When the board support a manager, time is short…

Observe the following pattern:

Former West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson on November 21, 2006:

“I will also be continuing talks with Alan Pardew on how he sees the future on the playing side. This is very much his domain and he has my full confidence and support.”

December 11, 2006: Pardew is sacked

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan on May 14, 2007:

“I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome [Chris Hutchings] as manager and give him my assurance that he will have my full and total backing as we seek to stay in the Premiership for a fourth season and keep establishing this club in the best league in the world.”

November 5, 2007: Hutchings is sacked

Newcastle chairman Chris Mort on November 26, 2007:

“Sam [Allardyce] is a very experienced manager, and I am sure he will work hard with his coaching team to turn the team around. He is working hard to get his best team, and how they can work together in the best way.”

January 9, 2008: Allardyce is sacked

Charlton manager knows how to keep fans off his back

After stumbling across comments made by Alan Pardew following Charlton’s 2-0 home defeat to Bristol City, The Spoiler was struck with a sense of déjà vu. So we looked at comments the former West Ham boss has made after his side’s last five defeats and started to see a pattern emerging. See if you can spot it:

Pardew after losing to Wolves: “Some players were just a wee bit below [par] but I have to take into account that Wolves are really flying at the minute. So there’s a lot of thinking to do between now and Doncaster.”

Pardew after losing to Sheffield Wednesday: “We had a few low performances today and I’ll have to look at the selection of the side because there are one or two who are desperate to have a go now and I might have to look at a change.”

Pardew after losing to Crystal Palace:

Say hello to your worst nightmare

Ever since the phrase “I wouldn’t like to meet him in a dark alley” was coined by an elderly Welsh woman scraping sludge off a rock, The Spoiler has been curious to know who might possibly be the worst person to meet in that situation. So how fitting that these pictures of Alan Pardew casually strolling through a river of post-pub urine and past some bins showed up in our PO Box this morning. That’s that mystery solved.

We like to presume that Arsene Wenger is lurking in the nearby shadows, readying himself to unleash some over-the-top karate moves on his former nemesis.

It’s better in the Czech Republic, claims Roman Bednar

The FA and Premier League’s Respect campaign took another blow today when Czech forward Roman Bednar admitted that the standard of officiating in the top-flight was poorer than in his homeland.

The Baggies striker voiced his concerns after being left disappointed by referee Mike Dean’s performance in Sunday’s Midlands derby defeat to Aston Villa at The Hawthorns. He said:

Make money from a busy weekend of football

With the help of our friends at chickendinner, The Spoiler has compiled a list of some good bets to make this weekend. Accompanying each bet are some eye-catching odds, a link to a free bet with that bookmaker and a reason why you should back it:

1) Burnley to win away to Charlton - 15/8 with Ladbrokes
Charlton have lost three of their last four home games and face a Burnley side who did the double over them last season and have one their last five league clashes with the Addicks. Should Charlton lose again, expect to hear this in Alan Pardew’s post-match press conference.

2) Blackburn to beat Middlesbrough - 11/10 with Paddy Power
Paul Ince hasn’t had much luck against his former clubs in his managerial career but that looks like changing against a side who Blackburn are unbeaten in seven against, winning six. Click here for more information.

3) Under 2.5 goals in Chelsea/Liverpool - 1.68 with Betfair
None of the ten meetings between the two sides at Stamford Bridge since Roman Abramovich’s takeover has featured over 2.5 goals in ninety minutes and the average of goals per game has been one. Click here for more information.

Might be worth a pound…
While red cards in the Tyne-Wear derby are surprisingly infrequent, Paddy Power are offering 80/1 on any Sunderland player being sent off for a foul on Joey Barton. Click here to view Paddy Power’s full selection of Barton specials.