Apart from the death of capitalism, World peace, abolition of famine, Cliff Richards meeting a nice girl and settling down and the end of stupid reality shows on TV, what would you wish for now that Argyle's woes are over regarding Administration? Once the dust has settled and James Brent is forgotten as our saviour, minds will turn to football on these forums once again. Over the last 9 months or so there has been a sort of love-in with players and staff and it has almost seemed churlish to criticise them on the pitch given they were not getting paid. Well, now they are do we expect a massive turn around from them and for them to produce results in a result driven business we are constantly reminded this is. Do we expect Brent to dip into his own pockets yet again and try to buy us out of trouble. If he doesn't and we remain at the foot of the football league will the criticisms start along with the mumblings of the terraces. Will the reasonable crowds we have enjoyed so far start to dwindle away to the real hardcore fans. In my experience football fans generally have the memory of a goldfish and it doesn't take long once one crisis is over for people to start their grumblings once more. People did this when we were in the Championship and there were urgings to spend spend spend then despite our position actually being reasonable at the time. People always seem to want more so the question is what do we want now, why and who should pay for it.
Sensible......my wish at present would be as I mentioned on another thread.........experience brought into the side.......in defence,midfield and up front.........but the important thing we need to have is to........ develop some steel to see out a game and protect what we have......easily said I know. Good trustworthy Directors to sensibly take PAFC to a secure place, and a stability throughout all levels of the club with an eye on the future.not just the quick fix. Survival in this Division.........I'll take coming 22nd this year with open arms. To see fickled fans return and support the club through the turnstiles.........to help Argyle to financially pay their way. OK I relize that by clicking my fingers that all this will not miraculously happen.........so two things for now then...........a successful manager and the team to survive in this Division..........that will be the first building blocks for the future.
A top man our Cliff............a year or so younger than me.......how does he do it...........doesn't get nagged at home of course ( no wife)........how would you like your own vineyard......and a caribbean hideaway home......... it tough but someone got to do it.
Hi Sensible - errm - re Harry Webb - anything I way will get me: A. Modde B. Sued for defemation etc. Good cup for you guys - roll on 3rd round, away to Man. Utd, draw, then back to Home Park = larhe chunk of back salaries paid
Sensible my only wish is that Argyle stay in the football league,apart from that I wish that Jimmy Greaves was transported Dr Who style into the present and he wanted to wear a no 10 argyle shirt-marvellous eh!.
Only Jimmy Greaves aka? He could pick up George Best, Gazza, Glen Hoddle and Rodney Marsh on the way through as well. And anyone else of that ilk he could find. I have to say the wishes are a little modest in some respects. It just goes to show how poor our fortunes have been over the last few years for people to want so little now. My feeling is that once the ink has dried and if results don't turn around soon then there will be cries of manager out and board out just like before. In some ways I think it was the clamour for more success that pushed the old board to spend recklessly and we as a whole ended up with much more than we bargained for. The trouble is that people forget very quickly. I just want a period of stability and of course to remain one of the 92. If it takes another 5 years to begin to climb again then so be it. I have waited a whole lifetime so far for us to get "there" so a while longer will not hurt.
If I,m perfectly honest Sensible-I wish that I could go to Home Park and see a win,thats all I ask for, is a bloody win.Over the past three seasons attending regularly I could count the number of wins at home on one hand or so it seems.Only Jimmy Greaves? never saw the great man play but he was my hero being both a Spurs and Argyle fan about forty years ago.However have seen Rodney,George and Glen in their heyday.George Best definitely the best player I ever saw-pure genius.Feel lucky to have seen the holy trinity play together-Bestie,Bobby Charlton and Law-Chelsea v Man Utd circa 1971 incl the great Peter Osgood,but I digress.
Saw Jimmy Greaves play against Argyle way back for Spurs in a cup game. Warmed up by missing most shots on the goal much to the derrision of the masses at the Devonport end. Went on to score a hattrick I think and we got dicked that day. Saw both Best and Charlton live along with Gasgoine in a competetive match other than the testimonial at Home Park. Mind you he was awesome in that one but even more so in the cup game I watched against Bradford at White Hart Lane along with Hoddle. Never saw Rodney Marsh outside of match of the day but always thought he was a terrific player for QPR.
Not sure how it will go down with the fans but the rumour that Paul Sturrock is to return to Plymouth is gathering momentum. I have friends in Southend who say it's the worst kept secret in Football that a deal has already been struck for Luggy to arrive with Coughlan. Just from his past record in Leagues 1 and 2, this would normally be excellent news but after the last spell I can't help thinking this is another step backwards, along with Ridsdale staying, when we should be having a complete fresh start under Brent. I have the utmost respect for Sturrock, and stilll don't think the problems in his second spell were all down to him, but even if Coughlan is to be manager with Luggy helping him, I can't really see how Sturrock can win if this happens. If we still struggle it will all be Luggy's fault and if we succeed in staying up this year and kicking on next season, it will all be Coughlans doing! Ridsdale apparently met up with Sturrock after the Southend game and told Luggy that James Brent wanted him and Coughlan once the taekover has been completed. Given the fact that Sturrock has been asking for funds to be made available at Southend, and assurances that none of his current team will be sold in January, and he hasn't received the answers he wanted, this could be a distinct possibility. If Sturrock does return, he really must love Argyle because to me he's on a hiding to nothing.
From a purely footballing perspective at this level I would take Sturrock every time despite the last time he was here. He has proved once again that he still can cut it at the lower level and his record is litterally second to none. He would be on a bit of a hiding 3rd time round but if he did manage to turn it around on the pitch with his nuggets then he would soon become hero once more. He does exceptionally well when he has to find nuggets and Southend would prove the point nicely. No money to speak of and top of the league. Coughlan's experience as a central defender would also do nicely.
There is absolutely no truth in the rumour that Sturrock is coming back thank god ..... his wee nuggets cost us a fortune in wages ..... Would dearly love to see Coughlan back though. I was lucky enough to meet Georgie Best, Rodney Marsh and Bobby Moore when they played for Fulham ..... Booby Moore was a true gentleman ! Those were the days lol
And you know there is no truth how Gat? Not disbelieving you just wonder why you are so adamant. I was talking in terms of wee nuggets regarding his first tenure here not the second at a higher level. He does best when he picks up unknown players from the back of beyond rather than seasoned pros who have supposedly already cut the mustard.
I think you have to look at the big picture Sensible. That is that the fans fall back in love with their club, its players, its manager and perhaps even its owner. After all the strife, bitterness & failure during Sturrock's second reign at Home Park, he can't be the right man to come back yet again, even if he is next to a messiah in the lower leagues as his performance at Southend does tend to suggest. Three wishes? 1) An experienced & dominant centre back 2) An experienced & dominant goalkeeper 3) A striker who can lead the line even if he doesn't rattle in 25 a season.
