Anyone else hear?

[taunton_gull]

Jane -It must be that the years of following Torquay have taken their toll on me! I agree, there are still plenty of points to play for and today was most certainly encouraging - I just feel unless the new manager seriously hits the ground running we will be in big trouble. It's also very frustrating that individuals such as Hawley who, although he may work hard and brings others into play has come here on decent money and failed time and time again to deliver in front of goal which like today has cost us on numerous occasions. I think Hargreaves most certainly has the makings of a decent manager but I feel it would be a great shame for him to come into this scenario and not succeed - that's just a gamble he'd have to take regardless of joining us or the cobblers I guess.

[Behind-the-Gulls]

I heard today that Paul Sturrock may have health issues.

After the Martin Ling debacle the Board would surely not want another Manager with health problems.

May not be true I accept.

Has had for several years-a form of Parkinson's Disease,

[CP Gull]

I heard today that Paul Sturrock may have health issues.

After the Martin Ling debacle the Board would surely not want another Manager with health problems.

May not be true I accept.

That is no secret, Paul Sturrock HAS got health issues. Sadly, he announced that he had got Parkinson's disease (a bloody horrible disease) that has a debilitating affect several years ago but that has not stopped him from being able to continue to work and as recently as March of last hear he managed Southend United to victory in the JPT semi final, only to be denied the chance to lead them out in the final by a cruel decision by the BOD at Southend United to relieve him of his duties a few weeks later as he had failed to secure a play off spot for an almost bankrupt club!

Whilst he would most probably be unable to offer much in terms of a "working" coach, he would certainly tick all the boxes in terms of knowing what is required at this level by way of players and tactics. He would, in my opinion, make a great mentor for a young coach such as Greavsie.

[Swanny]

No sign of Sturrock with our directors. It was a bit odd the way Radio Devon announced about Hargreaves is expected to be announced as our next manager early next week.. They were taiking about today's game after the match and slipped the comment in about a sentence in passing and then carried on to talk about the match. You would have they would have made it their big headline groundbreaking news with some sort of build up. They sounded pretty confident on the Radio it will be Hargreaves.

I would be delighted with that appointment. I think Harrop today showed you need someone with the club at heart to get everyone united, if you forgive the pun. It was a great feeling today - everyone involved with our club - supporters, coaches etc. all pulling the same direction. Hargreaves would be ideal to continue in that vein. I agree some sort of mentor like Sturrock or Ling would be perfect.

By the way, Chris, you need to get ready to change you avatar photo - it's a bit out-of-date.

[lucy6lucy]

That is no secret, Paul Sturrock HAS got health issues. Sadly, he announced that he had got Parkinson's disease (a bloody horrible disease) that has a debilitating affect several years ago but that has not stopped him from being able to continue to work and as recently as March of last hear he managed Southend United to victory in the JPT semi final, only to be denied the chance to lead them out on the final by a cruel decision by the BOD at Sputhend United to relieve him of his duties as he had failed to secure a play off spot for a almost bankrupt club!

Whilst he would most probably be unable to offer much in terms of the coaching duties, he would certainly tick all the boxes in terms of knowing what is required at this level by way of players ad tactics.

He was allowed to manage final

[Swanny]

....but rejected it under principle because he had already been sacked.

[CP Gull]

....but rejected it under principle because he had already been sacked.

Yep, spot on Swanny ... and who could blame him!!!!!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... final.html

[Dave]

Thanks for the answer Swanny. Sturrock I believe was diagnosed with Parkinson's during his second spell as Plymouth manager, and had it through out his time at Southend, didn't stop him from doing a fantastic job with considering when he took over they had financial difficulties and no team.

[hector]

It's a funny old game isn't it!

To my mind at least, Geoff Harrop was more like a "fan" today. He picked the team (or at least very close to it) that many of us have been crying out for for ages. He also went with a more attacking formation (4-3-3) and went for it .... and why wouldn't he as it will more than likely be his one and only shot at picking a Football League team (no disrespect intended but this is a likely scenario). There was no "rocket science" just a change of direction in team selection that many have felt was necessary, apart from Alan Knill that is!

He also spent a large part of the game trying to rouse support from the fans ... again the sort of thing that any fan who won a competition to be "Manager for a day" would do, but realistically, given our situation, is he likely to the answer, probably not. His focus should be on producing more talent from the Youth team who are going to make an impact on the first team and hopefully finding some gems who will make TUFC a lot of money.

I am not at all confident that we can get out of this mess, regardless of who we bring in, as I am finding it extremely difficult to think of two teams in this League who might finish below us, but either way, I don't think that giving Geoff Harrop the permanent job would be the answer, despite how well he handled everything today.

I agree. My mates and I commented that his team selection was a bit of 'playing to the crowd' and I thought similar to you when he was cheerleading from the side. However, on the radio, He came across as a great bloke and passionate about the club and I think TUFC is lucky to have him but like you, I do not see him as full-time manager. It could be a repeat of Shaun Taylor, who himself, was a highly regarded youth coach but despite winning his first game, it obviously didn't work out.

[hector]

There is a rumour on twitter that Hargreaves has rejected TUFCa nd still interested in Northampton job.

I suspect it is incorrect.

[RussianGull]

Radio Devon said it several times throughout the coverage, even said that they'd sent him a text asking if it was true and invited him to call them to verify or put down the rumours!

[Jesus]

Paul Sturrock is not the messiah, he is a very naughty boy.

Believe in me, for I am the Lord

[hector]

http://www.smfserver.com/forums/thehote ... 184.0.html


Northampton fans suggesting they have offered Hargreaves job as well.

[yeovilgull]

Radio Devon said it several times throughout the coverage, even said that they'd sent him a text asking if it was true and invited him to call them to verify or put down the rumours!

They also said several times that we were now bottom of the league and that Northampton have climbed above us.!!

[CP Gull]

http://www.smfserver.com/forums/thehote ... 184.0.html


Northampton fans suggesting they have offered Hargreaves job as well.

This article in their local press would seem to suggest that Northampton aren't now looking to appoint anyone new soon. No great surprise, give how well caretaker boss Andy King and his asst Tim Flowers have done of late.

http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport ... -1-5787664

It might also, of course, clear the way for Chris Hargreaves to accept our offer if that is indeed the case!

The Northampton Chairman also confirms on their Official Site that the job has not been offered to anyone...

http://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/article/chai ... 76719.aspx?