[DAV007]

The person with the biggest problem must be Peter Marsden.
The decision to appoint Beattie so far looks to have backfired spectacularly.
In some ways, you could argue the club got lucky/good judgement by appointing the inexperienced Leam Richardson.
They have tried the same formula again with James and it simply has not worked out thus far.
Like it or not, if we have not registered at least 1 win by November, we are pretty much relegated.
The crowds will at best sustain their current attendance number; their will be no increase.

Not only has Peter made the decision to increased the wage budget, but as he admitted in the press he gambled than Beattie's profile and the lower price structure would see the masses return to the Crown - it has not happened.
Not only has it not happened, with only 2 shots per game and sitting adrift without a win at the bottom of the league, its not likely to change this season.

The vision to get into the top 10 and be near the play offs seams as distant as ever.

He must now decide if he backs Beattie or cuts his losses.
Burying his head in the sand hoping results will all of a sudden improve with no evidence of improvement on the pitch will not help anyone.
If he is going to publically back Beattie, he must be prepared to take the backlash the longer the awful run continues.
If Beattie turns it round, then he will have shown great leadership like he did when the pressure was on Leam and the chairman correctly choose to back his man and calm the doubters.
But unlike Leam; their is no strong foundation from earlier in the season to rely on.
Unlike Leam, there where no previous signs he had the ability as a manager - the signs so far are not encouraging.
And unlike Leam, Beattie has filled the squad with largely talentless players, Leam did have an eye for a player.
He must also take into account, that while our off the field profile may have risen with the appointment of an ex premier league star and England player - its the on the field results that will count.

Mr. Marsden mentioned we are losing £300,000 per year and he has put into the club a considerable amount of his own money.
He, more than any of us will know the cost of relegation and the potential financial damage losing out on the football league payments will have.
Its a tremendous loss.

I don't think is all doom and gloom for Mr.Marsden. He must be encouraged by the up turn in attendance Vs Dagenham.
With relatively little exposure, the club managed to get a significant increase in attendance.
Utilising the new commercial team, and with the help of Lancsdave, the OSC and the fans on this forum their is no reason that a similar campaign with a bit more notice couldn't produce a similar if not better attendance result.
But that will also need the improvement on the pitch, and this must be his priority.

One thing he has not got is time or games.
Both are running out.