We’re Still Waiting

When Akela asked me to deputise for him, I felt unequal to the task but consoled myself with the thought that at this critical moment in our history there would be plenty to write about. How wrong could I be?

The news is still dominated by our search for a new manager but, contemplating my second report, I find it difficult to add anything to the comments I made in the first one. Indeed, the board`s gone backwards with more candidates ostensibly applying for the job or, at least, being sounded out. Yesterday, the new name was Gareth Southgate.

Naturally, I agree with the basic sentiment expressed in a statement that Kevin Thelwell made yesterday. Apologizing for the delay, he stressed the need ‘to conduct a thorough and rigorous process to find the right person to help take the Club forward`. He confirmed that the board has already interviewed several unnamed candidates – presumably Coyle, Jackett and McClaren among them – all of whom he deemed ‘impressive and of a high quality`.

Even so, he added the rider that ‘interviewing is continuing`. At this point I would like to pose the question: why? It`s one that many WW fans are asking, even supporters like me who wanted the board take its time. After all, we`re not appointing a manager in a vacuum. Other clubs, currently higher up the pecking order than us, are managerless and are fishing in the same pool of managerial talent as we are.

Today, the situation worsened when I heard Dave Whelan, the Wigan boss, say that he would allow Everton to approach Martinez (I saw DW break a leg in the 1960 Cup Final). We will feel the knock-on effect, removing one of our current ‘impressive` candidates from the list and inducing delaying tactics among the others. Apart from the higher status, candidates will also be weighing up the working conditions they will face here or elsewhere. In this respect, wouldn`t you rather be employed by an owner like Dave Whelan than ours?

In a sense I am happy that we have not appointed Coyle, Jackett or McClaren for reasons I put forward in my last post. At least, we still have time to persuade Steve Davis to apply, that is, if he is not already under consideration. There`s also a rumour going round that Mr. Morgan is trying to tempt Gus Poyet to the club. I would settle for that but is it likely?

I suspect that the real reason why we have not appointed one of the ‘big three` is because they have all baulked at the terms and conditions that would be imposed upon them. A cynic might argue that the ‘thorough and rigorous` selection process is aimed more at getting someone in on the cheap rather than ensuring that we appoint the right person for the club. Given that our problems over the course of the past three years have largely been caused by pursuing the wrong set of priorities and a shortage of funds for team-building, it`s hard to avoid the conclusion that lessons have yet to be learnt.

Mr. Morgan still has to convince me that he is a genuine owner of a Football League club rather than a property developer half-heartedly indulging in a hobby. Now is the time to prove me wrong.