Iltalehti's story about pekka was much less harsh than the headline (which was 'Embarrassing, Niemelä! Collapse at Klingenthal one more failure more for pekka niemelä's team.") In the text they do remind Väätäinen's meter for total failure and great shame (less than 50 points companied for Finns) in WC competition and note that this year only Finns have manage to do better only twice. But other than that, Niemelä is still given a lot of benefit of doubt. For example while Larinto's and Hautamäki's earlier good performances are seen as Niemelä's merit, Matti's current unstable form is seen as something Niemelä has no power over. Also Rane's difficulties are seen as something Niemelä has no influence in any way. So still very mild criticism but also the sign, that press is starting to become impatient with lack of success. But i would still say, that from now on we will see how well Pekka stands the heat. His honeymoon with Finnish press seems to be over. Hee was very lucky to get a long one.
Anyway, I don't believe to the coach change this spring at all. I think Pekka has a contract for next year and anyway, he was taken for long project and Havu and Ville have done so well, that it gives faith for the future. Only reason I can see them changing coach for, would be, that they would do so badly at Oslo and after that, that making some showy changes would be the only way to save some credibility. Totally different matter will be, how big Ylianttila's role will be next year, if he too continues (he at least knows how to work with also difficult personalities, he has survived with the team with Nykänen, Puikkonen and Kojonkoski and some other interesting personalities at the same time. And that ensemble makes every nowadays active (or recently quitted) Finnish ski jumpers look like Sunday school class.) And how much Niemelä is given ukases about treatment of some jumpers etc if that is needed.
I'm also wondering right now, what happened the B-team and youngsters again. Finns are again missing from COC. Sami Niemi was not at Klingenthal and will not be at Ober (like he really should.) This is second winter for him with very light competing and he certainly is one of those Finland can not loose. Even though he is apparently more the type 'talented and difficult from Ounasvaara' than 'nice and hardworking from Puijo' I can't really see any reason, why Jupe is with the national team and Sami not. Both jump just as badly, but there is huge difference in future potential.