Book reviews

When it comes to the manager's job, clubs are rarely in doubt whether they should, as Ron Atkinson would say, stick or twist. But would it make sense to hold their nerve when things go wrong? Joe Boyle has gives his opinion on his club Sunderland

Peter Reid’s Sunderland career is in the balance. That’s if you believe internet polls: a recent one had just over 50 per cent of the 5,000 votes demanding Reid’s head. Questioned about the poll, Reid was unruffled. Criticism came with the territory, he said, and people should not forget the degree of success he had brought the club. Internet-savvy he probably isn’t, but there’s noth­ing wrong with his sense of history.

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When it comes to the manager's job, clubs are rarely in doubt whether they should, as Ron Atkinson would say, stick or twist. But would it make sense to hold their nerve when things go wrong? Neil Turton gives his opinion on Barnsley

April 26, 1997 – Barnsley were Premier League, in the Promised Land. And Danny Wilson had taken us there. Five years on seems like a lifetime. We are more or less back where we began, flirting with relegation from the First Division, only with a smartly developed stadium, a wage bill which has trebled for the experience and perhaps a bit of an inflated sense of ourselves. And we have had five managers in as many years.

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When it comes to the manager's job, clubs are rarely in doubt whether they should, as Ron Atkinson would say, stick or twist. But would it make sense to hold their nerve when things go wrong? Paul Giess gives his opinion on his club Walsall

Twenty-four hours after a struggling Walsall side tamely lay down and died in a local derby at neighbouring West Bromwich on January 20, the club’s owner Jeff Bonser was forced into “the most difficult decision I have ever had to make”. Supporters were left to digest the most difficult news many had ever had to hear as news of Ray Graydon’s dismissal filtered through the local radio and newspapers.

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Mark Tallentire looks at the Everton board's move against racist chants by their away fans that brought shame on the club

As if Walter Smith did not have enough to do in deciding which member of his squad to play out of position next, the Everton manager had to find time in the run-up to Christmas to make a statement about the racist behaviour of more than a few of the club’s travelling fans.

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After his trial, Lee Bowyer found himself pilloried in the press and punished by his club. Leeds fan Ian Blake was one of the few who thought he got a raw deal

Lee Bowyer, declared not guilty by the British jus­tice system, has nonetheless been convicted by the media, a cabinet minister, a former minister of sport, politicians, fans of other clubs and, last but not least, his own club, Leeds United. This despite the verdicts of a jury who, unlike many of his present ac­cusers, considered all the evidence.

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