Fans Forum with Derek Adams - 15 September - St Blazey FC

[davie nine]

As someone who runs their own business, i'm intrigued as to - whats next?

Clearly Derek Adams now has the majority of fans on board and supportive of him, his tactics and the players he has brought into the club. There is a feel good factor, the manager is clearly doing all he can to balance alot of time with the players with keeping the supporters happy with evenings like this.

So for me the one ingredient left is the board - surely we are getting close to the point where they have to grab the bull by the horns and do something to get as many bums on seat as possible. The natural improvement in the style and results will perhaps add anything from 500-1000 on the gate, with a nice set of early season fixtures in terms of attendance (Pompey, Gas, the bonus of Exeter in the JPT) maybe they are holding steady and enjoying the ride, but i'd like to think that the business "brains" in the Argyle camp can see/smell something happening at the club and are starting to trawl out ideas, that can get 8000 through the gate every week. We know there have been ideas in the past, but its hard to sell a boring product which as limited success, it is far easier to sell a product that is pleasing in the eye, with others enthusing around it.

We all know that 8000 a week would like give Adams the funds or the chance to pressure the Chairman into funds in January for an additional body or two to improve again.

The manager has come through his "trial" period with flying colours on and off the field, now back to the wise people who made the brave choice of Adams to go again and show the fans that the whole club means business.

There is an ideal opportunity to put that question to the chairman at 10:30 on Saturday morning at the GT suite. I assume that that is why Mr Brent is attending.

 

[Steve Evans]

with reference to the post by voice of reason.could we,the best supporters in world football,chip in towards a players contract and he would be a "fans involvement" signing?i would happily put money into that!

 

[Voice of Reason]

Sadly i wont be there this week, 500 mile round trip for home games limits me to 5-6 a season (Crawley H my next one) - so cant ask him in person. But this is when "good businesses" kick on - when people are keen, enthused, eager and willing. A positive result Saturday in front of 9000+ would surely be all the confirmation the club need to see that there is at last a genuine wave of optimism around the club.

That's surely the time to get Kids in for next to nothing, its ok offering them entry for a £1 when your 14th in the table at home to Accrington on a Tuesday night in January - but this is when you want people there. When you are playing well, when the atmosphere is good and when you are flying high. Re-visit all the businesses that have previously said no. For the first time in a number of years Plymouth Argyle does have something to genuinely offer the wider public, not just those who follow through thick and thin.

 

[PL2 3DQ]

As someone who runs their own business, i'm intrigued as to - whats next?

Clearly Derek Adams now has the majority of fans on board and supportive of him, his tactics and the players he has brought into the club. There is a feel good factor, the manager is clearly doing all he can to balance alot of time with the players with keeping the supporters happy with evenings like this.

So for me the one ingredient left is the board - surely we are getting close to the point where they have to grab the bull by the horns and do something to get as many bums on seat as possible. The natural improvement in the style and results will perhaps add anything from 500-1000 on the gate, with a nice set of early season fixtures in terms of attendance (Pompey, Gas, the bonus of Exeter in the JPT) maybe they are holding steady and enjoying the ride, but i'd like to think that the business "brains" in the Argyle camp can see/smell something happening at the club and are starting to trawl out ideas, that can get 8000 through the gate every week. We know there have been ideas in the past, but its hard to sell a boring product which as limited success, it is far easier to sell a product that is pleasing in the eye, with others enthusing around it.

We all know that 8000 a week would like give Adams the funds or the chance to pressure the Chairman into funds in January for an additional body or two to improve again.

The manager has come through his "trial" period with flying colours on and off the field, now back to the wise people who made the brave choice of Adams to go again and show the fans that the whole club means business.

I would usually agree with that but the fly in the ointment was the excellent attendance for the Newport game. 7,811 turned up for that game and even if you subtract the 291 Newport fans the attendance wasn't far short of last season's average attendance.
So perhaps the board are letting the football do the talking to increase attendances rather than ticket deals this early in the season.

With season ticket prices held from last season ST holders are certainly getting value for money this season, the football is entertaining, attacking and winning!

 

[Ollieargyle9]

As someone who runs their own business, i'm intrigued as to - whats next?

Clearly Derek Adams now has the majority of fans on board and supportive of him, his tactics and the players he has brought into the club. There is a feel good factor, the manager is clearly doing all he can to balance alot of time with the players with keeping the supporters happy with evenings like this.

So for me the one ingredient left is the board - surely we are getting close to the point where they have to grab the bull by the horns and do something to get as many bums on seat as possible. The natural improvement in the style and results will perhaps add anything from 500-1000 on the gate, with a nice set of early season fixtures in terms of attendance (Pompey, Gas, the bonus of Exeter in the JPT) maybe they are holding steady and enjoying the ride, but i'd like to think that the business "brains" in the Argyle camp can see/smell something happening at the club and are starting to trawl out ideas, that can get 8000 through the gate every week. We know there have been ideas in the past, but its hard to sell a boring product which as limited success, it is far easier to sell a product that is pleasing in the eye, with others enthusing around it.

We all know that 8000 a week would like give Adams the funds or the chance to pressure the Chairman into funds in January for an additional body or two to improve again.

The manager has come through his "trial" period with flying colours on and off the field, now back to the wise people who made the brave choice of Adams to go again and show the fans that the whole club means business.

I would usually agree with that but the fly in the ointment was the excellent attendance for the Newport game. 7,811 turned up for that game and even if you subtract the 291 Newport fans the attendance wasn't far short of last season's average attendance.
So perhaps the board are letting the football do the talking to increase attendances rather than ticket deals this early in the season.

With season ticket prices held from last season ST holders are certainly getting value for money this season, the football is entertaining, attacking and winning!

Then they're making a huge mistake IMO, never before have we really been in amongst the front runners from the off, we've usually had slow starts followed by a steady rise up the League before making a claim for promotion late in the season. Which although exciting come the end leaves us with only maybe the last handful of games to take advantage of the renewed interest of the casual supporter.

This year we have a huge opportunity to not only to benefit from higher attendances during a promotion bid but possibly reap those rewards over 15-20 home games. If you can get a few thousand extra bums on seats using a well promoted ticket offer now and managed to reel in a decent number of those people with a good display, you're looking at several hundred, maybe even a thousand or so additional people through the gate, watching us hopefully fight for promotion over 15+ games.

The club would be fools to see how our chances faired and wait for the end of the season to put out a few offers, we are playing attractive winning football now, we could be top of the league come Saturday evening, the only good that can come of waiting is missing our chance.

Time for our marketing "expert" to earn his keep I think.

 

[Michael Fleet]

An excellent evening, extremely well chaired by John. Once again DA showed himself to be a total football man. Asked what he did in his spare time he said "watch football" and added that since arriving in Plymouth he hadn't returned to Scotland, which ofcourse is a total opposite to Sheridan's attitude.
Getting us promoted is his sole objective and it is down to all of us to show him it is worth him staying around after that because, make no mistake, offers will come in for him and he is professional enough to give no long term forecasts or "green blood" hyperbole. He came because he saw the potential - and he knows enough about us to say "I know you hate that word," - at Argyle and I just hope that he will stay around to see that through and get us back in the Championship at least.
His candid response to questions about his training regime was refreshing and it was no surprise when he said that some of those who were here last season have had a bit of a rude awakening, while those who had served under him before knew what to expect and the demands he places on his players.
Like everyone who has attended an evening with DA - this was my second - I am hugely impressed by his attitude and work ethic and hugely excited about what he can do for us. As others have said, everyone should try to make one of these events and see for themselves.

 

[Positively Green]

We were very impressed with DA at the Q & As last evening. He is a complete and utter breath of fresh air - passionate about football, determined, fully committed, ambitious, inspirational, totally dedicated. He is going to drive those players hard to, in his words 'Get us out of this League'. We already have our Season Tickets but I wonder how many people regret not having bought theirs now they have seen/read/heard what a difference Derek Adams has made to The Club already? There is now a real prospect of an entertaining and successful season ahead so is there any chance that the Club could sell Season Tickets from now until the end of September just reducing the price by the 3 or 4 matches that have been played already. This would not be a regular thing - it could be promoted as New Manager Offer or something similar. Just a thought because I know if we hadn't got our Season Tickets we would be kicking ourselves. It would give more fans the chance to show their faith to the Manager and The Board.

 

[jerryatricjanner]

Then they're making a huge mistake IMO, never before have we really been in amongst the front runners from the off, we've usually had slow starts followed by a steady rise up the League before making a claim for promotion late in the season. Which although exciting come the end leaves us with only maybe the last handful of games to take advantage of the renewed interest of the casual supporter.

This year we have a huge opportunity to not only to benefit from higher attendances during a promotion bid but possibly reap those rewards over 15-20 home games. If you can get a few thousand extra bums on seats using a well promoted ticket offer now and managed to reel in a decent number of those people with a good display, you're looking at several hundred, maybe even a thousand or so additional people through the gate, watching us hopefully fight for promotion over 15+ games.

The club would be fools to see how our chances faired and wait for the end of the season to put out a few offers, we are playing attractive winning football now, we could be top of the league come Saturday evening, the only good that can come of waiting is missing our chance.

Time for our marketing "expert" to earn his keep I think.

I was only thinking this week it's the first time I remember us being up there from the start in a division where we had a real chance of promotion and commented we might build a decent fan base early on rather than well after Christmas. Personally I would leave it a little while and I am sure the board won't wait to see how we have fared until well into the season anyway. Rovers is an attractive fixture and our first home game for 3 weeks so no real worry on attendance. We have one double header later in the autumn which is Exeter on a Saturday and Orient on the Tuesday which if the table is similar to now shouldn't need a carrot dangled to attend both games. I think the stand out opportunity to offer a deal is the upcoming Saturday /Tuesday fixtures when we play Barnet and Crawley with neither opponent being a great draw.
Back on topic, great to see Adams is coming across so well. He is obviously totally committed to Plymouth and the job in hand which is admittedly a little easier for him than his predecessor with their different domestic situations.

 

[davie nine]

jerryatricjanner.

I think that your suggestion about a package deal for the Barnet/Crawley home games is well worth the Club considering. I am sure that there are many supporters who would struggle with the cost of 2 matches in 5 days as has frequently been proven in the past.

As a season ticket holder, I would certainly not object to supporters, who were understandably pessimistic after recent seasons, being offered the opportunity of attending these two matches at a discounted price.

Hopefully, if our current progress continues they may be encouraged to buy a half-season ticket in the New Year.

 

[jsimmons]

Evening all. Thanks for all the positive feedback from last night. Glad you enjoyed the evening. Here are some hastilly written highlights of what DA said:
• No budget available to bring in another keeper as cover for Luke McCormick, so Cory Harvey will be on the bench while James Bittner recovers from injury.
• Style of League 2 football a bit more direct than in Scotland – Argyle will have to be direct at times.
• GPS – Argyle have cameras and computers at HP that provide lots of data, so players don’t need to wear something under their shirt.
• DA was attracted by the potential of Argyle to move up the league.
• A lot of people in Scotland would consider Argyle a big club .
• DA doesn’t have much involvement with club business behind the scenes – his focus is the football.
• 6 young players in squad not ready to make the big step up from the Peninsula League to the first team yet, but they have a chance to convince DA that they are ready over the coming months.
• DA considers his job to be to make Argyle a better team/club and meet fans.
• He is committed and “prepared to look after your football club.”
• Craig Brewster was a vital appointment - he brings experience and knows how DA works.
• Paul Wotton – “good to have him on board” – he has been a great help to DA and CB – all three getting on well together and went for a meal the other night.
• Management and players all eat together at their hotel before away games.
• Players also socialise together e.g. go to cinema and out for meals during spare time.
• DA aims to make the Argyle team fitter and stronger “mentally and physically” than any other in League 2.
• Players train on Mondays and Tuesdays (usually morning and afternoon unless game on Tuesday afternoon/evening). Wednesdays are a day off. Thursday and Friday involve preparation for Saturday’s match.
• Players have responded well to DA’s tough training regime – players who played for DA in Scotland are used to it, players from last season have got used to it.
• The new signings keen to come to Plymouth and play for Argyle.
• DA delighted with vocal support from Green Army – it really helps to lift the players, particularly when a game is not going well – players really appreciate the support.
• Standing ovation for DA from fans at finish last night.

 

[Green Rhino]

Well done Simmons and all PACSAites, sounds like a great night, DA is the man for us no doubt.