Notts County captain Neal Bishop: Martin Allen axing is such a shock
NOTTS County captain Neal Bishop today said Martin Allen could not have done a better job with the players, though there were irreconcilable differences with club owner Ray Trew that led to him being sacked, the Post understands.
Bishop was shocked to be told that chief executive Jim Rodwell dismissed Allen with immediate effect following their 3-0 defeat at Hartlepool United.
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Shock departure: Martin Allen was axed after Notts' defeat at Hartlepool.
Trew is expected to swiftly appoint a successor to Allen, with Keith Curle thought to be a leading contender.
Curle, 48, recently attended a league game at Meadow Lane and the timing of Allen's axing suggests Notts might be interested in him because former Magpies boss Neil Warnock has just taken charge at Leeds United and could attempt to recruit Curle to his backroom team at Elland Road, as he did at Crystal Palace and Queens Park Rangers.
Mark Robins, a former manager of Rotherham United and Barnsley, has also been linked with the post.
Trew, in a statement, said: "I fully appreciate the reaction and element of ill-feeling among a section of our fans over our decision to part company with Martin Allen.
"The details of this matter are being handled in private, but I felt it important that I assure the fans that this decision would not have been taken had the board of directors not felt that it was in the best interests of Notts County Football Club.
"I fully appreciate this has not been a universally popular decision, not least because of the work that Martin has put into developing a relationship with the supporters, but we have to look at the bigger picture and do what we feel is right for this football club."
Bishop hopes the board acts quickly to replace Allen because Notts still have an outside chance of finishing in the play-off positions.
The Magpies were on the brink of relegation when Allen took over last April and so Bishop credits him with saving the club from the drop.
"I was shocked when I was told and the lads are too. None of us saw it coming. We're all surprised and disappointed," he said.
"We were in a complete mess when he came in and would have gone down. He turned us around completely.
"We're in the top half now and if we reach the play-offs we will have punched well above our weight because we're a squad of free transfers and up against teams with massive, massive budgets.
"I don't know where people expect us to be. I'm not sure what more he could have done.
"We all saw big improvements and he was determined to raise our profile in the city, so we were doing a lot in the community."
Bishop, who will soon be playing for his eighth different manager since joining Notts in 2009, expects a meeting to be staged at the club today.
The Magpies face Stevenage at home on Wednesday.
"We're all down about the gaffer," said Bishop. "I know it sounds ruthless, but we have to move on and do all we can to get three points. We still have so much to play for this season."
Bishop believes Trew has already identified a new manager, with the likes of Lee Clark, Phil Brown, Sean O'Driscoll and Peter Taylor all listed behind the bookies favourite Curle.
"The decision to sack him suggests they might have somebody else lined up," he said.
19 Comments
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by Reddog1865
Monday, February 20 2012, 8:44PM
“meoldlaner - In all seriousness, Keith Curle is utter guff. For once, and I really do mean for once, I agree completely with Smith1984, his track record, to be kind, is nothing short of diabolical. I could slightly understand Mad Dog's sacking if you were embroiled in a relegation dog fight but you're comfortably in mid table having won two of your last three games!? Don't forget, he saved you from the drop last season and this is the thanks he gets! Totally bizarre!!!”
by zicorice
Monday, February 20 2012, 8:25PM
“Curle did OK at the Stags!”
by meoldlaner
Monday, February 20 2012, 6:34PM
“"Let's all laugh at Clownty, let's all laugh at Clownty la la la la. I can't get my breath!
We can only hope that this is sustained! Then let's all laugh at reddog, let's all laugh at reddog la la la la!”
by Reddog1865
Monday, February 20 2012, 5:12PM
“Let's all laugh at Clownty, let's all laugh at Clownty la la la la. I can't get my breath!
Curle's track record speaks for itself!!! RUBBISH!!!”
by sockboy71
Monday, February 20 2012, 4:16PM
“why on earth would you sack martin allen and bring in keith curle,backwards step in my mind..why didnt you go for cotterill ?”
by meoldlaner
Monday, February 20 2012, 3:59PM
“Anonypie I agree, I too cannot understand Curle's name being at the front of the queue.Maybe it is paper talk but there tends to be no smoke without fire.
Room 101 MA did some great things to put Notts County's name amongst the community but at the end of the day his job is to manage the team.
As for "being run like a corner shop" I don't know the workings behind the scene but I do know some very profitable corner shops and not so well run 'Big businesses' ie a debt ridden club across the stretch of water known as the River Trent!”
by ROOME101
Monday, February 20 2012, 1:52PM
“Your club is run like a corner shop - Mad dog was a superb advert for you Mugpies and Trew could not see it - shame on him and his missus and his best mate!!”
by Anonypie
Monday, February 20 2012, 1:21PM
“I accept that he probably has reasons for sacking MA meoldlaner. What I can't yet get my head around is what can POSSIBLY make him think that Curle is the right man for the job.
Particularly knowing that this appointment is the most important in his reign as chairman. If another manager lasts only a few months, whilst most know that appointing a manager is a bit of a gamble, questions will be directed at the appointment process and the board.”
by meoldlaner
Monday, February 20 2012, 1:09PM
“Reason for Mad Dogs sacking. Since October 22nd the form excluding FA Cup matches is.
Played 17... won 3...drawn 6... lost 8 that is 15 points from 51 possible.
The 3 wins Scunthorpe, Walsall and Exeter. had we not started well we would be in trouble.
I like the man and I believed in his theories but we can't go on like this.
Thankfully other teams around us have not taken advantage, but we are becoming easy to beat with the way we play.
We got a lot of free transfer signings in and it is at this point you see why they were free transfers.
Sheehan looks good at times but can't head a ball (messe his hair up) and not physically strong enough
Kelly runs up the line well but then does'nt know what to do with it
J Hughes takes a great penalty but drifts out the game.
Bencharif,Charlie Allen,Demontiac just not good enough.
Mahon has lost form since getting injured.
Stewart wants too much time on the ball and doesn't command the back.
Add to this Nelson's lack of dominance in his area, and things aren't too good.
My friends in Hartlepool couldn't believe this was the same team that beat them, and I have to agree.
So whilst MA was a fans, and my favourite bloke Mr Trew does have reasons for his dismissal.”
by MunichMagpie
Monday, February 20 2012, 12:32PM
“Dead right, magicf44.
If Curle comes expect the Notts equivalent of a 'DOUGHTY OUT' movement to raise its ugly head.”