Gary Peters has finally gone and not before time, writes Shropshire Star Shrewsbury Town blogger James Pugh.
Apparently he left by mutual consent, but the writing was on the wall for the manager especially as our form since Christmas has been nothing short of pathetic.
It seems clear to me that the players and fans both lost faith in the manager and when this happens there is only appropriate outcome - to get rid of the manager.
It would be wrong of me to praise the decision for him to leave without thanking him for what he has done for he club.
When he joined we were relegation candidates and he has done an excellent job in stabilising the club and was unlucky in not getting promotion last season.
For me the best highlight of Mr Peters’ time in charge was going to Wembley in the play-off final.
If we had won that game where would the club and Mr Peters be now? What are other fans’ favourite memories?
However, I think the time had come where the manager had taken us as far as he could and since last season we have taken a large step backwards.
My only concern now is over the timing of him leaving with the end of the season not far away.
We are only ten points off the relegation zone and appointing a new manager now can go one of two ways.
Either the players will work hard for a new manager in trying to impress him and a new man in charge will give everybody associated with the club a much needed boost.
Or the confidence of both players and fans will be at rock bottom and the new man in charge will not have the time to turn things around.
Hopefully for the clubs sake its the former.
So now the question remains - who will become the new manager?
Apparently Paul Simpson has been spotted several times in Shrewsbury recently. If this is the case and he is a candidate to become the new manager than I think it will be a good appointment.
What other managers are available? Who would be the fans choice?
4 Comments
I live in Cornwall so I have a distant view of the goings on at Shrewsbury Town, the club I have been supporting for over 22 years (I’m only 36!). It does seem that the time was right for Gary Peters and Shrewsbury to part company. After the high of getting to the play-off fianl last year and the excitement of the new stadium, it was expected to be challenging for at least a play-off place this season. Mr Peters has paid for that optimistic view. He is manager I personally will always hold in high regard and I wish him well in whatever he does in the future. My choice for the next boss…..either Paul Simpson or Steve Cotterill.
After the Hereford game I concluded that I could not watch them at home until Mr.Peters left as the tactics have become so negative. On Saturday I happened to find myself in London so went to Barnet to see if things would be different when playing away. During the game I reported to friends too wise to travel that we were humiliated, had no shape nor desire, lost not only the first ball but also the second and that our midfield was non existent. The only thing I saw that looked good were the burgers. A change was needed. Hopefully the town and Mr.Peters can move on to happier moments. In recent seasons our paths and Newcastle’s seem to mirror each other in many ways. I hope the board will not rush to judgement but consider the appointment of ‘our’ next manager with the same thoughtfulness that they gave to releasing Mr.Peters mindful of his undoubted service.
Jake King
So in two seasons running, Shrewsbury Town has been relegation candidates under two different managers. The common denominator here is the club. Maybe the managers aren’t getting the support they need? Or is it just bad luck?