Just under two months ago, I packed my bags and headed up here to Sunderland University, leaving my family, my friends, but most importantly, my team behind. Coming off the back of two wins in a week, I left with high hopes. Of course I was gutted that I wouldn't be present to watch us climb the table with more impressive victories and performances to match. Oh how wrong I was. 

I read the posts on the message board and the utterances of despair and frustration and in a way I'm somewhat glad I'm not there to witness it. Obviously, tensions are running high. After all as we all know, it's took a mighty long time for us to get where we are and four years of hard work and progress are currently seemingly falling apart. 

But can Eyre turn it around? 

Personally, the results are simply not up to scratch, and I would be looking for the best way in which to replace him however. However for a number of reasons, it seems unlikely the Mancunian man in charge will be leaving any time soon. So for now, we have to get behind him. As Razzle's revelations revealed to us, Eyre clearly has a problem with a few aspects of his squad, but if he is passionate enough to speak his mind in that way, he certainly has the desire to get us out of this. And we have good players. From what I've seen Grimes is an excellent striker in the 'Alfie' mould, and the players we still have with us from last season, such as Jonah, JK and Widdowson and Adams are all more than capable League One players. 

And one thing that might, just might make a difference, could be the return of Simon Hackney. I remember Hackney from his Carlisle days. He's a pacey winger with a threatening cross and he could provide the perfect balance that has been so elusive and has been alluded to on the messageboard. Tutte is not a winger but Hackney is, and having two fit wingers gives us a variety of options. 4-4-2 becomes a much more effective formation for a start, with the array of strikers we currently have on the clubs books having the chance to form some sort of partnership. The 4-2-3-1 formation away from home could give us more options in midfield, and could be an efficient way of combining Jones, Tutte and Kennedy in the midfield. In addition to this, having two fit wingers in the starting eleven may take some of the creative pressure off Adams, leaving him to play his natural game, which can prove to be match-winning. 

Now defensively there has been issues since the start of the season. Twaddle seems to be the most pointless signing we've ever made (other than perhaps, Charlie Comyn-Platt), Trotman isn't good enough and Holness is apparently lost without Dawson - which was to be expected. Holden and Jordan are promising additions, and seeing as the only game they've started so far was away against a side chasing automatic promotion, we can't be too quick to condemn them. 

So next up, Preston North End at home in the JPT and Bradford City away in the FA Cup this week. These are two fixtures that will allow the players and staff to prove themselves worthy of saving this club from the slump it's found itself in. If they don't, this blog might not be taking this 'always look on the bright side' view next week. 

I'm trying to be positive here and cheer everyone up, so sorry that it's proved to be quite a serious start to what hopefully will become a weekly addition to the site and if/when the time is right, hopefully a little more light-hearted. But come on, let's have a few more weeks getting behind him and seeing if he's made of management material. 

Mr. Eyre, it's make or break time sir. 

Photo: Action Images

alderleydale added 08:49 - Nov 7 Hear speaks a man who has not had to sit through the shit
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Brierls added 11:32 - Nov 7 Nicely written. I can understand the 'lets have a few more weeks...' attitude from afar, I suspect I'd be exactly the same. I honestly don't think you'd dream of suggesting a few more weeks with Eyre in charge if you'd seen how every bit of drive, desire and enthusiasm has gone from the players once they take to the pitch. It's heartbreaking and ultimately unacceptable.

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geraldo added 13:47 - Nov 7 Well said you two. This is the blog of a "supporter" who cannot be bothered to make the 2 hour trip to watch Dale - if he had he would see what a totally inept manager and motivator SE is. My suspicion is that he has created a divide in the dressing room between his ex city "mates" and the squad he inherited. The players don't appear to want to play for him and the supporters certainly don't want him. Fail to win on Sat and surely even Dunphy's patience will vanish..............................

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Shun added 18:18 - Nov 7 Extremely harsh geraldo, and completely unfair. Have you ever been an exile? It costs £62.50 for a return from Sunderland to Manchester. Add to that transport from Piccadilly to Dale, as well as the match itself. Can you afford that every fortnight? Nice article. Brierls, you're spot on. It does indeed seem to be the people not watching regularly who want to grant Eyre more time. I've only missed the past 3 matches yet I'm still in the 'more time' camp. We'll see if I still am after the next 3!

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AtThePeake added 23:06 - Nov 7 3 hour trip and my almost my whole weekly living budget just to get back to Manchester, never mind travel to Dale and a match ticket. ..
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geraldo added 12:23 - Nov 8 AtThEPeake/Shun I was a student myself and never used the train as it was and still is too expensive - I used the bus or looked for someone with a car to share petrol costs ( people place notices on the union noticeboard!) But that was never my main point - the last few weeks has seen some abysmal displays including taking just 1 point from 3 teams below us in the league.What do you think will change by giving him more time? We have played 17 league games( more than a third of the season) and have the worst defence in the league.SE was and still is the wrong choice - if you look at the player ratings, SE regularly scores 2 or 3 so I am not alone in my thoughts.

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brady added 12:30 - Nov 8 Good article, giving a well balanced view, there are to many negative articles now being posted, We are only short of a good well organised central defender, hopefully SE is scouring the market for a new Craig Dawson.
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