I know Chelsea fans can't really get all high and mighty about it, despite the fact I only supported the Scolari sacking, but this was really upsetting and surprising. Could very well be relegation candidates now. Clarke deserved a lot better.
Quite surprising when you think that Clarke took them to an 8th place finish last season, so I would have thought they would give him a lot longer before seriously considering sacking him. West Brom over-achieving these last two years has now led to higher expectations. Therefore, having played 16 games this season and finding themselves two places and two points off the relegation zone they pressed the panic button. Crystal Palace picking up some form and Fulham getting a new manager in, looking better themselves, has worried them. They don't have Lukaku who got them a lot of goals last season and instead have the waster Anichebe. So they've decided to get a new manager in now, identify a few targets for the January transfer window and bring in reinforcements. Refereeing decisions definitely haven't been kind to them so far this season.
They finished 8th due to a strong start. The form from the end of last and the beginning of this would have seen them relegated 7 of the last 10 years. Can you really trust the manager with more money after making poor signings in the summer? Refs decisions is just an excuse. Ivan was 100% fouled twice in the build up to their first goal for instance.
Should all managers who make poor signings in a transfer window be sacked? He tried to get Lukaku for another season, but we gave him to Everton. Anichebe was a last ditch buy. Also a free-kick that we should have had in their own box half way through the second half isn't as much an aggrievance as a last minute penalty that should not have been. Too many variables can still occur from the point of the missed foul to the goal. It's also wasn't the only major decision to go against them.
Managers seen to come in 2 varieties, the Souness, Keegan, Mark Hughes types who go from failure to failure but keep getting another gig. Then there's the Laudrops, Clarkes, Brendon Rogers types who seem to have better knowledge, tactics, get excellent results with poor squads (Rogers not quite in that position this season), but ultimately the lack of strength of the Club becomes the issue. In experience terms, Steve Clarke is a relative novice. His footballing skills are obvious, he needs more time with management and psychology, but there is no reason he can't be a top liner. Well shot of WBA, a perennial mid to bottom Club unless they build slowly and surely. No quick solutions.
he should drop down to the championship for a couple of seasons so he can operate under less pressure for a while
