Now here's a thought.......
Posted: 02 Jun 2011, 10:27
It appears that "rumours" have been circulating linking us with a move for Paul Sturrock? Well according to BBC Essex that is and given that I'm not aware of anything at our end it may well be that they have heard something at theirs? Of course PS has now gone on record as saying that it's nothing more than "rumour mongering" and that he isn't interested but then he would say that wouldn't he?
Initially my thoughts were why would he leave Southend (a "bigger" club than us ... isn't everybody?) but that said they are beset with financial difficulties and it doesn't seem like it's getting better anytime soon. In truth he did a miraculous job there last summer in literally throwing a squad together at the last minute but ensuring it was good enough to steer them well clear of trouble and in the end not too far off a play off challenge. I suppose the attraction of moving back down here - I'm pretty sure he still has a home down here - might appeal and he was certainly a regular visitor to Plainmoor when he was "moved upstairs" at Argyle in the 2009-10 season and at a time when there was speculation that Paul Buckle might be moving on. At the time I thought there was always a possibility that he might end up here.
A lot will be made of his illness and I must admit that I thought that the job at Argyle might prove to be his last, but the way he has thrown himself into the challenge at Southend suggests to me that he is still up for it. I just wonder though whether he might not fancy a bit of a back seat with perhaps a younger man doing the coaching? If he does then that fits rather well with what we read in the Herald about Utd wanting an experienced Manager with a rookie coach.
All speculation, of course, but I wouldn't say no given his track record - particularly at this level and the one above - it's probably fair to say he never quite cut it at Championship and (albeit briefly) Premiership level and his style of football might not suit everybody but it has proved effective in the lower leagues you have to say. He has also proved that he has the ability to bring players with him - look at how many jumped at the chance to folow him to SUFC -and you do wonder whether he might not be able to perusade one or two of the rejects down at Argyle to move up the A38 should he come?
As for an assistant well how about Graham Coughlan (SUFC) or if we were looking closer to home Russell/Hargreaves or perhaps even Kevin Phillips who played under him in his brief reign at Southampton.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 502688.stm
Initially my thoughts were why would he leave Southend (a "bigger" club than us ... isn't everybody?) but that said they are beset with financial difficulties and it doesn't seem like it's getting better anytime soon. In truth he did a miraculous job there last summer in literally throwing a squad together at the last minute but ensuring it was good enough to steer them well clear of trouble and in the end not too far off a play off challenge. I suppose the attraction of moving back down here - I'm pretty sure he still has a home down here - might appeal and he was certainly a regular visitor to Plainmoor when he was "moved upstairs" at Argyle in the 2009-10 season and at a time when there was speculation that Paul Buckle might be moving on. At the time I thought there was always a possibility that he might end up here.
A lot will be made of his illness and I must admit that I thought that the job at Argyle might prove to be his last, but the way he has thrown himself into the challenge at Southend suggests to me that he is still up for it. I just wonder though whether he might not fancy a bit of a back seat with perhaps a younger man doing the coaching? If he does then that fits rather well with what we read in the Herald about Utd wanting an experienced Manager with a rookie coach.
All speculation, of course, but I wouldn't say no given his track record - particularly at this level and the one above - it's probably fair to say he never quite cut it at Championship and (albeit briefly) Premiership level and his style of football might not suit everybody but it has proved effective in the lower leagues you have to say. He has also proved that he has the ability to bring players with him - look at how many jumped at the chance to folow him to SUFC -and you do wonder whether he might not be able to perusade one or two of the rejects down at Argyle to move up the A38 should he come?
As for an assistant well how about Graham Coughlan (SUFC) or if we were looking closer to home Russell/Hargreaves or perhaps even Kevin Phillips who played under him in his brief reign at Southampton.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 502688.stm
