Andy Naylor has been stating Hyypia's job is secure tonight, citing a very sound source. It all sounded somewhat familiar. Roll back the clock five years and what do we find written in the Argus on 29th October 2009...
Comment: Bloom has passed first test
First published Thursday 29 October 2009 in Albion by Andy Naylor, Chief sports reporter
Tony Bloom has passed his first examination as Albion chairman.
The latest home defeat by Oldham last Saturday aroused speculation over the future of manager Russell Slade.
It would have been easy to bow to the vocal minority of supporters, suffering from premature dissatisfaction over Slade’s tenure. Instead, Bloom has used his rational, poker-playing head.
You can bet your last chip that Albion’s poor start to the season, and the reasons for it, were discussed in some depth by the manager and chairman at a routine meeting on Monday, arranged prior to the Oldham setback.
Neither of them can be happy with the current state of affairs and it is not just in politics that a week is a long time.
A second successive home defeat and bleak performance will not help Slade’s cause but the indications are he will at least be allowed the rest of the year to turn things around, which is only right and proper.
His detractors have short memories. Thanks to him Albion are hosting Hartlepool on Saturday, not Accrington Stanley.
The pace of change at the club has been frantic, not just in terms of turnover of players but the entire footballing structure of the club.
That process is ongoing. Strengthening the coaching resources remains a priority for Slade after he lost out in this respect to a League One rival in the summer.
Had he lost his job now, Albion would be looking for their fifth manager in just over three years, which is ridiculous.
The only sound reason for Slade’s post being in jeopardy would be an inescapable conclusion that Albion are destined for another relegation fight during the second half of the season.
It is still far too early to believe that.
-------------------------------------------------------
History shows that a mere 3 (three) days later, on 1 November 2009, Tony Bloom sacked Russell Slade after another poor home performance.
(Before anyone says anything, I'm not writing this to criticise Andy Naylor, more to highlight how quickly sentiment can turn and has done so at our football club with the same chairman)
Comment: Bloom has passed first test
First published Thursday 29 October 2009 in Albion by Andy Naylor, Chief sports reporter
Tony Bloom has passed his first examination as Albion chairman.
The latest home defeat by Oldham last Saturday aroused speculation over the future of manager Russell Slade.
It would have been easy to bow to the vocal minority of supporters, suffering from premature dissatisfaction over Slade’s tenure. Instead, Bloom has used his rational, poker-playing head.
You can bet your last chip that Albion’s poor start to the season, and the reasons for it, were discussed in some depth by the manager and chairman at a routine meeting on Monday, arranged prior to the Oldham setback.
Neither of them can be happy with the current state of affairs and it is not just in politics that a week is a long time.
A second successive home defeat and bleak performance will not help Slade’s cause but the indications are he will at least be allowed the rest of the year to turn things around, which is only right and proper.
His detractors have short memories. Thanks to him Albion are hosting Hartlepool on Saturday, not Accrington Stanley.
The pace of change at the club has been frantic, not just in terms of turnover of players but the entire footballing structure of the club.
That process is ongoing. Strengthening the coaching resources remains a priority for Slade after he lost out in this respect to a League One rival in the summer.
Had he lost his job now, Albion would be looking for their fifth manager in just over three years, which is ridiculous.
The only sound reason for Slade’s post being in jeopardy would be an inescapable conclusion that Albion are destined for another relegation fight during the second half of the season.
It is still far too early to believe that.
-------------------------------------------------------
History shows that a mere 3 (three) days later, on 1 November 2009, Tony Bloom sacked Russell Slade after another poor home performance.
(Before anyone says anything, I'm not writing this to criticise Andy Naylor, more to highlight how quickly sentiment can turn and has done so at our football club with the same chairman)
