A poisoned chalice

On Saturday, Bradford City legend Stuart McCall led his new Motherwell side to the Scottish Cup Final with a convincing 3-0 victory over St Johnstone. Having helped his old club Rangers win the title three times during his playing career, Stuart will lead a team out in a final for the first time as manager against his one-time Old Firm foes Celtic in May. It marks a fantastic turn-around for Stuart less than four months after he took over at Fir Park. But not only that, McCall has guided Motherwell to the semi-finals of the League Cup and is assured of a top six finish in the SPL.

So what has changed for Stuart? Has he learned during his ten months out of management? Is he no longer tied by emotion? Is a lack of undue pressure and expectation helping him realise his potential? Or is it simply the lower standard of the Scottish game?

But he's not the only one. City managed to attract a worthy list of candidates to replace Stuart last February before eventually plumping for Peter Taylor. While there were a number of doubters - who pointed to his failures, style of play and the nature of the clubs he had previously taken over - his was the stand-out CV. No less than five promotions in the professional game. Alas it went wrong for him too.

Just as it had for Jim Jefferies, Nicky Law, Bryan Robson and Colin Todd. Every single one of them had had success before or success since or in many cases both. It is no doubt that Valley Parade has become a graveyard for managers.

Now we not only seek a new manager, but some form of deliverance. Fighting against an unimaginable though unlikely relegation, we're combining it with a fight against survival. A decade after Geoffrey Richmond gambled with the club's futures, it is clear that Julian Rhodes and Mark Lawn have done exactly the same - but not just the once. Having previously slashed Stuart's budget, they gave Taylor a healthy sum and have now ripped the carpet from out underneath the club.

Wherever City's future lies - and one away from Valley Parade is not one this blog advocates - lessons have to be learned. The rent bill is not something that suddenly lands on the doormat unsurprisingly, leaving the owners searching for loose change down the back of the sofa to pay it. Yes, we have massive overheads, but in this division, we also have a massive fanbase to tap into.

After a decade of failure, patience is understandably wearing thin among the City faithful. But a step back is required. When Stuart was tempted to stay on for another season, one message read "Rome was not built in a day". Quite true. But the club re-building must start at the very top. There's no point keeping a manager on if lessons aren't learned elsewhere. No more excessive spending, no more extravagant rants in the press. A cursory glance at the teams that have been relegated out of the league ever since we arrived at this level shows all have suffered from financial woes or boardroom wrangles. Let's get one thing straight - Mark Lawn's threat is a very real one. But let's get another thing straight - ripping out of the heart of the club is not the answer to avoiding the financial armageddon which will lead to our eventual, unavoidable drop out of the league.

A new start

So, my beloved Bradford City have been backed into a corner; 89th in the league, one win and just four points from nine games and the manager gone. Well, said manager is now little more than a lame duck. As Peter Taylor walks to the dugout tomorrow, his final (inspiring - !) teamtalk given, what will be on his mind? Leading us to victory, or clearing his desk and heading back south.

No, Bradford City could barely be any lower right now. Of the four teams below us in League Two, Burton Albion have five games in hand. Slip any further down this league, and our chairmen effectively claim that the club will exist no more. Nearly a year to the day, that Taylor strode in after Stuart McCall had once again given his all, but the first time, been unable to achieve his dream, Taylor strides out for a final time. His reign, a failure.

Talk will continue on just who will take over as the next Bradford City manager, be it until May, or beyond. Whether, there is anything beyond May for Bradford City will be up to that manager and just how bleak that picture is that Mark Lawn so starkly painted.

But nothing at Bradford City is so simple. When Taylor does walk out tomorrow, it's not just any other game. A relegation six-pointer, the biggest game in our history and one with a bumper crowd. This is a turning point, it has to be a turning point.

Few, possibly no, fans will shed a single tear for Taylor tomorrow. There will be nothing like the rousing reception that Stuart received last February against Bury. Because he has led us backwards and to the edge of the precipice.

Onwards, upwards and to a 21st century progressivism. Because there is no other option.