Warburton Gone - Official

would imagine if we make the playoffs or top 2 he gets his contract renewed.

He would get 8 out of 10 for the job he's done here but only 2 out of 10 for achievement since January.

He would get 8 out of 10 for the job he's done here but only 2 out of 10 for achievement since January. It is probably time to say goodbye at the end of the season but there is no "must have" candidate that I can see out there. Anybody decent would want a budget to work with but do we have one or would we have to sell Chair/Willock?

Great post Joe, and if you continue to write just like that then journalism should be a breeze!

I think on the whole I agree with you...I'm not sure you have the injury crisis we have had and just work around them...it is his job but Jesus...could any manager keep us winning with the state of the current squad?

Have lots of thoughts on this one gents, so will attempt to condense them down into something that makes some sense.

Very much feels project over with Warburton. Was an okay chapter, got us to a point but I don’t see any way back for him now. This story is done, and it’ll just now be a question of whether he goes before or at the end of the season.

There is a huge danger that if they don’t act soon, they (the club) end up creating a ‘culture of losing’ that will hangover into next season and leave us in a miserable position already playing catch up next campaign. Given the turnover I’m expecting in the summer, how recent results have exposed the true poverty in terms of quality in this squad, and the situations other clubs find ourselves in; I do think it’s conceivable next season is spent trying to stay in the division rather than trying to get out of it. I expect Willock, Dickie, Dieng and Dykes to go in the Summer. On top of Austin retiring, Johansen going, Adomah and Wallace being released, Barbet going back to France and all of the loans returning to their parent clubs. This leaves us with a fragile and vulnerable squad moving forward. So yes, I anticipate i problematic campaign next season regardless of the manager.

Have seen talk on here about him being unfortunate with injuries and circumstances conspiring against you. Well… these challenges are ‘known knowns’. It is football. You know you will have to contend with injuries, suspensions and absences at some stage. It is your job as the ‘manager’ to navigate them, and successfully managing these events are what separate the men from the boys. I therefore don’t think Warburton deserves any sympathies in this department. The events/crises have exposed is deficiencies as a manager, his failure to adapt, his failure to manage players and situations appropriately and develop strategies to overcome these situations. The consequence of his failings and misgivings have been a collapse in form and confidence in the team. So, no sympathies from me on this one. Harsh perhaps, but it isn’t as if something totally unexpected as happened, such as players now being to used their hands, or aliens landing on the pitch. These are all foreseeable and plausible situations which he has failed to prepare for and react to.

As far as a replacement is concerned, given the lack of quality managers around, you would expect Eustace to be given a chance. If clubs like Swansea were sniffing around before there suggests there is some belief within the football community that this guy has ideas and a brain and could work, so it maybe worth a risk. As I mention above, turnover will be big this summer, and though I expect Chair to stay until the window after World Cup, this will be the beginning of a new cycle or new project, and I think you probably want somebody young to come in and build it. Equally, his salary would be low because of his lack of experience and there’s no compensation fee to be paid to another club.

Beyond him, if you’re looking at players already in a job, much depends on how the play-offs go in League One and below. I can’t conceive any Championship manager taking the position; although I do think the club are probably admirers of Neil Critchley (Blackpool) and Mark Robins (Coventry). We are not a large enough step up for Rooney, nor are we going to be willing to pay the kind of money someone like Daniel Farke would want, who besides could get a better job in Europe. Chris Coleman doesn’t feel realistic and a heavy risk. I’d anticipate there will be some at the club hoping that Sheffield Wednesday don’t get promoted so Darren Moore becomes an option, and possibly Oxford too with Karl Robinson. I’d anticipate that there will also be admiration for Paul Warne (Rotherham) and Leam Williamson (Wigan) — but I anticipate both getting promoted. Liam Manning might attract too, but he only took the MK job in August so that might be a step too early, a la Hasselbaink.

Beyond that other contenders; Michael Duff (Cheltenham), Mark Bonner (Cambridge), Ian Evatt (Bolton). Of those outside the first team picture; Paul Cook, Jonathan Woodgate, Jason Euell and possibly Liam Rosenior, though again none of those inspire.

Two serious outsiders who shouldn’t be ruled out altogether, though both would be controversial choices for various reasons. Joey Barton, who is enjoying a fabulous season at Bristol Rovers. And Emma Hayes; with the uncertainty at Chelsea, it would be a bold and unconventional move, but not necessarily an impossible one.