THE football management equivalent of “encircling vultures” are again hovering over the Deva Stadium, as another disastrous and passionless performance unfolded on Saturday.
This latest episode in the all-too familiar saga came against a very ordinary Wycombe Wanderers side.
A clutch of currently unemployed managers, including the former Shrewsbury Town and Cambridge United boss Jimmy Quinn and a number of possible wannabees who included ex-Tranmere Rovers player Wayne Allison, looked on as another disjointed performance was played out in front of them.
The harsh reality is that Chester have only registered two wins in competitive matches in 2008, whilst in their three games in all competitions this season they have conceded an embarrassing 13 goals and but for the draconian imposition of points deductions against Luton Town, Bournemouth and Rotherham United, they would be firmly rooted to the bottom of the Football League.
At the moment there doesn’t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel.
The wretched form is now having a massive financial effect on the club, with supporters beginning to vote with their feet. The attendance of just over 1400 against Wycombe, was the lowest Saturday attendance at the Deva Stadium since City returned to the Football League in 2004.
Wycombe registered a goal in either half and if they had been more incisive they could easily have tripled their tally.
The first goal came after 26 minutes. A long ball from Woodman found the unmarked John Mousinho who lobbed it over the advancing Danby for a simple goal.
City’s chances were mainly long range efforts, Lowe, Ellison and Dinning all trying shots from outside the area which went wide.
The southerners doubled their advantage after 66 minutes. Zebroski was adjudged to have been brought down by Wilson and referee Mr Drysdale pointed to the spot.
Last season’s top scorer Scott McGleish despatched the resulting spot kick, the ball going under the dive of Danby.
Wycombe then missed a clutch of chances, the best coming from Johnson whose close range header rattled the City bar before bouncing to safety.
After the game Chester’s young boss Simon Davies intimated that there may be changes at the club this week: “We have a vacancy for an assistant manager and possibly we will bring somebody in to fill that post, or a Director of Football may join us. It will be decided next week.”
There is no doubt that Davies, who is in his first managerial position, could do with an experienced Director of Football to assist him.
The appointment of Huw Griffiths as assistant manager, was a mistake. Griffiths left the club last week.
It has now become evident that an experienced man with previous Football League management experience would be the ideal partner for Davies’ fledgling coaching ideas.
CHESTER CITY: Danby, J Vaughan, Linwood, Kelly, Wilson, Dinning (Partridge 72), Mozika, Barry, Harris (Taylor 72), Lowe, Ellison. Subs: Roberts, S Vaughan, Mannix.
WYCOMBE WANDERERS: Shearer, McCracken, Williamson, Johnson, Woodman, Grant (Rice 90), Doherty (Ashton 90), Spence, Mousinho, McGleish, Zebroski (Vieira 81). Subs: Young, Crooks.
REFEREE: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire).
ATT: 1,419.
