We're now into the run of games that will decide our season, the next 6 or so will be key, and we've some good fixtures there. Realistically, we need a minimum of 10-12 points from WBA (A), Newcastle (H), Palace (A, and in worse form than us), Sunderland (H) and Watford (H) to stand a chance. There's no point bringing in someone when the damage is irrevocable, so a change has to happen now or it's pointless.
The case for the defence: The squad still seem to be behind Neil, and he's a young manager learning on the job, hopefully he will continue to improve over the remainder of the season. We'd have all taken 17th this season if asked after the play-off final, and the job has only been made harder by our poor recruitment, particularly in comparison with those around us. Despite everything, Neil hasn't led us to too far from that so far, and the forthcoming fixtures look promising. Much as results don't look that way, have we finally got what could be passed off as a settled, semi-functional defence in the current back 5?
If we do go down, then he's got championship promotion on his CV and would be as good a bet as any right now to get us back up.
Alternatively: The current run of form is dire and we don't appear to have turned a corner yet in terms of results. If we take 3-4 games to turn things around then it's too late. A new manager now could add fresh ideas (which Neil seems to be short on), and new impetus. Nigel Pearson could be capable of achieving that, and if we don't act now then Newcastle probably will. There are several players in the side woefully short on form, perhaps a blank slate may help them? Confidence in general is in short supply, so a new manager might at least silence the critics for a couple of games. Given the difference survival could make to the long term future of our club, is it better to gamble and twist rather than let ourselves slide inexorably towards the drop?
Personally, I'm still behind him, and he's got my support until we look short of making the championship play-offs. There aren't many manager beyond Pearson who make sense on paper, and no manager guarantees survival. The environment around the club isn't toxic enough yet to demand a change for the sake of it yet either. In the summer we'll want every penny to improve our squad, and a hefty pay-out to Neil + staff, plus the costs of attracting someone to an apparently sinking ship, don't help. If we do go down then Neil is the exact type of manager we'd be looking for, and he's had a hand in persuading some young talent to join, so I'd hope they're keen to play for him and he knows how to use them.
