Roeder rates highly in my book

By ScottR
December 14 2006

After a almost a full year Glenn Roeder must surely be convincing his critics that he has the credentials to do the job.

For me he's already proved to be the third best of our PL managers behind SBR and Keegan and in comparison to all but SBR has had nothing to spend so far. While some may say it isn't hard to be ahead of Gullit, Dagleish and Souness the reaction to him taking over was bad, from me as well. But with a bigger squad and some backing from the board he might be someone who can take us places, perhaps even deliver up that elusive bit of silverware.

Since taking over last year I can count the number of bad performances on one hand. Since then individual errors have cost us, low performance as a result of bad results has been visible this season but in recent weeks he seems to have done a lot to address the former and dispelled the latter.

We are a tight unit, difficult to play against and even with a whole host of injuries, new players coming in are confident and giving their all. Its fair to say he is getting close to the best out of what is available. During adversity a manager proves his worth and he's doing that for me. What he needs now is results and performances in our home games coming up to clinch it.

The other thing that makes or breaks a manager is his signings. Martins is looking like a good buy, a little rough but also young with potential and, more importantly, the ability to do a job now. I think £10m is going to end up looking like a good deal. Duff was perhaps a no brainer but he's here and that's what counts. Despite missing out on a number of summer targets he's unearthed a total gem in Sibierski. That leaves only Bernard who hasn't played yet. A highly effective record so far in my opinion.

What he needs to do now, and Freddy needs to allow it to happen, is prove that he can sign the right players who can come in and do a job during our injury crisis and who are good enough to push for places when the injury situation improves.

He is always dignified in the media and makes points and find myself agreeing with (or echoes things I've been saying myself). He backs his players when they are under fire and doesn't hide from the flak either. Last night's performance against Chelsea typified, for me, how far we've come in the last few weeks. A fighting spirit, chances made and a resolute defence saw us edged out of a tie against the current champions even with two more players making way due to injury inflicted during the game. Chelsea will record fewer, if any, more difficult victories at Stamford Bridge this year.

For Glenn to further prove his worth more resources must be made available to him than during the summer transfer window. So Mr Shepherd, you've backed your managers in the past. Now back this one, since he has proven to have some pedigree in the transfer market.