The Martin O'Neill thread (with added sacking #2188)

[robbo1874]

I think it's a shame for Sunderland, I don't mind the club or their fans. You don't meet too many of them but the ones I have met have all been decent.

Having said that, if they go down instead of us, I won't be shedding any tears for them.

It does seem like madness sacking your manager with 7 games to go. I know they're on a slide, but they're hardly adrift, not even in the relegation zone yet. I know we all dislike him for the way he left us and the position he left us in, but I'm sure if we're honest most of us would probably back him to keep them up, over any other likely managerial candidate to come in now?

The other thing I haven't seen confirmed yet, was he definitely sacked or did he walk? I wouldn't rule out the latter until it has been confirmed. He has got form for walking when things get tough.

[cdbearsfan]

Yet another manager who failed to go on to bigger and better things after leaving the Villa.

True that, who has gone on to better things?

Docherty?

He won one trophy* with them. With the resources at their disposal, anyone could at least match that. He also got them relegated. Admittedly, a very special achievement. Either way it's hardly like he went on to great success after leaving Villa.

*I'm not counting the Second Division title.

[walsall villain]

Yet another manager who failed to go on to bigger and better things after leaving the Villa.

True that, who has gone on to better things?

Docherty?

True, very long time ago though. For recent ex managers it's been downhill all the way

[Des Little]

Anyone considered the nightmare scenario? They replace MON with McLeish, who steers them to safety at our expense. Don't have nightmares....

[villajk]

Ah, unlocked now.  Thought I was going mad(der).

I merged three MON threads, the last of which was locked. I hadn't realised that would lock the lot. Ooops.

Just as long as it wasn't me going loopy.

[villajk]

Anyone considered the nightmare scenario? They replace MON with McLeish, who steers them to safety at our expense. Don't have nightmares....

Nah, that could never happen.  Could it?

[unclefabio]

If they appoint McLeish then we're as good as safe.

[eastie]

Anyone considered the nightmare scenario? They replace MON with McLeish, who steers them to safety at our expense. Don't have nightmares....

Nah, that could never happen.  Could it?

No chance .

[villan from luton]

Di Matteo seems to be the early favourite, though Mclaren's odds have gone down massively

[*shellac*]

Can we have Peter Reid back?

[cdbearsfan]

Sky reporting that they aim to appoint someone on Monday. If that's true, you can rule out anyone currently employed.

I reckon, for no particular reason, that it will be someone who has "Di" for a middle name.

[citizenDJ]

Although the timing seems a bit daft, the actual sacking doesn't, to me. He's been shit for them, some dreadful buys, a rotten run of form and a 29% win rate, dismal football and an unwillingness to try and change the way he does things.

Combine that with that second half against ten-man Norwich last week, which suggested that the players really weren't interested in playing for him, and I'd say it's a pretty logical sacking.

Also, he's a massive wanker.

[villan from luton]

I remember Sunderland fans in 74/75 packing out the old witton end and having thousands outside in last home game and also the season we won the league and played perfect football in beating them 4-0, Sid was superb. Their fans that day were immense. MON may be a prize twat, but their fans have always come across as good to me

[Tucson Villain]

Also, he's a massive wanker.

Yep.

[cdbearsfan]

Also, he's a massive wanker.

A good point, well made.