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The title says it all but remember it's just my opinion. However I want to be clear and say it's NOT just because of the start to this season.
My feeling has built over time that Ian Evatt is a choker. It started with the woeful performance in the play off semi-final against Barnsley the season before last. Then last season we were in an awesome position, 2 points off the top of the table with FOUR games in hand but somehow we managed to throw that away. In the first leg against Barnsley we won 3-1 at their place which really should have meant job done but somehow we managed to come within a whisker of throwing it away at home with a dreadful, frankly disjointed performance that saw us squeak through to the play off finals by a single goal.
I don't think anyone needs me to say just how horrible the performance in the final was. Oxford barely had to get out of 2nd gear and we were clueless and passionless from start to finish.
The players can't be blamed. There were two almost totally different squads but both had the quality to take us up. The start to this season has added to my feeling the problem is at the top, with the manager and his staff. Their confidence is clearly low when it really matters and that transmits itself to the squad. I know how harsh this sounds, I don't like advocating that someone should lose their job but frankly in this case I don't see another option and fear that if Ian Evatt remains in charge the end of this season will see us battling to stay up rather than having any chance to go up.
I appreciate that there isn't much money in the club so sacking him might not be financially viable even if Sharron didn't have such a normally laudable loyalty to the people who work for her but in this case I believe the bullet must be bitten and Ian Evatt needs to resign or be relieved of his duties even if that means putting him on "Gardening Leave" as was done with Gary Megson.
I am grateful for everything Ian has done and always will be but I am equally certain he's reached his top level and his time is up.
My feeling has built over time that Ian Evatt is a choker. It started with the woeful performance in the play off semi-final against Barnsley the season before last. Then last season we were in an awesome position, 2 points off the top of the table with FOUR games in hand but somehow we managed to throw that away. In the first leg against Barnsley we won 3-1 at their place which really should have meant job done but somehow we managed to come within a whisker of throwing it away at home with a dreadful, frankly disjointed performance that saw us squeak through to the play off finals by a single goal.
I don't think anyone needs me to say just how horrible the performance in the final was. Oxford barely had to get out of 2nd gear and we were clueless and passionless from start to finish.
The players can't be blamed. There were two almost totally different squads but both had the quality to take us up. The start to this season has added to my feeling the problem is at the top, with the manager and his staff. Their confidence is clearly low when it really matters and that transmits itself to the squad. I know how harsh this sounds, I don't like advocating that someone should lose their job but frankly in this case I don't see another option and fear that if Ian Evatt remains in charge the end of this season will see us battling to stay up rather than having any chance to go up.
I appreciate that there isn't much money in the club so sacking him might not be financially viable even if Sharron didn't have such a normally laudable loyalty to the people who work for her but in this case I believe the bullet must be bitten and Ian Evatt needs to resign or be relieved of his duties even if that means putting him on "Gardening Leave" as was done with Gary Megson.
I am grateful for everything Ian has done and always will be but I am equally certain he's reached his top level and his time is up.