wiseowl

I often agree with the points you make, yarddog; you say it as you see it. However, I can't agree that we're not getting anything different. With regard to your observation in bold, we certainly didn't get any new manager bounce when DU came in, he won 1 in his first 11 - and lost 7! Therein lies the problem. We had such a poor previous manager, drilling Lord knows what into the players, that there is a legacy that needs eradicating as quickly as possible. It doesn't happen overnight; cautious, nervous players need to unlearn the nonsense they have been taught previously before feeling confident in developing a new way of playing (ST's "identity"). Personally, I think ST is doing very well with the whole of what he inherited. Above anyone else, he should be free of criticism for a while in my book. Let him carry on the good job he is presently doing and let's not rush anything appointment wise.

It's been just 2 weeks since ST was handed the reins and he has guided us to 3 victories and a draw from 2 home/2 away, which has kick-started our season and given us some hope of a decent showing this time around. He's had the same players at his disposal as DU and is getting a lot more from them; which is a positive sign regarding his ability to "manage". Whilst accepting that yesterday's performance was not good, ST is finding a way to grind out results; again a positive. What's evident (apart from the oft mentioned problems in key positions) is that something was wrong with the previous training regime. Several players looked "end of season" leggy yesterday and that should not be the case. Such legacy issues will take time to address but you cannot help but admire ST's interviews; he recognises what is needed and you can tell he wants to make the changes required. IF the board are prepared to back him even half as much as they backed DU, then the results could be very fruitful. There is no need to rush into any new manager recruitment; steady as she goes. We are unbeaten under ST; that'll do for me and look forward to the 2 home games coming up. Keep it up ST - you're doing a very good job so far.

I managed 2 - and even if I get hospitalised before the game no _uckers having them - they'll go to the grave with me you grabbing bar stewards.

Hi Bob, one of the primary reasons is that I like to sit in different places throughout the season. Sometimes, I enjoy sitting near the Athleticos and taking in the exuberant atmosphere, others I`ll go in the JR to sample the facilities etc. It's a bit like my pubs, I don't do "a local", I like to wander around them all. Oddly (in today's money-obsessed world) I`ve never been really bothered about constantly seeking a bargain either. I`ve earned my money and I`m happy to pay my way on the day. I have had a season ticket a couple of times but got sick and tired of the same bleating from the person sat next to me tbh! Variety is the spice of life, as they say.

Ah right - was just an honest offer if I fall ill or something, seeing as so many haven't got a ticket. I don't do anything online (other than this) so sorry to disappoint. As for weird, take a long, hard look in the mirror mcfluff. You're a poisonous individual.

??? lol You really do have a strange fixation don't you? Give it a bloody rest please.

Jeez - decades of support - and Lord knows how much money spent (and during one period went to every game home and away for nigh on 10 years running). I`ve never bothered much with season tickets - but I've not been committed to the club? There's only one reason why people buy "early bird" season tickets - and that's to save themselves a pile of dosh, Bob.

Correct - I know this won't be popular in some quarters but here's what I posted in May :- From a financial perspective (and IF cash-flow isn't seen as an absolute necessity in the "close season") then season tickets (and early bird offers particularly) are not actually very good business. To illustrate, let's take a stable "home" attendance every game of 6,000 fans and let's split the fanbase 30%, 20%, 25% and 25% across the various ages/price bands. If all 6,000 fans had an early bird season ticket, then the equivalent matchday turnstile income from home attendance would be £38,031, which extrapolates to £874,713 per season. If all 6,000 fans turned up and paid on the day, matchday turnstile income more than doubles to £77,100, which extrapolates to £1,773,300 per season. Even accepting higher overheads for handling some cash etc, it's a massive difference and would provide much more room for better wages/players etc. So, all things being equal, there is a strong argument to be made that the best way to financially support your club is to attend every game and pay on the day. That's the most beneficial support of all in financial terms. It's a difficult one, the Rochdale away, as everyone wants to go. I didn't buy a season ticket but will now (i.e. under new management) probably go to the majority of away games (including the distant ones). Should I be deprived of a Rochdale ticket behind a ST holder who rarely goes away but wants to do Rochdale? Simple fact is we need more tickets, there will be plenty of room at the ground, so Dale should sort it out. What did surprise me was how little notice there was of the tickets going on sale. It was only thanks to my good mate Monty's post that I even realised they were on sale. A promise too - if I can't go for any reason I`ll give my 2 tickets away to a deserving person/s for nothing in return.

Agree - scunny fans are generally a great bunch. Bloody awful situation for them.

We`ll get more - subject to GMP's approval!

It wasn't a polished performance by any means but, to put it into context, no team has scored more than one goal against Kidderminster at their place this season (and only 2 have managed the one goal). We are the first to put more than 1 goal past them and only the second team to have won there. Job very well done.

Just bought 2 online

He's doing himself no harm. On the plus side, giving him at least until the end of the season (with a promise that he returns to his previous role/contract if things don't work out) gives us a degree of continuity, with a man who knows all the players' strengths/weaknesses etc. He's certainly got the fans enthused again too. The down side, of course, is that things don't work out and we languish down in non-league for longer. I don't see any need to rush things presently. Interview all candidates, including ST, and let's see how the team/squad develop over the next few games. It's a results business and if he continues with this "winning machine", it's going to be very difficult not to appoint him. Can you imagine the meltdown if say, we win 6 on the bounce, appoint a new face anyway... and he loses the next 2!

Agree regarding Shelton BUT - we'd have lost that game previously.

You're right - edited - I was a little tiddled when I wrote it!

Edit - just glad we won!

Just back from the game. We`ve just won our 3rd game on the bounce. Brilliant - well done Mr. T !

You hold a different view than me, nzlatic. I think the onus on any owner is to do the best for the club as a whole. That has now happened; just a matter of people's opinions on whether the timing was right or not. I have always maintained that anyone with a reasonable knowledge of football could see that DU was way out of his depth pretty early on. He's gone now - which is good and I trust that the next managerial appointment is made purely on objective merit, without the possibility of any personal friendships influencing proceedings.

I`ll concede "slagging off" was rather melodramatic. Poor form by a manager, though, to reference a perceived weakness (via the press) about a very talented young player. Good managers do those things in the dressing room or on the training pitch The last sentence says it all though really i.e. good manager - DU never was one, in my opinion.

To be fair, I suspect FR was (thankfully) influenced by fans' opinions regarding the sacking of DU. Fans aren't always right, of course, but what worried me was the number of supporters backing FR's initial stance of standing by his man. That position was foolhardy and probably influenced via some vested-interest views from the board. Had we got rid of DU when we should have done (last season for me), I think we would have been pressing towards the top of the league with a regular 7,000 plus home support now. Unsworth held us back terribly - no doubt about that. Presently, Thompson has restored a little bit of pride and put smiles back on faces. He comes across as humble, grounded (no big ego on show) and speaks common sense. He keeps things simple and trusts his players (don't think you would have heard him slagging off Harry Vaughan publicly, for example, as DU did). Early days but a very competent start indeed from Thompson; so well done! If he carries on getting results and improving the players at his disposal (something DU was totally incapable of), he will become a serious candidate, for sure.

Let's not forget, though, these have recently stuck 5 past Hartlepool, 4 past Borehamwood and scored 3 away at Solihull in a 3-3 draw. Yes the same Solihull who beat Unsworth's side at BP recently.

In truth it was staring everyone in the face pretty much from the off. I went to the first 11 games with him in charge... and I`d seen enough. For the record during his first 11 games, we lost 7, drew 3 and won 1. A blind man with a stick could see he simply wasn't cut out for management. Ah well... upwards and onwards. A great start by Thompson - can't complain at 2 clean sheets, 6 goals and 6 points. Keep it up Mr T - it's a welcome and refreshing change from the utter garbage served up prior.

As Sir Alf Ramsey famously said, "Never change a winning team."

It's nice to be able to say, at last, "I`ll trust the manager to pick the correct starting line-up - and trust him to make the right changes, at the right time, if things aren't going to plan." That's partly what managers are paid to do.

Just basking in the fact that we got a win - desperately needed to start to instill confidence into a group of players bereft of it recently. Well done to the players for their response - and to Thompson for taking the shackles off. Not going to comment on individual performances - just delighted with a very much needed 3 points.