesey was followed; let the board give due consideration to Greavsie and they may find they solve more than one problem.

As for Taxi Lady's gloomy prediction about the behaviour of some of the more cretinous fans, she's obviously taken in too many drunken passengers and has formed a dark view of human nature.

Eh? Think I'm a good what? Football manager? No, I don't, but then I'm not pretending to be good at it either and conning an old woman out of a fair whack to let me have a go.

Hargreaves right up there with the worst I've seen in 30 years support, even allowing for the debacle behind the scenes.