To me, shouting "Blackwell out!" is not accelerating the return of good times. It's purely destructive behaviour which negatively affects the players.
Have you written to McCabe or Birch (I seem to recall you saying you would)? Who have you suggested replace our current management? That's constructive behaviour.
You're not the only one who's tired of long ball football, but I also think Blackwell has done a decent job in other respects.
So what mustn't happen now is change without a fully considered plan for what comes next. We're in a predicament whoever is in charge, and if we make a fresh start we need the right man to be available. I really believe the wrong choice could see things get worse.
JD
I agree with most of what you say JD. Of course it is easy to sack a manager. The difficult bit is appointing a better one.
In our case the majority of fans, I'm sure you'll agree, want to see the back of Blackwell. The season ticket sales are instructive and most people I know are citing Blackwell, not recession, as the bar to a renewal. That, of itself, should make change inevitable.
My personal view [surprise] is that he is a very poor manager with little understanding of the game and is well out of his comfort zone with any style or method beyond the rudimentary.
He fears good football, probably because he was rubbish at it himself. He freezes on the big occasion [witness his timid approach to both his Championship play-off finals with us and Weeds].
I'm quite certain that there are managers out there and available who would be far more adept at rebuilding our decimated team than this former semi-pro reserve keeper who has achieved precious little as a manager and whose public pronouncements often betray his insecurity and illustrate his lack of judgement.
My choice is, and has been consistently, the excellent Steve Coppell. Maybe he wouldn't take the job but if you don't ask....
Shaun O'Driscoll would also be an excellent choice.
Every problem is an inverted opportunity. What better chance, given the pitiful state of our playing squad, to remodel ourself and start to play to a style that is actually pleasing on the eye as well as effective. We can't be Barcelona or Arsenal but a nod in that direction would be refreshing. Many teams have shown it's possible at this level: Fulham, Reading, West Brom to name but a few. We are bigger than all of them.
I shall be renewing my two season tickets next week, though one of them will be an empty seat while Blacko is at the club. My letter to McCabe will follow in tandem. I'll send you a copy if you wish!
