Quote Originally Posted by jackal2 View Post
I don't think IB will be relieved of his duties anytime soon, and nor should he be. I don't say that because I think he's certain to be a success, because none of us knows what the future may hold even if we think we do, but having made the decision to sack the previous manager and appoint a new one, there is no point doing anything other than give him ample time to develop 'his' team.

It may well prove to be the case that the disruption of changing the manager mid-season has not worked for us in terms of gaining promotion this season, but if the new management team was to re-shape the squad in the summer and get some good results at the start of next season and then kick-on, it could prove to be a case of short-term pain for long-term gain in the way it did for Sam Allardyce many years ago.

A decision was made to go with a new coaching team and we will see over a longer period of time whether it will ultimately be beneficial. To sack the relatively new manager now would be like a return to the chaotic, revolving door days of Trew and Hardy, which was what landed us in the National League in the first place.
I've made comparisons with Allardyce myself, but as was mentioned on the recent Magpie Circle podcast these are futile when you actually break down what we are getting with Birchnall and got with Allardyce. Allardyce had a record of achievement in the English lower leagues so we knew he could "do it". Birchnalls record abroad as first team coach is actually very poor results wise and we definately do not know if he can do it. So far he has continued his record abroad at the club. In addition Allardyce inherited a team rooted to the bottom of the league and in freefall. Birchnall inherited a squad in strong position in the playoffs and appears to have managed to undo all of that. Worrying.