Gulls cash problems surprised boss

taunton_gull · Post by **taunton_gull** » 23 Apr 2014, 12:11

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27114621

Deary me. What a state of affairs, it's no wonder the club is in such a mess if managers are appointed not knowing the full scale of the situation. I know there were noises made about similar things under Ling and Knill. Also from CH's point of view I don't quite know what he expected when he turned up - most of us could have briefed him about the state of the club and a lot of things were common knowledge so I'm not sure what planet he has been on. Of everything that's happened one of the most disappointing things has to be the training ground. I can't quite believe how much money was spent on something clearly not fit for purpose. What a joke.

Post by **Scott Brehaut** » 23 Apr 2014, 12:48

Which begs the question, was he told that the funds were better than they were (in essence, lied to), or did he just never ask?

Rjc70 · Post by **Rjc70** » 23 Apr 2014, 12:53

For a former media presenter, I'm struggling to work out whether the interview he gave shows incredible naivety when dealing with the media or not. I can't imagine his employers would be pleased to read this. I'm inclined not to believe what he is saying. Did he not ask these questions prior to appointment? Did he ask them and get a different picture from the Club than was actually the case? The first option would make him look an idiot. The second also makes him look an idiot given who his employers are. No doubt we'll get some third way explained, but I'd rather he just shut up and got on with the job now, as his dealings with the media have been quite dreadful of recent.

Fonda · Post by **Fonda** » 23 Apr 2014, 13:30

Is he for real? What did he expect exactly? It's not even as if we've been thrifty since his arrival - we were signing a player a week at one stage - there are other clubs (not too far from home) in our league that haven't been able to afford any loan signings this season.

Apparently he was on Spotlight (last night?) suggesting all our problems were created before he arrived too? Oh, and the result on Saturday was the result of his half-time team talk?

I'll say one thing for him, he's a great self-publicist. He has more in common with Bucks than I imagined.

Perhaps he's had enough and is looking for a pay off rather than facing next season in the conference?

It was a great result on Monday, and they all (he included) deserve great credit for it. But I'd rather he stopped talking, and focused his efforts on the pitch - for a couple more weeks at least.

gullintwoplaces · Post by **gullintwoplaces** » 23 Apr 2014, 13:50

Fonda wrote:Is he for real? What did he expect exactly? It's not even as if we've been thrifty since his arrival - we were signing a player a week at one stage - there are other clubs (not too far from home) in our league that haven't been able to afford any loan signings this season.

Apparently he was on Spotlight (last night?) suggesting all our problems were created before he arrived too? Oh, and the result on Saturday was the result of his half-time team talk?

I'll say one thing for him, he's a great self-publicist. He has more in common with Bucks than I imagined.

Perhaps he's had enough and is looking for a pay off rather than facing next season in the conference?

It was a great result on Monday, and they all (he included) deserve great credit for it. But I'd rather he stopped talking, and focused his efforts on the pitch - for a couple more weeks at least.

Fair point, it would be far better to just focus on next Saturday rather than going to the press. However, on other threads some of our more stupid members (one in particular, the idiot who thinks that CH's job is "easy") have been slating CH for NOT talking to the press. It seems he can't win. I go with you and would rather he just focused on the football.

AustrianAndyGull · Post by **AustrianAndyGull** » 23 Apr 2014, 13:59

Fonda wrote:Is he for real? What did he expect exactly? It's not even as if we've been thrifty since his arrival - we were signing a player a week at one stage - there are other clubs (not too far from home) in our league that haven't been able to afford any loan signings this season.

Apparently he was on Spotlight (last night?) suggesting all our problems were created before he arrived too? Oh, and the result on Saturday was the result of his half-time team talk?

I'll say one thing for him, he's a great self-publicist. He has more in common with Bucks than I imagined.
It was a great result on Monday, and they all (he included) deserve great credit for it. But I'd rather he stopped talking, and focused his efforts on the pitch - for a couple more weeks at least.

Well this or not, I just hope he isn't here next summer. Nothing against him personally but there are fans questioning his motives and integrity already from a non footballing perspective and the way he goes about things off the field and it's the start of the end IMO. There is bad feeling beginning to gain momentum and all I wanted was a clean break with no bullshit this summer, all the old guard gone and I think it would be best if we had appointed somebody with no links to the club. I speak on behalf of all of us who didn't want him appointed initially as I wouldn't want to be accused of being childishly fickle by the 'other site'.

I feel it is just going to be one thing after the other now re Hargreaves and we've had enough turmoil already.

I don't want to get involved with off the field stuff because I don't know who is right and who is wrong such like the situation this thread refers to. I have no idea who to believe but what I do know is that we can do without it. From a footballing perspective his press releases, managerial decisions and overall 'nous' doesn't impress me at all and so that's all I have to go on but if he starts being criticised for other things too then it's a one way street I reckon.

Christ why can't we just get some harmony and happiness back into the club. It's a joke.

Post by **Scott Brehaut** » 23 Apr 2014, 13:59

Fonda wrote: Apparently he was on Spotlight (last night?) suggesting all our problems were created before he arrived too?

What the article says (and I'm guessing it's from the same reporter):

Hargreaves became Torquay boss after Alan Knill, now number two at fellow strugglers Northampton Town, was sacked on 2 January.

"I accept my responsibility as a manager, of course I do, but we were in a mess and that's a fact," said Hargreaves.

"We've won six games now, that's one more than we had done in the previous 26 games."

Seems like he is holding his hands up, with more than a bit of a nod to the "efforts" of the previous incumbent.

Fonda · Post by **Fonda** » 23 Apr 2014, 14:53

I love the last line of that 'we've won 6 games now, which is 1 more than the previous 26 games'. Is that really boast-worthy!? All a little bit pathetic. Just worry about winning the next 2, and have save the p***ing competition until our fate is confirmed.

Behind-the-Gulls · Post by **Behind-the-Gulls** » 23 Apr 2014, 15:12

It's not as he was an "outsider" coming in with no knowledge of the club. He's remained living in the area,kept in regular touch with his friends at the club)Nico,Manse etc),and having played for us not so long ago would have been very familiar with the training facilities etc. Whilst I'm sure his interviewers would have tried to have been as positive as possible in selling the job to him;I can't believe the financial issues were glossed over in any way-particularly as he's said himself his brief was to develop young players as the money for team strengthening would be limited.
I can see he wants to be clear to everyone about the problems he's inherited,and the constraints he's working under but maybe a bit less whingeing would earn him more respect. I still think he was the right appointment and that he can improve things on the field,given time, but he does need to be a bit more astute in his media dealings,learn to be more tactful and accept that the job he's taken on is one almighty challenge.

Dave_Pougher · Post by **Dave_Pougher** » 23 Apr 2014, 15:45

All the points above about the interview I agree with, however it's the first bit of honesty about the situation we have had and I appreciate that.

Maybe he was showing constraint by not being as honest about the situation as he could be.

Post by **Dave** » 23 Apr 2014, 16:18

Chris Hargreaves goes to an interview for the Torquay managers job, job is offered, Chris accepts. First day on the job, board how much money do I have to spend, board answer sorry Chris we have none, Chris, OH WHAT AM I GOING DO NOW.

Come off it, is Chris Hargreaves terminally stupid, does he think we're terminally stupid that some how we'd fall for that. No person in their right mind takes a job with out finalising all details, in this case as a football manager things like the financial position of the club and likely player budget, never heard such utter ballhocks.

No body's disputing the team were in a bad position and AK must take his share of the blame, pointing the finger at the previous manager is not accepting any responsibility, and as for this lame, poor excuse of it's not CH's team, all I'll say is CH a professional qualified football coach/manager or not ? Just imagine if Phil the bus driver turned up for work to be told by the boss his bus had broken down, and Phil says sorry boss can't do the job today because your asking me to drive some else's bus, jeez.

If the clubs financial position is that bad, then rumours of something more serious after relegation might carry a lot more weight then some seem to think, we'll soon see. The one thing CH is right about is young players, those who hold the notion that going down is just going to be fine and days of chasing the play-off's trips Wembley once again beckon, are so far wide of the mark it's untrue, unless new investment is found.

Chris Hargreaves will have a promotion budget, if he needs it, who's trying kid who, just read CH's interview that should give you a clue, if finances are bad now , what does anyone think they'll be like, less £845,000 per year, developing good young players and selling them on for huge profits, is now our only way forward.

tommyg · Post by **tommyg** » 23 Apr 2014, 16:34

When he doesn't speak he gets criticised. When he does say something he gets criticised. During that interview, he also takes responsibility himself but it's typical of most people on here to attack him every time the opportunity arises.

gullintwoplaces · Post by **gullintwoplaces** » 23 Apr 2014, 16:55

tommyg wrote:When he doesn't speak he gets criticised. When he does say something he gets criticised. During that interview, he also takes responsibility himself but it's typical of most people on here to attack him every time the opportunity arises.

I agree. The vitriol on here is totally inappropriate. If you read some of the comments in here you will see that whatever CH says he is wrong. Some people need to think before they comment.

arcadia · Post by **arcadia** » 23 Apr 2014, 16:57

Fonda wrote:Is he for real? What did he expect exactly? It's not even as if we've been thrifty since his arrival - we were signing a player a week at one stage - there are other clubs (not too far from home) in our league that haven't been able to afford any loan signings this season.

Apparently he was on Spotlight (last night?) suggesting all our problems were created before he arrived too? Oh, and the result on Saturday was the result of his half-time team talk?

I'll say one thing for him, he's a great self-publicist. He has more in common with Bucks than I imagined.

Perhaps he's had enough and is looking for a pay off rather than facing next season in the conference?

It was a great result on Monday, and they all (he included) deserve great credit for it. But I'd rather he stopped talking, and focused his efforts on the pitch - for a couple more weeks at least.

He takes the knocks let him enjoy his win.

arcadia · Post by **arcadia** » 23 Apr 2014, 16:59

tommyg wrote:When he doesn't speak he gets criticised. When he does say something he gets criticised. During that interview, he also takes responsibility himself but it's typical of most people on here to attack him every time the opportunity arises.

Tell them all to shut the duck up.

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