Bolton Wanderers: Who would replace Megson if he was axed?

Life at the Reebok has hardly been a bed of roses for Gary Megson but if he fails to improve the team’s dismal start to the season in the next couple of weeks he could well find himself as the first managerial casualty of the new Premier League season.

Bolton take on Birmingham City this Saturday followed by tough games against Spurs, Manchester United, Everton, Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers, and if Bolton remain on four points then the pressure for him to go will reach boiling point.

In the summer Megson tried to win over the fans by promising to play attacking football but David Blackburn, of the Bolton Wanderers Supporters Association, is yet to see any signs of that.

“That is a joke I am afraid. It is still bang it up to the front men. Ok, Megson may have a point that when we play 4-5-1 we do look better defensively but that means we don't have shots on goal and 4-4-2 we are better going forward but we leave ourselves exposed at the back – but he bought the players in the summer so ultimately it rests with him. Allardyce got away with things as he brought success, Megson hasn't and we will be in a relegation dogfight every year if we are not careful. I have been watching Bolton for a long time (1976) and haven't been this disillusioned for a while.”

There were 2,000 fewer fans at the Reebok on Saturday to watch Stoke City compared to the corresponding fixture last season, but is that down to Megson or the global recession?

“It’s partly recession, partly Megson, but mainly Megson!” said David. “The club has made almighty strides in lowering prices and they have to be commended on that. If they brought in a new manager who would get the place buzzing again, then the fans would be back. I have never met Megson, and I am sure he is a great guy, but unfortunately the fans pay the money and ultimately he has to go otherwise Saturday’s attendance will be the norm.”

And Michael Moore believes that with falling gate receipts and a global recession that Bolton Wanderers are an economic disaster waiting to happen.

“I read that something like 7,000 season ticket holders have followed my lead of last year and not renewed their seats for this season. Who can blame them? The effect on the income for Bolton Wanderers must be hurting. Poor performances on the pitch have a knock on effect with advertisers unwilling to pay high prices to advertise around the ground and in the programme and less matches being broadcast on TV. The recession may be to blame for smaller gates but only to a very small extent. It’s the performances that are really affecting attendances. The team is boring.

“Gary Megson is the manager and as such decides on the strategy the team uses but he is ignoring the fact that professional football is more of an entertainment than a sport and must attract supporters to come and see each game. It is better value for money going to watch the reserves where the youngsters are showing real endeavour, some skill and more determination than the first teamers.”

Steve Hilton isn’t a big fan of Megson but he believes that the board will keep faith in the former West Brom manager unless something terrible happens.

“I don't believe our board will sack Megson unless he goes on a horrendous run of results. We were getting close until the Pompey game. If we had failed to beat Pompey I would say Megson was a game or two away from the sack. After Birmingham we have a hard run until November when we have games we must win.”
  
And Michael concedes that he would prefer Megson to simply adopt a more attacking approach than bring in somebody else.

“If Megson were to be sacked I would not rejoice. I believe that he has a lot of skill. He can certainly identify good young players. I would much prefer that Megson sees the light and decides to switch to a 4-3-3 tactic with one wide player with pace and skill providing for the two strikers.”

But if the board did decide to axe Megson who would the fans want at the helm instead?

“That is the 50 million dollar question,” said David Blackburn. “Part of me says he has been given the chance and we are no further on than we were two years ago and yes he has saved us from relegation but I think I will be relieved to put an end to the bickering which is now on a daily basis which is no good to anyone.

“Who would I replace him with? That’s a toughie but I would either give it to someone like Owen Coyle (who would have got it before Burnley offered it him if I had my way, and he wouldn't come now anyway), Alan Irvine who is working wonders at Preston on little or no budget and if he did half of what Moyes has done at Everton I would be impressed. I wouldn't give it to Phil Brown although there is no denying his passion for the club. Or I would give it to someone who has been there and now wants to prove it again – although this would rule out Hoddle, O'Leary and Souness (moneymen) – but puts Curbishley in the frame or I wouldn't mind Martin Jol as I think he was hard done by at Spurs but prising him away from his current job would be another matter.”

Unsurprisingly former Bolton old boys Owen Coyle and Phil Brown feature highly on many fans’ lists, but Steve Hilton claims he would be willing to take a punt on Alan Curbishley.

“I imagine most fans would want Owen Coyle or Phil Brown, two former players who the fans would get behind. However, how hard would the board push to get one of them would be a different matter. Of the current mangers out of work most would favour Curbishley and he would have a better reception than Megson.
 
“I would welcome Megson leaving if we got the right replacement. That's the general consensus in Bolton. If we could get Brown on board (I think Coyle will stick at Burnley unless relegated) then I'm sure with a decent backing we could push ourselves back into the top 10 and get the fans behind the team again.”

But Michael Moore would like to see the board approach a manager who likes to play attacking football.

“If another manager were to be brought in I would like to see someone who in their playing days had a bit of flair about them – someone like Alan Shearer or Stuart Pearce. The manager must have the charisma, skills and ability to bring round the supporters ensure the team improves in the premier league, plays more attractive football and can attract star players of international standing. I will want to see a massive change in performances before I can be enticed back to the Reebok to see a Premier League game.”

Obviously talk of Megson getting the boot is pure speculation just now but there’s is no denying that he is under pressure to turn things around at the Reebok Stadium and the next six games could prove decisive in his managerial career. Can he save his bacon or will the disgruntled Bolton fans get their wish? We’ll have to wait and see.

·         Calling all Bolton fans. If Megson was to be axed who would you want as your new boss? Do you think Megson should be given more time to turn things around? I’d love to hear from you.