Martinez on Shaky Ground

We all know that Avram Grant’s job seems to be indefinitely on the line but somehow he is still there. West Ham did release a statement only a week or so ago stating that that they are “committed to retaining” the manager. The bookies certainly don’t believe them and he remains odd-on favourite to be axed next. But what if the East London side surprise everybody and stick with their man after all? There could be some real value hidden in the ‘sack race’.

There has been a flurry of bets on Ian Holloway being the next manager to leave his post. This is surely nonsense. ‘Ollie’ can get a little melodramatic. He threatened to resign if the FA fined the club for fielding a weakened team, which has now happened. Many punters seem to have put two and two together and assumed he’s off then. This rather ignores the fact that Holloway revised his ‘threat’ after he calmed down a little and insisted he would tender his resignation to the chairman but that it was “up to him whether he chooses to take it.” Given that Blackpool are enjoying their first season in the top flight since 1971 and exceeding all expectations I think there’s a fair chance that the paperwork may never get out of the printer tray.

So who will be the next manager out in the Premiership? Roberto Di Matteo is struggling for the first time at West Brom but with a promotion in his first season he should be given more time. Alex McLeish has just taken Birmingham to Wembley and should be ok and Mark Hughes looks like a man turning things round at Fulham.

The one I fear for is Roberto Martinez who has a Wigan team that looks more like relegation fodder with every passing week. They are strangely accustomed to top flight status now having being up since 2005 and they seem as likely as anyone to push the panic button if things don’t improve soon. This doesn’t look too likely with a team over-dependent on Hugo Rodallega who have only won twice at home all season. At 11/1 with PaddyPower it could be that the likeable Spaniard is next to pack his bags.