Trueman and Sellars - permanent deal

I'm not sure it's as straightforward or as black and white as that. That isn't to say that they won't want the job on a permanent basis, just that they have a lot to think about. We have to remember that this opportunity came out of nowhere for them - there is no way at the end of November when McCall was given a contract extension that they could ever of foreseen the position they were going to be thrust into just a few short weeks later. As applications were being submitted and interviews taking place, I'm sure they thought their days in the hot seat would be extremely numbered and they would never have envisioned they would still be in charge in February. It isn't something they've asked for or for all we know, ever been interested in pursuing.
All credit to them though, because they've stepped up magnificently and done a fantastic job so far and they are deservedly still in the role on merit. But, it is a huge, huge change in terms of responsibility and commitment to what they are used to, and they will have to consider whether that is something they want to take on permanently, given the impact it is likely to have on their families. There have been reports of them still working in the office at the training ground past 10pm, and they have spoken about working all hours and not getting much sleep.
Nobody can question their commitment to the job they have been asked to do on a temporary basis, and I have every confidence that would continue if they were appointed permanently. However, we have to consider (and Sparks comments today point to this), that may not be what they want. If that turns out to be the case, I don't think it means they lack ambition, just that their passion may lie elsewhere; i.e. player development.

 

Does anyone still want Paul hurst?

 

The fact that they haven’t been given the job yet probably comes from caution at the very top

 

Yep.

I want a manager we're going to back long term as part of an actual plan.

 

Has returned 1 point (0-0 draw with Sarfend at home) out of 18 since taking over.

 

I'm sure there is an element of that but equally, Sparks has stated today that T&S are in no hurry to make their positions permanent.

 

Quite right too. No need to rush.

 

Never wanted him, however, I do want a permanent manager now, whether that is Trueman or someone else they still have in mind.

 

I think T&S are worth sticking with for now at least. Come mid March, we should make a call though. Because if its not going to be then, it absolutely makes sense to get someone else in and given them time to plan. One name that wasn't in the mix at the time was Ian Holloway, whose teams have always played good football.

 

Personally I think 9 games is long enough I think they have shown enough for the owner to show a little bit of faith. But hey ho if they are happy with the situation then we carry on. We don’t know if privately they have been given assurances

 

Whoa I think the nest will be buzzing bringing that name up. Maybe they are waiting for Parky to finish his gardening leave

 

We've made some big changes to the squad. No harm in giving it longer. If its the right call now, it'll be the right call in a few weeks too. There's no real downside to making a call after 15 or 20 games instead of 9.

 

Every chance he'll be available soon then, eh?

 

Its a loss... it was always going to come.

T&S got it wrong today.

Test is now... that they learn. And show that they've learned.

 

Ian Holloway? What? Really?

 

A manager who has made Grimsby worse. No thanks. I’d rather have an interim than him. He’s abysmal

 

I’m not building a case for him, as I’m in no rush to move away from seeing what T&S can do for longer. Just saying its a name who wasn’t in the picture in Dec/Jan, and he might be if we do need to look elsewhere again.

 

You've got one

 

These lads deserve more time, probably until the end of the season at least. I’ve not been blown away by them like some on here seem to be but there record can’t be argued against even if the football so far has been quite limited to going back to basics and getting men behind the ball. The last two games and Port Vale at the end of the year have been very Bowyer esk however, so I want to start seeing some improvements with ball retention and attacking threat pretty quickly. Our pass accuracy was 54% today, rare to see a professional football team to be so low on something so important and basic. I actually think we’ll put in a good performance on Tuesday if it goes ahead however.