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BBC WM WALSALL WALL: MULLEN SACKED 10/01/09

League One Walsall
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The news, when it came, was not that much of a surprise. The timing of it was.

Managers are usually sacked after successive defeats (normally embarrassingly bad ones), not many are fired after successive postponements. But, like recent results, it seemed even the weather gods were not going for Jimmy Mullen - maybe they wanted to spare him from further anguish.

It meant that after seven months in permanent charge, with the side treading the mid-waters of League One, neither threatening the play-offs nor an imminent plunge into the relegation zone, Mullen was gone.

Poor results at home (although they had won two of their last three at The Banks's Stadium) and, crucially for the owner Jeff Bonser, depressing gates were cited as the reasons.

Managers live or die by results; clubs live or die by attendances. The two are intrinsic bedfellows and the impact of their relationship was vividly illustrated by the side’s wretched exits from the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and FA Cup (both at home and watched by 1844 and 2318 respectively)

Now the usual debate is raging. Was it the right decision? Was Mullen given a fair crack? How much blame should the players take? And who is going to be the next man to try his own brand of Bescot Alchemy in trying to fashion a successful, attractive team of footballers for less money than it costs to service Christiano Ronaldo's sports car, let alone buy him a new one?

In truth the panorama of last few months (four wins from the last 14 games) ultimately cost Mullen his job. There were some high notes but, for every win at the Withdean with nine men, there was Hartlepool, Leeds, MK Dons and those dreadful cup performances.

Fans have been unhappy with the tactics, the style (or rather the lack of it) and some of the signings. The crowds have been dying for a while and the class of 2008/09 have continued to vote with their bottoms – Walsall’s very own Rump Parliament, you could say.

The continuing atmosphere on the terraces has not been lightened by unhelpful reflections on the halcyon days of the "Championship Years" under Ray Graydon (who got them there in 2001) and Colin Lee (who kept them there for three seasons until 2004). They weighed heavy, artificially inflated expectation and have shadowed the reign of every manager since - so much so they have almost become a curse.

Because Walsall are not a Championship club. They do not have the DNA for it. They do not possess the fan base (even when they were in the second tier home gates rarely averaged over 6,000) or the necessary supplementary financial input to ever seriously be one.

However, having witnessed occasions like the play-off final win in Cardiff and beating West Bromwich Albion 4-1 on opening day, the fans deserve the chance to flirt and think that the impossible might just happen. Save for a brief period under Richard Money, they’ve not had a sniff of doing so recently.

So focus and, dare say flack, will now fall on Bonser and how he plays his next move will be interesting. He is used to it though.

But while you can sympathize with supporters who wanted (and still want) fancy players and the succession of managers who have wanted to sign them, Bonser, it seems, is not about to invest millions. And, frankly, why should he? What would a few million quid buy you these days? Success? Maybe, maybe not, and whatever success it might bring it’s unlikely to come quickly - just ask the sheiks at Manchester City. It's a tight ship at Walsall and it's not about to change. In short, it's a like-it-or-lump-it situation.

While that’s all well and good and the absolute prerogative of the owner the problem for Bonser is that the fans are not liking it and are starting to lump it and, if they don't start returning soon, he may well have a job on his hands to woo them back in. After all, a club without supporters is no club at all.

An exciting managerial appointment presents him with an excellent chance to begin rebuilding belief.

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comment by saddlerkipper (U7565213)

posted Jan 12, 2009

Like most Walsall fans I am baffled by the timing of this decision.
Either Bonser blames Mullen for the bad weather causing 2 succesive postponents or Bonser has an ulterior motive.
This could be the availability of another manger he is tracking or the chance to offload some key players during January for a mini windfall.
I guess all will become clear within the next 3 weeks!
The decision itself was not such a surprise and I honestly don't have a lot of sympathy for Jimmy. His squad decisions at times were confusing to say the least.
But I still believe that WFC, with the right manager, could still be a Championship side. We've achieved this in recent history with Lee and Graydon and I still feel Money would have got us there with the right backing. So why not again?

UTS

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comment by redredsaddler (U11029296)

posted Jan 12, 2009

Good article Dan. I agree to some extent about Walsall not being Championship material, however I do believe they could grow into one, not overnight or a season, but over a decade of gradual growth, investment and dare I say, increased support.

Why Mullen has gone now is a mystery I suppose and whoever comes in will simply have to guide us to a mid-table finish. This season is already a write-off IMHO. Next season we re-build again.

On the issue of attendances, we're, like you say, a small club, we have a small quad, we're in a small town and we have to compete with larger clubs for draw people through the turnstiles. So why on earth are we charging £19 a pop? Combined with the ever gloomy financial situation most Saddlers fans can't afford this kind of money, especially if you consider taking kids too, car parking costs, food and the rest. By the end of the day it's £25-per-head. Bonser needs to look at our pricing. We charge more now (much more) than when we were in the Championship. Add to that mix the mediocre football we've been given, how can they expect us to turn up week in week out? Loyalty it seems has its price.

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comment by LazingSaddler (U10463252)

posted Jan 12, 2009

Redredsaddler is right on the money, if you will excuse the pun. Ticket prices at Walsall are excessive to say the least. Take a look at Birmingham they've been letting people in for under a tenner of late. With the current economic climate, let alone the quality of the football, no wonder the gates at Walsall are so low.

The answer is simple and has been suggested time after time, but it is a gamble so not likely.... Lower ticket prices to under £10. Not this season or the season ticket holders will go on the rampage, but next season. Of course there is no guarantee that you will double the amount of fans if you half the price so Bonser probably will never do it. It seems to be the only way to get fans back in the seats without big money players, which lets face it isn't going to happen under the current regime. Don't get me wrong i'm not one of the mindless Bonser Bashers that parade this forum spouting their relentless diatribe time after time. I understand that if it were not for him there would be no Walsall FC, but big money investment for big money players is not how he goes about business. So to get the crowds back and the money pouring through the turnstiles roll the dice, take a risk and gamble on cheaper tickets.

Did i see right that this article is the "Manager's Pick'?? Hardly appropriate!

On the topic of the vacant managerial post i see Brian Little has turned down the coacing role at Leeds due to the travelling time. Doesn't he still live in the Midlands? Got to be worth £5 at the bookies if only I had one!

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comment by Dan Wheeler - BBC WM (U8777131)

posted Jan 12, 2009

Thanks for your thoughts gents - excellent. I meant to mention ticket prices but was unsure on the exact rates.

We'd like to hear more from Walsall fans on air too so please call Butler on BBC WM 08453 00 99 56.

We had calls on Saturday night throwing Paul Ince's and Craig Shakespeare's names into the pot. Then there's John Ward too...

Little's not a bad shout either!


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comment by Bescot_Charlie (U8122393)

posted Jan 12, 2009

anyone but little...

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comment by norbert54ft (U7931416)

posted Jan 13, 2009

Personally, if God was reappointed, I'd move back to the Midlands and buy season tickets for both my daughter and I.

Wouldn't mind them losing now and again, because they'd be as likely to win 4-3 as lose 4-3. Entertainment was always the way with his teams and speaking personally, I'd rather watch an entertaining third division team (which let's face it, we will always be, unless our two big neighbours and the other lot in Division two all suddenly go out of business)than a struggling second division team like the one that Mr. Lee is so lauded for.

Don't think it will ever happen though, there are too many Buckley knockers in the crowd (why, for heavens sake ?)and he's been over in the East for so long now, he'd probably not want to come back.

Coming back to reality, who would bet against Schofield?

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comment by kennymowerswig (U13784718)

posted Jan 15, 2009

Great article but you've missed the obvious - Bonser is looking to get out but to recoup as much money as he can before he goes as he can't find a buyer (get your chequebook out Mr Waterman if you're such a big fan) - he's sold our best players and not re-invested, has trimmed the playing and coaching staff, has filled the squad with low earning kids, appointed cheap coaches and managers, raised the ticket prices and is trying to sell all but the profitable enterprises. I feel sorry for the players like Gerrard who were sold a pipe dream that the supporters realised was never going to happen and to be honest they deserve better Mr Bonser - step aside.

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