Ardley To Barrow

[matt_magpie]

Not wanting to argue, but those are the true facts.

I have been thinking about Ardley's tenure at Notts. I can forgive him for the relegation as the whole club situation was toxic. Then he, together with Jason Turner kept us going. Last season we came as close as possible to promotion without making it - let down by a terrible half v Harrogate. This season it had to be promotion and he left us in a good league position, just a few weeks before we had been discussing how we were catching the top teams. We were also one game away from a Wembley final.We had the best defence in the league. Unfortunately for him we lost Roberts and Thomas who I think would both have played a big part.

At the time, I thought he should have been given the whole season, and, despite the opinions that there was no way we would have been promoted, we will never know.

I think that the things that went wrong were Cox leaving, Abbott being appointed and Ardley's increasing desperation not to lose.

So, do I think that he should have stayed at the time - Yes.
With the benefit of how it has gone since, did he need to go? Yes

Watching the interview last night with Montague and Burchnall it is obvious that he was going to go so maybe they were generous to him in how long they gave him. Reminded me a bit of the McParland Munto situation when he was always going to be replaced.

I am excited for the future, but really hope that Ardley gets a club soon (if he wants one?), he's one of football's good guys (maybe that didn't help him).

I wonder what would have happened if he had Doyle as his assistant?

Agree with all that. Did a very good job at Wimbledon. Think he needed a break before Notts but walked into the toxic circus. Probably underperformed that season, over-performed second and somewhere in the middle this season. Good guy with a lot of class.

[optipez]

Outsiders might see it different? He got his team to a play-off final and left them in the play offs, that sounds pretty good if you don't know the true facts.

They are the true facts. He also has a promotion on his CV. He actually left us in a higher position than we are now.

Burchnall is doing a really good job at the moment but so did Ardley no matter what his many critics say.
Barrow are a league club but it's a hard job keeping them in the league long term I think, not sure it's a great move for him but if he does well like Ian Evatt did he could get a better job on the back of it.

[i961pie]

"Now you can shuffle numbers but facts is facts." - Beastie Boys

Yes but often people quote strong opinions as facts.

[laddo]

Yes but often people quote strong opinions as facts.

Tru dat happens often. Not a fan.

[upthemaggies]

He actually left us in a higher position than we are now.
.

No he didn't.

We were 6th when he left.

[laddo]

Ok we are splitting hairs here.

We were 6th but with games in hand. 5th in the PPG table and with a minor miracle able to be 4th if we had suddenly remembered how to win back to back games.

Wherever he managers next I wish him well except if he comes up against Notts obviously.

[optipez]

No he didn't.

We were 6th when he left.

Ah, you're right, thought we were fourth but playing poorly.

[maddogslater]

A credit to humanity but not to Notts, underachievement.

[Kyle95]

Seems some would welcome Ardley and some would be horrifed by the appt, only on BFC ay? To his credit he would prob keep them in the division and build a team to challenge for promo. Trouble is it would take @ 10 seasons.


https://www.barrowafc.net/viewtopic....8614&start=165

Ardley is the strangest Notts manager I’ve seen in my lifetime, in terms of attitude anyway. His defensive style was awful to watch, but the strangest thing of all, he looked capable of setting us up to attack when it suited ie the Dagenham game.

I think he would do a good job with Barrow, small club with fairly low expectations, perfect for him really. I’m like you, I think he would keep them up, and potentially scrape a play off place in a season, if given 4-5 years.

If he does indeed get the job, it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Should he he do a good job there, some fans will say he needed more time here, if he gets another relegation however, it would eliminate the excuses behind his relegation with us IMO.

[Elite_Pie]

They are the true facts. He also has a promotion on his CV. He actually left us in a higher position than we are now.

The main fact for me is that he joined us as a league club, but left us as a non-league club.