Originally Posted by
Timmy58
In response to one of your points regarding the sustainability of the Academy in whatever form, one thing to keep in mind is that our squad, whilst being thin in experience, is substantial in numbers. To down grade or scrap the Academy would lose any future prospects who we currently employ on pretty low wages whether they make the first team or not. If they do make the first team, they are given time to develop and improve and they earn more lucrative contract offers. Which will still be relatively low compared with the alternative of bringing in experienced (older) players probably nearing the end of their careers with no hope of any return on that investment.
Selling the ground in the current climate may well not bring in the kind of money we would expect for it and sticking it on the outskirts of the town would adversely affect attendance.
Trimming the non playing staff down sounds good in theory but one of the problems last season was that Dave Artell was doing pretty much everything bar making the half time brews! I think, in truth, none of us know what is involved in running a football club and without that knowledge it is difficult to say which jobs are essential and which aren't. A lot of time was spent last season with the board putting in place a structure to make the club more successful. If we have an academy then it is logical we will need a number of coaches reflecting the different age groups so think, on balance, I would trust those charged with running the club to do it in the best interests of the longevity of the club.
With respect to the manager's position, I would respectfully suggest that Dave Artell was considered out of his depth when first appointed. Indeed, I was one who privately questioned whether he was the right man for the job. Ultimately, he proved successful. So I am prepared to afford Alex Morris the time to sort out the issues with the first team.However I will say, it is unreasonable to sort it out in one or even two transfer windows.