HARTY - sends a message to the terrace boo boys

Sections of the Albion support are already chanting "Taxi for Adams" as the calls for the manager's head continue.

Then in a frantic last 12 or so minutes the Albion not only snatch two late goals to share the points but a Cheltenham striker misses a chance at 2-1 that even a certain Mrs Redknapp could have scored.

Three days later the Albion then go to runaway leaders Leicester City and put in a battling performance and come away with another point, the night only tempered by the fact that Leyton Orient's shock win at MK Dons put the Seagulls back, temporarily, in the bottom four.

As a caller stated on my show on Tuesday, the recovery is on and with 21 games left, a mid- table position and possible trip to Wembley will represent a satisfactory transitional season.

To play the speculative "what if?" game, I do wonder what might have happened if those last 12 minutes on Saturday had turned out differently.

In fact, despite the draw down in the West Country there were still calls and texts calling for the removal of Micky Adams.

I replied that fans should be careful what they wish for and have since been asked by more than one person to clarify this statement.

Take the scenario that Dick Knight were to sack Micky Adams, something which a very vocal minority have advocated for some time now. What kind of replacement would be forthcoming?

I can assure you it would not be what the fans would be expecting, going on the list of previous Albion bosses.

Whether he likes it or not, Knight has a history in certain quarters when it comes to dealing with managers. Just look at the facts.

Peter Taylor, a former England caretaker manager, won League One with the Albion in 2002, but rightly argued the board's budget for the Championship the following season would all but guarantee relegation, and being a man of integrity walked away just days after the victory parade.

Steve Coppell, another quality Albion boss, was basically "sold" to Reading and stated when he left that had Knight even tried to keep him at the Withdean, he would have stayed.

Mark McGhee had a degree of success, but had his hands tied in the transfer market at the optimum moment, and was sacked.

And then McGhee's successor Dean Wilkins, regardless of the reasons, was demoted in favour of the return of Adams.

My comment about being careful for what fans wished for is borne out of the fact that if a new manager had to be found it would not be of the ilk of Messrs Taylor, Coppell or McGhee.

In a way, after a degree of failure (not necessarily his fault) and some early success at Fulham and the Albion, this was Micky Adams' chance to redeem himself in management this was also Dick Knight's last throw of the dice. If this appointment failed, his credibility wouild be on the line, too.

So terrace boo boys, think on. A change of manager at this point might have far reaching consequences. Would your time be not better served supporting the team?

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