Bob - I agree high expectations are fair enough, but it is also true that there seems to be an over-reaction when we lose. We have had a few decent performances, which have not always been acknowledged. And it seems (on the Telegraph site, for example) that some fans are determined to find fault with Mowbray, whatever he does. You see some saying he has tinkered too much, while other are constantly picking the team he
should be putting out. Again, we see some saying his teams are not attack-minded, while others complain about the frailty of the defence (not borne out by the figures, incidentally).
The fact is, he probably got the Division wrong with his formation in the first two games. He quickly realised, though, that a less "fancy", less ambitious pattern was necessary in L.1, so he has fielded a more cautious line-up since. The latter also arose from the need to protect the defence because of injuries.
People are already calling for his head, but what we are really suffering from is the thing that has plagued us for the last five years: INCONSISTENCY! And I am never sure how that can be primarily down to the manager. After all, if the same player shows different form from one game to another, it is surely not down to managerial decisions.
Managers carry the can and fans have every right to criticise, but it does seem strange to me that every problem is put down to the manager, rather than the players, and other factors, such as the way the other teams are set up to play.
I mean, is it really down to Mowbray that Antonsson and Samuel looked excellent against Rotherham, but totally duff against Oldham?
Results so far HAVE been disappointing, but I really can't see that we should already be talking about dumping TM. The revolving-door policy has hardly worked brilliantly for us in the Venky's era so far.
Like all supporters, I like to think I could select the best team, but I don't see them in training every day. TM is clearly frustrated by our up-and-down form, and I admire him for his honesty. I don't think he's a brilliant manager, but what do we expect? We're in the Third Division. Guardiola is not hammering on the gates of Ewood to get in!