| About Rish... | A Nottingham boy, I went to my first match at Wembley to see Jemmo knock in the winning goal against Oldham in 1990, and have held a season ticket for all except two seasons (when I was living away from Nottingham) since 1992. I sit in the Upper Trent End, with my brother. Cut me open and I bleed red and white! |
Before I start, let me make it clear that what I am about to write has been hovering around in my mind for a good two or three weeks. In fact I was thinking it after the victory to Oldham, never mind the woeful recent performances culminating in embarrassing defeats to Barnsley and MK Dons. I have lost faith in Gary Megson. I supported his appointment at the time, because we needed someone who was known for managing things on a tight budget, steadying the ship, someone who believed in discipline, and who believed in the Clough-esque principle of building a team from the back. Megson’s reputation suggested that all of these things were possible. However, what we have seen over the last year is someone who has spent a fortune in transfer fees and wages, who never looked like saving us from the drop, and doesn't look as though he knows how to arrest the club’s freefall. | "The proof of the pudding, as Alan Partridge once remarked, is in the eating – and the pudding, in this case, is a football." | | Rishab Baruah |
For many fans though, the worst failing is that not only are we losing badly, we are losing in a manner which is negative, bereft of any style or flair, and creating virtually no chances. Let’s look at the evidence. Firstly, the case for the defence – Megson keeps resorting to the “something rotten” at the core of the club, and despite his unwillingness to go into detail, there is some evidence to support this. Why do managers keep failing at this club? It is not lack of financial support; contrary to popular opinion. It is not lack of resources, we have always had a decent sized squad with at least a couple of Academy players emerging each season. It is certainly not the lack of a fan base – although Reds fans are notoriously fickle, and prone to turning on their team, for some reason we keep turning up, and when things are going well I think we are up there with the best in the land. But there is something that means that managers keep failing, and that previously good players look like donkeys when they sign for us, only to move on and rediscover the winning touch. The above factors are not peculiar to Megson’s stewardship. The case for the prosecution is, on the face of it, far more solid. Poor results, players still being paid thousands per week to sit on their bottoms and new players who just aren’t good enough. The trouble is, the style of football has only got worse; the results have only got worse; and worst of all, many of the players don’t seem to care, as if they wish they were somewhere else. Paradoxically, I still think we have the core of a good team, with the right manager. Players such as Gerrard, Breckin, Cullip, Morgan, Commons, Perch, Evans, Lester and Tyson are obviously good enough for this level. Having seen very little of them in the flesh, I will also give the benefit of the doubt to Bennett, Clingan, and Grant Holt. Even with my poor arithmetic, that is more than enough for a decent team. But the coaching has to improve – my Dad remarked that they look as though they want to pass it, but are scared to. Well, let’s encourage them to do so – the best and most effective football I have seen from the Reds this season has been when they have played the short passing game. My ideal solution? Well I would like to see Megson ousted, but I would also like that followed by the resignation of Chief Executive Mark Arthur; my brother and I both remarked that he should have gone as soon as the “Serious about promotion” campaign was launched, and definitely in the aftermath of the disastrous tour of the US. Nigel Doughty’s position is more complex; he publicly stated that he would step down if there was another possible benefactor who he felt could benefit the club. The compromise would be for him to step down as Chairman, but retain a place on the board, but if it was you and your money, would you do so? No, I didn’t think so. As much as I admire Nigel Doughty for what he has done for the club, the evidence suggests that things at the club need to change drastically, from top to bottom. Of course, if the personnel named above can prove me wrong, then I won’t be too disappointed. Ultimately we want a successful club, playing decent football, and then no-one will care if we have Gary Megson, Sven Goran Eriksson or Arsene Wenger in charge. Unfortunately, at the moment, it looks like the only way is further down. The proof of the pudding, as Alan Partridge once remarked, is in the eating – and the pudding, in this case, is a football. |
