The Tanner Report: beyond a crisis

Had Wolves converted their penalty then we would be in bottom place. This is ridiculous given two years ago we were a settled Premier side and four years ago we were in a European final. The beleagured Magath seems to hold responsible the team he inherited for the demise. The only one who gets a game and is immune from being dropped is skipper Scott Parker, but his laboured play slows everything up and he looks like a player at the end of his career who needs better quality players around him. So, ironies of ironies, a manager that does not know his best team, makes at least three changes every week-  four yesterday – fields regularly a significant reason for our woeful start.

The cry of “Felix Out” was heard before the final whistle and fulsome after it. My attitude is never to barrack whilst the game is in play as this cannot help, particularly such a young team, but we have a manager who has lost the support and confidence of the crowd as well as a third of the squad. Let’s take Bryan Ruiz. He does not play him but Fotheringham, a Port Vale cast-off, in his place and makes not so veiled references to his poor attitude whilst trying to recoup some of the £10m plus fee. Why not play him and state publicly that, after a fine World Cup with 2 goals, he wants to play at a higher level and privately help us get the best price by showcasing your talent and, as Costa Rica skipper, can you help the kids? It’s not as if we have played any team that looks a serious challenger for promotion. Over the next few weeks we are playing Derby, Cardiff and Nottingham Forest who may well be in the top six. In the present regime no-one know the history, but we do. In 1968 Fulham were relegated and the following season too. Unless something is done the same fate looks likely. Sack Magath now and appoint Kit Symons to restore some harmony and direction to a club that is becoming a laughing stock, out of all control and plummeting to relegation.