Stability is a luxury in football. How many clubs below us can bring in a manager and expect him to stay for years while he puts in a project? Surely in the modern game a season is the benchmark if there are no signs of improvement?
I think part of the problem is clearly whatever is happening behind the scenes. Poch came in roughly at the start of last summer's transfer window. In that window we signed players that we've sold/want rid of a year. If they were Poch signings then it raises questions about his targets. If they weren't then it raises question about why Levy didn't back the manager last summer and/or why we were letting Baldini control the show after the previous summer's failings. Whichever way you look at it there are clearly problems with our approach to things, problems that go beyond the manager.
I feel as if Levy expects his managers to turn water into wine, as if he expects them to turn around whatever we have, no matter how average it might be. But that's a very big ask when the men you hire are managers of the moment with little proven track record. Poch, like AVB, might be a great coach in the making. But in the short term his experience might not be enough without the proper support. Now, how much support he gets from Levy & Co is the real debate. We do not know what goes on behind closed doors, but I've always felt it comes across as Levy wanting yes men who will accept things done in the manner he envisages and if they don't perform to that standard he gives them the chop like an incompetent corporate executive. Much has been debated about why we canned Redknapp, but I suspect part of the reason was that he was too strong a personality for Levy (same with Sherweasel to come extent).
I think this biggest issue at the moment isn't melters and moaners. I'm certainly not one to succumb to that normally. It's frustration. History is repeating itself. We know how this story ends already....and that, for me, is sucking the life out of supporting an institution that has been a fundamental part of my life for many years. I feel like our progression of a few seasons ago has now stalled and, if anything, there are the first hints of regression. Under such circumstances I think fans have a right to ask questions about how the club is run.
ochfacepalm:
