Hi, everyone. After last night’s game, I would like to talk to you all directly, and address our current status.
None of us – the Board, Tom, staff, or the loyal Green Army - are comfortable with the start to our season. It has been a very disappointing start, and I think we all recognise that.
I feel that the club has been through an enormous period of instability, both on and off the pitch. We have seen too many changes of personnel, and this has made it difficult to find consistency in what we do.
I believe strongly that we need to return to a state where we regain that consistency, and therefore success. That will take time, but this is the right thing for our club and our future.
In the case of our Head Coach, let me be more explicit. We hired Tom as a young, bright, ambitious Head Coach who could come and be a big part of Argyle’s next phase.
We are a quarter of the way into Tom’s first season with us. Whilst results have been disappointing, nothing has changed in terms of Tom being the right person for this club. We need to bring that stability throughout the club, and this comes from Head Coach downwards.
We are confident that things will improve. We’ve had a number of circumstances which have hit us in recent weeks, resulting in key players being missing throughout the opening 14 league games. This was emphasised last night, with Tom unable to fill the substitutes bench, and nine players being unavailable for selection, with the vast majority considered first-team starters.
These are not excuses, but facts, and are clearly not ideal circumstances for any Head Coach to deliver consistent, winning performances. But, we believe Tom has all the tools to still deliver this.
Throughout all of this, the support of the Green Army has never wavered, with continued sell-out home crowds and incredible away backings. This support is never taken for granted by anyone at the football club, especially Tom, his staff and the players.
We are One Argyle, and as history has proven, when we are united we can achieve special things. Let’s stick together. COYG.
- Paul Berne