Football: Andy Gray column: Life in the firing line

IF A manager is considered to have cocked it up he gets his marching orders. If a club chairman blows it he gets to fire someone else and hangs on to his job. Such is the world of football.

Sunderland chairman Bob Murray made a big mistake (a) when he got rid of Reidy and (b) when he replaced him with Howard Wilkinson. I didn't think it was the right choice at the time and it's proved to be that way.

The one thing in Murray's favour is that he has acted swiftly in a bid to put things right. I have always said managers should be given time to make it work but in Howard's case there were no signs of things getting better and to be honest I don't think he had the players behind him.

So they have decided to give someone else half a chance of getting Sunderland out of the mire and Mick McCarthy is a good choice. He already knows the Irish lads in the team and I think his different approach will restore a bit of spirit which is vital.

If Murray has got it right with McCarthy then the fans will forgive him for his previous mistakes. If Mick fails to keep them up then the pressure on the chairman will intensify.

I don't think Murray will go if Sunderland are relegated but if they are not in a position to come straight back up again in six months' time he might just find his position untenable.

It's going to be extremely difficult for Mick because of the few games left but it is not mission impossible.

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