Forum

[LoidLucan]

Middlesbrough trusted AA enough to employ him in their Academy and subsequently to loan out their players to him both at Blyth and here.

[lo36789]

What do people want? The closed shop these people get accused of or the truth?

I think unless you say what people have decided they want then they aren't happy to be honest.

That is probably the long and short of it.

Bollocks.

It is isn't it though. It's an extension of confirmation bias. People love to have their perspectives confirmed.

Personally I wouldn't have been quite so open. I think it's an over disclosure, but I also I am not sure what more can be said about Tuesday other than "It wasn't good enough". This didn't seem to be enough for others - they wanted more - but I am not really sure what could have been actually said to appease.

There will be those countering what has been said about Sukar. They will have their own perspectives on what being frozen out are and won't like that it has been a footballing decision.

People will make their own minds up at the end of the day as they invariably do.

[Quakers2009]

What do people want? The closed shop these people get accused of or the truth?

I think unless you say what people have decided they want then they aren't happy to be honest.

That is probably the long and short of it.

Bollocks.

It is isn't it though. It's an extension of confirmation bias. People love to have their perspectives confirmed.

Personally I wouldn't have been quite so open. I think it's an over disclosure, but I also I am not sure what more can be said about Tuesday other than "It wasn't good enough". This didn't seem to be enough for others - they wanted more - but I am not really sure what could have been actually said to appease.

There will be those countering what has been said about Sukar. They will have their own perspectives on what being frozen out are and won't like that it has been a footballing decision.

People will make their own minds up at the end of the day as they invariably do.

Yes, it is bollocks.

Had they just said 'Tuesday was unacceptable' then fine, no issues.

However the Chair of the DFCSG made excuses, that we are part-time, that we played at the weekend, that our players have days-jobs - ALL challenges that Chorley faced before the fixture. That's what I'm not happy with.

I also didn't like DJs tone, the fact he dug-out AA, or Gowling lying saying he has never lost before by over two goals in his managerial career, when he has - FOUR times at Hereford.

I'm also not happy that we had a Director of the DFCSG in the crowd, asking loaded questions to the Board sat on the panel.

Is that cognitive bias?

[lo36789]

However the Chair of the DFCSG made excuses, that we are part-time, that we played at the weekend, that our players have days-jobs - ALL challenges that Chorley faced before the fixture. That's what I'm not happy with.

That is the chair of the majority shareholder. Who gave their perspective on things - in fact didn't they position it from the outset about that it was their reflections in the aftermath.

So your not happy person has shared their own reflections on things.

I also didn't like DJs tone, the fact he dug-out AA, or Gowling lying saying he has never lost before by over two goals in his managerial career, when he has - FOUR times at Hereford

I doubt this was intended as a precise review of all his results It wasn't to position that the feeling of being battered like that wasn't something he was used to, and not one he is used to. He could have conditioned it better but I think you are looking for a stick to beat him with to suggest he is misleading you in some form. He's not on trial he was asked for his perspectives on a game of football.

Weird world when we get to the point where our Supporters Liaison Officer, who is one of our most committed fans isn't allowed to ask questions in a public forum.

Do you think he shouldn't be allowed to ask anything you think he should be excluded from participating despite being a shareholder, active volunteer and fan?

[darlo reborn]

Don`t think you would have been happy with whatever was said after tuesday night 2009 but we need to move on and not let it happen again if it does then we can say something is seriously wrong

[Ghost_Of_1883]

We’ve hired an analyst, full-time. Why not appoint a media manager who has a recent communications background? A sports journalism degree, PR degree, comms degree. All would have had up to date training and earned a qualification in aspects such as media law, crisis comms, PR, match reports, Adobe platforms etc etc.

Yes it’s money, but it’s value in the long run. When social media is managed correctly it can make money.

Would you be able to provide some projections as to how the cost of a media manager would be offset through the revenue generated through social media?

It would be offset by the removal of the current media manager. I'm not suggesting that we should do that, before any one starts, but that's what would happen if we were to take a new media manager on.

[Vodka_Vic]

Some good points here.
Firstly, DJ could have been more diplomatic about AAs tenure. There are so many ways it could have been done, rather than airing dirty washing in public.
Secondly, lo is correct when he says that invariably people will make an opinion then stick to it, and don't like to have their mind turned.
Thirdly, Quakers2009 is obviously unhappy with the current set up, but does make some good supporting points here. I don't fully see what the harm is in Scully asking a question, as he's a fan too, but the way a fan was shut down by Gowling when he corrected Gowling on the fact he'd lost 4-0 at Tamworth was classic gaslighting, and as Quakers2009 has showed, it's so easy to disprove facts in the digital age. And Q2009 also showed he'd lost by more than 2 goals at Hereford 4 times. You're not telling me he didn't remember at least one of those occasions? That was toe curling and rather than saying, sorry, I got that one wrong, he tried to wriggle out of it in front of his boss. Not a good look when he's trying to convince fans that he's the right man for the job, and I did find that a little worrying.

[Quakers2009]

However the Chair of the DFCSG made excuses, that we are part-time, that we played at the weekend, that our players have days-jobs - ALL challenges that Chorley faced before the fixture. That's what I'm not happy with.

That is the chair of the majority shareholder. Who gave their perspective on things - in fact didn't they position it from the outset about that it was their reflections in the aftermath.

So your not happy person has shared their own reflections on things.

I also didn't like DJs tone, the fact he dug-out AA, or Gowling lying saying he has never lost before by over two goals in his managerial career, when he has - FOUR times at Hereford

I doubt this was intended as a precise review of all his results It wasn't to position that the feeling of being battered like that wasn't something he was used to, and not one he is used to. He could have conditioned it better but I think you are looking for a stick to beat him with to suggest he is misleading you in some form. He's not on trial he was asked for his perspectives on a game of football.

Are you for real?

No, I am not happy that the elected Chair of the Supporters Group, whilst representing the SG, came up with a load of poor excuses for our worst result in over 25 years.

Gowling literally stated that he has never been beaten by more than two goals or more in his managerial career - he has said this on more than one occasion. It absolutely was intended as a precise reflection of his previous results. In fact, Gowling was very specific to the supporters at the FF and stated that he is talking about pre-DFC when a supporter mentioned that he had been beaten by more than two goals at Darlington already (at Tamworth, 0-4).

Let me guess, you didn't listen in or attend the FF either?

[Vodka_Vic]

Just read lo's reply to Quaker2009, and I think you let Gowling get away with bending the truth somewhat lo.

[Ghost_Of_1883]

I also didn't like DJs tone, the fact he dug-out AA, or Gowling lying saying he has never lost before by over two goals in his managerial career, when he has - FOUR times at Hereford.

DJ's "tone"? He seemed slightly annoyed to me but that's to be expected given the pressure everyone is under and the "tone" of some of the questions asked of him. Two way street.

[Ghost_Of_1883]

DJ chucking Alun under the bus over his tactics & standard of training.

Not a good look.

I backed AA to the hilt but quite a few have now commented on lack of tactics etc.

Was this when he said Boro weren't happy with elements of their lads training whilst with us? All I see here is the evidence starting to stack up bit by bit.

[Quakers2009]

Weird world when we get to the point where our Supporters Liaison Officer, who is one of our most committed fans isn't allowed to ask questions in a public forum.

Do you think he shouldn't be allowed to ask anything you think he should be excluded from participating despite being a shareholder, active volunteer and fan?

He is a Director of the SG, asking the Boards of both the SG & the Club a question, at a public fans forum - not a little weird, no?

[Quakers2009]

I also didn't like DJs tone, the fact he dug-out AA, or Gowling lying saying he has never lost before by over two goals in his managerial career, when he has - FOUR times at Hereford.

DJ's "tone"? He seemed slightly annoyed to me but that's to be expected given the pressure everyone is under and the "tone" of some of the questions asked of him. Two way street.

Well after the previous fans Q&A, where he started shaking his head & sighing at questions, it was disappointing again to see his attitude at the first couple of questions.

DJ opened up and said 'ask any question, there's no such thing at a stupid one', and then proceeded to get shirty with a woman at the front asking sensible questions about the potential new ground.

[MB86DFC]

However the Chair of the DFCSG made excuses, that we are part-time, that we played at the weekend, that our players have days-jobs - ALL challenges that Chorley faced before the fixture. That's what I'm not happy with.

That is the chair of the majority shareholder. Who gave their perspective on things - in fact didn't they position it from the outset about that it was their reflections in the aftermath.

So your not happy person has shared their own reflections on things.

I also didn't like DJs tone, the fact he dug-out AA, or Gowling lying saying he has never lost before by over two goals in his managerial career, when he has - FOUR times at Hereford

I doubt this was intended as a precise review of all his results It wasn't to position that the feeling of being battered like that wasn't something he was used to, and not one he is used to. He could have conditioned it better but I think you are looking for a stick to beat him with to suggest he is misleading you in some form. He's not on trial he was asked for his perspectives on a game of football.

Weird world when we get to the point where our Supporters Liaison Officer, who is one of our most committed fans isn't allowed to ask questions in a public forum.

Do you think he shouldn't be allowed to ask anything you think he should be excluded from participating despite being a shareholder, active volunteer and fan?

The question was so obviously designed and planted to sway opinion, it was embarrassing. Also it was incorrect. Asanti isn’t the “best striker we’ve ever signed”. Mark Beck is better

[Ghost_Of_1883]

DJ chucking Alun under the bus over his tactics & standard of training.

Not a good look.

IF DJ did chuck AA under the bus over his tactics and training, then it begs the question why DJ gave AA a new 2 year contract ?

It seems to reflect very badly on DJs decision making and control to extend a contract of someone in those circumstances

You just want to poison Darlo fans against DJ for your own Spenny loving reasons.

I'm sure nothing would give you a bigger hard on than DJ walking away and chances of a new ground evaporating with it, and thinking you yourself played a part in that.

Therefore your opinions on this thread are invalid.

[Ghost_Of_1883]

However the Chair of the DFCSG made excuses, that we are part-time, that we played at the weekend, that our players have days-jobs - ALL challenges that Chorley faced before the fixture. That's what I'm not happy with.

That is the chair of the majority shareholder. Who gave their perspective on things - in fact didn't they position it from the outset about that it was their reflections in the aftermath.

So your not happy person has shared their own reflections on things.

I also didn't like DJs tone, the fact he dug-out AA, or Gowling lying saying he has never lost before by over two goals in his managerial career, when he has - FOUR times at Hereford

I doubt this was intended as a precise review of all his results It wasn't to position that the feeling of being battered like that wasn't something he was used to, and not one he is used to. He could have conditioned it better but I think you are looking for a stick to beat him with to suggest he is misleading you in some form. He's not on trial he was asked for his perspectives on a game of football.

Weird world when we get to the point where our Supporters Liaison Officer, who is one of our most committed fans isn't allowed to ask questions in a public forum.

Do you think he shouldn't be allowed to ask anything you think he should be excluded from participating despite being a shareholder, active volunteer and fan?

The question was so obviously designed and planted to sway opinion, it was embarrassing. Also it was incorrect. Asanti isn’t the “best striker we’ve ever signed”. Mark Beck is better

Gabbiadini, Currie and Abbot were the best strikers we've ever signed.

[Ghost_Of_1883]

I also didn't like DJs tone, the fact he dug-out AA, or Gowling lying saying he has never lost before by over two goals in his managerial career, when he has - FOUR times at Hereford.

DJ's "tone"? He seemed slightly annoyed to me but that's to be expected given the pressure everyone is under and the "tone" of some of the questions asked of him. Two way street.

Well after the previous fans Q&A, where he started shaking his head & sighing at questions, it was disappointing again to see his attitude at the first couple of questions.

DJ opened up and said 'ask any question, there's no such thing at a stupid one', and then proceeded to get shirty with a woman at the front asking sensible questions about the potential new ground.

We both know that people ask stupid questions, uninformed questions and cringe questions at such events.

It'd be hard not to roll your eyes or sigh from time to time.

[Darlofan97]

DJ chucking Alun under the bus over his tactics & standard of training.

Not a good look.

Yes but Purver and Lambert were also critical over tactics etc.

Sent from my SM-A145R using Tapatalk

Lambert wasn’t.

They also aren’t the CEO.

In an interview with the Non League paper he said “We didn’t really have a game plan. Al just said go out and play and enjoy yourself”. He wasn’t trying to be critical but it’s damming nevertheless.

Lambert wasn’t trying to be critical, which was my point.

Purver was, though.

DJ has discredited Alun in a public forum. He has a short memory considering what Alun did for this football club whilst DJ has been CEO.

It was right for Alun to move on when he did, but that doesn’t preclude an appreciation or gratitude for what he did.

[spen666]

DJ chucking Alun under the bus over his tactics & standard of training.

Not a good look.

IF DJ did chuck AA under the bus over his tactics and training, then it begs the question why DJ gave AA a new 2 year contract ?

It seems to reflect very badly on DJs decision making and control to extend a contract of someone in those circumstances

You just want to poison Darlo fans against DJ for your own Spenny loving reasons.

I'm sure nothing would give you a bigger hard on than DJ walking away and chances of a new ground evaporating with it, and thinking you yourself played a part in that.

Therefore your opinions on this thread are invalid.

You can try to turn it into a spennymoor v Darlington thing. its nothing of the sort. IF DJ is throwing Armstrong under the bus ( and I am not sure he did), then its reasonable to ask why DJ gave Armstrong an extended contract, if he was so bad.

Its unusual to offer an extended contract to someone if you think he was to blame for problems.


At the end of the day, its the fans money that is being spent by the board. If the board get it wrong, its not unreasonable to ask questions and hold people to account for their decisions . [ Asking questions, not abusing people as there is no place for some of the abuse given by some on social media]

[The_Natural]

I don't think the aftermath of this public forum will do anyone much good at all and i mean club, board, staff, management and players.

Accusations against people not there to defend themselves is not a great path to go down. And I see stuff like "It was also interesting to hear that Middlesbrough didn’t rate AA and were concerned about the standard of training their loanees received, which has now changed" is already being hotly disputed by people involved at the club at the time.

I don't think it's appropriate to start throwing around quite damaging accusations like this in a public setting such as this when you're only getting one side of the story. We should be better than that. It has already been met with counter-accusations of deflection tactics.

It's unfair and I don't think it will help the club's cause at this very difficult time. It's the last thing we need right now.

Ladies….find a man who loves you as much as Loidlucan loves Alun Armstrong …

Joking aside I agree the comment is probably a bit blunt and unhelpful, talking up new manager as oppose to talking down old one is prob the best approach from those in charge but I don’t think it should be over blown

[lo36789]

He is a Director of the SG, asking the Boards of both the SG & the Club a question, at a public fans forum - not a little weird, no?

I don't think he should be excluded from doing so - and given role as SLO even less surprising.

Just read lo's reply to Quaker2009, and I think you let Gowling get away with bending the truth somewhat lo

I don't think he should have doubled down - but the original statement I still don't expect was intended to mislead. It came across that he used it to contextualise how he was feeling over anything else - and how he was recollecting at the time.

Guess it is a lesson when people don't like you then every word will be scrutinised so be careful with every syllable.

[LoidLucan]

I don't think the aftermath of this public forum will do anyone much good at all and i mean club, board, staff, management and players.

Accusations against people not there to defend themselves is not a great path to go down. And I see stuff like "It was also interesting to hear that Middlesbrough didn’t rate AA and were concerned about the standard of training their loanees received, which has now changed" is already being hotly disputed by people involved at the club at the time.

I don't think it's appropriate to start throwing around quite damaging accusations like this in a public setting such as this when you're only getting one side of the story. We should be better than that. It has already been met with counter-accusations of deflection tactics.

It's unfair and I don't think it will help the club's cause at this very difficult time. It's the last thing we need right now.

Ladies….find a man who loves you as much as Loidlucan loves Alun Armstrong …

Joking aside I agree the comment is probably a bit blunt and unhelpful, talking up new manager as oppose to talking down old one is prob the best approach from those in charge but I don’t think it should be over blown

Bloody ell, you found a stash of common sense tablets? And I'm a little surprised that you haven't worked out yet that I am AA.

[The_Natural]

Think we’ll all be IN AA after this season !

[Darlofan97]

He is a Director of the SG, asking the Boards of both the SG & the Club a question, at a public fans forum - not a little weird, no?

I don't think he should be excluded from doing so - and given role as SLO even less surprising.

Just read lo's reply to Quaker2009, and I think you let Gowling get away with bending the truth somewhat lo

I don't think he should have doubled down - but the original statement I still don't expect was intended to mislead. It came across that he used it to contextualise how he was feeling over anything else - and how he was recollecting at the time.

Guess it is a lesson when people don't like you then every word will be scrutinised so be careful with every syllable.

Gowling has stated three times since Tuesday night that he has never lost a game as manager by a margin of more than 2 goals.

This has proven to be incorrect, as he has done, on 5 separate occasions.

There is contextualising how you feel, and then there is making a clear statement that is very blatantly untrue to make you sound a bit better than you actually are.

Stop trying to justify it.

[Quakers2009]

He is a Director of the SG, asking the Boards of both the SG & the Club a question, at a public fans forum - not a little weird, no?

I don't think he should be excluded from doing so - and given role as SLO even less surprising.

Just read lo's reply to Quaker2009, and I think you let Gowling get away with bending the truth somewhat lo

I don't think he should have doubled down - but the original statement I still don't expect was intended to mislead. It came across that he used it to contextualise how he was feeling over anything else - and how he was recollecting at the time.

Guess it is a lesson when people don't like you then every word will be scrutinised so be careful with every syllable.

That isn't what I asked.

I asked if it was weird for a serving Director to ask a question to fellow Directors of the Board at a public fans-forum.

And no, it isn't a lesson.

I would understand if he said 'I've never been beaten like this before' (0-8) - but he's said two or three times now that he has never been beaten by more than two goals at Hereford. Listeners would likely take that on face-value and think 'ah, Gowling's teams don't capitulate and keep things tight', which isn't the reality.

It's a lie, it's misleading, or do we really think that these 0-3, 0-4, 1-4 results have just conveniently been etched from his memory?

[Old Git]

Unlikely I know, but wouldn’t it be great if we could win today, and we could all just go back to supporting the team, and stop all the bitching.

[wizardofos]

Roughly how many attended the Forum "in person"? Could anyone who was there provide an estimate please.

[lo36789]

There is contextualising how you feel, and then there is making a clear statement that is very blatantly untrue to make you sound a bit better than you actually are.

Making yourself sound better than you are?

I guess I am not convinced any right minded individual would see the aftermath of an 8-0 defeat as an opportunity to market their abilities.

Especially when it quite a clear evidencible 'claim'

I doubt it was the claim that he expected to be hounded over. But he should know better and I am sure he will be more guarded in future interviews.

As I have been taught aways say less, avoid any specifics as people will always look to trip you up over detail.

[Darlofan97]

There is contextualising how you feel, and then there is making a clear statement that is very blatantly untrue to make you sound a bit better than you actually are.

Making yourself sound better than you are?

I guess I am not convinced any right minded individual would see the aftermath of an 8-0 defeat as an opportunity to market their abilities.

Especially when it quite a clear evidencible 'claim'

I doubt it was the claim that he expected to be hounded over. But he should know better and I am sure he will be more guarded in future interviews.

As I have been taught aways say less as people will always try and trip you up over detail.

Surely suffering an absolute humiliating 8-0 defeat would be exactly the time where somebody would try & PR spin it/make themselves sound better than they are?

This isn’t about “detail”, this is about making a clearly factually incorrect statement THREE times

How can’t you see it? This is Gowling posturing after guiding us to our worst result in c40 years!

[MB86DFC]

There is contextualising how you feel, and then there is making a clear statement that is very blatantly untrue to make you sound a bit better than you actually are.

Making yourself sound better than you are?

I guess I am not convinced any right minded individual would see the aftermath of an 8-0 defeat as an opportunity to market their abilities.

Especially when it quite a clear evidencible 'claim'

I doubt it was the claim that he expected to be hounded over. But he should know better and I am sure he will be more guarded in future interviews.

As I have been taught aways say less, avoid any specifics as people will always look to trip you up over detail.

Dress it up however you want, ultimately it just shows he is full of s***