Next Reading Manager: Brighton boss Poyet is odds-on

 

Gus Poyet and Reading links pose the question: are they more likely to be in the top tier next season than Brighton?

 

Reading's decision to sack Brian McDermott last Monday was attacked, not just because it was harsh after he lifted them into the Premier League - such ruthlessness is now expected - but due to the unlikelihood of attracting a quality replacement.

 

Whereas in January, there is time to refresh the squad with a new signing or two and weed out any negative influences, anyone recruited now is stuck with the mess that they inherits and has only eight matches to transform their fortunes. At least five of those may need to be won too.

 

With transfer market savvy and organisational prowess neutered, force of personality is arguably the greatest asset to inject in such circumstances. That perhaps explains how Paolo Di Canio, though hugely under-qualified after less than two years working in League Two and League One, came to feature so prominently in the early discussion, yet he has since drifted to 18.5.

 

The lack of appetising candidates or publicised interest in the eight days since McDermott's exit appears to vindicate the view that Reading's timing was out. However, the next manager market landscape was altered on Wednesday afternoon with Gus Poyet suddenly a 1.81 frontrunner.

 

Poyet is also fairly inexperienced after just over three years in charge of Brighton, but there is little faulting the work that he has done having topped League One in his first full season and guided them into serious play-off contention in his second at Championship level.

 

Despite that, he has minimal experience of motivating a struggling side - doomed if their 1.09 relegation odds are to be believed - beyond his terminated role as Tottenham assistant during their infamous "two points, eight games" start to 2008/09.

 

Even if he is the best available option, is it really in his best interests to take it? Reading are seven points from safety with eight fixtures left. Brighton are outside the play-offs on goal difference and nine points shy of automatic promotion with eight to play and a team already attuned to his ideas.

 

Given that he has been talked about as possessing an outside shot at the Chelsea job - admittedly mainly by Ray Wilkins - is it really worth risking his reputation when the chances of success are rated so slim? It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the answer is no.

 

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