Web of Intrigue
It's funny isn't it that the very people who first brought spin to the masses are now embroiled in their own messy web of confusion surrounding their leader's future (or lack of one as the case may be)? With the voting public cast in the role of irrelevant bystanders, various among apparent labour activists, even junior ministers seem unstoppably hell-bent on self-capitulation as they seek either to force their leader from office, or at the very least to state publicly when his tenure will cease.
Apparently it's news. Otherwise we wouldn't know anything about it at all. Instead we would be preoccupied with wasteful death and recently revealed CIA ‘off-continent prisons' where suspects so dangerous as to have escaped any form of trial are held.
Sorry, before I go all Ben Elton, back to the point…
Web of Deceit
Thing is, I'm probably about to do a Blair myself. Nearing the end of a theoretical five-year contract, I've started to thinking about my exit strategy. Like Blair, I was hoping to effect a departure of my choosing, although without an obligatory appearance on Blue Peter, admittedly. Also like Blair, that's now proved impossible since my theoretical boss discovered my plans.
Doh! I'm hoping I'll still manage my final act, the timing and the telling, but frankly, it's Gordon Strachan all over again. If I only I could identify the Chris Kamara in my own story…
Web of Lies
And talk of the departure of Gordon Strachan is a reminder that if we've seen too little of one thing at St Mary's, it's victories. If we've seen too many of one thing, it's managers.
Since 2001 our club has seen the arrival of seven managers, the departure of six. Yes, for the hard of thinking that's more than one manager per year, on average.
Like you, I laid the blame squarely at the door of Rupert Lowe, former Chairman and Gloucestershire-based ‘toff' who might one day be remembered fondly. Probably by ducks, but only if he was a poor shot. In the wake of Rupert's departure, like you, I hoped our club could look forward to a period of sustained success underpinned, above all, by a period of managerial stability.
Not just any manager, of course, but a good one with a proven track record. A manager like George Burley, in fact.
Web of Life
GB, as we affectionately call him, rivalled the great Sir Bobby Robson by propelling Ipswich into Europe and amazingly launched Heart of Midlothian upon the Champions League. These are no mean feats. They are a track record of success. They suggest that he might also be successful here if given the backing of the board, and seven million big ones would tell you he has.
So, when should we expect to see results?
Well, now, frankly. And, from now on.
But some people have confused what that means. Some people think £7million + George Burley is a recipe for immediate success. They wonder why we haven't won the league already. They only measure success by victories on the field. They forget that large improvements are often the result of lots of small improvements, a mantra I learned from our previous Director of Football.
World Wide Web
Perhaps those who populate the internet looking for a timetable to judge George Burley would like to put down the telescope and pick up the microscope. Then they might see the developments in young players like Bale and Baird. They might find themselves noticing Viafara's positioning, his improved passing, his better awareness. Surely they can't fail to notice the signing of Rudi Skacel and his natural ability. Perhaps the crisper passing is eluding their gaze?
Yes, there will be set-backs. And we need to be prepared for them and work with them, because they only place you find success before work is in the dictionary.
And talking of work, don't forget your role. So get off the web and get behind the team. You might find a jobless Prime Minister and I have a little more time on our hands now to join you…