15 years ago HUISA held regular liason meetings with them manager Graham Turner. Here's a look back at a meeting which took place on September 11th 1997.
Whatever you might think of GT as a manager, few could criticise him for ducking his responsibilities to the fans. I can think of many a manager (including those that we have had in the recent past) who would not have wanted to sit and talk, direct to fans, after the start we have made to the season. That said the following is a summary of the issues discussed:
GT said that we needed two or three experienced players as a matter of some urgency. Agana is expected to be out for 6-8 weeks and his first priority therefore was a striker, as Grayson and Foster have shown that they are not the "ideal" partnership up front. At the time he said that he saw no chance of getting someone in before the Northwich game; Milner only became available on Friday! He has spoken to Darren Beckford, but he appears to be going to Rushden and Diamonds (they've obviously rumbled the Donkey).
Beyond that, he was looking to get an experienced keeper in, which given that 6 from 11 goals were directly attributable to GK error prior to Northwich (now 7 from 13), hardly came as surprising news. GT was at a loss to explain the "loss of form" of both keepers so far this season. Whilst neither DeBont nor Macca, have looked world beaters in the past, I cannot them making the sort of basic errors we have seen so far this season, at least not on such a consistent basis. If I were them I'd start looking at the Situations Vacant column! Charles West who had such a good game at Gloucester pre-season, is not to be offered a contract; GT says simply that he's not good enough at present. Whilst not given that much to do, Mark Gayle, on loan from Crewe, (see below) looked much more the part against Kettering.
GT is also looking for an experienced Midfield player and Centre Half, but is having trouble prising players away from other clubs so early in the season, even when they are now in the first team. He has also given Telford the 7 days notice required, before he can approach their 20 year old non-contract centre half, James Bentley. An ex Man City "player", GT has likened him to Nigel Pearson and is hopeful that he will sign.
The new players, will take GT further over the "football budget" he has been set by the Board, but he is not being restricted in his actions as yet! The obvious conclusion is however that the peripheral squad members, particularly those who do not have contracts for the season, will be on their way in the near future. GT told us that Cook and Warner are now prepared to sign contracts, but that he is not!
The main part of the meeting however was devoted to Team performances so far this season. GT was quizzed on motivation, commitment, tactics and the use of substitutes. On the first two he could only say that he and his backroom staff were working as hard as they could, on these aspects with the players. He does not believe that they lack either motivation or commitment, but did call into question the character of some of them, when they cross the white line on a Saturday. He accepted that a number had "hidden" in some of the games to date, although he suggested that this might be because we had so often been chasing the game from early on (back to the GK errors). The players have been in several times for extra training on Sundays!
On tactics he made it clear that he was telling the players to play it on the floor unless in trouble at the back, when a visit to Row Z is called for. He showed us several examples on video and in charts he had prepared, of what the Team had practised doing in training and what exactly happen on the pitch. Some are either incredibly stupid or let fear get the better of them! We informed him that Brian McGorry and Jamie Pitman had presented different versions of his tactical requirements, at the Hayes game and he promised to speak to Jamie!
We also referred to the abuse given to the fans by Hargreaves (and others) at the Hayes game, and stated that this was, in our view, unacceptable. It was pointed out that the fans, owe the players nothing, and given the support shown this and indeed every other season, this it is very much a case of the reverse being true. GT agreed and said he would speak to the players concerned.
It was further pointed out to him also that his personal support had suffered from the poor showing so far this season. We estimated that having been at about 95% before the start of the season, it was now down to about 50%. He was asked whether he would consider going if the fans turned against him completely. His reply was that if he could see a change in fortunes over say 2-3 weeks he might try to "dog it out". As soon as he felt he could not get through to the players and that the fans no longer wanted him at the Club, he would go, without being pushed.
One final thing from the meeting. The Club has cancelled its BUPA medical insurance for the players, which was costing £25k per year. Its now pay as you go (so don't expect to see Tony James back here again) and the Surgeons at the Nuffield Hospital are even giving us reduced rates to help the Club, which warrants them an honourable mention in despatches I think.