Up to now I've resisted the temptation to post on threads relating to the Coleman / Bell situation. I've followed the many related threads with great interest, even posting on a few, previously supporting Coleman and stating that he should be given a chance to turn things around. But Saturday's result was "the straw that broke my camel's back" as far as posting on these threads go so to speak.
A look at the league table and a glance at our attendances at home spells out the problems in plain and simple terms....
1 ) We've lost the most home games throughout the whole football league.. Out of a possible 66 points that could have been gleaned from the 22 home games up to now, we've picked up 22 points. Out of the teams in League 2 only Wrexham have scored fewer goals at home. We have also lost the most games in the whole league and picked up the fewest draws.Not much use on the old pools coupon I know but without the much improved away form this season we'd be heading back to the Blue Square / Conference with the Dragons.
2) We also hold the unenvyable record of having the most goals scored against us in the whole of the football league. Goals against in the last two seasons totalls nearly 160 league goals. Despite Coleman and Bells best efforts, the solution to this problem still awaits to be found.
3) Since New Years day, out of a possible 63 points available we've managed to pick up 16 points. In those 21 games we've only managed to score 19 goals. Take away the six that we've scored against Chester in two games and the 3 against Morecambe and that means we've scored just 10 in the other 18 games. All this equates to Relegation form. Fortunately we've dodged the bullet again this season.
In all probability, Coleman and Bell will be given the opportunity to try and put things right. Prior to Christmas, our esteemed chairman gave Coleman six games and then " he would evaluate the progress made ". To look at the facts presented in this post, it becomes all too clear, that save for managing to stay up again not a lot of progress has been made.
True enough, expectation has been raised due to numerous years of unprecedented success achieved under Coleman's stewardship. Granted we are probably punching way above our weight given the resources currently available.
Our Chairman must now take a long hard look at the statistics, look at the resources available and make a crucial decision.....Back him/them or Sack him/them. I know that we havent got a bottomless pit into which we can delve but over the coming months these problems MUST be addressed.
Personally speaking,I'd give Coleman & Bell a chance to sort things out over the summer.I'd also think SERIOUSLY about bringing in an experienced head to work alongside Coleman & Bell, somebody who knows the lower leagues and has the technical nouse to point out to them both what is lacking, what needs improving and more to the point can identify prospective new signings of the calibre needed to push the club forwards. Stan Ternent would fit the bill perfectly. Granted he's at Derby as No2 to Jewell. During the Conference winning season I saw Stan stood near the Changing rooms a couple of times, maybe if he's still got some form of connection with the club,maybe he could be approached to assist Coleman & Bell in some capacity,even if it's only part time or in an advisory capacity. If Mr Ternent (which in all likelyhood) is not available then maybe look for a similiar character. On this point I'd applaud the club in securing Asa Hartford's services, but IF the club is to stick with Coleman & Bell, It's my own personal opinion, but I feel we'd benefit no end from somebody with Ternent's credentials or somebody similiar.
I think that signing Kempson is a MUST. Signing additional firepower is a MUST.Hanging on to Kenny Arthur is a MUST. Getting rid of the dead wood will probable free up funds for signing replacements, but these replacements whoever they may be,will have to be of a suitable quality in order to keep pushing the club forward. I think we're making a mistake if Webb,Brown and McGivern are allowed to leave and I think Mannix and King should be given a chance. Maybe give all five the last two games to prove their worth.
Simply put, If the current problems ARE NOT resolved, then next season the club might not be as lucky. The current apathy shown by the local public will only worsen, crowds will continue to dwindle and the club will slide back into the obscurity of Non League Football again.
And all the hard work and endevour, all the progress made in recent years will be meaningless.