I fully understand the Argyle system Lyndhurst and endorse it. I have faith in Simon Hallett and the rest of you
Given that, what the fans including me can’t understand is why Stoke? Listen out for a song asking that question on Saturday!
We saw their team only a couple of weeks ago and it looked antediluvian compared to ours. They’re backed by big money but that hasn’t helped a string of managers over recent years.
They’ve had FFP problems, They wrote off £120m of debt recently and converted another £20m of debt to equity. That does show support of a sort but how much more do they have the stomach for? How much is needed to reshape that team? It’s only addressing historic problems anyway and does not inject new cash.
What they have done is bring cash in by selling the ground and training ground out of the club into Bet365. That’s a red flag issue in most people’s books. How many clubs have suffered because they don’t own their own ground?
That compares to Simon Hallett who’s backed the club via equity, which leaves the risk with him, not the club.
Compare that too with debt free Argyle and its plans for a new training ground and academy.
It all makes you wonder what Stoke’s plan is. Whatever it is, it’s a club where the manager will take the fall. It’s six in six years I believe not five in five as I said earlier. There will be uproar at Stoke if he’s not in the top 10 by Easter.
Stoke wasn't too kind to a then young rising star manager Nathan Jones was it? He lasted just 10 months. Stoke fans are already referring to Stephen Schumacher as “The New Nathan Jones”.
Premier League or top 6 Championship we’d have understood. But Stoke for crissake? In football you fear the career ending injury. This looks like a potentially career ending appointment.
I know you can’t comment on any of the above Lyndhurst but fans’ exasperation comes as much from believing Schumacher (and Plymouth Argyle) was a lot better than Stoke City, not peevish outrage that he’s left per se.