To All Who Think Paul Hurst Should Go

About 16 months ago Grimsby finished 6th in the National League.

They went on to beat Nott County away from home, and they then went on to beat Wrexham 4-5 - in probably the best playoff game in history - before beating Solihull in the final to gain promotion to League Two.

With a ridiculously short pre-season (about 4 weeks, I think) he built a team to take on League Two.

When the FA Cup came around they were drawn against the highest team possible (Plymouth) and beat them 5-1.
In the second round, they beat Cambridge (in a higher league) 2-1 away from home.
In the third round, they beat Burton (in a higher league) 1-0 at home.
In the fourth round, they were drawn away to Luton (in the playoff places to the Premier League) and drew 2-2. At home, they destroyed them 3-0.
In the fifth round, they beat Southampton (from the Premier League) 2-1
In the quarter-finals, they were drawn against Brighton (who were sitting in 7th place in the Premier League and were beaten 5-0. Brighton team was valued at about £370 million. Grimsby about £2 million.

They are the only team to ever get that far in the FA Cup playing all teams from a higher league.

They then finished 11th in League Two, their highest position for about 20 years.

The person who made all the right decisions in all these games was Paul Hurst.

Yet, now, he is not good enough according to some people. Totally bonkers.

There’s about two or three on here. There’s a few regulars on Facebook but if you look at their profiles there’s usually a photo of them in a prem shirt. Say no more.

Quoted from 140381

There’s about two or three on here. There’s a few regulars on Facebook but if you look at their profiles there’s usually a photo of them in a prem shirt. Say no more.

That's probably the two or three red crosses I have got so far.

Hurst isn’t going anyway and rightly so.

Quoted from MarinerRob

About 16 months ago Grimsby finished 6th in the National League.

They went on to beat Nott County away from home, and they then went on to beat Wrexham 4-5 - in probably the best playoff game in history - before beating Solihull in the final to gain promotion to League Two.

With a ridiculously short pre-season (about 4 weeks, I think) he built a team to take on League Two.

When the FA Cup came around they were drawn against the highest team possible (Plymouth) and beat them 5-0.
In the second round, they beat Cambridge (in a higher league) 2-1 away from home.
In the third round, they beat Burton (in a higher league) 1-0 at home.
In the fourth round, they were drawn away to Luton (in the playoff places to the Premier League) and drew 2-2. At home, they destroyed them 3-0.
In the fifth round, they beat Southampton (from the Premier League) 2-1
In the quarter-finals, they were drawn against Brighton (who were sitting in 7th place in the Premier League and were beaten 5-0. Brighton team was valued at about £370 million. Grimsby about £2 million.

They are the only team to ever get that far in the FA Cup playing all teams from a higher league.

They then finished 11th in League Two, their highest position for about 20 years.

The person who made all the right decisions in all these games was Paul Hurst.

Yet, now, he is not good enough according to some people. Totally bonkers.

Rob you do not get the point .

We lost today that's all that counts.

If we beat creepy Crawley next week everything will look Rosy .

Quoted from MarinerRob

About 16 months ago Grimsby finished 6th in the National League.

They went on to beat Nott County away from home, and they then went on to beat Wrexham 4-5 - in probably the best playoff game in history - before beating Solihull in the final to gain promotion to League Two.

With a ridiculously short pre-season (about 4 weeks, I think) he built a team to take on League Two.

When the FA Cup came around they were drawn against the highest team possible (Plymouth) and beat them 5-0.
In the second round, they beat Cambridge (in a higher league) 2-1 away from home.
In the third round, they beat Burton (in a higher league) 1-0 at home.
In the fourth round, they were drawn away to Luton (in the playoff places to the Premier League) and drew 2-2. At home, they destroyed them 3-0.
In the fifth round, they beat Southampton (from the Premier League) 2-1
In the quarter-finals, they were drawn against Brighton (who were sitting in 7th place in the Premier League and were beaten 5-0. Brighton team was valued at about £370 million. Grimsby about £2 million.

They are the only team to ever get that far in the FA Cup playing all teams from a higher league.

They then finished 11th in League Two, their highest position for about 20 years.

The person who made all the right decisions in all these games was Paul Hurst.

Yet, now, he is not good enough according to some people. Totally bonkers.

It’s not that he isn’t good enough. He and his team need to be less pragmatic, less negative and give the fans something to get behind. The last three halves of football have been awful.

Hurst could lose every game from now until Christmas and he still wouldn’t be gone.

This board are more interested in B Corp , left wing , guardian reader bullshit than building a winning squad.

Rod Jane and Freddie are clueless

Quoted from male private Nale

Hurst could lose every game from now until Christmas and he still wouldn’t be gone.

This board are more interested in B Corp , left wing , guardian reader bullshit than building a winning squad.

Rod Jane and Freddie are clueless

I'm interested to hear how you think signing Danny Rose, for example, demonstrates that the board is only interested in "guardian reader bullshit", you absolute wally

Quoted from male private Nale

Hurst could lose every game from now until Christmas and he still wouldn’t be gone.

This board are more interested in B Corp , left wing , guardian reader bullshit than building a winning squad.

Rod Jane and Freddie are clueless

PMSL - male private indeed.

Quoted from male private Nale

Hurst could lose every game from now until Christmas and he still wouldn’t be gone.

This board are more interested in B Corp , left wing , guardian reader bullshit than building a winning squad.

Rod Jane and Freddie are clueless

Oh dear!

Quoted from MaccasBoots

I'm interested to hear how you think signing Danny Rose, for example, demonstrates that the board is only interested in "guardian reader bullshit", you absolute wally

Danny rose signed because it was close to home, if you believe he signed because he bought into some hurst , Rod, Jane , Freddie vision for our future you are more deluded than most on here

So all you lot are happy with the negative defensive football at home?

I go to be entertained, Hurst is incapable of providing me with that

Regardless of rights/wrongs in/out etc - there’ll come a time when a decision needs to be made. I’m a Paul Hurst fan, and whilst he’s manager here he’ll always have my support - I do genuinely think right man for the right club at this moment (last 2 years for sure) - but it’s not beyond the realms within the next 18 months a question is asked..be it by the owners or maybe Hurst himself. He’d  have been back 5 years..he wants to progress..we want to progress..

It may be that this year we get everyone fit , improve, and do better than last year - finish 10th or above - and we go again.

It may be that we survive..(no bad thing as such) drift to a mid table finish or so..

If when it comes to a position/situation that either PH feels can’t do any more with what he has, or the owners have a decision to make .. that time will come. I’d personally be surprised if that wasn’t within the next 18 months.

I guess the question for now is all about the set up/approach to games and how little we ‘threaten’..and that’s the frustration for some. The home form has improved, the away form declined..contrast to last season. If we can find a balance when everyone’s fit, and add a bit to our threat, then everyone’s happy. But there’s no sentiment in football is there? Or logic at times.. or sentiment.

Hence why I think the question will be asked within 18 months. My own hunch is that it’ll be PH making that call..but we’ll have to wait and see.

My bugbare, so to speak, is anyone questioning or not following the ‘we’re doing ok’ stance is deemed irrelevant or ridiculed. Be it on here or elsewhere. As anything - everyone has a view and there’s a degree of everyone not being right or wrong and having valid points to make. Which is how it should be/what a forum is about.  

I guess it goes back to the question of what is deemed as success and failure? And I reckon you’ll get lots of different answers to that.

Quoted from male private Nale

Hurst could lose every game from now until Christmas and he still wouldn’t be gone.

This board are more interested in B Corp , left wing , guardian reader bullshit than building a winning squad.

Rod Jane and Freddie are clueless

I’ve dropped tins of alphabetti spaghetti that have made more sense than this.

I am a Hurst fan and believe he is a safe pair of hands .

But I get people who are not overly enthused .

He is a manager (in the main) who over the course of a season will get a team to the position in the league which matches their budget .

Barring one miracle season at Shrewsbury and one disaster at Ipswich he has been a consistent operator in the lower leagues , but never gone right through a league .

The football is not always easy on the eye , but does gain sufficient points to know you will never be in a relegation battle.

Stockwood & Pettit are seemingly behind him for the long haul , and if not would have got rid either after the relegation to the NL or that terrible run  around Xmas time in the promotion season . I think he only goes if he walks or get's another job higher up .

I am behind Hurst and relatively happy as to where we are - low expectations ? Maybe .

Do I get why people are not overly enthused ? Yes , but if you are at least be consistent and not knee jerk after one game , and then when we do win actually win give him a bit of credit.

Quoted from marinerjase

Regardless of rights/wrongs in/out etc - there’ll come a time when a decision needs to be made. I’m a Paul Hurst fan, and whilst he’s manager here he’ll always have my support - I do genuinely think right man for the right club at this moment (last 2 years for sure) - but it’s not beyond the realms within the next 18 months a question is asked..be it by the owners or maybe Hurst himself. He’d  have been back 5 years..he wants to progress..we want to progress..

It may be that this year we get everyone fit , improve, and do better than last year - finish 10th or above - and we go again.

It may be that we survive..(no bad thing as such) drift to a mid table finish or so..

If when it comes to a position/situation that either PH feels can’t do any more with what he has, or the owners have a decision to make .. that time will come. I’d personally be surprised if that wasn’t within the next 18 months.

I guess the question for now is all about the set up/approach to games and how little we ‘threaten’..and that’s the frustration for some. The home form has improved, the away form declined..contrast to last season. If we can find a balance when everyone’s fit, and add a bit to our threat, then everyone’s happy. But there’s no sentiment in football is there? Or logic at times.. or sentiment.

Hence why I think the question will be asked within 18 months. My own hunch is that it’ll be PH making that call..but we’ll have to wait and see.

My bugbare, so to speak, is anyone questioning or not following the ‘we’re doing ok’ stance is deemed irrelevant or ridiculed. Be it on here or elsewhere. As anything - everyone has a view and there’s a degree of everyone not being right or wrong and having valid points to make. Which is how it should be/what a forum is about.  

I guess it goes back to the question of what is deemed as success and failure? And I reckon you’ll get lots of different answers to that.

Good post mate

Success for me would be top 10

For many that is not enough

I accept Hurst's limitations and that would be enough

Is that lacking ambition ? Maybe
Should we be striving for more? Maybe

Are some of us accepting of average on the pitch  after years of decline? Probably  

Quoted from male private Nale

Hurst could lose every game from now until Christmas and he still wouldn’t be gone.

This board are more interested in B Corp , left wing , guardian reader bullshit than building a winning squad.

Rod Jane and Freddie are clueless

Morning John, still bitter I see…

I don’t buy into the narrative that Hurst only has one way of playing and that’s pragmatic and boring.  To me we’re playing differently this season, more possession based, less playing the percentages.  To do this Hurst has bought in better footballers, which I think is glaring different to last year.
Part of our current issue (which is minor in my eyes), is that the two most creative player in the squad - in theory anyway - Glennon & Hunt are massively out of form & that we have 3 injuries up top with two more not fully fit.  The idea any team isn’t impacted by that doesn’t add up to me.
Maybe my expectations are lower than some fans, but I’d rather be pragmatic and be thrilled like in the promotion season, than expectant and permanently disappointed.

Quoted from Brummie Codfather

I don’t buy into the narrative that Hurst only has one way of playing and that’s pragmatic and boring.  To me we’re playing differently this season, more possession based, less playing the percentages.  To do this Hurst has bought in better footballers, which I think is glaring different to last year.
Part of our current issue (which is minor in my eyes), is that the two most creative player in the squad - in theory anyway - Glennon & Hunt are massively out of form & that we have 3 injuries up top with two more not fully fit.  The idea any team isn’t impacted by that doesn’t add up to me.
Maybe my expectations are lower than some fans, but I’d rather be pragmatic and be thrilled like in the promotion season, than expectant and permanently disappointed.

I don’t get the bit about Hunt being massively out of form. He played well against Wimbledon (MoM for the sponsors), not so well at Notts who have a very good midfield and he’s not played any meaningful football since.

Most see him as a better attacking option than Holohan who sometimes can’t pass wind. Maybe he is a bit of a luxury player but he can’t be ‘massively out of form’ if he doesn’t play.

Who replaces Hurst! In my mind, i dont see a better fit currently, for a team that i have seen punch above their weight in the old division one, to one that capitulated and pretty much died out under a long time of bad management and poor leadership. To the current incarnation, that has provided so many highs in a short space of time, an amazing finale to a season. QF of the FA Cup. Yet people are not entertained? I certainly have been.

Im sure if we could just go out and grab the attacking talent we need, we would have, its painfully obvious what were lacking, but we are wanting to play a way that hopefully will start to reap rewards once there is a full compliment of attacking options or at least provides enough for a would be 20goal striker to think, i want to be part of that, maybe we have it already in Rose, when we are fit and firing?

Given the level of teams we've faced, most have bigger budgets, are bigger draws for players, better locations etc.. and we've managed to hold are own for the most part, it seems short sighted to be calling for change after every slight bumb in the road.

Id take top 10 this year, even top 12, with the teams that are now in this league and class that as progress and im sure we will see us promoted within 3 years because we are improving year on year as a club, not just a playing squad, but an actual club you can be proud to call your own.

Quoted from male private Nale

Hurst could lose every game from now until Christmas and he still wouldn’t be gone.

This board are more interested in B Corp , left wing , guardian reader bullshit than building a winning squad.

Rod Jane and Freddie are clueless

Gold , absolute gold 🤣 well done mate that’s made me lol

I think the main problem with Hurst is the lack of an overarching philosophy.

It's neither long game nor short, it's not ultra attacking nor a cast iron defensive set up. It's not based on pace or power nor based on passing teams to death.

It's often said he is pragmatic which usually ends up a mish mash of styles and the turnover of players to me indicates he is not sure what he wants.

The commentary said yesterday Wrexham knew what they wanted to do when they got the ball, whereas by the time we had decided any momentum had gone.

The lack of attacking intent is very poor, so are the lack of goals and despite this constant talk of fitness, we have I think scored 2 second half league goals in 8 games.

I think a mid table finish is on the cards from what we have seen so far, but with Hurst you just never know.

Whilst it is always interesting to see on this forum Mariner "fans" kicking, biting, and punching each other, however all this I Hate PH, I Love PH  ding dong, P8 W2 D4 L2 F9 A9 statistic is missing.
Yesterday on the Match Thread people derided Wrexham's Hoof it approach, yet that's what got them 3 points. What was the Towns Plan? Furthermore, after going in 2-0 down, what was Town's plan in the second half? You would expect some kind of reset surely, so what was it? So before you put your X down just enlighten me/rest.
I'm not a PH out kind of guy, but I'm disappointed in that I can see Towns Season unfolding with a whimper and only 38 matches to go.

I tend to over-react after a loss and get really high after a win. Probably part and parcel of being a fan and holding expectations to the highest.

I’m not Hurst out at all but I get p!ssed off with how negative we are at times and how long it takes to make substitutions/changes. Just believe that he’s a ‘safe’ pair of hands and I’m not taking anything away from the fact he got us up at the first attempt and the brilliant FA Cup run we went on last year.

It just seems we are always talking about the opposition and how we set up against them rather than vice versa. I don’t think we are never going to be the team that peppers 4 or 5 past a team, are we exciting to watch? Very debatable and last years home run in the league was a little dry. Our Achilles heel has been not replacing Taylor after the Vanarama season as he already looked spent that he couldn’t last 90 minutes week in week out. The first season we came up you could be forgiven that the hectic schedule had little turn around time but we’ve had plenty of time now to find that player. Yesterday we was left with Pyke our only fit striker, why did we let Orsi go if we didn’t have a replacement lined up? I actually think that Danilo would do very well in this team.

For a team that had a great FA Cup run and banked a load of money we’ve clearly added to what we had last year but I still struggle to see what our style of play is. We are good at pressing and trying to win the ball back but we look really devoid of ideas alot of the time going forward.

This isn’t a dig at the team or PH but I feel that we could certainly do better, the fact of stability is one I don’t buy into as Notts County have come straight up and stuck by the style of play that got them there and probably will be one of the automatics come the end of the season.

Quoted from male private Nale

Hurst could lose every game from now until Christmas and he still wouldn’t be gone.

This board are more interested in B Corp , left wing , guardian reader bullshit than building a winning squad.

Rod Jane and Freddie are clueless

You are talking out your ar$e...
I know, for a fact, Hurst is lucky to still be in a job.
Stockwood was ready to pull the plug last season when our home form really dipped, Petite and Cook had to convince him to give Hurst more time...

I honestly think we are only a couple of good strikers away from us having the best team we've had for quite a long time, and the reason we look impotent is because by and large there is no height or pace up top.

PH has brought some good/better players in during the summer, and the style of play has been better. The only thing I'm critical of him for is that he didn't address the front positions properly in the summer.

Given the MANY frauds we've had as manager over the last 30 years I'd be very reluctant to call for his head. He's a good manager who knows the game well, has a good eye for a player and has improved the club year-on-year (yes, i know someone will pipe up that he got us relegated, I don't buy thast argument at all - that was Fenty/Holloway's doing, PH had no chance and yet very nearly pulled it off). I appreciate that progress is not as quick as some accept, like or hope but I'd much rather we stick with him than risk another chancer like Bignot or Holloway.

I would be more kindly disposed towards Hurst if every season we didn't have this deja-vu scenario  of having very little firpower up front.He has consistently failed to address this season, after season,who thinks he is going to address this now.

Edgelords always gonna edge.

But its just noise like a shthouse door banging in the wind.

Beat Crawley and they'll be back under their rocks again.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

You are talking out your ar$e...
I know, for a fact, Hurst is lucky to still be in a job.
Stockwood was ready to pull the plug last season when our home form really dipped, Petite and Cook had to convince him to give Hurst more time...

That is complete and utter rubbish.

Anyone who thinks Hurst should go is absolutely deluded. The man just fits at our club , he's a safe bet for us and a very good league 2 manager.  Who else we gonna get ?

Seriously we are in an ok position and were we probably expected to be , my only criticism right now is the usual Paul Hurst issues more worrying about how the opposition set up and again a lack of a marquee striker , someone who's name is always first on the team sheet but that's it and in all honesty Paul really let the transfer window go without really bringing that guy in.

I'm fully a Paul Hurst backer and having seen what gambling with managers gets you then I'm very happy thank you very much. If we were rooted to the bottom and look awful then we look at it differently but we are a good league 2 side and am happy with that despite some clear flaws of Paul.

Quoted from jonnyboy82

Anyone who thinks Hurst should go is absolutely deluded. The man just fits at our club , he's a safe bet for us and a very good league 2 manager.  Who else we gonna get ?

Seriously we are in an ok position and were we probably expected to be , my only criticism right now is the usual Paul Hurst issues more worrying about how the opposition set up and again a lack of a marquee striker , someone who's name is always first on the team sheet but that's it and in all honesty Paul really let the transfer window go without really bringing that guy in.

I'm fully a Paul Hurst backer and having seen what gambling with managers gets you then I'm very happy thank you very much. If we were rooted to the bottom and look awful then we look at it differently but we are a good league 2 side and am happy with that despite some clear flaws of Paul.

A vanishingly small number of fans want to change the manager, but if you have the mindset that this is as good as it gets then that is not right either.

If he has clear flaws then why can't they be addressed?

Some of our previous managers would probably have thrived under our current ownership and plenty of good managers today would love the chance to work for/with owners who are supportive and have a long term project.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

You are talking out your ar$e...
I know, for a fact, Hurst is lucky to still be in a job.
Stockwood was ready to pull the plug last season when our home form really dipped, Petite and Cook had to convince him to give Hurst more time...

Quite a claim. Don't suppose you want to substantiate your fact, do you?

What a crazy thread. We lose to a team with a playing budget likely between two and three times what we can afford our budget appears to be respectable for this season, I have been to the home games and we have been decent. There is a lot of money flying around in this division and it will be no disgrace to finish in the top 10. Some of the teams with high budgets could finish well below this. Utm

Quoted from Zmariner

What a crazy thread. We lose to a team with a playing budget likely between two and three times what we can afford our budget appears to be respectable for this season, I have been to the home games and we have been decent. There is a lot of money flying around in this division and it will be no disgrace to finish in the top 10. Some of the teams with high budgets could finish well below this. Utm

However, some teams with lower budgets will probably finish higher (probably because they carry a greater goal threat).

I'm not Hurst's biggest fan but we lost to a side that are a lot better than us(nothing to do with the ref)
Every time we lose the Hurst out gang come out asking for his head which is daft, I could understand if we lose 5 on the bounce but we haven't and he's trying to build something here so give him a chance I say.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

However, some teams with lower budgets will probably finish higher (probably because they carry a greater goal threat).

Well that is the counter argument that no one has really touched on - the likes of Accrington , Burton  , Morecambe and Cambridge have walked through league 2 with smaller budgets than ours and no doubt some of the lowest in the league over recent seasons  . So it is possible, it's always been a funny league and very unpredictable in the main.

Quoted from Mappers

Well that is the counter argument that no one has really touched on - the likes of Accrington , Burton  , Morecambe and Cambridge have walked through league 2 with smaller budgets than ours and no doubt some of the lowest in the league over recent seasons  . So it is possible, it's always been a funny league and very unpredictable in the main.

Of course it's possible - you could argue that Hurst very nearly achieved similar at Shrewsbury - but it's about the sum of the parts and we still have some parts that don't seem to fit together, notably in the front 6 (or 5 yesterday).

Quoted from Mappers

Well that is the counter argument that no one has really touched on - the likes of Accrington , Burton  , Morecambe and Cambridge have walked through league 2 with smaller budgets than ours and no doubt some of the lowest in the league over recent seasons  . So it is possible, it's always been a funny league and very unpredictable in the main.

Two of those (Cambridge and Morcambe) were in the freak COVID season.

We’ve punched above our (budget) weight with Hurst since relegation. The anti-Hurst posts on Facebook are ridiculous. I think we are a couple of quality players short of serious contenders but we haven’t seen what Donovan Wilson can do yet.

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

Two of those (Cambridge and Morcambe) were in the freak COVID season.

We’ve punched above our (budget) weight with Hurst since relegation. The anti-Hurst posts on Facebook are ridiculous. I think we are a couple of quality players short of serious contenders but we haven’t seen what Donovan Wilson can do yet.

Doesn’t sound like we are going to any time soon either.

We’re thin up front - I think we can all agree but it’s hysterical and ludicrous to think Hurst should be sacked in my opinion. The fact that threads like this give oxygen to about 4 folk on here is a bit sad.

Quoted from chaos33

Doesn’t sound like we are going to any time soon either.

We’re thin up front - I think we can all agree but it’s hysterical and ludicrous to think Hurst should be sacked in my opinion. The fact that threads like this give oxygen to about 4 folk on here is a bit sad.

It’s what forums do isn’t it? Give oxygen to a variety of opinions. Wouldn’t be much of a forum otherwise.

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

Two of those (Cambridge and Morcambe) were in the freak COVID season.

We’ve punched above our (budget) weight with Hurst since relegation. The anti-Hurst posts on Facebook are ridiculous. I think we are a couple of quality players short of serious contenders but we haven’t seen what Donovan Wilson can do yet.

I think that's debatable - in the promotion season we probably finished about the position of our budget , last season we maybe overchieved by a few positions mainly with the good run at the end of the season .

I don't understand anyone that is 'anti Hurst ' though,in that they seem to actively want him out ,which is frankly bizarre given what he has achieved whether that's partly down to luck , managerial ability or a combination of both is irrelevant - he got us out of the national league at the first attempt , stabilised in the first season back alongside a great cup run and we have not started badly .

Do I think Hurst is a great manager ? No ,but if he was (much like players ) he would not be here would he .
Is he a bad manager ? No

He's a consistent one , who has a pragmatic style that gives you great 'moments' in a season but never sustained periods of dominance or attacking free flowing football ; does that bother me ? Not really

I like the stability , we know what we are getting ; my reluctance to call for his head, even through the couple of tough spells  is partly down to how we have been burnt in the past with a load of volatile destabalising managers .

Yeah you might get lucky with one , but our history at least in the last 20 years shows we have got a lot more wrong than right .

I think sometimes it's a case of be careful what you wish for .

Quoted from realist

So all you lot are happy with the negative defensive football at home?

I go to be entertained, Hurst is incapable of providing me with that

In our last home match I was entertained.  We all want to see more goalmouth action, but given our attacking injuries, especially yesterday, I’m happy to see how we develop as a team.  We are better quality than last year and there is no need for anyone to throw their toys out of the Pram.
We all need to get behind the team - it will come.

Listening to PH post game, whatever your views on his tenure, it seemed that the injuries to Rose and Elisa came late in the day, so not too much chance to work on plan B.

I’m slightly more worried about our ability to benefit fully from the “easier” games coming up, as we don’t often manage that

Quoted from lee65

Listening to PH post game, whatever your views on his tenure, it seemed that the injuries to Rose and Elisa came late in the day, so not too much chance to work on plan B.

I’m slightly more worried about our ability to benefit fully from the “easier” games coming up, as we don’t often manage that

What do you mean not having much chance to come up with a plan B? We should be going into every game with more than just plan A. So when things like this happen we can make changes straight away and the transition is clean and easy

Quoted from Mappers

I think that's debatable - in the promotion season we probably finished about the position of our budget , last season we maybe overchieved by a few positions mainly with the good run at the end of the season .

I don't understand anyone that is 'anti Hurst ' though,in that they seem to actively want him out ,which is frankly bizarre given what he has achieved whether that's partly down to luck , managerial ability or a combination of both is irrelevant - he got us out of the national league at the first attempt , stabilised in the first season back alongside a great cup run and we have not started badly .

Do I think Hurst is a great manager ? No ,but if he was (much like players ) he would not be here would he .
Is he a bad manager ? No

He's a consistent one , who has a pragmatic style that gives you great 'moments' in a season but never sustained periods of dominance or attacking free flowing football ; does that bother me ? Not really

I like the stability , we know what we are getting ; my reluctance to call for his head, even through the couple of tough spells  is partly down to how we have been burnt in the past with a load of volatile destabalising managers .

Yeah you might get lucky with one , but our history at least in the last 20 years shows we have got a lot more wrong than right .

I think sometimes it's a case of be careful what you wish for .

Agree on the NL league position I was thinking more we knocked out two clubs with bigger budgets.

On the plan B point above, yes ideally we should have a plan B but my point, and I think others on here is as well, we don’t have the players for it. Let’s say Harry Smith, probably not on a lot at Sutton, with him leading the line, we could have had the plan B yesterday.

I know they have a bigger budget than us but we never laid a glove 🥊 n them.
A poor weak performance all round

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

Agree on the NL league position I was thinking more we knocked out two clubs with bigger budgets.

On the plan B point above, yes ideally we should have a plan B but my point, and I think others on here is as well, we don’t have the players for it. Let’s say Harry Smith, probably not on a lot at Sutton, with him leading the line, we could have had the plan B yesterday.

Plan B is not necessarily about New/Better/Expensive players, its also about approach. In the 2nd half why didn't PH tell them, you are 2-0 down, they are playing well,  you best get nearer Wrexham, right inside their shorts. That's how we would have played Champ/Premier teams in the cup straight up. Up close and bother them. At 2-0 down, caution is one of the first things you dump.

Hurst is a mid table manger win one lose one keeps you up but never troubles the top two.
He plays not to lose never to win.
Anyway he’s a multi millionaire now so i imagine how’s not that bothered.

I think some perspective is needed. Once we’ve played Swindon in a couple of weeks’ time we’ll have played the entire current top 6 in our first 10 games, plus Bradford and Salford who were fancied at the start of the season.

We knew it was a tough start at the beginning of the season, and I think it’s been even tougher in reality as some of the sides that may have looked easier opponents on paper have actually done very well thus far. October sees us play 3 of the current bottom 7; I think Halloween will be a good marker to make a fair and objective appraisal of the front third of the season.

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

That is complete and utter rubbish.

So why did a board member tell somebody then?...and that somebody is an old bloke who has pretty strong reputation within the club....
So shove your rubbish up your backside when I know its a fact...

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

So why did a board member tell somebody then?...and that somebody is an old bloke who has pretty strong reputation within the club....
So shove your rubbish up your backside when I know its a fact...

Fact my @rse.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

So why did a board member tell somebody then?...and that somebody is an old bloke who has pretty strong reputation within the club....
So shove your rubbish up your backside when I know its a fact...

So some director (narrows it down a bit) told an old bloke that Stockwood wanted to sack Hurst and the other two stopped him. And that’s a fact. Sounds like Chinese whispers to me.

[quote=747]

Fact my @rse.
.
Makes me laugh this forum, any modicum of information that goes against the narrative is deemed as rubbish...
I'm just about done with this forum, it's just becoming a pit of negativity...

Quoted from MuddyWaters

So some director (narrows it down a bit) told an old bloke that Stockwood wanted to sack Hurst and the other two stopped him. And that’s a fact. Sounds like Chinese whispers to me.

It's hardly Chinese whispers when the board member told the bloke, in front of others what had been said.
That bloke sits next to me in the ground, and like I said, he's a reputation within the club...I really don't care what you or any other forum member wants to believe/disbelieve but I trust this gentlemans word.

Quoted from Yoda

Hurst is a mid table manger win one lose one keeps you up but never troubles the top two.
He plays not to lose never to win.
Anyway he’s a multi millionaire now so i imagine how’s not that bothered.

I’m not sure Hurst has ever been a mid table manager, he was near the bottom at Ipswich but apart from last season, the year after a promotion he’s been top end the vast majority of time he’s managed a full season.  Playoff manager would be a fairer assessment

Quoted from MuddyWaters

It’s what forums do isn’t it? Give oxygen to a variety of opinions. Wouldn’t be much of a forum otherwise.

Indeed puts light on others opinions who are not qualified referees , over paid pundits or manager wannabe's
The bloke off the street who follows a team in a liberal democratic society...
"Yeah so bring back Cropper and Omar Bogle!" LOL
UTM2023--24

Quoted from Yoda

Hurst is a mid table manger win one lose one keeps you up but never troubles the top two.
He plays not to lose never to win.
Anyway he’s a multi millionaire now so i imagine how’s not that bothered.

Hilariously bizarre post. What a poltroon.

Quoted from Yoda

Hurst is a mid table manger win one lose one keeps you up but never troubles the top two.
He plays not to lose never to win.
Anyway he’s a multi millionaire now so i imagine how’s not that bothered.

What an absolute wazzock

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

[quote=747]

Fact my @rse.
.
Makes me laugh this forum, any modicum of information that goes against the narrative is deemed as rubbish...
I'm just about done with this forum, it's just becoming a pit of negativity...

Name names then and I will duly apologise if there deemed factually correct but i shall not hold my breath.

Quoted from male private Nale

Hurst could lose every game from now until Christmas and he still wouldn’t be gone.

This board are more interested in B Corp , left wing , guardian reader bullshit than building a winning squad.

Rod Jane and Freddie are clueless

You don't really understand football do you.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

It's hardly Chinese whispers when the board member told the bloke, in front of others what had been said.
That bloke sits next to me in the ground, and like I said, he's a reputation within the club...I really don't care what you or any other forum member wants to believe/disbelieve but I trust this gentlemans word.

So a reputable board member, tells some bloke, in front of other blokes, that Stockwood was going to sack PH.  Don't believe it for a minute, utter boll0x.

Quoted from 123614

So a reputable board member, tells some bloke, in front of other blokes, that Stockwood was going to sack PH.  Don't believe it for a minute, utter boll0x.

Yes total bs.

Quoted from Yoda

Hurst is a mid table manger win one lose one keeps you up but never troubles the top two.
He plays not to lose never to win.
Anyway he’s a multi millionaire now so i imagine how’s not that bothered.

PH's record as a manager since 2009, both with Rob Scott ( who I don't think had the right attitude or attributes) and solo suggests otherwise. 4 promotions , two Wembley appearances in one's season, last seasons record breaking FA Cup is a level of success that a lot of managers only dream of.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

[quote=747]

Fact my @rse.
.
Makes me laugh this forum, any modicum of information that goes against the narrative is deemed as rubbish...
I'm just about done with this forum, it's just becoming a pit of negativity...

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

So why did a board member tell somebody then?...and that somebody is an old bloke who has pretty strong reputation within the club....
So shove your rubbish up your backside when I know its a fact...

Bizarre levels of aggression. Is everything okay?

I remember the England manager replying to a question to what would be do if plan A was not working.

Plan B  is to play plan A better.

PH is not perfect - too defensive, reactive and not pro-active with subs, and his teams are not exactly free scoring
But he is a great man manager; players want to play for him; he has a great 'nose' for a player; and has twice got us promoted from a very tough league

The problem we have - and it's a big one - is lack of cutting edge in the final third on a consistent basis; we all have our own opinions as to why that is, not least the failure to attract even someone like Ollie Palmer (big, strong, target man who scores)

We can only theorise as to why we didn't secure someone in TW - but it's a fact that the club will not pay over the odds (even though they probably have to)

He has also been very unlucky with injuries - we've not seen Wilson; barely seen Khan; he lost Rose and Eisa on Saturday; Vernam long-term injury; Pyke - jury still out

L2 is very strong this year - as strong as I can recall - with a few 'wealthy' clubs distorting the picture; albeit I accept the fact several clubs over years have been promoted on shoe-string budgets

All in all I think we are looking at mid table finish at best with PH at the helm cos positives far outweigh negatives... despite the frustrations!

Quoted from realist

So all you lot are happy with the negative defensive football at home?

I go to be entertained, Hurst is incapable of providing me with that

I'm entertained. I love the manner in which we pass the ball. Like everyone I'd be even more entertained if we started knocking a few more goals in and something to really cheer about but I can sit quite happily and watch how we control possession of games. It won't always get us a win and there'll no doubt be some games where even our passing game doesn't meet what I would class as 'entertaining' but generally speaking I find games entertaining.

We could spend years splitting hairs on how each poster sees the game and will undoubtedly claim their Football Manager tactic would work in real life, but the reality is that none of us here are professional level coaches. I've done my badges and have plenty of experience coaching and have my beliefs/philosophies of a playing style that are similar in truth to PHs but it's no substitute or comes remotely close to managing/coaching at an elite level. For every person that says 'just go and attack', you'll have someone who counters that with 'we risk leaving ourselves open at the back and conceding more'. For any success you get going direct and playing percentage or territory football there'll be a group of fans who want the ball 'on the deck' and playing the Buckley way.

What you see as negative defensive football I see as patient and slow, probing attacking football. The end result is the same - limited chances with few goals - but the outlook is different across the fanbase and that is why some fans are more understanding of what we're trying to achieve and more reserved in their criticism, some may even argue they're more realist about our expectations at this time in comparison to the last 20 years.

JS is far to sensible and business like to gossip about PH in public.

Not saying he wouldn’t sack PH, but if/when it’s done it will be done in a thoroughly professional manner.

Quoted from gtfc_chris

I'm entertained. I love the manner in which we pass the ball. Like everyone I'd be even more entertained if we started knocking a few more goals in and something to really cheer about but I can sit quite happily and watch how we control possession of games. It won't always get us a win and there'll no doubt be some games where even our passing game doesn't meet what I would class as 'entertaining' but generally speaking I find games entertaining.

We could spend years splitting hairs on how each poster sees the game and will undoubtedly claim their Football Manager tactic would work in real life, but the reality is that none of us here are professional level coaches. I've done my badges and have plenty of experience coaching and have my beliefs/philosophies of a playing style that are similar in truth to PHs but it's no substitute or comes remotely close to managing/coaching at an elite level. For every person that says 'just go and attack', you'll have someone who counters that with 'we risk leaving ourselves open at the back and conceding more'. For any success you get going direct and playing percentage or territory football there'll be a group of fans who want the ball 'on the deck' and playing the Buckley way.

What you see as negative defensive football I see as patient and slow, probing attacking football. The end result is the same - limited chances with few goals - but the outlook is different across the fanbase and that is why some fans are more understanding of what we're trying to achieve and more reserved in their criticism, some may even argue they're more realist about our expectations at this time in comparison to the last 20 years.

Home performances have been good IMO , we have looked far more controlled and actually controlled all the home league games barring Mansfield , who are just a better side than us which is no disgrace .

Hopefully we can build on it and make BP a fortress this season .

Can't believe we have this discussion every time we fail to win a game.

We are 8 games into the season, and the board ain't going to sack the manager because we have lost 2 games against two of the leagues best teams away from home, and neither should they.

Quoted from ginnywings

Can't believe we have this discussion every time we fail to win a game.

Glad someone else said it. Nothing more tedious than the 50-odd pages of meta-analysis whenever we lose, and that goes for people on both side of the argument.  

Quoted from MarinerRob

About 16 months ago Grimsby finished 6th in the National League.

They went on to beat Nott County away from home, and they then went on to beat Wrexham 4-5 - in probably the best playoff game in history - before beating Solihull in the final to gain promotion to League Two.

With a ridiculously short pre-season (about 4 weeks, I think) he built a team to take on League Two.

When the FA Cup came around they were drawn against the highest team possible (Plymouth) and beat them 5-1.
In the second round, they beat Cambridge (in a higher league) 2-1 away from home.
In the third round, they beat Burton (in a higher league) 1-0 at home.
In the fourth round, they were drawn away to Luton (in the playoff places to the Premier League) and drew 2-2. At home, they destroyed them 3-0.
In the fifth round, they beat Southampton (from the Premier League) 2-1
In the quarter-finals, they were drawn against Brighton (who were sitting in 7th place in the Premier League and were beaten 5-0. Brighton team was valued at about £370 million. Grimsby about £2 million.

They are the only team to ever get that far in the FA Cup playing all teams from a higher league.

They then finished 11th in League Two, their highest position for about 20 years.

The person who made all the right decisions in all these games was Paul Hurst.

Yet, now, he is not good enough according to some people. Totally bonkers.

Ginnywings this is the guy who started it all out of fresh air. Don't tar everyone with the same brush.

Quoted from ska face

Glad someone else said it. Nothing more tedious than the 50-odd pages of meta-analysis whenever we lose, and that goes for people on both side of the argument.  

Usually when kids get upset, they have a tantrum. Adults usually have to be a little more stoic. Everyone gets upset, but handle it in different ways.

Maybe the fishy is our own little playpen so people can have their tantrums. You kinda hope after a loss, people aren't giving it the "I HATE YOU AND I HATE EVERYONE. ESPECIALLY YOU PAUL HURST. I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN".

I think I've seen some great comments about Paul Hurst changing the way we play. Going to a more possession style. Over time, to change to that, you might need to ensure you have a full 11 players capable of that football, which could take time. The thing with possession football, is you need to keep then ball, progress it, create opportunities, then score. It looks like he's ticked the first 2 boxes, and need to get those last 2 down. It would be naive to think he doesn't want to do that, and he'll be as frustrated as we are. He'll be wondering what he changes in training to give us more of that and embed that in the team.

Weirdly, people see footballers as static objects like cars that cannot improve, yet we've all seen great players go average, and poor players get good. They're people, and every time something goes bad in a game situation, they're probably stewing on it and working their balderdash off to improve that aspect of their game (or drinking to forget about it). Football is so full or grey areas, and it's about managing those things in the right direction. I've personally seen enough attributes from Paul to see him turn a relegation team into a promoted team. A team that can go on big runs losing, to a team that can hold their own. Why would I not give him the chance to turn that team into a team getting ahead of the percentages and snatching more wins that losses over time.

Many here think people that accept a loss, accept mediocrity, and mid table. Hell no. We all want it, we just see it as an evolutionary, rather than revolutionary issue. We see how the Chelsea's of this world fail, and the Brighton's and Luton's build. We remember how well that managerial merry go round for us has done us poorly over the years and we never want to see the conference again. I believe Paul Hurst can get us into the play-offs this year, and I secretly hope he can snatch that third automatic spot as we get people fit and the team gels more. I don't see any reason why he cannot improve on things as they are, and not every improvement comes during a transfer window. Harry Clifton, Luke Waterfall, John McAtee are clear signs of how progression as a player can happen. Even if we don't get play-offs this year, if we improve on our position, we should stick, and give him that next transfer window to get those final parts of the puzzle in place. It could very well be that we go from a team of 50% promotion capable players to 75% to 100%. With every signing, it could improve, and it could get worse, but as you build up a stock of more players you can count on, you're replacing less, and you can focus more on that.

For reference, it took Luton 4 years to get out of league 2, and people expect us to do it in 2, when you have a Hollywood budget team in the mix (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luton_Town_F.C.#/media/File:Luton_Town_FC_League_Performance.svg). People expect us to progress faster than Luton, the poster child for football success at the moment.

Quoted from GrimPol

Ginnywings this is the guy who started it all out of fresh air. Don't tar everyone with the same brush.

Except, MarinerRob didn’t start it out of fresh air.

The usual protagonist did:

No way will i shut up while things are as they are . Hurst needs to go he dont have a clue  never has.  sick of the crap he spouts and the teams he puts out and how he plays them .No i dont like him one bit
Match Thread Wrexham   (reply)     Posted by: denni266
Date Posted: September 16, 2023, 5:04pm
What will hurst say after the game .. They are a very good side  bla bla bla. Round hairy things ...Try looking  at the truith  we are crap because of the crap you got in the doors and the way you set them up nearly every week  Utter crap
Match Thread Wrexham   (reply)     Posted by: denni266
Date Posted: September 16, 2023, 4:59pm
Feel for them that went all that way to see hursts team of defenders that cannot defend . Stockwood needs to man up and act .
Match Thread Wrexham   (reply)     Posted by: denni266
Date Posted: September 16, 2023, 4:46pm
Goal dif gone in one go. What a tin pot team we have .. Hurst out before tea .
Match Thread Wrexham   (reply)     Posted by: denni266
Date Posted: September 16, 2023, 4:07pm
Lets see if hurst makes any changes at half time or sticks to his usual form and waits untill 80 mins and puts another defence minded player on
Match Thread Wrexham   (reply)     Posted by: denni266
Date Posted: September 16, 2023, 3:48pm
This is what hurst gets us with a milion to spend  crap.. Wouldnt trust him to do the shopping for half time tea and oranges .. Pathetic . Who ever puts their trust in him needs to get their bumps felt  starting with Stockwood and Pettit

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

Except, MarinerRob didn’t start it out of fresh air.

The usual protagonist did:

No way will i shut up while things are as they are . Hurst needs to go he dont have a clue  never has.  sick of the crap he spouts and the teams he puts out and how he plays them .No i dont like him one bit
Match Thread Wrexham   (reply)     Posted by: denni266
Date Posted: September 16, 2023, 5:04pm
What will hurst say after the game .. They are a very good side  bla bla bla. Round hairy things ...Try looking  at the truith  we are crap because of the crap you got in the doors and the way you set them up nearly every week  Utter crap
Match Thread Wrexham   (reply)     Posted by: denni266
Date Posted: September 16, 2023, 4:59pm
Feel for them that went all that way to see hursts team of defenders that cannot defend . Stockwood needs to man up and act .
Match Thread Wrexham   (reply)     Posted by: denni266
Date Posted: September 16, 2023, 4:46pm
Goal dif gone in one go. What a tin pot team we have .. Hurst out before tea .
Match Thread Wrexham   (reply)     Posted by: denni266
Date Posted: September 16, 2023, 4:07pm
Lets see if hurst makes any changes at half time or sticks to his usual form and waits untill 80 mins and puts another defence minded player on
Match Thread Wrexham   (reply)     Posted by: denni266
Date Posted: September 16, 2023, 3:48pm
This is what hurst gets us with a milion to spend  crap.. Wouldnt trust him to do the shopping for half time tea and oranges .. Pathetic . Who ever puts their trust in him needs to get their bumps felt  starting with Stockwood and Pettit

We'll probably 1 day find out that either their wife has the hots for Paul Hurst, or they were rejected by Paul and secretly plot about his downfall every day. This looks more personal than logical, and they don't realise that if everything they post about Hurst is negative, people just ignore them as the doom monger in the streets "The end is nigh". Paul Hurst is living in their head rent free, and for someone that hates the guy so much, they spend a lot of time thinking about them. Their life became about Paul Hurst.

I think a bit of context is needed.

We have played eight league games so far this season.  Of these, only one was against a team currently sitting in the bottom third of the table at kick off last Saturday (Salford), which we won.  Four of the other seven were against teams currently in the top third, including the top two.

Furthermore, this probably won't change until we play Tranmere, by which time only one of our eleven games will have been against a team in the bottom third.  That's a quarter of the season.  Given such a tough start, and given the tough standard in League 2 this year, if we we are anywhere near the top ten by then, it should be considered an acceptable, if not brilliant, start to the season.

In my opinion of course.

Quoted from ginnywings

Can't believe we have this discussion every time we fail to win a game.

We are 8 games into the season, and the board ain't going to sack the manager because we have lost 2 games against two of the leagues best teams away from home, and neither should they.

Having a discussion in the fishy about whether posters think he should go or not and the Directors being unlikely to sack him are two entirely different subjects

The absolute garbage that denni posts leads me to believe he is about 6 years old!

Quoted from HerveJosse

Having a discussion in the fishy about whether posters think he should go or not and the Directors being unlikely to sack him are two entirely different subjects

I definitely think the second point has a bearing on the first point, as it renders the discussion pointless.

If you think differently, that's your prerogative.

My main point is that it's getting ridiculous to be having the conversation at all, every time we fail to win a game.

But he cupped his ears…

The question shouldn't be "Should Hurst go?", but, "Who would you replace Paul Hurst with?".

This normally draws a blank. Experienced, capable and available managers whom we could afford do not exist in abundance.

And unless the proposed individual has taken a L2 side to an FA Cup quarter final, there will be grounds to suspect he (?) lacks
the man-management and motivational skills that PH has.

Quoted from 137

The question shouldn't be "Should Hurst go?", but, "Who would you replace Paul Hurst with?".

This normally draws a blank. Experienced, capable and available managers whom we could afford do not exist in abundance.

And unless the proposed individual has taken a L2 side to an FA Cup quarter final, there will be grounds to suspect he (?) lacks
the man-management and motivational skills that PH has.

They can never give you a single genuine answer to the question I find. This is the same cohort of fans that bought flipping flat caps when that straw chewing flipping charlatan turned up…

Quoted from aldi_01

They can never give you a single genuine answer to the question I find. This is the same cohort of fans that bought flipping flat caps when that straw chewing flipping charlatan turned up…

They probably started drinking whisky chasers with everything (including breakfast) when Newell was manager, as well.

All the energy for this inane thread is coming from Hurst supporters..... again!

This Pavlovian response to a perceived stimulus is all about making ourselves feel good by trumpeting the positives about our leader, the owners and 'the sustainable project'

Please stop!   It's a self defeating response which makes all sensible readers feel patronised and lectured to.

We know! This, plus other insecurity based threads are spoiling my Idyllic Greek island getaway and I've only two days left.

Oh, and if you could all resist the Scunny thread that would be great too. Having never lived in Grimsby, I can't get my head around this car crash rubber necking.

Lot's of nudists in these islands. Plenty of space to exercise all our personal rights and freedoms here which is good, but why do some men wait till you are just passing them on the shore line to bend over and tidy their gear?

Quoted from Croxton

All the energy for this inane thread is coming from Hurst supporters..... again!

This Pavlovian response to a perceived stimulus is all about making ourselves feel good by trumpeting the positives about our leader, the owners and 'the sustainable project'

Please stop!   It's a self defeating response which makes all sensible readers feel patronised and lectured to.

We know! This, plus other insecurity based threads are spoiling my Idyllic Greek island getaway and I've only two days left.

Oh, and if you could all resist the Scunny thread that would be great too. Having never lived in Grimsby, I can't get my head around this car crash rubber necking.

Lot's of nudists in these islands. Plenty of space to exercise all our personal rights and freedoms here which is good, but why do some men wait till you are just passing them on the shore line to bend over and tidy their gear?

Well we need something to debate , we are in a  solid yet unspectacular position with few real worries apart from scoring a few goals and the obstructive posts in the main stand .

Maybe we can turn it into the holiday thread - where are those islands ?

I went to Kos ,but maybe the wrong island by the sound of it .

Quoted from Mappers

Well we need something to debate , we are in a  solid yet unspectacular position with few real worries apart from scoring a few goals and the obstructive posts in the main stand .

Maybe we can turn it into the holiday thread - where are those islands ?

I went to Kos ,but maybe the wrong island by the sound of it .

I'm at Skala in  Kefalonia, enjoying seeking out smaller coves and beaches for a dip in the sea followed by a Greek salad. Delays at Man airport meant we were searching the hills at midnight looking for the villa in an underpowered Micra. Off to Argostoli today in search of turtles and other delights.

Totally non footy of course!

Quoted from 137

The question shouldn't be "Should Hurst go?", but, "Who would you replace Paul Hurst with?".

This normally draws a blank. Experienced, capable and available managers whom we could afford do not exist in abundance.

And unless the proposed individual has taken a L2 side to an FA Cup quarter final, there will be grounds to suspect he (?) lacks
the man-management and motivational skills that PH has.

For the record, I’m firmly in the “Hurst shouldn’t go” camp - we’ve had a brutally tough start to the season and the reality is if not for a couple of sloppy goals conceded away at Walsall and Bradford, the picture would look a lot rosier than it actually does (and even then it’s not that bad).

That said, Hurst has been with the club nearly three years this time around, well above the average for the EFL and PL, and is the 14th longest serving manager in the 92. I would argue that, at some point within the next three years, Hurst will leave the club - either because he’s failed to meet expectations or because he has, and gone onto better things.

If the notion that there is no possible replacement capable of equalling or bettering Hurst, then we’re going to find ourselves in trouble again at some point in the not too distant future. Naturally, your potential options will depend on who’s available at the time, but based on things as they stand today, there are a few who you’d think might be worth consideration, to my kind:

In-work managers

Luke Garrard - Boreham Wood
Dean Brennan - Barnet

Out of work managers

Danny Cowley - most recently of Portsmouth
Darrell Clarke - “ Port Vale
Steve Coterill - “ Shrewsbury
David Artell - “ Crewe
Micky Mellon - “ Tranmere
Paul Tisdale - “Stevenage

Plus, there’s always going to be applications from some more left-field options (e.g. under-23s coaches). Michael Jolley not the best example of this by any means, but he did a lot better than some of our more experienced and less obscure managers over the years (see Newell, Slade II, Holloway et al), and I’d argue he’d have done a lot better under our current ownership.

Ultimately, Hurst will feel more replaceable when we’re perceivably not doing well and much less replaceable when we are - it was a briefly nervy time a year ago when Rotherham were looking for a new manager after Warne went to Derby. But it’s a reality we’ll have to face up to at some point, and I have reasonable confidence in those running the club to have some kind of plan in place when the time comes.

Quoted from Croxton

I'm at Skala in  Kefalonia, enjoying seeking out smaller coves and beaches for a dip in the sea followed by a Greek salad. Delays at Man airport meant we were searching the hills at midnight looking for the villa in an underpowered Micra. Off to Argostoli today in search of turtles and other delights.

Totally non footy of course!

If you don’t mind a 40 min walk, get yourself to Fteri beach  in NW Kefalonia. On an island of beautiful beaches, it’s one of the very best.

Lunch at Taverna Gialos Porto Atheras. Tell them Knut sent you and do an impression of a vole.

Non-footy of course.

Good to tell from Croxton's post and wordings that he went to Barton Upon Humber grammar school.

Barton Grammar School, famous for educating Ted Lewis, who's novel was used for the film, Get Carter.

Incidentally there is a reunion of former students in three week's time.

Quoted from cannylad65

Good to tell from Croxton's post and wordings that he went to Barton Upon Humber grammar school.

Barton Grammar School, famous for educating Ted Lewis, who's novel was used for the film, Get Carter.

Incidentally there is a reunion of former students in three week's time.

Hmm, cannylad, you wouldn't be one of the Cann brothers would you?

Quoted from ginnywings

I definitely think the second point has a bearing on the first point, as it renders the discussion pointless.

If you think differently, that's your prerogative.

My main point is that it's getting ridiculous to be having the conversation at all, every time we fail to win a game.

Or is it the conversation stopping briefly every time we win  a game