Andy Scott Gone at Aldershot

[Shotsfan1993]

Seems a few posts have gone missing. Doesn't sound like we are going to rush into appointing a replacement. I will however be interested to see if the board are going to give Barker a few games to prove himself.

There could be a few similarities with the Wycombe situation (with Ainsworth) a couple of years ago, struggling with not a lot of money - experienced (and probably about to retire player) takes over as caretaker. IF and its a big IF, Barker has an impact as caretaker it may be a cheap option - but would be massive risk.

At this minute my vote would go to either Paul Cox or Mikey Harris because of their conference experience. I cant see McDermott becoming our new manager although he has been linked to it.

 

[Lew]

Was told yesterday that there have been 124 applications. Including a couple surprise candidates in terms of the level they have managed at too. No definite names yet, other than those previously mentioned.

 

[Hooped Wizard]

Was told yesterday that there have been 124 applications. Including a couple surprise candidates in terms of the level they have managed at too. No definite names yet, other than those previously mentioned.

Nigel Worthington.

 

[Shotsfan1993]

Just seen this tweet from someone who is usually quite accurate with his information regarding our shortlist:

"So I'm hearing Pike, Devonshire, Yates, Bristow, Johnson and Barker as an outside bet for the new Shots job"

https://twitter.com/stuart_ATFC/status/566881469705244672


Personally that list is quite impressive and you could make a case for all of those. Personally I wouldnt go for Barker though as there are much better candidates in my opinion. Personally im quite suprised Devonshire would want to leave Braintree for us at the moment assuming that is true.

 

[Gladders]

Personally I think that's a good post

 

[Lew]

Barker isn't on the six man shortlist but still will be considered as a 'seventh'. I doubt he will get the job.

Would have any of the other five really. I'm warming to the idea of Alex Pike, someone who is very straight talking and certainly wouldn't allow these kind of performances to continue. Under AS, we'd play poorly and he'd let it slide until we improved. Gary Johnson has a wealth of experience and plenty of contacts but would he be affordable? Not the most attractive style of football I believe but if it works... He could be the man to bring us much needed stability too. Alan Devonshire and Braintree are higher than us in the table, would he want to leave for us? Mark Yates, I'm most unsure about, it would feel like a similar appointment to AS. I don't know much about Jason Bristow and Basingstoke but it would seem he is doing very well there at the moment. Leaves one other candidate which hasn't been named, my guess would be Paul Cox or Mikey Harris.

Whoever is appointed, it must be a one-year contract and no more. Must have learned from our mistakes of DH and AS.

 

[DarkSithLord]

If you could delay the appointment till after Saturday that would be much appriecated.

 

[Shotsfan1993]

If you could delay the appointment till after Saturday that would be much appriecated.

I wouldnt worry, I would be very suprised if we had a manager in before Saturday, more realistically looking at Dover/Macclesfield I reckon as our media manager posted on our forum that we hope to appoint someone in the next couple of weeks and there will be a statement about the process tomorrow.

 

[Lew]

http://www.theshots.co.uk/club-statement-first-team-manager/

 

[shotaway]

No to Gary from me.

 

[Shotsfan1993]

"Former Alloa boss Barry Smith looks set to become the new manager of vanarama conference side Aldershot Town #alloafc"

Oh dear....

 

[DarkSithLord]

"Former Alloa boss Barry Smith looks set to become the new manager of vanarama conference side Aldershot Town #alloafc"

Oh dear....

Huh? Chris Barker had done a solid job? Why not give him it on a permanent basis?

This reminds me of when Nuneaton appointed Brian Reid! And its safe to say that didnt end well!

 

[F Side Rat]

Whilst not disagreeing with you, it is all down to perception. Fans will interpret the appointment of Barker (rightly or wrongly and allowing for some levels of fluctuation) that the club will continue to struggle in the lower reaches of the division once again.
Unfortunately, the BOD came out at the time of the interview process and told us all how blown away they were with the calibre of applications they had received. When Barker got the job it was interpreted as the club being financially prudent; that the man they wanted was under contract, and that there was not enough money to pay out an existing contract, provide financial support to the the new man to get some troops in for the remainder of the season....oh and to carry on paying The Football Genius.
Barker did what was asked at the time, but this is a different ball game now. The fans are restless and there has been a year on year decline in attendances of 10%, which, it could be argued, is actually much higher than that based on the crowds post Christmas.
So, everyone now awaits the Messiah.
If the BOD say nope it's Barker going forward, they will have a very big task in trying to sell season tickets at 300 quid plus, if there is no belief that, at the very least, the home form/performances improves....which tbh there has been only a little sign of with Barker (12 from 8 (against mainly lowly opponents) v 17 from 15 for TFG).
All that said, I do actually agree with you that, in an ideal world, they should at least give Barker a chance to build on the start he has made. But football is not an ideal world due to the existence of relegation. And, as much as people may call be a drama queen, I genuinely do not believe there is a way back from the conference south for Aldershot.

 

[AtfcTilliDie]

Oh dear...

 

[Sparrow]

Huh? Chris Barker had done a solid job? Why not give him it on a permanent basis?

They need a proper manager. Chris Barker has done a good enough job since being in charge but what does he actually know about being a manager? The problem Aldershot also have is that they have no money and the parachute payments are now gone. Like I have said before, relegation to the Conference South could be the best thing that could happen for Aldershot. I know it certainly was for us. Albeit, Lord Hill took over and we never looked back.

 

[Shotsfan1993]

Our new management team will be announced at 12:30 tomorrow, and all the players have meetings to discuss their future's tomorrow afternoon.

 

[AtfcTilliDie]

Please say its not Barry smith. We need someone who has conference experience.

 

[Sparrow]

Please be Chris Barker.

 

[AtfcTilliDie]

Please say its not Barry smith. We need someone who has conference experience.

Sounds like it is gonna be Barry Smith with barker as assistant manager. Not my first choice but I'm willing to get behind him and see how well he can do.

 

[Harrier94]

It's Barry Smith

 

[Sparrow]

It's Barry Smith

Who? Massive gamble and no parachute payment money for him to spend.

 

[slaphead]

Good record in Scotland with Alloa, a part-time team in full-time league. Very highly thought of north of the border and has all the badges. I'm glad we've gone a bit left-field and not for one of the usual list of failure cases.

Met him this morning, seems a nice bloke.

 

[Shotsfan1993]

Good record in Scotland with Alloa, a part-time team in full-time league. Very highly thought of north of the border and has all the badges. I'm glad we've gone a bit left-field and not for one of the usual list of failure cases.

Met him this morning, seems a nice bloke.

At first I was wondering what the board had been doing for the last 4 months but the more I read the more im impressed. Barker knows what this league is about which is important but Smith will also have fresh ideas.

Also it should be remembered that our last 2 managers were safe appointments, and other than the cup competitions they didnt really work out well.

Of course this appointment is a risk but you have to speculate to accumalate sometimes. I just hope Smith does what hes saying hes going to do and get the ball down and play.

Slaphead - whats your opinion on Gray staying? Personally after the last 3 months he deserves another chance but its one that will split opinion I think.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Hmm. Not sure i would like this if I was a Shots fan. Look what happened the last time someone from North of the border came and had a go at this level - Brian Reids disastrous spell in charge at Nuneaton. But as you say above. Sometimes you have to go left field in the hope it will turn out to be an inspired choice. Will be interesting to see what players he brings in.

 

[lowerbourneshot]

Shotsweb has crashed as it does always when more than 20 people on it

 

[shotaway]

His record does not look great to me.

 

[ForeverUnited]

It is a bit of a gamble, but look how well Alex Neil has done since he has gone to Norwich. Or it could be a awful appointment, only time will tell.

 

[slaphead]

Slaphead - whats your opinion on Gray staying? Personally after the last 3 months he deserves another chance but its one that will split opinion I think.

He has been pretty much responsible for all the coaching since Barks took over, certainly hasn't done anything wrong in my eyes. He's a top bloke working for peanuts doing what he loves and gets on with the players. And it means I still have someone to talk about Golf with.

 

[Shotsfan1993]

He has been pretty much responsible for all the coaching since Barks took over, certainly hasn't done anything wrong in my eyes. He's a top bloke working for peanuts doing what he loves and gets on with the players. And it means I still have someone to talk about Golf with.

When Scott was sacked I thought Gray should have gone too, but as you say with him we have done ok over the last few months. If he is a cheap option then its good that he is staying as I guess Barker won't be doing too much coaching next season.

 

[Master D]

Someone called Barry Smith doesn't sound like he's any good at managing football teams to be honest.