Rumours abound concerning the relationship between Malcolm Shotton and Firoz Kassam, not helped by comments made to the media by both parties (but especially the United manager). Whatever the truth in these rumours, which range from Shotton’s imminent sacking (unlikely given that his contract has almost two years left to run and would cost a large sum to buy out) to his imminent resignation (also unlikely given what he has been through already for the United cause), surely the place for these comments is face to face in private, not in public on the radio or elsewhere.

An increasing number of United supporters are also starting to question Shotton’s management ability too. Concerns vary from his apparent tactical naivety to his motivational qualities to his man-management skills (or rather, lack of them). The proof is hard to refute judging by the way the team has failed to perform against sub-standard opposition this season (and last) coupled with some of the comments made (again in public) about certain of his players (and the rumours of punchups with some, including Gilchrist). Stories of Shotton getting thoroughly drunk and bad-mouthing various individuals are also too common and widespread to be totally untrue.

In mitigation it has to be said that the conditions Shotton has had to endure since he became manager have been nothing short of scandalous. No money to spend on team building, his best players getting sold from under him, no wages for over two months just before Christmas, and the very future of the club still subject to uncertainty. Obviously no-one could have expected miracles, and last season’s relegation was greeted by most fans with a fatalistic shrug of the shoulders. It is the way the team has reacted to that relegation which has upset a large number of supporters, apparently not caring and not particularly trying to rectify the situation. This is reflected in the results of the Rage Online poll question: “Shotton: should he stay or should he go?” with a small majority of fans believing that the time has come for a change of manager.

Rage Online certainly shares the concerns over Shotton’s boorish manner and his sergeant-major style, not believing that these are the best ways to produce decent performances on the pitch, but we can’t quite accept, yet, that the time has come for the man to go. This is qualified with the observation that unless Kassam and Shotton can sort out their personal relationship then one of them perhaps should step down, and obviously for the future of the club that shouldn’t be Kassam. The ideal situation would be for them to patch up their differences and for Shotton to have the fiscal support of his chairman in the difficult months to come. If United’s performances and attitude haven’t improved by the new year then perhaps the situation ought to be reviewed, but until then we would like to see the manager being given the opportunity to manage. All this, of course, dependent on happy families behind the scenes.