One persons view:
When I saw the team sheet on Saturday I thought I was looking at last Season (Division 2 sheet) with several players that were here last season. A touch of deja vu perhaps. And of course I hoped all those old faces had progressed since we saw them last - but to no avail. As I watched the game then it was clear to me that we were playing at last years standard (Division2) or perhaps even worse if that's possible.
As of 8 games ago I thought we might build for next season but no - we have regressed to last seasons level. I guess we need to find support for Ormerod (injured) and Thompson (banned) but to go down to Division 2 players with all respect wont build for next season in my view. Would it be possible for our manager to come out of his comfort zone at the Division 2 level and find more players at a higher level? More of the likes of Wheatley and Carling?
To let Gell sit on the bench and be replaced by Cochrane is a shame after all the work and success he has contributed to Marske and after Cochrane left and was in my view reached his level in Division2 - somewhat one paced but hard working. While Skelton was able to 'put himself about', I have to question his basic skills and why he left in the first place. I didnt see any improvement that we need at the Division 1 level.
Well, I only write this more critical note in the hope that we can find some major improvements very soon. Were we may have felt 'safe' we must now be more pessimistic.
I remain a dedicated Marske supporter and will hope you are too.

Paul has tried to settle the ship by bringing in experienced players who have served the club well in the past. And it is not easy to attract players from clubs at this stage of the season. The run of defeats that Marske have experienced has turned into a critical situation and one that needed a 'shake up' in an effort improve confidence and get that crucial 3 or 4 points for safety.
Next season is a totally different situation. When Marske stay up (and I'm sure they will) then hopefully they will benefit from a seasons experience in the 1st division. And I'm not just talking about players and management but also the committee and fans who will now realise how tough this league is.
At this moment in time Burto needs all the support he can get not people who acuse him of being in his 'comfort zone'.
Believe me he will be hurting and frustrated more than anyone on this run of defeats and a bit of support and understanding of decisions will help I'm sure.
One last word I wish Gelly all the best if he does leave the club as he is a smashing lad who has never given anything less than 110% in every game I have seen him play. I hope he can work out his differences with Burto and stay at Marske as I believe he can become a top player at this level.

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'If God wanted us to play football in the air he'd have put f***ing goals in the sky!'

I have to agree with your comments regarding Gelly Mark but our current problems began when we changed our formation to 4 - 5 - 1 after the team had been on a great unbeaten run. The run was interrupted by three cancelled games due to bad weather and we have never played the team that was involved in that run since. The managers of two of the teams outplayed in that run ( Sunderland RCA and Aycliffe ) both commented on how poor we were in the return games after expecting a really tough game. The 'budget' was not the reason for our poor run as the same players who were part of that great run were all still available but some were left out whilst others were played out of position as we changed the formation. The old adage of : if it aint broke don't fix it surely applies so why were the changes made ? I think Paul is missing his number two as I've heard you saying ' same team, we cant change it' during that good run regardless who found themselves on the bench.

In case you think my comments don't make sense please note that Rilos post has been part deleted.

Jimmy I hope you are keeping well mate. I do think that the budget has played its part in the season overall. In the run where we won 8 or 9 games on the bounce we road our luck at times and the tremendous effort by the lads took its toll eventually.
Losing can be a hard sequence to reverse and ebbs away at confidence. Couple that with a few injuries and suspensions in a small squad and you cant always pick the same team or formation.
You know I will never criticise Burto and although we didnt always agree he always had the final say and rightly so as I'd think you'd agree he has done a great job in his time at Marske.
All the best Jim.

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'If God wanted us to play football in the air he'd have put f***ing goals in the sky!'

Mark, you guys have done a tremendous job this season and your aim at the start would of been to survive (which in my opinion you will do) and then from your experience build for next year. So even if you finish 4th from bottom it will of been a successful season. It would be great to have a massive budget but it still doesn't gaurantee you success...! I remember the season we (Marske) got relegated from division one, on paper we had a top quality team on fantastic expences but it didnt happen for us and you have to learn from it. Hopefully you will bring in lads that want to play for the shirt and the rewards will surely follow.
Keep up the good work mate and hopefully will see you in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for the reply Mark. Yea I'm o.k. at the moment and into my second week of twelve weeks treatment. It seems to be working well on the disease but also kills my immune system so Im cabined up not able to go to the games now. ( Billy Town was my last one )

Regarding the football side of things we all have our own opinions on things and rightly so but playing someone who has scored 15 goals in 27 games anywhere but up front since that fifteenth goal doesn't seem to make sense to me. There is no doubt that survival was our target this year and anything more was a bonus and maybe that good run ( which hopefully will keep us up ) raised our hopes of finishing mid table hence the disappointment shown on here. There is also no doubt that the pair of you delivered what you promised at the initial interview ( i.e. promotion within three years ) and I applaud you both for that but you know that supporters can be fickle when things start to falter (and I include myself in that group). We all think we know what the best team is and that will never change I'm afraid but playing players in their best positions surely must help.