And realistically, we've players now that weren't an option then. A lot of things have changed since Downes was brought in.

CW yes and no. We had half a season which was a firefighting exercise to stay in the division - focus on moving forwards was never on the agenda. We then discovered that the cupboard was bare and what we could do the next season was limited. We also showed that the escape was just that, an escape not an improvement. Which led to another keeping head above water last 4 months of season - cut short by COVID. Which then had a knock on impact on the following season. The only criticism that's valid is that MR has brought a fresh approach that the others didn't see/attempt. But the other 2 got him involved (having removed what they viewed as dead wood). They put him in a position to be able to do what he's done. So they did play some part of it. And it's not 3 years yet. Ardley went mid November 2018. And MR has been in charge for 8 of the 34 months. So essentially they had 2 years (or 1 year each) to do this.

The point was he's worth more than that to us. All the playing out from the back is to give Hartigan more of the ball so he can use his passing ability.

RP-since Ardley left nearly 3 years ago both Downes and especially Hodges had plenty of time to turn things around

Any figures are speculation but at this level how much we'd get as primary payment isn't going to be huge (he isn't going to a championship side). We'd probably have to put the bulk of the money into add ons like league appearances, (not goals, please don't tie money to him scoring goals). Which makes someone with Bolton's recent history a massive risk for the club as well as the player. In their case we should be asking for as much as possible up front - which they probably won't have. So either way it would look like a difficult deal anyway.

Bonkers to think anyone would pay £250k for him 😉

The way we play is built around Hartigan, the idea we'd sell him for £250k is bonkers.

Is the club shop open today?

...'shocking football witnessed under Wally and then Glyn' - to be fair they both did a decent/excellent job with the hands they were dealt, but trying to turn round the lumbering supertanker that was late-period Ardleyball proved impossible. Thankfully Robbo has built us a new ship and everyone has jumped aboard.

Spit Saturday is one of those look at the wider picture rather than kick Hartigan events. You could see he was the only one actually offering anything to the centre backs. Several times Nightingale and Heneghan had to try to carry the ball well into opposition half because they weren't getting options. When Hartigan came back to pick it up he was getting the same problem. The front 4 to be honest are to blame for the constant square passing - their positioning and movement was pretty poor at times.

spartan I get what you were saying and I think we definitely missed Palmer and Rudoni. Assal and to a lesser extent Mebude get the attention but those 2 probably make us tick more than anyone.

TF first season Sunderland were in this division the scoreline said 2-1 to them. That was when their player used his forearm to stop the ball on the line that would have been a guaranteed goal to us. Scoreline can be misleading without knowing how it got to that point.

Despite the result on Saturday, this seems to be a team totally transformed from previous seasons and the footie on offer thus far has been terrific to watch. Hats off to Robbo. When you think back to some of the shocking football witnessed under Wally and then Glyn, it is superb to see what is happening right now. Long may it continue. For once we may not be involved in another relegation dog fight from January onwards.

Marsh

Not worried about Hartigan going,.before the season started not many would of had him as a starter. Great at set play,but square passing in open play let a decent defensive outfit like Plymouth plenty of time to organise. Yes has improved after a his not too successful Newport loan,but still not convinced as yesterday didn't think he was that great apart from picking out Will,Ben and Nick with a pass and that just boared.60 % possessions but spent a lot of time passing in our defensive half😴

Sparta - We'll see.

Goodnight Jim Bob, goodnight John Boy.

Trigger - you didn't speak to me so, 😜. ;-)

Pete - i'm not expecting him to be with us forever, but I think he will stay for the time being rather than sign for someone like Bolton.

Padds - are you sending me off to bed ? 😴

MAD - thanks.

You don’t need to get it Lurks you just needs to looks at the scoreline.

Sparta - Money talks. He'd be a fool to turn down far better wages. Good luck to him. A footballer's career is too short for things like loyalty nowadays.

G'night Sparty :)

Hope your lad is ok Sparty!