Should we be thinking about extending Graham Alexander’s contract?

Let's see if he can get us over the line first before thinking about that. As GA would say himself, we've achieved nothing yet.

 

I don't think he would want the distraction just at the moment. Besides if he takes up I would not be surprised to see him want an improved deal.

 

I'd be leaving any talks until the summer once all of the player contracts are sorted and we've got the summer recruitment underway. These days I don't think a manager's contract is worth a lot on both sides. If a manager wants to force a move away they can do it 9 time out of 10 and if a club wants to sack a manager the length of time left on the contact doesn't doesn't matter to clubs.

As good as this run is I don't think it would be enough for a top end league 1 club to go for him as it's not like he's a new manager

 

I think we should have those talks in the summer.

He has completely changed the clubs mentality so should be applauded for that alone and on top of that he now has a squad that are all able to contribute to the cause. Look at our bench yesterday.

He does come across very calm like Hughes did.

IF we get promoted this season let's not underestimate what an achievement that will be.

Cowley was saying that we are a sleeping giant and no way should we be in the khazi league. I agree.

Bantam Progressivism appears to be back. UTFC.

 

I voted no not because I don't value Alexander but it's results based business and getting sentimental doesn't sit well with me.

 

Nah.

We don't just need someone to get us out of this league (although that is obviously priority number one), we need someone who can make us competitive in League One.

Even with a promotion I wouldn't be that interested in extending his deal, but if he got us off to a cracking start in the division above then sure, why not. January 2026 would be a good time to decide, with 6 months left.

Knowing Sparks, we'd have a stinky start and sack him regardless of any extension, so let's not do that again.

 

Wasn’t it like Parkinson in 2013 after he got us promoted? Didn’t we extend his contract in the close season?

 

And when the shit hit the fan he ran for the hills.
Contracts in football mean absolutely diddly squat.
If a player or manager wants to leave they will.

 

Some of us could see that he was the man for the job a few weeks into his tenure. Because of the way he spoke, the calmness and the recruitment in that January and the runs we went on when he came in.

Some folk wanted him gone in November last year.... Which really sums some fans up really.

We're not up yet, but the signs are good. Let's get promoted, then reward him. Because that's what it is, as mentioned above contracts for managers mean nothing. But backing one by giving a pay increase means more.

 

Don’t you worry, he will be on a promotion bonus anyway . “ PerformancePay” .

Just as Mark Hughes will be on a “ Keep us Up” deal at Carlilse.

Usually termed “ add ons “ or “ incentives” .

 

We did. But that's because he was out of contract at that point whereas Alexander isn't.

 

Mark Hughes spoke with calmness throughout his tenure and got results for 15 months, but when it was his time to go, then that was that. Let's not reinvent history, some of GA's football was appalling in his first 12 months, let alone weeks. We would regularly go on long runs without a win. In fact, he has come out himself and said he has had to develop and learn as a manager even this season; had he not, he would be out of the door now. He deserves all the credit in the world for where we are now, but to act like fans are morons or something for not wanting to put up with some of the crap he served up at times is pretty poor.

 

I agree with most of your post. However, I value a persons ability to change and make a step or two forward in their thinking, it is a trait that is not always valued. This is exactly what he did when faced with the season going down the plug hole, he stepped forward.

 

It wasn’t his football largely , it was the square peg , round hole squad he inherited wasn’t it Wilsden?

 

Possibly Kev, you'd have to ask GA who himself has said he's learned and developed. For instance, first game of the season, we had our dynamic midfield, don't get me wrong we won the game but it wouldn't have shocked me had we been smashed against what turned out to be a very poor team (people, myself included thought they'd be right up there). Had we played that high press and formation that day, I think we would have run over them. Patto and Sarc didn't get injured pre-season, but we struggled to control games early doors. Many even wanted Walker brought in for Sarc, who people were calling poor, I have to confess I was one of them. I feel it was more than just the available players; there has been a total shift in the way we play. The 3 main mids still didn't start yesterday, but it was still chalk and cheese from what we saw pre-New Year; see Cheltenham for another example.