Progress? Inching Forward.

As we approach tomorrow's game against Millwall, we still find ourselves without a manager. Surely any confidence the team had in Steve Thompson has all but evaporated, knowing he is clearly a dead man walking. Every message from the Chairman has been clear - he is nowhere in considerations for the managerial post.

Credit where it's due, this week we have had news from the club. Earlier this week, the Chairman met with BSA and Will Watt from The Gazette. Will stated he was with the Chairman for 3 hours. Some will obviously say that speaking to BSA is a way of keeping things 'in house', but the fact of the matter is, it is the recognised supporters group and he has had the meeting and spoken. Likewise re Will at The Gazette, we have not had that in recent times, so whilst people can debate and take objection to what was said, it was at least the communication we at Vital and others have been crying out for.

The fickle hand of fate seems destined to blight us. At the meeting news was given that the club had met that day with a prospective manager, Billy Davies. It seemed finally, we had a candidate, only for Notts Forrest to lose McLeish and off Billy went.

In fairness, both this and the O'Driscoll case share similarities of misfortune, whilst at the same time posing the inevitable question as to why Blackpool, a team in the Premier League the season before last and with, in the Chairman's words 'loads of cash in the bank', cannot secure the post? It is genuinely hoped other lessons are learned. This is not cyber warrior vitriol; a genuine plea.

So what now? Probably a criteria change in some respects. The reluctance to dismantle the 'bootroom' at Bloomfield Road (a commendable act of loyalty by Karl Oyston), will probably make way for Owen Coyle bringing with him some new faces, his own back room staff.

One thing is for sure, the team need a lift. One way to do that is to get behind them tomorrow. Give them an atmosphere that gives them a boost and let's get 3 points.

We also hope this weeks meeting, followed by the statement a couple of days later is not a flash in the pan. No matter what the message. It's good to talk.

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