Mariner @ Toronto

[phil wright]

Interesting blog on another website from an Argyle exile living in Toronto who of course are managed by our very own PM.

Apparantly they are really struggling. Bottom of their lge on falling gates. Being his local team he watches them quite regularly but needless to say is not impressed.

I always thought he was in a difficult position when with us with Sturrock always in the back ground but he never inspired me as someone who could make the transition from player to manager. Great player who perhaps should have left it at that. Any thoughts???  

[Johnny- Glen]

The absence of abusive messages is an attractive one.  It is nevertheless a shame that there are so few posts on here.  I, for myself, will not post for the sake of it, but I do read all posts on all threads.  Yes, the site was busier in the troubled times, but most of it was duplication and offensive.  I would rather read a few sensible items, than have to trawl through all that garbage to find something worth reading.  

[phil wright]

You & i  must be on the same wavelength Roger as i have felt lonely on here for quite a while now. Just think most people have just lost interest in the site or gone on to Pasoti. Its ironic though how this site was so much busier during our troubles of last season. But most of the regular contributors then seem to have vanished. 

[anglo_dutch]

Argyle was his first managerial post as far as I know.Maybe he is an example of being a coach rather than a manager.

[Johnny- Glen]

When discussing the failure of Paul Sturrock in his second spell with us, people often  blame the 'behind the scenes' reasons as to why he failed.  If that is true, and I believe there is at least some truth in it, then the same must be said for Paul Mariner.  He came in in the thick of our problems, and whatever was going on in the background for Paul Sturrock must still have been there, if not worse for him.  None of this could have been easy nor have done his reputation any good. 

[RODGER RUSE]

I was very impressed by the way Paul Mariner went about his work whilst with us as a Manager. He was always involved with the players before, during and after matches. I watched him at some Reserve matches. He sat on his own on the opposite side of the pitch, letting his coaching staff take the lead but at half time and at the end he would take several players aside and talk to them at length, often with an arm round those who had not performed well. He seemed a sympathetic and caring manager who was well-liked by his players. Perhaps he comes into the category of managers who are "too nice" and fail to achieve because they are not tough enough. Possibly also he did not have the experience or tactical knowledge to succeed at the higher levels of the game. He was a legend as a player and it was a great shame that his return as manager might have taken some of the gloss off his earlier achievements. I would have liked him to succeed in the USA and it is sad that things have not turned out well. Did I not read somewhere that Toronto greatly over-achieved in one of the cup competitions there by reaching the final against LA Galaxy?

By the way Phil, do you get the feeling that you and I are now the only contributors left on Argyle Insider!!!