Blues boss Paul Hurst insists he’s not worried about his immediate Town future despite club owners elsewhere already starting to get itchy trigger fingers, Aston Villa having sacked Steve Bruce yesterday.

The October international break, traditionally a time for early-season managerial changes, follows Saturday’s game at Swansea with the Blues still to record a win under Hurst, who took charge late in May, after 11 league matches and the Carabao Cup tie at Exeter.

Asked whether he is worried about his situation here, Hurst said: “No, I think when I spoke to the owner [a fortnight ago] he made it clear what his thoughts were and if that changes, it changes.

“But that’s not in my control. I’m not saying it was the right decision for Steve Bruce to go, he’s got promotion out of the league and it’s strange because not so many weeks ago he was the right man for the job and there wasn’t a better one out there, but that's changed.

“Would that have been different if Glenn Whelan had put the penalty away [in Tuesday's 3-3 draw with Preston]? That’s not just on that one player, a lot more goes on before that, the referee’s decision as well [for James Chester’s red card].

“As far as I’m concerned, the way I understood the rules, the double jeopardy rule, he shouldn’t have been sent off.

“Steve Bruce has nothing to prove to anyone in terms of his record and knows what he can do.”

Does he believe Saturday’s result at Swansea will have a bearing on his future? “I haven’t been told that if that’s the case. I just want to try and get the result that we want and that’s where the focus is.”

Has he found the Championship tougher than he expected? “Some things are clearly difficult and other things I would suggest aren’t, but ultimately while ever we are in the position that we find ourselves in and people can and will make assumptions that they will say are right, but I’m confident in my abilities and [assistant] Chris [Doig]’s and we know how we prepare, the job and what it takes.

“You’re obviously with a group of players and other circumstances can also influence that. You can only control what you do and the biggest thing for me is be professional and do things the right way.

“There’ll be lots of people who have done that and it doesn’t work out for whatever reason. There are others that don’t take it quite like that and get away with it. But they’ll only get away with it for so long.

“You’ve just got to stay focused, keep professional and hope that things change the way that you want them to.”

Has there been anything which has surprised him or been unexpected about the Championship? “There’s more quality but often it’s not the quality that’s blatantly obvious to everyone.

“It’s just certain things, a ball might be fizzed in at someone and it’s brought under control and laid off, or the ball’s up in the air, and we’ve all seen it in games, sometimes it is turned into a game of head tennis for a little while, but I think more often in this league suddenly someone might cushion a soft little header to get the ball back down under control and play.

“I think there’s certainly more passes generally and more football played. That’s not every team but across the board more teams look to play.

“I don’t think anything’s particularly surprised me and what I would say is over the course of the season I think it’ll make a big difference having a squad like Middlesbrough, for instance, and the money they’ve spent to assemble it.

“But at the same time, unless you get them all on very good days, you’ve just got to really understand that you’re playing against 11 players and not against this name that carries weight.

“And that might be the players’ names as well. Roll your sleeves up, give them a bit of respect but approach it with that confidence. We’re back to that and at this moment in time we haven’t got that much to draw on in that department.”

After a summer of such change at Portman Road, when does Hurst feel it will be the right time to judge him? “I’ve got an idea in my mind as in a couple of periods where [it might be realistic to assess], whether you can make an absolute judgement [I’m not sure] but in terms of what I feel is required.

“They’ll remain in my mind and private between myself and Chris but we all know what football is and what it’s like and one thing I hate is trying to offer up any excuses.

“Let people make their own minds up on that, I try to just get on with the job in hand and hopefully get the results that show the work that we’re doing is the correct way to do things.”

Asked whether 11 or 12 games is too soon for a manager to be jettisoned, he responded: “I wouldn’t particularly say that. I think it depends on what the job is. I only mention it because I was asked about it, but the Aston Villa job compared to the Ipswich job, we’re in the same league but I think everyone in football knows it’s a different job.

“Some people get away with being average because of what’s maybe available and different circumstances at the club. But overall, lots of chairmen will be less patient than Marcus, as was mentioned to me the other week, and I think that’s a credit to him. It depends on what you see as the vision and what’s the idea moving forward.”

He says the pair will talk following the Swans match: “I’m sure I’ll speak to him after the game on Saturday.”

Quizzed on whether his confidence as a manager has been hit by the current run, he says such spells do have an impact.

“I think it makes you question things more in defeat,” he reflected. “When things are going well you can get, not complacent in terms of just leaning back, thinking ‘I’m alright’, but whether you question things as much.

“The same thing when things aren’t going well, you can probably overanalyse things, you’re always looking for a reason because as human beings we’re built that way most of us, you want to know why it’s not working - why did that not go in? Why are we on the run that we are?

“So you’ve got to be careful not to do that. We’re not very good sometimes accepting things for what they actually are and the other night was probably one of those in terms of watching it back and listening to people who are neutral.

“It was pretty obvious what it was. I can’t do too much about that, I can keep looking at the goals, I can wrack my brains, I can think about picking a team, all of that, but a large part of it was down to a couple of poor mistakes.”

He admits nothing would restore confidence as much as an end to the long wait for a win: “That’s what we’ve been saying for some time. I was asked a question the other night about the longer it goes. I think we’re passed that now in terms of knowing where we’re at and it’s not where we want to be.

“As much as I’d love to win on Saturday, or whether that’s Saturday or had come before, that’s not suddenly the magic formula and everything is just going to run smoothly then, that’s not often how life is.

“But it would at least stop that question being asked all the time. It would change the table when you look at it and the column and you would hope it gives the players a bit of a lift. But there’s no guarantees going into that next game.”

Photo: TWTD

EssexTractor added 16:49 - Oct 4 Sadly I hear nothing from PH at another of his press conferences to truly inspire me , aside from recognition that Andre Dozzell came through 15 minutes ok on Tuesday. Good so make him first name on Saturdays team sheet. This will be widely approved BUT classy as Andre is I fear we need more than him to stop this dire sequence of results. Lets be realistic 11 games no wins 11 games 8 goals 11 games no goals in 5 games The players we now have are essentially the layers we wiil have for the next 13 League games How may points from those? Current form, suggests maybe 8 ? No we are not being hammered but as evidenced on Tuesday once the opposition goes ahead do they believe ITFC wiil be equalising and then scoring again and keeping ahead? The statistics show our shots (if they can be called that ) are woefully awful. So by January transfer window time 24 games will have been played, just 22 to go.. A change of manager now cannot change the players we have OTHER than to jettison the PH "signings" and employ "the Under 23s" BUT as good as they are at that level can they aspire to being better than the current First team Squad? Those guys must now be wondering how do they make individual and collective progress, now maybe is that time, but if so under whose leadership....

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TimmyH added 16:54 - Oct 4 absolute twaddle! @legal - and the 11 posters (of yet) that have voted it up 'we would emerge from that reborn and renewed' re: relegation. I can understand support the team bit, but it really makes me worry about some of the posters on here. We did not get Paul Hurst in to be relegation fodder, I'm hoping if the results continue in the same vein eventually Evans will do something about it but going by History I'm not holding my breath...vote me down all you like.

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BlueandTruesince82 added 16:57 - Oct 4 Should be
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BlueandTruesince82 added 16:57 - Oct 4 In denial.
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naa added 16:58 - Oct 4 Agreed TimmyH. What teams have been relegated and come up as a better team? Norwich possibly. Can't think of anything else. Many don't come back at all (and with our level of funding that is quite likely) and others tend to ping pong around. Why on earth anyone can possibly think it will be good for us I do not know!
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Northstandveteran added 17:22 - Oct 4 Yes, Norwich and Southampton I believe went successively from league 1 to the premiership. But how long were (arguably) bigger clubs than us such as Sheffield Wednesday and Forest in the third tier for? With the lack of funding and crowds already dwindling to the levels of that of the end of Micks tenure, we would be more likely to do a Luton, Portsmouth and Coventry. No, relegation could and more likely would be a disaster for the club. How much time should Hurst be given? Not our decision to make but things have to improve dramatically and soon. If he is to leave soon I can only see Burley and Butcher being our only option. Mixed views on this from many fans but let's be honest, who else would want the job? Poor squad, no funding. It really would only be these two men that would have the passion to take it on. And if I hear one more ' be careful what you wish for ' Darren Bent being the last one on Sky the other night I will scream! Mick didn't do a bad job on the money he had but with all the attacking options he had at his disposal, admittedly signed by him, the negative, sterile football frustrated and irritated the vast majority. His time was up and rightly so. I was reminded by an earlier poster on here of the John Duncan protests. He had us finish 8th twice and 9th. I remember as a young teenager enjoying going to those matches and getting far more enjoyment than I have from the last 10 years (and sorry to say, I was on the pitch as a protest) how standards have slipped. Unfortunately when you accept mediocrity, as town fans have over the years, you're only heading in one direction. We have dodged the drop on a few occasions over the years but I really feel this could be our time. Sad sad times for this once proud, successful club loved and supported around the globe..

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BlueArrow added 17:28 - Oct 4 @ itfc58 talking about teams going to oblivion Brightlingsea Regents are playing Torquay United this Saturday in the Face cup. Just saying.
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Northstandveteran added 17:29 - Oct 4 Leyton orient in the same division as Braintree Bluearrow???
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Lathers added 17:41 - Oct 4 I would love PH to work things out, if for no other reason than to stop the 'Bet you wish you still had McCarthy' comments from other clubs fans. Sadly, we are SO bad that I cannot see HOW we are going to turn the corner. I genuinely cannot see where our 1st win is coming from. I've also lost faith that if/when we go down that PH is the right man to bounce us back. For me, that is what Evans needs to make a call on.

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jas0999 added 17:54 - Oct 4 It's certainly a shame that we are already having to talk about sacking Paul. However, I have yet to see anything which suggests he is anything but out of his depth. I sincerely hope results do improve, but just can't see it. No doubt a win away to Swansea would be a confidence booster. It's a game where previously a draw would be a good result, but going into an international break with no wins this season, the only acceptable result would be a win. This season is already a struggle and whatever happens Saturday, it will continue to be so. ME is unlikely to pull the trigger. He has been too lenient with the two previous managers. It's difficult to see where we go from here, but as someone else said, relegation would most certainly be a bad thing. Financially, falling attendances and no guarantee of bouncing back straight away. In fact, this current team may struggle.

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Monarch_Blue added 18:11 - Oct 4 The only thing that I enjoyed watching from Tuesday's game, was seeing George Burley and Butch sitting in the stands together. I thought....just maybe!!!!!!
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positivity added 18:15 - Oct 4 mystified as to how hurst gets the blame for didzy, waghorn and garner. didzy left before hurst came in and the latter 2 wanted to go. webster's the only one i'd criticise him for, and his head may have been turned
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DJ27 added 18:26 - Oct 4 The problem with myths is the more people keep saying it the more it becomes believable. Lets get things straight Hurst didn't get rid of half a championship team of 'seasoned pro's' McGoldrick was out of contract and didn't want to stay, Waghorn handed in a transfer request, so i'm not sure what else Hurst was supposed to do. So the facts are, he made the decision to sell 2, yes just 2 players. Webster and Garner. Webster was injured half the time he was contracted to the club, so 3.5m was a goodish deal for the club. Garner in my eyes wasn't great, spent half the time on the floor moaning at the ref. And rumour is he wanted to move back north for family reason, we got a million for him. So Hurst hasn't dismantled a decent championship team. I would beg to differ we've ever been decent the last 3 years. You could argue his recruitment hasn't been or doesnt appear to be great. But i would look at Kemar Roofe, he struggled 1st season at Leeds, now look at him. Players take time to adjust and settle, it's a higher standard, new team mates, new surroundings. Players arn't robots, there are signs all be it small, that these Lg 1/2 players could be good signings I'm prepared to give Hurst more time to build and develop this project, or what is the alternative? Get a Mick style manager in to keep us up? Then we are back here in a year 2 years time with same old rubbish football grinding out results. There may be some more rough before the smooth, but i'm prepared to back him.

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TimmyH added 18:58 - Oct 4 Positivity - so you have proof they both wanted to go?...another poster mentioned Webster wanted to leave as well!! personally I have my doubts, I think Garner wanted to move back closer to his home in Lancashire but the others. More of a case of Evans needing the funds for Hurst's experiment and letting them go.
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TimmyH added 19:11 - Oct 4 Evans dismantled part of the team...why let Garner go on the final deadline day without a replacement?...above poster reckoning he wasn't great but he still scored 10 goals from 32 games something which doesn't look achievable by any of the attacking players currently. The the contentious issue of Webster though a bit of a 'marmite' player and a bit injury prone at times he was a passing defender which you'd think would suit Hurst down to the ground...but no we'll get shot of.

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aas1010 added 19:34 - Oct 4 What ever the result on Saturday . Just go !
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Bergholtblue added 19:46 - Oct 4 “Some people get away with being average because of what's maybe available and different circumstances at the club". .... well you are certainly getting away with it. "But overall, lots of chairmen will be less patient than Marcus, as was mentioned to me the other week, and I think that's a credit to him. It depends on what you see as the vision and what's the idea moving forward.” ... well enlighten us, because I'm blowed if I can see.

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Erics_size_5s added 20:04 - Oct 4 Time to deploy our talented youngsters, and support them whatever. Even if we are relegated we have the base talent to learn, evolve into a more powerful unit, play for each other and return stronger. If PH continues to chop and change we will never progress.
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Popeye added 20:05 - Oct 4 He should be worried and now Bruce is available I would say he is bricking his paints as Bruce is just the type of manager we should go for. I think if he doesn't get a win at Swansea then he will be clearing his office desk. Although I applaud PH for what he is trying to do, I sadly think he lacks the experience to make a success of it here. He doesn't seem to know his best starting X1 or the best formation and he has brought in too many new faces at once. I was prepared to give PH a chance after the drivel MM served up but some of the performances particularly at Boro was just embarrassing. I agree with the Scottish ‘tube' Alan Brazil we should be concerned.

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Umros added 20:17 - Oct 4 Signs of a man that doesn't really care cause I'll get paid anyway. This is however short sighted as he has now proved to the football world he is unable to cut it and league one is his only level.....and that looks like a fluke last year anyway. Will be out of work for some time but that money won't last forever.......
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positivity added 21:17 - Oct 4 timmyh- no proof, but that's what i've heard, do you have proof hurst wanted him out?! to be honest would you turn down a move nearer home for much more money with a club who have a much greater chance of promotion? mcgoldrick was never offered a contract under mick, i've no doubt that evans' unwillingness to pay his high wages for minimal playing time were the big factor, but nothing to do with hurst!

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Warkys_Tash added 21:42 - Oct 4 @naa Spot on analysis. couldn't have putt better myself. None of us wanted Hurst to succeed and although I had never even heard of him before the shortlist was drawn up to replace McCarthy, I was excited for the new season. However, that started to wane as soon as I heard Webster was on his way and it has just gotten worse from that point on. I saw at the Blackburn game what most see now and got absolutely slated for saying so.. I would also like to see Burley and Butcher come in to try and save us..but Evans won't give us that..

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armchaircritic59 added 21:49 - Oct 4 My only worry if ME does decide to call time on PH, is given his record, he'll probably turn to one of the available peas from the same pod. I'm talking about the likes of Steve Bruce, Sam Allardyce, a certain MM, and others who aren't available such as Tony Pullis etc. All reasonably good at what they do (generally), but favouring a playing style that's marginally more exciting than watching a stalagmite grow!

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Warkys_Tash added 21:54 - Oct 4 *none of us want Hurst to fail.. However, its his replacement of our best players - whether they wanted out or not - that is really in question. He chose the players to bring in and quite frankly neither Harrison or Jackson will get gets at this level. Garner scored 1 in 3, not a bad return. I'd take him right now!!
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blueboy1981 added 22:08 - Oct 4 ......... of course he's not worried, he knows Evans can't get rid without a good pay off. Shows how different the standards of expectations are when Villa are 12th and sack Bruce, we are one off the bottom on level points with PNE...... !! - and our Manager is still merrily going along completely out of his depth. Our expectations were once equal to the likes of Villa - FACT. How times change ? - only thing that has changed with our Club is the ambition - within it's Ownership.

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