There have been several postings about Paul Merson’s extraordinary interview in the Sunday Mercury yesterday in which he attacked the attitude of some elements of Walsall’s support. The full text of the article is now available.

Merson said:

“There was one player who should have played more - and that was me. I spent too much time worrying about other players’ injuries instead of getting myself in shape.
I made seven appearances at Walsall this season and we didn’t lose. It’s so easy as a player-manager to get caught up in a whole raft of matters and neglect your own interests.”

“I definitely want another go at it,” (Football management) “It hasn’t put me off. But it would have to be as a player-boss. A few old heads in the game told me I had retired too early. I’m not finished yet as a player. I still have full faith in myself and know I can play to a high standard.

It’s great to put the boots on again at Tamworth and if I can do well for Mark until the end of the season, then hopefully the phone might ring with the offer of a job.”

Merson blamed “ignorant” fans for his demise.

“There is no doubt a small minority of supporters with short memories forced the decision,” he said. “We’d played five games on the road and I felt I deserved one opportunity at home. What people forget is Walsall were punching way above their weight in the Championship when I arrived at Bescot. In 100 years or so the number of times Walsall have been that high up the league ladder can be counted on the fingers of one hand.”

It appears that Merson is now rewriting history, as last seasons struggles with him in the side seem to have been forgotten, as has the fact that his final failure came not because of “five games on the road”, but after a season and a half of under performing. As for over achieving in the Championship, yes, we were. Until the season Merson arrived, when we promptly got relegated. Or has he conveniently forgotten that fact?

It seems that the “Mr Nice Guy” persona is slipping.