Premier League: 8 Glaring Questions From This Season So Far

3. How Long Is 'Long Enough' To Keep Faith In A Struggling Manager?

More frequently these days we witness managers being relieved of their duties all too soon. The average length for a manager's time at a club in England is now just 1 year. That's 12 months to get used to the club, personnel and area before you are expected to explain how you've improved the team's fortunes or you face the sack. A number of clubs have changed their manager this season with differing results, but the question being asked is whether it is better to stick or twist when a manager seems to be struggling. We'll have a look at three different clubs and their varying results with changing their managers. Sunderland were the first team to change their manager this year. They relieved Paolo Di Canio of his duties back in September after a poor run of results and a clear sense of unhappiness within the squad. They replaced the man, who narrowly saved them from the drop last year, with Gus Poyet. The team instantly seemed revitalised and results eventually started to improve. Sunderland went from an average of 0.2 points per game to 1.15 points and sit in 18th, one point away from 16th and with a game in hand. In this instance it seems that a change was very much needed. Crystal Palace also changed the man in charge this year, when Ian Holloway was let go after appearing to go transfer mad and bringing in anybody that was available in the summer. The Eagles were dead and buried by the end of November, only averaging 0.37 points a game. After changing their hand and appointing Tony Pulis as manager (albeit rather slowly) their points average went up to 1.35 per game. Crystal Palace are sitting in 16th now only 2 point off of 10th. Another good decision to change the manager. Cardiff City are the last team we'll consider after they sacked manager Malky Mackay, even though he made a solid start to the Welsh club's maiden season in the Premier League. Owner Vincent Tan chose to replace him with ex-Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and their fortunes haven't quite been the same as the other teams mentioned. Under Mackay, Cardiff averaged 0.94 points a game which us just under survival form. Solskjaer is only averaging 0.62 points per game and this is heavy relegation form, as shown by their league position of 18th. It seems Cardiff would have been better to stick with what they had. In conclusion, it really is a gamble to trade up on your manager but it seems that, this season at least, changing you manager after a continued run of poor results is an effective answer.