You got to love Jim, apparently didn't want either of them sacked, but made every excuse in the f**king book for Potter while slagging Pochettino off at every opportunity.Â
I didnt want Potter sacked, and thought on balance, that Poch should have been given more time.
You can mock all you like, but my position has been consistent - unlike others who flip flop with every good/bad result.
- I have been consistent that I saw this as a long-term project, and that there would be a lot of short-term painful results before we see progress
- I have been consistent that the new manager should be judged on the evolution and progress of the team, moving us away from a slow and passive side that passes around aimlessly between our defenders for 20 mins at a time, to something more progressive.
- I have been consistent that, given the first bullet point, the manager should not be judged on results, and that if we were seeing enough progress in the style and identity, that I could take poor results for the long term greater good.
- I have been consistent that the results under Potter were not good enough - but that in my opinion, we were seeing enough small signs of progress to justify giving him more time.
- I have been consistent that the results under Poch were also not good enough - and in my opinion, we were not seeing enough signs of progress on the pitch - Despite this, I thought on balance that, and given a lack of exciting alternatives, that he had just about done enough to stay on.
So - it is all very consistent, balanced and justified. Poch did not show sufficient progress in moving our team on from the slow and ponderous play we have watched for years. He did not show any progress in our ability to defend a cross. He also failed to get the team to control games. He also failed to get the best out of some expensive players. He also failed to show on a consistent basis that he could change the outcome of a game with tactical tweaks or subs. He also consistently had his team struggle badly in the 2nd half. These are all widely agreed on points, that are difficult to argue.
Perhaps I should act like a self entitled child like some of our fans who demand instant success and change my view on a manager 30 times per season.