FAO the punters on this board.

[jacobncfc]

I don't think sacking someone because you think someone else will do better in future is brave or innovative. It's what every owner does (although sacking someone when they may have got you promoted might be foolhardy). I do think that they are buying themselves time and potentially goodwill by frequently reminding supporters they are playing a long game.

Supporters are an impatient lot though, and in reality don't want long term success, they want it right now, bugger tomorrow. And that might be an issue for the brothers.

Which is why doing it now, when the supporters aren’t there, makes a lot of sense. It’s a change in management model that was pretty much inevitable from the moment they took over, the most surprising thing is that they gave it 18 months of a more traditional management set up before doing it.

[Jampie]

What odds this bloke lasts until the end of the season?

I'd say extremely good. I think you'd need to see a relegation battle before these owners would seriously consider replacing the manager for the second time in a season. They really aren't the impulsive decision type.

[nw6pie]

I'd say extremely good. I think you'd need to see a relegation battle before these owners would seriously consider replacing the manager for the second time in a season. They really aren't the impulsive decision type.

I’m already envisaging a relegation battle next season given most of the performances since January. Seriously, what’s happened to the team that beat Stockport in December, where have they gone?

Most games in recent months, it’s like there’s a force field on the halfway line that’s proving impenetrable for our players to cross. The instinct is always to turn back and play it safe rather than advance, embodied by DKE.

I think the decision to remove Ardley was the right one, but the timing of it is proving disastrous. Not one player seems to be trying to impress the new management team, and I’m fearing a very long Good Friday against Wrexham.

[cher1]

Which is why doing it now, when the supporters aren’t there, makes a lot of sense. It’s a change in management model that was pretty much inevitable from the moment they took over, the most surprising thing is that they gave it 18 months of a more traditional management set up before doing it.

We'll have to agree to disagree Jacob. I don't think crowds, or lack thereof, should be a factor in deciding the timing of such a move when so much was/is at stake this season. It has clearly had a destabilising effect on the players, and I'll stick my neck out and say has cost us a Wembley trip (and associated revenue) and who knows whether it might cost us promotion (and again, associated revenue).

If they were going to do it, do it at the end of the season, or when a chance of promotion had disappeared. Given our games in hand that might have taken to almost the end of the season in any case. COYP.

[queenslandpie]

We'll have to agree to disagree Jacob. I don't think crowds, or lack thereof, should be a factor in deciding the timing of such a move when so much was/is at stake this season. It has clearly had a destabilising effect on the players, and I'll stick my neck out and say has cost us a Wembley trip (and associated revenue) and who knows whether it might cost us promotion (and again, associated revenue).

If they were going to do it, do it at the end of the season, or when a chance of promotion had disappeared. Given our games in hand that might have taken to almost the end of the season in any case. COYP.

If he was their man, which he clearly was and has been for some time, then perhaps the only time for them to do it was now. They have a very very different view on stuff to most fans ( fortunately) . As they are owners and likely for some time fans need to learn to accept that or it will be a very hard road indeed. Let's judge their decision in 6 months please.

[cher1]

If he was their man, which he clearly was and has been for some time, then perhaps the only time for them to do it was now. They have a very very different view on stuff to most fans ( fortunately) . As they are owners and likely for some time fans need to learn to accept that or it will be a very hard road indeed. Let's judge their decision in 6 months please.

Oh I agree entirely about taking a long term view overall. And really hope that Burchnall succeeds. That said, I do think that the last two results reflect the impact of Ardley's sacking, and both results will have an impact on our season.

[LaxtonLad]

Oh I agree entirely about taking a long term view overall. And really hope that Burchnall succeeds. That said, I do think that the last two results reflect the impact of Ardley's sacking, and both results will have an impact on our season.

As often as not a new manager will start winning drawing or losing games - well he has to, hasn't he? Deeply profound or what?

I don't know whether such a phenomenon as "new manager bounce" exists but if he loses his first two, or draws, or wins it's hardly an indication of his ability as a manager. It's how he sees the response from his players, whether they resent him because they had an easy life under the previous manager or if in his opinion they can all or some of them clear off, as per Marmite and we know how well THAT turned out. How many depart and who he brings in will show us what he's made of, let's hope it's The Right Stuff (1983, Director Philip Kaufman, stars Sam Shepherd, Ed Harris, Scott Glen).

[ancientpie]

We'll have to agree to disagree Jacob. I don't think crowds, or lack thereof, should be a factor in deciding the timing of such a move when so much was/is at stake this season. It has clearly had a destabilising effect on the players, and I'll stick my neck out and say has cost us a Wembley trip (and associated revenue) and who knows whether it might cost us promotion (and again, associated revenue).

If they were going to do it, do it at the end of the season, or when a chance of promotion had disappeared. Given our games in hand that might have taken to almost the end of the season in any case. COYP.

I cannot say that I enjoyed the football played under Ardley & I wouldn't have been shocked to see him go when we got relegated or even when we failed to get promoted last season but I was very surprised by the timing of his dismissal, we looked nailed on for a Wembley final & at least a Play off place, to risk that on a manager who is unproven & has never managed in England seemed strange. I was one of the few on here who was still behind Ardley & I will support the new guy in the same way, I genuinely hope he is a success & the owners are proved right but I believe some on here have been blinded by their dislike for our ex manager.

[sidders]

Oh dear. The curse of Meadow Lane continues. Who did we upset and when?
I can see nothing good coming out of this appointment and it is going to cost the club a lot of time and money. Playing for such a relatively inexperienced coach who has no playing history himself is not an attractive prospect for many of today's players.
The Reedtz brothers have been top notch thus far but this move and its timing put me so much in mind of the Fullarton debacle. I think their honeymoon is as over as Notts chances of topping the division.

[countygump]

I cannot say that I enjoyed the football played under Ardley & I wouldn't have been shocked to see him go when we got relegated or even when we failed to get promoted last season but I was very surprised by the timing of his dismissal, we looked nailed on for a Wembley final & at least a Play off place, to risk that on a manager who is unproven & has never managed in England seemed strange. I was one of the few on here who was still behind Ardley & I will support the new guy in the same way, I genuinely hope he is a success & the owners are proved right but I believe some on here have been blinded by their dislike for our ex manager.

I'm not great fan of Ardley, Kev, never was, but one thing we can agree on, it was a very strange time to be making a change. Like everyone else, I expected him to see the season and his contract out. Like you say, if it had been when we got relegated or after the debacle of last years P/O's, I doubt few would have batted an eyelid but now? It's a weird one. Hope our owners know what they're doing but in all fairness, they have never seen us wrong yet.