Another way to look at it is to extrapolate that over 46 games and you find yourself in deep relegation trouble. Well we know that already, don't we? Taking draws into consideration, we are on target for 49 points, a win shy of Leicester's unimpressive 52 points which consigned them to League One this year.
Yes, Pardew has been unlucky with the unexpected severity of the cost-cutting measure enforced during the Summer but he declared himself satisfied with what he was left with at the start and said it was good enough for a top 6 finish. It obviously isn't panning out that way and eight months of consistent relegation form cannot be viewed as a blip however long you look at it. No, we simply need to try someone else. Before you all jump in, that obviously comes with attendant risks and costs but doing nothing isn't the answer either as our stock continues to fall, supporter interest plummets and a catastrophic second relegation threatens.
The only issue that should be up for debate now is the timing of Pardew's departure and a new manager coming in. Ideally you want the new manager to get a week with the players before a winnable home game, in the hope you get the immediate bounce and confidence boosting win before you go on the road under the new bloke. Too late for Saturday, but the next home game isn't until Saturday 22nd November. Therefore, the Board should be busying itself identifying the man they need with a view to relieving Pards of his duties after the Birmingham away game and introducing the new manager.
The players too have a role to play in this. If he hasn't lost the dressing room, then they could come out on Saturday and blow Barnsley away with a determined performance. Unfortunately, that logic also applies to the Burnley home game and last night's match, neither of which gave us that performance, and the prospect of getting it on Saturday looks slim.
I almost agree! Should we fail to impress at home Saturday, Pardew should be sacked. This gives us a 'window' of two away games and about three weeks in which a caretaker (Kinsella) could hold the fort, while we try to get a new man in place. Obviously we must get this right, but our choice will be very limited. The truth is, we are not a great attraction anymore.
ReplyDeleteI would like Allardyce. I recognise this would not be universally popular with supporters and anyway we probably can't afford him and he wouldn't want to come to us. So who? That nice Alan Curbishley seems to be out of work ooh 'er!
Dave, who would you have as a new supremo? I don't disagree that Pardew is running out of time, but I'm not really sure there are too many options right now. I don't buy into the idea of giving Kinsella/Parkinson a go and having Dowie back probably wouldn't be too smart!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the Redvolution Dave!
ReplyDeleteRichard - I think I am with you on Kinsella and Parkinson. I know the Board don't fancy Kinsella and Parkinson may be viewed as insufficient change from Pardew. You have to ask why they haven't been able to influence things as well. They are all part of Pardew's team. I think we need a someone new and someone who will arrive with a reputation in the game who will make players sit up and take notice. Allardyce is such a manager but I'm not sure he would take the job unless he had committed funds which I we don't have. That will be the problem with most big name managers. I don't think Curbs would come back and I'm not usre that would necessarily be a good move either. Forget Dowie - I think Murray would resign first. Someone like John Gregory would do me....Dave.
ReplyDeleteWe can't afford to sack him on his reportrdly high salary. What chance of Pardew falling on his sword! Also we were warned when we were unhappy with Curbs, "be careful what you wish for".
ReplyDeleteWe need plan b in place before the deed is done.
I know that Billy davies turned it down before and seems like he has little man shoulder chips, but he has a record that includes promotion and did a good job at Preston before that, plus he is cheap as the Department of Work and Pensions do not charge a contract fee?
ReplyDeleteKK - I agree re the competency of Billy Davies but the chip on my shoulder would prevent me supporting a little numpty who thought he was bigger than our club. If you hear Richard Murray's story about how he pissed us around having been offered the position, I don't think wild horses will see him at the Valley whilst the present Board are in place.
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