Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Chairman: Buckle safe for now

Cheltenham chairman Paul Baker has conceded that manager Paul Buckle's position is "under scrutiny", but insists he is safe for now.

Paul Buckle: Position under scrutiny

Paul Buckle: Position under scrutiny

A newspaper report on Wednesday afternoon suggested Buckle, who has won just one of his first 13 games in charge, was already nearing the exit door at the struggling League Two club despite only taking over in November.

However, responding to such speculation, Baker quashed suggestions he was about to fire Buckle after their meeting on Wednesday morning.

"I did meet with Paul but unfortunately (the newspapers) are less well-informed about the outcome of the meeting," Baker told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"Clearly I'm concerned about the situation; no one wants to be where we are.

"Paul has been in place a short amount of time. We've just started seeing some new players coming into the squad and we've not seen them bed in yet.

"But we're not complacent. His position is under scrutiny. We have regular meetings and he knows he's under scrutiny but he's inherited a difficult situation."

Fans who travelled to the loss at Southend on Tuesday night made their feeling towards Buckle clear.

Yet, with his team having slid down to a position just one point above the relegation zone, Baker suggested the players deserve a portion of the blame too.

"We don't always get appointments right; I know I've made mistakes in the last 18 years," the chairman noted.

"At the moment I want to try and give Paul the best opportunity. We've got to look at the players too.

"The players are the ones who cross the line and have to play their best. I just hope now that the new players will come in and establish themselves."

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