Much has been made about the impatience of Mandaric but he has been anything but in the past few months. The Chairman has kept faith with Rix, giving him more money to spend and publicaly supported Rix even though there has been constant speculation since August that Redknapp is ready to take over as manager.
It seems that it is a certain group of fans who have finally made Mandaric make this decision. Dineage told The News: "We can't allow results to carry on as they have for too much longer and the fans are starting to get angry" Dineage admitted that suspensions and injuries have once again played their part in Pompey's plight but he said that was no excuse to the manner in which we were defeated on Saturday.
Some fans will welcome this decision and it could even spur them on to make their unhappiness heard at Fratton Park tonight. Fratton Faithful sits on the opposite side of the camp, always a firm Rix supporter, this site stands by its opinion that getting rid of Rix would be the worst thing Mandaric could do.
Ask yourself this, is Harry Redknapp really willing to take over? My guess is no, getting rid of Rix would leave this club in limbo once more with the possibility of the squad balooning even further when a new man is given the job. Instead of next Sunday, Fratton Faithful would like to see Graham Rix given until Christmas.
Rome wasn't built in a day and things will look much more rosy once 9 players, at least, are shipped out in close season. With everyone fighting fit the first team will easily be a match for anyone in this division. Qualitiy signings will be added to the squad, which will be much more compact and Pompey can look the next season with confidence. Getting rid of Rix will just push back our development even further. If things haven't improved by Christmas and we're not pushing for the play offs, then is the time to start calling for his head.
Patience is needed and tonight all Pompey fans must unite behind Rix.