There is often the debate about if a manager is picking up points, does it matter what their methods/personality are?
Of course it does! We support Plymouth Argyle: Why? Is it because we love winning trophies and playing wonderful football? Well, it can't be because we don't often do that. For me it is because Argyle represent the city and region that we all have some kind of connection to. They represent US on the football field, not in scoring goals, but the attitude they demonstrate on the pitch to each other, their opponents, the fans and themselves. This also applies to the manager, the kit man, the people in the shop.... anyone who associates themselves with the club, even us. How does this manifest itself then?
A hypothetical example in the context of the Green Army would be that my day and pride in Argyle would be ruined if we thumped our rivals 4-0 but had to sit and listen to sections of the Argyle crowd chant racist or homophobic abuse at an opposing player, despite winning and playing wonderful football. Our troubles off the pitch in recent years elevated the passion and pride I took in supporting Argyle to heights I had not experienced since I was an obsessive teenager on the Devonport terrace. Seeing the fans take responsibility to work together (for the most part), demonstrate the values of cooperation, unity, perseverance, determination (as we expect the players to show on the pitch) was humbling. We were losing week on week, but my love for Argyle was growing, not diminishing.
Who are your favourite players down the years? In my time watching I chose players like Stonebridge, not because he was the best, but because he seemed a decent guy who gave everything and played the game with a big smile on his face. I liked Norris because his work ethic and respect for the badge was enormous. I liked Romain because he was a club man who loved the area and the place he represented just like us, not because he was a good goalkeeper. Graham Stack was a decent goalkeeper, but he didn't demonstrate the values I expect from an Argyle player and as such I'm glad he left.
So let's look at managers. Warnock and Luggy are always the ones who endure since I have followed Argyle. Largely because they made Plymouth home. They became one of us, and still maintain connections to the area. They treated the club with respect and I felt they understood that a football club is more than what happens on the pitch. Holloway was the same to some extent, love him or loathe him, he got the city going and understood that Plymouth Argyle exists for 13 days out of 14 outside of Home Park, that is simply the focal point every other week. It's interesting to note all 3 managers mentioned experienced success at Argyle.
While I will not deny, results on the pitch are extremely important to following Argyle (Combined with a degree of talent, if the players are demonstrating those values that we generally collectively hold, then results should come anyway). We all like Argyle to win and we will do what it takes to help that, but not at any cost. I want Plymouth Argyle to be an institution that makes a positive impact on people's lives. I want it to provide enjoyment for us as fans by winning games, I want it to create a sense of community for those who go, I want it to support the growth and health of our city and its area, I want it to provide opportunities for children to learn and experience the values that are important in life, I want it to allow fans to travel and visit and engage with other football communities etc etc.
As the manager of a lower league club, there is not the resources around you to allow others to take responsibility for all of these aspects. You are the leader, you are the focal point, you speak to the media and the players more than anyone else. If points are all that matter, then go and support Chelsea with their racist, adulterous captain payed with money from a shady Russian energy baron.
I am not referring specifically to Sheridan here, but making a drawn out point that it IS important to have a manager who is a positive spokesperson for the organisation we all cherish so dearly and that the things we value as Argyle fans is reflected in they way they conduct themselves in press conferences, in the dug-out, on the training pitch, in the board room, around the city, at other clubs......
