At what point would you start to re-think your position on Martin O'Neill?
End of the window will begin to see my opinion change if things do not materialise. I have faith that he can bring in players and I've never bought this idea that he's sat on his arse doing nothing. I think we'd hoped to have players in by now and clearly, something's gone wrong. I don't especially think he's dithered. However, if players do not turn up at the club, I'll begin to reconsider my position not only on O'Neill, but of the Lerner regime as well. My thinking right now is 'The man isn't stupid, he knows he needs players. If he can't get them then theres something beyond his control thats stopping him'. If things dont change, that'll become the same with added bite, with the addition of 'and Martin needs to realise he has to work through these issues and if that means he needs to look at players he wouldn't normally (i.e. further afield) then so be it'.
How far does your support go at a critical time in our (and other teams') chase for the top 4?
As far as the club goes, I'm a Villan if we're winning the league and I'm a Villan if we're relegated.
As for support of O'Neill with regards to a top 4 chase (I'm assuming the question in this context means 'We're chasing the top 4 and not getting it, sack the manager?') then as far as I'm concerned, top 4 right now is far off goal. We're in a marathon for it, not a sprint. We're in training now for the run on the top 4 race in a few seasons. Until we're ready we'll be in the chase for top 6 year on year. I've accepted this and am happy that that is the case with the long term goal of top 4 in mind. I feel others need to as well. With that in mind, O'Neill retains my support so long as we look to be hoping to build on towards that goal. I've accepted that this season, barring miracles, is a season we'll dropping off, but provided he's still building that side he has my support.
What does Martin have to do (or not do) before you begin allowing yourself to think 'Hold on a second Martin sort it out'? Surely your support only goes so far? Only goes to a point? I want to know what that point is. Have we already reached it?
My support goes when we significantly fail. If we spend much of a season bottom half looking hopeless, his buys not performing consistantly (or he really starts to take the piss with signings, I mean really dire players on big fees) and crucially for me anyway, looking like we don't believe anymore (which frankly, this seasons 2 games aren't instilling any hope in that belief for me) then I'll not be backing him like before. If we start to unnecessarily sell the teams assets then my faith in the whole regime will be gone. By unnecessarily I mean, for example, a sale of Ashley Young to a rival for anything other than a silly fee, unless he becomes a problem.
As things stand now, I think O'Neill is still the one for us, he's delivered year on year. He's not excited, he's not been glamourous, but he's got the results come May and thats enough for me. I'd prefer better cup performances but they're always a bit of a lottery. I'd prefer a better squad as well but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure he'll come through with signings before the end of the window so I'm not especially worried about that, and I'll not demand names or massive fee's either so long as they peform on the pitch or give the impression to me that they can. But he still has my backing for now. All could start to change after the window though.