' Were Cardiff and Swansea right to change managers? '
Tue Mar 18, 2014 9:25 pm
Premier League sack race: were Cardiff City, Swansea City and fellow strugglers right to change managers?
Mar 18th 2014 By Simon Gaskell
We have looked at the record of the league's relegation-threatened teams before and after they dispensed with managers
Garry Monk, Pepe Mel, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Felix Magath
The 2013/14 race to win the Premier League is being heralded as the most exciting in years - with Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City all having a genuine chance of title glory come May.
But at the opposite end of the table there is a similar concertina effect going on as seven teams, separated by five points - including both Swansea City and Cardiff City - find themselves in danger of falling through the Premier League trapdoor.
This season's battle to avoid the drop has been one of the most desperate ever and has been characterised by a ruthless approach in the boardroom when the spectre of relegation has been raised.
Six of the league's bottom seven teams have changed manager at least once since the start of the season, with only Norwich keeping faith with Chris Hughton since August. But what effect have the managerial changes had on the respective teams' form?
We have taken a detailed look at the record of the Premier League's strugglers before they gave their manager the bullet and since the new man has been in place.
The results reveal that Sunderland and Crystal Palace - who both acted early in replacing Ian Holloway and Paolo Di Canio - have benefited most.
Tony Pulis has won six of his 17 games in charge this season, giving him a win ratio of 35%, while he has drawn another three games and lost eight.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace manager 2013/14 season Played Won Lost Drawn Win ratio %
Ian Holloway 8 1 7 0 12.5%
Keith Millen 4 1 2 1 25%
Tony Pulis 17 6 8 3 35%
On Wearside, Gus Poyet has a win ratio of 30%, with his reign yielding six wins, six draws and eight losses from 20 league games.
Sunderland
Sunderland AFC manager 2013/14 season Played Won Lost Drawn Win ratio %
Paolo Di Canio 5 0 4 1 0%
Kevin Ball 2 0 2 0 0%
Gus Poyet 20 6 8 6 30%
As for Cardiff and Swansea, both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Garry Monk have worse records than their predecessors.
Solskjaer's win ratio of 20% is marginally worse than that of Malky Mackay (22%) while, in his five games as manager, Monk has an identical ratio of 20% - less than that of Michael Laudrup (25%) who was sacked at the start of February.
Monk's one win came in his first game in charge against the Bluebirds while there have been draws against Stoke and Crystal Palace and defeats at Anfield and at home to West Brom last weekend.
Solskjaer has two home wins against Norwich and Fulham during his tenure while there have been seven defeats to West Ham United, Manchester City, Manchester United, Swansea, Hull City, Spurs and Everton. The only draw in his reign came against Aston Villa.
Cardiff
Cardiff City manager 2013/14 season Played Won Lost Drawn Win ratio %
Malky Mackay 18 4 9 5 22%
David Kerslake 2 0 1 1 0%
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 10 2 7 1 20%
Swansea
Swansea City Manager 2013/14 Played Won Lost Drawn Win ratio %
Michael Laudrup 24 6 12 6 25%
Garry Monk 5 1 2 2 20%
Fulham started the season with Martin Jol in charge and he had a win ratio of 23% from 13 games before he was replaced by ex-Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen in December.
Meulensteen went on to have an identical record before he was also sacked by the Cottagers last month and replaced with German ex-Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg boss Felix Magath.
Fulham's surprise 1-0 victory over Newcastle last weekend gives him a 25% win ratio after four games at the helm so far.
Fulham
Fulham manager 2013/14 season Played Won Lost Drawn Win ratio %
Martin Jol 13 3 9 1 23%
Rene Meulensteen 13 3 9 1 23%
Felix Magath 4 1 2 1 25%
West Bromwich Albion were led by Scotsman Steve Clarke at the start of the season but, despite winning at Old Trafford, a win ratio of 18.75% led to his dismissal in December.
In the interim, the Baggies were managed by assistant boss Keith Downing for five games with a win ratio of 20%.
Then, in January, in came ex-Real Betis coach Pepe Mel whose only win in charge so far came against Swansea at the weekend, giving him a paltry 12.5% win record after eight games.
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion manager 2013/14 season Played Won Lost Drawn Win ratio %
Steve Clarke 16 3 7 6 18.75%
Keith Downing 5 1 1 3 20%
Pepe Mel 8 1 3 4 12.5%
The final analysis of whether chairmen and owners were right to remove the men in charge will become clear on May 11, but a good few managers will have to improve their records between now and then if they are to save their clubs from relegation.
Mar 18th 2014 By Simon Gaskell
We have looked at the record of the league's relegation-threatened teams before and after they dispensed with managers
Garry Monk, Pepe Mel, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Felix Magath
The 2013/14 race to win the Premier League is being heralded as the most exciting in years - with Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City all having a genuine chance of title glory come May.
But at the opposite end of the table there is a similar concertina effect going on as seven teams, separated by five points - including both Swansea City and Cardiff City - find themselves in danger of falling through the Premier League trapdoor.
This season's battle to avoid the drop has been one of the most desperate ever and has been characterised by a ruthless approach in the boardroom when the spectre of relegation has been raised.
Six of the league's bottom seven teams have changed manager at least once since the start of the season, with only Norwich keeping faith with Chris Hughton since August. But what effect have the managerial changes had on the respective teams' form?
We have taken a detailed look at the record of the Premier League's strugglers before they gave their manager the bullet and since the new man has been in place.
The results reveal that Sunderland and Crystal Palace - who both acted early in replacing Ian Holloway and Paolo Di Canio - have benefited most.
Tony Pulis has won six of his 17 games in charge this season, giving him a win ratio of 35%, while he has drawn another three games and lost eight.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace manager 2013/14 season Played Won Lost Drawn Win ratio %
Ian Holloway 8 1 7 0 12.5%
Keith Millen 4 1 2 1 25%
Tony Pulis 17 6 8 3 35%
On Wearside, Gus Poyet has a win ratio of 30%, with his reign yielding six wins, six draws and eight losses from 20 league games.
Sunderland
Sunderland AFC manager 2013/14 season Played Won Lost Drawn Win ratio %
Paolo Di Canio 5 0 4 1 0%
Kevin Ball 2 0 2 0 0%
Gus Poyet 20 6 8 6 30%
As for Cardiff and Swansea, both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Garry Monk have worse records than their predecessors.
Solskjaer's win ratio of 20% is marginally worse than that of Malky Mackay (22%) while, in his five games as manager, Monk has an identical ratio of 20% - less than that of Michael Laudrup (25%) who was sacked at the start of February.
Monk's one win came in his first game in charge against the Bluebirds while there have been draws against Stoke and Crystal Palace and defeats at Anfield and at home to West Brom last weekend.
Solskjaer has two home wins against Norwich and Fulham during his tenure while there have been seven defeats to West Ham United, Manchester City, Manchester United, Swansea, Hull City, Spurs and Everton. The only draw in his reign came against Aston Villa.
Cardiff
Cardiff City manager 2013/14 season Played Won Lost Drawn Win ratio %
Malky Mackay 18 4 9 5 22%
David Kerslake 2 0 1 1 0%
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 10 2 7 1 20%
Swansea
Swansea City Manager 2013/14 Played Won Lost Drawn Win ratio %
Michael Laudrup 24 6 12 6 25%
Garry Monk 5 1 2 2 20%
Fulham started the season with Martin Jol in charge and he had a win ratio of 23% from 13 games before he was replaced by ex-Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen in December.
Meulensteen went on to have an identical record before he was also sacked by the Cottagers last month and replaced with German ex-Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg boss Felix Magath.
Fulham's surprise 1-0 victory over Newcastle last weekend gives him a 25% win ratio after four games at the helm so far.
Fulham
Fulham manager 2013/14 season Played Won Lost Drawn Win ratio %
Martin Jol 13 3 9 1 23%
Rene Meulensteen 13 3 9 1 23%
Felix Magath 4 1 2 1 25%
West Bromwich Albion were led by Scotsman Steve Clarke at the start of the season but, despite winning at Old Trafford, a win ratio of 18.75% led to his dismissal in December.
In the interim, the Baggies were managed by assistant boss Keith Downing for five games with a win ratio of 20%.
Then, in January, in came ex-Real Betis coach Pepe Mel whose only win in charge so far came against Swansea at the weekend, giving him a paltry 12.5% win record after eight games.
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion manager 2013/14 season Played Won Lost Drawn Win ratio %
Steve Clarke 16 3 7 6 18.75%
Keith Downing 5 1 1 3 20%
Pepe Mel 8 1 3 4 12.5%
The final analysis of whether chairmen and owners were right to remove the men in charge will become clear on May 11, but a good few managers will have to improve their records between now and then if they are to save their clubs from relegation.
Re: ' Were Cardiff and Swansea right to change managers? '
Tue Mar 18, 2014 9:58 pm
The moment Ole figured out why Malcky used 10 men in defense, absolutely! 
Re: ' Were Cardiff and Swansea right to change managers? '
Tue Mar 18, 2014 10:08 pm
Absolutely for cardiff, been enjoying the football alot more since Ole has been at the helm. Considering Ole has had the tougher fixtures I expected the win percentage to be lower. Swansea made a big mistake IMO, monk is clueless.
Re: ' Were Cardiff and Swansea right to change managers? '
Tue Mar 18, 2014 10:20 pm
Ii think we were right to sack Malky but not to replace him with Ole.
I say that because he needs more time to get a style of play he'll stick to. He just doesn't know which is his best formation or team which is detrimental to our survival hopes.
Malky should have been sacked after Palace so Ole would have had a couple of weeks to identify our weaknesses and strenghts and address them accordingly.
I do think Ole will come good but it'll be next season where he has a full pre-season.
Swansea were right because they were playing slow, impotent football which was very predictable (their form after the LC win is indicative of this) but they haven't replaced him with someone better. They'll probably get Koeman (?) from Feyenoord and only appointed Monk because he knew the club well.
I say that because he needs more time to get a style of play he'll stick to. He just doesn't know which is his best formation or team which is detrimental to our survival hopes.
Malky should have been sacked after Palace so Ole would have had a couple of weeks to identify our weaknesses and strenghts and address them accordingly.
I do think Ole will come good but it'll be next season where he has a full pre-season.
Swansea were right because they were playing slow, impotent football which was very predictable (their form after the LC win is indicative of this) but they haven't replaced him with someone better. They'll probably get Koeman (?) from Feyenoord and only appointed Monk because he knew the club well.
Re: ' Were Cardiff and Swansea right to change managers? '
Tue Mar 18, 2014 10:24 pm
By the look of the figures, bringing OGS in was unwise, BUT he has come in at the arse end of the season with some tough fixtures. He is holding his own and even his accent is improving! 
Last time I looked, Swansea hadn't appointed a manager. Monk is there while they decide what to do next. If he has success then maybe he will be given the job, but there are plenty of managers who would love to take over at a club established in PL and financially stable. The problem is how long do they leave it? Eventually, maybe Moyes will go there!!!
The longer Monk stays the better if you ask me.
Last time I looked, Swansea hadn't appointed a manager. Monk is there while they decide what to do next. If he has success then maybe he will be given the job, but there are plenty of managers who would love to take over at a club established in PL and financially stable. The problem is how long do they leave it? Eventually, maybe Moyes will go there!!!
The longer Monk stays the better if you ask me.
Re: ' Were Cardiff and Swansea right to change managers? '
Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:21 pm
Win % is such a rubbish stat to use. You dont "need" wins, you need points.
You can draw 38 games and win zero and be lower mid table.
Or
You can win 10 games and lose 28 and be bottom of the league. Id pick option 1.
Points per game ratio is always the better stat. Laudrup was sacked after 12 months of achieving 1 point per game. Monk has come in and done the same all the while looking a far more threatening outfit.
I believe OGS point per game ratio has plummeted since taking over from Malky, which is of concern in itself.
You can draw 38 games and win zero and be lower mid table.
Or
You can win 10 games and lose 28 and be bottom of the league. Id pick option 1.
Points per game ratio is always the better stat. Laudrup was sacked after 12 months of achieving 1 point per game. Monk has come in and done the same all the while looking a far more threatening outfit.
I believe OGS point per game ratio has plummeted since taking over from Malky, which is of concern in itself.
Re: ' Were Cardiff and Swansea right to change managers? '
Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:34 pm
How it should be viewed as points based rather than win based.....
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace
Ian Holloway. 0.37 points per game
Keith Millen. 1 point per game - caretaker
Tony Pulis 1.23 points per game
(Each change justified)
Sunderland
Paolo Di Canio 0.6 points per game
Kevin Ball 0 points per game - caretaker
Gus Poyet 1.2 points per game
(The permanent change was justified)
Cardiff
Cardiff City
Malky Mackay 0.94 points per game
David Kerslake 0.5 points per game - caretaker
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 0.7 points per game
(Change has NOT been justified by results)
Swansea
Swansea City
Michael Laudrup 1 point per game
Garry Monk 1 point per game
(Exactly the same)
Fulham
Martin Jol 0.76 points per game
Rene Meulensteen 0.76 points per game
Felix Magath 1 point per game
(Changes either made no difference or justified)
West Bromwich Albion
Steve Clarke 0.93 points per game
Keith Downing 1 point per game - caretaker
Pepe Mel 0.87 points per game
Change NOT justified in terms of results
* only Cardiff and WBA have had a detrimental effect on their points per game ratio by changing manager.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace
Ian Holloway. 0.37 points per game
Keith Millen. 1 point per game - caretaker
Tony Pulis 1.23 points per game
(Each change justified)
Sunderland
Paolo Di Canio 0.6 points per game
Kevin Ball 0 points per game - caretaker
Gus Poyet 1.2 points per game
(The permanent change was justified)
Cardiff
Cardiff City
Malky Mackay 0.94 points per game
David Kerslake 0.5 points per game - caretaker
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 0.7 points per game
(Change has NOT been justified by results)
Swansea
Swansea City
Michael Laudrup 1 point per game
Garry Monk 1 point per game
(Exactly the same)
Fulham
Martin Jol 0.76 points per game
Rene Meulensteen 0.76 points per game
Felix Magath 1 point per game
(Changes either made no difference or justified)
West Bromwich Albion
Steve Clarke 0.93 points per game
Keith Downing 1 point per game - caretaker
Pepe Mel 0.87 points per game
Change NOT justified in terms of results
* only Cardiff and WBA have had a detrimental effect on their points per game ratio by changing manager.
Re: ' Were Cardiff and Swansea right to change managers? '
Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:43 pm
Yes, when Malky hoofball/50m transfer budget Mackay left, I took to the streets and rejoiced