The one person we cannot afford to lose.

[1955pie]

Ian Burchnall. If we don’t go up this season I fear he may be tempted away. That is why we should retain every single player if we can in order to leave him options.
The only exception should be if a player is really unhappy and then not to a National League promotion rival.
The other option in that scenario would be a loan with recall option

[Chicken Balti Pie]

To counter your point, would anyone want to lure him away if we don't go up?

[bouncingoffthewalls]

To counter your point, would anyone want to lure him away if we don't go up?

If we did sell Cal, Rodders & Wootton some chairmen might like the idea of having a coach who can improve his players cash value.

[Chicken Balti Pie]

If we did sell Cal, Rodders & Wootton some chairmen might like the idea of having a coach who can improve his players cash value.

That would require a forward thinking and patient board, it seems like we are thankfully one of the few with that in place, are their any others? Maybe Accrington and Wycombe but that would need them to fire their successful managers first

[matt_magpie]

To counter your point, would anyone want to lure him away if we don't go up?

I think so unless we had a total car crash, missing top spot and then a decent attempt in the play offs would be seen by neutrals as good especially with the style of play he’s implemented in a fairly short period of time.

[Magpies1959]

I would be very disappointed and suprised if IB moved on at the seasons end as it was stability and our model that brought him here

[jackal2]

I would be very disappointed and suprised if IB moved on at the seasons end as it was stability and our model that brought him here

In a game where loyalty is rare, I wouldn't normally read too much into that narrative, but in IB's case I really do believe his reasoning was/is genuine. He said he wanted to be here a long time and to really build something, and I think he's a perfect match with the owners, so unless he got an offer from much higher up that blew him away, I'm optimistic IB will be around for the long(er) haul. I hope so anyway.

[laddo]

I would be very disappointed and suprised if IB moved on at the seasons end as it was stability and our model that brought him here

Regardless of how the season ends, successful or otherwise I echo these sentiments.

[durhampie]

Regardless of how the season ends, successful or otherwise I echo these sentiments.

I must admit like many others i was a bit sceptical of his appointment. However, seeing how the team is developing and producing decent football, i would hope that he stays to get us back to where we belong. In the EFL..

[laddo]

I must admit like many others i was a bit sceptical of his appointment. However, seeing how the team is developing and producing decent football, i would hope that he stays to get us back to where we belong. In the EFL..

Reading your post Durham has made me warm inside and a little emotional.

There is no better barometer, no clearer indication that IB is a talented head coach who knows what he is doing, and that #burchball when played effectively provides entertaining football the way football should be played than durhampie's words earlier today.

The #bandwagon has just picked up some serious momentum with a significant addition.

Thank you Sir.