We had a great Christmas at Carrow Road picking up six points in two league games since my last appearance on TheFA.com and we now must carry that form on into our game tomorrow against Bradford.

I was also honoured to receive the Nationwide Manager of the Month award, but the one we really want to pick up is at the end of May, and while we're sitting on the top of the table, the league championship is very much on our minds, especially since we went out of The FA Cup last weekend at Goodison Park - we've go to keep working.

The Everton game was one of enjoyment and, despite the 3-1 defeat, the players came out with a lot of credit. Everton started brightly, but in the second-half we played exceptionally well and had chances, their 'keeper's made some big save, so overall there are some pluses to come out of the defeat, we must try and just continue at that level until the end of the season.  

The situation with Bradford tomorrow is very simple, The Bantams are fighting for their lives, so we know it's going to be a tough game, but we'll be ready for that.  We must first get the ball and compete like they will, then if we go and play like we know we can play then we'll hopefully come out with the right result.

This week has been a strange week for managers and highlights just how fine the line between success and failure is. 

Gerard Houllier at Liverpool has come under some criticism of late for the way his team has been performing.  I think in that situation, credit must be given to Mr. Moores, the chairman at Anfield,  for standing firm.  He's got a very good manager in Gerard. The Frenchman has heaps of knowledge and has had results for the club in the past.  The fact that he's been plagued with injuries to key players has not helped, but that should be taken into account. I think the chairman knows that they have a good man in charge.

On Wednesday night, Liverpool earned a very good 1-0 win at Chelsea and all of a sudden the knives are out for Claudio Ranieri.  Even though there has been millions spent at Chelsea, all of that talent has to gel together.  People were expecting it to take a few months before Chelsea's stars really started playing together, the fact that they were unbeaten for so long came as a bit of a surprise.  One thing about football is, no matter who you are or how good you are, there will still be times in a season when you lose games.  

I heard the manager's comments after the game and he said it is just a little hiccup and he'll now be looking for a response from those big name players.  Losing matches is something neither the players, nor managers want to do.  Sometimes it comes down to bad performances or bad luck, no one loses games on purposes, but if a team loses too many, then in this business, it's the managers neck on the line. However, people have to appreciate that other circumstances surround these situations and it's not simply the manager's fault.
 
When a football club has bad results, people are looking for change straight away, but it's my view that that isn't the way forward, stability is the key word for me.  The chairman and board of directors must be strong in certain circumstances.  If they don't see signs of change and think that those in place can't turn it around, then it's at that point they should think about taking action. While they still believe the right person is in charge, they have to show their strength and stick by him.

Another managerial change is set for Southampton following Gordon Strachan's announcement that he's leaving the club at the end of the season.  As much as I'm surprised about his decision I don't think we know the full story just yet. I played with Gordon at Leeds and he's very determined and one of those characters the game needs. We just have to respect his decision and hope that everything goes well for him over the summer and that he gets back to the way he was and is happy with himself.

Worther's New Year's Resolutions

As a club we must continue to do what we did in 2003 and win football matches.  On a personal level I want to try and keep my emotions under control through the stresses and strains of a football game.

One to watch in 2004...  

The young lad Andy Reid at Nottingham Forest.  He's recently been linked with Spurs and I can see why.  If he can firstly maintain and then step up from what he's achieved with Paul Hart at Forest, then he's going to be a great player for the future.

Nigel Worthington