The biggest mistake we made in that car crash of an 80-81 season, and there were many, was replacing Ernie Whalley as caretaker manager with Big Mal, who was way past his sell by date by then. Ernie got the team battling, and got results, we draw 2-2 with Liverpool at home, beat Norwich 4-1 and Southampton 3-2 with a Micky Flanagan hattrick (Oh Mickey, Mickey to the tune of son of my father rang out for the one and only time) - Willo can tell us if any of those results were Venables', but it was autumn of '80 so I'm pretty sure I'm correct. Did a really decent job for us, bit Warnockeque, insisted on effort, fitness and unselfish play, started at Chelsea and if he was good enough for Venables that demonstrates his quality. Dropped Vince Hilaire for Neil Smilie cos he didn't work hard enough, after six weeks of Allison came Dario Gradi who was rubbish for us. We may or may not have stayed up under Whalley but we would not have finished cut adrift with our lowest ever points tally of 19 (2 for a win of course). Great servant to the club.
RIP
England
