| Mark Ashton 19:22 - Apr 8 with 2855 views | clive_baker |
I think MA deserves a lot of credit. McKenna and co rightly receiving the plaudits for our performances on the pitch, but I think the picture is bigger than that. It's an ecosystem innit, and we seem to have seen a real culture shift throughout, from an acceptance of mediocrity (or worse) to a club that now only appears to want to see winners. That mentality needs to be in place right from the top, to cultivate that hunger and understanding that we're here to win. We simply didn't have it under Marcus Evans, from a faceless owner to a leadership vacuum throughout. Without naming names there were people propelled into roles they never should've been occupying, and when the club was such an afterthought and so unloved from the top it's no surprise really when that manifests on the pitch.
I feel like Ashton's influence, and those he's brought in to the club has made it quite clear that we're not in the business of going through the motions. That side of it is so pleasing right now, I can imagine the conversations that take place with prospective new signings and staff make that really clear, don't come here if you want an easy ride. The bar has been raised so high off the pitch and I think all of that breeds a culture that infiltrates across the club, that healthy level of challenge and accountability, high standards and lofty ambition. The shift from rudderless vessel to high functioning organisation has been so stark, you absolutely love to see it. |  |
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| Mark Ashton on 19:27 - Apr 8 with 2798 views | Swansea_Blue |
He does so far. It’s what we missed with Evans remote but wanting to micromanage everything and putting in inexperienced yes men as notional day-to-day heads. |  |
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| Mark Ashton on 19:38 - Apr 8 with 2721 views | Deano69 |
Our best signing |  |
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| Mark Ashton on 20:05 - Apr 8 with 2611 views | Chrisd |
He’s been exactly the type of appointment we’ve needed for some time at our club. He seems to get us and the way he’s driving things forward off the pitch it’s an exciting time to be a Town fan. Yes, it certainly helps with the first team winning games and having a very good season, but let’s not forget the impact MA has made, he has raised our profile, made our club more connected to the local community and fanbase once more and look at the plans we have for our future. You just get the feeling we have a man in MA that is driven, good at his job but wants the best for our club. I certainly feel he’s proved one of our best signings since Gamechanger have got involved. Finally, we seem to be functioning like a proper club both on and off the pitch instead of cutting corners, doing things in half measures and without conviction. [Post edited 8 Apr 2023 20:37]
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| Mark Ashton on 20:08 - Apr 8 with 2613 views | Nutkins_Return |
Was thinking about this the other day and got me thinking. Lambert got plenty wrong but he called it in terms of the need for a proper structure. In actual fact he was probably trying to do a few things like McKenna if we are being honest. The problem is he didn't have the talent and the ability to execute the football McKenna is producing. Or the humility. Certainly would have had a better chance with a proper background team but I'm so glad with what we have now over recent previous regimes in all.departnents. | |
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| Mark Ashton on 20:25 - Apr 8 with 2484 views | clive_baker |
| Mark Ashton on 20:08 - Apr 8 by Nutkins_Return |
Was thinking about this the other day and got me thinking. Lambert got plenty wrong but he called it in terms of the need for a proper structure. In actual fact he was probably trying to do a few things like McKenna if we are being honest. The problem is he didn't have the talent and the ability to execute the football McKenna is producing. Or the humility. Certainly would have had a better chance with a proper background team but I'm so glad with what we have now over recent previous regimes in all.departnents. |
Yeah one of the few things I would give him credit for is he at least called it out for what it was. The links or lack of with the community, other clubs infiltrating our catchment, lack of structure etc. I don’t like how he conducted himself especially at the end, I’m convinced he checked out weeks before he was fired but if you’re being generous you would have to say it wasn’t the fairest of tests for him. Scraping around in the bargain bin for new signings, little to no support by way of strength or conditioning, a complete cluster feck of a football club really. | |
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| Mark Ashton on 20:36 - Apr 8 with 2421 views | JackNorthStand |
We’ve got super mark Ashton, he knows exactly what we need… | | | |
| Mark Ashton on 20:37 - Apr 8 with 2426 views | BarcaBlue |
Was it ever made public who identified McKenna as the potential successor to Cook? To be honest I'd never heard of him and can't imagine the Evans and Redknapp connection would have identified anyone but the usual suspects. |  | | |
| Mark Ashton on 20:42 - Apr 8 with 2376 views | SitfcB |
| Mark Ashton on 20:37 - Apr 8 by BarcaBlue |
Was it ever made public who identified McKenna as the potential successor to Cook? To be honest I'd never heard of him and can't imagine the Evans and Redknapp connection would have identified anyone but the usual suspects. |
It was Ashton. |  |
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| Mark Ashton on 20:58 - Apr 8 with 2293 views | RegencyBlue |
| Mark Ashton on 20:25 - Apr 8 by clive_baker |
Yeah one of the few things I would give him credit for is he at least called it out for what it was. The links or lack of with the community, other clubs infiltrating our catchment, lack of structure etc. I don’t like how he conducted himself especially at the end, I’m convinced he checked out weeks before he was fired but if you’re being generous you would have to say it wasn’t the fairest of tests for him. Scraping around in the bargain bin for new signings, little to no support by way of strength or conditioning, a complete cluster feck of a football club really. |
I gave Lambert quite a bit of credit at one point when he was showing signs of calling Evans out and telling the fans what was wrong at the club.
That ended once he was given the five year contract and we never heard anything more on that subject until the end. I’ve always thought the only explanation for that contract was Evans wanted to shut him up!
To be fair to Lambert though nobody was ever going to make it work under Evans. |  | | |
| Mark Ashton on 20:58 - Apr 8 with 2294 views | ITFC1977 |
I can certainly say with a son in the academy it is like night and day. | | | |
| Mark Ashton on 21:37 - Apr 8 with 2128 views | Yallop2 |
He's really committed. I mentioned on here before I bumped into him at Rugby Services on the way back from Bolton. I asked him why he wasn't on the team bus and he replied he'd been working late at Fortress Portman Rd on the Friday night so drove himself there.
I'm sure he could've easily found a stream but wanted to support the lads. A proper nice bloke. Gave me and my family a lot of his time. |  | | |
| Mark Ashton on 21:49 - Apr 8 with 2021 views | Nutkins_Return |
| Mark Ashton on 20:25 - Apr 8 by clive_baker |
Yeah one of the few things I would give him credit for is he at least called it out for what it was. The links or lack of with the community, other clubs infiltrating our catchment, lack of structure etc. I don’t like how he conducted himself especially at the end, I’m convinced he checked out weeks before he was fired but if you’re being generous you would have to say it wasn’t the fairest of tests for him. Scraping around in the bargain bin for new signings, little to no support by way of strength or conditioning, a complete cluster feck of a football club really. |
Completely agree. I know how unpopular it will be to give Lambert ANY credit but if you look it at honestly then he did see what the issues were. I think he ruined his career taking jobs he wasn't capable of doing (not all his fault, he took jobs at clubs in a right state). Perhaps his arrogance. Lambert bingo squad selections, playing out from the back 'bravely' is very McKenna but didn't have the players, the ability himself or the coaching set up to do it.
Lambert would have been more successful in current regime. HOWEVER the only way he would be anywhere near McKennna is if he really lucked out with coaching team. McKenna is head and shoulders above. He has so much more knowledge and technical understanding himself.
I don't feel sorry for Lambert though. His attitude towards fans got really out of control. As I say, it took time but we have a dream of management team at club level and team level now. | |
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| Mark Ashton on 21:50 - Apr 8 with 2004 views | SitfcB |
| Mark Ashton on 21:37 - Apr 8 by Yallop2 |
He's really committed. I mentioned on here before I bumped into him at Rugby Services on the way back from Bolton. I asked him why he wasn't on the team bus and he replied he'd been working late at Fortress Portman Rd on the Friday night so drove himself there.
I'm sure he could've easily found a stream but wanted to support the lads. A proper nice bloke. Gave me and my family a lot of his time. |
Sorry but why would he be on the team bus? He always travels in his car. | |
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| Mark Ashton on 21:51 - Apr 8 with 1996 views | ringwoodblue |
He has been superb and done everything that was needed to be done but ultimately, like McKenna, he will be judged by the results of the team and on promotions. |  |
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| Mark Ashton on 21:52 - Apr 8 with 1980 views | 765765 |
Completely agree with all of this. For me it's been a truly remarkable overhaul and the job Ashton has done is phenomenal, our club is well and truly back on the right path. | | | |
| Mark Ashton on 21:54 - Apr 8 with 1958 views | blueprint |
| Mark Ashton on 20:36 - Apr 8 by JackNorthStand |
We’ve got super mark Ashton, he knows exactly what we need… |
……..Automated turnstiles at the back …. |  | | |
| Mark Ashton on 21:55 - Apr 8 with 1957 views | Yallop2 |
| Mark Ashton on 21:50 - Apr 8 by SitfcB |
Sorry but why would he be on the team bus? He always travels in his car. |
Fair enough I assumed he'd usually be on the bus | | | |
| Mark Ashton on 22:14 - Apr 8 with 1802 views | SomethingBlue |
Ashton is an absolute machine and I also think we've got him at a good point in his career — he's 50ish and by then I imagine you kinda have a grasp of what works for you and what doesn't. He's had some genuine successes and a few things not go so well. He has also watched over the last decade or so as various clubs of about our size, well run and with decent resource, built exactly the structures you need to be very successful in the modern game. Coming in here and, effectively, starting that all from scratch seems to have been the perfect challenge for him. Chief execs don't usually last 10 years, maybe not even five, but however long he's here for we should appreciate the complete makeover he has driven at ITFC. | |
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| Mark Ashton on 22:28 - Apr 8 with 1719 views | TheBoyBlue |
He and Gamechanger have established a culture that if any of the cogs at the club move on, whether that be CEO, manager or player, I am confident the right replacements will be brought in. | |
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| Mark Ashton on 23:11 - Apr 8 with 1627 views | Churchman |
| Mark Ashton on 22:14 - Apr 8 by SomethingBlue |
Ashton is an absolute machine and I also think we've got him at a good point in his career — he's 50ish and by then I imagine you kinda have a grasp of what works for you and what doesn't. He's had some genuine successes and a few things not go so well. He has also watched over the last decade or so as various clubs of about our size, well run and with decent resource, built exactly the structures you need to be very successful in the modern game. Coming in here and, effectively, starting that all from scratch seems to have been the perfect challenge for him. Chief execs don't usually last 10 years, maybe not even five, but however long he's here for we should appreciate the complete makeover he has driven at ITFC. |
I think the way in which the owners and O’Leary have structured both the takeover and last two years does them enormous credit too. They knew Ashton before the takeover and what they wanted him to do and he seems to be a good fit.
MA is essentially running a programme of projects and everyone is seemingly clear on what they have to do. My memory tells me McKenna was his appointment, but I suspect the owners and Mike O’L went through it like the wrath of god.
The level of professionalism is the other end of the scale from Evans’ make quick buck, flip it, sweat the assets if it doesn’t work approach. Everything appears controlled. I’ve no doubt Ashton has made mistakes. Nobody ever did anything without getting some things wrong.
I know it was stick twist re getting rid of Cook and the appointment wasn’t his, but I’d be interested to know what the thinking/process was behind ditching Cook when they did. Hindsight says he should have gone end of the season before - but we are all 100% on hindsight.
I know Bristol City rock pool dwellers see him as the spawn of Satan. Who knows, they may be right long term but apart from the dinky beard and cap, I think he’s done a great job so far - as has owners, chairman and staff.
They appear to still be at the start of this with so much to do, but I think the progress throughout the club to date has been astonishing. |  | | |
| Mark Ashton on 23:12 - Apr 8 with 1627 views | SE1blue |
It's incredible that only a year and half ago, that 65 year old (then) Peter Reid was hired as a football consultant for the club.
Was that the last throw of the Banter Era or was there anything after that? [Post edited 8 Apr 2023 23:13]
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| Mark Ashton on 03:26 - Apr 9 with 1329 views | Illinoisblue |
| Mark Ashton on 23:12 - Apr 8 by SE1blue |
It's incredible that only a year and half ago, that 65 year old (then) Peter Reid was hired as a football consultant for the club.
Was that the last throw of the Banter Era or was there anything after that? [Post edited 8 Apr 2023 23:13]
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Haha, forgotten all about Reid. No doubt Cook chucked him a few quid to sit in the directors’ box for a few games and “consult”. |  |
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| Mark Ashton on 10:09 - Apr 9 with 964 views | BlueBadger |
| Mark Ashton on 20:25 - Apr 8 by clive_baker |
Yeah one of the few things I would give him credit for is he at least called it out for what it was. The links or lack of with the community, other clubs infiltrating our catchment, lack of structure etc. I don’t like how he conducted himself especially at the end, I’m convinced he checked out weeks before he was fired but if you’re being generous you would have to say it wasn’t the fairest of tests for him. Scraping around in the bargain bin for new signings, little to no support by way of strength or conditioning, a complete cluster feck of a football club really. |
Lambert was happy to work with it when he still basking in inexplicable popularity and enjoying Evans' protection.
It was only when he was shown up as a fraud that he decided that other factors were at play for him being an incompetent busted flush. [Post edited 9 Apr 2023 10:12]
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