Can we stop saying that Manning is faultless if we go down? It implies that we don't need to turn up and try for the next 10 games, like relegation is a forgone conclusion. Sure, a lot of damage has already been done and none of it is his fault, but it's just throwing the towel in to imply nothing can be done about it. Of course it can. He's a bright young coach, not the hopeless sack of turds we had in charge for the majority of the season.
Cheltenham went and whacked Peterborough 3-0 today. Burton got a gutsy 2-1 win against Wycombe having been down to 10 men for half the game. Our players didn't give it up today. Sure, the defence is shaky, we know that. But the ref did miss a nailed on penalty for us and also gave them a very generous free kick ahead of the second goal. Their keeper had to make several good saves as well. Yes I know that points to bad finishing and a bad defence etc etc etc but we were very much in the game today, against an organised and hard working playoff side.
Manning has got a big first week now and we need him to hit the ground running. I don't think it really does us any favours to act like he's completely powerless to sort this out. That is just accepting failure and showing a complete lack of ambition.
