O'Leary gets backing for next season but for how long?

Doug Ellis has backed David O'Leary for next season and if anything it just goes to confirm what we all already know; Doug Ellis is not fit to do his job and he should be removed.

I know others harp on about this but should a man his age be allowed to be in control of a publicly limited company; isn't there a rule somewhere that says you've got to take a test every year or something?

Doug Ellis told the officially will say anything for a fiver site "There's been a lot of hard talking over the last week. But David, the board and I remain committed in our shared belief that the work to be done in the coming weeks will mean there is no repeat of last season's disappointments.

Well, I for one am convinced that O'Leary doesn't know how to develop the team without a chequebook so I can't see this changing. I can also understand how the talking would be hard for Ellis and that is also another reason why he should be removed.

Struggling, he went on "There's been a lot of talk and a lot of speculation since our last match with Sunderland, but all I can say is that the Board quickly identified that David remains the best person to lead us into the new campaign.

"No one can pretend that last season's outcome was anything other than extremely disappointing and I understand why supporters have been frustrated throughout a difficult season.

"But myself and the board are convinced there are better times ahead and that is why I have already urged supporters to stay with us.

I wouldn't be so sure there are better times ahead. We can only go one of two ways now, into the championship or better; it's not very difficult to predict 'better times'.

Doug isn't sacking O'Leary because of how much it will cost, not because he believes O'Leary is capable or maybe it's a case of O'Leary doing a deal to resign or leave for another club if the opportunity arises. O'Leary can not afford to be sacked again as his managerial credibility wouldn't even stand up in the lower divisions.

If Ellis however is going to allow this man to manage our club for next season I would like to know what his target is for next season and how many points will be needed after four and ten games and at Christmas for O'Leary to keep his job.

Surely O'Leary has a target to achieve and keep his job so surely we are entitled to know?

We could all be getting upset for nothing and the backing from the chairman could be the signal that he only has days left. Doug is after all from a previous generation of football chairman.