I'd love to claim some expertise in the field, but my philosophical attitude owes as much as anything to years of watching Notts County and getting angry about it myself!
I've called for a fair few managers' heads and with hindsight I would say I was justified in some cases, but less so in others. I try now to look beyond the inevitable emotions of Saturday night and ask myself, does this manager deserve patience and respect or not?
It takes a certain amount of nerve to defend the manager after a result as frustrating as today, because we all know what the MAD message board is like at times like this, but I'm not showing loyalty to Ardley for loyalty's sake. I've thought about this carefully over a number of weeks.
I've heard a succession of past managers who have given post-match interviews after defeats where you wonder if they were watching the same game and whether they are actually delusional. If you can't be honest with yourself as a manager about what you've seen and what is wrong, then you've got no chance of putting it right. Steve Thompson was probably the worst for that.
However, I don't hear delusion or nonsense from Ardley at all. I thought his assessment of what was right and wrong from today's game was honest and correct and remarkably clear-minded, given the emotions he must be feeling. He's a level-headed chap and the type of manager who I believe will need more time yet to turn things around and create a winning team. He's not your Martin Allen-style miracle worker. He's unlucky to have inherited the manager's job at a time when mistakes over many years are coming home to roost, but I'm not ready to pin the blame for that on him.
Let's try something different from the hire 'em fire 'em approach that has failed us for several years.
Last edited by jackal2; 23-03-2019 at 08:02 PM.
17 points out of 19 games is sackable form, for sure. I wonder if he will set an unwelcome record of getting two clubs relegated in a season?
Anyone hear any rumours today about potential buyers? The players are due to be paid on the 28th, aren't they? Hard to see where the money will be coming from to pay them if there's no buyer lined up.
I have arrived home 8.00 pm. Tired and shell shocked from what I've just witnessed. I don't think football has ever got me so down with the possible exception of a failed trial match for a division one side many years ago. I am devastated beyond belief. I really don't know what to say.
Not heard any 'takeover' rumours at all. It's been strangely quite, which is unusual and could be both good or bad.