Shropshire Star

Salop social: Our fans react to the sacking of Sam Ricketts

See what fans have had to say about the sacking of Sam Ricketts.

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Nathan Rowden

I don’t think anyone was surprised that Sam Ricketts was relieved of his duties this week. The third time in as many weeks that Salop had squandered leads proved to be the last straw for the board as the slide to the bottom of League One continued.

It definitely feels like the right decision has been made, although there are many who maybe felt this came too late. But there is no time to reflect on the ifs, buts and maybes, the games come thick and fast and the Shrewsbury Town board have a big decision to make.

There are plenty of candidates out there that are capable of getting a tune out of this group of players, but this decision is vital as the new manager has to hit the ground running. Get it right, you see the season through in League One and can look to build next season; get it wrong and catastrophe awaits.

The last two appointments haven’t worked out and the board can’t afford a third. It’s likely that fans will be able to greet the new manager in the stadium and both of these things could start to bring back a positive feeling around the club, which had been eroded over recent months.

Good luck to Sam Ricketts on his future, good luck to the board with their recruitment process and in case the appointment is before the next Salop social, good luck to the new manager.

Chris Hudson

So Sam Ricketts is in the past. Are Shrewsbury Town now prepared to go back to the future?

No sooner had the club statement announcing Ricketts’ departure dropped, than social media was deluged with debate about whether Paul Hurst was the man for the job.

That talk gathered momentum yesterday as this paper carried a story confirming the Yorkshireman would relish a return to the Montgomery Waters Meadow.

So much about this idea seems wrong. Shrewsbury clearly need a figure to unite the club and fans, and get us all pulling in the same direction again. How can this man possibly do that, given the acrimonious nature of his departure in May 2018?

And yet…

His achievements in his 18 months at the club were stellar. From a similarly bleak position to where the club finds itself now, he kept us up. Then he built a team that will be remembered for years to come.

Repeating that might be too much to ask, but he ‘got’ our club and he made us proud. For all his struggles since, I can’t avoid the feeling that he is the best man for the job.

Other names in the hat? Well the likes of Paul Cook or Danny Cowley would be great; but realistically they will be holding out for bigger clubs.

Graham Alexander? Nigel Adkins? Maybe. There will be other names that haven’t even been mentioned, and I certainly trust Brian Caldwell to run a thorough process.

But for me? I’d point the DeLorean north and bring Hurst home.

Steve Jones

While it’s never nice to see a young manager lose his job, something had to give. Sam Ricketts was rightfully given enough time and resources to be successful – he got more than he would elsewhere – and no doubt worked hard, but it just didn’t materialise.

It was an awkward marriage from the start; jumping ship from rivals Wrexham with barely any management experience. It was a gamble and his pick was the best of some uninspiring options.

Depressingly, some of those names are back in the mix.

Ricketts’ PR tactics struck a popular note at times but also grated. I’m not sure he ever won fans’ hearts and minds.

My overriding emotion upon his exit – and I’m sure I’m not alone – was relief. That’s a sure-fire sign it’s the right decision. Good luck to him, though. And thanks for the good times like Blackpool away last season and Liverpool at home. I wouldn’t be surprised if he enjoys success in future.

Some out-of-the-box thinking is needed for the next appointment. Shrewsbury are no Manchester City, so must do things differently.

One outside option is Paul Hurst, who would be as welcome as the coronavirus vaccine among some Salopians.