Difficult times for Kotoko but…

Kotoko management in a crucial meeting.

It’s obvious that, the state Kotoko finds itself presently is not the best. It’s easy to argue that, Kotoko’s problems are self-inflicted. In times like this, all shapes and shades of opinions fly in our faces. Those who choose to apportion blame often do so with glee but blame games never help. Those who also decide to be silent do so with the hope that things will be well.

In times like this, it’s also difficult to determine who is offering the right advice. It’s easy to assume that, everyone is right with what he or she is saying. This is the time for the General Manager, Opoku Nti and his team of managers to remain resolute. This is the time for them to confidently steer the team out of the stormy waters to a safe ground.

Again, times like this require serious thinking. Times like this demand that, Kotoko managers take decisive actions – actions that will immediately halt the unimpressive trend. Actions that will bring joy onto the faces of the fans. Actions that will ensure that Kotoko is ultimately saved for declining further down the pit.

At the moment, I can’t put my finger on exactly what is wrong. I can only recommend that, Kotoko need a substantive coach immediately. Three games and three draws are not what Kotoko bargained for. Thinking about the fact that, Kotoko have won just two out of 10 matches, drawn five and lost three makes me sad. The situation must change. It will.

I know of moves to get the team a substantive coach as soon as possible especially now that there’s communication to the effect that, coach Mas-ud Didi Dramani’s severance package is almost done with. That should mark the beginning of the appointment of a new coach, who, whether he likes it or not, must work around the clock to positively reverse the poor trend.

That new coach could be former Hearts, Ashgold and Olympics trainer, David Duncan.

Beyond appointing David Duncan, the players, should be made aware of the seriousness Kotoko’s dwindling fortunes in the Premier League and why they must rise to change that.

They must be made to fully understand that, the ship is sinking but it can’t be allowed to sink beyond the level it has gone in the past few weeks.

This is certainly not the time to point accusing fingers. It is also not the time to ascertain how the team got here. It’s rather the time to throw our weight behind management for them to drive us out of the unpleasant situation. I have been looking at the league log over and over.

It’s hard to believe that, Kotoko are 14th on the table. Perhaps I shouldn’t be too worried knowing that before every rise, there is usually a fall.

I believe, Kotoko will survive this turbulence. People are naturally asking and finding out how the team got into the current state of affairs but that shouldn’t take our attention too much. I expect management, knowing what might have led us to the “broken bridge” to offer solutions as to how the team can overcome the “broken bridge” and cross to the path of success.

I have read reports that strive to paint nothing but a gloomy picture for the team as their CAF Champions League campaign starts this Saturday in Algeria against Eulma. The gloomy reports are logically based on recent happenings but the saying that, in football, what matters most, is what happens within 90 minutes, not pre-match analysis, still remains true.

Therefore the Porcupines should remain focused. They should believe that, in the midst of the gloominess, something good can be achieved. Football has often times defied logic. It is thus possible that the Porcupines will go to Algeria to make us proud. Football can be so interesting.

It is a game with copious stories of how teams have often disregarded stark realities to be impressive. Kotoko should neither be daunted by Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Medeama nor should they be unsettled by the on-going discouraging commentary on their performance. They should put everything behind them and understand that, these are difficult times. They will survive.