Vote of Confidence?

City chairman John Wardle has given what could be interpreted as the dreaded 'vote of confidence' in manager Stuart Pearce.

Although Wardle's ire was directed at the underachievers who donned the City shirt on Saturday, the simple fact that he has put his head above the parapet suggests Pearce's time may be running out.

Speaking to the official club website, mcfc.co.uk, Wardle had this to say:

"I was at the game and could fully understand the reaction of our supporters who were there. I can also appreciate why some of them left early and I shared their anger.

"I want the players to take a long look at themselves this week. They must understand that the performance was unacceptable.

"As Chairman of the football club, I sat with the Board of Directors and man for man we were totally embarrassed by what happened on the pitch.

"This football club is not used to this type of performance and will not accept it. We are determined to put this right."

Mr Wardle added that the club is examining options in the forthcoming transfer window to further strengthen the squad and he was open to any new investment in Manchester City.

"As a major shareholder of this football club, I would be the last person to stand in the way of anyone who wished to come in with investment to move the club forward.

"We will support the manager in the January transfer window. We have already invested a net £8.5m in players this year and we will continue to look for opportunities to improve the squad.

"Our supporters have always been tremendously loyal and I thank them for that. We must now all pull together and get behind the team in the coming weeks and months."

Whilst admitting that it is nice to actually hear something emanating from the boardroom for a change I would be more than intrigued if Mr.Wardle was to elaborate on the 'net' £8.5 million spend. Has all of the Wright-Phillips, Anelka, wages saved money just disappeared off the face of the earth?

Quite obviously all is not right at Manchester City but Mr.Wardle must accept that if you settle for mediocrity in the transfer market it works its way down to the pitch. Aspirations of survival and no further ambition led to Saturday's performance and for that the blame starts at the top.

One further point "This football club is not used to this type of performance and will not accept it. We are determined to put this right.". Obviously the chairman's recall is not the greatest these days. I've been brought up on 30 years of this type of performance from Manchester City and accepted it like everyone else. Perhaps we've accepted for to long?

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