Sacking Managers Is Good For The Game

The general consensus is that too many managers are fired too often and too early in the season. As is often the case, the general consensus is wrong.

In the current employment market one feels instant sympathy for anyone losing their job but do sacked Premier League managers have it that bad? They are invariably given a handsome severance package irrespective of performance and can sometimes land a similar position not long after getting the boot. 

A great example of this is Andre Villas-Boas, whose sacking yesterday has predictably divided opinion amongst Spurs supporters. Daniel Levy's decision to make AVB the fifth Premier League manager to be shown the door so far this season is indicative of a long-established trend in the top flight of booting head coaches before they've had time to decide on their favourite local takeaway but is there method behind the madness of establishing a new regime so early on in the season?

AVB feared the worst when he spotted Fabio Capello signing things in the crowd. Also it was 5-0 again.

Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish gave a terrific interview on Sky Sports News the other day in which he extolled the virtues of refreshing the managerial position. Inter alia, he cited the renewed optimism it grants out-of-favour players, the clean slate it provides those with axes to grind and the dynamism that a fresh training approach can offer.

A new manager brought in prior to the January transfer window gives the chariman an opportunity to give the squad an MOT, trimming the fat and adding depth or quality where needed in order to implement his new style.

Spurs' previous manager Martin Jol watched his Fulham team consistently produce lacklustre performances early this season, epitomised by Berbatov's ineffectiveness in front of goal and coupled with an apparently infectious dearth of desire and belief. The new man, Meulensteen, in fact had his first game against The Lillywhites, who were lucky to take three points thanks to two wonder goals from outside the area - despite the result, Fulham looked invigorated under the ex-Man Utd coach and totally dominated Tottenham for most of the game, with theoretical star man Berbatov looking lively and unfortunate not to grab a hat-trick. The next game they beat Villa convincingly 2-0 to record their first win in 7 games and Berbatov is now scoring again (admittedly, though, they are only penalties).

Meanwhile Crystal Palace look a different team without Ian Holloway - back to back wins against West Ham and Cardiff, as well as all three of their clean sheets this term, have come since Tony Pulis took over and they look as if they may even stave off relegation now.

Recycling managers: Good for the environment?

You have to go a long way to find someone who's a big fan of Paulo Di Canio and you might not want to start in Sunderland. Following his departure the Black Cats have beaten arch-rivals Newcastle and Man City in their first wins of the season.

Don't bet against Spurs and West Brom to turn around their poor form and climb the table in the coming weeks - and stop feeling sorry for teams and managers who part ways half way through the season - maybe the grass is greener when you change sides.