Criteria? The usual ones when judging a chief executive.
Performance, then results (the first will obviously influence the second in time), clarity of vision. the ability to inspire his players to perform as well as they can in ALL games, the gift of using what he has available in the most effective way etc, and not forgetting a talent to use the transfer market well.
It might seem over critical to suggest that he falls short in many of these after he came home with the CLC last season. To be fair, the team performed well in some of the early ties where a more negative style worked well and players are more able to self motivate. But his performance in the final was one of the worst I have seen. He sent out a team which was overwhealmed by the occasion and sat and watched them being torn apart without taking any steps to counter the source of a danger which was so obvious to everyone watching.
Was the second half miracle inspired by him? Seems not. He obviously had to change the set up, but the team came out hoping to keep the score respectable. His negativity and apathy have, understandably, been forgotten , hidden behind the result, and many fans look upon him as a tactical genius. The evidence suggests otherwise. He was a very lucky man.
If this is so, and his popularity - which seems to be waining- was due more to good fortune than good management, what about his league performance? Has the side shown any more evidence of becoming a 'team' ? Is enough being done on the training ground? Are they fit enough ( they certainly don't seem as fit as Chelsea ) to get through the season? Shouldn't he have done better in the transfer market? Aren't the repeated excuses wearing a bit thin? Could it be that the long heart searchings of SG, a local kid and Liverpool lover, about whether he shoud go or stay was a reflection of his opinion of the managers ability to take the side forward? Do his choices of players, positions and methods make sense or seem to use what he has to best advantage?
Should Pool dump him? No. All managers need time to prove themselves, Does he look like doing so? No! Poor manager? Looks like it . at least , for a team with Pools aspirations.
Could I be wrong? Yes, and I will be first to admit it if Pool rocket up the league and grab one of the top 4 places which was the realistic objective this season despite some of the misplaced post ECL Cup fervour.
LC
