HARTY: On the potential sacking of Gus Poyet
POYET SACKED. BLOOM APPEASES DISGRUNTLED FANS. A newspaper headline in the not too distant future?
I certainly hope not, but if the very vocal, but small, minority were to get their way, what next for the Albion?
Another relegation fire-fighting job?
Why not recall Russell Slade?
Then again, it's the fire he started that needs putting out and any thought of getting a sacked manager back is ludicrous, almost as stupid as it would to jettison Poyet at this stage of the season.
I'm as guilty as the next Albion fan. As a club, for years, we've been weighed down with expectation.
Granted, we've had some great times and success, we've also had very dark days, but where in either the rules of association football or the constitution of Brighton & Hove Albion does it say the club has to be successful every season and win far more games than they lose?
The current situation is not pleasant, but it's nothing we haven't experienced before.
There is no doubt that it is a learning curve for both Tony Bloom and Gus Poyet in their respective jobs. But to sack Poyet would, in my opinion, almost guarantee relegation, and with that comes the knock-on effect.
Selling Falmer season tickets next year, along with the corporate packages, against the backdrop of Division 4 football at Withdean, was never in the master plan. And, as exciting as the new stadium project is, it would hamper the marketing.
If Poyet's team stay up, and for the record I still think they will, and then mount a promotion challenge next season, then selling tickets will be a whole lot easier.
I've no doubt that the honeymoon period at the new stadium will be exciting times but, ultimately, the long-term size of the crowds will be dictated by the standard of football.
The current dispute with Nicky Forster hasn't help things. As much as I admire Forster as a footballer, I was with the manager on this one. No-one is bigger than the club and, at times like this, everyone should be pulling together.
It's laughable that one of the most senior players in the club has behaved this way.
But, with Forster firing on all cylinders, it's a sure-fire way for the Albion to climb out of trouble.
The next two games, away at Leeds and Charlton, are on paper very difficult. Defeat in both would not come as a surprise but would add fuel to the fire of the "Poyet out" brigade.
This is where Tony Bloom's prowess at poker needs to come to the fore. The Albion won't be relegated if they don't win these two games, but if the chairman "folds" on the manager at the wrong time, it's almost a done deal.
And, finally, I'd like to wish Adur Boxing Club well in their charity dinner show in aid of young Lauren Jones which takes place at the Charmandean Centre on Friday (February 19).
I know a lot of work goes into organising these events and, while it's difficult to single people out, a special mention needs to go to Dave Binns, who has worked around the clock to get this show on.
Sadly, due to a prior engagement with the commander-in-chief, I cannot be there. But I hope everyone has a cracking night and raises funds for a very brave young lady, who is an inspiration to all of us.
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Email the Herald: steve.bailey@worthingherald.co.uk
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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