No room for passengers Mike

The difference between good and bad managers is difficult to quantify. But often the difference bewteen success and failure is about taking brave decisions.

Sven lost the best chance England has had for forty years to win a World Cup because he failed to be bold. Among many mistakes he stuck with a known but ageing performer in David Beckham, when he had a younger player, probably at or near to his peak, who would have terrified any international full-back, Aaron Lennon.

Glenn Hoddle had his failings, but in 1998 he ws brave and eventually selected Michael Owen. Too young said many, but Argentina had one hell of a fright as Owen ran like the wind at their startled defence.

This season the Town have had a torrid time with injuries, but it is at times like this that managers should earn their crust. We have endured an appalling run which has seen some questionnable decisions:

1 Newell continued to play Heikkinen in midfield when it was obvious to all watching that he was like a goldfish on a bike.

2 It took Newell far too long to give David Bell an extended run, when it was obvious to all that he was the most talented player at the Club.

3 Newell handed the captaincy to a crock, in Chris Coyne.

4 When Coyne broke down yet again, Newell then handed the captaincy to Steve Robinson, a loyal and hard-working but nonetheless inadequate player who is not good enough to play at this level.

All poor decisions. But the one which will send us down is the continued selection of a goalkeeper who is never more than adequate and often at fault through poor decision-making and/or slowness of body. Consider a couple of questions:

1 When was the last time you can recall the Town coming out of a match they should have lost with 1 or 3 points because of a dazzling display by Marlon Beresford?

I cannot recall a single one, this season or last.

2 How many times have you left a game we should have won but for a soft goal or two given away?

More than you can count I should imagine, but to name just two from this month, Leicester v Luton, 1-1 and the City goal Beresford’s mistake, and the game tonight against Norwich, with at least two goals down to Beresford’s ineptitude.

Marlon has been a good servant, but he does not dominate the 6 yard box, he is not a shot-stopper par excellence, and he cannot judge when to leave his line.

If we had retained Dean Kiely we would have been at least five places higher already. But even without him we have a choice. Dean Brill performed well (in fact more than well) against Coventry. The argument against is that it is dangerous to play an inexperienced keeper at a time of such pressure, when you want leadership. But actually Marlon gives us leadership in nothing other than natty clothes right now.

Pension him off Mike, before it is too late.