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So here we are again... back on the search for yet another manager.

Michael Jolley came with little in terms of reputation, indeed it could be said was a risky appointment by the powers that be, and the initial quotes from within club were ‘view to long term/work to change relationships/progress youth’ etc etc - for many he wasn’t/didn’t do anything wrong ...kept us in League, the odd good performance in Cup, progress initially in League position, introduction of Youth players - could be argued that on that long term ‘remit’ he was doing okay.

For others it was time for him to go..relationships with media/strained relationship with section of support, sound bytes of being unhappy with budgets, flat performances of late, disillusioned crowd, questionable formations/tactics/selection etc etc

So back to square one...but to move forward there has to be questions asked to those running the club. What is the aim??? What are they wanting for the future of the club???

Jolley was supposedly here for the long term - yet not 2 years in he’s no longer around and we’re back on the managerial merry go round of approaches from the usual suspects, those no longer in game but wanting an opportunity, ‘names’wanted by supporters. Go along the tried and tested route or, like Jolley, go for the untested and give a chance too.

But by letting Jolley go (mutual or not) they’re effectively going back on the long term fit as spoken of are they not?? If survival is merely the aim - then say so - it lowers expectations of support - though I’d argue a good percentage wouldn’t be happy if that was the target. Do the board ‘want’ to progress to challenging for play offs/promotion??? Surely that has to be the ultimate aim ...progress??? If you aim to survive then things quickly go stagnant, motivation goes, crowd get fed up. Attendances drop.

There was a daft quote from a board member about being in Championship in 4/5 years etc - be realistic.

If the board are open and honest, and fans can see/buy into the product - they’ll be supportive in general.

But more years of being hoodwinked, poor relationships etc and things won’t ever change until new owners - if ever - appear.

So now is a very important time for the powers that be to decide. What do they want for the club. On and off the pitch. It isn’t just simply selecting a new manager, or employing from within.

It’s about making decisions for the long term, it’s about making a statement to its small but oh so loyal support about which direction they want to go. It’s about letting that said support get reinvigorated into a project. It’s about reinvigorating the club.

My guess as to what the ultimate aim appears to be is for us to limp along, pay back the loans and avoid relegation. That's it nothing else I believe without a new owner.

Jolley's statement says the target for the season was 14th. Wow.

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

My guess as to what the ultimate aim appears to be is for us to limp along, pay back the loans and avoid relegation. That's it nothing else I believe without a new owner.

Jolley's statement says the target for the season was 14th. Wow.

tbf he said it was one of the targets, but apart from that i agree with your analysis

I don't think the ultimate aim has to change just because the Manager does.

The club statement (or was it a Dave Roberts statement? I can't remember) put out when Jolley was appointed talked about a Club philosophy of bringing through young players and building successful, hard-working and exciting team playing good football.

That, as an overall objective or philosophy of the Club, should not change. Just like it wouldn't if Jolley had been really successful and had been poached by bigger fish higher up the Football League. The next Manager should be someone who will fit the philosophy the Club want to go with, with a view to being better at implementing it than the previous Manager.

I guess most seasons will see us mid table until we either a) have an exceptional season and reach the play-offs, b) have a terrible season and go down, c) get more money, hopefully with a new ground. Probably at least 80% of our seasons are going to be blanks whoever is in charge. The quality of players and managers we get is largely dictated by the amount of money in the pot.

To play some entertaining football hopefully.

Heard today in a pub so make of it what you think ...but take over imminent and Jolly's position was part of it ......can't see it myself but that is what is being said

Quoted from Brazilnut

Heard today in a pub so make of it what you think ...but take over imminent and Jolly's position was part of it ......can't see it myself but that is what is being said

I heard in the pub ..a Juke box and people chatting...give it up brazilnut...we'd all love Carlsberg days, but don't think coming anytime soon...sadly😔😔

The ultimate aim? For JF to get out and get some money back........ that’s the only sim this club has.

Ultimate aim is for someone to get their money back, either until its sold lock stock, or whilst the club is running well within its means, not costing a penny or ideally making a profit, then an annual repayment can be taken then that will have to do.

I say this because .....we had long term plan Bignot ( sacked after 5 months ), quicker fix Slade (sacked less than 12 months in ) and now longer term Jolley ( within 18 months, he should be due a testimonial when compared to the last two ;D ).

All of the above seemed to come with the heavy endorsement of JF, all have failed, fell short or come to a sticky abrupt end.

The club has to realise times have changed, if they want Championship football within "5yrs " , a new ground within "2yrs", then they have to back that up financially, not just pipedreams, sound bites, but actual investment and not just loans. If they can't do that or won't do that then stop talking about them and look at what is sustainable under what they are prepared to invest.
That certainly isn't going to be two promotions and probably not even one, not short term anyway. Bigger, better quality squads with good management will give a better chance, no guarantee, but a better chance, but there seems no appetite to pay for that under the current regime.

We as supporters, young and old have to swallow that also, we are not the pre war Division 1 club, we are not the 80's division 2 club, we have become a club struggling to establish itself back in the Football League. We can all draw our own conclusions as to why that has happened. But our perception of "success" must be tempered to give any new manager a fighting chance. Ask Bury fans what success may look like.

Until either Fenty relinquishes control to any new suitable mystery owner out there or until maybe the trust rallies some sort of fan takeover we just have to accept that whoever replaces Jolley will have limited chance of traditional "success" due to all of the above.

UTM

We have to continue the youth team conveyor belt for one - don't want an old head who sticks with his trusted senior pros and never gives youth a chance.

But yes if Carlsberg did football sackings the guy who Fenty saw to his Rolls Royce phantom, ring binders and all, is representive of a consortium who's takeover is imminent and has fresh ideas on the team they want!

Quoted from Brazilnut

Heard today in a pub so make of it what you think ...but take over imminent and Jolly's position was part of it ......can't see it myself but that is what is being said

Very much so, heard the same from numerous sources. If it's going to happen, it will happen over the next few days. That said, if the new board / owner didn't want Jolley, you'd expect his removal to be the first order of business ONCE they'd taken over, not even slightly before.

Quoted from fishboyUTM

Very much so, heard the same from numerous sources. If it's going to happen, it will happen over the next few days. That said, if the new board / owner didn't want Jolley, you'd expect his removal to be the first order of business ONCE they'd taken over, not even slightly before.

When you buy a new house and don't like the kitchen it's the first thing you change, but you need to own the house first. You don't demand that the kitchen is replaced before you even have the keys.

Quoted from marinerjase

So here we are again... back on the search for yet another manager.

Michael Jolley came with little in terms of reputation, indeed it could be said was a risky appointment by the powers that be, and the initial quotes from within club were ‘view to long term/work to change relationships/progress youth’ etc etc - for many he wasn’t/didn’t do anything wrong ...kept us in League, the odd good performance in Cup, progress initially in League position, introduction of Youth players - could be argued that on that long term ‘remit’ he was doing okay.

For others it was time for him to go..relationships with media/strained relationship with section of support, sound bytes of being unhappy with budgets, flat performances of late, disillusioned crowd, questionable formations/tactics/selection etc etc

So back to square one...but to move forward there has to be questions asked to those running the club. What is the aim??? What are they wanting for the future of the club???

Jolley was supposedly here for the long term - yet not 2 years in he’s no longer around and we’re back on the managerial merry go round of approaches from the usual suspects, those no longer in game but wanting an opportunity, ‘names’wanted by supporters. Go along the tried and tested route or, like Jolley, go for the untested and give a chance too.

But by letting Jolley go (mutual or not) they’re effectively going back on the long term fit as spoken of are they not?? If survival is merely the aim - then say so - it lowers expectations of support - though I’d argue a good percentage wouldn’t be happy if that was the target. Do the board ‘want’ to progress to challenging for play offs/promotion??? Surely that has to be the ultimate aim ...progress??? If you aim to survive then things quickly go stagnant, motivation goes, crowd get fed up. Attendances drop.

There was a daft quote from a board member about being in Championship in 4/5 years etc - be realistic.

If the board are open and honest, and fans can see/buy into the product - they’ll be supportive in general.

But more years of being hoodwinked, poor relationships etc and things won’t ever change until new owners - if ever - appear.

So now is a very important time for the powers that be to decide. What do they want for the club. On and off the pitch. It isn’t just simply selecting a new manager, or employing from within.

It’s about making decisions for the long term, it’s about making a statement to its small but oh so loyal support about which direction they want to go. It’s about letting that said support get reinvigorated into a project. It’s about reinvigorating the club.

Your final paragraph says everything. Absolutely bang on the money.