Over the course of history there have been many revolutions - some have been successful, some have ended in tears and others have been shot down before they've started. The marketing department at Bloomfield Road took a punt on the 'Riga Revolution' when it came to attempting to sell season tickets following Jose' arrival, but the fact they seemed to put a picture of Riga in the middle of a target may have been more significant than they realised. With one win in fifteen games, it would seem Riga could become shooting practise for the Chairman.

He was the fans choice, there was general excitement around his arrival and not since the days of Ian Holloway has a manager received such an ovation as Jose Riga. With just 8 players on the books, the Belgian always had an uphill job coming in to the job as late as he did, but as he started to bring in Premier League players on loan, internationals from the World Cup and players with European track records, it appeared that the Riga Revolution was well on track to succeed. However, August proved to be a nightmare. Six defeats in the league and an embarrassing cup defeat to Shrewsbury. Riga blamed a lack of fitness, backing and time with his team. Many felt that after the international break in September the situation would improve.

However, Riga's failure to win all but one game has shone an unwanted spotlight on the manager. Many have asked if he's teflon because of the negativity towards the Chairman and the fact the Belgian has stood up to him. However, in a results business Riga has failed to deliver. Not only that but he seems to have failed to respond to the team's lack of chances in front of goals and a gaping hole at left back for the last three games - arguably the reason we have lost all three matches. To say Riga is blameless is blinkered. However, there is no doubt that Karl Oyston's handling of the manager's post the last few months has been negligible. His failure to bring someone in having decided Ferguson wasn't the man for the job, his failure to back Riga and his original list of targets, his failure to stand by his manager and go behind his back looking elsewhere for a replacement and his failure to keep control of a situation which has made Blackpool a laughing stock. Yes Riga has performed poorly and may pay the price, but it will leave the Chairman with blood on his hands. Karl Oyston won't sack himself which means there's likely to be only one option for him.

Sadly for Jose Riga he will go down as the worst manager in Blackpool's history and he doesn't deserve that. In other circumstances, such as at Charlton when he walked in to a decent squad who just weren't performing, he did an admirable job, however the fact he was sacked from that job should have raised a few alarm bells. The relationship with Oyston got off on the wrong foot and it was always going to be a struggle. If he does keep his job then you feel Ipswich could be his final hoorah. The Riga Revolution has failed to get over the first battle line and, as is often the case with a revolution, it's the leader that pays the price of failure.

Photo: Action Images

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