With the new season barely through its first month, the talk has already turned to speculation over the first premiership manager to lose his job. Locked to the bottom of the table (even since before the first ball was kicked – alphabetically), Hammers boss Glenn Roeder is coming under increasing pressure to lead the team to their first win of the season.
It was the same last year – admittedly the start then was not quite as bad – but people were questioning the decision to appoint ‘Mr Charisma’ himself, Roeder. Glenn keeps on insisting that the team is playing as well as last year, and that there is no bust up with Paolo Di Canio (no – he really was saying [that goal was] “For You” to Roeder at the Spurs match, rather than the reported “F*** You”. Honest), but the fact remains that it is only two points from a possible 18. Still, chins up lads, it’s Chelsea next week. Away at the bridge – should be an easy three points. Oh.
So from the South-East to the North-East and Roeder’s ‘anti-twin’ Peter Reid. Whereas you can always count on Roeder to say the right thing in an interview (albeit with no sign of emotion), Reidy seems to be able to adopt any persona ranging from that of rabid terrier on speed to a depressed poodle on Prozac.
Fresh from a season of underperformance last year, and a pre-season panic buying frenzy (see rabid terrier observation), Reid’s Sunderland have started this season in similar fashion to last year. This poor start was re-affirmed at the weekend with a loss against the archrivals from Tyneside – Bobby Robson’s Newcastle. That will hurt the Wear-siders. Don’t be surprised if Reidy gets a board ‘vote of confidence’ next week. Pencil in the ‘resignation’ two weeks from then.
