S&H Q&A

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

To be fair to them they brought Hearn in and persuaded him to join Town - seems a bit unfair to suggest that they wouldn't be capable of finding a replacement.

A fair point but it's not easy ! If you're talking about the best players I'd be thinking of a ratio more like 10/90.  

Also think we need to give it a little time before we rush to judgement.
Even Hearn wasn't an instant success when he first came.
But no-one was getting on his back straight away because most seemed to think he would eventually deliver.

No doubt we'll be pumped up ready to go first game of the season but chances are we probably won't be fully gelled.
It takes SOME time,
If the knives are to come out (let's hope there's no need !) I just hope that in light of last season they don't come out TOO soon.

As for the Q&A I felt a tiny bit disappointed.

They seem keen to stick to their guns about "we will always play the players that are performing at that current time regardless" even though I'Anson left because "Charlie wasn't happy here due to his lack of 1st team games"

Understand they're the ones seeing players in training but when players come in and do ok(and in I'Anson case offered a contract) doesn't it perhaps make you wonder whether players aren't performing as hard as they should because they know they probably won't get in anyway ?
So much for the evils of squad rotation, perhaps there's a bigger picture to consider ?
They say ""we cannot expect the players to be working at 100% all of the time during training".
Does a simlar principle extend to sticking with the same players for every game ?

As for the rest, they gave some good concise answers but didn't give a lot away.

Interesting they say...
- "man management" is one of their skills. (not doubting it, maybe it is)
- "Budgets are something that should only be discussed between the managers and chairman". It's hasn't been the case before ?
- "commitment to improvement".

They say they've got enough to achieve promotion but I wouldn't expect anything less.
I get the impression (perhaps similar to the Swansea issue in part 1) they like 4-3-3 but they're not sure if they've got enough time.

I disagree re hearn 80s, I thought he played really well for the first 10 games (that I saw) and it was a case of when, not if, he started banging the goals in.

Quoted from oldun

It will be no tougher for them than the other managers inBSP

Would say its a lot harder for them with the whining supporters we have that seem to think we have a divine right to be in The Championship or League 1 at worst.
Additional pressure to deliver from the terraces and the boardroom cannot help the cause.
A good number of teams in this league are chuffed to be at this level so they dont necessarily get the pressure and have time to develop gradually.
The supporters will have their filleting knives out by October if we start slowly again.

Quoted from siy2k5

I disagree re hearn 80s, I thought he played really well for the first 10 games (that I saw) and it was a case of when, not if, he started banging the goals in.

Yeah totally agree, that was my point really.

When I said "instant success" I really should have said "didn't instantly bang the goals in".

Thanks for pointing that out.

Quoted from 1600

Yeah totally agree, that was my point really.

When I said "instant success" I really should have said "didn't instantly bang the goals in".

Thanks for pointing that out.

Oki fair enough, I misread what you meant

Quoted from cod.gtfc

Looks like at the end of last season we only had 12 players (13 including Connell) on the books, 2 of which were transfer listed and 3 of which were first year pros.

Arthur, Wood, Kempson, Garner, I'Anson, Ridley, Coulson, Thanoj, Eagle, Makofo, Duffy, Mulready, Connell (sold for 6 figures). Unless am missing anyone?

5 of those were released during the season, and 2 have turned new contracts down, leaving only Wood and Makofo from that retained list.

I'd say we are in a better position now than the end of last season due to all the players bar 2 (one of which they are trying to get ird off) are now theirs, and pretty much position for position the players on this season retained list are better than the ones on last years retained list.

Mckeown, Wood, Miller, Pearson, Disley, Thanoj, Artus, Soares, Makofo, Hearn, Elding, Southwell.

I accept what you say. I guess I've muddied the waters by complicating my argument. I just think there would be room for more optimism if we weren't looking for another half doizen players to replace those deemed lacking. Midfield has been a problem for 10 years. I think with the exit of Coulson we could actually be in a worse position now than in 2011.  Our experience thus far and the weight of expectation on Scott and Hurst suggest virtually no room for manoevre. Another players gelling based poor start would really put the cat amongst the pigeons. I wouldn't bet against the managerial merry-go-round taking another turn in those circumstances. Only time will tell,,,,,,

Quoted from barralad

I accept what you say. I guess I've muddied the waters by complicating my argument. I just think there would be room for more optimism if we weren't looking for another half doizen players to replace those deemed lacking. Midfield has been a problem for 10 years. I think with the exit of Coulson we could actually be in a worse position now than in 2011.  Our experience thus far and the weight of expectation on Scott and Hurst suggest virtually no room for manoevre. Another players gelling based poor start would really put the cat amongst the pigeons. I wouldn't bet against the managerial merry-go-round taking another turn in those circumstances. Only time will tell,,,,,,

I sort of agree with you, in that were not in the position many of us thought we would be. We have only 12 players on the books and looked at 6-7 signings whereas most of us thought we would need only 3-4 signings and the majority of the squad would still be here.

However I still feel we are in a better position than last year for the reasons mentioned above even if we are not in the position many fans wanted us to be.

I thought it nice for the managers to take time out and answer questions from the fans, it just shows how much they care about our club, and the fans.  It will be interesting to see who joins in the summer especially with so many players out of contract.  You can sort of see the type players they may sign.  A midfielder similar to Disley and Artus but can get a few goals and a target man maybe someone like ex Darlington striker Liam Hatch.  

Quoted from Meza

it just shows how much they care about our club, and the fans.

With respect Meza, I think they care about their careers and that's about it. Not to say there's anything wrong in that.

Quoted from upthestripes

With respect Meza, I think they care about their careers and that's about it. Not to say there's anything wrong in that.

Exactly... There is far too many gullible people on here... They take Scott's outbursts as passion for the club, in reality, the passion is doing well for himself and I guess Hurst is the same...

Like you, I don't think there is anything wrong with that but it amazes me how many people get sucked in by it...