What a difference a season makes.
Once heralded as the man who revitalised the club in recent time, in the space of nine months, Wolves have gone from free flowing attacking football and fan fizzing with optimisim to a promotion push never starting, tiring football and leaving fans divided as much as they have been in years.
An array of unfortunate injuries and poor recruitment have contributed to this, but five wins since the start of the year and a style of football which can help you nod off doesn’t look good on paper.
If Kennt Jackett’s double header was as highly received as Chrisptopher Nolan’s ‘Dark Knight’ trilogy, then the season gone has been as poorly received as Zack Snyder’s recent superhero mash-up.
“You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the Villian.”
Kenny Jackett was once seen as the methodical, tactical and professional head coach. Now, in the space of nine months, the thought of him staying at Wolves sends shivers down many supporters spines.
If you are to believe the social media army, the tide has well and truly turned on the head coach. Opinion has completely shifted since the start of the year.
The problem for Kenny Jackett is to somehow try to change fan sentiment. Wins of course can change this.
However, feelings have reached a point where even if Wolves were to win their first ten games of next season, a defeat would quickly erase what had happened before and provide fans with the ammunition they need to call for his head once more.
You feel that Kenny Jackett is swimming against a tide that he may not eclipse.
A few weeks ago I wouldn’t have been surprised if Kenny Jackett had resigned at the end of this season. Just like his character, professionally and without a fuss. However he seems as determined as ever to continue his Molineux journey.
Does one under performing season out of three, with contributing factors, really mean he has outstayed his welcome? Or does the man deserve a chance to fix the mistakes he may have apparently made?
Similarities can be drawn between Kenny Jackett’s time at Wolves and Brendan Rodgers tenure at Liverpool.
After a first season new era, Rodgers enjoyed a successful second outing at Anfield. His team showed a unique brotherhood and equilibrium which helped them ride the crest of momentum, lead by their star man Suarez.
After losing out on the title, their prized asset left and Rodgers tried and failed to evolve his team without the Barcelona striker.
Liverpool just didn’t look and feel like the team from the previous season. Rodgers was given another summer to try again but two months into the season, he was gone.
From the neutral fan view, it felt that Rodgers stock had fallen, seen more as a comical character rather than the forward thinking young coach he was seen as before. It didn’t seem that he was going to recover this reputation going into the start of this season, regardless of how well they could have performed.
Replace some of these words in this analogy with Kenny Jackett, Playoffs, Sako and Wolves and you’ve got a similar story.
“If we believe that there is even a one per cent chance that he is our enemy, we have to take that as an absolute certainty.”
As tenuous as a link that Ben Affleck Batman quote may be, Wolves have to be certain on their confidence in Kenny Jackett.
If they hold any doubts, even a fraction, on his ability going forward, now is the right time to change the guard.
Similar to Rodgers at Liverpool, sacking the Irishman not so long into the season made you question why he had been given the summer in the first place. Wolves need to avoid the same calamity.
Kenny Jackett may bring stability in an uncertain time but how far can this balance progress the side in the future?
If Wolves are to stick with Kenny Jackett, it needs to be for the long haul. Back and supported through recruitment with intent and board approval. An early departure into next season will achieve nothing.
It’s time to either stick, and keep sticking or pull the final twist on Kenny Jackett.
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