The 43-year-old wants to keep his job but he knows his record might count against him. He did not manage a win in the National Basketball League until his 25th match, and his record of 2-30 hardly inspires confidence.
Normally, there would not be much debate. Arlidge would be free to return to his day job as the building supervisor for St Margaret's and someone else would be afforded an opportunity to turn the team around. And that would be that.
Basketball Otago decided against entering a team in the league that year, citing a lack of will to continue to prop up the cash-strapped franchise at the expense of its other programmes.
The Nuggets returned in 2010 with Arlidge at the helm. But the franchise was more focused on survival than compiling a competitive roster.
"Last year we were on a hiding to nothing," Arlidge said.
"It was great to be back and the board did a great job getting us back in the league.
"But I compare it to North Otago playing in the NPC. We really were up against it. But that doesn't mean that the kids weren't out there battling hard.
"This year I think we've made huge strides whereas last year it was just a huge learning curve for everyone. We're not stuck in the mud any more.
"So I'd love another shot at it."
The Nuggets will round out their season with away games against the Taranaki Mountain Airs tonight and the Waikato Pistons tomorrow. A win against Taranaki would enhance his case. The Nuggets have not won three games in a season since 2006.
Whichever way the board leans, Arlidge will remain behind the Nuggets and he has identified some key areas where he believes the franchise needs to lift its game.
A lack of a proper pre-season proved costly and that has to change next year, he said.
The Nuggets played just one pre-season game against the Southland Sharks and were undercooked going into the campaign. Winnable games against the Auckland Pirates and Sharks were lost and Arlidge believes a lack of game play certainly contributed.
Had the Nuggets had more time together, the results may have been different.
"That could have really kick-started our season," he said.
Arlidge would also like to see the franchise recruit with more purpose.
"We need to secure the players we want here at the franchise next year and we need to do that in the next month. We've already started that process.
"The other thing is we need more financial backing and I know the board are going to go out to do that for us.
"Most of the other teams in the league have eight or nine fulltime players - we have the fab five. Four now with Lance [Allred] gone. That probably isn't enough.
"For us to go forward we need one or two more seasoned players."
Otago Nuggets
Coaching records
Bernd Kupka (2005)2-16
Rick Castle (2006-07) 5-31
Don Sims (2008) 2-16
Alf Arlidge (2010-11) 2-30
