Following yesterday's post about the unfortunate (or maybe 'fortunate' given the fact that he has been forced to wash his hands of the mess at Plymouth) sacking, I started to think about how secure the managers were on my patch.
At Bristol City Keith Millen has had a rough start with two draws and one win. Unfortunately the win came away from home and so the Ashton Gate faithful are yet to see a victory seven games in. However, Keith proved himself against all of the odds last season and so I hope that he will be given a little more time to turn things around again. There's no doubt that if City turn over Hull at home this weekend, the pressure will ease a touch. A defeat though might see the natives becoming restless and, in turn, pile more grief on the board.
Hereford boss Jamie Pitman appears to be in a similar situation from what I can tell. I'll be able to get a better impression when I watch them play Cheltenham at the weekend - if he survives until then. Jamie has said he is 'not a quitter', but the Bulls board are under the same amount of pressure they were under last season when Simon Davy failed to get the results. Ironically it was Pitman who came in and, to a very great extent, turned things around. What a fickle game this is.
Paul Buckle's Rovers were jeered off the pitch last weekend and the board at the Mem showed last season that they don't like (and can't handle) it when things turn rough. Rovers take on league leaders Morecambe on Saturday and then entertain near neighbours Cheltenham the following week. If they lose both of these fixtures, the 'suits' might well buckle under the pressure (no pun intended).
At Wycombe, Gary Waddock's position is safe despite the fact that the Chairboys are sitting in the relegation zone at the moment. Waddock still has the fans on side following promotion last term and the board at Adams Park have a reputation for sticking by their men for as long as possible. The players are also behind Waddock - and that always helps!
Swindon boss Paolo di Canio survived a dodgy August when they couldn't buy a win before stringing together three on the bounce. They lost their last game at Burton though, but the County Ground board have invested too much cash in the Italian and his plans to get rid of him this early in the season. I suspect that last Saturday was just a blip though and the Robins will return to winning ways when they take on Barnet at home this weekend.
I still believe that Cheltenham manager Mark Yates could surprise a few people this season and edge his team into the play-off places. If he does so - and early season form swould suggest that they're on track - he will have done well to build on last season's efforts.
Finally, Oxford boss Chris Wilder should be sacked or given the freedom of the city depending on which Us fan you talk to. Opinion among the fans at the Kassam has always been split as to whether Wilder - who brought the club back into the Football League - has got what it takes. Personally I'm a fan of his and think that like Yates down the road, he is learning all of the time. If Oxford continue to play the way they are, they will end up with a decent number of points come next May. I don't see Wilder being under any serious pressure at the moment, but a string of four or five defeats could change things. Then again, isn't that the case for all of the above?
Who'd be a football manager?
I've set up this blog (Monday-Friday) to give extra coverage to teams I cover for the national press. Any views and opinions are all my own. Best wishes, Jeff. Follow me on Twitter and I'll update you each time I blog. http://twitter.com/JeffTaplin P.S. During the summer break I reserve the right to ramble on about anything and everything!
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