I didn’t expect any other outcome today. A point would have been nice but I didn’t expect one.

Monday is the start. Michael will have a tough job on his hands, but I think we will stay up. It would be nice if he can get a new tune out of this seriously out of tune piano. But in all honesty I am not sure he will. But I’m still confident we will stay up, not because of our own improvements, but because there are some equally shocking teams as us down there with us.

Monday is the start, and I look forward to seeing how he approaches the task.

I know sodomist all about Paul Wilkinson as a coach, as I’ve never seen him work. But I suspect that Paul will be on his way and that Michael will want to put his own team in place.

Quoted from 120790

But I suspect that Paul will be on his way and that Michael will want to put his own team in place.

Just as long as its not the team he had around him at his last club

I'm just going to start chucking £20 on Barnet and Chesterfield to win every game. Knowing my luck with betting, that'll keep us safe.

If he can figure out how to beat Malmo then Port Vale shouldn't be a problem  :)

Sorry but to change this outfit will need time and money we have neither we will go down he has no viable options to choose from.

I agree, new start on Monday.

I didn’t go today, but I think we know where the issues are. I’d definitely find a place for Suliman, Vernam and Dembele. Clifton and Davies too, if fit.

I’d like to see 3 at the back, but the rumours are that Jolley prefers 433. So, I’d go with:

                          Mckeown

Davies/RHJ   Suliman     Collins       Mills

           Clifton      Rose/McAllister     Summerfield

         Dembele     Vernam       DJ

Why not?!!

I expect you to stay up comfortably. I think John Fenty's got it right at last. He certainly gave the supporters the man the overwhelming majority (of those who gave an opinion) wanted. Fenty fiddled while GTFC burned in 2010; he has acted decisively this time.

If each teams form continues as it is, we will be relegated. He has to change something, and quick.

Here here arsend.

Quoted from ROKERITE

I expect you to stay up comfortably. I think John Fenty's got it right at last. He certainly gave the supporters the man the overwhelming majority (of those who gave an opinion) wanted. Fenty fiddled while GTFC burned in 2010; he has acted decisively this time.

Haven't see you around for a while Rokerite. Are you keeping tabs on the bottom leagues for when Sunderland get down here?  ;)

Quoted from ROKERITE

I expect you to stay up comfortably. I think John Fenty's got it right at last. He certainly gave the supporters the man the overwhelming majority (of those who gave an opinion) wanted. Fenty fiddled while GTFC burned in 2010; he has acted decisively this time.

With respect Roker he has acted at least 2 months too late! i think most GTFC fans knew we were in trouble by early January.

Quoted from 120790

I didn’t expect any other outcome today. A point would have been nice but I didn’t expect one.

Monday is the start. Michael will have a tough job on his hands, but I think we will stay up. It would be nice if he can get a new tune out of this seriously out of tune piano. But in all honesty I am not sure he will. But I’m still confident we will stay up, not because of our own improvements, but because there are some equally shocking teams as us down there with us.

Monday is the start, and I look forward to seeing how he approaches the task.

I know sodomist all about Paul Wilkinson as a coach, as I’ve never seen him work. But I suspect that Paul will be on his way and that Michael will want to put his own team in place.

Jolley is a brave man taking this lot on. He must have a lot of self confidence.

However, unless he can get us scoring and quick we have had it. We are the worst form team and have no strikers. We don't have a creative central midfielder and we concede 2 or 3 most games.

A new outlook and formation / tactics might give us a boost, but with the tension increasing as each match comes round it is a big ask.

Quoted from Heisenberg

I agree, new start on Monday.

I didn’t go today, but I think we know where the issues are. I’d definitely find a place for Suliman, Vernam and Dembele. Clifton and Davies too, if fit.

I’d like to see 3 at the back, but the rumours are that Jolley prefers 433. So, I’d go with:

                          Mckeown

Davies/RHJ   Suliman     Collins       Mills

           Clifton      Rose/McAllister     Summerfield

         Dembele     Vernam       DJ

Why not?!!

Better than what Wilkinson picked today. I would add Wilks to that line up in place of Dembele.

Quoted from ROKERITE

I expect you to stay up comfortably. I think John Fenty's got it right at last. He certainly gave the supporters the man the overwhelming majority (of those who gave an opinion) wanted. Fenty fiddled while GTFC burned in 2010; he has acted decisively this time.

Russell Slade. Why? Discuss.

Quoted from RonMariner

Better than what Wilkinson picked today. I would add Wilks to that line up in place of Dembele.

Is there any news on Wilks and Jackson yet?

Quoted from Heisenberg

Is there any news on Wilks and Jackson yet?

Still another 3 to 6 weeks away

Quoted from ROKERITE

I expect you to stay up comfortably. I think John Fenty's got it right at last. He certainly gave the supporters the man the overwhelming majority (of those who gave an opinion) wanted. Fenty fiddled while GTFC burned in 2010; he has acted decisively this time.

Yeah he was very quick in getting rid of Slade when it was obvious we needed to and subsequently getting a new manager in. Jesus Christ.

Quoted from Heisenberg

I agree, new start on Monday.

                          Mckeown

Mills   Suliman     Collins       Davies/RHJ

           Clifton      Rose/McAllister     Summerfield

         Dembele     Vernam       DJ

Why not?!!

I would swap these two over today showed that even though he would do a job Mills isn't suited to the left

As a Town Fan that travels a long way I Expect a new Mind set  and I know that we will hope things change for the good some of the players that pitiful excuse we had in charge brought in are an embarrassment as professionals get rid ??)

I would love to know exactly what Jolley's brief is

Is it

1) avoid relegation at all costs (after all the last incumbent was sacked because under him we were in danger of relegation - no point in changing managers otherwise)

1a) mid table in Div 2 next season

1b) playoffs or better in Div 2 next season

1c) playoffs or better in Div 2 in 3 seasons

2) get us back into the FL first time if the worst should happen (we surely can't afford to be down there too long and if he gets a totally new squad in this Summer why not?)

3) build slowly and methodically hopefully with youngsters coming through to achieve FL status again in the same timescale it took Hurst (can we wait that long)

At what point will Jolley be regarded as having passed or failed his objectives?

Or would it be simpler to ask what has Fenty asked him to do and / or what has Jolley said he can achieve?

I'm guessing his brief will be stay up this year.. next year let's see how many of these 'Excellent' signings we've been promised his budget can afford

Quoted from TwoLeftFeet

I'm guessing his brief will be stay up this year.. next year let's see how many of these 'Excellent' signings we've been promised his budget can afford

and if he doesn't keep us up ? (blame Slade I suppose and hope Jolley can do the business in the National League first time)

It’s such a tough task for many reasons but in my mind the biggest challenge is how do you come in and motivate a group of players who are one of the following,

1. Loanees who just getting experience or games
2. Out of contract at the end of season
3. Marking time before retirement

Many of these players don’t care what level they play at as long as they get paid they’ll just move from job to job for the rest of their careers.

From Monday he needs to mix it up both in training and onwards into his first selection. Wether or not he has enough time to change the environment so that the players get some confidence and professional pride in their performances we’ll have to see.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

It’s such a tough task for many reasons but in my mind the biggest challenge is how do you come in and motivate a group of players who are one of the following,

1. Loanees who just getting experience or games
2. Out of contract at the end of season
3. Marking time before retirement

Many of these players don’t care what level they play at as long as they get paid they’ll just move from job to job for the rest of their careers.

From Monday he needs to mix it up both in training and onwards into his first selection. Wether or not he has enough time to change the environment so that the players get some confidence and professional pride in their performances we’ll have to see.

I really can see him having a major effect on the mindset of the players but what he cannot do is make poor footballers into world beaters overnight. Matt for example can go out with a kick up the bottom and a 'I must not intercourse up again' message ringing in his ears but it does not mean he will suddenly be able to hit a cows bottom with a banjo

Players who never get a chance to impress should start with a clean slate and jolly can make up his own mind without other opinions, that also includes the youngsters.

Quoted from Jimbob

Players who never get a chance to impress should start with a clean slate and jolly can make up his own mind without other opinions, that also includes the youngsters.

Everyone keeps talking about these youngsters we have but Clifton apart are there any more who could step up?

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Everyone keeps talking about these youngsters we have but Clifton apart are there any more who could step up?

Nope

Quoted from 120790

Nope

Thought not, best stick with the journeymen wage stealers for a while longer then   ;)

how do we know if we don't see them play or send them on loan

W H E R E I S S E A N M C A L L I S T E R ?

10 games left to save ourselves.

10 pts may be enough possibly a couple more needed.

Vale, Chesterfield & Barnet have yet to visit BP.

I will go as far as to say win those 3 games and we will probably just do enough to stay up.

Fail to win any of those 3 games and it will be over. Boreham Wood, Ebbsfleet, Fylde and Salford City await......

Quoted from BottesfordMariner

10 games left to save ourselves.

10 pts may be enough possibly a couple more needed.

Vale, Chesterfield & Barnet have yet to visit BP.

I will go as far as to say win those 3 games and we will probably just do enough to stay up.

Fail to win any of those 3 games and it will be over. Boreham Wood, Ebbsfleet, Fylde and Salford City await......

I'd happily settle for 6 points from those 3 games and take our chances on getting a few more points on the others

Quoted from Ipswin

I would love to know exactly what Jolley's brief is

Is it

1) avoid relegation at all costs (after all the last incumbent was sacked because under him we were in danger of relegation - no point in changing managers otherwise)

1a) mid table in Div 2 next season

1b) playoffs or better in Div 2 next season

1c) playoffs or better in Div 2 in 3 seasons

2) get us back into the FL first time if the worst should happen (we surely can't afford to be down there too long and if he gets a totally new squad in this Summer why not?)

3) build slowly and methodically hopefully with youngsters coming through to achieve FL status again in the same timescale it took Hurst (can we wait that long)

At what point will Jolley be regarded as having passed or failed his objectives?

Or would it be simpler to ask what has Fenty asked him to do and / or what has Jolley said he can achieve?

There's no doubt that his brief will be stay up this year at all costs.
Next year 75% of this squad will be gone and hopefully in Slade's words "we will be building John" and i will be more than happy to see something developing and happy with a settled squad of players who have bought in to the managers thoughts and ready for  a promotion challenge in season 20/21.
One thing is for sure if we did go down this season it is no fault of MJ's and nobody should be calling for his head until we have seen something similar to Slade's recruitment policy who has taken this club back 2 years and 8 years if we get relegated.
Give it your best shot Michael the whole Town needs a lift.

Jolley's brief is to beat Port Vale. That's all he needs to think about. It's pointless thinking about who to sign next summer or even any game beyond Port Vale. Three points would be a massive boost and would lift the whole malaise which has been hanging over the club.

Quoted from thevera

There's no doubt that his brief will be stay up this year at all costs.
Next year 75% of this squad will be gone and hopefully in Slade's words "we will be building John" and i will be more than happy to see something developing and happy with a settled squad of players who have bought in to the managers thoughts and ready for  a promotion challenge in season 20/21.
One thing is for sure if we did go down this season it is no fault of MJ's and nobody should be calling for his head until we have seen something similar to Slade's recruitment policy who has taken this club back 2 years and 8 years if we get relegated.
Give it your best shot Michael the whole Town needs a lift.

Costs dont come into it do they ?  Unless MJ knows of some out of contract world beaters he can bring in he wont be able to spend a penny.

The only way the club could face further outgoings/ loss of money is if they lower the admission for the "big 3" games, give free beer and get Chubby Brown to do a centre circle gig pre match to raise the spirits of the crowd.

Wouldnt suprise me if the club actually put prices up this week and tried to market it as "see MJ's first game matchday experience" instead.

To be honest - and I may be in the minority here (so accuse me of not being very ambitious) - but when the future of your club is at stake, all I want is for us to stay up... and if we do, I'd be happy with mid-table next season *as long as* Jolley then starts implementing some of the things that were mentioned in the club statement when he was appointed, i.e. bringing youth through.

At least that way, if we're not pushing for promotion, we can still see some hope for the future and a philosophy being carved out. This will be a slow build but I'm willing to remain patient to make sure the foundations are rock solid.

Id' take anything better, obviously, but right now I just want stability, and some sign of a plan that means we won't have to endure another season like this.

Why can't Jolley do what Hurst has done at Shrewsbury? They were worst off than us when he took over, saved them from relegation and the next season they are going for the title.

Why be so negative?

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Everyone keeps talking about these youngsters we have but Clifton apart are there any more who could step up?

No our youth system is a joke tbh too many coaches with bigger egos than ability hence why we don’t produce players for the first team. We still have kids in the academy system who are there because of who they know rather than how good they are. Even Clifton swerved the academy for as long as possible only because local football became too easy for him , this needs to be a priority in the summer as well as recruiting a new team have a real serious look at why lads aren’t making the grade

Quoted from dapperz fun pub

No our youth system is a joke tbh too many coaches with bigger egos than ability hence why we don’t produce players for the first team. We still have kids in the academy system who are there because of who they know rather than how good they are. Even Clifton swerved the academy for as long as possible only because local football became too easy for him , this needs to be a priority in the summer as well as recruiting a new team have a real serious look at why lads aren’t making the grade

You seem very bitter tbh.

The youth set up has had huge upheaval ( for the good) in the last 18 months under Neil Woods.
Prior to that it was bankrupt, that was why local kids were heading for Hulland Scunny. That flow has stopped now but if we are relegated the end is nigh

This week has to be focused on getting 3 points Saturday. Failure to do so will stick us down in 22nd! I’ve every belief that MJ will be able to motivate the squad and build for the end of the season run in!

If we stay up I’m optimisitc about next season!

Quoted from Cloudy

You seem very bitter tbh.

The youth set up has had huge upheaval ( for the good) in the last 18 months under Neil Woods.
Prior to that it was bankrupt, that was why local kids were heading for Hulland Scunny. That flow has stopped now but if we are relegated the end is nigh

This.

The Academy is now unrecognisable, in terms of structure AND staffing, to what it was when we were non-league.

Quoted from Cloudy

You seem very bitter tbh.

The youth set up has had huge upheaval ( for the good) in the last 18 months under Neil Woods.
Prior to that it was bankrupt, that was why local kids were heading for Hulland Scunny. That flow has stopped now but if we are relegated the end is nigh

Not bitter at all just want the best for the club , it's a result s business and our youth set up doesn't produce players it didn't under woods last time and id be surprised if it did this time round . If he proves me wrong fantastic but so far
(thumbup)
Now if you’re talking producing players for clee town gy boro different story

Quoted from Heisenberg

I agree, new start on Monday.

I didn’t go today, but I think we know where the issues are. I’d definitely find a place for Suliman, Vernam and Dembele. Clifton and Davies too, if fit.

I’d like to see 3 at the back, but the rumours are that Jolley prefers 433. So, I’d go with:

                          Mckeown

Davies/RHJ   Suliman     Collins       Mills

           Clifton      Rose/McAllister     Summerfield

         Dembele     Vernam       DJ

Why not?!!

I think you'd need a target man. We don't really have one. Matt really should be that man but his second touch is invariably a tackle. I would go with that side, but I'd start Vernon as central striker, his job, to play with his back to goal and bring DJ and Dembele into play. I would definitely start MCaliister in front of the back four and to offer us some insurance. That formation requires full backs to really get forward and provide some width, I rate Davies but at his age, after a hamstring injury it's asking a lot of him. For that reason I would start Hall Johnson although in a three, you could play Davies in his natural central midfield role. The side lacks goals (stating the obvious), but should be solid and everyone would have a clear and defined role.

Which players are actually fit and available?  With some players supposedly out of favour, it’s hard to know who is actually fit.  When will the various loanees be fit?

Quoted from mimma

Why can't Jolley do what Hurst has done at Shrewsbury? They were worst off than us when he took over, saved them from relegation and the next season they are going for the title.

Why be so negative?

Experience.

I agree with what you say, but this is GTFC. Only other sides seem to escape from the mire with a new manager. We just keep right on being sh1te.

There is a definite malaise around this club and there has been for a long time. I'm desperately hoping that MJ can be the one to lift it, but history tells me that it is more likely to be more of the same. I will be ecstatic if he proves to be different.

Quoted from mimma

Why can't Jolley do what Hurst has done at Shrewsbury? They were worst off than us when he took over, saved them from relegation and the next season they are going for the title.

Why be so negative?

Absolutely, it's only division 4 and we are Grimsby FFS.

Quoted from ginnywings

Haven't see you around for a while Rokerite. Are you keeping tabs on the bottom leagues for when Sunderland get down here?  ;)

I ought to cut to the chase and go straight to The National League! With luck we'll be meeting you in League One the season after next.

Quoted from ROKERITE

I ought to cut to the chase and go straight to The National League! With luck we'll be meeting you in League One the season after next.

I hope so. I'm guessing you hope not but it doesn't seem that long ago that we were facing each other in the league.

Quoted from mimma

Why can't Jolley do what Hurst has done at Shrewsbury? They were worst off than us when he took over, saved them from relegation and the next season they are going for the title.

Why be so negative?

Hurst had more than six months to save Shrewsbury, including being able to get players in during transfer windows

Jolley has got just less than two months to turn things around

No comparison in my eyes, though as long as he can pull off some kind of rescue act between now and the first week of May, he might well then be able to emulate what Hurst is doing

Next 4 home games... Port Vale, Stevenage, Chesterfield and Barnet.

3 of those need no building up but we also owe Stevenage too.

We need to be looking at beating our 3 nearest rivals and if we can get something off Stevenage too will go a long way to securing our safety this season.

Having said that I think MJ will need to be some sort of miracle worker to get the players we've got at the minute performing well.

We really do need to be safe before we head to FGR on the last day of the season!

well said dapperz 100%

Getting any sort of win with these players looks very tough indeed. Away games at Wycombe, Swindon, Lincoln and Coventry look very talk orders.

If we stay up, it will be due to results at home. A couple of wins against those sides around us could be enough, but all 4 areas winnable as you'll get so here's hoping.

The comparison with what Hurst did at Shrewsbury is futile.

Hurst not only had more time and a transfer window, but the Shrews looked dead and buried and had to climb out of the bottom four.

We're starting a 10-game race with a 6-point head start (albeit with the worst form in the entire country).

I'd rather be in our position at the moment than trade places with any of the teams below us... just (I'm having a look at how many games in hand they each have... probably best to have points on the board!).

Chesterfield have a massive injury crisis, so it suits them to have games in hand at the moment. Us having to play on Saturday against an in form side just sums up our luck.

I believe in Jolley. In think this is a great appointment. I just don't believe in these players. I think, with 3 or 4 exceptions, they are really poor. This is what worries me more than anything.

Saturday is a massive game for both clubs. If Jolley can somehow get this set of players to perform and we manage to win it will be a big lift to the players and fans alike.

Port Vale fans see this game as equally important and there is already a 4 page long match thread on their forum, and it's only Tuesday.

http://www.onevalefan.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?34323-Match-Thread-Grimsby-Town-v-Port-Vale

Seems like Pope is out injured which is excellent news.

UTFM