Sarll’s success shows value in tough-talking methods

Stevenage’s super Sarll – thecomet.net

Darren Sarll may be the youngest manager in the Football League at 34, but he is perhaps among the most old-school. He joins the business at a time when other managers are relentlessly diplomatic, keeping even the slightest criticisms of their players in-house, to avoid upsetting egos.

Sarll however, represents a refreshing anti-dote to this common theme with tough-talking honesty. After conceding a late equalizer at Yeovil in November, he bemoaned his players’ lack of concentration: “Our organisation before the second goal was horrendous, which is what you get when you defend poorly. They have to concentrate for 94-and-a-half minutes a week.”

Following January’s 4-2 defeat to Colchester, he was questioned from the Hertfordshire Mercury on why he took off Luke Wilkinson at half-time. Rather than use the fact he was booked as a reason, he criticized the defender’s performance before saying: “I don’t care how many feathers I have to ruffle, we’ll get it right. If that means somebody has to come off at half-time with a slapped wrist, they’ll come off at half-time.

Sarll will call a spade a spade, demanding focus and effort from every player, unafraid to out them when they do not provide it. With that approach, he has created a winning mentality and a side the presses with real ferocity. Jobi McAnuff and Steven Schumacher, once dismissed as mercenaries, are now running around with the fitness one might expect from a teenager.

The performances of wide forward Tom Pett and holding midfielder Charlie Lee have seen them rebuild bridges with supporters. Fraser Franks has been outstanding in defence since January while Matt Godden has stepped up two divisions to become one of the most complete strikers in League Two.

It has taken a young man in Sarll to prove old-school, tough-talking methods still have a place.