By Ed Palmer
BACKING managers when the chips are down is anything but fashionable in 21st century football but in Notts County’s case supporting Charlie McParland now could see them reap the benefits in the long term.
Notts fans have seen and heard it all before. Over a decade of under achievement finds the club at its lowest ebb and the fans doom and gloom is fully understandable.
But in such a precarious position just five points and three places above the trapdoor to non-league football, McParland’s CV should serve as a reminder of what can be achieved under his leadership.
It is not just his impressive time as caretaker boss across the Trent that should be focussed on but how quickly he rose to become a highly respected coach.
In the ten years he spent at Nottingham Forest his abilities at academy, reserve team and first team level were unquestionable. The mill of talent that was nurtured and the players he inspired and commanded, including two years in the Premiership bodes well for the Magpies-if they stick with him.
Safety this season is of course number one priority but it must be appreciated he can do little more with the current resources at his disposal particularly when the structure of the club itself lends no favours for options from reserve or youth levels.
It is easy to point to the old adage that a manager should bring in his own players and then be judged. But in McParland’s case that is exactly the point.
He has proven he can motivate and get the best out of teams that are centred around his ethos that was so successful with sides at all levels at Forest.
And whilst League Two is maybe not the breeding ground of total football, the fundamentals that he instilled as a coach so effectively earlier in his career of when to pass the ball and to defend sternly can be replicated at Meadow Lane.
Given years rather at the helm with a squad he can slowly add and improve to, Notts can start the road to recovery.
An exit in the right direction out of League Two could take considerable time but with McParland in place to oversee a longer term re-structuring of the whole club, better times will inevitably arrive sooner rather than later.
Notts fans have seen and heard it all before. Over a decade of under achievement finds the club at its lowest ebb and the fans doom and gloom is fully understandable.
But in such a precarious position just five points and three places above the trapdoor to non-league football, McParland’s CV should serve as a reminder of what can be achieved under his leadership.
It is not just his impressive time as caretaker boss across the Trent that should be focussed on but how quickly he rose to become a highly respected coach.
In the ten years he spent at Nottingham Forest his abilities at academy, reserve team and first team level were unquestionable. The mill of talent that was nurtured and the players he inspired and commanded, including two years in the Premiership bodes well for the Magpies-if they stick with him.
Safety this season is of course number one priority but it must be appreciated he can do little more with the current resources at his disposal particularly when the structure of the club itself lends no favours for options from reserve or youth levels.
It is easy to point to the old adage that a manager should bring in his own players and then be judged. But in McParland’s case that is exactly the point.
He has proven he can motivate and get the best out of teams that are centred around his ethos that was so successful with sides at all levels at Forest.
And whilst League Two is maybe not the breeding ground of total football, the fundamentals that he instilled as a coach so effectively earlier in his career of when to pass the ball and to defend sternly can be replicated at Meadow Lane.
Given years rather at the helm with a squad he can slowly add and improve to, Notts can start the road to recovery.
An exit in the right direction out of League Two could take considerable time but with McParland in place to oversee a longer term re-structuring of the whole club, better times will inevitably arrive sooner rather than later.
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