After some of the threads on here recently I thought it would be good to have a more positive one about our manager.

The tranmere game was horrendous and I do think it is fair to question the lack of changes but overall I think we have looked much better under Artell.

I can see why he may rub people up the wrong way but I admire the honesty and belief that he puts across in interviews.

It may not work out but I think the next few years could be very interesting, in a good way. I liked Hurst but I feel that we have more chance of progressing under Artell than we did previously.

Jason and Andrew clearly believe him to be the best man for the job so let's get behind him and the team.

I'm waiting to see how he does and how the new signings get on.

Quoted from CSLM

After some of the threads on here recently I thought it would be good to have a more positive one about our manager.

The tranmere game was horrendous and I do think it is fair to question the lack of changes but overall I think we have looked much better under Artell.

I can see why he may rub people up the wrong way but I admire the honesty and belief that he puts across in interviews.

It may not work out but I think the next few years could be very interesting, in a good way. I liked Hurst but I feel that we have more chance of progressing under Artell than we did previously.

Jason and Andrew clearly believe him to be the best man for the job so let's get behind him and the team.

Most of the DA critics seem to be fans who either didn't want him or seem frightened of having a progressive modern manager. They might not like his style or approach. I still remember when AB MK1 became manager and there was so much criticism from the fans. He was a non-league manager who signed non-league players ( Keith Alexander, Andy Tilson , John Cockrill) and was preparing the club for non- league football. How wrong they were!!! I think DA is in a similar position in as much as he has a vision of how we should play his style of football and will get in the players who can do that. We also have owners who believe in that and want a club to be self- sufficient and not dependent on a rich benefactor to constantly prop them club up. As DA said when he joined them club " It's an evolution, not a revolution".

Forgot to add that there are positives from playing out from the back but sometimes it is so obvious that it isn't the right time to do it, but we still try, which can be very fustrating. Hopefully the players are allowed to, and capable of, working it out.

Quoted from arryarryarry

I'm waiting to see how he does and how the new signings get on.

Are you new around here?

Quoted from pizzzza

Are you new around here?

Well I could take an early view on him taking us to equal 3rd from bottom if you want

I just have a feeling that if he can keep us up this season he will move us on to heights we haven't seen for a very long time, he sounds like the type of manager that respects and keeps his players believing in him, same as Hurst to be fair.

We'd never seen heights of an fa cup quarter final and a top half league 2 finish for many years.

Hurst was a safe pair of hands. Never won automatic promotion anywhere. Solid and safe, unlikely to get relegated with him. Artell could go either way, but I don't expect a succession of midtable finishes. Next game is a free hit.

Quoted from GrimRob

Hurst was a safe pair of hands. Never won automatic promotion anywhere. Solid and safe, unlikely to get relegated with him. Artell could go either way, but I don't expect a succession of midtable finishes. Next game is a free hit.

Eh? We were relegated with him in charge and he had half a season to prevent it, and a complete overhaul of the playing squad which his MO.

He never had any intention that season to improve on what we had, with one or two better additions to bolster the squad but every time he just replaces one set of players for another.

He will always be remembered fondly but really he is quite a limited manager.

Quoted from GrimRob

Hurst was a safe pair of hands. Never won automatic promotion anywhere. Solid and safe, unlikely to get relegated with him. Artell could go either way, but I don't expect a succession of midtable finishes. Next game is a free hit.

Paul Hurst was in charge for 16 league games this season, Dave Artell for 10 league games currently, lets see if we have improved come 16 games.

Also it will be interesting to see our results from this current Saturday with the new players and the following 15 games, which will bring us virtually to the end of the season.

Far, far too early to judge DA. I’m sure he’ll take us on a more ‘interesting’ journey.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

Eh? We were relegated with him in charge and he had half a season to prevent it, and a complete overhaul of the playing squad which his MO.

I don't think anyone could have kept us up that season from the position IH left us in. I don't think a PH side has ever been relegated where he has had a whole season in charge (he probably would have done at Ipswich though). He's reached the play-offs at most of his clubs (five times with us) but never got automatic promotion. He has a risk-averse approach, one of the reasons he doesn't get sacked much. Artell has only had one job so there's not much data to go on, my gut feeling is he's a boom-or-bust sort of guy - he'll either be sacked in six months or we'll be spectacularly successful.

Quoted from Nelly GTFC

Paul Hurst was in charge for 16 league games this season, Dave Artell for 10 league games currently, lets see if we have improved come 16 games.

Also it will be interesting to see our results from this current Saturday with the new players and the following 15 games, which will bring us virtually to the end of the season.

Those percentage figures aren't accurate are they?

If Artell has won 2 out of 10, how is that 18%?
5 losses out of 10 should be 50% surely?

Quoted from CSLM

Forgot to add that there are positives from playing out from the back but sometimes it is so obvious that it isn't the right time to do it, but we still try, which can be very fustrating. Hopefully the players are allowed to, and capable of, working it out.

When somebody who is bearing down on the player you are passing to for example.  Sometimes, a god old fashioned lump is better.   Felt the new RB made the right decisions here.  He played it around when he could but got rid when under pressure.

Quoted from rancido

Most of the DA critics seem to be fans who either didn't want him or seem frightened of having a progressive modern manager. They might not like his style or approach. I still remember when AB MK1 became manager and there was so much criticism from the fans. He was a non-league manager who signed non-league players ( Keith Alexander, Andy Tilson , John Cockrill) and was preparing the club for non- league football. How wrong they were!!! I think DA is in a similar position in as much as he has a vision of how we should play his style of football and will get in the players who can do that. We also have owners who believe in that and want a club to be self- sufficient and not dependent on a rich benefactor to constantly prop them club up. As DA said when he joined them club " It's an evolution, not a revolution".

He has certainly got something to prove just like AB had back then👍👍

Quoted from Nelly GTFC

Yeah you are right, I'm glad someone is on the ball. I had an extra draw in the Dave Artell pie chart even though the legend says 3. Fixed it now, can't believe I didn't see that lol.

Can you check the data our recruitment officer had on Mullarkey while you are at it.

Quoted from CSLM

Forgot to add that there are positives from playing out from the back but sometimes it is so obvious that it isn't the right time to do it, but we still try, which can be very frustrating. Hopefully the players are allowed to, and capable of, working it out.

Indeed, quite simply if the short pass isn't on, or looks too iffy, hoof it.  A coach I played under said, "if you're in trouble in the penalty box, hit it long and wide".

just avoid relegation & i'll be content this yr but next yr we must challenge a top 10 finish , i look at barrow harrogate etc fighting for promotion & play off spot , no way should we settle for some of the crap served up this yr when teams like that with smaller budgets smaller crowds can progress

Quoted from GrimRob

I don't think anyone could have kept us up that season from the position IH left us in. I don't think a PH side has ever been relegated where he has had a whole season in charge (he probably would have done at Ipswich though). He's reached the play-offs at most of his clubs (five times with us) but never got automatic promotion. He has a risk-averse approach, one of the reasons he doesn't get sacked much. Artell has only had one job so there's not much data to go on, my gut feeling is he's a boom-or-bust sort of guy - he'll either be sacked in six months or we'll be spectacularly successful.

Hurst has been sacked by GTFC,  Scunthorpe and Ipswich.and only not sacked by Shrewsbury (yet).

All managers get sacked so I have no issue with that but personally I much prefer a manager who will get the team playing possession based attacking football, who has a philosophy that extends right through the club, will have faith in and improve young players and will not release players the minute they don't track back.

You also have to consider the paying fan. Months on end we've had to endure absolute dirge on the field with hardly any attacking intent. He deserves the credit for the play off successes and the cup run and no one can take that away, but we couldn't go on as we were.

Quoted from Nelly GTFC

Yeah you are right, I'm glad someone is on the ball. I had an extra draw in the Dave Artell pie chart even though the legend says 3. Fixed it now, can't believe I didn't see that lol.

So the form is virtually identical - but the football is better to watch under DA.

That's an improvement in my eyes - which is not reflected in the league table.

DA has my full support and I'm sure he'll make the football pretty, he's clearly confident there is no threat that we'll get relegated unlike some of us.

All 3 deadline signings looked to make an improvement in their 1st game.

Judge the side in another month, when more training takes effect.

Corner delivery was immediately better ! The back 4 looked secure.

Thompson bossed the midfield for 70 minutes.

The passing looked more confident.

Their keeper kept us out at least 3 times, not least from Rose's point blank header !

Onwards and upwards !

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

You also have to consider the paying fan. Months on end we've had to endure absolute dirge on the field with hardly any attacking intent. He deserves the credit for the play off successes and the cup run and no one can take that away, but we couldn't go on as we were.

I think people largely remember the result and the euphoria of winning, granted we haven't had many league wins in League 2 with any manager for 20 years. Crowds under Alan Buckley were not high, despite the "entertainment" on offer and many big away supports. You look at 1997-1998 supposedly one of the best years in our history and the average attendance was 5,271. It was more than that last season in a lower division even though it is considerably more expensive in real terms and you now can watch games remotely.

The best way to boost your crowds is to challenge for trophies which will pay long-term dividends. 1998-1999 the crowd went to 6,698 but soon started to fall as we were generally in relegation battles. The years in the National League boosted our attendance and our fan base considerably (not that I would recommend it as a strategy!).

Quoted from GrimRob

I think people largely remember the result and the euphoria of winning, granted we haven't had many league wins in League 2 with any manager for 20 years. Crowds under Alan Buckley were not high, despite the "entertainment" on offer and many big away supports. You look at 1997-1998 supposedly one of the best years in our history and the average attendance was 5,271. It was more than that last season in a lower division even though it is considerably more expensive in real terms and you now can watch games remotely.

The best way to boost your crowds is to challenge for trophies which will pay long-term dividends. 1998-1999 the crowd went to 6,698 but soon started to fall as we were generally in relegation battles. The years in the National League boosted our attendance and our fan base considerably (not that I would recommend it as a strategy!).

Very few if any teams have seen a drop in support from 98 to 2024.No idea why but the game is more watchable it seems

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Very few if any teams have seen a drop in support from 98 to 2024.No idea why but the game is more watchable it seems

The population has risen considerably but generally football fans it's fair to say are not widely supported by immigrants. Our low birth rate means the "native" population has not risen much.

Quoted from 137

So the form is virtually identical - but the football is better to watch under DA. That's an improvement in my eyes - which is not reflected in the league table.

Yeah almost identical, played 10 league games under Artell now with 2 wins, 4 draws, 4 losses. I've got it 100% correct now lol.(unsure)

Another 15 league games will bring us to the end of the season, which will give us more of an indication in comparison to 16 games under both, but with the new recruits.

Dave Artell: https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=4293 (One game was a loss in FA Cup against Oxford United)

Quoted from Nelly GTFC

Yeah almost identical, played 10 league games under Artell now with 2 wins, 4 draws, 4 losses. I've got it 100% correct now lol.(unsure)

Another 15 league games will bring us to the end of the season, which will give us more of an indication in comparison to 16 games under both, but with the new recruits.

Dave Artell: https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=4293 (One game was a loss in FA Cup against Oxford United)

How did the caretakers do in comparison?

Quoted from GrimRob

How did the caretakers do in comparison?

The draws were against the bottom two sides, but still.

I am supportive of Artell but I am not happy with playing out from the back so much. Accrington’s best chance was handed on a platter from this approach. DA just has to keep us up, if he fails he would be ousted. I expect him to achieve this with a bit to spare. We need to be lucky with injuries , as this for me is the only risk that we will get dragged in if we have to revert to the 2 goals per game conceded.
I think FG and particularly Sutton have plenty of fight in them and so 5/6 wins will be needed. A point on Saturday is great and achievable.   I would take a draw with a defensive performance, no need to go toe to toe, too risky as 7 times out of 10 you lose utm

One thing that Artell has given us is very entertaining football at times. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed some of the games recently and I haven’t been able to say that for a long time. Stats don’t factor that in.

Quoted from oochiad

One thing that Artell has given us is very entertaining football at times. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed some of the games recently and I haven’t been able to say that for a long time. Stats don’t factor that in.

Some stats do/would wouldn’t they. 🙂

Quoted from Zmariner

I am supportive of Artell but I am not happy with playing out from the back so much. Accrington’s best chance was handed on a platter from this approach. DA just has to keep us up, if he fails he would be ousted. I expect him to achieve this with a bit to spare. We need to be lucky with injuries , as this for me is the only risk that we will get dragged in if we have to revert to the 2 goals per game conceded.
I think FG and particularly Sutton have plenty of fight in them and so 5/6 wins will be needed. A point on Saturday is great and achievable.   I would take a draw with a defensive performance, no need to go toe to toe, too risky as 7 times out of 10 you lose utm

It's not the playing out that creates opposition goal chances, especially the Accrington one, it's the manner it is done. There is a time to do something and a time when not to. Professional footballers at our level should know when to do any approach and not stick rigidly to the script.

Even top-class players make stupid mistakes (look at that goal conceded by Liverpool yesterday), but the trick is to keep them to the minimum. There is no reason for a keeper to roll a ball a short distance to a defender as with the Accrington chance, because it doesn't gain any advantage. Passing it out of the box is worthwhile as it helps keep possession, but as others in the thread have noted, there's nothing wrong with smacking it up the line if the gambit to play it out hasn't worked on one particular occasion. Defenders routinely whack the ball out for a throw or a corner when under pressure from open play so you have to treat it in the same manner.

Hopefully, we'll get better at it, the more we work on things to keep the mistakes at a minimum but, rest assured, they will still happen from time to time.

Quoted from Maringer

Even top-class players make stupid mistakes (look at that goal conceded by Liverpool yesterday), but the trick is to keep them to the minimum. There is no reason for a keeper to roll a ball a short distance to a defender as with the Accrington chance, because it doesn't gain any advantage.

Changes the angle & gets the game going - centre half can dribble it out if he’s got the space/ability, as soon as it’s in play the opposition have to come & close it down which frees up a teammate somewhere. If the keeper’s playing it short out of the box from a goalkick he’s got a 10/15yd pass to a static target who is more than likely already marked.

The Accrington chance was from Smtih not connecting right when trying to flick it round the corner, but Thompson was on to feet if needs be. In an ideal world, if you can’t get out playing through the lines you end up back with your keeper and you’re no worse off.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

DA has my full support and I'm sure he'll make the football pretty, he's clearly confident there is no threat that we'll get relegated unlike some of us.

Edit to this, at least you can see what Artell is actually trying to do.