I agree we have'nt really been tested by a team in form. Easter and the games after will give us truer position of where we are.
Even if we finish 6th/7th I'd be happier than I would be under agar because of the way we're playing.
It's great just to look forward to a game again.

Considering that you somehow managed to remain optimistic throughout the Agar years (for the bulk of them at least) that's some achievement

.
As someone who remained a glass half full person throughout those rather trying years, I'm guessing your pint pot must be nearly full to the brim now

.

Even as one of this forum's more cynical posters (at times overly cynical these last few years) I would agree with each of your sentiments above.
I too wasn't expecting us to start uprooting trees this season and was simply looking for signs that we were back on the right track once more.
So far, Gentle has ticked all the right boxes for me. He comes across as authoritative and in command of the situation with a clear gameplan (both in the short and long term) and he is increasingly looking like the inspired appointment that we have all longed for for some time.

As others have pointed out there are sure to be tougher games ahead and the true mettle of any coach comes when he has to deal with his team's temporary loss of form/confidence. But so far all the signs are positive that we may have finally found our man.

I've suffered too many disappointments down the years to ever get too carried away by a decent run of results (that cynicism in me again) but I undoubtedly feel better about our immediate prospects than at any time since 2005/06, and even though it goes against my natural wary and doubting instincts, I cannot get away from the feeling that we could (stress could) be on the verge of one of the great periods in the club's history.

By go, he's got a rare sense of humour has that Phil Clarke.

Absolutely spot on. From the beginning we've all been saying that a finishing place of 6th or better would be an achievement, so we must accept that there will be the occasional blip (even the gang from the east getting one over us). As long as we can see an improvement at the end of the year, I'll be more than happy. I think this season is the trailer for next season's main event.

Im sure that in Peter Gentle we have probably one of the top coaches in the world. He has gained the respect of the players, by all accounts, through his knowledge of the game and its skills but the main thing for me is the fact that he is not bigger than the game itself if you know what I mean. He has instilled into our team confidence not only in themselves but in each other. The partnerships that we see being developed on the pitch, ie, Sharp Martin and Tickle, Briscoe Turner and Manu Horne Seymour and Aspinwall are all areas that in my opinion have been neglected over the years by what under Agar and co was drab and boring one man stuff. Now we have leaders all over the park willing to take on the role as and when required and in Lynch we have found a born leader that sets all the team an example as we had with Fitz. In giving youth its chance as Gentle stated at the start of his tenure we have these kids coming in that dont look out of place. They have taken the mantle, especially Bowden, and are not gonna let it go. Going back to Fitz, can you imagine how good this team would be with him in it.

Peter Gentles Barmy, Peter Gentles Barmy, Peter Gentles Barmy, Peter Gentles Barmy,Peter Gentles Barmy, Peter Gentles Barmy, Peter Gentles Barmy, Peter Gentles Barmy, Peter Gentles Barmy, Peter Gentles Barmy, Peter Gentles Barmy

Bit harsh.

Epic Fail.

I think Gentle is doing a fantastic job and right now I can't fault anything that he's doing. I especially love the fact he is always critical after games rather than talking up wins. He is still probably searching for that 80 min performance which we haven't had yet and he now has a tricky run of game plus lots of injuries so it will be interesting to see how he does.

It's still very early though so we will have to wait until the end of the season to judge him properly but I am very optimistic and it finally feels like we have the right man for the job.

Peter Gentle's Barmy Army

Lets hope we have that 80 mins next friday