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WARNOCK WEEKLY - LOST FOR WORDS 28-11-07
Tom Warnock
Ask anybody who watched the Villa game on Saturday what they thought of it, what went wrong and where we go from here and chances are you would be met with a shrug of the shoulders and a long drawn out puff of the cheeks.
Perhaps this is what Gareth Southgate wanted to do more than anything in his post-match interview, as he finds it harder and harder to hide behind the monotonous phrases 'we have to stick together' or 'we'll get it right'.
The thought of resignation must have crossed Gareth's mind by now, yet he must still believe that he has what it takes to be a manager. Otherwise he shouldn't still be in the job.
Having said that, there is no shame in resigning and there's no shame in admitting that management isn't for him. People respect Gareth as a man and as a player and there's no doubt that he has the club's best interest at heart.
He was clearly despondent in the post match interview but if we could have chosen anyone to lead the club to success then Gareth would be at the top of everyone's list. But the fans are realising that Gareth won't be the man to do it and he must be feeling the harsh reality of this by now.
The problem is that he would rather stick around and try to resolve the situation than walk away on such a disappointing note.
He needs to decide, along with Steve Gibson, whether he can turn it around or if him staying will simply dig the club into a deeper hole. There is always a point of no return and if nothing changes then ours is fast approaching.
Gareth has been the Middlesbrough manager long enough to get it right. He's been in the post long enough to have tried everything yet week after week nothing changes. If there is anything remaining which he hasn't tried then he has about three weeks to cram it all in.
Much has been said over the sacking of Steve McClaren as England boss, with fans and media choosing sides between the players and the manager. Both sides have been pointing the finger at different people. Even the FA selection committee have been criticised, as well they should be.
We can argue from dawn until dusk but the fact remains that the blame must be spread across all parties. Everyone at the football club should be gravely concerned now and everyone should be embarrassed at what they have offered so far this season.
If watching Middlesbrough FC was a meal in a restaurant, or a pair of jeans, then people would be queuing around the block for a refund.
It's many a fan's gut instinct to say they want the manager out because it looks like the only option.
There has been a huge increase in the number of managers sacked since the introduction of the transfer window. Outside the window, the only possible personnel change is the manager. Removing the transfer window would provide clubs with another way out of trouble, without being forced into sacking a man they feel could gain success in the long term.
I'm not suggesting that the window should be lifted but it has contributed to shifting the majority of criticism on to managers, leaving players somewhat bullet-proof.
There is no doubt about it, Steve Gibson will have a plan of action in his mind and Gareth will be walking a tightrope over the next four games.
His fate could even be sealed this weekend if we succumb to defeat at Reading, particularly if it's in such a meek fashion as the Villa game. He needs a point at the very least. If we lose, then I dread to think what kind of messages will be on his answering machine when he wakes up on Sunday morning.
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