Is There a Time?

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 02/11/2006

IS there a time to let a manager go? How long should a club wait before making a decision on a manager's future? Has Graham Rodger reached his timeline?

Personally, I don't think he has. If we agree that a manager needs about three years to be called a great manager, there also has to be a middle ground to enable a manager to take charge, mould a team and get them ticking over.

Graham Rodger has been in charge a relatively short time and the results have not been encouraging to say the least.

But, and this is a big but, if he is given a bit more time to get things sorted out, some of us may well regret calling for his head.

There have been many managers who have been in the same position as Rodger and had some early dreadful results but have been able to turn things round and become fans favourites.

People always quote Alex Ferguson on this one but he was exceptional from the start and had the support of a board who had the patience to wait until he got things sorted.

Graham Rodger is no Alex Ferguson but there have been many relatively low profile managers who have been just like Rodger but have finally got things right.

We had one at Grimsby I recall. A guy from Scarborough or somewhere, who took us to the playoff finals. Can't recall his name, but just like Rodger, the fans didn't take long to call for his head. In fact they called for his head all the way to the Millennium Stadium.

But that's Grimsby fans.

So, is Rodger getting a fair crack of the whip? Should we be a little more patient with him and give him some extra time to get things right? If so, how much time should he be given?

Remember also, the board have a greater say in this than you and me, but they have more at stake and, if you think they don't know that, you are very much mistaken.

If the truth be told, they are probably worried just as much as everyone else, so they too are looking for a speedy recovery from our current situation.

So should we leave it with them?

According to some, the board have done nothing right and never will, but thank goodness they are in the minority.

Let me also point out that a dozen or so screaming for Rodger's head on the Fishy message board and the OS Message board are not representative of the majority. They are just the most vocal.

I do not know how much more time Rodger should be given, but I do believe he should be given some. Maybe until Christmas. With the transfer window opening in January, it might be an opportune time for a new manager to be appointed, if one was needed.

But as I say, I don't really know. What do you think?

But please, do not leave it to the vocal minority. Let us hear from everyone who has a view. Let us see exactly how much support Rodger has in giving him some more time.

That's the question: "Should Graham Rodger be given more time if so, how much?"

Answers on the message board at : Message Board

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