Going back to that article, at the end of the day a manager can be doing one of 3 things:
- Exceed expectations
- Hit expectations
- Fail to hit expectations
Carry on as we are and he will be doing the middle one, Hirst deserves the manager of the year as hes in the top category, Mowbray and Cook deserve credit for doing the second.
I know a few people are seemingly set on spreading the notion that the angry mob are constantly criticising him, but the vast majority of things I see are positive, that doesnt mean people shouldnt criticise minor things ie team selections, subs, all part of being a football fan but I feel like he gets alot of praise and backing which he deserves. Crowds home and away are healthy, and are certainly behind him. Hes not underappreciated in my opinion. Even from last year when he failed to keep us up, the fans backing throughout the summer and at the start was constant, there was a period of understandable doubt after wed lost 4 in 11 because we looked destined for more underachievement but hes turned it around.