Flog - The Megson Powerslide

Here is a list of all the words and/or phrases that follow ‘Gary Megson’ when Google’s weird predictive search thing intervenes; wiki[pedia], pathetic fans, quotes, chants, wife, Manchester City, sacked, out, abuse, jokes.
It’s like someone scanned a suicide note and picked out the verbs.
Megson himself admits that he has hardly been a hit since arriving at the Reebok in 2007, which is as gross an understatement as if you were to say Bolton were not the most attractive footballing side you can watch of a weekend. Since their (2nd) promotion to the Premiership in 2001, Bolton have been used to survival in the top flight, subjecting a couple of high profile home scalps and annoying Arsene Wenger more than any other team. Right now, they epitomise the average Premiership club- no progress is better than mass regress.
Under Sam Allardyce in 2005, Bolton began to dream of perhaps being a mainstay of European club football after finishing 6th. A year earlier they had reached the League Cup final, only to lose to Middlesbrough. Things were rosier than Rafa Bentiez’s cheeks.
But after Big Sam left for ‘better things’ at Newcastle- there’s a story to bypass with the Grandkids- things went downhill for Wanderers. After a short spell with Sammy Lee (why?), they turned to Megson. And they haven’t looked back, or indeed forward, since.
Staying in the league is more important than anything else, especially if you’ve been there a while. Newcastle and Middlesbrough’s relegation(s) represented the absolute horror scenario for every manager, chairman and fan in club football. You only have to look at the weakened sides managers play in the two cup competitions to see that survival means more than silverware. Why? Money, of course, and status.
So Megson is a little stuck. Fans had hoped for a more successful team, but to do that he would compromise their Premiership status. Rock, hard place, etc. I think it’s all a little harsh. Sure, his record doesn’t exactly scream glitz or glamour; According to Wikipedia, his greatest achievements are getting West Bromich Albion to the Premiership- twice. (so therefore being relegated with them in between- but his record still has him in credit, just.)
The Bolton fans have accused him of not attempting to make any sort of relationship with them. How can you, really? How many Man United supporters can say they have some sort of relationship with Alex Fergusson? I think you’ll find the relationship works like this; win stuff, we like you. In my opinion it would have been even stranger if Megson did try and have a relationship with them- like a desperate step-dad bonding with his new children.
So here’s to you, Gary, and your tuft of hair. Keep going, and maybe do a power slide in front of the North Stand the next time you get a result at home. Just ignore the abuse, jokes, chants and indeed your wife in the doing so.