Tony Le Mesmer 3 of our most successful managers all saw results get worse before they got better.
McGhee took 2 years to turn things around
Pardew - 5 months into his reign we looked to be heading for Div 4. Calls for his head after loosing at home to Swindon the year we went up. Pants day, etc.
Coppell did nothing for 2 years with a decent budget. Fans calling for him to be sacked boxing day 2004.
Clarke has inherited a team ruined by dreadful management both on and off the pitch. A decent manager who clearly knows what he is doing. I couldn't imagine Adkins digging out a draw at Bradford or taking an in form Arsenal to ET. Our league form has been dreadful, but at least he now knows this current lot cant cut it. Better to find that out now rather than do half decent and carry over the problems til next season.
Judge him from the 1st game of next season. But don't compare him to what the club achieved when we had money. Those days are well and truly gone. Top half will prob constitute a success given what the club has been through.
At last. Sense and realism. Great post.