The Three Lions’ last warm up game before Euro ‘2020’ commences is against Romania at Middlesborough’s Riverside Stadium on Sunday afternoon. It will be Southgate’s last chance to try and test out some of the players who he is unsure of starting whilst his mind gets to work on picturing who will play against Croatia in England’s opening game of the tournament, a game which will probably pose more questions than the others due to the opposition’s quality. Thus, I wanted to investigate in further detail the Romania national side including the country itself and the players who could play on the weekend for England as returning players improve on their match fitness.
The two nations first came head to head in the summer of 1939, a few months before the start of World War Two and England who were then managed by the International Select Committee would run out 2-0 winners on foreign soil. This game would soon be sparked in rivalry as Romania would provide equipment and oil to Nazi Germany. However, it would be only fair to comment on pitch matters as Romania have defeated England on all important pitch meetings such as the 1980 World Cup Qualifier in which Valentin Stanescu’s men won 2-1. The most recent meeting between the two countries came in the Euros of 2000, another game which proved that The Land Of The Dracula had a team that would fight for each other in order to beat good opposition.
You may be quite interested in hearing why Romania is called the Land of The Dracula. The nickname stems from Vlad Dracul’s father and himself, both obtaining the name Dracula after gaining the Order of the Dragon membership. In the beginning, Vlad’s nickname which was ‘The Impaler’ came from the merchants of the city of Brasov which found him very harsh and severe and spread his nickname as far as the German lands. Further emphasising that relationship between Romania and Germany.
You could look at England’s opposition and argue that it will be poor if Southgate’s men don’t manage to bag a couple as they continue their preparation for a vital summer, given that Mirel Radio’s men are currently ranked 43rd in the most recent Fifa rankings. However, they still have a good few players who possess that dracula spirit and they will be vying for blood as they aim to get back to their average position since Fifa’s world ranking creation, in December 1992, of 24th. The players that are capable of causing a threat? Former Spurs defender/defensive midfielder and national skipper Vlad Chiriches, who is in his prime leadership years at the age of 31. Rangers’ attacker Ianis Hagi who poses a threat to many defensive lines, the 22-year-old with a total of 15 goal involvements in the Scottish Premier League for Steven Gerrard’s invincible men. Also, I consider Reading’s promising attacker George Puscas when naming key threats as he has progressed through the ranks of his national team and has scored eight goals in 23 appearances so far for The Tricolorri.
However, I have recently described in my England squad article that Southgate has enough talent at his disposal to beat any opposing nation and he could do with testing the fitness of Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire by giving them a few minutes as they attempt to recover from injuries. Thus, I’d start: Jordan Pickford, Reece James, John Stones, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Raheem Sterling, Domic Calvert-Lewin and Marcus Rashfordwhilst looking to test the legs of an important few by implementing them at sometime throughout the game as a breath of fresh air. It’s vital that a fine line between fatigue and warmed up is respected ahead of a crucial game in less than ten days time ahead of an action packed and shortened professional domestic season.
Mirel Radoi will be hoping that his key stars such as Ianis Hagi will pose a threat to England’s back line. However, I believe that although the game will be tricky Southgate has enough ammunition with the players he has selected to win a game that will send the Three Lions off to the Euro’s in high spirits.
Gareth Southgate has trimmed his squad down for this summer’s European Championships, from a provisional 33 to a solid 26, and reaction from all corners has flown across social media platforms. Thus, I decided to put pen to paper to dissect the choices that the experienced head coach has chosen for an entertaining month and a half. Is it coming home? It might, I can’t promise anything but it might.
The provisional squad was selected on 25th May, a few weeks before the competition was set to start, and there were a few players who made me scratch my head. The majority of doubts have been taken out but who were they?
There were four shot-stoppers named in late May that were ready to represent their nation, I was quite shocked to see that Burnley’s Nick Pope wasn’t in line but I was quite glad that he had picked up a minor injury instead of being infuriatingly dropped. The 29-year-old has been solid across the course of this campaign, being rewarded by being named the starting keeper for the past few international games. However, he recently went under the knife to solve a knee issue in what was a successful procedure. However, considering his age and the managerial rumours circulating at Turf Moor amongst the emergence of Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale then I hope the door for further three lions caps hasn’t been shut. It’d be a shame for England and the man itself if it was.
The three goalies going to the Euros? Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Sam Johnstone. Honestly, there are no problems with this for me. Johnstone has been class this campaign and deserves his call up entirely. However, my starting number one would be the Toffees’ Pickford who will provide some great strengths in his distribution, experience and leadership.
Twelve defenders were selected in the huge squad pool of inevitably Euros competing men, emphasising the quality and abilities of the players that we have in that position. Right back is an amazingly blessed area currently but that will do Aaron Wan Bissaka no favours at all, neither the promising Tariq Lamptey. However, all of the other choices were spot on for me. They were: John Stones, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker, Tyrone Mings, Reece James, Conor Coady, Ben Chilwell, Ben Godfrey, Kieran Trippier and Ben White. Personally, I’ve been impressed by what I’ve seen and heard of Godfrey this season thus I thought he deserved to be included in the final 26. Brighton’s Ben White, Wolves’ Conor Coady and Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings were all questionable in my viewpoint. However, Southgate would eventually choose Conor Coady and Tyrone Mings as Ben Godfrey and Ben White were dropped. I thought it was a slight insult from the boss to state that Godfrey knew he was only joining up the camp for a bit of ‘vital’ experience as he embarks on a promising future when he has been quality of late. I was happy, though, to see that four right backs had been chosen .. all players of great technical ability, mental strength and winning ability/experience. This season Kyle Walker has won the Premier League and the Carabao Cup, Reece James has played a pivotal role in a Champions League winning side following a great loan spell at Wigan Athletic, Kieran Trippier has been immense in an Atletico Madrid La Liga winning team and it wasn’t too long ago that Alexander-Arnold was champion of the world!
The defence that I’d choose to start against Croatia on 13th June? Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw. You don’t need much convincing of the quality that these four players possess and it’s important that there is a prevalent chemistry on the big stage. This relationship has been built by playing for Manchester clubs, Walker and Stones of City and Maguire and Shaw for United respectively. Shaw has been immense this season, one of United’s shining stars through a relatively poor but improving campaign.
Midfield is a place arguably short of number but high in quality and class, as there are numerous players capable of causing any level of opposition issues. James Ward-Prose and Jesse Lingard were the midfielders unable to make the final 26, as the pair saw creative talents such as Mason Mount, Jack Grealish and 17-year-old Jude Bellingham go instead of them. It’ll be interesting to see whether Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson can be fit in time for the competition. However, I agree with his inclusion even if that is for his winning experience and leadership around the camp. Bellingham looks like a really interesting prospect, it will be interesting to see how far the Borussia Dortmund man can go in his career which has only just started as the Bundesliga has been blessed by his name. However, Lingard with his recent form at West Ham United may feel slightly bereft with his exclusion and who could blame him for feeling that way?
The midfield operators who were named in the final squad: Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount, Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips.
The midfield that I’d choose to start against Croatia on 13th June? Mason Mount, Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson/Jude Bellingham .. the perfect mix of strength and flair. I’d start Henderson if he’s available but if he isn’t then I’d have no complaints with seeing Bellingham.
I believe that Southgate’s strongest area is the forward line that he’s been able to select as there hasn’t been too many injury concerns at the top end of the pitch. We, as a nation, are also blessed in having the Premier League’s best striker in Spurs’ Harry Kane who was awarded with the golden boot and the top assister’s award after an immense campaign. Unfortunately, Manchester United youngster Mason Greenwood had to pull out of this summer’s games as he needs to focus on underlying injury issues and Ollie Watkins, although he featured against Austria, wasn’t selected in the final 26. There is also an amazing volume of emerging talent at the top end of the pitch as Champions League runner up Phil Foden has been one of the League’s key men this season and it’ll be interesting to see how the future of Bukayo Saka progresses.
The men up front who will be going to the Euros: Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The forward line that I’d select? Phil Foden, Harry Kane and Jadon Sancho. Pace and a wonderful firing ability on either side of a man like Kane, arguably the best front line going to the Euros this summer. I’ll be very excited to see them if they play together.
The reaction to the 26 man squad has been relatively mixed. I have seen YouTubers such as Mark Goldbridge saying that Southgate has bottled it due to the volume of defensive minded players selected and his worries for how he may want to line up and set his teams out. However, I have also seen others agreeing with me when I say that there are only two players that I’d consider replacing. Ben Godfrey and Jesse Lingard get in over Tyrone Mings and Raheem Sterling, for me. However, would they be starters or would they just be sitting on the sidelines waiting for their opportunity? I believe that they’d be doing the latter thus it’s not too much of an issue. I don’t really understand how some have a problem with the amount of right backs selected, you could argue that there are too much but they are all stars capable of playing in a range of positions in the aim of meeting a certain ambition and game plan thus I’m relatively pleased to see their names going to the summer’s halted European Championships.
My starting eleven would be: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), John Stones (Manchester City), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham United), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspurs) and Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund).
For me, the above eleven would be successful as there is a great level of experience and freshness. There are many with a great taste of trophy wins and there are players emerging who are ready to show the world what they are capable of. I also think that the players have good chemistry with each other, you think of the defensive line’s Manchester link ups. I think we as Englishmen look at other countries like France and Portugal and are taken aback by their standards but it’s safe to look at the quality we possess and be proud of. I mean, what a front free Foden Kane and Sancho is!
The international warm ups get underway this week as England are set to face Austria and Romania at Middlesborough’s Riverside Stadium. Those two encounters are the build up to the big kick off against Croatia at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 13th June at 2pm, further group games will follow as Southgate’s men come up against Scotland and the Czech Republic. Will there be any further games? There just may be …
How did England fare in their first Euros warm up?
On Wednesday night, at Middlesborough’s Riverside Stadium, Austria came up against England and there were few shining lights for the three lions. Personally, I thought Jordan Pickford’s distribution and Harry Kane’s overall work in defence and attack was phenomenal and it was great to see Arsenal’s exciting youngster in Bukayo Saka get on the scoresheet. The defence seemed relatively shaky as the visitors were able to get a few ‘pop’ shots off and I’m really not too sure what Tyrone Mings was thinking when he barged into a forward inside the box. Also, there may be a slight issue with full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold who has worked hard to get back in the team as he seemed to severely injure himself whilst kicking the ball upfield. Thus, we could see a late inclusion into the final squad .. I wouldn’t be surprised to see either Ben White or Jesse Lingard come in.
As you may be aware, due to coming across articles on the subject via scrolling through the Club’s website to try and see if we have made any new signings or appointed the ‘Messiah’ in Micky Mellon, Tranmere Rovers are planning a trip out to Ghana for their supporters so they can help with area developments and in turn branch out the word of the Whites to other places around the Globe. This is something that was probably done due to the story of Idrissu Ismael’s Tranmere story, the man that is the only .. or one of the very few .. supporters over there. Thus, I thought it would be good to hear his perspective on the trip and see why he is so grateful that one of his dreams is going to be coming true.
Do you know how the opportunity for Rovers fans to visit Ghana came about and why was this something that you were always interested in?
The opportunity is from Will Newbolt who works for African Adventures and has done work with Tranmere Rovers before, he’s also been to Ghana previously as well. So he thought that it would be good to extend the opportunity to Tranemre fans, it’s something that I’m interested in as I’m happy to see and meet Rovers fans in my area.
What will the people who are coming over be doing in your area and how do you think this will impact their lives as well as the lives of area residents?
To my understanding they are coming as volunteers and also to help in taking part in building schools here, I think it will help my people around here as it will give an opportunity to share and learn each other’s cultures. More to the point, mostly they will be dealing with students and they can transpire simple knowledge and advice that will help shape the life of Ghanian kids.
Are there many different sights to see in Ghana, specifically Accra, and what should the volunteers be intrigued in learning about?
Ghana has a lot of tourist sites that they can visit. The volunteers will mostly be staying on the Volta coast where there are beaches and plenty of sights to see and they will enjoy travelling across Ghana’s coast and they are here to learn about our culture through different means such as Dance, Food and our Dresses. They will also be taught more about our area, how they can help children around and thus will learn more about the place that we live in and the developments that we are planning.
What would you, in particular, want visitors to get a taste of for themselves?
Our tourist sites, our historical places during the slave trade era and some of our culture here in Ghana and Africa.
From a personal perspective, what are the things that you’re looking forward to learning about them and how grateful will you be to have them in your company?
Seeing and meeting some Tranmere fans here will help to clear some of my imagination as I’m the only Rovers fan in Ghana! I will be grateful that a dream of mine has been fulfilled in a way that I never expected it to be. I will watch and hear some of them sing ‘Tequila’ live in front of me as well and I will be able to speak about my passion for the club and hear about their experiences also.
How would you describe your area and day to day life?
My area is Ashaiman-MiddleEast. It’s located in Accra, 25mins away to the Airport. My day to day life is about always thinking and finding ways and means as a super Tranmere fan to build a strong fan base here in Ghana and Africa and I’m praying that with hope one-day life will permit me to help the needy and vulnerable as Rovers are doing in their own community.
I’d like to thank Idrissu for talking to me and you can read more sport features, opinionated articles and reports etc throughout the summer on my website ‘www.EthanHoijord.com’!
Flag of Ghana, where you could be visiting next year!
I said in my last write up regarding the managerial situation that the successful Palios’ needed to appoint someone who wants to be at the club, someone with an understanding and love for the fans, if they wanted to put themselves and the Rovers back in good stead for the future. I named Micky Mellon as someone who I’d want, he’d have to return, in the hot-seat and I gave a few reasons for that. Well, on Bank Holiday Monday, little under a year since he departed for the SPL and Dundee United, the Scotsman, someone who I have great admiration for, has come back for more! This is why I’m so happy about that news, even if he has got a lot of work to do this summer to get ready for another tough and interesting campaign.
Mellon was first appointed as Tranmere manager in October 2016, he joined a struggling team and a club which he loved but had seen their stature drop since he would fight for his shirt in midfield in previous eras. Gary Brabin was the gaffer that the Scot took over from and to be fair he had put some plans and promising players in place, forward Andy Cook joining from Barrow in the summer of 2016 as a prime example. However, there needed to be someone with winning experience and leadership to get the best out of the crop of players. Thus, when Micky Mellon came available after leaving Shrewsbury Town and moved back to Merseyside the club felt united again. United through having a sense of belief, motivation and admiration for who was at the helm. Feelings and emotions which have stayed to this day and were put firmly on show when the club was having an awful time in League One, possibly losing at the time, and Prenton Park erupted with a chant of ‘There’s only one Micky Mellon’ and ‘Micky Mellon’s Super White Army’. Micky came to Merseyside when the Whites were in the National League, he departed after many finals and very memorable wins but, of course, a deeply unfortunate PPG demotion decision.
I can only speak from my experiences but I’m sure that what I feel is shared by others also. I mean, scrolling through Twitter just then I came across a tweet which epitomised Micky’s class and how he makes fans of all ages and backgrounds feel special. @TranmereCrohnie recalled one of his loving moments from the Scotsman, ‘One fan day at PP Micky was walking back to his car as was I with my youngest, who was ten at the time. My son, Harry, pointed over towards Micky, who clocked this, he then came over to us and asked Harry if he could have a photo with him. Harry said you want one with me?’. Mellon has a way of making you feel special, making you feel entertained and making you feel important as this is your club and it is one in which he is proud to represent. When Micky was last at Rovers, me and my mate would wait for him by the players entrance at the end of every game to talk to him about what the game was like from his perspective. We would get a photo, hopefully Mellon remembered who we were but didn’t remember the hundreds of times waiting for the camera to be clicked! And we would talk about our lives at the present time, as we embarked on our GCSE’s and going the game was one thing that would take our mind away from the pressures of those exams. I had some aspirations of becoming a coach thus I asked if I could be part of his coaching staff, seeing how he did things etc on a relatively day-to-day basis. He said that I could and what an opportunity that would’ve been. Sadly, through other working and education circumstances it wasn’t something I could commit to but for him to allow me the chance of doing that shows the man’s class, his trust in fans and the way that he truly does want the best for Tranmere supporters.
It wasn’t all plain sailing. There were moments were you would have your head in your hands, the recruitment wasn’t the best at times as your mind thinks of forwards such as Jordan Ponticelli etc and some of the games would leave you upset for days on end such as the play-off final defeat against Forest Green. However, even for that performance you could argue that we were unfortunate with injuries etc. You can look at other games though, cup ties against the likes of Manchester United where we were battered at home and even Phil Jones managed to net against Scott Davies. Yet, just like the game away to Oldham Athletic in midweek when Rovers were fighting for promotion to League One, fans stayed optimistic as there was a great sense of unity and admiration for the gaffer, the coaching staff and the players on the pitch who followed the Scotsman’s words and fought for the club and their demands. Thus, when you think of the negatives and there were some please do consider the positives also. As, like I said in previous articles .. Mellon wants to be here and you don’t need much convincing of that.
So what can fans expect?
Tranmere supporters, going into the new season, can expect a team who will fight for the club and their places and will thus be awarded with a successful and strong minded side which will inevitably lead to another glorious fist in front of the travelling fans in a packed away end or the iconic kop!
However, there is a grand job to do this summer. In my opinion, just like the mind’s of many others, a relative rebuild is needed and you would be right in saying that losing the services of James Vaughan and Danny Lloyd hasn’t been the best of starts to the off season. At the time of writing, it is June 1st and this is the reported date for when Mellon will be officially taking over following a campaign away at Dundee United. This is normally the date for when the retained lists come out and it will be interesting to see who is placed on that this time round, I’ve got a few in my mind who I’d like to see leave but to keep (some) of my reader’s respects I won’t deliver my thoughts on that too early and ultimately, it’s something that Mellon needs to have the full control of. The Palios’ need to back him as he searches for players who want to be successful at Tranmere, there’s plenty of work that needs to be completed before a ball is kicked in hopefully a Covid-restriction free Prenton Park. I’ve got full trust and faith in all of those at the top, it’ll certainly be interesting though.
Ian Dawes and Andy Parkinson will remain at Tranmere Rovers as they have been named Micky’s assistant and first team coaches. This adds to the excitement and anticipation as Mellon has great respect for both men and as we have seen throughout the course of the 2020/21 campaign they both have great respect for Rovers fans and the way that football should be played.
Micky Mellon’s best Tranmere team throughout his first spell, in my opinion .. I could’ve missed out a few!
Scott Davies, Adam Buxton, Ritchie Sutton, Steve McNulty, Eddie Clarke, Kieron Morris, David Perkins, Jay Harris, Josh Ginnelly, Andy Cook, James Norwood.
I’ll keep you updated with all the latest football news, thoughts and features this summer via ‘www.EthanHoijord.com’. Get ready for an action packed few months!
On Thursday evening, Derek Adams’ Shrimps edged out their first leg of the League Two Play Offs at Prenton Park 2-1. It was a game in which the visitors defended more than they attacked, that was their game plan and the manager’s plans were met by his strong resilient Morecambe team. However, there is still a second leg left to play. Sunday lunchtime, on Sky Sports cameras with everything left to fight for. Thus, I spoke to one of the hosts’ fans in the form of Jack Steel who went into depth about his personal experiences and thoughts of the club’s on and off pitch positions as well as many other relevant subject topics.
How long have you been a Morecambe supporter and how did you first find out about them?
I have been a season ticket holder since 2001 when the Club used to give free season tickets to primary school leavers. It worked – as I am still here 20 years later!
Considering where the club finished last season, how successful has this season been and what are the key reasons behind this quick improvement?
It has been an incredible turnaround which started in October 2019 with Derek Adam’s appointment. At that point we were bottom of the league, so while we “finished” in a low position last year – we had improved considerably from January 2020 when Derek was able to make some shrewd signings.
How significant has Derek Adams been?
Hugely significant. The timing of Jim Bentley leaving was right for all parties and Derek has brought new ideas which has freshened the team and Club up from top to bottom. That has paid dividends, and it has brought new excitement to the entire Club.
What players will pose the greatest threats to Tranmere on Sunday? Thursday evening made it clear how much the Shrimps squad work for each other and there are some quality players for this level.
While there are stand out players who could pose a threat, the strength of our squad is its depth. We have two players for every position and for most we would be no weaker whoever played. Carlos Mendes Gomes is a threat as our joint top scorer, but as Thursday showed, goals can come from all over the pitch.
What is your score prediction for the second leg and do you think your playing style will change much from the initial meeting in midweek?
Our playing style hasn’t changed all season and it won’t change on Sunday. Whatever people think of it, it is effective and that shows in our home form this season. I would like to see us win the home tie with another 2-1 win.
What were your thoughts on the game on Thursday? Were there any Tranmere players that made you nervous across the course of the ninety minutes and how would you analyse your team’s performance?
Tranmere had the brighter player at the start of the game, but things settled down and I thought we were largely in control. We are happy to let other teams have much of the possession, but when we do have it, we are effective. James Vaughan is undoubtedly the main threat for Tranmere so I was pleased when he left the field. Overall, I thought we played an effective away performance.
Random fact about the Morecambe? (The place or the club itself)
Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury lives in the Morecambe area and has acquired and set up a boxing academy which is in the corner of the Mazuma Stadium.
Proudest moment as a fan?
Promotion to the Football League at Wembley in May 2007. It was very much the big ambition in the years preceding and to actually do it with a win at the (then) new Wembley stadium, was an incredible moment.
What is your opinion on Tranmere and how do you think they played throughout the first leg?
The most noticeable thing from the first leg was the number of veterans that were in the team; players who me and my friends were recalling from football manager in the 2010’s. Clearly that equates to a lot of experience. It will be interesting to see how you react on Sunday with needing to overcome the 1 goal advantage we have.
Given the recent departure of Rovers manager Keith Hill, did you become more nervous when considering who you’d be coming up next?
I think it is always in your mind that a manager change could lead to a boost for the team you are playing, however strange the decision was to the outside world. The advantage would have been that if Tranmere supporters were frustrated by Keith Hill’s playing style, it might have helped us if they got on the team’s back in the first leg. That has been and gone now.
Regardless of your fate in the playoffs, what would you like to see happen in the summer, in terms of the recruitment process?
Our main concern will be retaining the players we have. Clearly our final standing will attract the attention of clubs from higher divisions and we cannot compete on player wages. If we do that and make a few key additions, I have no doubt that we will continue to be a good side at this level or the one above.
Thank you very much for talking to me!
My pleasure!
Shrimps gaffer Derek Adams has been ‘hugely significant’ as he has brought ‘a great new excitement’ to all areas of the club.
Ahead of Tranmere’s sixth Play off Semi Final since 2017, I spoke to Morecambe supporter Mickey Millar who gave his thoughts on the Shrimps’ on and off field positions heading into the tie as well as giving his verdict on what he expects to see happening across the course of the ninety minutes. Derek Adams has done a fantastic job at Morecambe, taking them from being relegation favourites to a promotion push. Carlos Mendes-Gomes has been a massive help also, he’s set to inflict further damage on Thursday evening.
How long have you been a Morecambe supporter and how did you first find out about the club?
I’ve been a Morecambe fan for at least 10/11 years now, when I was at primary school they used to come in and hand free tickets, however it wasn’t until the 2015/16 season I started travelling to away games and since then I’ve been all over the country following the shrimps.
Considering where the club finished last season, what are your thoughts on the success of this campaign and how do you rate your chances of achieving promotion?
We’ve had an amazing season, so proud of the lads on how far we’ve come. Regardless of promotion or not we’ve had the season of our lives, 23 wins is incredible from our perspective, to go from Relegation Favourites to play offs is magnificent.
What are your thoughts on Shrimps’ instrumental gaffer Derek Adams?
The way he’s turned this Football Club around is out of this world, at the start of the season, we knew he would have a positive impact, but not to this extent.
What are your thoughts on Morecambe’s owner and who are they?
Jason Whittingham & Colin Goulding
They seem like good chaps, spoke to them a couple of times on away games, one game (Crawley away) comes to mind where they came and spoke to the fans. Also, when I did a fundraiser they were really helpful in helping me raise funds for my chosen charity so for that I’ll always have respect for them.
What players will pose the greatest threats to Tranmere across the course of the two legs?
Forwards Cole Stockton and Carlos Mendes Gomes.
What is your score prediction for the game at Prenton Park and what do you think your playing style will be?
Don’t want to predict a score in case I jinx anything, but I’d like to see us go for it against you.
Random fact about Morecambe? (The place or the club itself)
We’ve got the best pies in the EFL!
Proudest moment as a fan?
Probably Coventry away in 2018, the way the fans and players celebrated will stick with me forever. Also this season is a massive hit, seeing the lads bond and gel together the way they have, just wish we were in the grounds to witness it.
What is your opinion on Rovers?
Decent club, great fan base.
Cole Stockton and Ben Pringle may come up against their former club, Tranmere. Stockton made his name at Rovers following his progression through the academy ranks. What are your thoughts on the two attackers?
Stockton has been decent this season, managed to score for us and get some assists and I’d say he’s been an asset to the squad. Pringle we haven’t seen too much of this season, but from what we’ve seen he’s a decent enough player.
Given that Tranmere have sacked Keith Hill ahead of this game, are you more fearful of the opposition and from an outsider’s perspective, what was your reaction to that news?
Definitely more fearful because we’ve all seen teams come out of their shell under different management.
Regardless of whether Adams’ men get past their opponents, what would you like to see happen in the summer in terms of incomings and outgoings?
I’d love to see us keep Carlos Mendes Gomes, I think he’s been incredible this season for us. However, I can see a club from a higher level snapping him up.
Thank you for talking to me ahead of the game mate,
My pleasure!
Atletico Madrid academy graduate, Carlos Mendes Gomes, is set to pose Tranmere a fair few problems as they look to turn wrongs to rights following last season’s devastating PPG demotion.
This weekend in football has provided a lot to talk about, a lot to be proud about also. It has ridiculed the ‘top six’ and their idea of the ESL through the use of a cup competition, to some extent, and there have been some pretty shocking results as teenagers have scored for their beloved clubs. I wanted to give my thoughts on what has gone on, as the EFL playoffs loom over for fellow hopefuls in the lower divisions.
It would be only fair to open this article by mentioning Leicester City and their amazing victory against Chelsea, as they won the FA Cup for the first time in their history after four cup final attempts which all ended in defeat. I wanted to doss my hypothetical cap off to Brendan Rodgers, for the work that he has done in Leicestershire as this final was all about making Khun Vichai proud and the Foxes certainly did just that.
How nice was it to see fans in the stadium? I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Wembley on three occasions and it is definitely one of the best places I’ve been to, although it can feel like the earth is swallowing you up when you are on the end of a cruel and bitter blow.
Which, arguably, Chelsea were as VAR was again called into action to rule out a last minute equaliser for a slight offside on Ben Chilwell’s shoulder. This is where I believe that VAR provides a ‘successful’ purpose though, you can score with your shoulder so in the laws of the game the full-back was offside. Does this mean that the game is losing some of its value because of the emotions technology takes away? I’m not too sure because if you asked those for which it went in favour of, they’d be ecstatic. Something I experienced for myself not too long ago, when Tranmere crawled their way back from a 3-0 deficit at Vicarage Road in the opening days of the last calendar year.
Talking about that emotion though, how spine tingling was it to hear fans again for some time. Personally, I’ve missed it and the national stadium felt like the 20,000 or so supporters inside it was actually the full capacity. However, that may be saying something about the atmosphere for England games .. which will hopefully change in the summer for the Euros. The scenes for Youri Tielemans goal were phenomenal and so was the Belgium midfielder’s strike, one to remember for sure!
Soon enough, I’ll be writing up an article about Premier League managers and the work that they have done throughout the course of this season. A certain Northern-Irishman will be spoken about, he should’ve been classed as an ‘elite’ manager for a little while now and hopefully that eventful victory on Saturday will turn doubters into believers of the talent and qualities that he has. We shall also remember that he is only 48, time is very much on his side.
A manager that I would like to put on the opposite spectrum though, a gaffer who is ‘rightly’ classed as the same description that I’d give to Rodgers, is Carlo Ancelotti. Everton fans, or a minority who will come across these words may disagree with my points and they may even point to the lack of quality that his side has. However, the Italian was appointed just before Christmas in 2019 and what has he managed to achieve thus far? The results are spiralling away from anything that can be labelled ‘positive’ as they have lost more league home games since September than 17 other clubs .. the only two who have lost more have been relegated and the style of play is abysmal.
What respectful manager with the success that Carlo has in the game would put five defenders on the pitch, to start with, against a side that is being described as one of the worst in league history?
Don’t be fooled, Everton does have the players, it’s just about having a manager that is able to get the best out of them. I’ll take a quick glance over to a couple of greatly promising forwards in their ranks, as the Toffees are supposedly deprived of any attacking talent, Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to name that couple.
I said before Everton appointed Ancelotti, a man who has the Champions League title to his name, that it would probably have been better if David Moyes came in. To be honest, I stick by my words although West Ham put in a shoddy performance on the South Coast to get a draw at the Amex Stadium. Moyes, for me, would’ve been a great gaffer to turn the tides. Some would’ve argued that he was a finished manager and that the Blues need a progressive leader to take them forwards. I don’t think the work that the Scotsman has done in West London compared to his counterpart would agree with those doubts though.
I’m not saying that Ancelotti was a bad appointment, it could still work out and I hope it does for my Blues supporting mates as they look into the future where they will be greeted with an amazing stadium. However, they will need to up their standards of recruitment in the off season whilst hoping for the very best on the pitch. They could probably do with a commanding central midfielder alongside Max Aarons and a half decent right winger, they could even do with upping the standards of their back ups especially going forwards.
The Italian with a great understanding of the beautiful game has said all the right words so far, but I fear that there’s a sort of God complex when the fanbase looks at him and that will inevitably lead to blind faith. That’s why next season needs to be the catalyst for the future, acting on a positive recruitment strategy led by Marcel Brands.
I do also want to praise Daniel Jebbison, a Canadian forward who was on loan at Chorley as recently as last season and is only the tender age of 17. The sky may not be the limit, but he definitely has a promisingly successful future ahead of him. I want to wish him all the best as he embarks on that journey with a goal in the greatest league in Europe, feels kinda strange that some pro footballers are younger than me now!
Elsewhere, I wanted to praise Marcelo Bielsa for Leeds’ mesmerizing 4-0 win at Burnley amongst Allison who netted a great header to keep Liverpool’s hopes of UCL Football alive following a sourly emotional few months and the places and coaches involved in the great seven goal thriller in Tyneside on Friday night.
It would only be fair to leave this article by sending my thoughts to Sam Allardyce who’s men were on the receiving end of a bad VAR decision and to Emma Hayes who’s ladies were on the receiving end of a 4-0 defeat on the cruelest stages of all .. the UCL Final!
There is set to be another action packed week ahead as the Football League playoffs are looming, amongst the nearing end of the Premier League season where the fight for European places stay alive. Finals for other competitions are also coming quick and fast. I’ll be keeping you updated with stories, information and features from all of this and more through ‘www.EthanHoijord.com’!
Leicester City have won the FA Cup and the Premier League since a beloved Thai family put their money and time into the club. Khun Vichai will be proud!
The dismissal of Keith Hill and what key attributes must a Tranmere manager have to be successful in their role?
In the past week, Tranmere Rovers have dismissed Keith Hill of his duties ‘despite’ reaching the play offs and the final of the Papa John’s Trophy – where they would lose 1-0 to League One promotion fighters Sunderland. This has sparked, some, controversy as we are in an era that is deemed too harsh on managers. In my opinion, that is probably the right judgement. I’ll use Antonio Conte’s dismissal from Chelsea and plenty of Salford City sackings as examples. However, I thought it was important to delve into the reasons for why Hill was dumped ahead of a playoff semi final against Morecambe. I also wanted to talk about what makes a ‘perfect’ Rovers gaffer, in my eyes, as the Palios’ embark on their journey to making their SIXTH hot-seat appointment since they took over in 2014.
From an outsider’s perspective, those who don’t follow the Whites too closely, Hill being sacked may make no sense. Tranmere were ‘struggling’ when he took over, they got into their first Trophy final since 2000 and finished in the playoffs. However, if you ask the majority of the club’s fan base they will say that they are now more excited than they have been in ages that he has gone. That is because they have had the tough task of living through the past two months, watching dire performances on iFollow whilst watching a heavy defeat away to Cheltenham on Sky Sports. There were even supporters who were contemplating how successful a promotion would’ve been with him at the helm, if a miracle did happen, because that would mean the Mancunian boss would have kept his role. That was how bad it had gotten.
From the start, there were skeptics. Although this was greeted with an impassioned response by the club’s co-owner, Nicola Palios, who stated that she was ‘sickened by some of the comments and was going to sign off Twitter’. I don’t think that this is a campaign that she should be too proud about as some of the comments made have really puzzled the loyal Rovers faithful but considering what her and her husband Mark have done on the whole, I’ll let it slide. There were skeptics because Keith had an affiliation with Bolton, his previous club. There were skeptics because of what they had heard about him from Wanderers fans, there were plenty who said that he didn’t do a great job of building a relationship with supporters and there were skeptics because of the way he looked .. it had gotten that silly in some aspects. However, I was one of those who were happy and excited about what was to come. He had always got into the playoffs when guiding a League Two team, which was described by Nicola Palios as ‘success’ and he could provide managerial experience to those who seemed to need it in the form of Ian Dawes and Andy Parkinson .. the men who were the interims that steered Prenton Park into a place of optimism following a run of fighting wins and displays of sheer quality, beating Port Vale away 4-3 and Grimsby at home 5-0.
The appointment followed that Grimsby game, on 21st November 2020 and the first few months weren’t too bad on the whole. In the FA Cup, we got past Accrington Stanley and Brackley Town before getting knocked out in the 3rd round against Barnsley. However, that defeat in South Yorkshire showed what we were capable of as it finished in a narrow manner .. 2-0. The Tykes eventually finished in the Championship Play Offs. In the Trophy, the ‘Super Whites’ beat so many teams who were expected to go through. You think of the likes of Peterborough United and Oxford United, who Rovers beat 2-1 and 2-0 respectively and ultimately it was much better than the short run of results throughout Mike Jackson’s time in the hot-seat following on from Micky Mellon’s move to the Scottish Premier League.
In League Two, between 19th January and 2nd March, Rovers won eight out of ten games including victories against Forest Green Rovers, Harrogate Town, Carlisle United and Leyton Orient where three goals were scored by Hill’s men in all. Also, he had beaten Bolton twice relatively comfortably.
So, where has it all gone wrong and are fans expecting too much from their team and whoever is in charge of them considering the high turnover of managers? In my opinion, Hill lost the fanbase after a great performance at Sunderland as what followed showed that he had failed in his role of galvanising a squad and guiding them to where they needed to be considering the level of quality it held. His comments throughout meetings with the press also showed that what previous fan bases had said about him was probably true. He divided the fanbase and the club itself as he used rhetorical questions such as ‘how fickle is that?’ whilst constantly bringing up his family and his relationship with his wife, which had no reflection to what was being shown on the pitch. After plenty of dire performances, we probably aren’t going to care that you ‘didn’t force my wife to marry me’.
He seemed to hold a grudge with club managerial legends such as Micky Mellon, who guided the club from the National League to League One as he stated ‘the club got relegated last season because of how many games they had lost, not because of PPG’ amongst other quotations and the final straw was when he threw his players ‘under the bus’ following a ‘congratulations for reaching the playoffs’ from the interview’s host. Although most of the players had let themselves down, I’ll name the likes of Liam Feeney and Peter Clarke who have both seemed to drop their standards of late, saying that ‘it has been difficult to get the squad of players over the line, it has been hard to manage them’. The relationship with fans had been fractured, all good work from the owners seemed to be dwindling as they seemed to hold blind faith and a level of stubbornness to not do what the fans wanted and Rovers had gone from fighting for an automatic position to clinging on to seventh. It wasn’t good enough and that was of course reflected in awful and boring performances every matchday between mid march to may. Thus, to anyone that doesn’t understand why the dismissal finally came, I have to challenge them to either experience what it is like to have their club being managed by the man himself or to try and watch any Rovers game in the past two months. The final day of the season and 2nd April 2021, both ring a bell.
I, amongst the rest of the fanbase, have now grown in confidence ahead of the playoffs following Tuesday morning’s news. Ian Dawes and Andy Parkinson know how to direct the style of play that fans, of any club, want to see and ultimately the squad holds the standard of players to perform in this manner. You take away James Vaughan, you then have to get the best out of David Nugent and Kaiyne Woolery. You can’t manage them, you have to consider the likes of Keiron Morris and Corey Blackett-Taylor. Why not try Charlie Jolley and Danny Lloyd? There’s more, the list is ultimately endless and it is about time that we have men in charge who can get the best out of their squad. A squad that seems to hold so many professionals with strong mentalities, you look at the backline and there lies the likes of Jay Spearing and Peter Clarke.
I was ecstatic when the news broke, I had just woken up so that bowl of cornflakes that I poured was the happiest of bowls that I have poured in a while. However, if we look past the upcoming week and the next, possibly three, games we have entered a period of further speculation and rumours. McGreal, Challinor, Barton, Adams and Dawes are just some of the names mentioned .. who may be the sixth appointment?
This is what I’d like, not who.
For me, there is a Tranmere way. There is a Tranmere tradition and a way that I want to see us play. An attitude that I believe should always be held, an attitude instilled by the likes of Johnny King and Micky Mellon. An attitude instilled and upheld in games that have seen Rovers beat the likes of Everton and Southampton in famous FA Cup games and an attitude that shone throughout the course of 12th May 2018. Those who know, know and however distant you think a tradition is for a lower league club that have won no major honours is .. if you ask fans what they want to see rather than who .. they’d probably reply with someone like Micky Mellon.
A manager that plays on the front foot, whenever possible, a manager who knows what it takes to win and a manager with great man-management skills with everyone involved in the club. We know that we aren’t going to win every game but a quote that whoever comes next needs to adopt is an iconic one used by Mellon. ‘We’re Tranmere Rovers, we’re here to win and not just take part’.
Thus, when considering the next appointment I want someone who wants to be here just as much as we want them.
I’ll be keeping you updated with more stories, information and features about the club throughout the course of the summer and beyond. There are some really interesting times ahead.
To finish off an eventful League Two campaign, one which has promised so much and still does with a playoff place at stake, Colchester United will travel to Prenton Park where they will meet Keith Hill’s Rovers. The previous meeting between the two clubs resulted in a 2-2 draw, to earn that playoff place the Whites need at least a point again this time round. Thus, with so much at stake I spoke to United supporter Lisa Ford who informed me about her personal experiences following the club and gave me an insight into the club’s on and off field position amongst other subjects.
How long have you been a Colchester United supporter?
Since 2018.
Highest and lowest points across that time?
In the past three years, the highest moment has to be the win against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao cup. However, the lowest has to be not being able to watch them in the stadium since the COVID-19 outbreak apart from a trial run game in December.
Random fact about the U’s?
We have not seen Eddie the Eagle, the club mascot, since December 2019!
What were your expectations for this campaign and how have they fared with what has actually happened?
I expected us to pick up where we left off last season with a good cup run and at least playoffs. However, we will finish this campaign near relegation which wasn’t exactly what we predicted.
When United make the long trip up to Merseyside this weekend it will be Hayden Mullins that guides his men from the touchline as he was appointed interim gaffer in late March following the dismissal of fellow interim boss Wayne Brown. However, it was Steve Ball that started the season off as manager. Was it the right time to relieve Brown and Ball of their duties and has Mullins had much of an impact in his role so far?
Ball was always going to be given a chance at some point but unfortunately for him I think it was too big a job. Maybe the board saw how Brown had been for Maldon and Tiptree and believed he was better suited but again the results just didn’t find for him it seems that Mullins with Tisdale seem to have clicked and we are seeing better performances and results.
Robbie Cowling is owner of the U’s and put a statement out recently to dismiss rumours of the club being on the verge of entering administration. What are your thoughts and the general consensus from the fanbase of Cowling and what was the initial reaction to the administration rumours?
Cowling is very much a business man and his prime thoughts are making sure the club stays afloat. It’s his money that went into the club and he uses money from his other businesses so I genuinely don’t think he would allow the club to go under. As for the fan base, all fans like to blame someone for results and he seems to be the one that takes it.
Your danger men?
I’ve always rated Frank Nouble and Callum Harriott. My youngest loves Harry Pell but I think he has a short fuse when frustrated and teams know this and my eldest is a defender so it’s Thomas Eastman for him and he is a constant in that team.
The last time the two clubs came head-to-head was in late March, it resulted in a 2-2 draw, Danny Lloyd and Jay Spearing being on the scoresheet for the visitors. What were your thoughts on that game and did you think that a draw was a fair result?
Another game where we gave away a lead to end in a draw. It was a dirty game Harry Pell was hot headed and got booked but then scored so all was forgiven.
How do you see the upcoming game panning out? (Score prediction and how both playing styles may look like etc) and why, if you do, do you think the upcoming meeting will pose more questions than the previous encounter in Essex?
I’m not confident with any game we’re playing at the minute. I feel a few of the players don’t play in natural positions and also it could potentially be dirty again. I would go with a draw so either 0-0 or 1-1.
What eleven do you think will be chosen by the visiting interim gaffer?
Shamal George, Tommy Smith, Omar Sowunmi, Thomas Eastman, Miles Welch-Hayes, Harry Pell, Noah Chilvers, Brendan Wiredu, Jevani Brown, Frank Nouble and Michael Folivi. However, I would like to see more of Joshua Bohui.
Thoughts on Tranmere? The club in general.
I don’t know the club too well but my thoughts on the team were that they can be quite dirty.
What are your thoughts on Colchester United’s January transfer business? Did it have much of an impact with what happened in the remaining months of the season and would you be interested in keeping any of the new recruits for longer? Who is the one player, that may have been a January recruit or not, that the club have to keep hold of in the summer?
Folivi only now seems to be making his mark with a few much needed goals he maybe should have played more from when he came through. Having Wiredu and Nouble back was the god send for my two. I really really hope Nouble comes back permanently. I feel the club needs to give him some reassurance that the managerial and the close relegation battle was just a unique one off this season. Hopefully we keep Mullins and Tisdale and start afresh next season with the same oomph we seemed to have found with these last remaining games.
One player in particular may come up against his former club this weekend, in young goalkeeper Shamal George. The Liverpool academy graduate played a part in Tranmere’s 2018/19 promotion to League One, has he had much of an impact at the JobServe Community Stadium?
I believe so! He made some outstanding saves against Cheltenham a few weeks back. I think it takes a while for any player to find their feet with a new club and start shining. I think he’s had an impact, an impact which means Dean Gerken may be on the bench for a while.
Colchester United goalkeeper Shamal George during his time at Tranmere. ‘He made some outstanding saves against Cheltenham a few weeks back. I’d say he’s had an impact’
Grimsby Town, a football club with a proud EFL history heading back to the National League again due to the poorly run state John Fenty and Ian Holloway have left them in.
Following the Mariners’ relegation to the National League, which was announced after a 3-2 away defeat at Exeter City, I spoke to their long serving matchgoing supporter Aaron Rattray who told me about the mismanagement of those in a high power at the club. It has been a campaign to remember, for all the wrong reasons. However, the future has every chance of being successful with a good change of ownership throughout the second reign of Paul Hurst at Blundell Park.
In 2010, Grimsby were relegated to the Conference (Now the ‘National League’) meaning they would be out of the Football League for the first time in 100 years. This was confirmed with a 3-0 defeat against Burton Albion. What do you think were the main reasons behind that particular campaign’s fate?
The dreadful 2009-10 season started off with Mike Newell as manager and he assembled a squad literally full of drunks and of course our board allowed it to happen, it is a well known fact that striker Barry Conlon at times actually reported for games drunk, and Paul Linwood who was a Grimsby player at the time recently said in a podcast which is available to find online that the players and management used to get drunk in pubs after training, he openly admitted that the players “tossed it off” Newell was sacked and was replaced by academy manager Neil Woods who tried to instil some professionalism and Paul Linwood in the podcast again openly said that the players did not like that as they only cared about getting drunk so they revolted and stopped playing for Woods, Woods did his best but was clearly let down by the most unprofessional bunch of players ever, these revelations are all admitted by Paul Linwood himself in a podcast which can be found online.
Former centre half Paul Linwood, he was at Blundell Park for season 2009/10 and he has recently revealed exactly what the squad he played alongside was like.
The Mariners would spend six years at that level, achieving promotion via the play-offs in 2016. Although no fan of a club with the stature of Grimsby’s should enjoy playing below the Football League. What were your experiences of supporting the club between those six years like? Were there any positives or games that stand out, other than the play off final, for great reasons and memories?
For much of the non league days we were always at the top end of the table which is to be expected so we certainly won a lot more games than lost, whilst it was good to be winning games regularly, it was also frustrating to struggle to break down part time teams who come and park the bus! many notable games but Braintree away in the play off semi final 2nd leg where we overcome a defeat in the first leg to make it to Wembley which subsequently led to our promotion was a highlight for obvious reasons, also as Marcus Marshall who had hardly played all season surprisingly come off the bench and totally changed the game for us! nobody knew he was capable of that!
In the summer of 2016, following a great season under the managerial leadership of Paul Hurst, Grimsby went to Wembley twice to play in the final of the National League play offs and the FA Trophy. Although the Mariners would lose the Trophy final against Halifax, what were your thoughts on that season and why do you think it was as successful as it was?
One of Paul Hurst’s greatest strength is that given time he can and does create a really close, tight knit squad which would run through brick walls for each other and squads like that will always create a good bond with the supporters, I think that underpinned and helped create good things on the pitch which obviously led to our promotion, hopefully he can do this again.
In terms of the greatest feelings you’ve experienced whilst supporting the club, just how special were the emotions that followed the final whistle of the victory against Forest Green?
Under Fenty it has all been a sh*tshow so it was finally a relief to have some success, I will talk about Fenty later.
‘It was finally a relief to have some success under the ownership of Fenty, as it has been an absolute sh*tshow with him in charge’
It has been five years since that emotional summer, what would your description of the past five years be? Would you have liked a lot to have been done differently and have the Mariners done anything that you are proud of during their time back in the EFL? How would you describe the past five years with what has happened on and off the pitch?
Everything since we have been back in the football league has been done on the cheap which is typical Fenty, and indeed it is a well known fact that Hurst left us last time because Fenty kept breaking promises and Hurst didn’t trust him, Hurst has always been very critical about the way the club has been run by him, Hurst has recently said that we are at least 15 years behind other clubs in terms of facilities and infrastructure, he has also said his 14 year old son trains on a better training ground than we have got! The new impending owners have a lot of work to do, Hurst has also said he has a massive long list that he thinks needs to change so a lot of work to be done!
‘Everything has been done on the cheap since we were promoted back to the Football League, which is typical of how the club has been running under the ownership of John Fenty’
What is the difference between being a Football League and National League club to you? You’re a loyal match going supporter and have been for many years.
For me the biggest difference is pride, pride always should be present but pride of being in the football league!
I first thought that the club was in some trouble when the Mariners came to Prenton Park and were defeated 5-0. It was an awful performance and Ian Holloway lay into the journalists in the post-match briefing. What are your thoughts on Ian Holloway’s reign and did you ever think that Grimsby may finish in the bottom two? I’ve also seen the largest shareholder, John Fenty, take some of the blame for the way this season has gone. Is that fair?
I will answer this in two parts,
Holloway assembled an absolutely horrendous squad, the club went down the quantity over quality route and Holloway was on the board so we can’t say the board let him down when he had a say over it all, we come back to pre season later than anybody else and we only had one pre season friendly so we was already playing catch up before the season even started! Holloway insisted on a Barcelona approach and every game goals were being conceded because we are league 2, we can not play like Barcelona, many many many points were lost because of this approach but Holloway insisted on it, I know it is good to pass the ball but this approach was to pass every team to death just like Barcelona so it was more than just passing football! Holloway’s interviews became more erratic, I remember after Harrogate at home he refused to answer any questions about the game as he wanted to give us all a 10 minute lecture on suicide awareness, of course suicide is a very emotive and important topic to talk about… but a post match interview is not really the time to be talking about it! his interviews soon turned aggressive and confrontational and at times he did bully the journalists purely because they are a journalist and indeed after the 5-0 defeat to Tranmere he made it quite clear that he blamed the journalist who was asking the questions, how a journalist can be blamed for a defeat i don’t know!
I just need to correct you on that point that John Fenty takes some blame, Fenty has taken no blame at all and he never will, he should do, but he never does! the fact remains in his 18 years in charge of the club he has taken us from the championship to non league not once but twice! and Fenty genuinely thinks that is a success and he always blames somebody else, mainly the fans but he has also blamed relegation this season on the soon to be new owners, how it is their fault when they don’t even own the club I have no idea! but that’s the nerve of Fenty for you.
I have attached here a thread on twitter which highlights perfectly what this season has been about and it certainly does show the incompetence of Fenty! it is 43 tweets in total and can be found here https://twitter.com/DN35GTFC/status/1387139076692840454
The Mariners thought that they had struck gold when they appointed a manager with Premier League experience in Ian Holloway. It didn’t pan out in a manner that anyone would’ve expected …
What are your thoughts on the Winter transfer window? Grimsby brought in players such as former Tranmere striker Stefan Payne who was soon caught and sent off for headbutting his team mate. What were your thoughts on that incident and are you happy with the players that came in and were shipped out?
Hurst in January decided the only option was a total rebuild, in January! and I don’t think he had much of an option, the signings in January were underwhelming in truth but you can’t blame Hurst for that as think about it, which good player wants to sign for a club in the relegation zone? We had a limited budget, even Exeter City manager has come out recently to say he struggled to recruit players in January and they were in the playoffs at the time so what chance did Hurst have at the bottom of the league with a tiny budget???? Hurst has since come out and said he still maintains he had to attempt a total rebuild in January and I do agree with him.
On Tuesday night, the club’s fate was sealed and they were doomed to another relegation to the National League with a 3-2 defeat on the road against Exeter City. What are your, rather raw, emotions on that? Can you see any positives about being a club in that league again or is your mind full of negativity whilst it comes to terms with the doomed news?
Relegation confirmed but a takeover is happening, and we need to remember Hurst has led us to promotion before out of the national league with Fenty hindering him so why can’t he do the same now he won’t have Fenty hindering him? Fresh starts on and off the pitch.
If you held a position of power at the club and was capable of making key decisions. What would you, realistically, like to be done this summer and are you positive about the club’s chances of promotion next season? After spending time at clubs such as Ipswich Town and Scunthorpe United, Paul Hurst came back to Blundell Park following Holloway’s dismissal. Is that appointment one which leaves you with high hopes of a promotion in the near future? If you could describe Hurst’s time back at the Mariners with one sentence, how would you describe it?
I have part answered this question in my answer above, if I had power at the club and could make decisions I would basically do what Paul Hurst wants, Hurst has said he has a long long list of things he wants to see happen on and off the pitch so let him get on with it and do whatever he wants which would give him the best chance of success!
Paul Hurst came back to the club halfway through a season of upset which resulted in relegation. However, it’s time for a new owner to give him everything he wants!
