BLOG POSTS ARCHIVE - January 2008
Posted Jan 10th 2008, 1:21pm
The sack race
Sam Allardyce’s departure from Newcastle United yesterday night was the eighth managerial casualty in the Premiership this season.
The pressure is ever increasing on managers in the English game and it appears chairmen up and down the country are as ruthless as ever.
The former Bolton boss only lasted 24 games in charge of the Toon Army which is surely not long enough to make a firm decision on their fate. There is no doubt the fans’ disregard for his direct style of football played a huge part in his downfall. The support at Newcastle is so passionate and once they turned on Allardyce there was little hope left for him.
He should have been given at least until the end of the season but neither the board or the supporters were prepared to offer him that amount of patience.
Calls for Alan Shearer to return home are understandable but wide of the mark. He has no touchline experience and is happy in his role as a pundit on the box.
The man who should be given the chance to make his mark at a top club is Harry Redknapp. He has consistently produced exciting teams in the mould the Geordie fans would relish. The way Portsmouth destroyed Newcastle at St James’ Park in November was an example of the enthralling brand of football the wheeler dealer impresses upon his players at every club. He also has an eye for a bargain and always has an astute signing up his sleeve.
Redknapp has worked wonders at Portsmouth twice and also led West Ham to decent Premiership finishes. All that is lacking on his CV is the chance to win trophies at a major club. That honour is far from guaranteed at unstable United but he deserves a crack at the big time after missing out on the England hotseat.
Posted Jan 8th 2008, 11:50pm
The Rebirth of the blog
After nine months out with a metatarsal I am making a fully fit return to my blog. A new year and a new aim to regularly contribute topical comment on the sporting world. I will be writing about a range of topics including the matches I cover for my job and my observations on sport outside of that.
I promise not to talk depressingly about relegation. Rather I may comment on Watford's elevation to the top flight! Feel free to comment and respond to my views.
The Mailbag is back and bigger than ever.
Comments