The Riot Act

So let's start with the positives. Admittedly it's only from "The News", but apparently there was a ten minute meeting before the start of training this morning where the players were told in no uncertain terms that things were not going to plan, we are now very much in a relegation scrap and every game is going to be a battle from here on. "The News" described the squad as "stony-faced" whilst all this was going on - so at long last, the players are being told to buck their ideas up rather than swanning around and assuming we're safe.

Now comes the bad news. Apparently, this "kick up the arse" talk was given by Joe Jordan, with Velimir standing by his side.

Er... hang on a second. Did I read that right? Let me just have another look...

No, definitely Joe Jordan with Velimir by his side. Now I know Velimir is a quiet man, I know he doesn't give interviews, and I know he doesn't like being the focus of attention. But that's his public image. We also know he's not the most voal behind closed doors, and that he's happiest when coaching. However, there really has to come a time when - as manager - he has to actually take responsibility. It's one thing forcing poor Joe Jordan to face the media after every game and defend team choices and tactics that he didn't even choose on behalf of Zajec, but this is really getting silly now.

Admittedly, I know that I'd probably be more scared of Joe Jordan shouting at me than Velimir - probably because I can't imagine Velimir talking any louder than a whisper - but that's not the point. Whether he likes it or not, and whether it's "his image" or "the way he likes to do business", when Zajec took over as manager of a Premiership football team he let himself in for certain things. The media coverage, the pressure, the man-management. Now we hear that the long-needed bollocking is actually being dished out by his assistant manager, rather than the man himself.

What are the players going to think? It must be quite a confusing time I would imagine, something backed up by the uneasy comments coming from some of the playing staff. And what's more, what does Joe Jordan think, having to be the mouthpiece for a man who seemingly has had his vocal chords slashed?