By Neil Ravenscroft
September 22 2003

There has been a certain amount of what can only be described as mass hysteria in some quarters calling for the Manager’s head. This should not disguise the fact that some questions need answers. A few games into the season is not the time for hysterical reactions to a poor run and calls for the sacking of a manager. In the first place, he deserves the chance to put matters right and, in the second place, there is still plenty of time to do so. Changing the Manager every five minutes is not the way to bring stability to any club. Apart from anything else, there is a certain element amongst the fans who have never been willing to give Colin Lee a chance, presumably because of the Wolves connection. This should not disguise the fact, however, that some things need to be sorted.

Tactically, we have been backed into a corner. The squad is set up to play 3 5 2 and the personnel are not really available to switch to a 4 4 2. We need to acquire a quality right or left winger as a matter of urgency, to allow that switch of tactics. Colin, you can sort that one out.

We are missing an out and out ball winner in midfield. Passers (and, in the shape of Merson, Osborn, Samways and Oakes, they do not come much better at this level) tend to need minders, in the way that Gascoigne had Ince and Batty for England. We are missing a Martin O'Connor and, if we cannot afford one Colin, at least look at playing Emblen there.

We are not, for all our pretty football, hurting teams in the final third. It is about time we stopped trying to walk the ball in and tried to be a little more direct at times. I assume he has this in mind, with trying to get a striker in the Akinbiyi/Asaba mould, but there is no reason not to try it, even with the current players.

We have had three red cards this season, which with our squad size, we can ill afford. Red cards can happen to anyone in this day and age, with one mistimed tackle, but, in our case, one has been for retaliation, the other two for swearing at the referee. Colin Lee has defended his players in public (as any manager would do), I just hope he is doing something about it in private.

It is always easy to be a football manager when things are going well, the true test comes when they are not. Colin Lee needs to show his mettle and sort this one out over the next few weeks, before the current bad run really does become a crisis.