The Tanner Report
With four successive defeats and only three victories in 15 games Magath is fighting for his life. He pleads for time, his argument being that the side needed radical surgery to introduce youth and we must be patient. That he has not been sacked is less due to do with his own incompetence and more that stability is sought and the owner knows little about English football. The casualty is the Al Fayed legacy that bequeathed a stable side, a well run club and an exciting academy has been undone in less than a year. Had Mohammed been owner, Magath would have been long gone though probably never appointed. For once against Derby Magath did not make wholesale changes, relying on the side that played poorly against Wolves. Thus one of the few kiddies Emerson Hyndman that has adapted well to the greater physical demands of the division was not playing as unaccountably he was dropped against Wolves. In a team serious lacking in height he still refuses to play 6 ‘6 ” Dan Burn so we concede 5 goals. In the convention of the times he says sorry, not that the Fulham faithful are impressed. They want him to go now before he inflicts more damage. A good appointment would be Chris Hughton whose windows I cleaned in his Tottenham days. He would restore harmony to the dressing room, is a safer pair of hands and got Newcastle promoted in not dissimilar circumstances. He also managed Birmingham City to the play-offs.
One person coming under flak for the transfers is the COE Alastair Mackintosh. Sadly this illustrates fans’ lack of understanding of the transfer process. Many contribute to a transfer – from the manager’s wish list, to the scout, to the CEO who negotiates terms. When it is a successful acquisition everyone takes the credit when it is not everyone distances themselves. The negligence in Mitroglou was the medical as the forward was so unfit he could make no contribution to the relegation fight. Stefano said to me the other day Fiorentina bought Rossi whilst injured for €10m but it proved a clever buy as, once he regained his fitness, he showed why he is one of Europe’s most accomplished strikers: a description you would not apply of Mitroglou. I’m more interested why Ross Macormack, the most expensive player bought in the championship, who has scored at every club has yet to open his account. Magath is busy explaining his strategy to fans which appears to be based on the Liverpool model but could he enlighten us why a proven striker cannot score under his stewardship?
