LAST week saw both Peter Reid and George Burley finding more time on their hands than they would like. Reid's departure wasn't a shock as he's been taking flack from the Sunderland supporters for a while.

Mind you, it was a surprise as he's just spent over £10 million on players, proving an open cheque book doesn't guarantee you job security.

You still wonder if getting rid of Reid will help them in the long run, especially as they chose Howard Wilkinson as the replacement.

Can you ever believe he actually coached a team to the title? I doubt he believes it himself. Results don't usually change that much for a struggling team after a new man has been put in charge.

Look at Derby last year, the writing was on the wall well before John Gregory took over the hot-seat.

Not that it was upsetting to see him relegated. It probably wasn't even that bad for him either. It's got to have been better than having to watch Aston Villa play every week.

Timing can be everything.

Just think what would have happened if fans always had their way. Many Bolton fans were calling for Big Sam's head a couple of years ago. Wanderers were promoted later that season.

What about Alex Ferguson? Some United fans won't admit it but back in 1990 there were a few mutterings that it was time for him to go.

Legend has it that had United gone out of the FA Cup at Forest, he'd have gone too.

So maybe fans aren't the right people to decide when the manager should go.

Maybe we should let the fans of other teams decide?

How about a Pop Idol style phone vote?

If I've got to spend 30p on a phone call vote, I'd much rather blow my cash on getting Arsene Wenger out of the job than voting for Will or Gareth.