Parky

In a strange way the arrival of Ashley has become a millstone around SA's neck it really has been a lose - lose for him. He didn't get big money and at the same time expectations trebled.

Portsmouth.

Agreed. But he has taken them to the next level.

Hmmm. I'm anticipating an age of somewehere between 12-18 and almost certainly a toon ultra. Tit. your assumptions couldnt be further from the truth. you fucking clown. Is that out of Goodfellas?

I've resigned myself to giving him the rest of the season. Unless we're in relegation trouble we've got to, havent we? in my opinion we should give him at least 2 years, if we want to properly back him. if we don't the only reasons we should not sack him now are that it looks very bad with another bad manager and if we don't have a world class appointment in line. It's simpler than that, if he doesn't get money in Jan to bring in the 2/3 players we clearly need then it can only mean MA wants rid in the summer. MA didn't make his money by being half hearted and he doesn't have a track record for fucking around...Once he's sure SA will be out in 24hrs. As I've said before we'll know a lot more during the Jan window. You're contradicting yourself a bit there Parks. So I am... What I meant was he'll either get money in Jan or be sacked in Jan/Summer. Can I get away with that?

I've resigned myself to giving him the rest of the season. Unless we're in relegation trouble we've got to, havent we? in my opinion we should give him at least 2 years, if we want to properly back him. if we don't the only reasons we should not sack him now are that it looks very bad with another bad manager and if we don't have a world class appointment in line. It's simpler than that, if he doesn't get money in Jan to bring in the 2/3 players we clearly need then it can only mean MA wants rid in the summer. MA didn't make his money by being half hearted and he doesn't have a track record for fucking around...Once he's sure SA will be out in 24hrs. As I've said before we'll know a lot more during the Jan window.

...he's transferring this fear to the players.

8 of those players started today, the 9th was on the bench. But in different positions in an unbalanced formation. ...insofar as to say he's bringing himself down...And I agree he is trying just too many things and all the time...

I don't think we should have to wait a couple of seasons, if he's not looking like doing anything come May then he should go. Surely it's naive to expect any manager to turn a club in our state, thats been left to rot for so long in a season. What happens if the next manager comes in and can't turn it round in a season do we sack him, then the next and the next? Perhaps the problem is this vicious circle that starts with the fans being far too impatient. It's about time people woke up and realized it isn't our divine right to be finishing a European position and began to accept we may need to endure a couple more seasons of mediocrity before we turn it around... Good post but we haven't HAD a good manager now for quite some time. I'll be honest I'm completely bemused by what I'm seeing and what SA is doing....I'm in shock at his bumbling and the passive and lacklustre nature of the team.

...also for whatever reason SA bought too many def players in the summer.

The poll is almost 50-50 which is just about his chances of surviving the winter window.

How did Roeder attract Martins then? Cause no one else wanted him, he couldn't get a game at Inter, he wasn't/isn't worth the money, he's really 29 years old? Fuvk knows..

Or a shit load of cash. Is that (what you've written, not the above) a realistic option for us at the moment though and would getting rid of Sam after less than half a season in charge improve or worsen our chances? We shouldn't consider firing anyone till the summer ideally, but football is a funny old game eh?

If you want to attract big name players for whom there is competition you need a big name manager. Simple fact.

FS only wanted Allardyce iirc. I doubt whether Sven would have come as he was in the early stages of talking the new owners (promising big tansfer budget) at Man City. Sven is doing too well to be fairily included in this poll I have matched SA against people of similar ability.

I think any manager who has a postive approach to winning football matches and puts that ahead of pissing themselves to death at the thought of losing matches (transmitting that negative approach to the players) will improve the performances without spending a single penny. This is one area where he has totally off his own back given the game away. He hasn't re-adjusted to thinking big.

They have already come out and said that not many weeks ago didn't they? They would have to be idiots to say it again now. Loving your new av BD.

Getting beaten 1-5 at home to Birmingham still beats it, for me. Just. We seem to have little fight with a midfield that just seems to stand off and lolop back and forward with little purporse. I'm burying my head in the sand these days, unfortunately, there is simply too much wrong to even begin analysing it. I need a drink.

Getting beaten 1-5 at home to Birmingham still beats it, for me. Just. We seem to have little fight with a midfield that just seems to stand off and lolop back and forward with little purporse.

Sad but true I'm afraid.

...poor postion and he jumped sideways (I don't know why keepers do that instead of taking a step).

Enrique has been moving down the left well and interchanging with the midfield and Zoggy. There were one or two moements when the last pass has nearly sneaked through to Martins. Smith having his best match for us so far. Geremi has been poor and I've noticed Smith telling him to get forward...Geremi seems fearful of taking up good positions and kind of dawdling a bit. Butt started well but has faded a bit. No keeper should really be beaten from that range. Jumped sideways in Robinson style instead of taking a step to the right first and jumping up. Elementary error.

Amen. We need a goal. If we get one and have something to defend it will make all the differance. Or plan 'B' get to half time 0-0 and start to frustrate them. The other thing is some of theirs will be knackered.