I think we have to see this as a simple choice given how tight the finances are - do we want what little money there is being spent on bringing in an experienced manager or do we want that money being used to strengthen the team? We can't have both.

Also, there has been lots of positive talk praising James Brent for being a man of integrity, honesty etc. Given this, we should all be delighted to see that he is showing faith in an experienced employee who has done a reasonable job in very difficult circumstances.

no lets have an inexperienced player/managager who is on 5 grand a week to try and keep us in the football league,and the bloke who just took the club over is skint then is he.

Tin hat time, but everyone else seems to be sitting on the fence.

This is a TERRIBLE idea.

What we've done is the equivalent of appointing an unknown manager with no experience and giving our best player a free transfer at the same time.

We need someone who can get us scrapping at the bottom. Who knows tactically what it takes and has experience in this situation.

If we can get in an eperienced number two which allows Fletch to play then fair enough. But I'd much rather have an old fashioned gaffer here with experience and footballing contacts.

Although I don't think keeping Fletcher as manager without an experienced assistant is the best way to get out of our situation I think the highlighed bit is unfair. He's not unknown to the young team he is leading, who quite clearly hold him in high regard.

Still feel he needs someone to take care of the tactical side of things as well as freeing him up to actually play in matches if we are going to stay up this year.

Good luck Fletch; you're gonna need it!

My thoughts exactly, maybe a case of 'better the devil you know'.He would not have been my choice, but having said that, I don't know who I would have chosen.Good luck Fletch...

I wish Carl Fletcher success.

My gut reaction is that were in an "emergency situation" and should bring in an experienced firefighter with contacts and experience. Someone until the end of the season, just to stabilise the club and keep us in the league. I'm sure people would come down on a consultancy basis provided the money is right.

However, if the current managment team can lift the team out of the relegation places then it's good enough for me.

It will take investment from Brent however- the playing budget needs to be significanly increased in the short term for the team to stand a chance. I hate to say it, but the club may need to accept bigger losses than forecast because (presumably) the financial concequences of leaving the football league would seriously damage his business model.

Fletch has got a 3 week head start on a new manager and a 6 month head start on knowledge of some of the players.
But will need lots of support and a slice of .......

I am 56 and feel I must have missed a year ????? Osman ???

This is clearly a sign of Brent exerting a level of control.

At one level its the cheap option, no one will get more money becaue of this. At another, its giving a chance to an experienced, International player to make his mark in advescity and someone who at least is as one with the other players and knows what they have been through.

I was not alone after the first couple of games saying this team is only short of perhaps 3 players to make it a force. I still believe that, more so now that Bhas is back.

Good luck to Fletch and Ro.

Not a good idea, would have prefered Fletch working alongside an experienced manager for a couple of seasons to learn the ropes. This is not a good time for an apprentice, but still i hope it goes well for him, fingers crossed.

Im sure the same thing was said about;

Eddie Howe at Bournemouth
and
Steve Tilson at Southend

Both clubs were in or just come out of finacially troubled times with virtually a youth squad to field and both worked wonders at their clubs turning from players to caretaker managers to full time managers.

Have faith people and give him time, no kneejerk reactions.

Think what you like....the important thing is to get behind Fletch.

GGGRRREEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRMMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYY!!!

Fully behind Fletch and Ro'. Outstanding men and great players with successful coaching careers ahead of them. A bit sooner than they expected no doubt, but we're in good hands.

relegation still a certainty then. Pity.

relegation still a certainty then. Pity.

Care for a wager? I'll donate £20 to the staff fund if we're relegated. If we survive, will you do the same?

That's not really a wager is it. That's an invitation to donate to a deserving but non-charitable purpose, which is a private matter, for some anyhow.

If I want a wager, I do know where to go, thanks.

Confirmed as full time http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~2501457,00.html

Off topic I know but notice how Ridsdale has already gone from 'Chairman of Football Operations' to 'Chairman, Football Operations'

He really is determiend to make his title look as close to being THE Chairman as possible.

Best of luck to Carl and Ro

The worrying thing here is that our Chairman, Football Operations seems to be in charge of all matters on the field.

The model of a Director of Football hasn't worked in this country and usually they are people that have played and managed in the game themselves.

We now have someone whose entire knowledge of the playing side of the game is only the same as many spectators and fans. Will he be the one making the decisions on whether this player or that player should be signed based on his own views?

If our CFO signs a player he likes will the manager be told to play him whether he wants to or not?

How long will our CFO keep faith - we could still be in the bottom 2 by the New Year so could then be onto our 3rd manager of the season.

How long will our CFO keep faith - we could still be in the bottom 2 by the New Year so could then be onto our 3rd manager of the season.

Well Chris, it is a results business after all, so if we are in the bottom 2 by the New Year, I would expect to be on our 2nd CFO of the season.