New Hurst

The new culture talked about will reap benefits over a period of time, not overnight.

Food facilities, pitch upgrades, pro back room staff additions, more professional set for the training ground - these are all mainly unseen by punters, but are essential for players to be attracted.

As they improve further, we can hopefully attract more youth players who can come through the system, bring higher quality loans in when needed, and also bring the club to the attention of managers and players further up the league ladders.

A good start thus far this season, crowds up, good open attacking play, players who are fully appreciated by the fans for skills and efforts - all looking good !

All emenating from 2 proper like minded businessmen with a properly set out action plan, a true love of the club, and happy to promote the club away from this region - Guardian articles, Robertson's news articles - all good.

And.. possibly the best for fans... the videos of team spirit, good quality positive interviews... and a manager who has acquired a sense of humour to go with his information when being interviewed !

We are told it's OUR club - the proof is now out there in many media formats now, along with the new matchday experiences on offer !

Quoted from acko338

As they improve further, we can hopefully attract more youth players who can come through the system, bring higher quality loans in when needed, and also bring the club to the attention of managers and players further up the league ladders.

This is a great point. You look at someone like Alex Hunt. Footballers, managers and chief execs talk. Soon we'll be a club that other teams want to loan their best prospects to — not just because they'll get played, but because they'll get looked after (which is just as important).

I look at players like Ryan Taylor who, you know, has played for a fair few clubs, moved around the country... but wouldn't it be great if we could make his twilight years in football some of his best? He looked like he enjoyed scoring his two goals, and I'd love it if, upon retiring, he looks back and says 'I had a great career and had some great times at Portsmouth and Plymouth but, actually, my highlights were at Grimsby'.

I think for me I’ve noticed Hurst seems different but I think people also remember the negative bits rather than some of the positives. I may be a bit cynical but the difference could be that last time it felt like he has a lot to prove at this level and now he’s proven as he took us up.

I think the club by its own admission still has a lot to do but the culture and feel is already very different and that rubs off on all involved. Hurst will be feeling good as we’ve had a good start for once but more importantly he’s being trusted and backed by the owners, that as we all recall was one of the reasons cited for his departure last time.

Also when the manager is relaxed and confident that has a massive impact on the playing squad. Looking at some of the players he’s brought in it feels like we’ve gone up a level already from the way we started the promotion season and again that would put any manager in a good place.

I think one thing that might have been overlooked slightly is the realisation between Hurst and the fans, that it wasn’t each other that were the problem, but rather someone else.

There appears to be a newfound mutual respect as it begins to dawn on both parties that, actually, you’re alright…

I have to be honest, PH was not my man to ...

Now, I can see through my wrong thinking!

Great to see him on the pitch fist pumping on Tuesday night. He is clearly happy here and we are glad to have him.

If we win tomorrow & it's  not a gimme i will start to believe i really will but got to admit i'm nervous as ell it will go t-ts up for us , can we better tuesday evening best i'v seen us in first 45 mins for years & the ground bouncing was a sight to behold UTM

Quoted from fishcake63

If we win tomorrow & it's  not a gimme i will start to believe i really will but got to admit i'm nervous as ell it will go t-ts up for us , can we better tuesday evening best i'v seen us in first 45 mins for years & the ground bouncing was a sight to behold UTM

I think we have all been conditioned by years of failure to fear the worst. As soon as we went behind at Torquay I thought , well that's it then, game over. Because for years it would have been.

But I am slowly beginning to realise that this team is different. They never give up. The heads don't drop like they used to the minute we concede. The self belief they have is amazing.

Great to see, and slowly our mind set will start moving in a more optimistic direction too.  

I really thought it was business as usual went Barnet went 3-1 up. Glad I was wrong. A fight back like that, gives me hope we will score. There’s goals in that thar team.

But we haven’t played a ‘park the bus’ type team yet.

Quoted from Poojah

I think one thing that might have been overlooked slightly is the realisation between Hurst and the fans, that it wasn’t each other that were the problem, but rather someone else.

There appears to be a newfound mutual respect as it begins to dawn on both parties that, actually, you’re alright…

This in spades. PH now clearly appreciates just what he has in a fanbase that will back his team to the hilt and they`re not the enemy after all . Likewise the fanbase have realised that the best Manager since Buckley actually worked miracles getting promoted with he who shall not be named holding the purse strings.