Well?

I’ve had enough.

Same players til January. What do you think a new manager can do?

Shame there’s not a “it’ll make no fûcking difference” option.

Out

The fans and boards loyalty towards him has been admirable- he's had more time than maybe he would get anywhere probably  .

But we have dropped to under 1PPG - relegation form with a third of the season gone , enough time to judge .

Act now , or it may well become toxic on Saturday .

That's time up for me. For the most part, I've liked Hurst, but this is truly despairing football at the moment. We're back to the Fenty era, time for 1878 to really show what they are made of.

Quoted from Southwark Mariner

Same players til January. What do you think a new manager can do?

Alot of the players looked good until Hurst got his hands on them and wore them down

On the bounce of an FA Cup pay out we look like we are in real trouble. We hoped for a promotion push, we look as bad as anyone in this League.

5 at the back at home against one of the worse teams in the league. Poor team selection, poor tactics, negative football

Thanks Paul you’ll always be appreciated for past endeavours, but now unfortunately is time to go.

Quoted from Southwark Mariner

Same players til January. What do you think a new manager can do?

Is that a serious question?

It’s not inconceivable that a different manager might have a different style of play, different management style, might be able to motivate the players differently…

Even when January rolls around, is it a good idea to sit through Hurst’s sulking everytime he gets asked about transfers only to sit on his hands and ignore the gaping holes in the squad? Or maybe act now and give someone else the chance to assess the squad & bring their own players in.

He has to go..

Good manager and I respect him but its time for a change. The board now need to do the job that needs to be done and not let the friendship they clearly have with Paul get in the way.

Defending is absutelyf***ing awful week after week after week. That can’t go on.
Hurst out.

For me, I really didn’t want it to come to this. I feel gutted for Hurst. He is my second favourite Town manager in 30+ years following the club.

But he’s also made a complete hash of a very promising situation, and there are too many risks associated with allowing things to continue like this unabated. The signs of possible recovery just aren’t there.

I’ve been on the fence until now, and it hurts me to say it, but I think it’s time for a change.

If there's something or someone better available who'd be keen then out. 2nd half today was half decent by the players but 2 things worry me.

1. Green was the best town player when he came on.

2. 3 2 down he makes an attacking sub in the 89th minute? Surely you do that at 75/80 knowing your necks on the line with the fans

Quoted from Southwark Mariner

Same players til January. What do you think a new manager can do?

There's enough talent to do better than this.. Tactics, team selection, motivation, a fresh perspective, new training methods and a fresh start can do wonders for a squad. Hurst definitely isn't getting the best out of them.. that's for sure..

Is Andrews really better than Hunt? What does he offer?

The players look shot mentally.. they need a lift, not more Hurst pragmatism..

Quoted from ska face

Is that a serious question?

It’s not inconceivable that a different manager might have a different style of play, different management style, might be able to motivate the players differently…

Well said. I know I've had a few runs ins with you in the past but you've nailed this . Heard similar from the horses mouth from  those who have played the game

Hurst should do the honourable thing and resign. He has taken us as far as he is capable.

Genuinely, thank you very much PH for some incredible memories yet again, but unfortunately the time has come for us to part ways.

I'm not sure who needs to come in, but I know we need change.

Enough Now
But who do we bring in?
Graham Alexander?

I hope he resigns. There was a little rumour that he might become 'director of football' but at the mo that doesnt seem to be a realistic, or cost effective, solution

Quoted from forza ivano

I hope he resigns. There was a little rumour that he might become 'director of football' but at the mo that doesnt seem to be a realistic, or cost effective, solution

Director? Surely not.

Dull, depressing and uninspiring. Tondeur’s commentary matching the football.

It's gut wrenching because Hurst is a genuinely decent bloke and as a younger fan, he's the only town manager who has ever delivered a team I felt proud of.

It's the old cliché that nothing lasts forever and I think it's better that we move on now, before any animosity builds. I'd hate for the lasting memory to be of Hurst leaving us in deep relegation trouble which is the way we're heading.

Square pegs round holes to suit his formation. Green did a great job when he came on, we missed 2 open goals, our keeper is an accident waiting to happen. We huffed and puffed but couldn't even blow a straw house down

He must go.
I think another club needs him more than we do.

Tonight swung it for me. Player by player im SURE that this is or at least close to the strongest league 2 squad weve had (post 2000). I think we need a fresh perspective and new ideas,  I just think its not even a personal thing about not being good enough, it simply happens to alot of managers that are lucky enough to get into a 3rd or 4th season, unable to bring about that needed refresh and blank slate energy required to move the team into a new phase

Quoted from Mariner93er

It's gut wrenching because Hurst is a genuinely decent bloke and as a younger fan, he's the only town manager who has ever delivered a team I felt proud of.

It's the old cliché that nothing lasts forever and I think it's better that we move on now, before any animosity builds. I'd hate for the lasting memory to be of Hurst leaving us in deep relegation trouble which is the way we're heading.

I like him , I think most do - I know there is the odd hater but he seems a good guy and a good manager .

I still don't understand how this has happened - constructing a seemingly powderpuff team short of both character & confidence when in the past his teams had ample of both most of the time .

I find it quite bizarre .

He should do the right thing and offer his resignation rather than wait for the inevitable axe to fall whether now or later when there will be less time to bail out the sinking ship.
He must know in his heart of hearts that his time is up.

Apparently he won't be doing an interview with Humberside....

Quoted from Jarmo.Is.God

Apparently he won't be doing an interview with Humberside....

I think he is, just not in time for a live one.

Quoted from Mappers

I like him , I think most do - I know there is the odd hater but he seems a good guy and a good manager .

I still don't understand how this has happened - constructing a seemingly powderpuff team short of both character & confidence when in the past his teams had ample of both most of the time .

I find it quite bizarre .

It’s really weird isn’t it. Even in the NL, with pitiful budgets and a huge stigma surrounding the club, he always assembled likeable teams that competed almost every week, even if they lacked creativity and flair at times. With the exception of Kieran Green tonight, there looked to be no character whatsoever on the pitch, and we continue to ship easy goal after easy goal.

Every quality I expect to see from a Paul Hurst side isn’t just missing, it’s almost opposite land.

I can’t fathom how we got here.

Back to the conference we go if he stays.

I’m not sure what the problem is but something isn’t right. The squad that looked so able in pre season and the first few games have become a quivering wreck.

Out. There may be a parallel universe somewhere where he stays on and guides us to promotion, but it seems an edge case. The players are mainly here for 2-3 years, give someone else the transfer window. I'd rather it was someone completely new, no former players/managers/coaches - just a total reset.

When Town sign players - is there a chap who profiles them all as suitable to play for Town?  or is it all PH who signs them?’ Thought there was a profiler in the background ?

I have been on the fence until now, but there obviously has to be a change. Thank you for so many great memories Mr. Hurst - you have done well and will always be remembered as one of the very best managers for the club. Unfortunately, the way football is, almost every manager has a sell-by date and the time has come for a new manager to get the best out of a team that is heavily underperforming. This team has shown in glimpses this season what they are capable of, and now is the time for someone to make good of the promise these players represents.

Suspect i'll be on my own with this one but I remember that absolutely horrific run the season before last around the turn of the new year that felt eerily similar to this. Like now, we were in every single game, the better side in many, but we just kept losing by the odd goal. The calls for him to go were getting deafening. Now, obviously i'm not saying we're going to turn it around and end up in the play offs but neither am I worried about relegation either at this point. Yeah, we're not going to battle for the play offs and probably not the top half and that's disappointing but Hurst's got more than enough goodwill in the bank with me to be given the chance to turn this slump around as he did then and I'd like to think we can be an outlier in modern football and show a bit of loyalty and faith. Toxicity and vitriol certainly doesn't help anyone, we need to get behind him. There must be no one hurting more and more livid than PH right now. The players are letting him down, they need to show far more character than they currently are. I expect he'll look to ship a number out in January, if he's given the chance of course. I just really want him to succeed and i'm not willing to write him off yet

I've been narrowly on the side of Hurst In over the last few weeks but that performance seals it for me - Hurst out.

The worst team for most of a home game against a side that has been in relegation battles for the last few years, is right down there again and is in an awful run themselves with a temporary manager. All that and we are playing 5 at the back and still concede twice even after being gifted an own goal for the ages to give us a head start. Sure we eventually managed to score ourselves and look interested for 15 minutes or so of the 90 but against a team as rank bad as that it's nowhere near good enough.

I don't think he has lost the dressing room as in players are rebelling against him, I just think they have no belief in his system, or themselves and no idea what they are being asked to do. No fight or desire in them at all apart from Holohan and Green, which is very very concerning. Regardless of what some people might think we are knee deep in a relegation battle now. Yet Colchester seemed to show more desire for their interim boss!

We've got 2 weeks after the Donny game before another league match - do NOT kick the can down the road. Hurst sadly needs to be let go tomorrow, with thanks for all that he's done for us last year and before. But we are in a worse position than when he took over us 3 years ago aren't we, and he couldn't turn it around then - this is a mess of his own making so even less chance of him making the changes necessary soon enough. Davies and Pearson can take care of the Donny Game, might even improve things with a new perspective, and it gives us two and a half weeks to get some one in for the Morecambe game. Whoever comes in has to be given time so they can act immediately in January. Hurst didn't have much time before January 3 years ago and then by the time he acted it was too late.

Like many others I'm a bit shell shocked at how it's gone so so badly wrong so quickly. These players looked far better than this at the beginning of the season but we are getting worse and worse, we have the stink of relegation about us now, we should all recognise the foul odour.

I didn’t go tonight. I didn’t watch it. I didn’t listen to it either.

Despite the impression some of my posts might have given I was in the camp of giving Hurst until Doncaster at least. I no longer see the point in giving him Saturday.

Get rid now and we have 2 and a half weeks to find somebody else before we return to L2 after the FA Cup break.

If Ben Davies get us anything from Doncaster and we’re still in the Cup when a new manager is appointed that’s a bonus.

Quoted from immariner

Suspect i'll be on my own with this one but I remember that absolutely horrific run the season before last around the turn of the new year that felt eerily similar to this. Like now, we were in every single game, the better side in many, but we just kept losing by the odd goal. The calls for him to go were getting deafening. Now, obviously i'm not saying we're going to turn it around and end up in the play offs but neither am I worried about relegation either at this point. Yeah, we're not going to battle for the play offs and probably not the top half and that's disappointing but Hurst's got more than enough goodwill in the bank with me to be given the chance to turn this slump around as he did then and I'd like to think we can be an outlier in modern football and show a bit of loyalty and faith. Toxicity and vitriol certainly doesn't help anyone, we need to get behind him. There must be no one hurting more and more livid than PH right now. The players are letting him down, they need to show far more character than they currently are. I expect he'll look to ship a number out in January, if he's given the chance of course. I just really want him to succeed and i'm not willing to write him off yet

The difference then was we were going on a slump from top of the table to 10th or so. This is more like when he took over with us what, 17th (?) and couldn't turn our form around enough and we ended up relegated.

Quoted from toontown

The difference then was we were going on a slump from top of the table to 10th or so. This is more like when he took over with us what, 17th (?) and couldn't turn our form around enough and we ended up relegated.

I don't think it's more like that, this squad has far more ability than the one he inherited from Hollowords and we weren't in games the way we are now, and as we all know, external factors meant he was left with not a lot of choice for bringing players in to try and turn it around. It's probably somewhere between the two situations to be fair. I just think he can get us out of it but ask me again closer to the January window, if we still can't buy a win

Sticking with Hurst for now. We’re much more likely to be sucked into a relegation fight with the turmoil of bringing a new manager and the subsequent tearing everything up regarding the team. We need to pick up points in the next month, and we’re much more likely to do that with Hurst, given it’s his team, than without him.

I'm just feeling gutted for him. Again tonight, we had 60% possession, 18 shots to their 9, with 6 on target to their 4, and still we lose. It seems that every speculative shot or cross somehow ends up in our net. Hurst must be tearing his hair out.

I see Accrington won away at Wimbledon tonight, scoring 4 goals, and they didn't look anything special to me.

We have strikers scoring goals, but the defence has gone to pieces, which is most unlike a Hurst team. Mullarkey and Rodgers looked really good acquisitions at the start of the season, but they look shot now.

We could do with Eastwood breaking his finger or something, so we can get an emergency loan keeper in.

I desperately want to see PH succeed, but the chop is getting closer by the game. If that's his last game, I can't argue with the decision.

Quoted from davmariner

Sticking with Hurst for now. We’re much more likely to be sucked into a relegation fight with the turmoil of bringing a new manager and the subsequent tearing everything up regarding the team. We need to pick up points in the next month, and we’re much more likely to do that with Hurst, given it’s his team, than without him.

We have already been sucked in and make no mistake we are in a relegation fight and look nailed on for thr conference with the current managment team.

Quoted from Azimuth

We have already been sucked in and make no mistake we are in a relegation fight and look nailed on for thr conference with the current managment team.

We’re still only just a quarter of the way through the season. A new manager will still have to play over two months with a team not necessarily suited to how they want to play. This is a team that’s not picking up enough points, but only by fine margins. Tearing everything up is a huge risk, which the owners I’m sure are aware of.

Quoted from davmariner

We’re still only just a quarter of the way through the season. A new manager will still have to play over two months with a team not necessarily suited to how they want to play. This is a team that’s not picking up enough points, but only by fine margins. Tearing everything up is a huge risk, which the owners I’m sure are aware of.

But currently, PH doesn't have them playing how he wanted them to play, and probably how the players wanted to play when they signed.
He built a squad and prepared the playing style to fit the new players he was bringing in, only to rip that plan up and revert to last seasons style after no more than a couple of months of the season.

I get that it's a gamble/risk to change the manager, but after 3 wins in 15, allowing this to continue is a bigger risk.

No doubt about it, Paul appears to be an honest hard working bloke. At the last fans forum we saw the human side of Paul with his dry sense of humour and I for one warmed to him. But it’s time for him to move on. The fans have turned. I would have hated to see him leave on a sour note after the two promotions and that FA cup run, but I fear it’s too late. After listening to the Humberside interview I think he knows it too.

Quoted from heppy88

No doubt about it, Paul appears to be an honest hard working bloke. At the last fans forum we saw the human side of Paul with his dry sense of humour and I for one warmed to him. But it’s time for him to move on. The fans have turned. I would have hated to see him leave on a sour note after the two promotions and that FA cup run, but I fear it’s too late. After listening to the Humberside interview I think he knows it too.

Fans are fickle and to be honest, decision making at a football club should not be based on fans moaning and groaning. We’d be sacking managers every few games if we did.

I’m genuinely curious, if say, a new manager came in and lost the first 6 games, would fans be calling for their head? And if so, should they be listened to?

My point is, the owners need to weigh up the bigger picture. It’s clearly a bad time at the minute, but who at this point is best placed to turn things around. Hurst hasn’t suddenly become a bad manager overnight, so they can be forgiven for giving him a bit more time with the team he’s assembled.

Thanks for everything Paul, behind Buckley he is the most competent manager we have had in last 30 years in my opinion...but think we and possibly Hurst needs a change over to you owners...

Quoted from davmariner

Fans are fickle and to be honest, decision making at a football club should not be based on fans moaning and groaning. We’d be sacking managers every few games if we did.

I’m genuinely curious, if say, a new manager came in and lost the first 6 games, would fans be calling for their head? And if so, should they be listened to?

My point is, the owners need to weigh up the bigger picture. It’s clearly a bad time at the minute, but who at this point is best placed to turn things around. Hurst hasn’t suddenly become a bad manager overnight, so they can be forgiven for giving him a bit more time with the team he’s assembled.

Yep fans are fickle, emotional and can change on a whim. But I think there is something deeper at play. I think there has always been an under current of fans who simply didn’t warm to him, but gave him the benefit of doubt due to his promotion/FA cup success. But apart from results they are turning because the games are tedious to watch. Fans are more accepting if they can see the players playing with grit and determination, backed up by a clear game plan. But this has been sadly lacking. Of course it’s a risk changing a manager. But there is no reason that risk cannot pay dividends and I would argue that this stage of the season is the ideal time to do it.

The poll at the moment is 80% want him out.

That's from 160 fans on here which is a tiny percentage of the 6,000+ who normally attend games.

Whatever happens it had better happen in the next 2 to 3 weeks or the new man will not have time to access who deserves to stay and who doesn't.

If on the other hand we start winning a few games he is safe until the end of the season.

If we don't have a decent cup run and struggle just keeping out of the drop zone the ST numbers will be well down making it more difficult getting decent players in the summer.

So will the board decide to stick or twist ?

Time will tell.

It pains me to vote out. I have always backed Hurst and know how much we owe him as a club but something is desperately wrong here.. I genuinely can't be bothered with the clown show of manager selection again.. the years prior to Hursts second coming were just a nightmare but really starting to think we have no choice at this point as relegation is starting to look a real possibility again :-(

Quoted from davmariner

Fans are fickle and to be honest, decision making at a football club should not be based on fans moaning and groaning. We’d be sacking managers every few games if we did.

I’m genuinely curious, if say, a new manager came in and lost the first 6 games, would fans be calling for their head? And if so, should they be listened to?

My point is, the owners need to weigh up the bigger picture. It’s clearly a bad time at the minute, but who at this point is best placed to turn things around. Hurst hasn’t suddenly become a bad manager overnight, so they can be forgiven for giving him a bit more time with the team he’s assembled.

Let's say Hurst stays and keeps us up this season ?
Would you believe he could mount a promotion charge next season?
Do you believe he can assemble a team that would play more attractive football at home?
By the looks of it our season is already over in October , I'd be tempted to try and find someone that can use the rest of this season to put a team together that can do some good next year as this one is going nowhere other than down

The gate of 5010 was only slightly better than Barrow with 148 away fans. This means only 4862 fans turned up in what was an expected win match. I am sure this is a figure already worked out by 1878, which means that many ST's didn't turn up but also many walk in's.

Barrow was the lowest for home fans, 4831, and was not much better. It is time for JT & AP to act before the home fans attendance drops even further.

Quoted from DB

The gate of 5010 was only slightly better than Barrow with 148 away fans. This means only 4862 fans turned up in what was an expected win match. I am sure this is a figure already worked out by 1878, which means that many ST's didn't turn up but also many walk in's.

Barrow was the lowest for home fans, 4831, and was not much better. It is time for JT & AP to act before the home fans attendance drops even further.

Pretty sure the 300 or so in the Osmond are freebies too?

So who would you replace PH with?  Nigel Clough?

I'm gutted for PH that its not going great, who is generally a top bloke but i feel like he always has to change the team round for the sake of keeping players happy or so it feels like that.  If you constantly keep changing the team how can you gain any consistency, form partnerships and above all keep the shirt that you are fighting for, you might generally feel you have had a decent game (not the worst) but then not playing the following week you probably be a bit miffed, annoyed etc.  PH can also be too cautious and its this type of negativity of football that makes us come unstuck.  He needs to let the shackles off.

78% say out, speaks volumes.
I voted out not because we lost last night but in the manner of how we did. If we'd have played well and lost I'd be half tempted to stay in the 'in' camp. But the football we are playing is dreadful.

I voted Out but with a very heavy heart. I'd love the option "Give him Doncaster and watch him turn this ship right around and march up the league" and more so that it actually materialises but it's hard to muster the belief that would turn to be true.

I really like Hurst,but something has to change.To m it's obvious, why didn't we sighn a decent    experienced,goalkeeper when Max left? Fans round me last night were regretting they wanted Max to leave.! That said the vile shouting at Eastwood, that he obviously heard ,from the Pontoon was well out of order.

Has he gone yet?

Time for a change?

Quoted from Pontoon bill

That said the vile shouting at Eastwood, that he obviously heard ,from the Pontoon was well out of order.

Going on for a few weeks.   Was some moron at Stockport literally red in the face from screaming over and over again at Eastwood how he was as useless girl private.  

That'll help him.

Hurst taking a few C Bombs on Twitter today/last night as well.  He's not doing the job we hoped he would this season and without even going down the path of respect owed for what he's done, just show a bit of respect.  He's not a girl private, far from it.  He's a genuinely decent bloke.  I honestly despair at the sheer amount of empty air between the ears of some of our fanbase.

Quoted from diehardmariner

Hurst taking a few C Bombs on Twitter today/last night as well.  He's not doing the job we hoped he would this season and without even going down the path of respect owed for what he's done, just show a bit of respect.  He's not a girl private, far from it.  He's a genuinely decent bloke.  I honestly despair at the sheer amount of empty air between the ears of some of our fanbase.

Whatever the outcome Hurst deserves some respect we should all keep our opinions polite. Yes I want him gone
but instead of calling him I thank him for all his hard work and just say it has not worked for us this time.You only have to look at our home form since we have been back in the league  that alone deserves the sack.
Sorry to see you go Paul but like Buckley mk3 you have been here too long go now before it gets really toxic on here as I said you don't deserve that.

Quoted from diehardmariner

Going on for a few weeks.   Was some moron at Stockport literally red in the face from screaming over and over again at Eastwood how he was as useless girl private.  

That'll help him.

Hurst taking a few C Bombs on Twitter today/last night as well.  He's not doing the job we hoped he would this season and without even going down the path of respect owed for what he's done, just show a bit of respect.  He's not a girl private, far from it.  He's a genuinely decent bloke.  I honestly despair at the sheer amount of empty air between the ears of some of our fanbase.

The joke’s on them at the end of the day. Hurst is emotionally intelligent to realise that, and that a few idiots don’t speak for the majority (even if the view of the majority seems to be that things need freshening up).

I honestly don’t get the dread and fear around appointing a new manager. Jumping the gun a bit, admittedly, but I’d see it as a positive, a clean slate for the whole squad, a fresh approach and new ideas.  

This would/could be the first appointment not made by Fenty for going on 20 years. I’m failing to remember a manager that hadn’t been tainted with the stain of the former leadership for one reason or another - cheap option, easy option, Holloway’s bizarre investment plans & ulterior motives, returning losers, short-termism, etc.

I can’t remember a time where all the fans were united behind a manager and board - there always seemed to be an issue somewhere, whether it was living under the yoke of the old regime or a negative view of the incoming manager.

We’re under new ownership with a new approach and decent prospects. A chance to freshen things up should be relished by all.

I vote in, but that vote, and all the others on here mean absolutely nothing.  Do you think the owners read and take notice and act on what a very small minority of town fans say on a public forum?

Quoted from 123614

I vote in, but that vote, and all the others on here mean absolutely nothing.  Do you think the owners read and take notice and act on what a very small minority of town fans say on a public forum?

They offer an insight into the general sentiment amongst the fanbase, albeit based on a sample of ~5% of match going fans. Incidentally, the results have gradually improved in Hurst’s favour, from 1 in 10 backing him immediately after the game last night, to 1 in 5 first thing this morning, to 1 in 4 as of right now.

Given where are we are, 25% still wanting him in seems pretty decent, and a bit higher than I had anticipated.

Quoted from ska face

I honestly don’t get the dread and fear around appointing a new manager. Jumping the gun a bit, admittedly, but I’d see it as a positive, a clean slate for the whole squad, a fresh approach and new ideas.  

This would/could be the first appointment not made by Fenty for going on 20 years. I’m failing to remember a manager that hadn’t been tainted with the stain of the former leadership for one reason or another - cheap option, easy option, Holloway’s bizarre investment plans & ulterior motives, returning losers, short-termism, etc.

I can’t remember a time where all the fans were united behind a manager and board - there always seemed to be an issue somewhere, whether it was living under the yoke of the old regime or a negative view of the incoming manager.

We’re under new ownership with a new approach and decent prospects. A chance to freshen things up should be relished by all.

I genuinely don't think we ever will either. Call me cynical but there has always been - and will always be - a small group of fans who get high off negativity. We could appoint De Zerbi or Guardiola and they wouldn't have the track record at this level to do well. We could appoint an up and coming manager who steers us to a miraculous 2nd place finish, but the board haven't delivered a training ground yet. We could reach the FA Cup Semi Final next season and the following year, when we haven't signed some Championship regular we'll be lacking in ambition.

Quoted from gtfc_chris

I genuinely don't think we ever will either. Call me cynical but there has always been - and will always be - a small group of fans who get high off negativity. We could appoint De Zerbi or Guardiola and they wouldn't have the track record at this level to do well. We could appoint an up and coming manager who steers us to a miraculous 2nd place finish, but the board haven't delivered a training ground yet. We could reach the FA Cup Semi Final next season and the following year, when we haven't signed some Championship regular we'll be lacking in ambition.

It's human nature Chris. A friend of mine is a season ticket holder at Man City and is bemoaning the fact they've lost a couple of games.

That is the attitude to have to be honest; perfection should be the aim even if it is unattainable.

The silence from the club today is deafening, it felt inevitable he’d be sacked last night and now it feels inevitable he’ll be given yet another lifeline.

It must be brilliant knowing not matter what you do in your job, you’re almost certain to remain in it.

Quoted from pontoonlew

The silence from the club today is deafening, it felt inevitable he’d be sacked last night and now it feels inevitable he’ll be given yet another lifeline.

It must be brilliant knowing not matter what you do in your job, you’re almost certain to remain in it.

I don't know what 'silence from the club is deafening' means when the club is pretty much silent most of the time.  The fact that there is still 5 months left of the season to play out gives PH time to get to the bottom of the problem currently, and fix it.

Quoted from 123614

I don't know what 'silence from the club is deafening' means when the club is pretty much silent most of the time.  The fact that there is still 5 months left of the season to play out gives PH time to get to the bottom of the problem currently, and fix it.

Ha the ostrich mentality right on que.

Quoted from 123614

I don't know what 'silence from the club is deafening' means when the club is pretty much silent most of the time.  The fact that there is still 5 months left of the season to play out gives PH time to get to the bottom of the problem currently, and fix it.

Hurst is the problem.

Quoted from 123614

I don't know what 'silence from the club is deafening' means when the club is pretty much silent most of the time.  The fact that there is still 5 months left of the season to play out gives PH time to get to the bottom of the problem currently, and fix it.

So we’re going to sleepwalk into a relegation battle with a manager who’s EFL record is worse than the majority of managers in our league and the guy who appears to have drunk away the money from our most lucrative cup run ever?

Whilst I respect the opinions of those who want him to stay, I still can’t get my head round it. I’ve not seen a single justification for him staying in the job that I can get on board with & the thought that our board probably think he should stay too worries the hell out of me in all honesty. It makes me seriously question what our long term ambitions actually are and where 3 wins in 19 games fits into that.

I said it before Stockport, I said it before Colchester and I’m saying it before Doncaster, if we win the next game, then what? Is everything suddenly okay and does the clock reset on Hurst for another run of defeats? It’s a never ending cycle that needs to be cut today.

Quoted from pontoonlew

The silence from the club today is deafening, it felt inevitable he’d be sacked last night and now it feels inevitable he’ll be given yet another lifeline.

It must be brilliant knowing not matter what you do in your job, you’re almost certain to remain in it.

tbf our social media Prescence is dire recently, i feel we need a statement on clarity at least

I think it's probably time to start draping Hurst Out banners around the Town

Quoted from 1mickylyons

I think it's probably time to start draping Hurst Out banners around the Town

FFS no, Dont be a Jacko

Quoted from pontoonlew

So we’re going to sleepwalk into a relegation battle with a manager who’s EFL record is worse than the majority of managers in our league and the guy who appears to have drunk away the money from our most lucrative cup run ever?

Whilst I respect the opinions of those who want him to stay, I still can’t get my head round it. I’ve not seen a single justification for him staying in the job that I can get on board with & the thought that our board probably think he should stay too worries the hell out of me in all honesty. It makes me seriously question what our long term ambitions actually are and where 3 wins in 19 games fits into that.

I said it before Stockport, I said it before Colchester and I’m saying it before Doncaster, if we win the next game, then what? Is everything suddenly okay and does the clock reset on Hurst for another run of defeats? It’s a never ending cycle that needs to be cut today.

And what if we win the next one after Donny, and the next one after that, chuck in a few draws and a few more wins?  5 months is a long time, and plenty of points can be won, just because we are going through a really bad spell atm doesn't mean it's going to go on for the rest of the season.

Quoted from Hagrid

tbf our social media Prescence is dire recently, i feel we need a statement on clarity at least

The last thing Paul Hurst wants from the chairman is a vote of confidence.

Quoted from Hagrid

tbf our social media Prescence is dire recently, i feel we need a statement on clarity at least

Yesterday's statement at 3.38 that the game would go ahead seemed a reactive one to queries on here and twitter rather than a proactive service to the thousand or so exiles who travel to home games.

Quoted from 123614

And what if we win the next one after Donny, and the next one after that, chuck in a few draws and a few more wins?  5 months is a long time, and plenty of points can be won, just because we are going through a really bad spell atm doesn't mean it's going to go on for the rest of the season.

Even if we looked remotely capable of that, you’re talking about a scenario where we play this season out believing we can avoid relegation, that is absolutely unacceptable to me.

It also involves him getting yet another transfer window, after cocking up every single one since our return to the EFL

Quoted from pontoonlew

The silence from the club today is deafening, it felt inevitable he’d be sacked last night and now it feels inevitable he’ll be given yet another lifeline.

It must be brilliant knowing not matter what you do in your job, you’re almost certain to remain in it.

Think I recall JS stating, in one of his earlier interviews, that he didn’t see the Manager after games so as to keep immediate emotion on a performance from affecting any discussion I.e. to avoid an over reaction to a poor result.

Clearly discussions will be ongoing and for all we know they could be in the process of agreeing his severance package before any announcement is made.

Listening to Hurst last night he referred to a discussion held last week with members of the board and then made comments about the fact they must do whatever they feel is right for the Club.

Personally I would be surprised if he gets another game in charge but, for the 75% wanting change, they may be sussing out potential replacements before doing anything so Donny may be his last chance. Hope his family don’t make the short journey to attend as it’s likely to be pretty volatile if we go down to yet another defeat.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

It's human nature Chris. A friend of mine is a season ticket holder at Man City and is bemoaning the fact they've lost a couple of games.

That is the attitude to have to be honest; perfection should be the aim even if it is unattainable.

True but context has to be placed. Man City are potentially the best team in the world right now. It doesn't mean they will win every game but they are to all intents and purposes are going to be competing on every stage they play.

I understand the fact that at our level everyone is largely within the same sphere of ability, but there are outliers, such as Wrexham and Stockport who have some cash behind them. That said, how close to perfection do you consider acceptable? I don't disagree with the premise at all, nor would any manager, PH included.

My dig is more based on how high fans place the expectations. Our current position I would suggest falls below expectations which I know fans agree hence the concern and questions around PH job. But who said we're right in those expectations and we're not exactly where we should be? Matter of opinion, the popular one being that 20th place is too low a level. How about 12th and a steady, sometimes inspiring, sometimes mundane level? Play-off skirting team? Automatic promotion?

My personal view, I predicted an 8th place finish which in my opinion was finishing above expectations given our modern history. On a timescale of upward trajectory, I would say attaining a play off place is something we should aspire to in 2025/26, with promotion by 2028/29. I think that is reasonable, attainable with everything before that designed to provide the foundation for improvement every year.

You (or any other fan) may think that the play offs should have been this year. You may have thought next but with promotion as an expectation, no first time failure allowed. Hoping to push those expectations sooner should - as you say - be inherent from all. My caution/concern is that our (fans) desire to keep improving might not happen at the rate that is realistic, or where an improvement is made, be that starting at Doncaster this week with/without PH, or next season with new additions in all areas, fans will accelerate their expectations beyond the pace the reality can maintain.

[quote=140962

My personal view, I predicted an 8th place finish which in my opinion was finishing above expectations given our modern history. On a timescale of upward trajectory, I would say attaining a play off place is something we should aspire to in 2025/26, with promotion by 2028/29. I think that is reasonable, attainable with everything before that designed to provide the foundation for improvement every year.

You (or any other fan) may think that the play offs should have been this year. You may have thought next but with promotion as an expectation, no first time failure allowed. Hoping to push those expectations sooner should - as you say - be inherent from all. My caution/concern is that our (fans) desire to keep improving might not happen at the rate that is realistic, or where an improvement is made, be that starting at Doncaster this week with/without PH, or next season with new additions in all areas, fans will accelerate their expectations beyond the pace the reality can maintain. [/quote]

I believe a number of us older fans were hoping for a somewhat faster timescale as we might well not be here in 28/29!!

Quoted from 123614

I don't know what 'silence from the club is deafening' means when the club is pretty much silent most of the time.  The fact that there is still 5 months left of the season to play out gives PH time to get to the bottom of the League problem currently, and fix it.

Quoted from pontoonlew

Even if we looked remotely capable of that, you’re talking about a scenario where we play this season out believing we can avoid relegation, that is absolutely unacceptable to me.

It also involves him getting yet another transfer window, after cocking up every single one since our return to the EFL

No, that is not what I am talking about.  Initially moving away from the relegation spots is vital, but putting together enough wins/draws to climb higher up the League is also important, hence why I mentioned getting some wins and some draws into the mix as well.   I truly believe that once we start winning games again, we will start to climb the table, and I hope it is with PH still the GTFC manager.  No team has a divine right to win the League, or get into the playoffs, we have to work hard to get there, and I believe that, with the addition of some pace into the team in January, that we will improve the squad and continue to climb the League table.

Quoted from ska face

I honestly don’t get the dread and fear around appointing a new manager. Jumping the gun a bit, admittedly, but I’d see it as a positive, a clean slate for the whole squad, a fresh approach and new ideas.  

This would/could be the first appointment not made by Fenty for going on 20 years. I’m failing to remember a manager that hadn’t been tainted with the stain of the former leadership for one reason or another - cheap option, easy option, Holloway’s bizarre investment plans & ulterior motives, returning losers, short-termism, etc.

I can’t remember a time where all the fans were united behind a manager and board - there always seemed to be an issue somewhere, whether it was living under the yoke of the old regime or a negative view of the incoming manager.

We’re under new ownership with a new approach and decent prospects. A chance to freshen things up should be relished by all.

MK. Dons started well under Williamson last night won 4-1 home to Bradford.

Quoted from pontoonlew

The silence from the club today is deafening, it felt inevitable he’d be sacked last night and now it feels inevitable he’ll be given yet another lifeline.

It must be brilliant knowing not matter what you do in your job, you’re almost certain to remain in it.

I don’t think the club opens until 11AM the day after a night match. I’m sure somebody can confirm this?

Quoted from 123614

I vote in, but that vote, and all the others on here mean absolutely nothing.  Do you think the owners read and take notice and act on what a very small minority of town fans say on a public forum?

I sure they don’t read this forum. They will however listen to the boos at half/full time. In addition they’ll also be looking at the attendance figures in some detail. When fans start voting with their feet in reasonable numbers the message will be loud and clear that the customer is unhappy with the product

Quoted from grimsby pete

Whatever the outcome Hurst deserves some respect we should all keep our opinions polite. Yes I want him gone
but instead of calling him I thank him for all his hard work and just say it has not worked for us this time.You only have to look at our home form since we have been back in the league  that alone deserves the sack.
Sorry to see you go Paul but like Buckley mk3 you have been here too long go now before it gets really toxic on here as I said you don't deserve that.

Quite right. Personal attacks are not to be tolerated.  Racism and Personal attacks should be driven out of this forum, and elsewhere.    

Last night I wanted him sacked at half-time but now mainly in response to the volume of unnecessarily opprobrious tweets and comments from the mouth breathing section of our fanbase i'm learning towards giving him a bit longer to turn it around. I just don't understand why so many of them feel the need to be so rude and classless about Hurst when he has (in the past, not now) achieved more success than any manager not named Alan Buckley at this club in the last 40 years. Yes you can want a change of manager (and i'm about 90% of the way to feeling the same myself), but is there really any need to be a vile sharp object about it?

Quoted from lukeo

78% say out, speaks volumes.
I voted out not because we lost last night but in the manner of how we did. If we'd have played well and lost I'd be half tempted to stay in the 'in' camp. But the football we are playing is dreadful.

Well said. We can all, reluctantly accept defeat, but it is the manner in which we have played at home. After a win, the second thing is it has to be entertaining and it hasn't for most of both this season and last season at home in the league.

Quoted from Chrisblor

Last night I wanted him sacked at half-time but now mainly in response to the volume of unnecessarily opprobrious tweets and comments from the mouth breathing section of our fanbase i'm learning towards giving him a bit longer to turn it around. I just don't understand why so many of them feel the need to be so rude and classless about Hurst when he has (in the past, not now) achieved more success than any manager not named Alan Buckley at this club in the last 40 years. Yes you can want a change of manager (and i'm about 90% of the way to feeling the same myself), but is there really any need to be a vile sharp object about it?

its absolutely disgusting, Some of the usual suspects, I myself am in the middle of an argument with a female fan who tweeted that she wanted Hurst to intercourse off and he is a " excrement girl private", when I pulled her up on what she said, she said she hasnt been abusive.

Another bloke called him a boring yorkshire midget.


It absolutely sickens me

Here are some stats for you. 4 managers have been sacked in L2 so far this season. There compare their final 8 league results with our most recent 8 league results under Paul Hurst…

10/09/23 - Ian Dawes (Tranmere)
W 1! D 0 L 7 GD -5 Pts 3
*included 1 match at end of 22/23 season

04/10/23 - Mark Hughes (Bradford)
W 2 D 3 L 3 GD -2 Pts 9

05/10/23 - Neil Harris (Gillingham)
W 3 D 1 L 4 GD -5 Pts 10

16/10/23 - Graham Alexander (MK Dons)
W 0 D 4 L 4 GD -5 Pts 4

Paul Hurst (Grimsby Town)
W 1 D 1 L 6 GD -8 Pts 4

Quoted from Poojah

They offer an insight into the general sentiment amongst the fanbase, albeit based on a sample of ~5% of match going fans. Incidentally, the results have gradually improved in Hurst’s favour, from 1 in 10 backing him immediately after the game last night, to 1 in 5 first thing this morning, to 1 in 4 as of right now.

Given where are we are, 25% still wanting him in seems pretty decent, and a bit higher than I had anticipated.

Another insight at last nights game was the gate, 5010. There would have been walk ins so over 1,500 ST's voted with their feet. It is said on this forum that at least up to10% of ST's do not turn up for evening matches, which still over !,000. No doubt JS & AP took note.

Quoted from 123614

And what if we win the next one after Donny, and the next one after that, chuck in a few draws and a few more wins?  5 months is a long time, and plenty of points can be won, just because we are going through a really bad spell atm doesn't mean it's going to go on for the rest of the season.

Yep, 5 months is a long time. But if all goes wrong there isn't enough time to change it around. Hurst has had 15 games and a maximum of 45 points to achieve but managed only 14 points. Time is not a luxury in football as our relegation season proved.

Quoted from 123614

I vote in, but that vote, and all the others on here mean absolutely nothing.  Do you think the owners read and take notice and act on what a very small minority of town fans say on a public forum?

I think you’re living in cloud cuckoo land if you don’t think the owners , management and players don’t look at the fishy .

Quoted from louth_in_the_south

I think you’re living in cloud cuckoo land if you don’t think the owners , management and players don’t look at the fishy .

Well some players might, but as for the Board and Management, I very much doubt it.  Even if they did, they would not act on a very small minority of the Town fans words, and especially not on those who give PH dogs abuse, which is unwarranted.

Quoted from 123614

Well some players might, but as for the Board and Management, I very much doubt it.  Even if they did, they would not act on a very small minority of the Town fans words, and especially not on those who give PH dogs abuse, which is unwarranted.

Like you I don't like to see him abused but certainly has to be open for constructive criticism( as we all do in jobs and life ) as the fella is trying to do a good job and must be hard for him on the drive home last night to Sheffield knowing his job is on thin ice.

I think it's time for Hurst to go but some of our fans need to have a look at themselves. He is clearly a genuinely good bloke. This season has not worked out how we'd hoped but does anyone on here not think he'll be as gutted, if not more so, than any of us? Despite some bad times, he has also given us some amazing life-lasting memories that some teams will never get and deserves respect for that.

I’m not sure whether in or out - as I don’t know who it is decides which players to sign. Asked this on another thread but no answer and a 0-1.
If Paul picks all the players - it’s out. But I thought I’d read there was a profiler called Hutchinson who chose the players - usually gets a mention at the start of the season. Amyone?

I don’t want to lose him. I want stability. I still think we’ll make the playoffs in the next 3 seasons with Hurst in charge and be promoted within 5. Call me incremental.

But the results speak for themselves.

We have to stay up to go up in the future.

19 goals conceded in the last 8 matches. Paul will be aware, as we all are, that continuing like that will see us relegated. It’s unsustainable for the sustainable.

After Doncaster we have the Slough banana skin. Morecambe are in great form (3rd on PPG). Then comes Forest Green where, unless we change something drastically, I have a feeling Deeney and Stevens will feast and it could be double figures. Then it’s Sutton!

I want him to stay. I want him to succeed. For him, for us, to ram it up Yoda’s shïtter.

But even my defence feels like a Hurst fanboy tribute act. In fact, if the spineless element of the current team defended as diligently as me, B&W Bear, Ancient & Ginny over the past few weeks, we’d probably be in the playoffs.

Hurst signed these players. He trained them. But ‘some’ of them are an absolute disgrace who have thrown him under the bus. Unfortunately, we are stuck with them until January and it’s Hurst who, rightly or wrongly, will pay the price for those lazy, cowardly cünts.

UTM

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

Hurst signed these players. He trained them. But ‘some’ of them are an absolute disgrace who have thrown him under the bus. Unfortunately, we are stuck with them until January and it’s Hurst who, rightly or wrongly, will pay the price for those lazy, cowardly cünts.

UTM

Well don't sit on the fence, which players have thrown him under the bus? or is it the collective?

From where I see, the problem lies predominantly with the tactics, the inability to see what is ineffective and change quickly to remedy.

Then the choice of replacement keeper for the outgoing Crocombe, this lies solely with Hurst and his pre-requisite of most players he signs either having played for him before or live within the South Yorkshire commuter belt.

Hurst is not a terrible manager but league football and a relatively decent transfer budget seems to expose his limitations.

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

I don’t want to lose him. I want stability. I still think we’ll make the playoffs in the next 3 seasons with Hurst in charge and be promoted within 5. Call me incremental.

But the results speak for themselves.

We have to stay up to go up in the future.

19 goals conceded in the last 8 matches. Paul will be aware, as we all are, that continuing like that will see us relegated. It’s unsustainable for the sustainable.

After Doncaster we have the Slough banana skin. Morecambe are in great form (3rd on PPG). Then comes Forest Green where, unless we change something drastically, I have a feeling Deeney and Stevens will feast and it could be double figures. Then it’s Sutton!

I want him to stay. I want him to succeed. For him, for us, to ram it up Yoda’s shïtter.

But even my defence feels like a Hurst fanboy tribute act. In fact, if the spineless element of the current team defended as diligently as me, B&W Bear, Ancient & Ginny over the past few weeks, we’d probably be in the playoffs.

Hurst signed these players. He trained them. But ‘some’ of them are an absolute disgrace who have thrown him under the bus. Unfortunately, we are stuck with them until January and it’s Hurst who, rightly or wrongly, will pay the price for those lazy, cowardly cünts.

UTM

Thanks - like the ‘umlaut’ 🤙

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

I don’t want to lose him. I want stability. I still think we’ll make the playoffs in the next 3 seasons with Hurst in charge and be promoted within 5. Call me incremental.

But the results speak for themselves.

We have to stay up to go up in the future.

19 goals conceded in the last 8 matches. Paul will be aware, as we all are, that continuing like that will see us relegated. It’s unsustainable for the sustainable.

After Doncaster we have the Slough banana skin. Morecambe are in great form (3rd on PPG). Then comes Forest Green where, unless we change something drastically, I have a feeling Deeney and Stevens will feast and it could be double figures. Then it’s Sutton!

I want him to stay. I want him to succeed. For him, for us, to ram it up Yoda’s shïtter.

But even my defence feels like a Hurst fanboy tribute act. In fact, if the spineless element of the current team defended as diligently as me, B&W Bear, Ancient & Ginny over the past few weeks, we’d probably be in the playoffs.

Hurst signed these players. He trained them. But ‘some’ of them are an absolute disgrace who have thrown him under the bus. Unfortunately, we are stuck with them until January and it’s Hurst who, rightly or wrongly, will pay the price for those lazy, cowardly cünts.

UTM

If you told a load of monkeys to put square pegs in round holes long enough , they’d get to the point of saying what the fook are you trying to make us do and lose interest.

Quoted from 123614

Well some players might, but as for the Board and Management, I very much doubt it.  Even if they did, they would not act on a very small minority of the Town fans words, and especially not on those who give PH dogs abuse, which is unwarranted.

I’m pretty sure the Board read this as it’s the easiest and quickest way to get feedback from their “customers” and I would suggest that the Fishy contributors are a pretty reflective sample of our fan base.

As for the dogs abuse I think there is definitely one whose contribution is unacceptable but the other contributors have all supported their particular leanings with reasons why they are supporting a change in Manager so that’s not likely to upset a butcher’s son and a guy who grew up on the Nunny!!

As for Crocombe Hurst has a history of this he let Amond go when he scored 43 goals in one season.

Quoted from Yoda

As for Crocombe Hurst has a history of this he let Amond go when he scored 43 goals in one season.

FFS ...if you're gonna spout sh!te at least get your bloody facts right!!..
Fenty reneged on Amonds new contract, had f all to do with Hurst!!

Sometimes it just pays to keep your nerve. Getting rid of managers because of poor runs doesnt always pay off. Ask Forest Green, Donny, Tranmere who got rid but didnt really progress.
Season before Nigel Clough was under pressure with supporters because Mansfield were in the bottom two for a number of weeks. Some Crewe fans wanted to get rid of there manager last season because of a dire run. Challinor was under pressure last season  because of a bad start. Look at those three now.
Whilst i am not saying I am not worried, because after last night I am, there are just as many instances of manager's turning it round than there is of getting responses from new managers coming in. Guess the board are gambling on the same.

Quoted from chipsandgravy

Sometimes it just pays to keep your nerve. Getting rid of managers because of poor runs doesnt always pay off. Ask Forest Green, Donny, Tranmere who got rid but didnt really progress.
Season before Nigel Clough was under pressure with supporters because Mansfield were in the bottom two for a number of weeks. Some Crewe fans wanted to get rid of there manager last season because of a dire run. Challinor was under pressure last season  because of a bad start. Look at those three now.
Whilst i am not saying I am not worried, because after last night I am, there are just as many instances of manager's turning it round than there is of getting responses from new managers coming in. Guess the board are gambling on the same.

The problem is that it's not so much the results but the pathetic quality of football as well.

Quoted from DB

The problem is that it's not so much the results but the pathetic quality of football as well.

Yeah I dont disagree with that. But take last night. If Andrews hadnt fannied around getting robbed and Amos had passed to anyone of the six Town players queueing up in the box to score instead of lamping into the pontoon we would have been justifiably in front whilst playing how I think we can. Whilst I know he picks the team I cant help feel a tad sorry for him whilst we have decision making like those.

Quoted from Chrisblor

Last night I wanted him sacked at half-time but now mainly in response to the volume of unnecessarily opprobrious tweets and comments from the mouth breathing section of our fanbase i'm learning towards giving him a bit longer to turn it around. I just don't understand why so many of them feel the need to be so rude and classless about Hurst when he has (in the past, not now) achieved more success than any manager not named Alan Buckley at this club in the last 40 years. Yes you can want a change of manager (and i'm about 90% of the way to feeling the same myself), but is there really any need to be a vile sharp object about it?

I was up for bannering the flyover this morning, but turned into Hursts’s no.1 fan when I started listening to that American fella on the DN35 podcast today. Everyone’s entitled to an opinion, but that guy’s a real jerk-off!

Quoted from chipsandgravy

Yeah I dont disagree with that. But take last night. If Andrews hadnt fannied around getting robbed and Amos had passed to anyone of the six Town players queueing up in the box to score instead of lamping into the pontoon we would have been justifiably in front whilst playing how I think we can. Whilst I know he picks the team I cant help feel a tad sorry for him whilst we have decision making like those.

Amos contract expired last year, Hurst either cocked up and forgot/didn't realise he would get an extension if he kept playing him in so many games or he did know and actively played him and triggered it.

I really like Amos as a character, I just don't believe he's good enough to play regularly and be in a top half league 2 side. Hurst had an entire flipping season to decide on getting someone better and didn't. He has to carry a very considerable level of responsibility if Amos performances (along with loads of others obviously!) are contributing to him being in line for the chop.

Quoted from DB

The problem is that it's not so much the results but the pathetic quality of football as well.

Pretty much a given in League 2. The only 2 sides that made us look mugs were Barrow for 45 mins and Mansfield for most of the game, and yet we took 4 points from those two.

The "quality" wouldn't be so much of an issue if we were winning games by the odd goal instead of losing them.

We weren't great last night, but all the game stats were comfortably in our favour, apart from the important ones of goals scored and goals conceded. We've done the same in many games, and yet keep coming out with nothing.

I see a team that is severely lacking in confidence because we somehow keep losing games we shouldn't be. Everything is being overthought and not coming naturally at the moment, because of it.

Yeah, I know, I'm flogging a dead horse because Hurst signed them and trains them, so something something new manager something.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

I’m pretty sure the Board read this as it’s the easiest and quickest way to get feedback from their “customers” and I would suggest that the Fishy contributors are a pretty reflective sample of our fan base.

As for the dogs abuse I think there is definitely one whose contribution is unacceptable but the other contributors have all supported their particular leanings with reasons why they are supporting a change in Manager so that’s not likely to upset a butcher’s son and a guy who grew up on the Nunny!!

What, all 2-300 that post here on match days?    Hardly a 'reflective sample' of the thousands of GTFC supporters.

Quoted from ginnywings

Pretty much a given in League 2. The only 2 sides that made us look mugs were Barrow for 45 mins and Mansfield for most of the game, and yet we took 4 points from those two.

The "quality" wouldn't be so much of an issue if we were winning games by the odd goal instead of losing them.

We weren't great last night, but all the game stats were comfortably in our favour, apart from the important ones of goals scored and goals conceded. We've done the same in many games, and yet keep coming out with nothing.

I see a team that is severely lacking in confidence because we somehow keep losing games we shouldn't be. Everything is being overthought and not coming naturally at the moment, because of it.

Yeah, I know, I'm flogging a dead horse because Hurst signed them and trains them, so something something new manager something.

League 2 is junk isn't it - Mansfield ,Barrow and Notts looked quite good the rest have looked no better ,some even worse than us ; which makes our current situation even more frustrating.

It's a dire brand of football in the main really alright there are a few better footballing teams but when you get the likes of Wrexham & Stockport splashing millions to effectively play clogger % football it makes you wonder.

Quoted from chipsandgravy

Yeah I dont disagree with that. But take last night. If Andrews hadnt fannied around getting robbed and Amos had passed to anyone of the six Town players queueing up in the box to score instead of lamping into the pontoon we would have been justifiably in front whilst playing how I think we can. Whilst I know he picks the team I cant help feel a tad sorry for him whilst we have decision making like those.

And if I had just 3 more numbers on my Lotto ticket I would now be several millions pounds richer rather than just 30.00

After last night’s performance I was in the Hurst out camp and really annoyed and frustrated at what was happening, I woke up this morning with a different attitude after listening to Hurst’s interview on RH and feel that he is a genuine guy who does care about our club but everything is going against him at the moment. I do believe he should be given more time but have serious doubts about Eastwood who I believe does not inspire his teammates with a lot of confidence, I saw the facial reactions of some of the players last night after conceding the  goals and I believe as long as Eastwood is in goal we will struggle.UTM

Quoted from Spurn boy

After last night’s performance I was in the Hurst out camp and really annoyed and frustrated at what was happening, I woke up this morning with a different attitude after listening to Hurst’s interview on RH and feel that he is a genuine guy who does care about our club but everything is going against him at the moment. I do believe he should be given more time but have serious doubts about Eastwood who I believe does not inspire his teammates with a lot of confidence, I saw the facial reactions of some of the players last night after conceding the  goals and I believe as long as Eastwood is in goal we will struggle.UTM

So you feel sorry for Hurst because the goalie he wanted is excrement?

Has he copulated off yet?

Quoted from MuddyWaters

So you feel sorry for Hurst because the goalie he wanted is excrement?

Eastwood isn't the number 1. Cartwright is. I think it's probably clear that our first choice didn't work out as we would have liked, and we're sticking with the backup for now. We probably cannot deal with the situation until January.

No football manager gets every decision right. We shouldn't expect them to. We just need to see that at the first opportunity, they look to resolve it.

Quoted from 123614

What, all 2-300 that post here on match days?    Hardly a 'reflective sample' of the thousands of GTFC supporters.

Why wouldn’t it be a reflective sample?

Quoted from AncientExiledMariner

Eastwood isn't the number 1. Cartwright is. I think it's probably clear that our first choice didn't work out as we would have liked, and we're sticking with the backup for now. We probably cannot deal with the situation until January.

No football manager gets every decision right. We shouldn't expect them to. We just need to see that at the first opportunity, they look to resolve it.

Cartwright though had failed to make the grade at a league 1 club and a league 2 club so it does stand out as a particularly bizarre decision if he was brought in as first choice (and I think you're right he perhaps was).

Quite interesting that in the past 24 hours Hurst’s stock on this poll has risen threefold from barely 10% “in” to ~30%. I think that’s a pretty impressive display of loyalty on the back of last night’s brutally ugly game, and that’s genuinely not a backhanded complement.

To be performing so far below expectations, having lost the last three games, having conceded 8 goals in the process, and having taken just 5 points from our last available 27, I think it says a lot about the job he’s done and the impact he’s had on the club and the town.

I say this as someone who sits, incredibly reluctantly, on the time for a change side of the fence - I think that’s quite heartwarming.

I think it's fair to observe that most of the recent signings have not improved the squad to the level expected despite the use of data and dedicated recruitment personnel. In the main, the backline has missed the marshalling that Waterfall brought to the side and there is no strong leadership without his lead. Too many of the new players went straight into the side creating an imbalance and are still playing like strangers. Like many others, I believe we have a goalkeeper issue that needs serious address. Also, I don't believe that the current backline are sufficiently skilled to play out from the back and play far too many balls backward thus inviting pressure. Would a change of manager address these matters - there's no guarantee. The prime example is Nigel Atkin at Tranmere Rovers, a rated big name but in a worse position than town. I accept that the team selection is the responsibility of the incumbent manager but poor results are down to that team and whichever way you look at it quite a few are just not fit or responsible enough to be included. Even so-called rated players were released by their previous clubs for a reason. With our backs to the sea and surrounded by rural areas we will never have the wealth required to be a "big" club (only 4% of the population of NE Lincs attend BP at best) so our budget and lure will never attract the best players or managers. Consequently, I don't believe that a change of manager at this point will achieve anything drastic- but a good clear out of the passengers in January might.

Quoted from Poojah

Quite interesting that in the past 24 hours Hurst’s stock on this poll has risen threefold from barely 10% “in” to ~30%. I think that’s a pretty impressive display of loyalty on the back of last night’s brutally ugly game, and that’s genuinely not a backhanded complement.

To be performing so far below expectations, having lost the last three games, having conceded 8 goals in the process, and having taken just 5 points from our last available 27, I think it says a lot about the job he’s done and the impact he’s had on the club and the town.

I say this as someone who sits, incredibly reluctantly, on the time for a change side of the fence - I think that’s quite heartwarming.

Particularly on such a volatile forum as The Fishy which mostly likely isn’t reflective of the fan base.

Quoted from chipsandgravy

Yeah I dont disagree with that. But take last night. If Andrews hadnt fannied around getting robbed and Amos had passed to anyone of the six Town players queueing up in the box to score instead of lamping into the pontoon we would have been justifiably in front whilst playing how I think we can. Whilst I know he picks the team I cant help feel a tad sorry for him whilst we have decision making like those.

I know what you mean, and the players have to take responsibility for their poor decision making. But then again it is surely the job of the coaching staff to instill best practice into players. What on earth do they do with them all day in training if not to help rid them of bad habits, instill best practice, and improve their decision making?

A club of our size should aim to be improving players both for our own results and potential financial gain. Sadly it seems that players brought to the club recently do not show any meaningful signs of improvement. That is very concerning and does not reflect well on the management and coaching staff. .  

I've been a Hurst supporter over the years, but I think it's time. We need a change; it's not working and the football is bad. Nothing is improving.

Quoted from Poojah

Quite interesting that in the past 24 hours Hurst’s stock on this poll has risen threefold from barely 10% “in” to ~30%. I think that’s a pretty impressive display of loyalty on the back of last night’s brutally ugly game, and that’s genuinely not a backhanded complement.

To be performing so far below expectations, having lost the last three games, having conceded 8 goals in the process, and having taken just 5 points from our last available 27, I think it says a lot about the job he’s done and the impact he’s had on the club and the town.

I say this as someone who sits, incredibly reluctantly, on the time for a change side of the fence - I think that’s quite heartwarming.

It's weird isn't it I voted out but part of me still wants him to stay , turn it around and make a success of it however unlikely that seems .  

It's a heart over head situation , and I suspect it's  maybe the case for others - I genuinely like the bloke and I think although there is that small minority who had it in for him from the day dot most of us do . Not sure that's reason enough to keep him but I get why people would want to give him a tad longer even though he would be well gone anywhere else long before now probably .

I suppose the worry is that the board feel the same way.

I just hope if the correct and somewhat inevitable decision is made that he is welcomed back to BP in the future with open arms ,much like Buckley is and treated likewise but not as the manager for a 3rd spell .

I imagine the poll has shifted because those with the hardest line against Hurst were the ones coming on here after the game on Tuesday and early in the morning Wednesday.

Anyhow, we all know 52% v 48% is considered enough of a landslide that the 48% are completed ignored. So based on that 30% (if truly reflective of overall opinion) is a drop in the ocean.

I read it somewhere, could of been on here , the irony of all this is that if we did get relegated there is no one I’d like to be in charge more than Hurst . Although I’m sure Burnley feel the same about Vc

Quoted from DB

The problem is that it's not so much the results but the pathetic quality of football as well.

I think this is where we get into that subjective bit. I think from Barrow onwards it's been a little turgid and we haven't got really going. Prior to Barrow I don't think we've played particularly badly. It's not high end football, but from what I've seen Notts County and Mansfield I thought played good football, especially for this level, everyone else has looked just as good/average/bad as we are whichever way your needle lies.

Notts County, for their lovely football have proven to be vulnerable at the back, evidenced by the fact they've conceded more than us. They just happen to be more clinical than us at the same time. Mansfield have only scored 5 more than us but have conceded 11 in the league. Wrexham have conceded 2 more than us.

I have my frustrations with aspects of how we seem to be playing, but the overall general picture I'm not unhappy with. Barrow was a poor performance, by far the worst of the season for me. Tranmere wasn't quite as poor but we didn't get into the same type of stride like we have done at Swindon away, Wrexham in the second half, Stockport as we went on to play at times, Bradford first half, Gillingham the whole 90. Accrington was a bit the same as Tranmere and you wonder what happens if Waterfall doesn't get sent off (I still don't think we win in that scenario) and Colchester we were marginally the better team in general play and from perspective of shots on goal etc.

All the above is insignificant when the results don't follow though and I think every fan who is behind PH knows this and understands that's the basis of why the calls are growing. But I don't believe - other than Barrow and Mansfield - that we've been wholly outplayed. We're falling the wrong side of fine margins, sadly those margins being the all important goals. Fine margins however can swing more quickly than fundamental deep rooted issues. This weekend, Jake Eastwood could face 13 shots on target and save every one of them, whereas we have 4 and score all of them. No-one will care that it suggests we haven't played great, 4-0 away masks everything else.

At 15 games last season we had W6, D5, L4 F17 A12. This season we're at W3 D5 L7 F20 A25.

My personal analysis - and I've mentioned this elsewhere - is that last season, given the short turnaround time, PH went with his pragmatic hard to beat routine and it served us well. He's had a little more money and a lot more time to prepare a team this summer and I think he's tried to be more expansive and not revert to his previous type of doing what's necessary to achieve a target. Our situation allowed him to try and move towards a more proactive type of football, evidenced by the fact we've scored more goals, but I think in doing so we've compromised our defensive stability. There's still some reservation and conservative football in there, but I won't be budged on the idea we've looked much more fluid a footballing team this season than last. There's no doubt wrinkles to iron out, defensively for certain and some variation in how we begin/progress attacks but we've generally looked decent for most parts of the season, and it would be reasonable to suggest that the last four performances that have been a little more ropey come down to nerves and a consciousness of growing concern.

The more I keep reading of fans wanting to get behind PH and give him more time to sort it the more I'm getting right behind them. It's no secret I'm a fan of PH but he is right in the firing line at the minute and would be understandable if he were relieved of his duties but I'm growing in the belief that if everyone making the trip to Donny get right behind the guys throughout the whole game then we can put a stop to the rot, take a pause, hopefully progress R1 of FA Cup and start to build again, confidence and results.

Quoted from AncientExiledMariner

Eastwood isn't the number 1. Cartwright is. I think it's probably clear that our first choice didn't work out as we would have liked, and we're sticking with the backup for now. We probably cannot deal with the situation until January.

No football manager gets every decision right. We shouldn't expect them to. We just need to see that at the first opportunity, they look to resolve it.

You honestly believe that because Cartwright wears No.1 jersey he is obviously the first choice? a young loan signing (Hurst rarely has much confidence in young players) over a player he has signed repeatedly paid a fee for and furnished with a 2 year contract?

No chance.

I think the kindest thing for Hurst would be to remove him now before it all turns really toxic. It still saddens me nearly 20 years later that Paul Groves (one of my heroes growing up) was subjected to negative chants at Oldham as our final memory of him after 11 years service over 2 spells.

He deserved better. Paul Hurst deserves better.

Quoted from RonMariner

I know what you mean, and the players have to take responsibility for their poor decision making. But then again it is surely the job of the coaching staff to instill best practice into players. What on earth do they do with them all day in training if not to help rid them of bad habits, instill best practice, and improve their decision making?

A club of our size should aim to be improving players both for our own results and potential financial gain. Sadly it seems that players brought to the club recently do not show any meaningful signs of improvement. That is very concerning and does not reflect well on the management and coaching staff. .  

There's only so much you can coach in terms of bad habits. Alex Hunt is a talented player but frequently loses possession both with simple and more complex passing. He's been taken out the team and I have no doubt that they'll be working in training to nurture a better decision making process to improve his impact in games. This will take time however. The reality is that clubs take kids from such a young age because once a habit is formed, by the time you're an adult you're less likely to break it. It's in that development process you instill the ability to scan, change the picture you see, when to retain possession, when to progress etc.

The mistakes we see are largely down to player decision making in a given scenario. If all they did was look at bad scenarios, re-run and correct them then we'd never progress ourselves because the same scenario is unlikely to play itself out in the same way. Colchesters goalkeeper is unlikely to ever have that situation again and head into his own net, so why take that to the training ground?

The day to day coaching will be preparation for the next game and focus on how we attack in certain ways or defend certain threats. You can't legislate for what will happen in a game that hasn't happened the mistakes that will follow, you can only coach what happens in training as it presents itself or in the absence of what you want. Mistakes are exactly that and you can't legislate or predict them to make it a focus in a training session.

For all those saying we need to give him more time, how much more time do we give him and what do we classify as turning it around sufficiently enough?

We can't give unlimited time and we can't accept 1 win every 6 games, I am concerned we are sleepwalking into a relegation battle and then we will have the usual "we can't sack him now"

I appreciate Hurst and everything he's done for us the promotions and the FA cup run I was at every one of those games and I loved it, but it is about the here and now, and I feel the best thing for both club and Paul himself is that he is dismissed

Quoted from Stranger in the Park

I think it's fair to observe that most of the recent signings have not improved the squad to the level expected despite the use of data and dedicated recruitment personnel. In the main, the backline has missed the marshalling that Waterfall brought to the side and there is no strong leadership without his lead. Too many of the new players went straight into the side creating an imbalance and are still playing like strangers. Like many others, I believe we have a goalkeeper issue that needs serious address. Also, I don't believe that the current backline are sufficiently skilled to play out from the back and play far too many balls backward thus inviting pressure. Would a change of manager address these matters - there's no guarantee. The prime example is Nigel Atkin at Tranmere Rovers, a rated big name but in a worse position than town. I accept that the team selection is the responsibility of the incumbent manager but poor results are down to that team and whichever way you look at it quite a few are just not fit or responsible enough to be included. Even so-called rated players were released by their previous clubs for a reason. With our backs to the sea and surrounded by rural areas we will never have the wealth required to be a "big" club (only 4% of the population of NE Lincs attend BP at best) so our budget and lure will never attract the best players or managers. Consequently, I don't believe that a change of manager at this point will achieve anything drastic- but a good clear out of the passengers in January might.

I agree with some of that - basically the recruitment has not been anywhere near as good as we hoped. It is a squad that a novice manager might have put together for league 2. I do hope not too much pressure was brought by the specialist recruitment people to justify their cost at the expense of pragmatism. I can't think Hurst would be swayed by that and surely the final decisions lie with him.

I don't see what having backs to the sea has anything to do with owt. Lots of clubs are by the seaside and their attendances usually reflect their league standing.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

I imagine the poll has shifted because those with the hardest line against Hurst were the ones coming on here after the game on Tuesday and early in the morning Wednesday.

Anyhow, we all know 52% v 48% is considered enough of a landslide that the 48% are completed ignored. So based on that 30% (if truly reflective of overall opinion) is a drop in the ocean.

I think that’s exactly what’s happened, and it does change the complexion of things quite a bit (though I also get your 52/48 argument - I thought about this earlier but felt bringing Brexit into a topic already very divisive probably wouldn’t help things).

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

I don't see what having backs to the sea has anything to do with owt. Lots of clubs are by the seaside and their attendances usually reflect their league standing.

Mainly all money . You could be a unglamourous club with no real history but if you get a rich chairmen come in and he gives you a good salary at all respective levels of the game(in this country and abroad) a lot of players  heads will be turned.Just look at what is happening in Saudi with the vast money players are getting and top level footballers going there eg Neymar Jr, Karim Benzema,Sadio Mane,Riyad Mahrez.

Quoted from gtfc_chris

I think this is where we get into that subjective bit. I think from Barrow onwards it's been a little turgid and we haven't got really going. Prior to Barrow I don't think we've played particularly badly. It's not high end football, but from what I've seen Notts County and Mansfield I thought played good football, especially for this level, everyone else has looked just as good/average/bad as we are whichever way your needle lies.

Notts County, for their lovely football have proven to be vulnerable at the back, evidenced by the fact they've conceded more than us. They just happen to be more clinical than us at the same time. Mansfield have only scored 5 more than us but have conceded 11 in the league. Wrexham have conceded 2 more than us.

I have my frustrations with aspects of how we seem to be playing, but the overall general picture I'm not unhappy with. Barrow was a poor performance, by far the worst of the season for me. Tranmere wasn't quite as poor but we didn't get into the same type of stride like we have done at Swindon away, Wrexham in the second half, Stockport as we went on to play at times, Bradford first half, Gillingham the whole 90. Accrington was a bit the same as Tranmere and you wonder what happens if Waterfall doesn't get sent off (I still don't think we win in that scenario) and Colchester we were marginally the better team in general play and from perspective of shots on goal etc.

All the above is insignificant when the results don't follow though and I think every fan who is behind PH knows this and understands that's the basis of why the calls are growing. But I don't believe - other than Barrow and Mansfield - that we've been wholly outplayed. We're falling the wrong side of fine margins, sadly those margins being the all important goals. Fine margins however can swing more quickly than fundamental deep rooted issues. This weekend, Jake Eastwood could face 13 shots on target and save every one of them, whereas we have 4 and score all of them. No-one will care that it suggests we haven't played great, 4-0 away masks everything else.

At 15 games last season we had W6, D5, L4 F17 A12. This season we're at W3 D5 L7 F20 A25.

My personal analysis - and I've mentioned this elsewhere - is that last season, given the short turnaround time, PH went with his pragmatic hard to beat routine and it served us well. He's had a little more money and a lot more time to prepare a team this summer and I think he's tried to be more expansive and not revert to his previous type of doing what's necessary to achieve a target. Our situation allowed him to try and move towards a more proactive type of football, evidenced by the fact we've scored more goals, but I think in doing so we've compromised our defensive stability. There's still some reservation and conservative football in there, but I won't be budged on the idea we've looked much more fluid a footballing team this season than last. There's no doubt wrinkles to iron out, defensively for certain and some variation in how we begin/progress attacks but we've generally looked decent for most parts of the season, and it would be reasonable to suggest that the last four performances that have been a little more ropey come down to nerves and a consciousness of growing concern.

The more I keep reading of fans wanting to get behind PH and give him more time to sort it the more I'm getting right behind them. It's no secret I'm a fan of PH but he is right in the firing line at the minute and would be understandable if he were relieved of his duties but I'm growing in the belief that if everyone making the trip to Donny get right behind the guys throughout the whole game then we can put a stop to the rot, take a pause, hopefully progress R1 of FA Cup and start to build again, confidence and results.

I agree we are not quite as bad as our league position would indicate, but neither are we very good, let's be honest.

Too many poor signings, no set system of play, no urgency, no leadership, no excitement for the fans.

It's obviously entirely up to Stockwood and Co. what direction they take and it could indeed hinge on one great result to get things firing as confidence is a huge thing. I guess they will hold fire for the moment and see what the next game or two brings.

Quoted from male private Nale

You honestly believe that because Cartwright wears No.1 jersey he is obviously the first choice? a young loan signing (Hurst rarely has much confidence in young players) over a player he has signed repeatedly paid a fee for and furnished with a 2 year contract?

No chance.

I'm pretty sure Hurst said so himself when they both signed that Cartwright was the one in posession of the no 1 spot , obviously his thinking must have changed somewhat in pre-season.

Quoted from Stranger in the Park

I think it's fair to observe that most of the recent signings have not improved the squad to the level expected despite the use of data and dedicated recruitment personnel. In the main, the backline has missed the marshalling that Waterfall brought to the side and there is no strong leadership without his lead. Too many of the new players went straight into the side creating an imbalance and are still playing like strangers. Like many others, I believe we have a goalkeeper issue that needs serious address. Also, I don't believe that the current backline are sufficiently skilled to play out from the back and play far too many balls backward thus inviting pressure. Would a change of manager address these matters - there's no guarantee. The prime example is Nigel Atkin at Tranmere Rovers, a rated big name but in a worse position than town. I accept that the team selection is the responsibility of the incumbent manager but poor results are down to that team and whichever way you look at it quite a few are just not fit or responsible enough to be included. Even so-called rated players were released by their previous clubs for a reason. With our backs to the sea and surrounded by rural areas we will never have the wealth required to be a "big" club (only 4% of the population of NE Lincs attend BP at best) so our budget and lure will never attract the best players or managers. Consequently, I don't believe that a change of manager at this point will achieve anything drastic- but a good clear out of the passengers in January might.

I used to think like that but we had decent players when we were in League 2 (the new championship), in fact, one from China as I recall. Look at Barrow, Carlisle. Norwich, Hull, Lincoln, Exeter etc. Whilst we are most reliant on gate income many clubs have more income from their commercial dept, something Town have to develops more.

Quoted from Rick12

Mainly all money . You could be a unglamourous club with no real history but if you get a rich chairmen come in and he gives you a good salary at all respective levels of the game(in this country and abroad) a lot of players  heads will be turned.Just look at what is happening in Saudi with the vast money players are getting and top level footballers going there eg Neymar Jr, Karim Benzema,Sadio Mane,Riyad Mahrez.

Russel Slade managed to put together a side that challenged for promotion from this league with a worst budget, in worse conditions and under a terrible chairman. The likes of Bolland, Mildenhall, Parkinson and Gary Jones had been released & signed on free transfers. Ciaran Toner & Tom Newey had been relegated from L2 that summer & picked up for nothing. Rob Jones was signed on a free. Michael Reddy was signed for nothing and only joined because Slade begged and pestered him for months on end. Gary Cohen was on loan from Gretna & was playing below the conference north the season before joining us.

The difference was Slade played a system that worked for that squad, and managed to bring the best out of players that had previously struggled either here or elsewhere.

We’re seeing the exact opposite of that at the minute.

Quoted from davmariner

Particularly on such a volatile forum as The Fishy which mostly likely isn’t reflective of the fan base.

I had my fair of ups and downs but I wouldn't call The Fishy Volatile. We certainly like to share our opinions which are sometimes chastised by others, but not volatile in a million years. Not wishing to bring any type of politics into this but Israel/Gaza is volatile.

Quoted from Mappers

It's weird isn't it I voted out but part of me still wants him to stay , turn it around and make a success of it however unlikely that seems .  

It's a heart over head situation , and I suspect it's  maybe the case for others - I genuinely like the bloke and I think although there is that small minority who had it in for him from the day dot most of us do . Not sure that's reason enough to keep him but I get why people would want to give him a tad longer even though he would be well gone anywhere else long before now probably .

I suppose the worry is that the board feel the same way.

I just hope if the correct and somewhat inevitable decision is made that he is welcomed back to BP in the future with open arms ,much like Buckley is and treated likewise but not as the manager for a 3rd spell .

I agree with the above and while I'd like him to stay I think he has run out of time and games. Longevity managers like Wenger and Ferguson are few and far between and, regrettably, Hurst is not in their category.

Quoted from ska face

Russel Slade managed to put together a side that challenged for promotion from this league with a worst budget, in worse conditions and under a terrible chairman. The likes of Bolland, Mildenhall, Parkinson and Gary Jones had been released & signed on free transfers. Ciaran Toner & Tom Newey had been relegated from L2 that summer & picked up for nothing. Rob Jones was signed on a free. Michael Reddy was signed for nothing and only joined because Slade begged and pestered him for months on end. Gary Cohen was on loan from Gretna & was playing below the conference north the season before joining us.

The difference was Slade played a system that worked for that squad, and managed to bring the best out of players that had previously struggled either here or elsewhere.

We’re seeing the exact opposite of that at the minute.

But let's not forget it was long ball, direct and not exactly entertaining to watch. Highlights the fact that when you're winning and up the league people will forego 'entertainment'. The two ideas aren't joined at the hip, but if we were playing the most exciting football and losing 6-5 every week and found ourselves 20th in L2, would we be saying it's OK because it's entertaining, or does the league position determine our outlook?

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

I agree we are not quite as bad as our league position would indicate, but neither are we very good, let's be honest.

Too many poor signings, no set system of play, no urgency, no leadership, no excitement for the fans.

It's obviously entirely up to Stockwood and Co. what direction they take and it could indeed hinge on one great result to get things firing as confidence is a huge thing. I guess they will hold fire for the moment and see what the next game or two brings.

I don't think we're either good or bad. We're much of a muchness with the rest of the league. There's very rarely good teams in this division and I can't remember any of the promoted teams being particularly good last season. The best team I remember was Swindon and they finished level on points with us.

Realistically, if we're winning games then it feels more exciting and everybody's happy. I don't and never did think we'd trouble the playoffs this season, but we're better than where we are. We're missing easy chances and letting in hummers. This is a confidence thing and I think ultimately Hurst will turn it around, whether he's given enough time to do it is the question. He can't argue if he gets sacked and nobody else can. The problem the owners have is that they need to make a decision soon. If a new manager comes in, it needs to be before December to evaluate the squad and plan what is needed. I think a couple of ground out wins and solidifying the defence will be enough to get us up around lower mid table which looks like the best realistic outcome for this season. It's not what anybody wanted, but I think we're creating more than last season so should be better if we weren't giving away stupid goals every game.

I'm not really Hurst in or Hurst out. Probably leaning towards out because I think by and large the team has performed below par for the entire time he's been back, but the last 2 seasons have got it right at the most important times.

Quoted from ska face

The difference was Slade played a system that worked for that squad, and managed to bring the best out of players that had previously struggled either here or elsewhere.

Take on board what your saying and thanks for the post . Ive heard similar from the above point from past players who have played as well. Certain managers /coaches can get the best out of players by what they say and do . A player can be dipping in form and the management steps in and roasts them which is a kick up the bum that  by the players own admission  need. Admit this doesn't work for everyone  though.Hence a time for praise and also a time for constructive criticism as and when the need arises.  

Quoted from DB

I had my fair of ups and downs but I wouldn't call The Fishy Volatile. We certainly like to share our opinions which are sometimes chastised by others, but not volatile in a million years. Not wishing to bring any type of politics into this but Israel/Gaza is volatile.

volatile ...= Strongly opinionated  points of views passionately presented.

Two years ago today, we took more to Wealdstone for a midweek night game than we took to Stockport on Saturday. That's exactly where we are as a fanbase..

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

Why wouldn’t it be a reflective sample?

Having been a child of the 50's and left school at 14 years old, I admit my learning days were wasted and I joined the wide, wide world without any qualifications.

Having said that, I have done some research on 'reflective samples' and I fail to see, or understand how that applies to this post.  Perhaps you can enlighten me?

Quoted from Bigdog

Two years ago today, we took more to Wealdstone for a midweek night game than we took to Stockport on Saturday. That's exactly where we are as a fanbase..

we have a hell of a lot of Southern based mariners and we sold out our allocation for Stockport? whats your point

Quoted from Hagrid

we have a hell of a lot of Southern based mariners and we sold out our allocation for Stockport? whats your point

The thing is, he, like some others like to make statements that fit their narrative, doesn't matter if they are true or not.  Perhaps they should do some research before posting.

Quoted from 123614

The thing is, he, like some others like to make statements that fit their narrative, doesn't matter if they are true or not.  Perhaps they should do some research before posting.

My research tells me we only sold out our initial allocation for Stockport and could have had more if there was early demand. And my narrative? Are you seriously saying that demand for away tickets is as strong as when 1878 took over? Wealdstone came up in my timeline and it struck me how different the mood is at the club compared to today, that's all..We've sold 4k easily at Doncaster not so long back and now struggling to sell two. It's stark and needs considering..

Quoted from Bigdog

My research tells me we only sold out our initial allocation for Stockport and could have had more if there was early demand. And my narrative? Are you seriously saying that demand for away tickets is as strong as when 1878 took over? Wealdstone came up in my timeline and it struck me how different the mood is at the club compared to today, that's all..We've sold 4k easily at Doncaster not so long back and now struggling to sell two. It's stark and needs considering..

Why are we all arguing about all this?  We have fans travelling to an away match which most thought we would lose, not because of the lurve for PH its because they want to support the team, be it on a Crest of a Wave of Triumphs or make them feel wanted in their Struggles. Thats what away fans do.
But there is no getting away from the fact that we are struggling at the bottom. Not only did Colchester try and help us out, the other teams around us have done as well, or else our predicament today, looking at Doncaster away would have been even more worrying.
The "In PH we trust" group initially argued that we had a hard start on our timetable, the hardest in the world/history and things can, and, will only get better. Well we played the top teams, and gave them the points to be top, and played teams below us, and gave the points to bypass us, so what's left? Oh, all the refs are against us, that's a crowd-pleaser.
So whilst I've got your attention in arguing about travelling fan numbers, due to JF gone and 1878 running the show, or the PH effect, answer me this. Will there be more Mariners fans travelling to GP or Iron fans to BP when we play next season in the National League? Because that's where we will end up if we don't focus on the here and now and make changes.
Anyway onwards and upwards to Doncaster. UTM

Quoted from GrimPol

Why are we all arguing about all this?  We have fans travelling to an away match which most thought we would lose, not because of the lurve for PH its because they want to support the team, be it on a Crest of a Wave of Triumphs or make them feel wanted in their Struggles. Thats what away fans do.
But there is no getting away from the fact that we are struggling at the bottom. Not only did Colchester try and help us out, the other teams around us have done as well, or else our predicament today, looking at Doncaster away would have been even more worrying.
The "In PH we trust" group initially argued that we had a hard start on our timetable, the hardest in the world/history and things can, and, will only get better. Well we played the top teams, and gave them the points to be top, and played teams below us, and gave the points to bypass us, so what's left? Oh, all the refs are against us, that's a crowd-pleaser.
So whilst I've got your attention in arguing about travelling fan numbers, due to JF gone and 1878 running the show, or the PH effect, answer me this. Will there be more Mariners fans travelling to GP or Iron fans to BP when we play next season in the National League? Because that's where we will end up if we don't focus on the here and now and make changes.
Anyway onwards and upwards to Doncaster. UTM

Macroeconomic indicators. Wealdstone away in my timeline brought back the amazement at the level of support midweek in London. Since that point, the league football we've been served up under PH has ground down the hopes and enjoyment factor for me and my mates and we're definitely not on our own. We're no longer taking days off work to travel because the football is shite. Less support breeds less confidence, less support means less income, which in turn brings in reduced player quality. We're on the start of a downward spiral and disappearing goodwill for 1878 unless there's significant change..

In the words of our former trainer Fraser, to our strike force of Wilson and Pyke -
‘We’re doomed’
😂
Not
UTM

Quoted from Bigdog

Macroeconomic indicators. Wealdstone away in my timeline brought back the amazement at the level of support midweek in London. Since that point, the league football we've been served up under PH has ground down the hopes and enjoyment factor for me and my mates and we're definitely not on our own. We're no longer taking days off work to travel because the football is shite. Less support breeds less confidence, less support means less income, which in turn brings in reduced player quality. We're on the start of a downward spiral and disappearing goodwill for 1878 unless there's significant change..

This reads as though that Wealdstone game was enjoyable and good and a marker for our football. I went to that game, travelled from Grimsby and back and it was absolute garbage. Every game we've played this season has been better than that evening, including Barrow which I really didn't enjoy (despite winning). If your barometer of our playing quality is that game then no wonder you're not travelling to games!

I don't think we're at the start of a downward spiral, we're in the middle of one and it's always going to have an effect on attendances, especially with Xmas around the corner and a cost of living crisis. If I also remember rightly, that Wealdstone game was the start of our horrible mid-season patch. I'd been away with work in the USA for 6 weeks and missed the good spell and thought this was a banker. The games that followed led me to believe I should leave the country permanently just to help us get promoted!

[quote. I went to that game, travelled from Grimsby and back and it was absolute garbage. Every game we've played this season has been better than that evening, including Barrow which I really didn't enjoy (despite winning).[/quote]

Agree with your post except the above. I’ve been to all home games and many away in the last 10 + years and for me many of the home performances this season, especially the first half of Tuesday night have been the worst. I believe this season we’ve had zero indication of the continuing improvement we were promised.

Quoted from gtfc_chris

This reads as though that Wealdstone game was enjoyable and good and a marker for our football. I went to that game, travelled from Grimsby and back and it was absolute garbage. Every game we've played this season has been better than that evening, including Barrow which I really didn't enjoy (despite winning). If your barometer of our playing quality is that game then no wonder you're not travelling to games!

I don't think we're at the start of a downward spiral, we're in the middle of one and it's always going to have an effect on attendances, especially with Xmas around the corner and a cost of living crisis. If I also remember rightly, that Wealdstone game was the start of our horrible mid-season patch. I'd been away with work in the USA for 6 weeks and missed the good spell and thought this was a banker. The games that followed led me to believe I should leave the country permanently just to help us get promoted!

No it doesn't. Read it again. Great support and that awful game and result was the catalyst of our crap run of safety first league football..

The other thing I can't believe is the swing towards wanting Hurst to stay since he gave an interview where he admitted he didn't have a clue how to change things. Begs the question of how ambitious our fanbase really are. Empathy isn't going to get us into League One..The last thing I wanted to happen this season was change the manager by the way, but enough is enough..

Quoted from Poojah

Quite interesting that in the past 24 hours Hurst’s stock on this poll has risen threefold from barely 10% “in” to ~30%. I think that’s a pretty impressive display of loyalty on the back of last night’s brutally ugly game, and that’s genuinely not a backhanded complement.

To be performing so far below expectations, having lost the last three games, having conceded 8 goals in the process, and having taken just 5 points from our last available 27, I think it says a lot about the job he’s done and the impact he’s had on the club and the town.

I say this as someone who sits, incredibly reluctantly, on the time for a change side of the fence - I think that’s quite heartwarming.

There is a generation angle from which to look at support for Hurst. For those (like me) who are early-30s and below, who just missed out on the Buckley years, Hurst is the most successful manager of our Town-supporting lives, by a very long way.

We know from various polls down the years that the average Fishy user is a little older than this. My assumption would be that the wider fanbase is even more sympathetic to Hurst than this poll suggests.

I’d like to know how people felt when Buckley left (first or second time). I bet it was gut-wrenching for some. When he left in 2008 I remember a kind of sympathetic affection, but obviously I didn’t have the first-hand experience of his first two spells as reference.

For better or worse, that kind of best-in-our-lifetime affection for a manager is going to make younger fans think twice before calling for his head, even after a run like this.

Quoted from heppy88

Agree with your post except the above. I’ve been to all home games and many away in the last 10 + years and for me many of the home performances this season, especially the first half of Tuesday night have been the worst. I believe this season we’ve had zero indication of the continuing improvement we were promised.

Talk about over-egging. Whilst not exactly riveting, had we won the game 3-2, as we may well have done on balance, no one would have talked about the first half performance as anything worse than fine

Quoted from Bigdog

No it doesn't. Read it again. Great support and that awful game and result was the catalyst of our crap run of safety first league football..

The other thing I can't believe is the swing towards wanting Hurst to stay since he gave an interview where he admitted he didn't have a clue how to change things. Begs the question of how ambitious our fanbase really are. Empathy isn't going to get us into League One..The last thing I wanted to happen this season was change the manager by the way, but enough is enough..

Read it again but I'm still not sure what your point is beyond anything obvious.

You're saying that on a Tuesday night we took a great following to Wealdstone. This on the back of a good run and many thinking we'd be in for a nice win and a good atmosphere I'd imagine.

The game was the first of a lengthy run in which we didn't amass many points and performances weren't great. From this attendances started to drop because the football PH served up was poor.

Our first two attendances that season were 5,030 and 5,034. Then we had four games that ranged 5,836 - 7213, with Chesterfield and Notts County in that group, swelling the away support. Of the next 9 games only 3 broke the opening game attendances. The final four games the lowest attendance was 5,826 as we went into the run for play-offs.

If your point is attendances are linked to results I'm not sure why Wealdstone is important other than it coming up on a feed. It has no reference/relevance/bearing to the fantastic following we went on to have at Notts County, Wrexham, Olympic Stadium, nor the numbers at Leyton Orient, Rochdale, Walsall, Stockport, Crewe, Northampton, Southampton, Brighton, Mansfield on a Tuesday night, Bradford, Doncaster and a good smattering at Tranmere. This season has seen good numbers at most away games so far too.

The fact there isn't a scramble for Doncaster tickets is indicative of the form we're in and replicates the evidence above when we went through a poor spell in NL but I'd say it's the same for any team anywhere.

I'm sure we're agreeing on the same thing, I just didn't/don't see how Wealdstone has a significance place in it.

As a side note, I think it does raise the question over performance v results. I don't think the football in that NL poor spell was significantly different to the play off run and last season. PH is not renowned for re-inventing his football philosophies and churning different brands of football when it isn't working, it's highlighted as his weakness and he did nothing drastic to change our fortunes back then. Yet despite that, the spells we win are considered as good football, or ignored and not mentioned and we simply enjoy the ride. But when we're losing the football is crap and that's the problem. Essentially, he trusted his football, trusted his players and remained patient in adversity, there's an argument that that's what you get when you're careful of the characters you sign.

It boils down to your own personal trust in PH whether he can bring us through the adversity we're experiencing now, some look to that season and know he did it before so can do it again. Others look at it differently and don't trust he will, it's a personal thing that can only be proven 6 months from now. If it goes well then its great for everyone, unless you've publicly demolished the guy and you look foolish. If it doesn't then no-one benefits and hindsight makes you regret having that belief.

The more I post on the topic, the more of a U Turn I'm taking on the agreement that perhaps his time is up. Partly because I have a deep respect and like for the guy, partly because now the emotion has gone from Tuesday, and when we look at history, we know there is always a dip in a PH season and I'd like to give just a little longer to see if ours is getting out the way early doors.

Quoted from gtfc_chris

Read it again but I'm still not sure what your point is beyond anything obvious.

You're saying that on a Tuesday night we took a great following to Wealdstone. This on the back of a good run and many thinking we'd be in for a nice win and a good atmosphere I'd imagine.

The game was the first of a lengthy run in which we didn't amass many points and performances weren't great. From this attendances started to drop because the football PH served up was poor.

Our first two attendances that season were 5,030 and 5,034. Then we had four games that ranged 5,836 - 7213, with Chesterfield and Notts County in that group, swelling the away support. Of the next 9 games only 3 broke the opening game attendances. The final four games the lowest attendance was 5,826 as we went into the run for play-offs.

If your point is attendances are linked to results I'm not sure why Wealdstone is important other than it coming up on a feed. It has no reference/relevance/bearing to the fantastic following we went on to have at Notts County, Wrexham, Olympic Stadium, nor the numbers at Leyton Orient, Rochdale, Walsall, Stockport, Crewe, Northampton, Southampton, Brighton, Mansfield on a Tuesday night, Bradford, Doncaster and a good smattering at Tranmere. This season has seen good numbers at most away games so far too.

The fact there isn't a scramble for Doncaster tickets is indicative of the form we're in and replicates the evidence above when we went through a poor spell in NL but I'd say it's the same for any team anywhere.

I'm sure we're agreeing on the same thing, I just didn't/don't see how Wealdstone has a significance place in it.

As a side note, I think it does raise the question over performance v results. I don't think the football in that NL poor spell was significantly different to the play off run and last season. PH is not renowned for re-inventing his football philosophies and churning different brands of football when it isn't working, it's highlighted as his weakness and he did nothing drastic to change our fortunes back then. Yet despite that, the spells we win are considered as good football, or ignored and not mentioned and we simply enjoy the ride. But when we're losing the football is crap and that's the problem. Essentially, he trusted his football, trusted his players and remained patient in adversity, there's an argument that that's what you get when you're careful of the characters you sign.

It boils down to your own personal trust in PH whether he can bring us through the adversity we're experiencing now, some look to that season and know he did it before so can do it again. Others look at it differently and don't trust he will, it's a personal thing that can only be proven 6 months from now. If it goes well then its great for everyone, unless you've publicly demolished the guy and you look foolish. If it doesn't then no-one benefits and hindsight makes you regret having that belief.

The more I post on the topic, the more of a U Turn I'm taking on the agreement that perhaps his time is up. Partly because I have a deep respect and like for the guy, partly because now the emotion has gone from Tuesday, and when we look at history, we know there is always a dip in a PH season and I'd like to give just a little longer to see if ours is getting out the way early doors.

He obviously started the season wanting to play 4-1-4-1 with Conteh pulling the strings , I thought we looked quite good - Notts , Gillingham and Bradford were encouraging and it seemed he had his mind set on a new philosophy ; a few tricky results and it went by the wayside .

Then he changed his thinking didn't he  ,he's played 3 or 4 variations of 4-3-3 and now gone with different variations of 3-5-2  the last few games .

It's made it very difficult for players to find any consistency , and as I have mentioned before I find it bizarre he's gone away from his original template of 4-4-2/4-4-1-1  in his most testing time - he hasn't even reverted to type of 2 solid blocks of 4 with a tucked in winger on one side and  a more expansive one on the other.  

It was over strange that we went 3-5-2  against Colchester ,especially as Mullarkey & Amos needed more protection and were bullied first half by their nippy and strong wingers .

I don't think this current team is comparable to the one's before as so far it seems to be set up in such a different way(it's actually been lot's of different ways ).

Quoted from immariner

Talk about over-egging. Whilst not exactly riveting, had we won the game 3-2, as we may well have done on balance, no one would have talked about the first half performance as anything worse than fine

Half time on Tuesday, I commented to the guy sitting next to me, that that was the worst half of football I’ve seen Grimsby play in at least 10 years. Now you may feel I’m over egging. But that’s what I said then and I stand by it. Not asking you to agree, just my opinion. I went to the game determined to be balanced in my view as I’ve found recent performances hard to take and I was wondering if I was falling out of love with it all. I disagree that a win would have changed opinions that much, because despite fans being fickle they can spot a poor performance when they see one.

Quoted from heppy88

Half time on Tuesday, I commented to the guy sitting next to me, that that was the worst half of football I’ve seen Grimsby play in at least 10 years. Now you may feel I’m over egging. But that’s what I said then and I stand by it.

You can’t have seen that many Town matches in the past 10 years then?! 😊

Quoted from kafunanapar140909

There is a generation angle from which to look at support for Hurst. For those (like me) who are early-30s and below, who just missed out on the Buckley years, Hurst is the most successful manager of our Town-supporting lives, by a very long way.

We know from various polls down the years that the average Fishy user is a little older than this. My assumption would be that the wider fanbase is even more sympathetic to Hurst than this poll suggests.

I’d like to know how people felt when Buckley left (first or second time). I bet it was gut-wrenching for some. When he left in 2008 I remember a kind of sympathetic affection, but obviously I didn’t have the first-hand experience of his first two spells as reference.

For better or worse, that kind of best-in-our-lifetime affection for a manager is going to make younger fans think twice before calling for his head, even after a run like this.

You make some interesting points, although quite a few of the Fishy posters, who are on the fence or ardent Hurst supporters I believe are over 50.

I’m genuinely interested in those supporting Hurst if they like/enjoy what is currently on display?

I would also ask, if they are content in keeping the status quo with the current situation, what would it take for them to change their opinions of Hurst staying at the club?

I read someone earlier post, that although they want Hurst to go, they would want him to stay if we were relegated. Which was also an interesting point of view which a part of me agreed with! I guess what that suggests is Hurst is an excellent non league manager but I’m struggling to see how that can be replicated in the league. Yes I know about Shrewsbury, but he has not had any consistent success/impact in the EFL.

Ok then the board listen to the minority/ majority whatever it maybe , just a simple question who are we going to attract sitting where we are in lge 2 ? we all have an opinion but please put some names to this for me if you could

Quoted from fishcake63

Ok then the board listen to the minority/ majority whatever it maybe , just a simple question who are we going to attract sitting where we are in lge 2 ? we all have an opinion but please put some names to this for me if you could

If you just want a ‘name’ I’ll plump for Pascal Chimbonda. Currently rock bottom of the NW Counties Premier with Skelmersdale Utd but he inherited a mess.

He’d bring media attention…we could offer him some shares and some lukewarm fish n chips.

Quoted from fishcake63

Ok then the board listen to the minority/ majority whatever it maybe , just a simple question who are we going to attract sitting where we are in lge 2 ? we all have an opinion but please put some names to this for me if you could

I hardly know any lower league managers now the turnover is that high isn't it . The only one I think would be worth going for who I know of would be Pete Wild at Barrow but he's probably not realistic is he ?

Quoted from Mappers

He obviously started the season wanting to play 4-1-4-1 with Conteh pulling the strings , I thought we looked quite good - Notts , Gillingham and Bradford were encouraging and it seemed he had his mind set on a new philosophy ; a few tricky results and it went by the wayside .

Then he changed his thinking didn't he  ,he's played 3 or 4 variations of 4-3-3 and now gone with different variations of 3-5-2  the last few games .

It's made it very difficult for players to find any consistency , and as I have mentioned before I find it bizarre he's gone away from his original template of 4-4-2/4-4-1-1  in his most testing time - he hasn't even reverted to type of 2 solid blocks of 4 with a tucked in winger on one side and  a more expansive one on the other.  

It was over strange that we went 3-5-2  against Colchester ,especially as Mullarkey & Amos needed more protection and were bullied first half by their nippy and strong wingers .

I don't think this current team is comparable to the one's before as so far it seems to be set up in such a different way(it's actually been lot's of different ways ).

I had assumed PH had to be intending to play 4-4-1-1 or 4-1-4-1 otherwise he wouldn’t have only had 3 strikers in the squad with one of those being converted from wing back. If he’d intended to play with 2 up all season surely he would have wanted 4 forwards with maybe 3 permanents and a good loanee. I expect his plan also included two from Wilson, Vernam and Eisa to be wide in the 4 and cut in closer to the 1, with breaks forward from the advanced midfield 2. Probably Holohan and Clifton or Hunt and Clifton as the 2 - hence why Green was out of the team at the start of the season.

Notwithstanding our recent goalkeeping and defensive woes, this has unravelled with injuries and loss of form.

Quoted from fishcake63

Ok then the board listen to the minority/ majority whatever it maybe , just a simple question who are we going to attract sitting where we are in lge 2 ? we all have an opinion but please put some names to this for me if you could

It’s not our role to find the replacement and I doubt that the majority of the posters follow the range of clubs and coaches from where applications may come from. I said previously had you heard of the Ipswich and Plymouth Managers before their appointment or even Michael Jolley for that matter. Saw Graham Westley interviewed on Under The Cosh, and he’s trying to get back into football but said there are around 100 applications for every vacancy from experienced managers, ex-players, coaches at different levels of the game, other countries etc. etc.

There are plenty of qualified professionals who will want the job the secret is in selecting the right one, something that has proved very difficult in the past, and that’s for the board to decide and I accept that isn’t easy and appointing someone who is universally accepted by the fans even more difficult.

Doesn’t mean to say it’s impossible or shouldn’t happen.

Quoted from fishcake63

Ok then the board listen to the minority/ majority whatever it maybe , just a simple question who are we going to attract sitting where we are in lge 2 ? we all have an opinion but please put some names to this for me if you could

There’s loads of younger managers and assistants who are on an upward career progression. Given the more proactive nature of our owners and a positive recent history, we should be a lot better prospect than we were when Holloway left.

Quoted from heppy88

You make some interesting points, although quite a few of the Fishy posters, who are on the fence or ardent Hurst supporters I believe are over 50.

I’m genuinely interested in those supporting Hurst if they like/enjoy what is currently on display?

I would also ask, if they are content in keeping the status quo with the current situation, what would it take for them to change their opinions of Hurst staying at the club?

I read someone earlier post, that although they want Hurst to go, they would want him to stay if we were relegated. Which was also an interesting point of view which a part of me agreed with! I guess what that suggests is Hurst is an excellent non league manager but I’m struggling to see how that can be replicated in the league. Yes I know about Shrewsbury, but he has not had any consistent success/impact in the EFL.

I like Hurst as a person and manager, love the chants at the end of the game (when we win) with his first pumps..  We all know what type of manager PH is he's been with us for a while.  For me i'm not a big fan of unnecessary rotation and PH has said many times he like to keep his players on their toes, and i understand he prefers to use his squad, when in my eyes (which means naff all) I prefer for the players to fight for the shirt, maybe because I was spoilt watching Buckley ball and the way he handled his players.  I can't see how putting in a good display (in the players eyes) to then be out the team the next week because PH prefers fresh legs (maybe changing formation just to accommodate them) would not damage the players confidence irrespective if "You are meant to be a professional" as we all have feelings at the end of the day.  PH can also be a bit cautious and I just wish he would let the shackles off.  From the outside it looks like PH transfer policy as other have mentioned tends to go to players he has worked with before, live locally to him or are a certain character types which can only reduce his pool of players further.

Part of me feels maybe it is time to part ways and hope for a manager that prefers to attack his opposition when at home than be a bit negative with 5 at the back etc.  Then I think about all the upheaval a new manager brings and the cost of that to the club (ok its not really my concern) and wider affect on the club (stability) and who would be best to replace PH if was to go, so many names all been on the roundabout.  I know who I'd like to be Towns manager if PH was let go and I'm sure others have their own opinion on who they would bring in.

So a bit on the fence at the minute, also taking into account the injuries PH has had, as well as a difficult run in at the start of the season playing teams in top 7 or have come into form, is it just a blip in form and confidence and hoping to kick on at Donny.

Has he gone yet??

Quoted from MuddyWaters

There’s loads of younger managers and assistants who are on an upward career progression. Given the more proactive nature of our owners and a positive recent history, we should be a lot better prospect than we were when Holloway left.

‘Loads’ that could be EFL managers? Can you point to a few and share a handful of strong cases?

Quoted from Teestogreen

In the words of our former trainer Fraser, to our strike force of Wilson and Pyke -
‘We’re doomed’
😂
Not
UTM

https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/john-fraser-tributes-grimsby-town-3286526

The current people have to make history - like John Fraser - done a very good job so far
UTM

I thought we’d turned the corner and was very optimistic at the start of the season. A lot of posts on here claimed that we had a better squad than last season but the recent results have been very disappointing. Once you start losing like this, then confidence goes and it is hard to get it back. There’s too much chopping and changing in team selection and we always seem to have loads of injuries. I hate the way clubs like us have to operate. A few on contracts but without loans we would be in trouble. Loans are temporary and the quality varies from season to season. How can a club like Stevenage be absolute rubbish three or four years ago but now in L1? One position that worries me is the goalkeeping situation. Crocombe was OK (not brilliant) but left on 30 June, leaving limited time to get someone really good. I would rather Hurst stayed but results need to pick up and soon.

Quoted from chaos33

‘Loads’ that could be EFL managers? Can you point to a few and share a handful of strong cases?

Karl Robinson, Luke Garrard, Cowley, Pete Wild, Leam Richardson, Neil Ardley…

Quoted from ska face

Karl Robinson, Luke Garrard, Cowley, Pete Wild, Leam Richardson, Neil Ardley…

Neal Ardley whose York side just lost 4-0 at the weekend. The rest aren’t coming to Grimsby.

Ok then mate we’ll just stick with this same manager for the rest of eternity. Enjoy!

Makes me wonder how, or why, some of you crawl out of bed each morning with this defeatist, no-ambition mentality.

Didn’t he say young upcoming managers? Loads. Who are they?

Quoted from MuddyWaters

There’s loads of younger managers and assistants who are on an upward career progression. Given the more proactive nature of our owners and a positive recent history, we should be a lot better prospect than we were when Holloway left.

Or, John Askey, Luke Garrard, Darren Sarll, Paul Cook, Dennis Kutrieb, Tommy Widdrington, Daryl McMahon,

Not too sure how accurate these are but looking at the manager odds for Bradford, Lincoln, and Colchester (Top 8.), just to see who's being linked.  

https://www.bettingodds.com/thesackrace

Bradford

Dean Holden
Previous Team:
Charlton Athletic
Departed: 27.08.23
5/4

Stephen Clemence
6/1

Danny Cowley
Previous Team:
Portsmouth
Departed: 02.01.23
8/1

Graham Alexander
Previous Team:
Milton Keynes Dons
Departed: 16.10.23
8/1

Kevin McDonald
Current Team:
Bradford City
Appointed: 04.10.23
10/1

Karl Robinson
Previous Team:
Oxford United
Departed: 26.02.23
25/1

Gary Bowyer
Previous Team:
Dundee
Departed: 10.05.23
33/1

Mark Kennedy
Previous Team:
Lincoln City
Departed: 18.10.23

Lincoln

Danny Cowley
Previous Team:
Portsmouth
Departed: 02.01.23
7/4

Nathan Jones
Previous Team:
Southampton
Departed: 12.02.23
2/1

Tom Shaw
Previous Team:
Gainsborough Trinity
Departed: 12.05.22
4/1

Stephen Bradley
Current Team:
Shamrock Rovers
Appointed: 03.07.16
5/1

Steve Cotterill
Previous Team:
Shrewsbury Town
Departed: 06.06.23
16/1

Damien Duff
Current Team:
Shelbourne
Appointed: 03.11.21
16/1

Leam Richardson
Previous Team:
Wigan Athletic
Departed: 10.11.22
25/1

Ian Foster
Previous Team:
England (u20)
Departed: 23.09.20
25/1

Colchester

Matthew Etherington
Previous Team:
Crawley Town
Departed: 29.12.22
4/7

Neil Harris
Previous Team:
Gillingham
Departed: 05.10.23
6/4

Liam Bailey
8/1

David Artell
Previous Team:
Crewe Alexandra
Departed: 11.04.22
14/1

Steve Cotterill
Previous Team:
Shrewsbury Town
Departed: 06.06.23
20/1

Steve Morrison
20/1

Andy Woodman
Current Team:
Bromley
Appointed: 29.03.21
20/1

Aidy Boothroyd
Current Team:
Jamshedpur FC
Appointed: 10.07.22
20/1

Paul Cook's 56  ;D

Quoted from Abdul19

Paul Cook's 56  ;D

I'll raise you John Askey (58 yo)   ;)

Anyone would think Hurst had been given the sack?

Andy Woodman’s probably a “no” too, to be fair.

Quoted from davmariner

Neal Ardley whose York side just lost 4-0 at the weekend. The rest aren’t coming to Grimsby.

Who'd have thought Neil Adkins would have gone to Tranmere?

Quoted from DB

Who'd have thought Neil Adkins would have gone to Tranmere?

He’s from Birkenhead and was already employed there as “technical director” (whatever that means).

Had it confirmed tonight, by a guy who works for the Chimps, that they received over100 applications following Kennedy’s departure so I’m sure we will get plenty of choice should the axe fall on PH.

Quoted from Poojah

He’s from Birkenhead and was already employed there as “technical director” (whatever that means).

I didn't know he was from that area, so that makes sense. He is now their manager, and took over when Ian Dawes got the push in September.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

Had it confirmed tonight, by a guy who works for the Chimps, that they received over100 applications following Kennedy’s departure so I’m sure we will get plenty of choice should the axe fall on PH.

My TV has over 100 channels...problem is 99% of them are showing garbage.

Quoted from heppy88

You make some interesting points, although quite a few of the Fishy posters, who are on the fence or ardent Hurst supporters I believe are over 50.

I’m genuinely interested in those supporting Hurst if they like/enjoy what is currently on display?

I would also ask, if they are content in keeping the status quo with the current situation, what would it take for them to change their opinions of Hurst staying at the club?

I read someone earlier post, that although they want Hurst to go, they would want him to stay if we were relegated. Which was also an interesting point of view which a part of me agreed with! I guess what that suggests is Hurst is an excellent non league manager but I’m struggling to see how that can be replicated in the league. Yes I know about Shrewsbury, but he has not had any consistent success/impact in the EFL.

What if we swing the question a different way. In the last 20 years, which manager has delivered a style of football that has had you purring at the end of each game and looking forward to the next one?

Working on a basis that PH is not long for this club anymore, which manager out there are you aware of that would deliver a standard of football that you would find excited to go and watch?

I think Brian Clough summed this town team  up

“ We had a good team on paper , unfortunately football is played on grass”

Quoted from It Bites

I think Brian Clough summed this town team  up

“ We had a good team on paper , unfortunately football is played on grass”

It's fair comment I can't believe this lot are not a top 10 team at least with the possible exception of goalkeeper. It's a huge shock to the system I wasn't expecting a relegation dogfight.

I think if Hurst goes, the board will give Davies a fair crack at it. It wouldn't surprise me if they went after Gowling either. He's not had a good start at Darlo, but they are awful and have one of the lowest budgets. He is big on the data and scientific side, and I think an evidenced buy-in to that philosophy will be what they look for.

I'm not saying either of those would be my pick, but if this goes on much longer we will be staring relegation in the face and a lot of managers will shy from that challenge.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

I think if Hurst goes, the board will give Davies a fair crack at it. It wouldn't surprise me if they went after Gowling either. He's not had a good start at Darlo, but they are awful and have one of the lowest budgets. He is big on the data and scientific side, and I think an evidenced buy-in to that philosophy will be what they look for.

I'm not saying either of those would be my pick, but if this goes on much longer we will be staring relegation in the face and a lot of managers will shy from that challenge.

Speaking of that division and (loosely) that part of the world, are South Shields being bankrolled or just well run? They won the Northern Premier last season under Kevin Phillips who left in the summer, and are now 2nd in the NLN under Julio Arca.

Quoted from Poojah

Speaking of that division and (loosely) that part of the world, are South Shields being bankrolled or just well run? They won the Northern Premier last season under Kevin Phillips who left in the summer, and are now 2nd in the NLN under Julio Arca.

Bankrolled. They are massively over funded.

I like to think we could be attractive option to managers, we aren't under Fenty anymore, and despite the league table, managers will look at our squad and should think it's not a bad team who are capable of better, they may feel they can get something out of it?

Quoted from jamesgtfc

I think if Hurst goes, the board will give Davies a fair crack at it. It wouldn't surprise me if they went after Gowling either. He's not had a good start at Darlo, but they are awful and have one of the lowest budgets. He is big on the data and scientific side, and I think an evidenced buy-in to that philosophy will be what they look for.

I'm not saying either of those would be my pick, but if this goes on much longer we will be staring relegation in the face and a lot of managers will shy from that challenge.

Are you trolling me?!

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

It’s not our role to find the replacement and I doubt that the majority of the posters follow the range of clubs and coaches from where applications may come from. I said previously had you heard of the Ipswich and Plymouth Managers before their appointment or even Michael Jolley for that matter. Saw Graham Westley interviewed on Under The Cosh, and he’s trying to get back into football but said there are around 100 applications for every vacancy from experienced managers, ex-players, coaches at different levels of the game, other countries etc. etc.

There are plenty of qualified professionals who will want the job the secret is in selecting the right one, something that has proved very difficult in the past, and that’s for the board to decide and I accept that isn’t easy and appointing someone who is universally accepted by the fans even more difficult.

Doesn’t mean to say it’s impossible or shouldn’t happen.

Agree with all of this but there are some I'd love to nail their colours at the time of appointment.

Over the last few days, I think this board has mainly been full of balanced views, some rational and reasonable argument and the majority, even those who want PH out are discussing it with respect and dignity to the man and his achievements.

The small number who write with such clear distinction that their view is without doubt correct, talk using such terms as "anyone who's watched football can see" I'd love to get them to share their 'expert' opinion on how the new manager will do and what benefits he'll bring etc etc.

It's trivial and almost petty really, but football is such an opinionated sport and that's what makes it beautiful. What I like to see and what I find enjoyable will be different to the person left and right of me, opinions of players vary as of course managers do too. We can only really judge and share opinion and thoughts once we see the next guy (whenever that happens) in action and they'll be varied as they are at present. But for people like Yoda, Denni and a few others who "told you he was a crap manager", I'd genuinely like them to state their position at the beginning rather than bullishly quote down the line that "they knew all along".

Or better still, with their certainty of judgement appoint the manager themselves.

Quoted from gtfc_chris

Agree with all of this but there are some I'd love to nail their colours at the time of appointment.

Over the last few days, I think this board has mainly been full of balanced views, some rational and reasonable argument and the majority, even those who want PH out are discussing it with respect and dignity to the man and his achievements.

The small number who write with such clear distinction that their view is without doubt correct, talk using such terms as "anyone who's watched football can see" I'd love to get them to share their 'expert' opinion on how the new manager will do and what benefits he'll bring etc etc.

It's trivial and almost petty really, but football is such an opinionated sport and that's what makes it beautiful. What I like to see and what I find enjoyable will be different to the person left and right of me, opinions of players vary as of course managers do too. We can only really judge and share opinion and thoughts once we see the next guy (whenever that happens) in action and they'll be varied as they are at present. But for people like Yoda, Denni and a few others who "told you he was a crap manager", I'd genuinely like them to state their position at the beginning rather than bullishly quote down the line that "they knew all along".

Or better still, with their certainty of judgement appoint the manager themselves.

It’s called conversation , having an opinion and just blowing off steam . I don’t think anyone who posts on here really believe s they know more than a professional football manager but it doesn’t hurt to offer our thoughts . If a player or manager is stupid enough to read a forum and worse still take some of it in then they’re in the wrong job.

Quoted from It Bites

It’s called conversation , having an opinion and just blowing off steam . I don’t think anyone who posts on here really believe s they know more than a professional football manager but it doesn’t hurt to offer our thoughts . If a player or manager is stupid enough to read a forum and worse still take some of it in then they’re in the wrong job.

Like I said, a lot of what has been said has been good quality conversation and debate, I stated that.

I never said anyone knows more than a professional manager and I certainly didn't say people can't have their thoughts.

There is a thread titled "I told you he was a crap manager". Its a self-glorifying thread to highlight to all that the poster KNEW it wouldn't work. NL promotion = ignored. FA Cup QF and a solid league finish = ignored. A bad start to this season and out crawls the expert who boldly informs us of this warning 3 years ago.

My personal approach to new managers is to wish them the best and hope they do a great job and progress the club. I'm sure 99.9% of fans work in exactly the same way. The post I made was in reference to that very small group who say nothing when a manager arrives, maybe a faint whisper to a friend in the pub, sit back and wait 6 months, a year, 5 years or however long and then quote themselves as the oracle of managerial appointments and how they KNEW it would end badly.

Law of averages (easy PH!) state that the next manager is more likely to fail (enter definition of failure here) than he is succeed. Its the criteria within that failure determines how long he continues. We'd all like to be promoted so that's the aim, that's success. We'll accept failure on that if we look like we're on the cusp. If the football is enjoyable to watch, if we're always close. Until being close isn't enough any more and he moves on. Within that I refer back to my argument, once we reach that point, despite progressing us a level, that small band of people will say that they KNEW it wouldn't work.

I'll say again, I know it's petty but it actually frustrates me when people take pleasure during difficult times with boasts of how they KNEW. Nobody KNOWS how a manager will do.

Good post.

The actual answer to the question is IN as he has just given a pre match interview to Matt Dean. I've never heard him sound so relaxed.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

The actual answer to the question is IN as he has just given a pre match interview to Matt Dean. I've never heard him sound so relaxed.

Part of the issue though isn’t it? He doesn’t sound like the owners are anywhere near pulling the trigger.

The running theme through the interview is he knows better than us & we’re playing well, when in reality most of us are bored to tears on top of the fact we’re not winning games.

Of course Hurst knows more about what’s going on & he can manage the club much better than any of us, but the absolute denial of what we can all see in front of our eyes really does irk me.

Quoted from pontoonlew

Part of the issue though isn’t it? He doesn’t sound like the owners are anywhere near pulling the trigger.

The running theme through the interview is he knows better than us & we’re playing well, when in reality most of us are bored to tears on top of the fact we’re not winning games.

Are we ‘boring fans to tears’ though?

I know goals aren’t everything but, in the past 8 league matches, there have been 28 goals scored. That’s an average of 3.5 gpg. In terms of scoring action, that’s positively Darren Day-esque.

Town have been in touch in most of those matches. It’s only really the Wrexham match, when we were two down after 30 mins, that we’ve not been in with a decent chance at half-time.

We’ve scored 11 in the last 7. Pro-rata that for a season and it’s more goals scored than any side in L2 last season.

I’m not trying to defend the passing or the defending. We have generally been reactive, slow to press and as stodgy as pavlova, so I’m not defending that either.

I just don’t see how people can say they are bored though? I’m bored of not winning. But I’m not bored of watching Town.

With our slapstick defending it surely can’t be boring?

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

Are we ‘boring fans to tears’ though?

I know goals aren’t everything but, in the past 8 league matches, there have been 28 goals scored. That’s an average of 3.5 gpg. In terms of scoring action, that’s positively Darren Day-esque.

Town have been in touch in most of those matches. It’s only really the Wrexham match, when we were two down after 30 mins, that we’ve not been in with a decent chance at half-time.

We’ve scored 11 in the last 7. Pro-rata that for a season and it’s more goals scored than any side in L2 last season.

I’m not trying to defend the passing or the defending. We have generally been reactive, slow to press and as stodgy as pavlova, so I’m not defending that either.

I just don’t see how people can say they are bored though? I’m bored of not winning. But I’m not bored of watching Town.

With our slapstick defending it surely can’t be boring?

Don’t get me wrong, I think Hurst is right when he says we’re scoring enough goals. I think we are, but from what I’m watching our build up play is a really tough watch. It’s slow and laboured & nothing much has changed in that sense for 3-4 years.

I get that it’s mostly entertaining to win but I’m absolutely certain football isn’t supposed to be this hard to watch.

Quoted from pontoonlew

I get that it’s mostly entertaining to win but I’m absolutely certain football isn’t supposed to be this hard to watch.

Yeah, but even being several goals up against the likes of Luton and Plymouth still wasn’t easy to watch. But I take your point…😊

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

Are we ‘boring fans to tears’ though?

I know goals aren’t everything but, in the past 8 league matches, there have been 28 goals scored. That’s an average of 3.5 gpg. In terms of scoring action, that’s positively Darren Day-esque.

Town have been in touch in most of those matches. It’s only really the Wrexham match, when we were two down after 30 mins, that we’ve not been in with a decent chance at half-time.

[/b]We’ve Scored 11 in the last 7. Pro-rata that for a season and it’s more goals scored than any side in L2 last season. [b]

I’m not trying to defend the passing or the defending. We have generally been reactive, slow to press and as stodgy as pavlova, so I’m not defending that either.

I just don’t see how people can say they are bored though? I’m bored of not winning. But I’m not bored of watching Town.

With our slapstick defending it surely can’t be boring?

No wonder we are in the excrement if that’s how we are using data.

What about goals conceded in the last 7 games…😉

I wonder if he will be keeping an eye on Halifax v York today.potential next jobs after a break until they sack their managers

Steve Evans doing great at Stevenage proven pedigree of getting teams promoted.

Quoted from Yoda

Steve Evans doing great at Stevenage proven pedigree of getting teams promoted.

Let's say we did choose him despite him not being the character our board can possibly approve of given their comments. Why would he come here?

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

Are we ‘boring fans to tears’ though?

I know goals aren’t everything but, in the past 8 league matches, there have been 28 goals scored. That’s an average of 3.5 gpg. In terms of scoring action, that’s positively Darren Day-esque.

Town have been in touch in most of those matches. It’s only really the Wrexham match, when we were two down after 30 mins, that we’ve not been in with a decent chance at half-time.

We’ve scored 11 in the last 7. Pro-rata that for a season and it’s more goals scored than any side in L2 last season.

I’m not trying to defend the passing or the defending. We have generally been reactive, slow to press and as stodgy as pavlova, so I’m not defending that either.

I just don’t see how people can say they are bored though? I’m bored of not winning. But I’m not bored of watching Town.

With our slapstick defending it surely can’t be boring?

Strange view on football. With your laid-back approach we would be soon playing Brigg Town FC in the Northern Counties East Football League, and you would be happy.

Good trolling knuts. Extremely good gallows humour