[carpon]

Whilst I'd agree that the defending is dire and needs addressing fast, I just thought I may make a couple of points.

1) In all bar one seasons since Coleman and Bell took over the club has improved it's position upon the preceding season. (the exception being the second of the three conference seasons when we finished 10th,matching the previous season's achievement.

2) O.K. we all agree Tuesday night was probably the lowest point in recent memory but bear in mind we've had hidings in the past M.K. (0-5 Away), Stevenage (0-5 Away, Conference) Telford (1-5 Home,Conference) but we have bounced back from these results.

The two hammerings we've had this season have come against sides who will probably end up in the Automatic promotion slots.They have come against clubs that have vast spending budgets and a much larger fanbase. Admittedly we've just spent £85,000 on re-signing Craney but this is SMALL CHANGE to the aforementioned two sides.

3) If the club (and namely Mr. Whalley) decide to part company with Coleman and Bell, It's just MY opinion,some may share it, but I think we'd struggle to find a decent replacement who could come in and work with the limited resources that we currently have. Fair play, it would be nice to think that some of the names (mentioned as possible replacements) would be tempted by the chance of managing our side, but in all honesty, with the finances currently on offer, I couldn't see it happening. As I've said earlier in this thread, it's just my opinion, but I think we'd end up getting in an in-experienced manager on a low budget.That would represent a massive gamble and it's one I wouldn't like the club to take.

Expectation has, in my opinion risen too far.We've come a long way in a short time. Granted, the defensive situation has not improved in a long time, but at least efforts have been made to strengthen that department in signing players like Roberts,Webb and recently King. It's not like Coleman's got a massive transfer war-chest to go dipping into like some of our rivals. The club has to work on a relative "shoestring budget".

We're only just over half way into our second season as a league team and as such Coleman's second season as a league manager. We're still on a learing curve. I'd hope Coleman is given more time to address the problems before we start making the decision to replace him. If Coleman sorts out the defensive problems then that will justify the decision to stick with him. If that doesn't happen then admittedly the club would have to replace him. But, if the day does come when a decision has to be made to replace Coleman, I only hope that SERIOUS consideration is made when it comes to naming his successor.