I'll give my usual lesson from history, with a sting in the tale.

1995/1996. Jim Smith was the surprise choice as manager, pulled out of retirement by 'well-meaning amateur' Lionel Pickering. Derby were inconsistent, disappointing, mid-table, for the first THREE months of the year. There was one famous photo commented on a lot at the time (in the press and on radio, there was no internet then) which showed, after a 2-0 defeat against Barnsley ironically, of two of Derby's shorter players (Simmo and Sean Flynn I think) backed by two of Barnsley's giants, with the caption (something like) 'men against boys'. There were calls for Pickering to take a back seat and Smith to go. We got hammered 5-1 by Tranmere and it all looked so desperate. Then it all clicked. By Christmas we were top of the table and Pickering and Smith were the most popular old fellahs from New Mills to Measham. We finished second after a late wobble and got promotion.

The sting in the tale? Three months into the season, we found our leader, Igor Stimac.

I'll say again, that's what we are missing and I hope Pearson is looking. But I think him and Mel need time