asl wrote: ↑20 Aug 2025, 13:45
A statement of what the plan is for the rest of the season and how to accomplish it might be achievable in the first couple of days. Anything more is likely unrealistic in such a time frame.
I am expecting a new CEO to be appointed and possibly a new Director of Football both chosen and trusted by Mike Garlick. I also expect we will hear that it will be a gradual improvement with a focus on infrastructure as well as improved budget.
The thing with timing is it's not a few days we know it's been weeks now, I suspect some changes and plans are already in motion but ultimately he will want a full and detailed assessment from people he trusts. For example I suspect he knows the friction between and manager and DoF and will need to address that quickly, he will have heard the booing at the last two games and will know fans are not happy with things too.
asl wrote: ↑20 Aug 2025, 13:45
A statement of what the plan is for the rest of the season and how to accomplish it might be achievable in the first couple of days. Anything more is likely unrealistic in such a time frame.
I am expecting a new CEO to be appointed and possibly a new Director of Football both chosen and trusted by Mike Garlick. I also expect we will hear that it will be a gradual improvement with a focus on infrastructure as well as improved budget.
The thing with timing is it's not a few days we know it's been weeks now, I suspect some changes and plans are already in motion but ultimately he will want a full and detailed assessment from people he trusts. For example I suspect he knows the friction between and manager and DoF and will need to address that quickly, he will have heard the booing at the last two games and will know fans are not happy with things too.
can Garlick start putting his plans in place even though the efl haven't approved his takeover?
Yes he can, but if he's sensible he won't commit the funds until it's approved. For example I would imagine he's already got plans on investment for the training ground which we will see this season such as the sprinkler system and possible the 4G pitch (unsure if we need permission for that or what the lead time would be to get it fitted). I would be surprised if there are not conversations started about acquiring land such as Parklands and or Cakebridge place too.
Benctfc wrote: ↑20 Aug 2025, 08:32
Apparently Duff was there last night but let's be honest unless he is offered silly money he wont be back here and personally I kind of hope he doesn't as I wouldn't want to risk tarnishing his legacy here similar to Cotterill.
Just seen a pic of Duff talking to Bloxham last night in the main stand. How many games has he been at now, out of the three competitive games this season at WR?
I don't know why he wouldn't come back. He went and tried his luck in L1 and the Championship and failed, despite nearly getting Barnsley up. He's now been out of work since early March and his stints at Swansea (6 months before being sacked, 4 months of football) and Huddersfield (10 months before being sacked, 7 months of football) were pretty much complete disasters, and he's obviously still in the area. On top of being sacked in under a season twice, he's proven his loyalty as a manager isn't great, jumping ship from us and Barnsley at the first real opportunities.
Regarding his "legacy" and not wanting to tarnish it, like Cotterill - for me, a manager turning the club down or refusing to return damages that legacy more than coming back and it not working out a second time. Park the ego.
For Duff to return I'm pretty sure he would want his own coaching team, a different Director of Football than the current one and assurances over the budget and that still might not be enough. I do think he has a good relationship with Garlick but let's see in the coming days there.
Am I the only one appalled by the fact that fans cheered one of our own players being injured last night?
I'm not a massive fan of Scot Bennett, but he doesn't come remotely close to being one of our worst ever players, and we've had many, many more not get an ounce of the criticism he does.
I agree Si Robin. I think Scot Bennetts best days are gone but cheering an injury is out of order . I would like to see him replaced by a better player on merit, not through an unfortunate injury. The one thing you can't doubt is his effort.
Si Robin wrote: ↑20 Aug 2025, 15:26
Am I the only one appalled by the fact that fans cheered one of our own players being injured last night?
I'm not a massive fan of Scot Bennett, but he doesn't come remotely close to being one of our worst ever players, and we've had many, many more not get an ounce of the criticism he does.
It's pathetic and childish, it really is.
I mentioned the same thing and so did another poster. I can't recall ever hearing so many cheer like that even for some of the worst players we've had. He's not the best player but he always puts in a shift, you can't boo that.
I don't think people should read too much into how many games Michael Duff has attended. He still lives in the town, I believe his kids are in the academy, why wouldn't he attend his local club that he has so much connection with?
I've seen him a few times at the food festival too, but it doesn't mean he's going to start knocking out cheese wheels and cured meats any time soon either.
Re Bennett, the crowd OBVIOUSLY did not cheer Bennett's injury, they cheered that he had been replaced by AJB. Sure, you can say one is the same as the other if you want to look at it like that, but it's Flynn's blind loyalty to, and praise of, Bennett that has led to the player being targeted like that.
I'm actually almost surprised that Flynn didn't come out after the match last night and say we'd have won if Bennett had been able to play.
One thing’s for sure, whether we are still in League Two or the NL, only a small handful of the players we currently have will be here this time next year.
Si Robin wrote: ↑20 Aug 2025, 15:26
Am I the only one appalled by the fact that fans cheered one of our own players being injured last night?
I'm not a massive fan of Scot Bennett, but he doesn't come remotely close to being one of our worst ever players, and we've had many, many more not get an ounce of the criticism he does.
It's pathetic and childish, it really is.
Sort of. But there’s context.
We’ve had a terrible start. A lot of the blame for that is falling on Flynn. Much of our fanbase have never liked Flynn. And Bennett is Flynn’s mate who is perceived by the Flynn-haters to get special treatment by the gaffer.
In that context it was unsavoury, but unsurprising.
When are the contracts of Flynn and Downes up? I know Flynn was announced it was a 2 year and I’ve not seen anything about a renewal. I can’t see anything for Downes, so guessing it was the same (unless Johnson was behind it in which case it’s probably a 5 year deal!)
I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a big change when the takeover is finalised.
Whilst at times I though we played well last night and pegged Bromley back, Flynn, for me, tinkers too much with his team and I don’t think he’s the man to get the best out of the current squad.
London Exile wrote: ↑20 Aug 2025, 19:35When are the contracts of Flynn and Downes up? I know Flynn was announced it was a 2 year and I’ve not seen anything about a renewal. I can’t see anything for Downes, so guessing it was the same (unless Johnson was behind it in which case it’s probably a 5 year deal!)
I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a big change when the takeover is finalised.
Whilst at times I though we played well last night and pegged Bromley back, Flynn, for me, tinkers too much with his team and I don’t think he’s the man to get the best out of the current squad.
Both end of this season I believe. Presumably Gary Johnson is not on a contract.
Why on earth did we import the ex Torquay mob. The whole Torquay experience after a catastrophic fall from a comparative great height was failure and failure again.
Why did anyone expect it would be any different by coming here?
Credit to Gary on his first spell here but other than that....
The present manager inspires no confidence in the players or anyone else.
If Mike Duff is available we should be doing everything to get him back. He is a man you can believe in and has the qualities we so desperately need to get us out of this potential mess.
milestones wrote: ↑21 Aug 2025, 18:52
Why on earth did we import the ex Torquay mob. The whole Torquay experience after a catastrophic fall from a comparative great height was failure and failure again.
Why did anyone expect it would be any different by coming here?
Credit to Gary on his first spell here but other than that....
The present manager inspires no confidence in the players or anyone else.
If Mike Duff is available we should be doing everything to get him back. He is a man you can believe in and has the qualities we so desperately need to get us out of this potential mess.
I believe Paul Baker and David Bloxham felt Gary Johnson was unjustly sacked (by Andy Wilcox - who was clearly proven right). There is a lot of gratitude for GJ for winning promotion and an overlooking of the fact that our return to the league was near disastrous because of his health issues and terrible on the pitch performances, coupled with poor recruitment.
With GJ it usually starts well and ends terribly, let's be honest he should have been sacked well before he was but sentiment clearly prevented that. It was the same at Torquay he went in there had great success and spent a lot of money to take them from the southern league to minutes from a football league return but then it went badly pear shaped just as it did here. I know he was not the first choice for the Director of Football role - that was Micky Moore - but again I feel it was sentiment mixed in with an appreciation for the contacts he has in the game. But I highly doubt when he was appointed they expected him to bring Downes and his brother with him.
milestones wrote: ↑21 Aug 2025, 18:52
Why on earth did we import the ex Torquay mob. The whole Torquay experience after a catastrophic fall from a comparative great height was failure and failure again.
Why did anyone expect it would be any different by coming here?
Credit to Gary on his first spell here but other than that....
The present manager inspires no confidence in the players or anyone else.
If Mike Duff is available we should be doing everything to get him back. He is a man you can believe in and has the qualities we so desperately need to get us out of this potential mess.
I believe Paul Baker and David Bloxham felt Gary Johnson was unjustly sacked (by Andy Wilcox - who was clearly proven right). There is a lot of gratitude for GJ for winning promotion and an overlooking of the fact that our return to the league was near disastrous because of his health issues and terrible on the pitch performances, coupled with poor recruitment.
With GJ it usually starts well and ends terribly, let's be honest he should have been sacked well before he was but sentiment clearly prevented that. It was the same at Torquay he went in there had great success and spent a lot of money to take them from the southern league to minutes from a football league return but then it went badly pear shaped just as it did here. I know he was not the first choice for the Director of Football role - that was Micky Moore - but again I feel it was sentiment mixed in with an appreciation for the contacts he has in the game. But I highly doubt when he was appointed they expected him to bring Downes and his brother with him.
If even part of that is true it more or less paints a picture as to why we need a footballing business brain leading things. Don't get me wrong, the board and previous boards have done a great job at keeping the lights on for years on a shoestring. However making decisions on sentiment (if that is what was done), can more than often only end one way.
It is pretty obvious that I don't think taking GJ back and taking up a salary when we are cash strapped, a salary which imo, is showing little return. We can't live in the past or make decisions on past loyalties, appointing who we think are 'owed one'. My one and only hope this year is that if and when the new 'owner' moves in, we clear the decks of sentiment and it is not too late to keep us in the league.
As far as MF is concerned, even if there is another manager lined up, I think for what he has been given, both player wise and back room wise, he has not done too bad a job in where he got us last year. This year ? Who knows, but our recruitment guru's have shuffled the pack and dealt him a worse hand than he had last year
milestones wrote: ↑21 Aug 2025, 18:52
Why on earth did we import the ex Torquay mob. The whole Torquay experience after a catastrophic fall from a comparative great height was failure and failure again.
Why did anyone expect it would be any different by coming here?
Credit to Gary on his first spell here but other than that....
The present manager inspires no confidence in the players or anyone else.
If Mike Duff is available we should be doing everything to get him back. He is a man you can believe in and has the qualities we so desperately need to get us out of this potential mess.
I believe Paul Baker and David Bloxham felt Gary Johnson was unjustly sacked (by Andy Wilcox - who was clearly proven right). There is a lot of gratitude for GJ for winning promotion and an overlooking of the fact that our return to the league was near disastrous because of his health issues and terrible on the pitch performances, coupled with poor recruitment.
With GJ it usually starts well and ends terribly, let's be honest he should have been sacked well before he was but sentiment clearly prevented that. It was the same at Torquay he went in there had great success and spent a lot of money to take them from the southern league to minutes from a football league return but then it went badly pear shaped just as it did here. I know he was not the first choice for the Director of Football role - that was Micky Moore - but again I feel it was sentiment mixed in with an appreciation for the contacts he has in the game. But I highly doubt when he was appointed they expected him to bring Downes and his brother with him.
If even part of that is true it more or less paints a picture as to why we need a footballing business brain leading things. Don't get me wrong, the board and previous boards have done a great job at keeping the lights on for years on a shoestring. However making decisions on sentiment (if that is what was done), can more than often only end one way.
It is pretty obvious that I don't think taking GJ back and taking up a salary when we are cash strapped, a salary which imo, is showing little return. We can't live in the past or make decisions on past loyalties, appointing who we think are 'owed one'. My one and only hope this year is that if and when the new 'owner' moves in, we clear the decks of sentiment and it is not too late to keep us in the league.
As far as MF is concerned, even if there is another manager lined up, I think for what he has been given, both player wise and back room wise, he has not done too bad a job in where he got us last year. This year ? Who knows, but our recruitment guru's have shuffled the pack and dealt him a worse hand than he had last year
If Archer and Arkell are sold for decent fees I would say that is a return. Michael Flynn has dealt his own hand with some players. Fans must expect that to replace the Management staff would wipe out a six figure sum of money. We might sell Archer and Thomas and have peanuts left. Not sure if that fits in with Mr Garlicks " suistainability" model.
I believe Paul Baker and David Bloxham felt Gary Johnson was unjustly sacked (by Andy Wilcox - who was clearly proven right). There is a lot of gratitude for GJ for winning promotion and an overlooking of the fact that our return to the league was near disastrous because of his health issues and terrible on the pitch performances, coupled with poor recruitment.
With GJ it usually starts well and ends terribly, let's be honest he should have been sacked well before he was but sentiment clearly prevented that. It was the same at Torquay he went in there had great success and spent a lot of money to take them from the southern league to minutes from a football league return but then it went badly pear shaped just as it did here. I know he was not the first choice for the Director of Football role - that was Micky Moore - but again I feel it was sentiment mixed in with an appreciation for the contacts he has in the game. But I highly doubt when he was appointed they expected him to bring Downes and his brother with him.
If even part of that is true it more or less paints a picture as to why we need a footballing business brain leading things. Don't get me wrong, the board and previous boards have done a great job at keeping the lights on for years on a shoestring. However making decisions on sentiment (if that is what was done), can more than often only end one way.
It is pretty obvious that I don't think taking GJ back and taking up a salary when we are cash strapped, a salary which imo, is showing little return. We can't live in the past or make decisions on past loyalties, appointing who we think are 'owed one'. My one and only hope this year is that if and when the new 'owner' moves in, we clear the decks of sentiment and it is not too late to keep us in the league.
As far as MF is concerned, even if there is another manager lined up, I think for what he has been given, both player wise and back room wise, he has not done too bad a job in where he got us last year. This year ? Who knows, but our recruitment guru's have shuffled the pack and dealt him a worse hand than he had last year
If Archer and Arkell are sold for decent fees I would say that is a return. Michael Flynn has dealt his own hand with some players. Fans must expect that to replace the Management staff would wipe out a six figure sum of money. We might sell Archer and Thomas and have peanuts left. Not sure if that fits in with Mr Garlicks " suistainability" model.
I would partially agree with you re those two if it had gone thru June early July. At this stage I question what good it would do us, unless we have better waiting in the wings, which i doubt.
It all depends who we want to get rid off and what kind of contract if any they are on. According to posts on here GJ is not on a contract (?), I would doubt scouts are put on a contract (?). It is my view that being cash strapped, we have overheads we could do without.
Apart from Bennett, which other players are down purely to MF? Genuinely have no idea
Si Robin wrote: ↑22 Aug 2025, 09:02
I don't believe Anderson is a Flynn signing. The Bristol City link pretty much gives that away.
Unsure Si, because Flynn took a lot of loans from Bristol City to Newport and I believe he has a great relationship with their youth lead Brian Tinnion (?). It doesn't mean it's his signing though I admit.
