The malaise around the club in recent months is going to take some shifting, and doesn`t Paul Heckingbottom know it.
There has been no new manager bounce under Hecky, and the concerning thing is there has been no discernible change in the performances or the attitude of the players either. Poor decision making, and lack quality in some areas, was again in evidence on Saturday. Despite it being a derby, it felt more like a dead rubber with both teams struggling to find the motivation needed to end their seasons on a high, with both of their campaigns having already gone off the rails.
What was most worrying for me was the gaffer`s comments after the game. He sounds like a manager who`s been in the job six years, not six weeks as he struggles to come to terms as to why the team cannot secure results. Just one win in eight games in charge is very poor, and he needs to address things pretty quickly.
When there is nothing to play for, getting your players up for matches can be hard, but a good man-manager is able to inspire players. Of course, a lack of confidence can make things harder, and it could be that just one good result can arrest this slide and allow for a more positive end to the season.
He says there`s no lack of effort, but it`s clear that he cannot wait for the summer transfer window to come around. He knows we are desperately short in a number of areas, but if this poor form continues, there will be more question marks over whether he will even make it to June.
You have to feel that a new boss should be given the time to stamp their own mark on the squad. Remove the players from the team that he deems are not good enough, and then make the required changes to build a side that is capable of competing at the right end of the table.
Heckingbottom has the opportunity between now and the end of the season to judge players and make the decisions before the summer. In his mind, he should have an idea already of what needs to be done, but he will need results to pick up to be given the chance of putting that plan into action.
Is it time for the manager to leave already? Let me know in the poll.